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

BEA ARTHUR

The beloved television icon, who starred in the groundbreaking ’70s series Maude and the much-beloved ’80s sitcom The Golden Girls, died April 25 at age 86 after a long battle with cancer. “Bea was such an important part of a very happy time in my life and I have dearly loved her for a very long time,” Golden Girls costar Betty White said in a statement. “How lucky I was to know her.”

JOHN HUGHES

The filmmaker behind such ’80s classics as The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and the ’90s blockbuster Home Alone was visiting family in Manhattan when he suffered a fatal heart attack during a morning walk on Aug. 6. From Molly Ringwald to Matthew Broderick and Macauley Culkin, the director and screenwriter, who was 59, was remembered for giving iconic young actors their big break. “The world has lost not only a quintessential filmmaker whose influence will be felt for generations, but a great and decent man,” Culkin said.

NATASHA RICHARDSON

While taking a private ski lesson at the Mont Tremblant resort in Québec, the actress, 45, fell down in what appeared to be a minor incident. Two days later, on March 18, she passed away from what was later ruled “blunt trauma” to her head, leaving behind her husband of 14 years, actor Liam Neeson, and two sons. “She was an adoring and loving wife and mother,” family friend Ralph Fiennes said. “I cannot imagine a world without her wit, her love, her mischief, her great, great talent and her gift for living.”

CAPTAIN LOU ALBANO

The beloved pro-wrestling figure – who appeared as Cyndi Lauper’s father in the video for “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” – was 75 when he died on Oct 14. The star, who helped launch pro wrestling into national prominence, had suffered heart attacks previously.

RICARDO MONTALBAN
The Fantasy Island star – who battled Captain Kirk as his nemesis Khan in the 1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan – died Jan. 14 from “complications of advancing age,” his son-in-law Gilbert Smith said. Montalban was 88 when he passed away at his Beverly Hills home, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. “He was in peace,” Smith said.

DAVID CARRADINE

The movie and TV star, 72, was shooting a new film in Bangkok when he was discovered in his hotel room on June 3 with a rope around his neck and body. While circumstances surrounding his death – ruled as accidental asphyxiation – remain unclear, what isn’t in doubt is the outpouring of love and respect the actor received from hundreds of friends, family and stars (Tom Selleck to Lucy Liu) who came out to say goodbye to the Kung Fu master.

JETT TRAVOLTA
During a family vacation in the Bahamas, John Travolta and Kelly Preston’s 16-year-old son Jett suffered a seizure on Jan. 2, and fatally struck his head. “I remember Jett when he was born,” family friend Tom Cruise said. “I saw him when he was just a few months old and John just adored him, and both of his children, and Kelly.” The family held a memorial for their son in their Ocala, Fla., hometown, where the locals remembered sharing a special bond with the boy. Said nearby resident Barbara Weiland, “We felt it was important to come out and let them know that every day people loved Jett too.”

WALTER CRONKITE
Dubbed “the most trusted man in America,” the TV news legend – who anchored the CBS Evening News and reported on President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the moon landing and the Vietnam War – died at age 92 on July 17. His distinguished voice still can be heard introducing the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, per his family’s wishes. As he said on his last Evening News broadcast, “Old anchormen, you see, don’t fade away – they just keep coming back for more.”

MICHAEL JACKSON

Just weeks before he was to kick off his London comeback concerts, the 50-year-old was rushed to UCLA Medical Center on June 25 after he was found unresponsive in his Hombly Hills, Calif., home. While the coroner and LAPD worked to uncover a cause of death (it was ruled a homicde), Jackson’s family, friends and millions of fans were left to mourn the passing of an icon But it was Jackson’s daughter Paris, taking hold of the mic at his public memorial, who reminded the world that the King of Pop was more than a larger-than-life figure: “Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.”

We also lost many other people that warrant a mention, people like:

Michael Crichton, Don Hewitt, James Whitmore, Bill Melendez, Pat Hingle, Paul Benedict, Bernie Hamilton, Robert Prosky and Ron Silver. It was a tough year and we lost some great people. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of their friends and family members as we enter the New Year.

So the final day of 2009 is here…and as always we look back on the year with some fond memories and also some not so fond times. 2009 will probably best be known for the economic situation around the globe but it was also a year when we lost some of the people who gave us all pleasure. Here’s our tribute to them:

PATRICK SWAYZE

After courageously battling pancreatic cancer, the dancer, actor and devoted husband of 34 years passed away on Sept. 14 at age 57. “Patrick was a really good man, a funny man and one to whom I owe much that I can’t ever repay,” said Whoopi Goldberg, who starred with Swayze in his most memorable film, Ghost, a role she says he lobbied for her to win. “I believe in Ghost’s message, so he’ll always be near.”

FARRAH FAWCETT

With her famous hair gone, a visibly frail Farrah Fawcett didn’t flinch at publicly documenting her brave battle with anal cancer in Farrah’s Story. But the Charlie’s Angels star, who died at age 62 on June 25, will forever be remembered as a ’70s golden girl, full of light and laughter. “When I think of Farrah I will remember her kindness, her cutting dry wit and, of course, her beautiful smile.” said her Angels costar and friend Kate Jackson.

PATRICK MCGOOHAN

He was an American-born actor, raised in Ireland and England, with an extensive stage and film career, most notably in the 1960s television series Danger Man (renamed Secret Agent when exported to the US),and The Prisoner. He died January 13th.

BRITTANY MURPHY

Her starmaking turn was as the charmingly goofy Tai in the 1995 comedy Clueless – but Murphy had a striking talent for drama, churning out jaw-dropping performances in Girl, Interrupted (as a suicidal mental patient) and Don’t Say a Word. But after reportedly battling the flu, the 32-year-old actress died of cardiac arrest after collapsing on Dec. 20 at her home in Los Angeles.

DJ AM

It was a scene no one expected: The celebrated deejay – who had survived a fatal plane crash a year ago – was discovered dead of an overdose in his New York City apartment on Aug. 28. Before his death, the 36-year-old (real name: Adam Goldstein) had filmed the MTV addiction series Gone Too Far.

ED MCMAHON

The TV personality, who emceed Star Search and famously introduced Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show for 30 years with his signature opening cry “Heeeeeere’s Johnny!” died of cancer on June 23 at age 86. Britney Spears – who appeared on Star Search as a young girl – Tweeted about the loss, saying, “He is responsible for giving so many artists their first shot including myself. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed.”

JANE GOODY

She first shot to fame as a hard-drinking contestant on the U.K. version of Big Brother. But it was Goody’s very public battle with cervical cancer – which she learned about while appearing on the Indian version of the reality show – that captivated the British public. After discovering that her illness was terminal, Goody wed longtime boyfriend Jack Tweed in a televised event (proceeds went to a fund for her two children). A month later, the 27-year-old died in her sleep on March 22 in her Upshire, Essex, home.

BILLY MAYS

Products like Oxi Clean and Kaboom became household must-haves thanks to infomercial pitchman Billy Mays, who always prided himself on the fact that he never endorsed a product he didn’t believe in. That voice was silenced when Mays, 50, died in his sleep June 28 due to a pulmonary embolism. “The news of Billy’s death came as a total shock to me,” Anthony Sullivan, Mays’s costar on Discovery Channel series Pitchmen said.

TED KENNEDY

The iconic Democratic senator from Massachusetts – and the last brother from the Kennedy political dynasty – died August 25 at age 77 after battling a malignant brain tumor. “For his family, he was a guardian,” said President Obama, who was among four Presidents who came out to commemorate the statesman for his life and public service at his burial at Arlington Cemetery. “For America, he was the defender of a dream.”

MARY TRAVERS

Following a long battle with leukemia, the Peter, Paul and Mary singer died Sept. 16 at age 72. The singer had won five Grammys with the trio, whose folk songs include “Puff, the Magic Dragon” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.” “Mary helped awaken mainstream America to the humanizing message of folk music. She reached millions of people in the struggle to guarantee social justice for all and has left a profound and lasting impact on all of us,” her bandmates and friends said in a statement.

KARL MALDEN

Oscar winner Malden – who won Best Supporting Actor in the 1951 classic A Streetcar Named Desire – died of natural causes July 1, at age 91, in his Brentwood, Calif., home. Michael Douglas, who costarred with Malden in 1972’s The Streets of San Francisco, said “[Karl] was my surrogate father. I love this man with all of my heart.”

Disney World is the ideal destination for families wishing to ring in the New Year in style but its important to plan your day well to avoid disappointment. Remember, lots of other people will be at Disney World to bring in a new decade and just last Monday Disney had to close both Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom because they were so busy. So the first tip is Arrive Early before the parks close.

Here’s a few extra tips to help New Year’s Eve go smoothly:

Magic Kingdom will welcome 2010 with probably the most spectacular fireworks display at Walt Disney World and that’s why lots of people want to go there. The New Year’s Eve fireworks generally include a stunning display of synchronized fireworks launched near the Magic Kingdom and several locations along the Seven Seas Lagoon, the human made lake in front of the Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom closes at 2 a.m. on New Year’s Eve but remember The Magic Kingdom is the only Walt Disney World theme park where alcoholic beverages are not served.

Guests can drink their way around the world at Epcot though. The theme park features special New Year’s Eve kiosks in World Showcase with imported and American beer, bubbly, and spirits. In addition, World Showcase’s eleven international pavilions feature casual and formal restaurants with cuisine from around the world. Entertainment ranges from live DJs to outdoor dance clubs and festive lighting. Those who wish to party the night away can linger after the midnight fireworks show, but be prepared to spend some money: Epcot celebrated New Year’s Eve 2008 by raising the regular price of alcoholic beverages for the holiday festivities. Epcot stays open until 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios) and Disney’s Animal Kingdom also offer alcoholic beverages. Disney’s Hollywood Studios stays open until midnight for regular park guests; Disney’s Animal Kingdom closes at 8:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, which is fine for families with young children, but those wishing to get more bang for their Disney buck are better off celebrating at one of Disney’s other theme parks.

It is highly recommended that you make advance dining reservations if you are planning on visiting  Magic Kingdom or Disney’s three other theme parks before you head to the parks. New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest days of the year at Disney World, and escaping the crowds for an hour or two while dining at one of Disney’s themed restaurants is a major advantage. Although the most popular restaurants are often booked months in advance, Disney opens additional restaurants during the holiday season to accommodate the crowds. Call 1-407-WDW-DINE for more information or to make dining reservations.

Be sure to inquire about accommodations for children and special needs guests. In order to accommodate the large holiday crowds, Disney World changes select services on New Year’s Eve. Additional restrooms are provided in some locations, while other locations limit guests’ access to the facilities. On New Year’s Eve 2008, for instance, the Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room at Epcot’s United Kingdom pavilion blocked access to the restrooms for children dining at the restaurant. The pub section of the restaurant is especially busy on New Year’s Eve, and the restaurant’s restrooms are located in the pub.

Use Disney’s FASTPASS service while at the parks. Each Disney World guest is eligible for Disney’s free FASTPASS service, which entitles the bearer to enter a special, shorter line at select rides or attractions at a scheduled time in order to reduce wait time. Because New Year’s Eve is such a popular time to visit Disney, families will not be able to take in as many rides and attractions as they would on a regular day at the parks. Yet Disney’s FASTPASS service will enable park guests to spend less time waiting in line and more time having fun.

Crowd control is a major issue on New Year’s Eve. At peak times like the conclusion of the fireworks, walking through the theme parks or driving away from the parks is extremely difficult. Where the crowds converge, such as the relatively narrow entrance to World Showcase, pedestrian traffic literally comes to a standstill. Guests with small children, strollers, motorized scooters, or wheelchairs are at an extra disadvantage on New Year’s Eve and other periods of extremely high traffic. It is best to wait until the crowd dissipates after the fireworks before exiting or attempting to travel from one section of the park to another.

Disney World distributes complimentary New Year’s 2010 hats and party horns inside the theme parks. Hats and horns are distributed on a first come, first served basis at select locations throughout the parks and inside restaurants. Be prepared for an all-night cacophony as children and adults blow their horns incessantly. Happy New Year!

Are you planing to ring in the New Year at Disney this year? If so,  there’s a lot to choose from this year with nine parade performances and five fireworks shows. Here are the New Year’s Eve details broken down by park:

Magic Kingdom
• “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!” parade and street party (11 a.m., 2 and 5:15 p.m.)
• “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” (12 noon and 3:30 p.m.)
• “SpectroMagic” parade of lights and music (7 and 10:30 p.m.)
• “Holiday Wishes” fireworks (8:30 p.m.)
• “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks (11:50 p.m.)
• Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m.-2 a.m.

Epcot
• Special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” (7:30 and 11:40 p.m.)
• Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 9 a.m.-1 a.m.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• “Fantasmic!” nighttime musical special effects extravaganza (6:30, 8 and 10 p.m.)
• Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,” back-to-back with a DJ at Mickey’s

Sorcerer’s Hat. (Mulch, Sweat and Shears sets are 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m.; DJ starts at 6:30 p.m.)
• A special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks show starring Mulch, Sweat and Shears (11:55 p.m.)
• Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m.-midnight

Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade” (4:45 p.m.)
• Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Bay Lake And Seven Seas Lagoon
• The Electrical Water Pageant (9 p.m.; plays to Magic Kingdom entrance area at 10:25 p.m.)

Note: Show times and entertainment are subject to change without notice.

I am sure many of you have visited Orlando’s theme parks … probably on numerous occasions and would find it hard to believe that there something left to do, that will be instantly memorable and free.  Well at Universal Orlando there is something that the general public can do … it’s free … and will become a great conversation topic.  You can be a balloon handler in the Macy’s Parade. 

That’s right, every day, Universal sends it’s staff out in to the park, you can recognize them in their jumpsuits, to enlist volunteers to take part in the parade, handling one of the big balloons.  The best place to find them is down Shrek Alley, the road between Shrek and the Monster Cafe where Donkey lives, just after 2:30pm.

So, if you are in town, get down to Universal and create a lifetime memory.  There are only 4 days left this year, but of course you can get prepared for next.

There aren’t many better choices for a business meeting or convention than Orlando. In fact it’s hard to think of just one other place in the United States that can match it. From it’s world class meeting and convention facilities through to it’s fantastic theme parks Orlando is simply the best choice to do great business.

Orlando also offers business people the chance to bring their family with them. A chance to do business during the day and then some great venues to play at night. Business and pleasure travel is estimated at $31 Billion in 2010 and even in an uncertain economy that means you can be sure that your expectations will still be met. Sure there has been some down-sizing and stream lining in the area but that means stronger leaner companies who know they have to perform unlike other areas of the country where things have been cut to the bone ultimately leading to a drop in the level of service.

Orlando is still progressing and expanding. Evidence of this comes with new investments in major hotels such as The Waldorf Astoria, previously blogged about here, which opened in 2009 and the Orlando Convention Center which continues to grow to meet the needs of business conference and convention markets.

Another key factor for business travelers visiting Orlando is the availability of vacation homes. Vacation homes typically have three to seven bedrooms, one or two lounge / living areas, a formal dining area and something of an informal dining area by the private heated swimming pool. These homes make great choices for business meetings and for team building not to mention saving the business a bundle of money. Hotels can be expensive, what with having to hire a meeting room, reserving separate bedrooms for all attendees not to mention the cost of food and drink. It can all add up and that’s where a vacation home wins. All homes have a fully equipped kitchen and nothing can be easier or more enjoyable than getting the team together to enjoy a home cooked dinner together.

Orlando is absolutely the perfect choice for that “business mini vacation” .  Great business, great venues to enjoy some rest and recreation and great weather make for a perfect business travel destination. Look forward to seeing you in 2010.

Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer managed to scare the whole of Florida over the Christmas weekend when he announced he was going to resign as team coach. Fortunately it turns out that it’s only going to be a sabbatical for coach Meyer and he is expected to return to his duties in the fall.

Meyer cited health reasons for the reason behind his stunning news to resign and he has been admitted to hospital several times since the Gators appearance in the SEC championship game against Alabama Crimson Tide.  So, Meyer will take a leave of absence after the college’s Sugar Bowl appearance and offensive co-ordinator Steve Adazzio will fill in until Meyer is ready to return. We wish both men well… and Gator fans… you can now relax!

The day after Christmas is widely known as “Boxing Day” in many areas of the world including United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Ghana, Switzerland, Germany, Greenland, The Netherlands, New Zealnad, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Trindad & Tobago, Jamaica and countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. In these countries “Boxing Day” is a bank and public holiday yet here in the United States it is not officially recognised.

The origins of Boxing Day are widely debated but it is generally acknowledged that Boxing Day was traditionally a day on which the servants had a day off from their duties. Because of this the gentry would eat cold cuts and have a buffet-style feast prepared by the servants in advance. In modern times many families will still follow this tradition by eating a family-style buffet lunch, with cold cuts rather than a full cooked meal. It is a time for family, parlour games and sports in the UK.

The traditional recorded celebration of Boxing Day has long included giving money and other gifts to those who were needy and in service positions. The European tradition has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown and there are some claims that it goes back to the late Roman/early Christian era; metal boxes were placed outside churches used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen.  

In the United Kingdom it certainly became a custom of the nineteenth century Victorians for tradesmen to collect their “Christmas boxes” or gifts in return for good and reliable service throughout the year on the day after Christmas. The exact etymology of the term “Boxing” is unclear, with several competing theories, none of which is clearly true.

The establishment of Boxing Day as a defined public holiday under the legislation that created the UK’s Bank Holidays started the separation of ‘Boxing Day’ from the ‘Feast of St Stephen’, and today it is almost entirely a secular holiday with a tradition of shopping and post-Christmas sales starting.

While Boxing Day is 26 December, many retailers who hold Boxing Day Sales will run the sales for several days before or after 26 December, often up to New Years Eve.  Canada’s Boxing Day has often been compared to the U.S.’s Black Friday, right after Thanksgiving,  and in 2009 a number of major Canadian retailers had their own Black Friday promotions in order to discourage shoppers from crossing the border.

Boxing Day is also a big sporting day around the globe and in both England and Scotland, it is traditional for the Premier League and Scottish Premier League respectively, as well as the lower divisions and Rugby Football  leagues, to hold a full program of football and Rugby matches on Boxing Day. Traditionally matches on Boxing Day are played against local rivals. This was originally to avoid teams and their fans having to travel a long distance to an away game on the day after Christmas Day. It also makes the day an important one in the sporting calendar.

In horse racing, there is the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey which is the second most prestigious chase in England, after the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The association of Boxing Day with sport in early village celebrations has led to the folk etymology that Boxing Day is traditionally associated with boxing , although the word box can mean a gift or gratuity, especially one given at Christmas, especially in Britain.

Australia holds the first day of the Boxing Day Test match  in Melbourne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the start to the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

It’s a big day…but in our household we tend to just take it easy…relax with  book, watch a movie and enjoy a glass of wine or two… what’s your like?

"Happy Christmas"

Happy Christmas Everyone…

The Winter White House this year is in Hawaii as President Obama takes his friends and family to a wonderful vacation home on the beach. The home costs $4,000 per night and has a wonderful beach and ocean views from almost all rooms.

The President has also rented two houses next door to house friends and other family members and it is believed the house he is actually staying in is on the market for $8.9 million.

The Obamas will spend 10 days on the island of Oahu, where the President grew up, and a favorite vacation spot of his over the years.

They will rent the same Kailua home they stayed in last year for the holidays during a brief vacation before moving to Washington and into the White House.

The Obamas’ rental property is 7,000 square feet of paradise on the southeastern coast of the island, complete with large open spaces built around a lagoon pool.

Looks like a wonderful home and the Obamas have made a great choice. It’s not just President’s that can rent vacation homes though and if you’re coming to Orlando you need to check out the vacation homes that are available close to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld from Florida Leisure Vacation Homes.