Leisure … more than a word, it's a lifestyle

Spice up your Saturdays starting this weekend with the hottest Hispanic festival in town… Viva la Música!

If you visit SeaWorld over the next four Saturday’s you’ll enjoy a variety of delicious Latin cuisine and specialty drinks along with fiery performances from some of the finest acts in Latin music. The 2013 concert lineup includes:

• Saturday, April 13 – Daddy Yankee
• Saturday, April 20 – Willie Colón
• Saturday, April 27 – Grupomania
• Saturday, May 4 – El Gran Combo

Construction is on-schedule at SeaWorld Orlando’s new attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, and the park has announced May 24, 2013 as its grand opening date.

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin – sure to be Orlando’s must-see new attraction- will transport families into a rarely seen, icy world. They’ll feel the majestic grandeur of the South Pole and see it through the penguins’ eyes on an exhilarating, first-of-its-kind family ride. They’ll explore a massive penguin colony in an expanse that envelops them in cool extremes, both above and below the penguins’ icy world. It’s a must-see, one-of-a-kind theme park experience only at SeaWorld in Orlando. 

Fans wanting to explore even more of SeaWorld’s thrilling, chilling new adventure of a lifetime should download the free Antarctica app, available now for iPhones, iPads and Android devices. The app can be downloaded at SeaWorldOrlando.com/Antarctica.

The app is full of incredible create-and-share videos and photos, where fans can swim, march and dance with penguins. They can place their face onto an Antarctic explorer. And the best part? All of videos and photos can easily be shared with family and friends through social media channels — Facebook, Twitter and You Tube – and can be emailed, too.

The app is also the place to get the cold, hard facts about penguins and Antarctica, watch incredible behind-the-scenes teaser videos about the “making of” SeaWorld Orlando’s newest attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin.  Fans can even enter the Family Voyage Sweepstakes to win a trip to Orlando!

Be the first to see the latest attraction at SeaWorld, get your tickets at FloridaLeisureTickets.com

SeaWorld Orlando’s Bands, Brew & BBQ starts this weekend and this year we have a fabulous line up to look forward to.  Aslo, as in previous years, SeaWorld has partnered with several favorite local restaurants to bring sizzling BBQ and an array of thirst-quenching beer  to what will be a fun filled event. Of course, the highlight is the series of incredible concerts with many top artists from classic rock and country music and the best news of all is that Bands, Brew & BBQ is included with park admission!

This weekend sees the start of the season as Chris Young performs with Jerrod Niemann (both pictured above left & center) on Saturday and then on Sunday it’s the turn of Merle Haggard (pictured above right) to hit the beat!

The full line up is as follows

• Saturday, February 9              Chris Young with Jerrod Niemann
• Sunday, February 10              Merle Haggard
• Saturday, February 16            The Beach Boys
• Sunday, February 17              Styx
• Saturday, February 23            Big & Rich
• Sunday, February 24              Third Eye Blind
• Saturday, March 2                  Daryl Hall & John Oates
• Sunday, March 3                    Darius Rucker
• Saturday, March 9                  Michael McDonald
• Sunday, March 10                  Josh Turner
• Saturday, March 16                TBD
• Sunday, March 17                  Sheryl Crow

In just a months time SeaWorld Orlando’s Bands, Brew & BBQ will be here so today we thought we’d take a look at what to expect. In previous years, SeaWorld has partnered with several favorite local restaurants to bring sizzling BBQ and an array of thirst-quenching beer in an amazing atmosphere and this year will be no exception. Arguably, the highlight is the series of incredible concerts with many top artists in classic rock and country music. The best news of all is that Bands, Brew & BBQ is included with park admission!

Here’s the line up that you can enjoy at Bands, Brew & BBQ every weekend from February 9th – March 17th, 2013.

• Saturday, February 9              Chris Young with Jerrod Niemann
• Sunday, February 10              Merle Haggard
• Saturday, February 16            The Beach Boys
• Sunday, February 17              Styx
• Saturday, February 23            Big & Rich
• Sunday, February 24              Third Eye Blind
• Saturday, March 2                  Daryl Hall & John Oates
• Sunday, March 3                    Darius Rucker
• Saturday, March 9                  Michael McDonald
• Sunday, March 10                  Josh Turner
• Saturday, March 16                TBD
• Sunday, March 17                  Sheryl Crow

SeaWorld Orlando is the place to be over the next four weekends if you have young ones as the 2nd annual Just for Kids festival is about to begin.

It’s a chance for your little ones to sing, dance and play the day away.  They’ll also get to enjoy some fabulous live shows, try out the kid-sized rides, and meet with many of the adorable animals that make SeaWorld the wonderful park it is.  Additionally, there is a concert series with some great talent on offer:

Enjoy Just for Kids Saturdays, January 12 – February 2.

Jan 12                    Imagination Movers

Jan 19                    Laurie Berkner – Solo!

Jan 26                    Choo Choo Soul with Genevieve

Feb 2                      Kratt Brothers Live featuring the stars of Wild Kratts

Concerts are included with park admission and seating will be limited with tickets being distributed across from Nautilus Theater starting at 9am each concert date on a first-come, first-served basis.

Other activities include:

• Elmo Rocks!: Join Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, Zoe, Bert and Ernie as they form their own rock n’ roll band and give a concert. Music, dancing and audience participation are what you’ll find when you come see the brand new show. Located at Seafire Inn.

• Shamu’s Party Zone: This is the place to be for kid-size fun. Dance along to a family-friendly DJ, enjoy character appearances, and fun and games. Located near the Lakeside Patio.

• Shamu’s Happy Harbor: Take a ride, spin, slide or climb on fun kid-size attractions. Be sure to catch a ride on the Seven Seas Railway.

• Become a Junior Animal Ambassador: Experience our Ocean Adventure program and visit the four Sea Star locations in the park. Collect a stamp and a limited edition Just for Kids Explorer’s card at each location. If you collect all four cards and stamps, you will receive a prize.

• Guests will be able to meet, take photos with and get autographs from the famous turtle, Franklin  beginning with the “Just For Kids” event.  Franklin, from the beloved TV show Franklin and Friends, is the newest member of the SeaWorld family and will make daily appearances across from Pelican Preserve.
  

We recently covered some of the events happening at SeaWorld over Christmas and today we’re delighted to share the thoughts of Elizabeth and Gordon Hyslop, who recently won a competition we ran for Florida Leisure home owners. The Hyslop’s, from Fife – Scotland, have owned a home in Florida for some 15 years now and it has been a long time since they last went to SeaWorld. Here’s what they had to say about SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration:

“We probably have not been into Seaworld for about 20 years and certainly do not remember ever having been at Christmas. We had a most enjoyable day at Seaword on Saturday. All 11 hours of our visit proved to be filled with fantastic scenes ,events, shows and more. The Christmas atmosphere generated throughout the park and the decorations were the best we have experienced in Florida. Overall the decorations at Seaworld in our opinion were so much better and modern compared to Disney which are getting to be a little tired – however still great to see , especially compared to what is on offer in most towns/cities across the UK.

Back to Seaworld.   We loved all the shows we managed to see– O Wondrous Night, the dolphin show (went back for a second time so we could really take it all in) the Shamu show (again went during the day and returned for the Christmas version in the evening) We saw the last Ice Spectacular so we could watch the fireworks at 10.55p.m. and of course the Sea of Trees . All brilliant and all well worth the visit. Seaworld has changed quite a bit over the years and all for the better. We really enjoyed walking through the magnificently decorated Sea Gardens. A superb display. We were driving down I4 at 11.30p.m and it was packed. That was a new experience for us too !!”

If you’ve not been to SeaWorld yet, now is the time to go!

Waves of holiday spirit splash over the park during SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.  Carols fill the air, a sparkling sea of trees light up the water and skaters dance on ice. Here in a wintery, watery wonderland, guests can journey to the North Pole on THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience, share a smile with a sea lion, and enjoy stunning live shows inspired by the natural world. With everything from elves to Elmo, and from Santa to Shamu, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is where the season meets the sea. Events take place on select dates through December 31, 2012.

Returning Seasonal Favorites Include:

Families and friends can once again enjoy the spirit of Christmas during SeaWorld’s holiday-themed shows and festivities:

• O Wondrous Night tells the greatest story never told, with more than 30 carols, based upon the Christmas Story and told through the eyes of a variety of live animals. Everyone will be entertained by this touching, light-hearted and glorious celebration featuring a host of angels, animals and the true glory of Christmas.  And new this year, guests will have the opportunity to take photos with some of the stars from the show!
• Winter Wonderland on Ice is an ice skating extravaganza where Christmas comes to life through towering water fountains, magnificent fireworks and some of the most talented ice skaters in the world. This is a don’t-miss, holiday sensation.
• SeaWorld invites guests to experience the grace and beauty of our Shamu family at Shamu Stadium, during the night-time show, Shamu Christmas…Miracles. Thrilling seasonal music rings out as whales soar through the air in a performance that will take the audience on a stirring voyage into the heart of the holidays.

• Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas features Santa’s helpers, Clyde and Seamore, who are bringing their own brand of comedy to Christmas this year. Our loveable sea lions, along with a few mischievous otters, a comical elf, and a wintery walrus or two, search for Santa.
• A Sesame Street Christmas is a festive and fun musical celebration that will have the little ones smiling all the way home. Through dance, laughter, and interactive sing-a-longs, Elmo, Telly Monster and the rest of Abby Cadabby’s Sesame Street friends teach her what Christmas means to them.
• SeaWorld celebrates the season during Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountains Finale, with soaring fountains, dazzling lights, and festive fireworks, choreographed to joyous holiday musical favorites.  Experience a wondrous SeaWorld Christmas connection that lights the night.
• All Aboard! At the park’s Wild Arctic attraction, guests embark on a heart-warming journey to the North Pole aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience, based on the film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment, inspired by the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. Discover the sights, sounds, and smells of the season as family and friends are immersed in the dazzling wonder of this beloved holiday classic. Upon arrival at the North Pole, guests can meet Santa Claus himself, and encounter astounding animals in a wintery wonderland.

THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience is based on the film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment, inspired by the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg about a young boy doubting the magic of the holidays who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.  He embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

New this year is Show Express, which provides guests with reserved seating at all of SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration’s shows, plus front-of-the-line access to THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience, All-Day Dining Deal and a complimentary holiday photo.

In addition to the incredible seasonal shows and attractions, the amazing Sea of Trees includes more than 100 massive trees, each sparkling, lighted and choreographed to classic holiday tunes, making a dramatic display around SeaWorld’s center lake.

The Christmas Market, located on the park’s Bayside Pathway, features unique artisans and culinary delights. At this festive, bustling market, guests can find one-of-a-kind gifts and dine on scrumptious holiday delights.

Plus, enjoy a delicious dinner of Christmas favorites with Santa and Mrs. Claus during Santa’s Fireside Feast, a charming, warm-hearted holiday experience. Meet Santa himself, and listen to a classic holiday poem told onstage as never before to create Christmas memories that will last a lifetime. This sumptuous, all-you-can-eat seasonal meal takes place weekends of SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. Reservations are required, and include reserved seating at select holiday shows.  To book your reservation, visit FloridaLeisure.com.

As always the best theme park to visit in Central Florida is SeaWorld Orlando. All our staff at Florida Leisure love Christmas  as SeaWorld is the one park that does actually keep the “Christ” in Christmas. It is refreshing that someone is prepared to stick to good old solid Christian principles instead of following the politically correct crowd and call the Christmas period “Happy Holidays” instead.

We hope that SeaWorld will continue to do what it does and never succumb to those who want to devalue the reason for the season.

Anyway, off my soapbox now and this evening I took a quick trip to SeaWorld to get a sneak peak of SeaWorld’s 2012 Christmas Celebration and the lighting up ceremony for the Sea of Trees. The Sea of Trees includes 100 massive trees, each sparkling, lighted and choreographed to classic holiday tunes, making a dramatic display around SeaWorld’s center lake.It’s a wonderful sight to see.

Also, SeaWorld has one of the best shows you’ll ever see at a theme park with its superb “O Wondrous Night” stage production. “O Wondrous Night” tells the greatest story never told, with more than 30 carols, based upon the Christmas Story and told through the eyes of a variety of live animals. The show is simply fantastic and everyone will be thoroughly entertained by this touching, light hearted and glorious celebration featuring a host of angels, animals and the true glory of Christmas.

Among the returning holiday favorites that families and friends can enjoy once again are:

• Winter Wonderland on Ice – the ice skating extravaganza where Christmas comes to life through towering water fountains, magnificent fireworks and some of the most talented ice skaters in the world. This is a don’t-miss, holiday sensation.

• The night-time show, Shamu Christmas … Miracles. Thrilling seasonal music rings out as killer whales soar through the air in a performance that will take the audience on a stirring voyage into the heart of the holidays.

• Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas features Santa’s helpers, Clyde and Seamore, who are bringing their own brand of comedy to Christmas this year. Our loveable sea lions, along with a few mischievous otters, a comical elf, and a wintery walrus or two, search for Santa.

• A Sesame Street Christmas is a festive and fun musical celebration that will have the little ones smiling all the way home. Through dance, laughter, and interactive sing-a-longs, Elmo, Telly Monster and the rest of her Sesame Street friends teach Abby Cadabby what Christmas means to them.

• SeaWorld celebrates the season during Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountains Finale, with soaring fountains, dazzling lights, and festive fireworks, choreographed to joyous holiday musical favorites.  Experience a wondrous SeaWorld Christmas connection that lights the night.

• Now boarding! At the park’s Wild Arctic attraction, guests embark on a heart-warming journey to the North Pole aboard the THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience. Discover the sights, sounds, and smells of the season as family and friends are immersed in the dazzling wonder of this beloved holiday classic. Upon arrival at the North Pole, guests can meet Santa Claus himself, and encounter astounding animals in a wintery wonderland.

• The Christmas Market, located on the park’s Bayside Pathway, features unique artisans and culinary delights. At this festive, bustling market, guests can find one-of-a-kind gifts and dine on scrumptious holiday delights.

• Enjoy a delicious dinner of Christmas favorites with Santa and Mrs. Claus during Santa’s Fireside Feast, a charming, warm-hearted holiday experience. Meet Santa himself, and listen to a classic holiday poem told onstage as never before to create Christmas memories that will last a lifetime. This sumptuous, all-you-can-eat seasonal meal takes place weekends of SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. Reservations are required, and include reserved seating at select holiday shows.

Make sure you visit SeaWorld Orlando this Christmas… it’s a great place to visit and you, your family and your friends will have a really great time… and check back here as we’ll be giving away some free tickets in the next week or so. More photos at FloridaLeisurePhotography.com

At the world’s largest theme park convention, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ Expo 2012,  SeaWorld Orlando this morning revealed the vehicle that will take guests on a first-of-its-kind ride to the frozen south in the park’s 2013 attraction and all-new realm, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin.

There was much fanfare as the curtain dropped to reveal a circular simulator car that will carry up to eight passengers in a stadium style setting. SeaWorld said the ride will allow guests to “program” their ride vehicle prior to boarding with different intensity levels — “mild” to “wild” — putting riders in control of their own car’s motion.

“There’s nothing else like this in the world,” said Brian Morrow, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment creative director. “Next year, this is the vehicle that will take families on an epic adventure and allow them to experience and interact with the thrills, wonders and dangers of Antarctica, all through the eyes of a very special penguin. The vehicle combines a mobile simulator platform and a trackless navigation system and will slide like a penguin on ice on a trackless ride with different paths. Each time you ride this you actually will have no idea which path you’re going to get. It really allows us the flexibility and the unpredictability to create a ride that’s highly variable, which is really what we wanted.”

Terry Prather, SeaWorld Orlando’s president (pictured above) added: “That will up the repeatability factor of the ride and that’s one of the thrills of it. It will make you feel as if you’re dancing with the other vehicles. They’ll be interacting.”

Designers revealed a bit more about the vehicles’ unique role in the attraction.

The cars themselves are technological marvels. Each car is a mobile simulator, with movements that allow the riders to become one with the storyline as they follow and mimic a young penguin’s adventures. The combination of experiences – mobile, moving simulators and a completely trackless ride – are theme park firsts. Guests will choose one of two levels of adventure. Designers say each level has multiple variations for a feeling of unpredictability, just like the continent of Antarctica.

“When our little hero penguin learns to waddle and slide, we’ll feel what it’s like as the car moves and reacts to the storyline. When he takes his first swim or barely escapes danger, our guests will feel as if they’re right there with him” Morrow said.

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is the biggest expansion in company history and it is clear that Park executives consider the attraction an all-new “realm,” rather than a single attraction as they combine a state-of-the-art family adventure ride and closer-than-ever encounters with hundreds of penguins – kings, gentoos, Adelies and rockhoppers – to create Orlando’s must-see 2013 new attraction. Immersing guests in a colony of penguins means Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin will be the coldest theme park attraction in the world.

“We’ve taken our guests and fans on astounding journeys but no one has ever experienced what we’re bringing to Orlando in 2013. The first-of-its-kind ride, the cold, the wind, the thrills and danger of Antarctica and walking among penguins in a massive habitat is something only SeaWorld could do” remarked Prather.

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is scheduled to open next spring and we’ll bring you regular updates along the way. Here’s some video: