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

I sent my eldest daughter, Rebecca,  out to take a look at some of the going’s on at the theme parks just recently and she reported back to say that most parks still seem to have a lot of people in them. So much for the economic downturn.

It’s interesting that years ago in economic depressions we used to have food stamps and lines after lines just to get the basic necessities yet today the lines we see are for I-pads! At the end of the day, money is important but so is living life to the fullest and that seems to be the major mind shift I see . In the past people would scrimp and save to be able to afford a vacation whereas today, folks seem entitled to one and often run up their credit cards to do so. It worries me and I want to help do something about it… and you can help me by suggesting some things we can do at Florida Leisure to make sure you still enjoy your vacation but you don’t put yourself in economic jeopardy. Just leave a comment after this blog post with your ideas.

Back to Animal Kingdom. if you haven’t been then you are missing a treat. The park opened on 22 April 1998 and is actually the largest Disney theme park in the world coming in at around 500 acres. The park is themed around animal conservation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. If you don’t know, it means they have met and exceeded the standards in education, conservation and research.

The Tree of Life is the center piece of the park and everything leads from that. The tree is 14 stories high at 145ft tall and 50 feet wide and the park is made up of seven themed areas; Oasis, Discovery Island, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia and DinoLand USA.

To enter the park you go through Oasis and it’s here you’ll encounter spoonbills, ducks, muntjacs, wallabies and giant anteaters. The Rainforest Cafe is also located near the entrance but be careful if you decide to eat here because you’ll need to present your ticket again to go back into the park.

Discovery Island is located at the center of the park  and it’s here you’ll find the Tree of Life. The parks biggest gift shops and largest restaurants are located here and each has a different design theme. Also at Discovery Island is “It’s Tough To Be A Bug!” , a comical 4-D film featuring appearances by Flik and Hopper from “A Bug’s Life”.

Camp Mickey is a themed rustic summer camp and it’s here you can meet Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and many others. The live stage show “Festival of the Lion King” is also located here.

Africa is my favorite area of the park. It is set in the fictional east African village of Harambe and this is where you’ll find some of the fabulous animal exhibits. The village is the namesake of the Harambe Wildlife Preserve which is the fictional home of Africa’s main attraction, Kilimanjaro Safaris and you’ll get a fabulous tour of that by clicking on the video down below. On the Kilimanjaro Safari you climb aboard an open sided safari vehicle and you set out on expedition to see numerous African animals as they freely roam through acres of savanna, rivers and rocky hills. You’ll see giraffes, hippos, African elephants and lions. Once you’ve done the safari you can then explore the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and trek into the forest in search of gorillas. It’s really quite amazing.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch is actually the one section of the park that isn’t connected to Discovery Island. It is instead connected to Africa and it’s here that you can board the Wildlife Express Train to visit Habitat Habit, Conservation Station and Affection Section. All great areas to learn more about efforts to protect endangered primates, conservation efforts supported by the Walt Disney Company and animal care facilities.

Asia is home to Maharajah Jungle Trek, where you can visit Komodo dragons, fruit bats, tapirs and tigers. It is also home to the Kali River Rapids and you will get soaked if you venture onto this fabulous ride. Expedition Everest is also located here and its a nerve wracking roller coaster ride through the Himalayas.

DinoLand USA is the place to learn more about dinosaurs and it is also home to “Finding Nemo – The Musical” that is located in the “Theater in the Wild” as well as DINOSAUR, a thrill ride taking you back through time to the late Cretaceous period. There’s also a great playground for the kids called Boneyard.

All in all, Animal Kingdom is a great place to visit and to enjoy. It has a lot of fun stuff but it’s also an educational experience and you can’t help but marvel at all this planet really has to offer when you stop to think about it.  Enjoy the video:

7 Step Guide to a Walt Disney World Vacation

By Nigel G. Worrall

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation this Summer or Fall you’ll need to start planning and preparing like no other vacation before. Walt Disney World covers 47 square miles (think twice as large as Manhattan and you’ll get the idea!) and has  so many things to do that even those of us who live here struggle to keep up with it all.

In short, here’s just  SOME of the available offerings at Walt Disney World:

• 4 major theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• 2 water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
• Over 20 large resorts
• 5 golf courses
• 2 mini-golf courses
• Numerous lakes offering water sports, boating and fishing
• 2 dinner shows
• BoardWalk entertainment district
• DisneyQuest “virtual theme park”
• Downtown Disney shopping and dining district

So with all this choice, just where do you  begin?

1. When.

Deciding when to go will be top of your list. Much will depend on  your budget, kids’ school schedules and other factors such as what you like to do individually and as a family, will heavily influence your decision.

Tip #1: Visit Disney when the kids are in school to enjoy the quieter theme parks more.  Lines will be shorter and more comfortable

2. What.

This is a critical step in the planning. There is so much to do that you’ll want to plan out what everyone wants to see and do.

Tip #2: List the “Must Do’s” and then do a secondary list of “Maybe’s”.  Involve everyone in this process and you’ll have a more enjoyable trip.

3. How Long?

There’s never enough time to see it all, so armed with your list in #2 you can now chart out how long it will take you to visit the “Must Do’s” and how long it will take you to do the “Maybe’s.” Be warned, even if you visit for a month, you simply can’t see it all.

Tip #3: If you want to visit all four theme parks and actually experience the majority of the attractions, parades and shows, you will need at least 5 full days! (Epcot can easily take 2 days all by itself as it is split into two sections; Future World and World Showcase. You might also find you need a day and a half at Magic Kingdom to enjoy everything there is on offer.)

If you then find you would like to do some of the “extras,” like Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon water parks or a trip to DisneyQuest you will need to allow more days. If you are visiting for a first time, I believe you need at least 7 to 10 days to do all the major theme parks and sample some of the other delights.

4. Transportation.

Depending where you live you’ll need to decide whether to travel by plane or automobile. If you’re flying, do you then want to rent a vehicle so you can see other things in the Orlando area?

Tip #4: Hire a car and stay off site to save money. There are some great places to stay that will help you save way more than the cost of vehicle hire.

5.  Theme Park Tickets.

A big expense when visiting Walt Disney World is the cost of entry to the parks. It is important to look over your itinerary, get out the calculator, take a look at all the prices and available deals to  figure out which tickets make most sense for your situation.

Tip #5: There are many ticket companies offering great deals. Check each one out and don’t be tempted by the deal that seems to be too good. Go with a reputable and approved Disney ticket agency.

6. Where To Stay.

Here’s another big decision. Stay on Disney property or stay off site?  If you take the advice in Tip #4 you’ll stay off site and save $$$’s but if you are seriously considering an on site resort stay then make sure you check out all of Disney’s resorts by searching for photo’s and details on the internet. Each resort is themed differently and some are very expensive.

Tip #6 : Rent a Vacation Home.  Renting a vacation home off site makes a lot of sense for most families. A fully equipped vacation home has 3 to 7 bedrooms (enough room for all the family at one nightly rate rather than multiple rooms at a hotel), a fully equipped kitchen (prepare meals at home rather than eat in expensive restaurants), large lounge and living areas (with flat screen TV’s, DVD’s VCR’s, games machines) and your own private heated swimming pool.

You’ll not only save money but you can keep all the family together and create some great memories.

7.  Relax and Enjoy.

Don’t forget to take some time out to do absolutely nothing. The temptation with a Disney vacation is to always be on the go. It’s important to allow time to recharge your batteries and to go home refreshed.

Tip #7: Allow one rest day for every two days of theme parks.

That’s it! Everything else is “gravy.” You can make reservations for meals, book special events and do all kinds of other planning but these are the seven basic steps to enjoy a great Disney vacation. Have fun!

Orlando … For FREE!

Traveling anywhere in the world can be an expensive proposition. If you decide to visit Orlando there’s lot of great places to see and fun things to do, but not all of them have to cost an arm and a leg. Here’s 5 things you can do without spending a fortune or if the rain decides to come out to play;

#1. Orlando Malls and Shopping Area

Go shopping! Orlando is a shopper’s paradise and has an eclectic mix of luxury department stores, upscale boutiques antique shops, farmers markets as well as more than twenty major malls to choose from. You can get the perfect gift or souvenir to remember your trip by and you’ll be amazed at some of the bargains you can almost steal. Orlando has some truly great shopping so don’t miss out on a trip to places like Florida Mall, Mall of Millenia, Altamonte Mall, Orlando Fashion Square, Prime Outlets Orlando and Orlando Premium Outlets.

Aside from the malls you can also find numerous smaller boutiques and department stores. A visit to places like Winter Park, Downtown Disney and Sand Lake Road will add to the fun and you’ll truly remember Orlando as being a spectacular destination for some of the finest shopping you will ever experience.

#2. The Orlando Museums

It’s always fun to learn new things and to find out about something you normally wouldn’t have thought about.  Orlando has some fabulous museums and besides being a great place to shelter when the rain comes down, they are also great places to inspire your brain cells and get your creativity buds flowing.

Among the places you’ll want to visit is the Orlando Science Center with its 10 exhibit halls on 4 levels. A place that has something for every member of the family. NatureWorks will get you up close and personal with some of nature’s most fascinating reptiles while DinoDigs will take you back to the prehistoric age. Science Park is the place where you can explore such concepts as electricity, magnetism, lasers, sound waves and nature’s forces while KidsTown has something to amuse the smallest members of the family.

The Orlando Science Center also houses Florida’s largest publicly accessible refractor telescope and a giant screen domed theater for films and planetarium shows.

Orlando Museum of Art is also a fabulous place to visit and you’ll be sure to enjoy its numerous exhibitions on site as well as award winning art enrichment programs and unlimited gallery tours, while  another fine museum to visit is the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College, which features 6,000 objects with the oldest collection in the state of European and American paintings, sculpture and decorative arts.

#3. The Public Libraries

Orlando is also home to many fine public libraries and these are open for everyone to enjoy. The Orlando Public Library is the largest public library building in the state at 290,000 square feet. Library Central is located on the first floor and carries popular items like bestsellers, fiction, DVD’s, music and books on tape or CD. The Children’s Library has large areas for reading, computers and story rooms. The children’s collection includes picture books, kids fiction, Braille books and more.

#4. The Theaters

Orlando is home to many theaters and many productions. Some of them are free and others require a small entrance fee but be sure to check out Orlando Orchestra Symphony and Ballet, The Garden Theater in Winter Garden, Broadway Series at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, the Mad Cow Theater, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Film Festival and Orlando Shakespeare Theater.

#5. Disney’s BoardWalk

Located near to the Swan and Dolphin hotels is Disney’s BoardWalk. It’s reminiscent of Atlantic City’s own famous wooden pathway and you can sit on benches, stroll along the BoardWalk or just simply enjoy people watching. On any given night you may see a sword swallower, a tarot card reader, a New Orleans style jazz band…you just never know.

After rave reviews from Disneyland, the classic 3-D film experience “Captain EO”  is returning  to Walt Disney World  this summer.  The 17-minute musical space-fantasy adventure film is scheduled to start at Epcot on July 2.

“Captain EO” saw its original run at Epcot from 1986 -1994, so this will be a new experience for many visitors. The film features Michael Jackson as “Captain EO” and a crew of Disney-created space characters. During their journey, the group uses the power of dance, light and music to turn a colorless planet into a world of color and happiness.

Many of Orlando’s theme parks have now announced their fireworks shows for July 4, 2010. It’s one of the busiest days of the year for the theme parks so be prepared to join a crowd if you decide to leave the pool at your vacation home and go.

Magic Kingdom
“Celebrate America Fireworks” will fill the sky at 9 p.m. July 4. (Guests who’d like to begin the celebratory weekend a day early can enjoy the special fireworks on July 3 at 9 p.m.) After the fireworks, guests can enjoy Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” of lights, music and magic at 10 p.m. and midnight on July 4 (on July 3, the parade will be at 10:30 p.m.). Park hours on July 4 are 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Special fireworks set to a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack will be presented at 9:50 p.m. on July 4, providing guests with a bonus nighttime entertainment extravaganza to complement “Fantasmic!” (which will be at 9 and 10:30 p.m.). Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Epcot
“IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” which features special effects, colorful lasers, fireworks, and fiery torches all choreographed to a musical score, becomes even more dynamic on July 4 as the normal show is supplemented with a patriotic finale. The performance begins at 10 p.m. Earlier in the day, guests will be treated to the Voices of Liberty 4th of July Concert – featuring an expanded cast of singers plus the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps and Disney characters – at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m. on the America Gardens Theatre stage. Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

SeaWorld
In addition to the SeaWorld After Dark events going on all summer, the 13th Army Band, Florida National Guard will perform at Bayside Stadium prior to the fireworks finale. This 40-piece band, known as the Governor’s Own Band, will entertain the audience with classic and current tunes, gearing them up for the special Fourth of July Reflections show featuring additional fireworks timed to patriotic music. Performance begins at 9:45 p.m. Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Universal Studios
Starting on July 4 and running most nights through Aug. 8, Universal will present their Universal 360 – A Cinesphere Spectacular. This cinematic show combines projection technology with lasers and pyrotechnics to bring the movies to life. Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Walt Disney World has announced that it has started to accept reservations for its new kennel, Best Friends Pet Care Resort, which opens on 27 August and replaces other Disney kennels.

The facility is located across from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort and will house as many as 270 dogs and 30 cats for daytime and overnight boarding. Dog owners can choose from air-conditioned indoor rooms, 48-square-foot indoor-outdoor suites, and four expansive VIP (very important pet) suites with television, raised bedding and private outdoor yards. Feline guests will spend their visit in the separate “Kitty City” pavilion, away from the dogs, in two and four room condos.

The resort’s exclusive dog park features a fenced walking trail bordering the natural wetlands around the park. Inside the trail, guests can choose from a variety of different play areas, including a 3,300 square-foot area covered in artificial turf, a 4,500 square-foot area with shade trees and a 1,300 square-foot “canines only” water park. There are several large areas for owners to sit, relax and watch their dogs play. The entire park is secured from outsiders and is illuminated for use after dark.

Other features of the resort include: a grooming salon, which will provide go-home-fresh baths and haircuts for pets; two 1,100-square-foot “camp rooms” for play group and doggy day camp, each opening onto an outdoor play yard; and a special facility for the boarding of “pocket pets,” such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and ferrets.

Pet parents can choose from a wide range of a la carte activities for pet guests from one-on-one playtimes and social playgroup with other doggy guests, to cuddle time and bedtime stories with staff. Additional amenities and upgrades include ice cream treats, bottled water and premium/orthopedic bedding.  Feline guests can also enjoy private playtimes, activity toys in their suites and treats such as cookies and milk or tuna on a ritz.

Dog stays begin at $37 per night ($34 for resort guests), which includes indoor boarding with two potty walks. At the high end, the VIP suites go for $76 per night ($69 for resort guests). Cat owners will pay $23 ($21 for a resort guest) for a two-level condo and $32 ($30 for a resort guest) for a four-level condo per night.

Prices are less for daytime boarding, and discounts are given for pets sharing suites. You can get more details at wdw.bestfriendspetcare.com or 877-4-WDW-PETS.

Well…it’s Father’s Day…so Happy Father’s Day to all you Dad’s out there!

For me, as a Dad of two rapidly growing daughters it’s usually a day to sit down and relax while watching the US Open Championship. This year is no exception and I have to say I’m thoroughly enjoying watch the battle over at Pebble Beach as the leader board is changing hands.

An awful start by overnight leader Dustin Johnson has seen him throw his 3 shot lead away and now there’s a battle at the top between the big guns of Els, Mickelson, Woods, Love and the lesser known McDowell and Havret. It’s great stuff set against a magnificent backdrop of crashing waves and blue sea.

Golf, of course, is a favorite pastime for many fathers through out the world and that set me thinking about the wonderful Walt Disney World Courses we have here in Central Florida.

Walt Disney World has 5 golf courses on property and what better way is there for Dad to spend Father’s Day than to hot the golf course with the family?

The two most famous courses and home to the PGA Tour later in the year are Disney’s Magnolia and Palm golf courses. Both courses are located by Disney’s Polynesian Resort and the Magnolia is the longest course that Disney offers. It is a classic course that features a tranquil setting and beautiful Magnolia trees throughout the course.

Disney’s Palm course is a very challenging course and the woodlands of Florida often come into play. it’s here you can sometimes see deer and other wildlife not to mention the odd alligator relaxing in the sandtraps!

Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is located near Downtown Disney and encompasses the
classic country club feeling. Lake Buena Vista, is one of very few courses that has hosted a PGA Tour event, an LPGA Tour event and a USGA event. A beautiful course that winds through pines with the Villas of Old Key West in the background

Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course – This course is probably the best course for families that are looking for a course that is “children-friendly”. Oak Trail, is a 9 hole, par 36, walking course, that features a beautiful setting and a chance for the family to enjoy a day of fun golf.

Disney’s Osprey Ridge Golf Course – This course is rated at one of the best in Florida with a rating of 4 ½ out of 5 stars. Osprey Ridge is for golfers who enjoy a challenge as the 18-hole course features 7,101 yards and is a par 72. Osprey Ridge is a beautiful course that slices through a stunning setting of the Audubon Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary.

Of course, it doesn’t have to be Father’s Day in order to play golf…everyday is a beautiful day to play the great game while you are in Orlando!

US OPEN UPDATE : Congratulations to Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell – 110th US Open Champion.

I made a quick trip to Downtown Disney yesterday afternoon and considering we’re supposed to be in an economic downturn, I was amazed to see so many people in the Lego Imagination Center. It looked like great business and a lot of folks having some serious fun!

I was also amazed to see that the store opens at 9.30am everyday the week and closes at 11pm Sunday thru Thursday with Friday and Saturday getting extensions to 11.30pm! Are kids really up this late…even on vacation? I know when I was young (OK, quit the jokes right now!) I had to be in bed by 8pm after having a bath! How times have changed.

The LEGO store is also open every day of the year, including holidays, so if you’ve forgotten that gift for someone young and special, then this is a great option!

The store features new “WOW” models, like a 12-foot T-Rex and larger than life Titan XP Robot. It has special portholes that showcase LEGO motion activated scenes. Inside the store is a gigantic Pick A Brick wall – the world’s largest – featuring bricks of every conceivable color and variety and there’s even a newly improved demonstration area with hands-on events, like mural construction and beat-the-clock building contests.

Throughout the store, not to forget outside as well,  are giant statues made from LEGO. In the courtyard that’s just outside this shop, kids can walk up to the varioius kiosks and build their own LEGO creations. The LEGO playground is a fabulous place for young people to hang out and have a blast (as long as they’re supervised by a parent or guardian ) and this really is one of the coolest activities for kids in the Downtown Disney area.

Naturally, it’s here you can also purchase virtually every LEGO play set currently available, plus LEGO-themed clothing and souvenirs and judging from what I saw, I guess LEGO might just be a recession proof business! It was a wonderful sight to see… and now I know where everyone’s hanging out!

Here’s a short video I filmed on my visit… and yes, notice the rain clouds were rolling in…it’s been pretty warm here the last few days and we need something to cool us all off!

Make sure you check back often as we’ll be following the latest news on the opening of Legoland in 2011. We previously discussed it here. You can also sign up for regular updates as we’ll be keeping close eyes on all the latest developments. Just enter your email address and your first/last names in the box below and we’ll send you the info as and when we get it.

World Oceans Day was officially declared by the United Nations as June 8th each year beginning in 2009. The concept was proposed on 8 June 1992 by Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as it had been unofficially celebrated every year since then as World Ocean Day.

World Oceans Day is an opportunity every year to honor the world’s ocean, celebrate the products the ocean provides, such as seafood, as well as marine life itself for aquariums, pets,  and also a time to appreciate its own intrinsic value. The ocean also provides sea-lanes for international trade.

The Ocean Project, working in partnership with the World Ocean Network, has been promoting WOD since 2003 with its network of over 900 organizations and others throughout the world. These groups have been working to build greater awareness of the crucial role of the ocean in our lives and the important ways people can help. World Oceans Day provides an opportunity to get directly involved in protecting our future, through a new mindset and personal and community action and involvement – beach cleanups, educational programs, art contests, film festivals, sustainable seafood events, and other planned activities help to raise consciousness of how our lives depend on the oceans.

Here in Orlando, Disney has announced that Epcot guests can join in several free, fun and educational activities. From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today, families can visit The Seas with Nemo & Friends to learn how coral reefs form, what wildlife live there and the threats coral reefs face.

Guests who are more interested in the sea creatures can find out what whales eat and how they procure their food. They also can participate in “Sea Turtle Flop,” a game that illustrates the major threats to sea turtles — predators, pollution, beach obstacles and artificial lighting.

Perhaps most importantly, families can see how personal changes to reduce waste, save water and keep it clean, and protect wildlife affect the planet’s oceans.

In addition, Disney is marking the first anniversary of its Friends for Change: Project Green environmental program with new content on Disney Channel, Radio Disney and its website. Kids will again have the opportunity to vote on how another $1 million in grants will support environmental causes during the upcoming year.