Two of Orlando’s biggest contemporary christian music events set to return on Sept. 5-6, 2008

 Universal’s Rock the Universe

Rock your soul with an exciting weekend of pulse-pounding, feel good, music and thrills at the annual Rock the Universe celebration at Universal Studios.  Slated for Sept. 5-6, 2008, this amazing Christian rock weekend brings a long list of top Contemporary Christian performers to the Universal stage, including: Switchfoot, Reliant K, Newsboys, Skillet, Grits, Group 1 Crew, New Method, Third Day, Jeremy Camp, Jars of Clay, Stellar Karl, Leeland, The Beautiful Republic and Special D.

Disney’s Night of Joy

Get out your calendars and circle these two rockin’ days to celebrate Faith in 2008: Friday, September 5, and Saturday, September 6! The music moves to Disney’s Hollywood Studios^TM for the first time, where some of today’s most powerful voices in Contemporary Christian music will take to the stage for this popular event.

In over 20 years, the Night of Joy events have featured a long list of Grammy and/or Dove Award winners and played to a combined audience of nearly one million people. This year’s event will again bring out the best with performers that include: Chris Tomlin, MercyMe, Rebecca St. James, BarlowGirl, Matthew West, Rush of Fools, Brandon Heath, Britt Nicole, Casting Crowns, TobyMac, Fred Hammond, Marcos Witt, Mandisa, Aaron Shust, RED and Pure NRG.

One of the most iconic sites at Disney’s famed theme parks remains the monorail system of transportation.  In fact, June 14, 1959, marked the start of the first urban monorail system in the U.S. when the Disneyland-Alweg Monorail System began operations at Disneyland in California.

In Central Florida, the Walt Disney World Resort Monorail System today operates 12 Mark VI monorail trains on three lines of service.  This system opened in 1971 with two routes and expanded to three lines in 1982.

The modern trains that have been in use since 1989 are each 203 feet long (consisting of six cars) and can carry 360 passengers. The trains are driven by eight 113 HP motors which are powered by a 600-volt electrical system.

The Walt Disney World Monorail operates over a span of 14.7 miles and carries about 150,000 guests per day or 50 million Disney guests each year.

The three routes on the Walt Disney World Monorail include:

Express: Express service between the Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC).

Resort: Round-trip local service making stops at the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Transportation and Ticket Center, Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Epcot: Service between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Epcot.

Did you know that on June 11, 1929, Walt Disney filed a trademark application with the United States Patent Office for the image of Mickey Mouse!

Flitting around like Tinker Bell, virtual visitors can now explore  Walt Disney World Resort from the comfort of their own home!  It’s all part of a new online re-creation of Disney World available on Google Earth called “Walt Disney World Resort in 3D.”   From the Magic Kingdom to Epcot and much of the rest of Disney World, you can now fly around, taking a closer look a the attractions and scenery through close-up pictures, descriptions and even videos – all while never leaving your computer! The program offers an Internet-based, computer-animated tour of the four theme parks and 22 hotel resorts at Disney World, all organized geographically on Google Earth’s virtual world map platform.To create the virtual tour, Disney photographers shot 100,000 photographs which were turned into 1,500 three-dimensional models of everything from Cinderella Castle to park benches. Google also added another 216 Disney World pictures, renderings and descriptions to further enhance the Disney World virtual exploration.

The largest package of user-generated content and the most sophisticated 3-D content posted on Google Earth, this program allows you to casually wander through this virtual Disney World with a ground level view.  While touring, you can click on any of the 276 icons embedded in the map at Disney attractions and hotels, bringing up more pictures, more video and more information.  Or you can link back to Disney’s associated Web sites.

“It’s a ride; it’s game. It’s a game; it’s a ride.” Based on those comments from the 5-foot animatronic “Mr. Potato Head” that sits outside Disney’s new Toy Story Mania attraction, it must be a little of both!  Visitors will find out for themselves when the unique new 3-D attraction officially opens May 31 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.Whether you want to call it a ride or a game, one thing is certain…it’s a fun adventure for everyone! A four-person car takes riders through five interactive games of skill featuring favorite Toy Story movie characters such as Woody, Bo Peep and Ham. The cars don’t move fast or spin much, so there’s no fear of motion sickness.The first stop on the ride features a practice opportunity for riders to learn how to fire their “spring-action shooter,” which is shaped like a miniature cannon. Then you’ll move right into a world of virtual reality, as you start firing pies at various bull’s-eye targets – and with realistic, three-dimensional effects. Along the way, you’ll progress to firing not just pies, but eggs, darts, baseballs and there’s even a ring toss. And while it’s fun to launch things, there’s not much time to relax.  It’s best to just keep firing away since the highest “scores” are the result of shooting as rapidly as possible. Launchers can fire up to six objects per second!
Although no special skills or training are required to play, various targets have different values and even some special effects. For example, if you hit a water balloon, you might feel a misty spray of water. And you can shoot at a variety of other objects, including green aliens, plates, ducks and trees.Because everything is oversized, you’ll feel a part of the game.  The scale of the ride is designed to make you feel toy-sized and the game takes place “under a bed.”   Oversized green army men, Tinkertoys, used crayons, checkers and Old Maid cards are just a few of the giant toys you’ll find. Toy Story Mania is sure to be another fun filled adventure for kids of all ages.  So grab your 3-D glasses and come along for the ride!  Or is it a game?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park just turned 10-years-old!  

The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF) was established on Earth Day, April 22, 1995.  Since then, the DWCF has annually awarded money to conservation projects around the world to assist in preserving the diversity and splendor of the environment. From sea turtles to elephants, chimps to king vultures, DWCF funds have helped improve their chances at survival.

That commitment to conservation and education has continued and received additional importance with the opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park on Earth Day 1998.  In the 10 years since the Park opened, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and DWCF have worked hand in hand to make an even more powerful coalition for wildlife. Park guests can also help make a difference by continuing to make financial donations to the ongoing efforts of DWCF.  Animal Kingdom cost nearly $800 million to build and the park covers 500 acres – that’s 5 times larger than the nearby Magic Kingdom.  The park’s massive and iconic “Tree of Life” is covered with carved images of 325 animals and has more than 100,000 leaves.

Although Animal Kingdom is much more than a zoo…the park is an accredited zoo, featuring 1,500 animals representing more than 300 species.  That includes 35 species currently listed as threatened or endangered.

For those interested in some exciting recreational activity, Disney’s Contemporary Resort Marina includes a water sports centre where a variety of thrills await.  Among the activities available, you can enjoy parasailing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing and tubing.

Parasailing is open to anyone 5 years old or older with a minimum weight requirement of 125 pounds and a maximum of 330 pounds.  Youngsters who do not meet the minimum weight may accompany another flier to meet the requirement.  Flights range from 8-10 minutes at 450 feet to 10-12 minutes at 600 feet.  The parasailing program is open 7 days a week, weather permitting.

Boats for waterskiing, wakeboarding and tubing enthusiasts can accommodate up to 5 guests and may be rented for as little as 30 minutes or by the hour.  Personal watercraft/wave runners can be taken on one-hour guided tours or non-guided excursions.  Watercraft can hold up to 3 guests with a combined weight less than 400 pounds.  Drivers must be at least 16 years of age and present a valid state issued driver’s license or permit with photo ID.

Looking to spend some leisure time outside the Disney parks?  Try a stroll around the Disney Boardwalk and enjoy an atmosphere that blends the timeless charm of a 1930s Atlantic coastal village with entertaining contemporary attractions. Walk along the water’s edge for great views and good times. You’ll experience a wealth of shopping opportunities, unique dining and fun-filled entertainment venues.

The Boardwalk offers a lively selection of fun-filled nightspots at this one-of-a-kind destination. One popular spot, especially on game days, is the ESPN Club.  Enjoy slam dunk fun and games as this massive entertainment complex provides three action packed sections – The Sidelines, an interactive multimedia entertainment center; The Yard, a sporting arcade of interactive games; and Sports Central, a full-service restaurant and television and radio broadcast facility.

Whether you’re at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas or walking the Boardwalk itself, you’ll find an innovative mix of dining choices. From sports bars to elegant night spots, there is an option for every taste and budget. One favorite is the Big River Grille and Brewing Works where you can see how beer is brewed! This special micro-brewery offers a glimpse into the beer-making process and provides samples of its award-winning handcrafted ales. Savor stunning steaks and other mouth-watering favorites in addition to the sensational suds.   Shoppers can stroll along the waterfront pier for leisurely window-shopping amidst an eclectic array of unique stores where you’ll discover timeless treasures and precious mementos ranging from Disney character merchandise for all ages as well as adult sport and golf apparel to groceries, beachwear, toys, souvenirs and fine art. 

Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is best known for its theme parks, water parks and entertainment centers such as Pleasure Island and Disney Marketplace.  But Disney also offers some of the best championship golf opportunities that you can find anywhere in Florida.

With four different championship courses, there are plenty of challenging options for golfers of any level.At Osprey Ridge, a serene and elegant wilderness course designed by Tom Fazio allows you to explore dramatic fairways that cut through forests of scrub oak, pine, palmetto and cypress trees. Lake Buena Vista is a classic country club style course with a meandering layout that winds its way through pastel villas, pine forests and sparkling lakes.  You’ll tee off next to boats and canals and enjoy views of an enchanting lighthouse.

Experience the natural beauty of Florida’s woodlands on the Palm course.  This majestic layout is both one of the state’s toughest layouts and a true pleasure to play.  Featuring crystal lakes, tropical sand and strategically placed palms, this course is home to the first rounds of the PGA Tour’s Children’s Miracle Network Classic.Home to the final rounds of the PGA tournament, the Magnolia course offers beautifully manicured links filled with an abundance of fragrant magnolias.  Elevated tees, spacious greens and tranquil water hazards provide a setting fit for championship golf.Regardless of which course you choose, you can enjoy the benefits of GPS technology.  Each cart is fitted with a GPS that offers a full color monitor to provide detailed 3D views of each hole, precise yardage to the flagstick, professional tips and course strategy and more.Novice golfers and families can enjoy a more modest golf experience at the delightful and pleasurable Oak Trail course.  This 9-hole walking course offers undulating greens and holes ranging from 132 to 517 yards from the back tees.  It’s a perfect course for the developing golfer or those looking to sneak in a quick nine. 

One of the best ways to see all of your favorite Disney characters up close is to attend one of the daily theme park parades.  In mid-March, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will roll out an all new parade adventure – the Block Party Bash!

This rockin’ and highly interactive parade through the streets of the park will feature 20 popular Disney Pixar characters and a wide variety of street performers and floats.  Don’t miss the fun at the Block Party Bash — coming soon!