Busch Entertainment Corp. is getting ready to end one of the longest-standing traditions at its theme parks: free beer sampling.

The company announced that it will close the popular hospitality houses at all of its SeaWorld and Busch Garden theme parks beginning in January. The facilities will eventually re-open as restaurants only, without the beer sampling. 

The Busch Gardens hospitality house in Tampa is scheduled to close “briefly” at the end of January and will re-open with a “cafe-style menu.” The SeaWorld Orlando hospitality house is slated to close for a longer time, as of Feb. 1, and it will be converted into a new restaurant.

From fireworks to football, there is sure to be plenty of action in Orlando for New Year’s. 

All of Orlando’s famed theme park attractions are preparing for a festive night of fun and adventure on Dec. 31.  Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios Resort and SeaWorld Orlando will all offer extended hours and fabulous fireworks displays to help ring in the New Year.

Then on Jan. 1, 2009, all eyes will be on Orlando’s Citrus Bowl Stadium for the Capital One Bowl pitting the Georgia Bulldogs against the Michigan State University Spartans.

Don’t miss all the excitement that Orlando has to offer. For information on additional activities and attractions, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

Christmas is in the air at SeaWorld Orlando.

From December 26 - 30, SeaWorld visitors can enjoy nightly Christmas concerts performed by the Orlando Philharmonic .  The resident Orlando orchestra, now entering its 16th season, will be performing selections from holiday children’s book and motion picture favorite, ”The Polar Express.”

The Philharmonic’s mission is to foster and promote symphonic music through excellence in performance, education and cultural leadership.  The Philharmonic is led by Musical Director Christopher Wilkins while Andrew Lane continues in his role as Principal Pops and Resident Conductor.

Concerts will be held at SeaWorld’s Bayside Stadium, with fireworks immediately following.

The landscape is changing at SeaWorld Orlando. The theme park’s new signature roller coaster, Manta, is slated to open during summer 2009. But the “flying” coaster is already taking shape near the front entrance where the rails are in place as construction continues on schedule.

The exciting new coaster puts riders in a facedown, headfirst position on a ray shaped car with a 12-foot wingspan. Harnessed into seats with legs dangling, they will be moved into a “flying” position and sent on a swooping, looping, flipping trip that takes them over the Whale and Dolphin Stadium. From there, the up and down thrills continue before ending with an epic dive toward water and a spine tingling splash!

Part of the rides fun will come before boarding, as the waiting area features a giant aquarium. The queue line will bring guests past waterfalls, sea-inspired artifacts, mosaics and the giant tank filled with 300 rays, 23 sea dragons and 2500 tropical fish.

For those who desire less thrills, the aquarium area will also offer a line for non-riders.

America’s #1 syndicated series, Wheel of Fortune, is scheduled to be on location in Orlando Dec. 11, 12, 14 and 15 to tape four weeks of episodes at SeaWorld. Vanna White and Pat Sajak will be on hand to co-host the 20 shows which will be taped in front of live audiences and air in 2009.

The show has also filmed segments within SeaWorld, showcasing the park’s up-close animal encounters, rides and popular attractions.

Wheel of Fortune has been one of the world’s most widely watched game shows for a quarter century.  During its 25 years in syndication, the show has awarded more than $180 million in cash and prizes to its contestants, including more than $9 million last year alone.

High flying acrobats help set the stage for the newest show at SeaWorld Orlando.  “A’lure, the Call of the Ocean” replaces Odyssea and features a wide variety of tumbling and aerial maneuvers, hula hoops, unicycles, trampolines, puppetry, dance, Chinese pole climbers and more.

The 30-minute stage show tells the tale of a fisherman who falls overboard and is lured into the lair of the hypnotic sea sirens.  There he encounters a very different kind of sea life on the ocean floor.  Amidst all the action on stage, a rear projected screen provides additional visuals of fish, coral and even a giant sea serpent.
A’lure, the Call of the Ocean features a dozen electrifying acrobats, five graceful dancers and two star tumblers.  Together they create an aquatic and visual tapestry that offers fun and adventure for all ages.

The Polar Express is returning to SeaWorld Orlando for the holiday season.   Originally introduced last year, the popular Polar Express ride is returning to SeaWorld Orlando from Nov. 14, 2008 thru Jan. 4, 2009.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Iwerks Entertainment reprogrammed the theme park’s Wild Arctic ride, transforming it into a simulated train ride to “Santa Town,” based on Chris Van Allsburg’s children’s book The Polar Express and the 2004 animated movie of the same name. 

The ride uses motion technology and big-screen video to simulate a wild, fast-moving trip. Normally, it offers visitors a simulated helicopter flight to an Arctic animal-research station, complete with swooping maneuvers to spy various animals and to avoid danger. Under The Polar Express format, the ride simulates a train excursion powered by a massive steam-locomotive.

Guests will ride the train up snow-cloaked mountains, across frozen lakes and along perilous, icy passes.  SeaWorld’s exhibit of polar bears, beluga whales, walruses and other Arctic animals also remains part of the attraction, although the exhibit area will resemble a winter wonderland.

Central Florida was well represented among the 2008 Golden Ticket Award winners in an annual vote of amusement park aficionados polled by Amusement Today magazine.  The poll gauges the best of the best among all of the nation’s theme parks.

Here’s how Orlando’s theme parks fared in the voting by category:

Best Overall Park

#5      Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Best Waterpark

#3      Disney’s Blizzard Beach

#5      Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

Best Marine Park

#1      SeaWorld Orlando

#4      SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove

Cleanest Park

#4      Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park

Best Shows

#3      Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Best Food

#3      Epcot

Best Water Ride in Theme Park

#1      Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

#3      Splash Mountain at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park

#4      Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-rat Barges at Universal’s  Islands of Adventure

#5      Journey to Atlantis at SeaWorld Orlando

Best Kid’s Area

#2      Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Best Landscaping

#5      Epcot

Best Outdoor Show Production

#1      Epcot

#5      Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Best Dark Ride

#1      Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

#2      Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

#5      Pirates of the Caribbean at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

Best Halloween Event

#1      Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida

Best Christmas Event

#2      Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park

Best Carousel

#4      Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Best Indoor Coaster

#1      Revenge of the Mummy at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

#2 Rock ‘N Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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

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.