All-New Holiday Festivities

New to this year’s Christmas Celebration is the Sea of Trees.  Guests will discover 74 massive trees, each sparkling, lighted and choreographed to classic holiday tunes, making a dramatic display around SeaWorld’s center lake.

Also new this year is The Christmas Market, located on the park’s Bayside Pathway.  Here guests can shop for one-of-a-kind gifts and dine on scrumptious holiday delights.

“Our guests will be immersed in the wonderful sights, sounds, and tastes of a joyous holiday experience,” said Michael Fletcher, vice president of Entertainment for SeaWorld Orlando. “The Sea of Trees is going to transform our holiday nights with a stunning symphony of lights and music on the water.  Guests can even do their Christmas shopping in the Christmas Market while they feast on delicious holiday favorites.  We want SeaWorld to become a joyous holiday tradition for our guests, so this year we’re truly bringing the sea to the season!”

Returning Holiday Favorites

Returning to SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration are family favorites.  At the park’s Wild Arctic attraction, guests can jump aboard and take an unforgettable train ride to the North Pole.  Classic scenes from THE POLAR EXPRESS movie are recreated in a multi-sensory experience that immerses passengers in special lighting, scent, sound and motion effects. When they arrive at the North Pole, guests discover a winter wonderland surrounded by holiday cheer and amazing animal encounters.

THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience is based on the film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment, inspired by the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.  He embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

Families and friends can once again enjoy the spirit of Christmas during four of SeaWorld’s holiday-themed shows:

• Winter Wonderland on Ice, is a spectacular show where Christmas comes to life with towering water fountains, magnificent fireworks and some of the most talented ice skaters in the world.
• Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas, is a Christmas comedy with everyone’s favorite sea lions Clyde and Seamore and a few mischievous otters and a jolly walrus or two, just for good measure.
• A Sesame Street Christmas is a festive and fun musical celebration where guests can celebrate the holidays with friends from Sesame Street.  The holidays have arrived, but Abby Cadabby doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about … she’s never heard of Christmas! Elmo, Big Bird and other Sesame Street friends gather to share the true spirit of the holiday with her.
• Shamu Stadium once again brightens the night with dazzling lights and glowing candles, while Christmas carols abound and Shamu splashes to celebrate the holiday season.  It’s the magnificent holiday show, Shamu Christmas … Miracles.

For those looking for unique holiday cuisine with SeaWorld’s special touch, the Makahiki Christmas Luau is a South Seas-style festive celebration of the ancient holiday traditions of the Pacific Islands.  Joyful songs of the season are reinterpreted with Polynesian rhythms, music and dance.  For more details on holiday dining options, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.

’Tis the season of giving and what better way to do so than to give back to wildlife, something SeaWorld has been doing for more than 50 years.  With each adult admission purchased online through Dec. 31, 2010, a child ages 3-12 receive admission to SeaWorld for only $5, all of which is donated to non-profit organizations supporting wildlife conservation projects.   It’s the perfect place to give back and connect with wildlife but also to share in the holiday spirit together with family and friends at SeaWorld.

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Trick-or-Treat Sea Sweets Located throughout the park, and designated on your Trick-or-Treat Treasure Map, the Trick-or-Treat stations slowly and judiciously hand out 2 pieces of candy per person. I recommend getting your candy early in the afternoon to avoid the long lines. Later in the afternoon we gave up getting candy because the lines were very long, 15-20 minute wait for 2 pieces of candy. We heard several parents tell their kids they would buy them a bag of candy on the way home they didn’t have time to wait, they had to get to Shamu Stadium to get seats for the next show.

Abby Cadabby’s Halloween Adventure is a 4,000 square foot outdoor maze where trick-or-treaters can help Abby search for her missing wand. At the end of the maze you can have your picture taken with Abby Cadabby (additional fees apply).

Count von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast Little ones will sing, groove and mingle side-by-side with Sesame Street Characters, while listening to Halloween themed music and enjoying a special breakfast “boo”-fet. ($18 for adults $16 for children ages 3-9 call 1-888-800-5447 for reservations)

Strolling Entertainment Gummy Worm Wanda, Salt Water Taffy, and Swedish Fish Suzy are among the dozens of fanciful sea creatures that stroll through the park with schools of playful pumpkinfish. These roaming characters helped spread the Halloween theme throughout the park and they were happy to stop and have their picture taken.

Frozen Fun Zone a DJ will melt the ice with interactive games and dancing at Wild Arctic Plaza. A fun break, especially watching families do the Cha-Cha Slide together!

Cookie Decorating Station For a small fee kids and parents alike can decorate a Halloween themed cookie. The kit includes a souvenir lunch box filled with a sugar cookie, frosting, sprinkles and candies as well as milk or apple juice to wash it down. We enjoyed decorating our cookies in the cool shade of the tent, as did most of the families around us. Unfortunately, the cookies tasted awful. We watched as most kids took one bite out of the cookie and then just pick the candy off the top and…we did the exact same thing-seemed like a waste of money in the end.

Countdown to Halloween this adorable show full of Sesame Street characters is only shown a few times in the afternoon and evening and the small theater fills up fast so make sure you are in line early to see it. I video taped the entire show and part one is here in the post and you can see part two on my YouTube page.

All-in-all we had a nice day at SeaWorld, in addition to checking out the Halloween activities, I was able to introduce my husband to the best show in the park, Blue Horizons and we enjoyed seeing the manatees, rays, dolphins, sharks and other aquatic animals. Sadly, we didn’t enjoy the Believe show, and neither did the people around us who used words like “lame” and “boring” to describe the Shamu show with no real human/killer whale interaction.

If you are planning a visit during the Halloween Spooktacular, I’m sure you’ll have some Halloween fun. If you are thinking of going just for the spooky festivities and you aren’t a SeaWorld Passport holder, I’d think twice about it. Unfortunately there isn’t much added value and there are better family friendly Halloween values in the Orlando area.

Disclosure: SeaWorld invited my husband and I over for a day in the park to experience the Halloween Spooktacular. They also gave each of us a cookie decorating kit. All opinions are 100% mine.

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At SeaWorld Orlando, the nights are cooler and the atmosphere is hotter as AfterDark transforms daytime favorites into nighttime spectacles.

With the all-new Twilight Ticket, guests can experience SeaWorld’s thrilling rides, up-close animal encounters and awesome shows at night for only $39.95, adult or child. It’s an after-3 p.m. admission and Orlando’s hottest deal for one-of-a-kind, evening theme park adventures.

And this holiday weekend, it’s a great way to celebrate with family and friends during the day and rock out at SeaWorld at night. The park has a special fireworks display on the 4th of July.

SeaWorld AfterDark showcases the park in a whole new light, with a nighttime rock n’ roll extravaganza, a high-energy Shamu show, a hilarious sea lion show, coasters under the stars and a mystifying fireworks finale.

That’s in addition to being able to experience all that’s awesome day and night, like Manta, up-close animal encounters and spectacular shows. SeaWorld AfterDark continues through August 15.

Twilight Tickets can be purchased at SeaWorld.com now through Labor Day.

SeaWorld is the place to be after dark this summer:

MANTA — Find out what it’s like to spin, glide, skim and fly with the largest of rays when riding Manta – by moonlight, an even more extraordinary sensation. A seamless blend of up-close animal encounters with a head-first, face-down flying roller coaster thrill ride, Manta is an adventure only SeaWorld could create.

SHAMU ROCKS – It’s a spectacular rock ’n roll killer whale show that wows audiences of all ages. This show is a high-energy concert as big as Shamu, combining awe-inspiring killer whales with a stunning light show and music from some of the hottest rock stars in the industry.

SEA LIONS TONITE — SeaWorld’s popular sea lion comedic duo takes the laughs into the night. Hilarious hijinks ensue as the park’s talented sea lions, otters and walrus parody other favorite SeaWorld shows and attractions.

REFLECTIONS: FIREWORKS AND FOUNTAIN SHOW FINALE — SeaWorld comes to life in a spectacular celebration of soaring fountains and dazzling fireworks. Through the thrilling and inspirational music of the park’s most popular shows, families and friends will experience a wondrous connection that lights the night like never before.

Prices plus tax & per person. Not available with other discount offers. Some restrictions apply. Valid through September 6, 2010.

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SeaWorld AfterDark showcases the park in a whole new light, with a nighttime rock n’ roll extravaganza, a high-energy Shamu show, a hilarious sea lion show and a mystifying fireworks finale. That’s in addition to being able to experience all that’s awesome day and night, like Manta, up-close animal encounters and spectacular shows. SeaWorld AfterDark begins May 29 and continues through August 15.

photo courtesy of SeaWorld

Whether day or night, SeaWorld is the place to be this summer for a one-of-a-kind experience, including:

MANTA
Experience what it’s like to spin, glide, skim and fly with the largest of rays when riding Manta – by moonlight, an even more extraordinary sensation. A seamless blend of up-close animal encounters with a head-first, face-down flying roller coaster thrill ride, Manta is an adventure only SeaWorld could create.

Shamu Rocks
Shamu Rocks is a spectacular rock ’n roll killer whale show that wows audiences of all ages. This show is a high-energy concert of unprecedented proportions, combining awe-inspiring killer whales with a stunning light show and music from some of the hottest rock stars in the industry.

SEA LIONS TONITE
SeaWorld’s popular sea lion comedic duo takes the laughs into the night. Hilarious hijinks ensue in this evening show as the park’s talented sea lions, otters and walrus parody other favorite SeaWorld shows and attractions.

REFLECTIONS: FIREWORKS AND FOUNTAIN SHOW FINALE

SeaWorld comes to life in a spectacular celebration of soaring fountains and dazzling fireworks. Through the thrilling and inspirational music of SeaWorld’s most popular shows, families and friends will experience a wondrous connection that lights the night like never before.

SEAWORLD AFTERDARK VIP TOUR

Experience the highlights of SeaWorld AfterDark VIP-style. This seven-hour, guided tour includes dinner and an opportunity to feed dolphins, front-of-line access to Manta and reserved seating at exhilarating night shows.

For more information, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.

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Summer is the perfect time for reconnecting with family and friends and making memories that will last a lifetime.  And now, SeaWorld Orlando is rolling out an offer that comes at the perfect time for vacations and allows families the chance to make a real difference for wildlife conservation.

Now through Dec. 31, 2010, with each full-paid, SeaWorld Orlando single-day, adult admission purchased online, any child age 12 and younger gets a $5 admission, all of which goes to fund non-profit organizations that are working right now on wildlife conservation projects.  Families even can choose which wildlife conservation effort receives their donation.

“This offer makes it easy for families and friends to reconnect during a vacation, a getaway or even just a day trip to one of our parks,” said Jim Atchison, President and Chief Executive Officer for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “At SeaWorld, families experience amazing up-close animal connections that can’t be found any place else.  And we believe a greater respect for the world we share follows a visit to one of our parks.”

And with so much new to do at all of the SeaWorld parks, there’s never been a better time to visit. At SeaWorld Orlando, fans can brave Manta, an all-new flying roller coaster and the only one of its kind in the world.  It’s a seamless blend of up-close animal encounters with a head-first, face-down thrill ride that’s sure to top the must-see lists again.

This summer, the nights are cooler and the atmosphere is hotter during SeaWorld AfterDark, when the park transforms daytime favorites into nighttime spectacles.

SeaWorld AfterDark showcases the park in a whole new light, with a nighttime rock ‘n’ roll extravaganza, a high-energy Shamu show, a hilarious sea lion show and a mystifying fireworks finale. That’s in addition to being able to experience all that’s awesome day and night, like Manta, up-close animal encounters and spectacular shows. SeaWorld AfterDark begins May 29 and continues through Aug. 15. Whether day or night, SeaWorld Orlando is the place to be this summer for a one-of-a-kind experience.

“We know the economy’s been tough for everyone, but more than ever before, everyone needs to spend time together,” Atchison said.  “We think families also will have fun deciding which wildlife conservation project gets their donation, too.  It’s a wonderful way for kids to learn about the work that goes on to save animals in the wild.”

For important details on this offer and to buy tickets, go to SeaWorldCares.com.

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@MomMaven @ItsToni @CorrinRenee @Laurie_Pooh @DecipherYou

alone well. This was going to stretch me and kick me out of my comfort zone right off the bat. But, I left Izeafest on Sunday knowing I made 5 new good friends and a lot of acquaintences.

I’ve already told you about the trials of my Thursday getting to Orlando and checking into the hotel. As a follow up to that post I will tell you that today they finally charged me for my room and they put it on the wrong card so I was doing some creative financial moves this morning!

I can’t go into detail about the sessions because I am still digesting all the meat we were fed by the amazing line up of speakers, and trying to figure out what it all means for The Mom Maven. I will say Ted Murphy encouraged us to define our personal brand and solidify our identity. Brian Clark gave us a 3 step blog traffic strategy. The screen gems were, ahem, “hot” and entertaining. Rae Hoffman and Michael Gray are amazing at SEO but I didn’t understand a thing they were talking about! Sarah Evans is an amazing, passionate speaker. Lucretia Pruitt can keep a strong panel in order and share about Social Media Promotion. That was all day 1!!

Friday night brought to a VIP party at IceBar Orlando. I don’t normally do the bar scene but this was a networking opportunity and I had to experience the ice room. We had a lot of fun and relaxed as we networked and listened to some interesting karaoke.

Saturday was again filled with great learning opportunities. The day’s keynote was given by Aaron Brazell who inspired us to be better people and better bloggers. Brett Bumeter moderated a panel on “What Advertisers Want” and I think the key is authenticity. Chris Brogan spoke on “Go Deep or Go Home” and being self-aware not self-involved. Then the entire conference was taken over by a 14 year old boy who, while walking into SeaWorld with his family, saw the Izeafest banner and asked to spend the day at the conference instead of in the park! That eloquent teen entrepreneur is Tommy Fishback. Pay attention to that name. He will be famous someday soon. Ted Murphy and Dan Rua closed out the conference with the introduction of Izea’s latest offering, Sponzai-sponsored guest posts.

Saturday night found us at Howl at the Moon. I must admit, this party was a let down. Our VIP party was about 100 Izeafest attenders all dressed up, sitting outside in rickety folding chairs in the hot Florida night, listening to 2 pianists and a drummer bang out requests. The night wasn’t a total loss though, I got to speak with our MC for the weekend-the amazing Bob Kodzis and “The Crocs Guy” George Smith. We left the party early so we could pack and get ready to hit SeaWorld Orlando Sunday morning. I’ll share more about SeaWorld in another post though.

I am thankful that Izea Insider Corrin chose me as one of her ticket winners so that I could attend Izeafest-but I am more thankful that after last weekend I can call her “friend”. I am also thankful to Hotels Combined for sponsoring my hotel stay. It was a wonderful weekend that I won’t soon forget.

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Last month SeaWorld Orlando unveiled the only flying coaster in Florida, Manta. I will be riding Manta on October 4th and I’m excited and nervous at the same time. If you ride it before me please let me know how it was! Coaster fans will also enjoy Kraken on their visit to SeaWorld.

If you aren’t a coaster fan there is still tons for you to do at SeaWorld. You can see Shamu in 2 shows; Believe and Shamu Rocks. You can also see Blue Horizons which, in my opinion, is the most beautiful show in the Orlando area. Of course you also have all of the great animal attractions at Sea World like Wild Arctic, Shark Encounter and Pacific Point Preserve.

Add to all of that at day at Aquatica Water Park or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and this offer is the deal of the summer! If you are a Florida or Georgia resident I’d recommend you get your tickts now because I do not know how long this offer will last.

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I have been a fan of IZEA for a while now, I believe in what they do to promote sponsored conversations on blogs and other social media forums. I feel that with the FTC looking at regulating bloggers and the compensation they receive for blogging about products, sponsored conversations are going to become the norm and IZEA is the cutting edge.

Izeafest will take place October 1-4 at SeaWorld Orlando. The list of speakers at this event is a who’s who of blogging and social media:

• Ted Murphy CEO of IZEA
• Aaron Braazell of technosailor.com
• Chris Brogan of ChrisBrogan.com
• Darren Rowse of Problogger.com
• George Smith of Crocs.com
• Sarah Evans of PRSarahEvans.com
• Wendy Piersall of Sparkplugging.com…….and many more

The IZEAFest website describes the event as,

“An interactive event designed to educate, inform and connect social media enthusiasts. Meet the world’s foremost social media experts in a collaborative, fun and open setting. Learn how to grow your traffic, build your brand and make more money online.”

The only thing that has me concerned is…on Sunday 10/4/09 the IZEAFest bloggers are invading SeaWorld Orlando. Ok, I love SeaWorld-Shamu, Clyde, Seymore and all of their friends. What has me concerened is…to enter the contest I had to agree to ride Manta, SeaWorld Florida‘s newest roller coaster and the only flying coaster in Florida! I am not a roller coaster lover but I will ride Manta. (Yikes!)

I have 16 weeks until IZEAFest and I need to reach a few personal and business goals before then. I need you, my loyal readers to hold me accountable and help me towards these goals.

1. I would like to lose at least 20 lbs before I go.
2. I need to earn enough additional money monthly so that I can upgrade to a smartphone & pay for the plan- so I can blog and tweet from the event. (It just isn’t practical to lug my laptop through SeaWorld-and my battery only lasts 15 minutes anyway.)
3. I need to find a sponsor to cover the cost of my lodging and dinners during the conference. If you know of a business, company or benefactor who may want to sponsor me, please share this link with them http://themommaven.com/sponsorship-opp/

If you would like to come to IZEAFest there are still tickets available, just click the IZEAFest link. October is a beautiful time to visit central Florida and I’d love to get to meet you.

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