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Posts Tagged ‘Orlando’

This w

eekend the city of Orlando hosts its first International Puppet Festival beginning this weekend at The Orlando Repertory Theatre and The Orlando Shakespeare Theatre in Loch Haven Park. Puppetering troupes from Spain, France, Canada and Mexico each will take the stage in performance, with time for a workshop or audience questions afterward. To be sure, these are no Muppets from Sesame Street; these are serious marionettes doing serious stage work here.

One highlight from the festival comes from the Bob Theatre from France. They are scheduled to perform their interpretation of “Nosferatu,” the original adaptation of the work most of us know better as “Dracula.” It’ll be interesting to see how they present the Nosferatu character, chillingly played by Max Schreck in F.W. Murnau’s 1922 classic film; you know, he was the guy coming through that door who looked very much like the one in the oft-stolen Edvard Munch painting “The Scream.”

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Well the news from Orlando is that there is still time to register for the “American Idol” auditions. Idol staff will be at the Amway Arena until the start of the auditions around 8 a.m. Thursday. Show producers say they expect anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 people to audition today. Contestants began lining up outside the arena at 5 a.m. Many should expect to be there until the late evening hours.

“American Idol” staff suggested contestants have three songs prepared to sing, just in case — and get to the good part as quickly as possible. You only have 10 to 30 seconds to impress the judges. In order to get yourself on the stage you need to bring two forms of identification to registration, one that is proof of your age and one with a photo. For example, a passport and driver’s license, or a Social Security card and driver’s license.

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As reported in todays Orlando Sentinel ~ A new children’s wing at Florida Hospital to feature Disney characters in lobby play area. When it’s finished, the lobby of the Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children will offer incoming patients a large support group full of familiar faces. Walt Disney World Orlando is planning to install large figures of selected Disney characters — such as Timon from The Lion King and Sebastian from The Little Mermaid — in a playgroundlike setting.

The characters, including Baloo, the big, lovable bear from The Jungle Book, were chosen because it’s hoped the support and protection they provided in their movie roles will apply as well to the hospital’s young patients, officials said. Most of the figures were on display at Disney World four years ago during a celebration of Disneyland’s 50th birthday.

The lobby will include a cave wall on which children can draw, musical step pads, virtual fish and dancing sea horses. Constellations will shine on the ceiling at night as music created by patients plays.

“With the help of Disney, we are able to create an environment that will hopefully help improve the healing process for all pediatric patients,” said Tim Burrill, assistant administrator of the children’s hospital, part of Florida Hospital’s main Orlando campus.

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Grande Lakes Orlando is the latest Central Florida location to open a zip-line attraction this year. The course is open to the public on weekends. Zip lines are all the rage in Central Florida, and Grande Lakes Orlando, home to the Ritz-Carlton Orlando and a JW Marriott Orlando, has jumped on the climbing-course bandwagon. The new Grande Lakes Adventure Course is a multilevel structure that lets guests climb 55 feet and includes 600-foot-long zip lines and a 40-foot giant swing.

Last month, the Central Florida Zoo debuted its ZOOm Air Adventures, a treetop zip line and ropes course. And in January, Forever Florida introduced the Zipline Safari at its 4,700-acre ranch and conservation area in Osceola County.

The course at Grande Lakes is open to the public on weekends. On weekdays, the resort schedules activities for local companies or groups that are staying at the resort. Public sessions start at $60 for adults; private adventures and climbing and rappelling classes also are offered. For more information, call 407-393-4007.

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The scene Saturday night in downtown Orlando is one of jubilation as cars honk and Magic fans high-five each other to celebrate the victory of their hometown team. Hundreds of people packing Wall Street Plaza raised their arms, pumped their fists and cheered wildly at the moment the Magic clinched the win. In unison, they sang “We Are The Champions” by Queen.

“We’re going to whoop the Lakers,” said Porschia Powell, 22, as she danced in victory, wearing a cropped No. 15 Magic shirt. The number belongs to forward Hedo Turkoglu. “If we can take on LeBron [James] and we can beat the Celtics, Kobe [Bryant] is nothing.”

The crowd ran back and forth across Orange Avenue yelling and grinning for television cameras and shaking hands with strangers in cars that were stuck in the gridlock surrounding the merriment.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Christine Brown, 32, of Orlando. “I’m so proud of the team.” Thomas Noland, 22, held a Magic banner, waving it at passing cars and shouting, “Beat L.A.!”

“We’re all one. One city. One team. One goal. This is our year,” he said.

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Rising up in Orlando is a whimsical, one-of-a- kind water park only SeaWorld could create – Aquatica. Opened in March 2008, Aquatica blends up close animal experiences, waters from serene to extreme, high-speed thrills and wide, sandy beaches.

“SeaWorld is famous for immersing guests in the mystery of the sea and its animals,” said Jim Atchison, executive vice president and general manager of SeaWorld Orlando. “Aquatica takes this immersion to a new level, inviting guests to play in, over, and under the water itself.”

Setting foot into Aquatica, guests immediately experience the vastness of nearly 60 acres of lush landscape inspired by the vivid color, stunning flora and carefree personality of the South Sea Islands. Reminiscent of the rugged beauty of New Zealand, Australia and New Guinea, the landscape of Aquatica is striking. Crystal-blue rivers wind through hidden grottos and refreshing waterfalls, while rich greenery and bright flowers adorn towering rock formations.

Peeking through this verdant landscape, brightly colored, quirky buildings topped with swooping, pitched roofs create an uplifting, carefree setting. Colorful, whimsical animals – derivative patterns from New Zealand’s Maori culture – adorn carved totem poles and interactive fountains.

Live animals from lands all over the world including Commerson’s dolphins, brilliant macaws and colorful fish bring to life the park’s playful, high-energy nature.

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You’ll see one of the park’s most popular attractions from the street. The Black Hole is a massive structure made of twisting black tubes that looks like a huge spacecraft. 1,000 gallons of water per minute flow through the tubes to propel your two-man raft through 500 feet of twists and turns in thirty seconds. You shoot through the tubes in complete darkness for a ride that’s really out of this world.

Other tubing attractions include The Fuji Flyer, a 6-story toboggan ride and The Surge, one of the longest and fastest water tube rides in the Southeast.
Another hot attraction at Wet n’ Wild is the Hydra Fighter. This fun attraction places you in a swing that is equipped with water cannons. By manipulating the direction and pressure of the water cannon, you can control the velocity of the swing. This is a new attraction to Wet n Wild, so be prepared to wait.

If all these rides sound too wild, there are plenty of more sedate options. You can take an inflated tube ride around the park in The Wild One or splash around in the playground. There’s even a video arcade for land-lubbers.

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The most amazing piece of this world class facility is now open. Creative consultant Steven Spielberg has put together the most thrilling and technologically advanced rides and attractions ever made at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. Your journey begins at the exotic Port of EntrySM and takes you through five uniquely themed islands. – Seuss Landing, The Lost Continent, Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon and Marvel Super Hero Island.

Islands of Adventure is home to roller coasters, water rides, shows, and Dr. Seuss land. You can even do both parks in one day, especially with the use of Universal Express. This additional option allows you to jump to the front of the line. Creating a better use of your time in the parks since you would not have to wait as long in line.

Island of Adventures includes the Incredible Hulk Coaster, which accelerated me and turned my body every imaginable way in a matter of moments. Hold onto your hats because they will blow off this exciting coaster. Doctor Doom’s Fearfall tests your fear of heights and uses it to conquer the Universe. I think he sucked some fear out of me. Spiderman is high tech 3-D and the ride of your life. Dueling Dragons is a coaster that flips and twists and just goes all over the place. There are two coasters for the same line, which is nice because it makes the line move very quickly. Each coaster is different. Watch out, they might crash together. Plenty of rides to get soaked on, make sure to take a tour of the dinosaurs at Jurassic Park, they are real. Finally, visit Seuss Landing no matter what age you are, it is sure to brighten up your day.

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