The calendar may still say winter, but spring is just around the corner in sunny Florida and that means baseball is on its way back to the Orlando area. 

  The Atlanta Braves begin their eight month journey through the 2008 Major League Baseball season at Disney’s Wide World of Sports®, continuing a tradition that began 11 years ago.  From February 27 through March 27, 2008, the Braves will play 16 home games against some of the best teams in major league baseball like the St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians and New York Mets.  Tickets for the Spring Training games scheduled at Champion Stadium are currently on sale.The Houston Astros spring training complex is located in nearby Kissimmee while a number of other major league teams also can be visited by taking a short drive from Orlando, FL.   

On select nights between January 21 — March 14, you can be part of a special event at Disney’s Magic Kingdom… Disney’s Pirate and Princess Parties.  Come and meet Captain Jack Sparrow, attend a pirate tutorial and enjoy parades and fireworks!

This is a unique chance to become a pirate or a princess in the place where dreams come true! Grab your adventure map and treasure pouch and embark on a quest through the Magic Kingdom® Park for chocolate doubloons and royal beads.   You’ll also immerse yourself in pirate coves and princess courts, be dazzled by the new Disney’s Enchanted Adventures Parade and experience the Magic, Music and Mayhem fireworks spectacular.

If you wish, you can even come to the party dressed in your favorite pirate or princess costume! You’ll even have an opportunity to use of some of the most popular Magic Kingdom attractions during a night of adventure that the kids will remember and “treasure” forever.  Please  note that admission to this evening event requires a separate ticket and tickets are valid only during specific dates and hours.   Event Highlights: ·          Pirate coves and princess courts ·          Beads and chocolate treasure giveaways ·          Interactive activities including Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial and Aladdin’s Royal Guard Recruitment ·          Character meet and greets and adventurous atmospheres ·          Disney’s Enchanted Adventures Parade ·          Magic, Music and Mayhem fireworks spectacular ·          Dream Along With Mickey castle stage show ·          Some of the most popular Magic Kingdom® attractions    Dates:
January 21, 26 and 29
February 2, 5, 9, 14, 22 and 26
March 1, 6, 11 and 14
Times: 7:00 pm-12:00 am

If you’re planning a trip to Orlando, you can now order customized Disney park maps for free via the Disney web site (www.disney.go.com).     To customize a map, simply select your favorite theme park activities using a fun and easy-to-use interactive map online.  Your selections will be automatically saved so you can return and make changes at any time.  Once you have personalized your maps, you can place your order online and five full color, keepsake quality customized maps will be delivered to you within 2-4 weeks. These large format 14” x 20” maps include most park highlights plus your own family favorites.  And you’ll receive a set of golden stickers to mark your new favorites.  Maps include:  Walt Disney World Resort overview, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.  If you do not have time to wait for maps to be mailed, you also have the option of printing your customized maps directly from the web site.

Happy New Year!  2008 looks to be another fun-filled year at Orlando’s fabulous theme parks.  While the fun continues, one thing is changing at Walt Disney World Resort where Disney-MGM Studios has changed its name to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The new name is more reflective of a park that celebrates the Golden Age of Tinseltown while also keeping up with all that is part of today’s Hollywood – from music and movies to theatre and television.

In February, one of the theme parks favorite shows, “Playhouse Disney–Live on Stage!” will debut a new cast of characters and whole new storyline. The popular children’s show will be based on stars from “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Little Einsteins,” “Handy Manny” and more.

Another change at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2008 will be a whole new parade experience; “Block Party Bash.”  The parade will make its Florida premier this spring followed by a highly anticipated new attraction, Toy Story Mania! that will debut in summer ’08.

This New Year’s Eve 2007, Pleasure Island at the Downtown Disney® area transforms into the ultimate street party featuring live music, dancing, a delicious array of gourmet food and an amazing fireworks display designed to start the New Year with a bang!Get access to a variety of unique clubs and party into 2008 with live bands and DJs mixing it up all night long. Dance to a variety of music, catch a live comedy act and even join the ultimate Pirate Party!  With seven clubs and additional action on the street, there’s a party wherever you turn.  Music includes top 40, rock and hip-hop, ‘70s, ‘80s and techno sounds.  You’ll also enjoy gourmet food including seared beef medallion, grilled skewered shrimp, smoked salmon filets and more.  And let’s not forget the New Year’s champagne toast at midnight during a special fireworks spectacular. 

You won’t want to miss this ultimate party of the year – Dec. 31 from 8 pm to 2 am!  Tickets are $99 plus tax. You must to 21 years old with proper ID.

Construction walls near Epcot’s icon “Spaceship Earth” are schedule to come down in the next week following 5 weeks of refurbishment at the Walt Disney World Resort theme park. Changes include revisions in content, new interactive components and enhancements of items that have marked the attraction since its inception.The theme of the attraction has shifted from communication through the ages to one of inspiration and innovation. The most recent script, read by Jeremy Irons, has been replaced by a new script narrated by Oscar winner Judi Dench, whose words guide riders through the generations.The plot winds through several scenes familiar to Spaceship Earth fans: the Egyptians, the burning of Rome, the Renaissance, the switchboard and more. All scenes up through the 1960s living room remain, but elements have been repositioned and upgraded. Each scene includes new lights and costumes. In addition, some of the Audio-Animatronics are increasingly lifelike thanks to technological upgrades that allow the figures to move around more than before.Fresh content is most apparent as riders near the top of the sphere. New sets representing the invention of the computer mainframe and the garage where the personal computer was developed lead to the darkened, downward second half of the experience.

Other changes blend old and new. The revised living room steers attention to the 1969 moon landing on television, featuring reports from Walter Cronkite.

This holiday season, a new stage show and a new lighting spectacle are combining to turn Cinderella’s Castle at Disney’s Magic Kingdom into a glimmering, shimmering ice palace! It all begins with the “Show before the Glow,” an all new holiday fairy tale featuring Mickey, Minnie and all the Disney characters on stage in front of the castle on Main Street USA.  While the characters debate what to do with the dark, unadorned castle for the holidays…the fairy Godmother appears and insists that Cinderella should make the decision.  When Cinderella appears, she wants her castle to sparkle like her glass slippers – and with a wave of fairy Godmother’s wand, her wish comes true asthe castle lights up with 200,000 tiny white lights, creating a shimmering look of ice and snow! This visual spectacular takes place at 5:45 pm nightly throughout the holiday season.

Wine and dine yourself at Epcot! From now thru November 11, 2007, Epcot will host its 12th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. A glorious showcase of culinary delights from around the world, you can explore marketplaces featuring regional foods and wines, learn from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations, and sample the finest cuisine from around the globe.In addition to food and wine, this annual festival features exceptional music through the “Eat to the Beat” concert series. Check the daily lineup of popular musical acts waiting to entertain you!

Stroll down New York Street at Disney-MGM Studios as the streetlights fade and snowflakes begin to fall during The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Suddenly you’re dazzled by millions of lights, dancing in synchronized splendor to a symphony for the senses with twirling carousels, heavenly angels — even Santa and his reindeer — amidst electrifying holiday music! This enchanting spectacle is a Walt Disney World® tradition that makes the holidays extra special in Orlando. This special event runs nightly from November 12, 2007 thru January 6, 2008.

The “Year of a Million Dreams” is proving to be a dream promotion for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.  The success of the program has spurred Disney to extend the promotion through the end of 2008. The program features the random distribution of prizes to selected guests and visitors to Disney’s various parks each day.  Prizes range from FASTPASS tickets or seats on a parade float to grand giveaways like an around-the-world Disney vacation or spending the night in a special suite within Cinderella’s Castle.