Get set for the 15^th and final edition of ABC’s Super Soap Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios - slated for Nov. 15-16, 2008.

The Disney theme park will play host to approximately 30 daytime drama characters during this year’s event, which is being discontinued by Disney-ABC Television Group after a 15-year run.  The group plans to send its soap stars out on a national promotional tour next year, rather than sponsor a single weekend at Disney World.
This highly popular soap event allows Hollywood Studios guests an opportunity to get up close and personal with their favorite ABC Daytime stars. The stars will answer questions, sign autographs and entertain with their unscripted and lively conversation.  The Daytime TV luminaries will also be featured in special motorcades and live music sessions during the two-day event.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the event, guests are usually allowed to gather on Hollywood Boulevard about 30 minutes prior to official Park opening.

When it comes to Disney favorites, it’s tough to top Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel and the other popular princesses.  But look out now because Disney is ready to roll out the Disney Fairies!

To go along with a straight-to-DVD animated children’s movie about Tinker Bell scheduled for release on Oct. 28, 2008, Disney is also opening a new walk-through attraction featuring Tinker Bell and four other pixie fairies.  The new “Pixie  Hollow” attraction will be part of the Magic Kingdom and feature Iridessa, Rosetta, Silvermist and Fawn in addition to Tinker Bell.  The attraction opens Oct. 24 in Mickey’s Toontown Fair section of the park.

The Disney Fairies will be developed for books, movies, Internet games and other Disney merchandise.

Top Chef is coming to CityWalk at Universal Orlando Resort on September 23 and 24.  Come enjoy live cooking demonstrations with your favorite cheftestants from Bravo’s Top Chef television show.  Daily showtimes: 10:30am, 12:00pm, 1:30pm.

You can also shop for Top Chef gear, get autographs, sign up for a raffle, and check out interactive kiosks during this total Top Chef experience!

Admission is free, but tickets are limited.  Get your free tickets one hour before each show in front of the Plaza Stage.

Now everybody can enjoy a magical birthday wish!   That’s because Disney is offering free birthday admission to any Disney World theme park in 2009.

As part of a new promotional campaign, anyone who shows up with a valid ID including proof of birth date will receive a free ticket (currently valued at over $75) on that day in 2009 for one of the theme parks at Disney World Orlando or at Disneyland in California.
 

Disney’s goal is to get people to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons and other big occasions at a Disney park.  Don’t miss your chance for a magical celebration… after all, it’s free in 2009!

Halloween comes early to Orlando.  All of central Florida’s major theme park players offer frightening or fun Halloween activities.  From Disney’s fun-filled event to Universal’s annual fright-fest, there are plenty of Halloween happenings for everyone!

DISNEY:  Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Celebrate a most magical Halloween at Disney’s Magic Kingdom! Come in costume and trick-or-treat for candy and goodies with all of your favorite Disney Characters, all dressed in their finest Halloween outfits. With special entertainment, this not-so-scary party is no trick - it’s a real treat!

Event Highlights:

• Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade
• Trick-or-treating throughout Magic Kingdom® Park at numerous locations.
• Happy HalloWishes fireworks spectacular - where the Disney Villains go trick-or-treating in the sky!
• Characters decked out in their favorite costumes - so wear yours, too.
• Some of the most popular Magic Kingdom attractions.

Event Dates:

September 19, 23, 26, 28, 30

October 2, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30 (Oct. 31 sold out)
SEAWORLD ORLANDO:  Halloween Spooktacular

Enjoy an underwater fantasea at SeaWorld Orlando, where you can trick-or-treat with friendly sea witches, octopuses, mermaids, pumpkin fish and more.  Come in costume and play with sea fairies, learn from a “school” of fish or dance with an ice witch.

Event Highlights:

• Festivities are included with park admission and begin at 11 am
• Enjoy 15 “treasure stations” with treats galore
• Sesame Street “Countdown to Halloween” live musical stage show with Elmo, The Count and other Sesame Street pals
• Strolling Entertainment

Event Dates:

October 4-5, 11-12, 18-10, 24-26, 31

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA: Halloween Horror Nights

Nowhere to turn. Nowhere to hide.

On select nights in September, October, and November, come face to face with your deepest fears as Bloody Mary brings history’s most terrifying urban legends to life. Inside the haunted houses or on the darkened streets, there’s nowhere you’re safe in the most immersive horror experience ever. If you survive, you can experience it all - only at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, the country’s premier Halloween event.

Event Highlights:

• More Scare Zones
• More Scare Actors
• More haunted houses
• All new live shows

Event Dates:

September 26-27

October 2-5, 9-12, 16-19, 22-26, 29-31

November 1

A favorite show is nearing the end of its run at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  The live stage version of Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends, which opened with the park’s opening 10 years ago, will conclude its run on September 27, 2008.The 15-minute show, which features one actor as Pocahontas interacting with a variety of animals including a possum, porcupine, ducks, birds and a snake,  while offering a view on how humans can better interact with nature and help protect our natural resources.

 Hard Rock Live® at Universal CityWalk offers a variety of upcoming musical options.  The concert lineup includes the following:

9/9/08              COMMON & N.E.R.D. 8 pm

9/14/08            Children of Bodom 6 pm

9/20/08            Classic Albums Live - featuring Boston 7:30 pm

9/26/08            Nick Swardson 6:30 pm

10/3/08            Joel McHale 7 pm

10/21/08          Alanis Morissette 7 pm

Music lovers will also want to mark Sept. 25 and Oct. 30 in their calendars.  Those are the dates slated for the next two versions of the popular Velvet Sessions…Orlando’s only rock ‘n’ roll cocktail party held the last Thursday of the month (Nov/Dec excluded) at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Now’s it’s easier than ever to find your way around SeaWorld.

Shamu’s SMARTGUIDE is a Global Positioning System, “GPS unit” designed to help guests maximize their time at SeaWorld Orlando Adventure Park.  This informative electronic guide provides an interactive digital park map that will assist in navigating your way around the park, while providing ease and convenience in locating attractions and facilities.  The GPS unit can be reserved and rented from SeaWorld for just $18.25 (plus tax) per day. 

The Shamu SMARTGUIDE takes you on a world of discovery as you enjoy the ultimate in theme park navigation. Let Shamu’s SMARTGUIDE Global Positioning System provide you with quick answers to all your park questions; give you the inside scoop on shows and attractions; and offer special zoological insights on SeaWorld’s amazing wildlife and their unique habitats.

For additional information, stop by SeaWorld’s Information Counter just inside the park entrance.  Quantities are limited.  Park admission is required and not included.

Aquatica by SeaWorld, Orlando’s newest water park, has announced a change in operating hours.  From Aug. 18 to Sept. 1, 2008, the park’s closing time will be moved up from 10 pm to 9 pm.

In addition, the park will open for all individuals beginning at 9 am.

When it comes to packing for your Orlando getaway, a little advance planning can add up to big savings.

A last-minute purchase or rental of certain items out of necessity can add up quickly.  If you are flying and can’t bring certain items in your carry-on luggage, you might consider making a list of items to pick up as soon as you reach Orlando.

No matter what time of year, be sure to have plenty of sunscreen and water bottles at your disposal.  It’s much cheaper to purchase a case of water and sunscreen in advance than purchasing those items inside a theme park or attraction.  And most parks will allow you to bring in water if the bottles are unopened.

Other items to pack or purchase in advance include rain ponchos, band aids, snacks and disposable cameras.  And if you have younger children, an umbrella stroller can come in handy.  Although many children will resist at first, after a long day of walking, they may soon be begging to be pushed along.