Tampa’s biggest and brightest holiday event opens earlier this year with millions of twinkling holiday lights throughout the park’s 335 acres, spectacular fireworks, and a brand-new experience with Santa that will create merry memories for guests of all ages. Included in park admission, the award-winning holiday event features all-new activities for the whole family, including:

• New! Holiday in the Sky Fireworks Show: Enjoy classic holiday tunes and watch festive bursts of Christmas colors as they cover the sky in a dazzling fireworks display. Holiday in the Sky is offered on the Festival Field every Saturday and select event nights, beginning November 13
•  New! Storytime with Mrs. Claus: Located in the Coke Canopy near the Christmas Town Village, Mrs. Claus will share traditional holiday tales and a joyful song. 
• New! Santa’s North Pole Experience, presented by Coca-Cola: Jolly elves guide guests to see Santa in his workshop as he prepares for the holiday season.

Other fan favorite holiday entertainment returning to this year’s Florida-style winter wonderland includes:

•  “Christmas on Ice”: Busch Gardens’ longest running holiday show returns to the Moroccan Palace Theater. This inspiring skating production transforms the stage with incredible feats of skating athleticism for a truly unmissable show set to holiday classic songs.
• Elmo’s Christmas Wish: Join Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover, and Zoe as they help Elmo find his Christmas wish! Families are sure to be singing and dancing along while watching this fun holiday show.
• Three Kings Journey: The musical tale of the famed journey to Bethlehem is celebrated in the round at the Stanleyville Theater.
• Holly Jolly Express: All aboard for Christmas Cheer! This locomotive is on track to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with the favorite songs of the season as guests venture through the park.
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Journey to Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland to find the most famous reindeer of all.

As guests dash through the night between iconic rollercoasters, they can explore the Christmas Town Village: a delicious destination filled with drinks and dishes from an indulgent holiday menu. These unique, limited time options include NEW specialty cocktails like the “Mistletoe Margarita” and the “Apple Brandy Hot Toddy”. Complete the night with a signature Christmas Town Hot Chocolate featuring festive flavors like peppermint or gingerbread. Feel the spirit of the season in each bite with the new maple bourbon pecan pie or feast on holiday favorites like the smoked brisket “totchos.” The best way for guests to savor and save during the holidays is with a Christmas Town Sampler Lanyard, starting at ONLY $44.99 for an 8-punch lanyard.

We can’t wait to nibble on treats and drink Christmas Town Hot Chocolate while we wander through Christmas Town Village. We are excited for a new fireworks show and to see “Christmas on Ice” back in the Moroccan Palace Theater. We hope we get to meet Rudolph and Santa this year as well. I am sad to see the “The Most Wonderful Time” show isn’t listed this year. It’s a family tradition to watch that while we eat dinner. Hopefully it is still there, just not listed on the program…yet.

It’s time to send out the family text and choose a date to visit Christmas Town! I’m ready to get my Christmas on!

The post Busch Gardens Christmas Town 2021 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

With more weekends to celebrate safely, Busch Gardens is getting jazzed up with music, beads and more for open-air festivities with French-Quarter flair. Guests will have the opportunity to catch some beads from physically distant New Orleans street performers periodically strolling throughout the day. There will be plenty of room to dance through spacious walkways while enjoying festive tunes from live musicians while flavorful dishes and cocktails tempt the senses.

Busch Gardens Mardi Gras Dates and Times

The Mardi Gras celebration will be held select dates and run from noon to closing time. Most of those dates are Friday, Saturday, Sunday, with a few Mondays, and of course Fat Tuesday as well.

• January 16 noon-9pm
• January 17 noon-9pm
• January 18 noon-7pm
• January 22 noon-6pm
• January 23 noon-8pm
• January 24 noon-6pm
• January 29 noon-6pm
• January 30 noon-8pm
• January 31 noon-6pm
• February 5 noon-6pm
• February 6 noon-8pm
• February 7 noon-6 pm
• February 12 noon-6pm
• February 13 noon-8pm
• February 14 noon-8pm
• February 15 noon-8pm
• February 16 noon-5pm

Feast like Kings and Queens on Classic Cajun Cuisine at Busch Garden Mardi Gras

Busch Gardens has brought the “Big Easy” to Tampa Bay with Mardi Gras-inspired food including a signature shrimp po’ boy, hearty jambalaya, and hot and fresh beignets. Handcrafted cocktail classics like Hurricanes join new signature drinks for a perfect pairing with the park’s carefully crafted culinary offering, which can be best enjoyed with a Mardi Gras Sampler Lanyard. Starting at $34.99 for a 5-punch lanyard with a 10-punch option and an exclusive 12-punch lanyard for Pass Members, Sampler Lanyards make it easy for guests to embrace that “Fat Tuesday” feeling!

Returning Spring Events

Sesame Street Kids Weekends, January 30 – February 14

For kids and kids-at-heart, there are more special moments with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and the rest of their Sesame Street friends coming up this season! Fans won’t want to miss new physically distant celebrations for Elmo’s birthday and Valentine’s Day this year.

Food & Wine Festival, Friday to Sunday, February 20 – April 25

Taste buds will bloom this spring with a delicious menu of dishes and drinks as dynamic and unique as the park’s thrilling roller coaster collection. Guests will also enjoy a taste of local musical talent throughout the open-air festival to accompany their sweet and savory samples.

Busch Gardens Health and Safety

The Busch Gardens team has consulted with medical experts to offer modified events with required reservations and limited capacity for safe celebrations. All seasonal events feature open-air entertainment throughout the park’s more than 300 spacious acres as well as enhanced health and safety measures including increased cleaning and sanitation, temperature checks, face covering requirements and physical distancing. Reservations are required and limited and can be made at www.BuschGardensTampa.com.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts on visiting Busch Gardens Right Now

We plan to attend Mardi Gras, not sure of which date yet. We purchased Busch Gardens Fun Passes last year on Black Friday. We attended Christmas Town in December, our favorite Busch Gardens event. I shared on my personal Facebook wall then, and I am sharing publicly here, if you have fears of crowds because of Covid, Busch Gardens isn’t the place for you.

I don’t know what percent of capacity they are at but, it was crowded, like a normal Christmas Town night. Workers were not enforcing the proper wearing of masks, as other theme parks are. There was an occasional message over the PA speakers reminding everyone to wear masks and social distance, but that was it.

There were few social distancing markers throughout the park, in ride queues, or in food areas. If you are immune compromised or living in fear, stay home. I am neither and I will be visiting again soon.

The post 2021 Busch Gardens Mardi Gras appeared first on The Mom Maven.

In addition to returning fan-favorites, this year’s menu boasts many daring new flavors inspired by cuisines around the country. Guests can begin their culinary road trip with grilled lamb chops featuring a 15-year balsamic drizzle from northern California. Foodies can’t miss mouthwatering Tex-Mex classics like chorizo queso fundido with sweet onions and shishito peppers or grilled elote – the park’s spin on Mexican street corn featuring cotija cheese and lime crema. Island delights feature flavors of paradise with Hawaiian-inspired delicacies including a dreamy pineapple upside down cake or Kona-crusted filet mignon with Maui onion butter. Nostalgic guests can even take a trip down memory lane with a visit to the 60^th Anniversary cabin, featuring recipes inspired by historical Busch Gardens’ treats and snacks from decades gone by.

The best way to savor and save on everything the festival has to offer is with a Food & Wine Festival Sampler. Guests can purchase a 5, 8 or 12-item sampler lanyard to use at each festival cabin to explore sample-sized dishes and drink offerings with ease. Pass Members can purchase an exclusive 15-item sampler for the same price as a 12-item sampler.

Enjoy All-Star Performances at Live Concerts 

From country and rock to R&B, the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival line-up reflects musical genres of all tastes. Fans can book the ultimate festival experience with one of two exclusive VIP packages available for each act, including reserved concert seating and a Sampler Lanyard. Concert headliners include:

• Saturday, March 16, 2019             Daughtry

• Sunday, March 17, 2019                The Band Perry

• Saturday, March 23, 2019             3 Doors Down

• Sunday, March 24, 2019                Blue Rodeo, Kathleen Edwards and Fred Eaglesmith featuring Tif Ginn

• Saturday, March 30, 2019             Justin Moore

• Sunday, March 31, 2019                El Gran Combo

• Saturday, April 06, 2019                 To Be Announced

• Sunday, April 07, 2019                    Josh Turner       

• Saturday, April 13, 2019                 Mighty Mighty Bosstones

• Sunday, April 14, 2019                    Boyz II Men

• Friday, April 19, 2019                       Edwin McCain and Vertical Horizon

• Saturday, April 20, 2019                 Hunter Hayes and Levi Hummon

• Sunday, April 21, 2019                    Mat Kearney

• Saturday, April 27, 2019                 Walk Off the Earth

• Sunday, April 28, 2019                    Foreigner

For more information about the 5^th Annual Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival and to learn about all of the exciting events, new shows, rides, and memory-making experiences visit BuschGardensTampa.com.

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The 90-day event continues through June 3, featuring dozens of Disney-crafted topiaries and beds of multi-colored blooms that will transform the Epcot landscape into a floral extravaganza. As just one example of this metamorphosis, nearly 70,000 festival blooms will surround the lakes in Future World, while on the water, hundreds of colorful mini-gardens will be set afloat.

Here is a look at some of the discoveries guests will make this year:

• The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series will expand to every day of the festival, featuring chart-topping artists performing three shows daily on the America Gardens Theatre stage. That’s 270 concerts – more than ever before – featuring new and returning fan favorites spanning multiple genres. Returning favorites like The Spinners and Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will be joined by artists new to the festival like TobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman and Colin Hay of Men at Work.
• Creative new culinary dishes and several new outdoor kitchens will debut this year. AdventHealth will host a kitchen along with a nearby playground where the whole family can learn fun and interactive ways to stay healthy.
• Woody and Buzz Lightyear will welcome Bo Peep and her sheep to their Toy Story topiary near the Family Play Zone in Future World East.
• Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration family scavenger hunt will be more fun than ever this year with new locations to discover along the garden pollination trail. Guests can also commemorate their scavenger hunt experience with select merchandise offerings featuring everyone’s favorite bee, Spike. Another guest favorite returning to the festival April 5-21 (while supplies last) is the Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt, where guests can search for Disney character-themed eggs around World Showcase.
• In celebration of Disneynature’s “Penguins,” opening April 17, a 9-foot-tall art sculpture made from recycled marine debris will be on display in Future World featuring an adult and baby Adélie penguin. Created by the non-profit organization WashedAshore.org, this work of art is designed to inspire Guests to keep our oceans and waterways clear of plastic pollution.

Among the returning gardens and exhibits, guests will once again enjoy the Goodness Garden Butterfly House presented by GoGo squeeZ where nearly 1,000 native butterflies willfly among the garden’s two dozen nectar plants. Additionally, several World Showcase pavilions will include gardens with floral life representative of plants in those countries, such as the Kokodema Garden and Bonsai Collection in Japan, the Urban Spice Garden in Morocco and the Alpine Container Garden in Germany.

As Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival goers take in all these floral wonders, they will find fine tastes to savor along their journey. In addition to the Outdoor Kitchens, raised-bed or in-ground gardens of herbs and produce will offer the perfect inspiration for learning to grow healthy ingredients. Several Epcot food-and-beverage locations – including Taste Track and Refreshment Port– will offer festival-themed eats and libations. Additionally, guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at 15 popular Epcot restaurants and guaranteed seating for a nightly concert with a Garden Rocks Dining Package. Dining packages are now booking at FreshEpcot.com or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.

Guided tours are also available for guests interested in learning more about nature’s magic. In Behind the Seeds – The Land, guests can explore the fish farm and four greenhouses that make up The Land at Epcot. Additionally, two guided experiences exclusive to the festival include:

• The Royal Tea Garden Tour, presented by Twinings, which takes place each festival morning at the United Kingdom. For a small fee, guests can follow a knowledgeable guide through the tranquil tea garden setting to learn the history and artistry behind growing and blending tea. A post-tour treat of tea and scones is included. The shorter, complimentary English Tea Garden Tour also will be offered on select days.
• During the Gardens of the World tour, guests will join a Disney horticulturist for a three-hour walking tour to explore the award-winning topiaries and gardens that make the festival so special. Guests will learn about the unique role landscaping plays at Walt Disney World and discover new plant materials and gardening techniques to use for home gardens.

Guided tours are offered select days throughout the festival for an additional fee. Epcot admission is required. Reservations for tours open January 2019. For more information or to make a reservation, call (407) WDW-TOUR.

Guests can also commemorate their visit to the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival with official event merchandise. They can dig up a charming array of whimsical apparel and headwear designed to capture the splendor of spring, garden tools and accessories, and magical Disney keepsakes to adorn their homes and gardens.

There is still time to plan your trip to this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Just Email Me and we will get to planning!

The post The 26th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Opens March 6th appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Connected to the existing LEGOLAND^® Hotel and next to beautiful Lake Eloise, Pirate Island will be the third on-site accommodation at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Located a mere 130 kid steps away from the main entrance to the theme park, the Hotel will feature 150 fun-filled rooms, an expansive pool and pool deck, hundreds of LEGO models and numerous character experiences.

“We’re really excited to offer a brand new family-friendly experience and continue our park’s expansion with a third on-site hotel accommodation,” saidLEGOLAND Florida Resort General Manager Rex Jackson. “LEGOLAND Florida Resort is committed to putting a smile on every child who walks through the door and Pirate Island Hotel will certainly help us achieve that goal.”

The new five-story hotel will also house a pirate-themed restaurant, an entertainment area for kid-friendly nightly programming, LEGO play pits and a lobby bar for adult buccaneers. Also, with every hotel reservation, guests will enjoy a free family-style breakfast for ye’ entire crew.

Known as the theme park built for kids, LEGOLAND Florida’s Pirate Island Hotel will provide even more incentive to stay and play on multiple-day visits with an array of LEGO character interactions, a heated pool and a pirate ship in front of the hotel for photo opportunities.

Inside the rooms, kids can fully experience the LEGO pirate life as they explore their separate side of the room complete with their own TV, daily in-room LEGO treasure chests, LEGO pirate décor, treasure map headboards and boat-shaped bunkbeds in the suites among many more surprises.

“Pirate Island Hotel will offer a completely unique guest experience for swashbucklers of all ages,” said LEGOLAND Florida Resort Hotels Director Kevin Carr. “Pirates have a long history tied to the state of Florida and we look forward to providing memorable experiences to our future guests with an entertaining, memorable and fun hotel. Whether it’s interacting with life-size LEGO characters in the lobby, uncovering LEGO bounty at the end of an in-room treasure hunt or soaking up the sun in our heated pool, Pirate Island Hotel will be the perfect place for families to make long-lasting memories.”

While planning for a new property, LEGOLAND Florida Resort relied on its fans to help develop an exciting theme. With an overabundance of options to choose from, LEGOLAND fans spoke loud and clear that LEGO Pirate was the preferred choice.

“Due to the success of our existing accommodations, we realized a third hotel was needed to keep up with our high consumer demand. Veteran guests and excited newcomers alike shared their opinions and LEGO Pirate was the overwhelming favorite,” said Carr.

Pirate Island will be a key addition to LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s continued park expansion, which also includes THE LEGO^® MOVIE WORLD opening in spring 2019 and a new miniature golf course for hotel guests opening in summer 2019.

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Celebrate the #YearofBeer in 2019

With a nostalgic nod to the park’s roots as a brewery, guests age 21 and older can enjoy two complimentary beer samples each day of 2019 at Serengeti Outlook Pub and Restaurant and Garden Gate Café’. The cold brews will provide the perfect accompaniment to a day at the park. Valid identification is required for age verification.

Special Events in January

Real Music, Real Masters

Monday – Saturday, January 7– March 16

The longest-running concert series at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay returns in January with incredible live music and entertainment spanning from the 1950s to today. Daily performances at the park’s Stanleyville Theater include the following world-class acts:

•  Cirque Vertigo featuring the Wallenda Duo: January 7 -12 & March 11 – 16
• Arrival From Sweden: The Music of ABBA: January 14 – 19
• Thomas McClary: The Commodores Experience: January 21 – 26
• Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone: January 28 – February 2
• The Diamonds: February 4 – 9
• Ballroom with a Twist: February 11 – 16
• The 5th Dimension: February 18 – 23
• Eaglemania: The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band: February 25 – March 2
• Lorrie Morgan: March 4 – March 9

Exciting Events All Year

Throughout 2019, park guests can enjoy can’t-miss events for all tastes and ages, including the following fan-favorites:

Sesame Street Safari of Fun Kids’ Weekends

Saturdays & Sundays February 2-10, May 4-19, and October 5-27-Families can enjoy seasonal fun with fan-favorite characters, including hands-on activities and specialty character meals each Saturday and Sunday during select times.

Food & Wine Festival

Select Dates March 16 – April 28-The park’s most delicious event returns this March with tastes for every palate at the fifth annual Food & Wine Festival. Guests can sample delectable cuisines paired with a wide selection of wines, craft brews and specialty cocktails, while enjoying some of the biggest names in entertainment.

Guy Harvey Weekends

Saturdays & Sundays May 11 & 12, Dec. 7 & 8-Meet Guy Harvey and learn about his dedication to conservation and his passion for marine wildlife. Bring your favorite gear for him to sign or purchase Guy Harvey paintings, merchandise and more. Autographs and photos will be available at select times throughout the day.

Jack Hanna Weekend

Saturday & Sunday May 18 & 19-Join “Jungle Jack” Hanna for a weekend of wild animal shows, autograph signings and special meet-and-greets when he visits Busch Gardens. The internationally-known animal expert will share animal facts and his travel tales during animal shows.

Summer Nights

Each Night May 31 – August 11-As the sun goes down, the night comes alive at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Summer Nights. The event features extended hours, endless energy and world-class coasters that light up the night. Join us for a Fourth of July firework celebration like no other during Summer Nights.

Fall & Holiday Favorites, including: Bier Fest – a unique blend of food and favorite craft beers from around the world and local favorites; Howl-O-Scream*, celebrating 20 years this fall, there is nowhere to hide at Howl-O-Scream 2019; Christmas Town, with millions of twinkling lights and festive shows.

Best Ways to Play

Pay for Day, play ALL YEAR at 2 parks- For a limited time, guests can buy a 2019 Busch Gardens Fun Card and get an Adventure Island Fun Card free! Block out dates apply.

MORE VALUE, MORE OPTIONS WITH ANNUAL PASS – Pick your way to play in 2019 with a Busch Gardens Annual Pass, starting at $10.99 a month for Florida Residents. Guests can select from four pass levels for the benefits they want most – including FREE parking, discounts on merchandise and food, as well as animal encounters – to gear up for a calendar full of special events plus EXCLUSIVE pass member ride time for the opening of Tigris: an exciting new attraction coming in 2019. Add more parks – Get a 4-park pass to Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, SeaWorld and Aquatica, starting at just $15.99 a month.

FREE Preschool Card- Kids 5 and younger can enjoy FREE admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island throughout all of 2019 with the Preschool Card. There’s never been a cooler time to be a kid! Florida residents only, other conditions apply, visit BuschGardensTampa.com to register.

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I was surprised at how readily Ron agreed to accompany me since he has a bit of a fear of heights. My fear isn’t of heights but of falling so I was pretty sure I’d be fine in the ICON Orlando 360 capsule. We boarded our capsule for the approximately 20 minute ride and never had a problem. The observation wheel rotates so slowly you don’t really realize you are moving, the capsule is very stable. As I was doing my Facebook live (below) I had comments from friends how they would never try it but I assure you, you can do it! We enjoyed having this unique vantage point of the Orlando area. We hope to come back in the future and visit Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Orlando.

Located in the heart of Orlando’s International Drive entertainment district, ICON Orlando 360 is home to an array of unique dining experiences. From authentic Spanish and Mexican fare to traditional American eats, ICON Orlando 360 offers selections to please any palate. Nightly live music, shopping venues and a central courtyard with fountain and choreographed water displays, complement the experience. “Whether entertaining out-of-town guests, toasting the holidays with friends or co-workers, or looking for an iconic Orlando vacation experience, these new offers deliver memorable moments and substantial savings,” said Cindy Dykman, director of sales and marketing at ICON Orlando 360.

ICON Orlando 360 New Seasonal Experiences:

• Holiday Friends & Family Pass – (Groups of Three or More) – Share the experience with your loved ones this holiday. A group of three riders on ICON Orlando pays less than $22.00 per person, per rotation and can fly during any time of the day or night. For groups of more than three riders, the admission price drops to just $14.99 per additional rider, compared to the listed $29.99/adult and $24.99/child general admission pricing.
• Fly Before 4 and Save – Take a flight on ICON Orlando before 4 p.m. and pay just $14.99 per person, per rotation – a savings of $15.00 per standard adult and $10.00 per standard child admission rates. (*Block out dates include Nov. 24 & 25 and Dec. 24, 2018-Jan. 1, 2019.)
• Florida Residents Anytime Flight – Florida residents riding ICON Orlando enjoy a savings of 25 percent with prices at $19.99 for adults and $14.99 for children when purchased online.
• Sky Bar 360 – ICON Orlando now offers private Sky Bar 360 beverage capsules for up to 10 guests, starting at just $29 per person. An ideal experience for a holiday gathering of friends and colleagues, Sky Bar 360 capsules include options for a bottomless selection of beer and/or wine plus two full rotations (44 minutes) on ICON Orlando. Beer options include Bud Light, Corona and Blue Moon with wine offerings including an array of white, red, sparkling, and Prosecco. Guests of the Sky Bar 360 capsules must be 21 years or older. Customization for quantity and selection of beverage offerings is available upon request. (Not available Dec. 31).
• Holiday Light Show – More than 64,000 LED lights will bring the tallest observation wheel on the east coast of the United States to life in a kaleidoscopic 10-minute show, synchronized to a festive holiday soundtrack. The light show runs Nov. 17, 2018-Jan. 6, 2019 (Sun.-Thurs. at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. at 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and
• Fly & Dine – Announced in October, Fly & Dine includes one flight aboard ICON Orlando, along with a choice of dinner options at seven of ICON Orlando 360’s fast casual and full-service restaurants. The set menu options start at just $32 for fast casual or $45 for full-service dining at participating restaurants, including Sugar Factory Orlando, Tin Roof Orlando, Tapa Toro Spanish Restaurant, UNO Pizzeria & Grill and others.
• New Year’s Eve – Exciting plans are underway for an iconic New Year’s Eve celebration at ICON Orlando 360. More information will be announced soon!

For more information on how to purchase tickets and to view the all-new options, visit Iconorlando.com. Guests are encouraged to share their experience on social using the hashtag #ICONOrlando360.

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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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Florida kids ages five and younger can enjoy all the excitement of SeaWorld Orlando for free by registering for the SeaWorld Orlando Preschool Card which allows for free admission for Florida preschoolers. SeaWorld offers an ocean of experiences that are perfect for pint-sized guests, from up-close animal encounters to breathtaking live shows. The Preschool Card also includes popular SeaWorld events such as the Seven Seas Food Festival, Electric Ocean, Halloween Spooktacular, and the fan-favorite Christmas Celebration.
This spring, preschoolers and their families can dive into Just For Kids, an event crafted especially with young guests in mind. From April 21 to May 13, families can spend their weekends dancing to the beat and learning together along with everybody’s favorite furry, finned and flippered friends during this special event.

Parents can add Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark, to their child’s Preschool Card for only $59.99 to enjoy two parks all year. From Walkabout Waters to Kata’s Kookabura Cove, young guests can explore endlessly on interactive play structures, splash zones, and miniature slides designed just for them. With the upcoming opening of Ray Rush, a new family raft ride, the Preschool Card presents a great value for families with young children in 2018.

The 2018 Preschool Card is now available for registration exclusively for Florida residents. Advance registration must be completed online and is only valid for children ages five or younger at the time of redemption at the park. Please note registration is required by May 13, 2018. To learn more and to register for the Preschool Card, Florida residents can visit SeaWorldOrlando.com/PreschoolCard.

Busch Gardens Free Admission for Preschoolers

Back by popular demand, Florida preschoolers can now enjoy all Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay has to offer with the 2018 Preschool Card. The 2018 Preschool Card is valid for unlimited visits at two of Florida’s favorite parks, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld Orlando for children ages five or younger. The card is exclusively for Florida residents, for visits anytime through December 31, 2018. The card works for all park events included with admission, including Busch Gardens Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends.

To learn more and to register for the Preschool Card, Florida residents can visit https://buschgardens.com/tampa/tickets/preschool-free-admission/. Advanced registration for the Preschool Card is required, and only available for a limited time through May 20, 2018.

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“A first responder’s mission is to selflessly protect us each day, and this special offer is a small way to show our appreciation of their dedication to the communities they call home,” said Stewart Clark, president and general manager of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Qualifying first responders include:

• All Florida fire rescue first responders
• Florida emergency medical services employees (EMT/EMS)
• 911 dispatchers
• All Florida police and sheriff officers
• Florida Highway Patrol
• Florida Department of Corrections
• Florida Department of Law Enforcement
•  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission field officers
•  Florida Forest Service Forest Rangers
•  Florida Park Service law enforcement
• Department of Homeland Security law enforcement agents
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection law enforcement

Qualifying first responders should visit buschgardenstampa.com for more information and register using the ID.me verification system. 911 operators must take advantage of the First Responder offer at the front gate. Tickets must be used by November 24th. Restrictions apply.

Members of the United States military and the National Guard can take advantage of the Waves of Honor® program, which provides free admission to the SeaWorld® and Busch Gardens® parks, and Sesame Place® for active members of U.S. armed forces and as many as three direct dependents per service member.

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