Discovery Cove Oasis Spa

Guests of the new Oasis Spa enter a special spa cabana that overlooks the peaceful waters of the park’s Freshwater Oasis and indulge in a 25-minute massage performed by a licensed therapist.* The tranquil sounds of nature only add to the experience, and solo and couple’s massages are available to guests ages 18 and older. Spa sessions are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis as guests arrive at the park each morning. A 25-minute session starts at $59, but guests can reserve-back-to-back slots and upgrade to a 50-minute session if they prefer. Massages here are done with a special jojoba oil that has a similar pH to human skin and is non-allergenic. Best of all, though, jojoba oil is animal-friendly, which is essential at a park where the animal inhabitants greatly outnumber their human guests.

Discovery Cove Animal Trek

To get a better look at and a true understanding of many of those animal residents, guests ages 6 and older can join a 90-minute Animal Trek tour with Discovery Cove animal experts, who take participants behind the scenes to interact with many of the park’s birds and small mammals. The new experience includes a private tour of the Explorer’s Aviary, where guests can feed and handle birds, and a special viewing opportunity in the Freshwater Oasis, where participants have a special experience with the park’s family of playful otters. Each tour also includes the possibility of interacting with an anteater and a sloth, two of the park’s most popular small mammals. (All interactions are dependent on the animals’ interest in participating, but in general this tour will be full of great photo opportunities.) Woven into the experience are need-to-know facts about the risks of illegal exotic pet trade, bird longevity and the Species Survival Plan that is so important to Discovery Cove and its sister parks, aquariums and zoos. The experience starts at $79 per person, and guests ages 6 to 13 must be accompanied by a paying adult. There will be two 90-minute sessions each day, with each tour limited to just 12 guests.

The Animal Trek is among the new experiences Discovery Cove has introduced in response to guests’ requests for more interaction with animals. Last summer the park introduced Ray Feeding and Shark Swim programs, giving guests the opportunity to spend time in the water with some of the world’s most misunderstood sea creatures. During the Ray Feeding session, which takes place early in the morning just as the park is opening, guests hand-feed playful rays and get a private tour of the Grand Reef, which is home to the rays and thousands of tropical fish. In the Shark Swim program, guests meet with the park’s shark team and get to see the animals up close, learning about their anatomy and the threats the animals face in the wild. As a second part of the experience, guests can join the sharks in the deeper part of their habitat, embarking on an exhilarating snorkel experience that allows them to swim above sharks and sometimes even come face-to-face with them. Discovery Cove donates 5 percent of the proceeds from Shark Swim to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, which conducts scientific research and hosts educational programs aimed at conserving the marine environment.

With all that adventure, it’s no wonder that the spa cabana has already proven to be a popular new addition to a day at Discovery Cove. For those looking for a little piece of paradise, the park is introducing 12 spacious daybeds. Starting at $79 and able to accommodate up to four people, this is the perfect place to lay out in comfort and catch some rays with your group. The park also offers private cabanas that come complete with tables and chairs, overhead fan, private locker, fresh towels, stocked refrigerator and – perhaps best of all – a cabana host who ensures your every need is met.

Each of these experiences adds an extra level of exclusivity to a trip to Discovery Cove, which only admits 1,300 guests each day. This paradise of rocky lagoons, tropical reefs, winding rivers, and pristine white-sand beaches is a lushly landscaped park that feels more like a secluded island than an easily accessible attraction in America’s vacation capital. A day’s admission includes breakfast and lunch, unlimited beverages and snacks, lockers, animal-safe sunscreen, snorkel gear, and parking. In addition, guests get unlimited admission to SeaWorld and Aquatica for 14 consecutive days around their Discovery Cove reservation. For additional program and booking details, please visit www.discoverycove.com.

I have visited Discovery Cove once, several years ago for the opening of the Grand Reef. Discovery Cove is an amazing and beautiful place. I dream of going back there some day and doing the Dolphin Swim and the Animal Trek. I highly recommend this beautiful oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a typical Orlando vacation.

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About Discovery Cove

Recently named the No. 1 amusement park in the world in the 2014 TripAdvisor® Travelers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive year, Discovery Cove makes the ideal place to be awe-inspired with a loved one. Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive day resort experience where couples can enjoy a one-of-a-kind opportunity to swim with dolphins, rays and tropical fish and hand-feed exotic birds. Discovery Cove is a paradise of rocky lagoons surrounded by lush landscaping, tropical reefs, winding rivers, a resort-style pool complete with waterfalls, and pristine white-sand beaches.

Photo courtesy of Discovery Cove

Valentine’s Day Packages

• Visitors seeking to impress their sweetie with VIP treatment can reserve a Valentine’s Day package, which includes a private cabana with a personal host, planned itinerary, champagne, roses, snack, beverage and towel service, an additional animal encounter and much more. The Valentine’s Day VIP package is $799+ tax and is only available Valentine’s Day weekend, Feb. 14 and 15.
• Additional special occasion packages start at $159+ tax. All packages require a dolphin swim reservation. For more information, visit Discovery Cove special occasion packages.
• Getting engaged? Discovery Cove is a one-of-a-kind marriage proposal venue, and offers two unforgettable experiences. Playful bottlenose dolphins can be part of a creative marriage proposal, and deliver a personalized “Will you marry me?” buoy. Another option is SeaVenture®, which immerses the couple underwater to explore the sea floor of The Grand Reef®, where guests can propose among thousands of tropical fish and rays.
• Couples looking for weekend getaway can enjoy Discovery Cove’s sister parks. Admission to Discovery Cove includes unlimited admission for 14 consecutive days to SeaWorld and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark before, during or after Discovery Cove visit. At SeaWorld® Orlando, discover the thrills and chills of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin and find out what it’s like to fly like a ray on Manta while also enjoying world-class shows and up-close animal experiences. At Aquatica, adventurers can brave Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, a watery free-fall on Orlando’s tallest, steepest and only multi-drop tower slide of its kind.
• After a watery-filled day at Discovery Cove, couples can savor the luxurious amenities of partner hotels like the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld®, where Valentine’s Day packages are also available, including dinner reservations and spa treatments. Visit RenaissanceSeaWorld.com for more details.

Is this something you can see yourself doing for Valentine’s Day? It sure is a romantic place to spend the day. I’d love to know your thoughts.

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Rosen Plaza

Those who wish to ring in the New Year in understated elegance need look no farther than the award-winning Rosen Plaza hotel on Orlando’s International Drive. This year, the hotel is offering a New Year’s Eve couples package including one night of deluxe accommodations for two people; dinner for two with a special New Year’s Eve menu in the award-winning and recently remodeled restaurant, Jack’s Place; complimentary New Year’s Eve festivities in the hotel’s lobby bar; and a breakfast buffet for two at Cafe Matisse. The package also includes complimentary WiFi in the guestroom and public spaces, complimentary resort fee and complimentary self-parking.
The Rosen Plaza New Year’s Eve package is offered at a special rate of just $225 per couple plus tax. Guests may add an additional night (minus meals) for $115 per night, plus tax. For reservations, call (407) 996-9702. Reservations must be cancelled at least five days prior to Dec. 31, 2014 to avoid charges.

“Rosen Plaza’s New Year’s Eve package is made for couples who wish to celebrate New Year’s Eve with an incredible meal, some low-key entertainment and a relaxing evening together,” said Victoria Hall, Director Sales & Marketing for Rosen Plaza. “Whether guests are visiting from out of town or live here in Central Florida, our New Year’s Eve package makes for a fantastic one- night or weekend getaway.”

Universal CityWalk

On Dec. 31, 2014, guests can experience non-stop entertainment at EVE, Universal CityWalk’s unparalleled New Year’s celebration. With unique party zones – each featuring their own entertainment and signature drinks, access to six different clubs with live music and unlimited gourmet cuisine, EVE will be the place to ring in the New Year.

Partygoers can celebrate all night on Orlando’s biggest outdoor dance floor, built just for this event. When midnight strikes, guests will kiss 2014 goodbye in style with a champagne toast, and enjoy a pyrotechnics display with incredible special effects.

Tickets are on-sale now for advance pricing of $99.99 plus tax until Dec. 15 then increasing to $129.99. This event is for those 21+.

Admission includes access to:

• Unlimited gourmet cuisine, including jumbo shrimp, roast sirloin, custom desserts and more
• Six unique outdoor party zones with entertainment and signature drinks
• Orlando’s largest outdoor dance floor, featuring live music from DJ M-Squared on a 360˚ DJ platform
• Six Universal CityWalk venues, including: Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Pat O’Brien’s, the groove, Rising Star and Red Coconut Club
• Midnight champagne toast and pyrotechnics display

I am sure that there are other New Year’s Eve happenings around the Central Florida area but these are the ones that I’ve received notice of. Personally, I’d love for hubby and I to spend a night or two at the Rosen for New Year’s, I have a feeling that it will be just the two of us this year and a romantic getaway would be a great way to start off the new year!

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When you enter the water park on your right is the Surf Shop where you can buy a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen or anything else you may have forgotten to pack for your day at the park. Just past the Surf Shop is the Beach-n-Brick Grill, the only eatery in the water park which boasts that, “no menu item is priced higher than $10 (not including tax)”. On your left are the bathroom/changing facilities and lockers. When we were there they were using a very inefficient system for the lockers, which I truly hope was just because it was a media event and for that day the lockers were free. Lockers are available in 3 sizes small ($5) large ($7) and family ($12).

DUPLO Splash Safari

Once you pass the buildings there is a small beach with cabanas and beach chairs to your right, daily cabana rental prices range from $79-$199 based on season and include a mini-fridge stocked with 10 bottles of water, upgraded lounge chairs and two souvenir towels. Next is the cutest part of the park, DUPLO Safari Splash. This little play area is created just for your toddlers and includes a slide and some interactive DUPLO animals with water spouts.

Build-a-Raft River

To your left is the entrance to the attraction I was most excited about checking out, Build-a-Raft River. Unfortunately, the image I had in my mind since I heard the announcement last October, was way cooler than what this ride actually was. This attraction is a short (1000 foot) lazy river ride in regular old inner tubes with LEGO building platforms attached to the tubes. (You don’t really build a raft as the name implies). We waited in the relatively short line about 15 minutes. As we approached the loading area I read a sign that said you had to sit in the tube with your bottom in the middle and your legs hanging over the side. I have a bad back and this is a very uncomfortable position for me. I understand the whole “you must stay in your tube” rule but this seemed a bit much to me, but I complied. The tube even has an arrow on it telling you which part of the circle was the front so I sat in the tube as instructed and the handles were jabbing into the back of my legs. I was not comfortable at all. As I approached the lifeguard who launched you from the entry into the river I said, “This isn’t comfortable with the handles jabbing my thighs.” and his answer was, “Well, you are a bit large.” I whipped my head around so I could read his name tag but he succeeded in shoving me down the river before I could read his name. I am not a petite woman, I am a size 20, but I was no where near the largest person on the river! As I floated down the river I watched people of all ages building with their LEGO bricks only to hear 3 different lifeguards yell at them because you aren’t allowed to build anything taller than your head-remember, you must be seated in the uncomfortable butt in the middle of the raft with your legs hanging over the side position so for most kids that means you can’t build anything taller than 2-3 blocks tall, what fun is that? Next came the dismount. I am dreading this because of the position I am sitting in and I was hoping Aaron would be there to help me. Unfortunately about 8 kids had cut in line between us in the entry area and he was so far behind me I had to get out of the tube on my own, before I floated past the only exit and had to make another lap. In the end I just leaned backwards and flipped the tube to get out and got hit in the head by the LEGO building platform on one of the sides of the tube. My only souvenir of the day is the lump on my head!

Splash Out

In between the DUPLO area and the river is a bridge that takes you to the other four attractions. The LEGO wave pool has gentle waves and is fun for the whole family. The two thrill rides Splash Out and Twin Towers had very long, slow moving lines and we opted not to try them. I saved the best for last and that is The Joker Soaker. This water playground is truly the most fun in the park. It is full of ladders, levers, pumps and slides and your kids will want to spend a lot of time exploring all that it has to offer.

Joker Soaker

LEGOLAND and its water park are geared for 2-10 year old kids but what they need to remember is that young children don’t explore their parks alone. Parents and grandparents come in all shapes and sizes and if you want us to spend our hard earned money in your parks, you need to fit us all. LEGOLAND water park is the smallest water park in the central Florida area and the most expensive. You cannot buy just a ticket to the water park. It is a $12 add on to the $75 LEGOLAND ticket. So, that makes your water park ticket $87 while the other central Florida water parks range from $40-$60 for a one day ticket. Will you do the theme park and water park in one day? You can, but remember, you’ll be schlepping your water park stuff through the theme park and vice versa. Lockers are only available at The Beginning in LEGOLAND and in the water park which is located at the back of the theme park so even if you choose to pay for a locker it isn’t very convenient.

LEGO Imagination Station

Should you add the LEGOLAND Water Park to your vacation plans this summer? That is a question only you can answer. IF your kids fit the demographic age and IF you have a rental car because the park is located about an hour from Orlando and Tampa and IF your kids are LEGO junkies then MAYBE it is worth the trip. If you really just want to see some awesome, huge LEGO creations and check out a great LEGO store, then I say, save your money and visit Downtown Disney. The LEGO sea serpent and other sculptures are amazing, the store is a lot of fun and admission is free!

Disclosure: We were invited to the media preview as guests of LEGOLAND all opinions are 100% my own.

Postscript, since I didn’t get the name of the “model citizen” who said I was a “bit large” I didn’t complain in park. I did reach out to them on Twitter and this is the response I received.  Really? What are your thoughts?

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Key areas of LEGOLAND Water Park attraction include:

• LEGO Wave Pool – Families can catch a gentle wave or simply cool off in this perfectly sized wave pool where the waves are just big enough for all ages to enjoy
• Build-A-Raft River – Families can imagine, design and build a unique LEGO vessel and set afloat on a maiden voyage around the 1000-foot-long lazy river, set amongst playful LEGO Friends, flowering vegetation and palm trees
• Twin Chasers – Friends ride tubes 375 feet down an intertwining pair of enclosed water slides before plunging into a refreshing pool below
• Splash Out – The thrill seekers of the family can ascend to the tallest point of the water park attraction and choose from one of three unique slides, then speed down a 60-foot drop and “splash out” into the water below
•  Joker Soaker – A fun, interactive playground with various lengths, heights and types of slides that offer something different for every member of the family. Guests can wade in the surrounding pool and be surprised with a torrential spill from a 300-gallon bucket
• DUPLO Splash Safari – Toddlers will rule at this water play area with shorter slides and interactive, larger-than-life DUPLO creatures

Admission to the water park attraction is included with an all-new LEGOLAND Premium Pass, which offers 12 months admission to LEGOLAND Florida and seasonal access to the LEGOLAND Water Park for just $179 for adults and $149 for child/senior. Single-day LEGOLAND Florida guests may upgrade to a water park attraction ticket for an additional $12 per person (children under 3 are $3). The Premium Pass is now available for purchase at www.LEGOLAND.com or AAA Auto Group branches.

We have visited every water park in central Florida and we cannot wait to visit the LEGOLAND Water Park when it opens May 26, 2012.

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Guests can purchase annual passes that include the attraction online at www.LEGOLAND.com and at AAA Auto Club South locations. Premium Pass includes unlimited admission to both LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND Water Park, free parking and discounts within the park and is $179 for adults and $149 for children 3-12 and seniors 60 and older.

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Calling all super heroes! Super Grover has lost his super-ness! Never fear, the fabulous five Super Heroes are here — featuring Elmo as Captain Fuzzy! Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Zoe and all their furry friends are on a quest to put the “super” back in Super Grover. Singing and dancing their way through fun lessons on healthy habits, they discover how exercise, rest, nutritious food and good hygiene can save Super Grover — and turn your children into Super Heroes, too! You’ll be feeling good when Elmo’s Super Heroes! comes to town!

Sesame Street Live is a larger-than-life, musical touring stage production featuring Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie…and more. Each performance is 90 minutes of singing, dancing and audience participation, including a 15-minute intermission. The perfect length for very young children! There are six (6) delightful Central Florida performances! Tickets on-sale at all Ticketmaster locations or to charge by phone, call 800-745-3000. You can save $3 per ticket! Use the code ERNIE online at ticketmaster.com to receive the discount. (Discount excludes Gold Circle & Sunny Seats. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Discount cannot be combined with any other offer.)

The Central Florida show schedule is as follows:

Tampa,FL; St. Pete Times Forum-Tuesday, November 29 7:00pm & Wednesday, November 30, 2011 10:30am and 7:00pm.

Lakeland,FL; TheLakelandCenter– Youkey Theatre Saturday, December 3 5:30pm & Sunday, December 4, 2011 1:00pm and 4:30pm.

Tickets would make a great early Christmas gift for your kids and The Mom Maven has a family 4 pack of ticket vouchers to give away!
Mandatory 1st EntryTell me a favorite Sesame Street Memory. Mine is November 10, 1969-I was at Harborlight Kindergarten and we all went into Reverend Wilbur’s office to watch the first episode of this new educational television program. As a 5 year old, it was magical just to find out there was a television at church (how things have changed!). Watching the Muppets and their human friends interact was amazing.

Bonus Entries:

• Like Sesame Street Live on Facebook
• Follow Sesame Street Live on Twitter
• Like this post on Facebook using the button at the bottom of the post
• Like TheMomMaven on Facebook
• Follow @MomMaven on Twitter
• Tweet this Hey @MomMaven We want to see @SesameStLive in Central Florida! http://bit.ly/teyfJk  #win (you may do this 2x a day)
• +1 this post on Google using the button on the bottom of this post
• Blog subscribers, GFC friends and Networked Blog Followers get 1 entry each

This giveaway is open to US residents only who are available to attend a show in either Tampa or Lakeland, Florida on one of the dates listed above. The winner will have 48 hours to respond via email to claim their prize.  The giveaway ends at 9pm ET on November 19, 2011. The winner will be chosen by Random.org.

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My family has been visiting the Kissimmee, FL since 1972, when we took our first of hundreds of trips to Walt Disney World. My most recent stay in Kissimmee was in December when we were in town for the taping of the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. Yes, I am a Disneyphile but today I want to share with you some of the other great stuff you can do in and around Kissimmee.

If you are looking for affordable accommodations near all of Central Florida’s theme parks and attractions Kissimmee is the place to stay. In December we stayed in a decent budget hotel for $29.99 a night!! It even has FREE Internet! There are hotels, resorts, rental homes and time shares in the area to meet every budget.

I can’t wait to visit SeaWorld Orlando and take another ride on Manta! (I’m the one one the right). My favorite show at SeaWorld is Blue Horizons-make sure you catch this beautifully artistic dolphin show.

My family includes me and 3 car guys-my hubby and 2 teenage sons so when in the area on a Saturday we have to go to Old Town for the Saturday Night Cruise, the largest weekly car cruise in the United States, with over 300 classic cars, hot rods, street rods and antiques from 1974 and before! It’s FREE too! Why not check out the UK’s longest running antiques website here if you’re an antique collector?

Table and glasses made of ice!

Do you want some night life while in Central Florida? Check out ICEBAR Orlando. I was there as part of IZEAFest ’09 and we had a great time.

Another favorite thing to do in the Kissimmee area is SHOP! There are tons of outlet malls and flea markets as well as traditional malls. In December we visited Festival Bay Mall where my 3 guys were in heaven shopping at Bass Pro Shops and watching the skateboarders at the in mall Vann’s skatepark!

There are things I still have never tried in Kissimmee. I want to get to Arabian Nights which happens to be the most honored dinner show in the world! I have lived in Florida for 30 years and I still haven’t ridden in an airboat-it would be cool to do that right at the headwaters of the Everglades.

I know you are already thinking about what fun you could have on a Kissimmee vacation so click on the link and get started! Have you visited Kissimmee? What are your favorite things to do while you are here? Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t tried…yet? Let me know that too. I love reading and responding to your comments!

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