• Enjoy Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington and Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio. The event at both parks run through January 4. In San Antonio, you can enjoy activities such as snow sledding and numerous shows. In Arlington, there’s the holiday light show and Frosty’s Snow Hill where you can go sledding.
• It’s a great way to conclude a year-long 20th birthday celebration with a holiday celebration. Open on weekends through December 31, SeaWorld San Antonio events include Deck the Hall with Clyde and Seamore, Santa visits and Shamu Claus.
• Over 4 million lights decorate Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., during Smoky Mountain Christmas. Through January 3, you can enjoy such favorite shows as Christmas in the Smokies and Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland. Don’t forget about the Carol of Trees and the Christmas Pyramid. New this year is the Polar Express 4-D Experience, guaranteed to be a hit for all ages.
• Festival of Lights is happening through December 31 at Wild Adventures Park in Valdosta, Ga. The event features over a million lights along with a giant Christmas tree, an opportunity to meet Rudolph and friends and much more.
• Catch Silver Springs’ (Ocala, Fla.) Festival of Lights on December 5-6, 12 – 24 and 26-27. Happening from dusk until 8:30 p.m., you can enjoy over a million twinkle lights and lighted displays, as well as a lighted boat parade and other surprises.
• The holiday events at SeaWorld Orlando, happening through January 4, 2009, includes The Polar Express, Shamu Christmas Miracles and Chistmastide, a holiday fountain show.
• Did you know that the Grinch is at Universal Orlando? Oh yes, you can meet him at Islands of Adventure during Grinchmas. Don’t miss out on having breakfast with him on December 6-7, 11-30 and January 1, 2009. Other holiday events at Universal Orlando include Macy’s Holiday Parade, Barney’s Christmas Show and KidZone Holiday Show.
• Walt Disney World’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas is taking place through December 19 at the Magic Kingdom. EPCOT is celebrating Holidays around the World through December 30. The incredible Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios can be seen through January 4, 2009.

photo credits: (top left) The Grinchmas Tree, flickr, creative commons by Stuart and Rachel Johnson; (top right) Carol of Trees at Dollywood, courtesy of Dollywood; (bottom left) Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney World, flickr, creative commons by Donna62; (bottom right) Festival of Lights,flickr, creative commons by greenkayak.

Post from: Southern Byways

If The Disney Traveler isn’t saved as one of your favorite blogs, it should be. This is a great resource for the latest news from the Mouse’s House and  beyond. Whether you are thinking about a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, or possibly taking a Disney Cruise, The Disney Traveler is the place to start your research.

Post from: Southern Byways

But if you would like to know a little about the history of the park, Charles Ridgway is the man to ask. He was the publicist and the press agent for over 40 years, so I’m sure he shares lots of what he remembers in his book. I have to admit, I have often wondered how the parks got their start!
Charles Ridgway

“In his engaging memoir, “Spinning Disney’s World: Memories of a Magic Kingdom Press Agent,” Charlie describes how the opening ceremonies for Epcot were touch and go until the very last minute. He also tells the fascinating story of how that event ushered in the brave new world of electronic news gathering and satellite transmission that we take for granted today.”

*And it just happens to be my favorite Disney Park! So, which park is your favorite of all the parks??

Post from: Southern Byways

Just think… you get to see everything before it hits the stores! I think the other me would love this job just as much as this me!

“Employees are known as “cast members” and customers as “guests.” “It’s all about being part of our vocabulary,” Hanna said. “We consider them as extended family, and we spend a lot of time together.” I’m definitely liking the sound of this.

“Hanna said most of the pressure he feels is getting the order out on time. “I’m not saying the castmates’ job is all easy. But it is demanding. I believe you can still break a sweat and have fun.”

Does this sound like a man who likes his job? Yeah, I think that it does. He is one lucky man! I wonder if he gets free tickets to the parks??

Okay, I just thought of a downside to this job. I don’t think that the other me would have a pay check at the end of the week. She really does like to shop! Just ask her family.

Source

Post from: Southern Byways

Year Opened: 1974

Just in case you are wondering, The Space Mountain attraction at Walt Disney World is over 180 feet high, and over 300 feet in diameter, not that you are going to aware of it when you get inside.

Here is something that never occurred to me but makes sense. The best times to ride are during parades or late at night. Definitely going to put this one to the test. I HATE lineups.

While I’m not a lover of roller coasters, the fact that it runs… in the dark, didn’t bother me in the least. Be warned though that you will never know where your next turn or drop will be.

I hate when they post those signs, but I guess it’s for the best. But is there anyone on the planet that doesn’t suffer from one of these ailments? That might be one reason that I don’t ride on roller coasters more often. Here’s what these signs warn you about… “For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back, or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.”

I just found this video of what the ride is like with the lights on. Not sure how they pulled this one off, but you can check it out. I tried to post it here, but it broke the container. But it will take you a few seconds to hop over to YouTube to check it out.

For more info go here

and here

and here too

and yes… here too

Post from: Southern Byways

*Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End

1. November 11, 1965: Walt Disney announces Florida Project. I don’t know if this is true or just a family legend, but apparently my Aunt and Uncle were approached about investing in Walt Disney World. Knowing that much of Florida was swamp, they said no thanks. If it’s true, that has to hurt! My aunt is still alive… must think to ask her the next time I see her.

2. Did you know that there are zillions of hidden Mickeys distributed through the park by by Imagineers. Speaking of Imagineers… wouldn’t that be a dream come true kind of job!!

3. Did you know that there supposedly is 654 ghosts residing in the Haunted Mansion. Source

4. Mission Space at Epcot Center… “Disney describes Mission: SPACE as its most technically advanced attraction and “the first ride system ever created to take guests straight up in simulated flight.” Imagineers also promise that the sensations will be the same as what astronauts experience.” Well, I really haven’t anything to base it on, but last December my father-in-law, my son and myself were to make the trip to Mars. There were to be four of us, but my husband, daughter and son’s girlfriend were lead to a different cabins?? which meant that one person would have to take on double duty. I have to admit, it seemed pretty realistic to me… but that’s what I wanted of course. And when we were told to push a specific button to make something happen, we did exactly what we were told… in case something bad should happen on our flight. LOL… it’s make believe for big people and we were just having a ton of fun??

5. Did you ever wonder what it might cost to build just one ride at Disney World. Well, the next time you are considering going into the theme park business, consider this. “The monorail system could be one of the most expensive rides in Walt Disney World. The price per mile of track exceeds 5 million dollars, that’s just for the track.” I don’t even want to think what the entire system would add up to!!

I could go on and on about the oddities of Walt Disney World, but I will leave that for another post. All I can say is that I can’t wait to go back later this summer.

Post from: Southern Byways

But here’s something that might be of more interest to you… did you know, and you probably do, but it just might help explain why I wrote the above post. I spent a very long day in that city… enjoyed every minute of it, but I’m suffering for it now!!

So, here goes… did you know that Orlando attracts more tourists than any other amusement park in the United States? The day that I was there, I spotted just about ever state car license plate in the Mall of the Millenia parking lot, and later, I think that every one of them showed up at the park later that night.

Post from: Southern Byways

The temperatures have dropped and I’m looking for more space anyway. This looks just about right. Just not sure if they will let me move in any time soon… yes, this is Cinderellas Castle at Disney World, Orlando, Florida, but I think that it’s time she learned to share!!

Source

Post from: Southern Byways

Fans of the popular children’s book series will soon be able to step into the young wizard’s magical world as Universal Studios is reportedly close to making a deal to build Harry Potter World in Orlando.

The theme park will feature a host of rides, including roller coasters, based on events and plots from JK Rowling’s blockbuster books.”

I can imagine that this is going to be one very busy park when it opens, so be prepared when your kids tell you that they want to go! And even though it isn’t a sure thing YET, I can’t imagine the deal falling through. So consider yourself warned. Your kids are going to love this!!

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Post from: Southern Byways

Here in Florida, we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland…the blessing of size. There’s enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we can possibly imagine.Walt Disney

*Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination

Post from: Southern Byways