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View from den towards front entrance

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New Attractions for SeaWorld Orlando in 2017

New Attractions for SeaWorld Orlando have been unveiled for 2017. The $175 million injection into several of their theme parks includes new and enhanced rides, live shows and festivals throughout the coming year.

Check Out These Awesome Attractions for SeaWorld Orlando:

Kraken® Virtual Reality (VR) Roller Coaster - Summer 2017

One of the main new attractions for SeaWorld Orlando will be the digitally enhanced ride experience as the legendary Kraken roller coaster. This already awesome ride will be transformed into a virtual reality roller coaster experience.  It will make Kraken the only VR coaster experience in Florida.

Guests will embark on a deep-sea mission alongside sea creatures inspired by extinct and legendary animals of the past, including the mighty Kraken.  A custom digital overlay with uniquely designed headsets, fully integrated both mechanically and electronically into the coaster train, delivers a new one-of-a-kind adventure.

Dolphin Nursery - Summer 2017

SeaWorld Orlando's Dolphin Nursery will become more interactive in 2017. Guests will have the opportunity to see mother and baby dolphins up close like never before. Large-scale acrylic windows will offer better viewing, including multiple levels to provide children a face-to-face perspective with baby dolphins. New slide out areas and a lifting floor will allow for easier access to mom and baby for the veterinary and animal care teams.

The next generation of multi-purpose digital displays will allow SeaWorld educators to share information about dolphin behavior, biology and conservation with guests in new ways by interacting with education and animal care video content.

Electric Ocean - Summer 2017

One of the other new attractions for SeaWorld Orlando will be Electric Ocean. A brand new, end-of-day spectacle event. As the sun goes down, the lights and energy go up, offering guests a different kind of fun after dark. The ocean comes to life with bioluminescent lighting, music and pathway entertainment, immersing guests in a glowing sea of wonder.

Nautilus Theatre - Summer 2017

Continuing the park’s focus on entertainment, events and shows, an entirely new experience is coming to the Nautilus Theatre. The dedicated summer show will debut Memorial Day weekend.

Seven Seas Food Festival

SeaWorld Orlando’s popular music and food event will expand to a total of 14 weekends in 2017 as part of the Seven Seas Festival. Inspired by street food from Asia, the Caribbean, South America and the Mediterranean, this expanded festival will bring new culinary offerings to guests throughout the park. Plus, guests will be able to indulge in a variety of international, local and seasonal craft brews on tap giving their taste buds a worldly delight.

Flamecraft Bar - Summer 2017

Plans for new attractions for SeaWorld Orlando include a new dining location adjacent to the SeaFire Grill. This waterfront location will provide a great place to pause for a drink in a casual atmosphere. The Flamecraft Bar will feature 16 seasonal craft brews and a new menu to tempt the taste buds.

  Aquatica Pass Member Pavilion – Spring 2017

New attractions for SeaWorld Orlando include Annual Pass Members appreciation too. The Aquatica Pass Member Pavilion will open just in time for spring break. The exclusive pavilion will feature concierge service, complimentary sunscreen, a private entrance to Banana Beach, private animal encounters and additional offers.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer & Friends

Even Christmas is included in the new attractions for SeaWorld Orlando. Beloved Christmas character Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends, including Clarice, Bumble, the Abominable Snow Monster and Yukon Cornelius, and Rudolph themed attractions will be making their debut as part of the 2016 Christmas Celebration™ events at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens in Tampa.

Rudolph & Friends will return for the 2017 season, with additional Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer-themed experiences for families to enjoy the Christmas spirit even more.

See All Orlando & Kissimmee Christmas Events

Walt Disney World Christmas:

    Universal Holiday Events

SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Holiday Events

Local Christmas Events

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The Music Of Pixar LIVE! At Disney's Hollywood Studios

The Music of Pixar LIVE! A Symphony of Characters is a brand new show running for a limited time at Hollywood Studios from May 26th through August 27th.

The Music of Pixar LIVE! will run 3 times nightly at the Theater of the Stars, following the Beauty and The Beast Performance.

A live orchestra will delight guests with an array of toe-tapping-foot-stomping-sing-a-long Pixar favorites. Woody, Jess, Buzz Lightyear, Mikey & Sulley and The Incredibles team will all be making appearances throughout the show.

The backdrop behind the orchestra will showcase character moments and animated scenes from the family favorite Pixar movies we've all grown to love over the years. Scenes will include funny and touching snippets from Toy Story, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Finding Dory, Up, The Incredibles, Cars and other Pixar hits.

  But it doesn't stop there. The Music of Pixar LIVE! will also show outtakes and interview clips giving a behind-the-scenes peek into what a vital role music has played in animated movies. The makers behind the magic will show you just how important music is to create emotion and tell stories.

The grand finale will be a huge audience participation as everyone joins in to sing You've Got a Friend in Me.

The Music of Pixar LIVE! A Symphony of Characters will surely delight tots to teens and gives weary grown ups the perfect excuse for a sneaky rest. The show is around 45 minutes, so plenty of time to recharge the energy levels.

Seating is limited and will fill up pretty fast, so arrive early.

  The Music of Pixar LIVE! Dining Package

Combine great food with awesome music. The Music of Pixar LIVE! Dining package includes breakfast lunch or dinner at a selection of Hollywood Studios restaurants and reserved seating for the show.

Hollywood & Vine

Breakfast – $39 per adult and $25 per child

Lunch – $52 per adult and $32 per child

Dinner – $57 per adult and $35 per child

Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano

Lunch or Dinner – $45 per adult and $18 per child

The Hollywood Brown Derby

Lunch or Dinner – $65 per adult and $22 per child

The Music of Pixar Live! and Fantasmic! Dining Package

If you want to reserve seating for both The Music of Pixar Live! and Fantastmic! then this dining package is perfect. The dining package includes breakfast, lunch or dinner exactly as shown above. Also included is reserved seating at one of 3 showings of The Music of Pixar Live! and Fantasmic! Just add $5 for adults and $3 for children to each price shown above.

For reservations, book online or call 407-939-3463

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Villains After Dark at Magic Kingdom Enhance Disney After Hours

Disney After Hours is the perfect way to enjoy attractions with little or no wait times with lots of treats included. But event nights at Magic Kingdom just got bigger, better and badder! Villains After Dark will wickedly enhance the Disney After Hours on select nights from June 6th to August 8th 2019.

There will be a brand new stage show and villainous enhancements to select rides. Oh, and did we mention a fire-breathing dragon roaming around?

If you aren't familiar with Disney After Hours, they are available on select nights at Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Spaces are extremely limited to give maximum enjoyment with little or no wait times. It's literally almost walks-on to attractions. Classics like the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Space Mountain, to newer favorites like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Plus you can enjoy unlimited ice cream novelties, popcorn and select beverages. You'll also get access to Magic Kingdom from 7pm, and history shows most Disney After Hours last until around 1am.

Here's a Taste of Villains After Dark Enhancements:

A Brand-New Disney Villains Stage Show – Hades and Meg from “Hercules” will set the castle stage ablaze in this all-new stage show, Villains Unite the Night, which will also feature appearances by Jafar, The Queen, Dr. Facilier and Maleficent.

Spot Maleficent the Dragon –  Maleficent the Dragon, with her Steampunk style and signature wicked grin, will be let loose for the first time at night – breathing fire as she creeps through the park as a one-of-a-kind experience for party guests.

Villanous Enhancements: Discover surprising, villain-inspired additions at Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain.

Wickedly Good Food & Beverage -A variety of special food & beverage offerings will also be available for purchase, including tasty desserts, drinks and dishes inspired by The Queen, Cruella de Vil, Maleficent, Hades, Dr. Facilier and even Emperor Zurg.

Event Merchandise – Event attendees can also purchase new logo merchandise, as well as items from a curated collection of the best Disney Villains merchandise available.

One Notorious Item to Note: Ever driven to stand out in their unpredictable and audacious fashion, while the Villains will be entertaining guests in the new stage show, they will not be participating in character greetings during the event.

If you really wanna get in on the action during Villains After Dark, feel free to show off your sinister side by dressing in attire inspired by your favorite baddie.

Villains After Hours Tickets

Villains After Hours tickets cost $139 plus tax in advance, $144 plus tax on the event night. Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club Members can take advantage of a $30 discount and purchase tickets for $109.

Tickets for these specific Disney Villains After Hours event nights go on sale April 29.

Dates Currently Released for Disney After Hours in 2019:

Magic Kingdom: April 4th 11th (10 pm - 1 am) May 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th (9 pm - midnight)

Animal Kingdom: April 3rd  (sold out) May 7th, 14th, 21st June 4th, 11th, 18th

Hollywood Studios (9pm - midnight) April 6th, 13th May 1st  – Special event to commemorate Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary. May 4th  – Celebrate Star Wars - May the 4th Be With You! May 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st June 14th, 21st, 28th

Ever wanted to walk right on to Flight of Passage in Pandora? Or hit Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land 10 times in a row? Disney After Hours is the time to do it!

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Beach Snoballs in St Pete Beach

Sugar And Soft Shaved Ice Fuse In Shivery, Sweet Awesomeness

Do you know anyone who doesn't like shaved ice? 

Me neither. 

It just seems so indulgent. One, it's sweet.  Two, it's so cold.  Three, it's so soft. Four, it just seems a little naughty.  (After all, didn't your mother tell you not to eat snow? More than once?)

Well, hold on, because we're about to take naughty to a whole new level.

It is a grave error to assume that shaved ice consumption requires hot weather.

Beach Snoballs in St Pete Beach is the purveyor of these delightful icy desserts they call Snoballs.    

Ever run out of syrup with a sno-cone? It's just so sad! Hopeless even. That doesn't happen with Snoballs. With finer ice than that found in Sno-cones, there's no fighting between the syrup and the ice.  Ice and syrup are one.

Spike It!

You adults know what I'm talking about.  Add a little warmth to counteract all that coldness.

You can find Pina Colada, Margarita. Bahama Mama (my favorite) and more.  Or just add a shot to any flavor. Or two. Or three to any Snoball. Terry likes to go big on the Bahama Mana.

Have Fun Choosing

Add Some More Sugar!

Flavored syrups made with real sugar not enough carbs for you? It's OK, we get it.

Then how about you add ice cream.  Yes, to your shaved ice.

Still not hitting the sugar receptors on all cylinders? You can add that food of the gods, Sweetened Condensed Milk.  Or Caramel Sauce, Chocolate Sauce or Whipped Cream.  

Experiment!

Ready for adventure?  No training wheels for you. You can build it yourself.  You pick a size, decide whether or not you want to add ice cream, choose up to three flavors and then select your toppings.

Do you find 60 flavor choices and over 25,000 combinations a bit, err, overwhelming after a simple day at the beach? Not to worry.

You can let someone else do the heavy-lifting and try one of the Signature or Specialty snoballs.  These include such creations as Salted Caramel Deluxe, German Chocolate and a Tangerine Dream.

The menu includes little icons to let you know which combos are their best sellers.

Pure and simple Bahama Mama! Watch the video and keep an eye on the spoon in the video below

Locally owned by just the nicest people (a mother daughter team), you won't be disappointed.  Unless they're closed.

Visit them at 7350 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach. Weekdays from 2 pm to 10 pm and weekends from noon to 10 pm.

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Where to Rent Baby Gear – Pack Less Play More - Gulfport, Treasure Island & St Petersburg

When Freshness Really Counts

As any chef or good cook will tell you, one of the keys to cooking success is to start with the freshest ingredients.

And I think there's nowhere where that's more important than fresh seafood..

We've all taken that stroll through a supermarket reeking of questionable seafood products and bleach, only to find our appetite and enthusiasm taking a dip. Or nosedive.  No pun intended.

Well worry not, we've got you covered! Read on for how to buy fresh fish and where to buy it in the Gulfport, Treasure Island, St Pete Beach and St Petersburg area.

Mary Oliver

" Listen, are you breathing just a little, and calling it a life?"

How to Buy Fresh Fish

Step 1: Go to a local and reputable seafood shop.  See the next section "Where to Buy" below.

Step 2: Ask what the freshest fish is or what the catch of the day is.

Step 3: If you decided to buy anything other than what they tell you is freshest or the catch of the day, make sure what you're buying isn't "previously frozen".

Step 4: Make sure the flesh is firm and shiny.  It should provide resistance when touched. Don't go poking it with your uncovered finger, however. I saw one source that said the fish should look as if it might jump up and swim away. If only, the fish is thinking. If only...

Step 5: Sniff it. Yes it's ok.  Fish isn't supposed to smell fishy. It should smell fresh.

Step 6: If the poor creature still has its head intact, check the eyes.  They should be clear, not cloudy.  (You know, so he can see better...)

Step 7: Gills if present should be bright pink and wet. No slimeyness.  Ever.

Step 8: For fillets or steaks, make sure the meat doesn't separate from itself.  If it does it isn't fresh.

Step 9: If the fish still has its skin, make sure the skin is not discolored.  No brown or yellow edges. Mostly this means even, consistent coloring.

Riding on the road is not necessary - we have safe trails and pathways!

  Where to Buy #1 - Key West Shrimp Company

​​​​​​​​​​We get it.  You're not in Key West.  And no, I don't know why. But I do know that the entire business is a family affair, with their own boats and own stores.  One shop is located in St Pete Beach and the other in Madeira Beach.

"Most of our fish was swimming less than 24 hours ago." Says it right on the website. You'd have to fish for it yourself to get it any fresher.  Like them on Facebook to find out what their specials and fresh catches are.

Read about their dedication to sustainability here.  And check out products available in their online store here.  (Fish Spread fans will find some things to love here!)  You can even ship some home if you'd like.

10 am to 6 pm every day.  St Pete Beach location is 7217 Gulf Blvd Ste 13 (727) 873-3913.  Madeira Beach location is 215 150th Ave. (727) 592-1885

Perfect Salmon

Where to Buy #2 - Mid-Peninsula Seafood

​Both a restaurant and a full-service fish market.   Looking for something special? Call them! They just may be able to deliver.

Not sure which fish to buy? Visit their Fish School for tips on cooking and information on origin.

Mid Peninsula Seafood's restaurant is one of my faves. Soups, sandwiches, dinners and big orders to feed a gang.  Fish Spread is available and something you don't see just anywhere - hushpuppies! They call them Cornpuppies!

Find the full menu of prepared foods here.

Follow them on Facebook.

They're gone fishing on Sundays.  Just keep that in mind.  Open Monday - Saturday 11 am - 9 pm.  400 49th St S, St Petersburg, FL 33707

insider tip:  the seafood watch app

Download the app for your phone.  Sustainability at your fingertips!

Where to Buy #3 - Gulf Coast Seafood

Gulfport has two outstanding places to buy seafood.  "Fresh From the Boat".

Gulf Coast Seafood began by providing products to stores, resorts and restaurants over a large part of Florida.  In response to repeated requests over the years, they are now selling to the public with their own retail shop!

Fresh fish in display cases.  Frozen products are vacuum packed). Head on over and catch tonight's dinner.

Follow them on Facebook.

4921 9th Ave S, Gulfport (727) 321-1068   Open from 10 am - 6 pm Monday through Friday. 10 am to 4 pm Saturday

Chance are they have what you fancy

  Where to Buy #4 - Don's Dock & Wild Seafood Market

​Don's Dock has a wonderful fish market in addition to provide bait, ice and other gear you need to go fishing.

You can call 727-391-3223 for the Catch of the Day, see where your sustainably-caught seafood is coming from "Track Your Fish" and more.

Sauce and seasonings available too.  Online seafood market coming soon.

Check out the photo gallery for sample wares.  Those babies look ready to go home with you.

Don's Dock Wild Seafood Market is located at 215 Boardwalk Place E, Madeira Beach, Fl. (727) 391-3223

insider tip: sustainable seafood?

View the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch Consumer Guide here.

Recipe Suggestion: Perfect Salmon

Note: This cooking technique can be used on other varieties of fish too.  Just use your seasoning of choice!

Ingredients

Salmon filets, not steaks

Olive Oil

Soy Sauce

Maple Syrup

Spray or rub a small amount of olive oil on the bottom or skin-side of the fish.  Massage soy sauce into the top of the fish.  Place the fish skin side down on a small metal tray.  (Sizzle platters are perfect for this.) Pour a modest amount (approximately 1 T) of maple syrup over the top of the fish and spread it around.

Place the salmon in a COLD oven.   Now turn the oven on to 400 degrees and set a timer for 25 minutes. Your fish will be moist and flaky and the soy sauce maple syrup on top provides a slight crunch.

Enjoy!

Chance are they have what you fancy

  Disposing of Fish Parts - How to be a Good Neighbor!

No matter how fresh that fish is when you get it, eventually it won't be.  If you have leftovers (or leftover "parts"), please don't just toss them (bagged or not) in the trash can and let them marinate until trash day. Please help keep the trash cans clean and smelling the best they can by refrigerating your excess in a plastic bag and tossing out the morning of trash pickup.

insider tip: Visit Allrecipes.com

For an amazing assortment of delicious seafood recipes!

Sandy Gingras