It’s practically summer year round in Florida, which is always color-coated with casts of characters, travelers from all over the world, and of all travel types for a variety of reasons. The sun rises every morning over the Central Florida region, baking the pavements and beaches, and firing up the theme parks, spas, attractions and restaurant grills for locals and visiting guests. What may seem like an ordinary day in Orlando actually finds the surprises of new and undiscovered adventures every day, during every visit to the Sunshine State. This summer 2014, Orlando is not only kicking up its extra adventures and attractions list, its full of special events, grand openings and anniversaries that are drawing out even more locals and traveling visitors. Summer, of course includes Independence Day for the U.S. and brilliant July 4th fireworks displays at the theme parks and all over Central Florida so check out one of my personal, legendary alternative favorites below in a short list of outstanding Orlando summer 2014 events. Check out Orlando summer 2014 events calendars for some outlying areas with a wide variety of holiday extravaganzas including sci-fi spectacles, Lego bricks and booms at LegoLand, and outdoor musicals and exhibits– too many for us to list them all so we went with one of the most popular. You may be thinking it’s too late for you to travel to Orlando, bit it’s not with a Best Vacation Ever vacation package (bestvacationsever.com) provided by Preferred Guest Resorts (PGR) that typically include serious travel- budget savings with complimentary accommodations primly located in the heart of all the action and/or other incentives, such as a PGR preferred partner Alamo® rental car. You and your loved ones can enjoy this extraordinary Orlando adventure at one of the best times to visit, given the all the theme parks wars and attractions and new activities competing for your attention – not to mention other exciting celebrations to get you groovin’ and movin’! So visit bestvacationsever.com right now to see what excitement lies ahead for you and your family and book your Best Vacations Ever travel package today by calling the PGR Travel Reservation Center at 800-656-2780 and book your Orlando vacation. Right now, it is full steam ahead with a peak at a few of the extra special Orlando adventures this summer to North America’s most eclectic, exciting, and most diversely distinctive tropical paradise.
MAGICAL NEW THEME-PARK ATTRACTIONS & ANNIVERSARIES
Harry Potter’s Daigon Alley at Universal Orlando® Resort – Perhaps the most anticipated and long-awaited attraction that is making headlines, given it’s open its station and gateways very soon, in the summer of 2014. The park is marking its final touches on the brilliant world of author J.K. Rowling so you are transported into a grander world of muggles, mudboods and wizards. You never know who might be walking right next to you – or among you. As the park’s largest park expansion, it will greatly extend The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal Studios® and sister park Islands of Adventure®. The mega expansion puts guests smack dab into the middle of London and a meticulous replica of the magical Daigon Alley with surprises around every curve. You can also jump aboard the Hogwart’s Express train ride to travel form from one section of the Wizarding World to the other, and climb into a cart for a heart-pounding, twisting, turning thrill ride through Gringott’s bank full of HD and 3-D projection, special effects, the goblin-filled marble lobby and a 60-foot dragon. It’s a can’t-miss attraction that will mesmerize everyone, especially Harry Potter fans. Hold onto your hats because it will open soon as the summer opening is just a stone’s throw away. TIP: Keep an watchful eye on the park’s website and be sure to book your vacation about a week or two after opening to avoid all the grand opening crowds.
Inaugural Family Outfest at Walt Disney World® Resort – Celebrate on Jun 1-July 7, 2014 to celebrate the shared cultural heritage of what all families look like, regardless of race color, creed of sexual orientation. The event celebrates our diverse and authentic kin while exploring the wonders of Orlando. An insightful and exciting week is guaranteed with fun-filled festivities that will not only excite your little ones, but intrigue and educate parents alike.
SeaWorld Orlando’s® 50th Anniversary – The legendary water-base park filled wit marine animals, icy havens for penguins and it signature trained and super-splashing orca, Shamu, is celebrating tis 50th anniversary. A sea of surprises includes 18 months of special events, attractions, educational exhibits, colorful characters and land wildlife making rounds, parades, collector’s memorabilia, special honorary shows and much more. While joining the festivities, you can also enjoy attractions added in the last year like Antarctica – Empire of the Penguins.
Walt Disney World® Resort’s Festival of Fantasy Parade & The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – An incredible Maleficent float is marching in an upcoming Festival of Fantasy Parade that debuted this spring 2014 at Fantasyland inside the Magic Kingdom® Theme Park. The classic Snow White ride is no more but better than ever before, getting an overhaul in its expanded home of Fantasyland and its facelift to bring to squeals and smiles of all children includes The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which takes you on a musical ride amidst the Snow White theme and into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” Plus, your little princesses get more opportunities to have plenty of encounters with their favorite princesses from Disney films. You may also be able to pick up some extra memorabilia and possible special events while enjoying the silver screen magic that comes from Disney’s Hollywood Studios recent 25th Anniversary.
A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas – Ahoy, maties! The classic Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Walt Disney World Resort still stakes its claim and stand land. But now there’s a new attraction for mates that features an awakening spirits of pirates that give clues during the new A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas attraction at the Magic Kingdom Theme Park. It’s a treasure chest filled with golden good fun for yee good little boys and girls. Arrgghhh!
FunSpot’s White Lightening or Freedom Flyer Coaster – Also undergoing a major expansion is Orlando’s Fun Spot that jus debuted is White Lightening, the only wooden coaster in Orlando. At screaming speeds, it pleases thrill seekers as much as the Freedom Flyer roller coaster. You better have nerves of steel for this baby because this 1,200 foot-high, foot-dangling, steel-based roller coaster takes you through tight spins and hairpin curves – and everyone knows, at Fun Spot “It’s “Huuuuuuuge!”
WATER PARKS BUBBLING OVER WITH NEW ADVENTURES
Ihu’s Breakaway Falls at SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquatica – The unique and Orlando’s youngest waterpark that has you sliding by marine life through chutes and slides and youngest of Orlando water parks added a multi-rider drop slide called Ihu’s Breakaway Falls on May 9, 2014. Hold onto your shorts because the park is bound to score the shorts off even among the greatest thrill seekers as it now boasts the tallest, steepest and only multi-slide ride of its type in Orlando. You can also visit sister park and the tropical oasis of Discovery Cove where you can swim with and score a fin tow across a lagoon with a dolphin and enjoy the new attractions added in the last year like SeaVenture and Turtle Trek at SeaWorld Orlando’s Discovery Cove. The SeaVenture attraction allows guests to dive in like a real driver and stand on the floor of the Grand Reef while exploring a whole new world of underwater marine life
“One Magical Weekend”: Riptide @ Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – If you can shut the laptop and run away for a few days, Walt Disney World® Resort’s Typhoon Lagoon water park is offering One Magical Weekend June 06, 2014 – June 08, 2014. Kickoff festivities on Friday night include the annual RipTide event at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park. The WE party will also be returning for Gay Days 2014, along with Brett Henrichsen and Masterbeat, who transform Epcot’s© World Showplace on June 7 into the country’s largest mega-club. On Sunday, June 8, 2014, you will be transported all around the world at Epcot©, satiating your taste buds and tasting the finest beverages offered by the likes of Germany, England and Canada. Finally, One Magical Weekend will go out with a BANG, literally, with a spectacular fireworks show.
Aqua Drag Racer at Wet ‘n Wild Orlando® – A cluster of shoots, slides, wave pools cable ways and slides located on the tourist mecca strip International Drive, Universal Orlando’s water park, Wet ‘n Wild is launching the twisting, turning dual rider racing slide, Aqua Drag, this summer. The twisting, turning dual rider racing slide, Aqua Drag, is sure to bunch your baggies and draw out screams of joy this summer 2014.
SeaVenture at SeaWorld Orlando’s Discovery Cove – Have a splash at Discovering Cove, which has been adding new additions, like its Freshwater Oasis with small, playful Asian otters and Marmosets monkeys swinging in the trees above. Debuting in 2013, the SeaVenture attraction allow divers to dive in with the sea life and stand on the floor of the Grand Reef as Discovery Cove guides write about the surroundings on an erasable board so “divers” can learn while underwater. No experience is needed as special oxygen-based headgear is provided so you can experience what diving is like and the many splendors of underwater marine life.
ALTERNATIVE ORLANDO SUMMER ATTRACTIONS & EVENTS
24th ANNUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL AT LAKERIDGE WINERY – Get your feet stompin’ because you can join the ever-popular and annual crushing of the grapes at the annual winery festival slated for June 20, 2014 through June 22, 2014, in Clermont, an outlying area of Orlando. The majestic Lakeridge winery of Central Florida sits atop a sprawling hill with vistas of vineyards, and this festival is fun for the whole family. There will be more than 80 local artists and crafters displaying their artwork, and offerings of beer, sodas and a wide variety of food for purchase, along with complimentary wine tastings and tours. It will get your feet groovin’!
George Lopez at Hard Rock LIVE! – Laugh your tails off with one of the funniest comedians in the industry while experiencing Hard Rock LIVE! On Universal Blvd. Adults can plan on taking advantage of any of the accommodations babysitting services or club activities while get a belly of good laughs with the main man himself, George Lopez, June 28. Advance ticket purchase encouraged.
Red, Hot & Boom July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza – A legendary event in Altamonte Springs at Cranes Roost Park that’s been associated by one of the number one radio stations in town XL106.7 and their air talent tantalizing the air waves with live action and music. The Independence Day celebration July 3 features big-name performances, tons of food and drink vendors, activities and a spectacular fireworks display. It could be a wonderful opportunity to the vast crowds at the theme parks and a chance to see some of Central Florida’s amazing outlying regions.
Coke Zero 400 – Satisfy your need for speed in Daytona Beach, about an easy hour east of Orlando) at the International Speedway on July 4, 2014 for the Coke Zero 400, a series that has been an Independence Day weekend tradition for nearly five decades and is only about an hour away from the theme-park area accommodations. Kevin Harvick will be defending his title amid the 160-lap, 400-mile holiday weekend classic that will feature fireworks on and off the track.
EXPERIENCE ORLANDO”S NEWEST & FINEST NOW WITH PGR
This is just the shortlist of new attractions, events and festivals in Orlando, so be sure to check out Orlando’s summer 2014 calendar of events and the BVE BLOG (www.blog.bestvacationsevercom) for current updates. Orlando is full of attractions, big-name theme parks, water parks, activities, festivals, arts events, historical tours, eco-safaris, zipline coasters, indoor surfing, freefall skydiving, museums outlying trendy cities, premium malls and outlet shopping centers, botanical gardens and parks/zoos, nearby beaches that are all launching new and exciting adventures or celebrations as they all compete for your attention and visitation. There’s never a bad time to visit Orlando, but this summer just may be one of the best times ever, with its wealth of new and exciting adventures, for travelers to make their reservations to experience Central Florida with its outstanding, unbelievable and no holds barred by numerous parks and attractions to make your vacation unique and unforgettable. Plus with the significant amount of money you save with the typically free accommodations of a PGR’s Best Vacations Ever vacation package, you get to do more than you ever thought possible. Be among the first to experience the many recent and upcoming additions that that will elicit thrills, chills and screams of joy from the tens of thousands of Orlando visitors that 30-year industry leader PGR (Preferred Guest Resorts) travels to Orlando every summer on an extremely low-cost Best Vacations Ever promotional vacation package. Visit bestvacationsever.com to learn more about Orlando and its Fast Fact and Must Do activities and its third-party resorts offering complimentary accommodations, plus, you can read testimonials flowing in daily and the terms and conditions, and download informational and educational videos about PGR and BVE and their legitimacy as a travel leader. Then call a professional agent at the PGR Travel Representative Center at 800-656-2780 to ask any questions, learn the specifics about your custom promotional travel package and any other possible incentives to enhance your vacation that may be included, like a potential weeklong preferred partner Alamo rental car and/or attraction tickets. Be sure to also ask about up to weeklong Orlando AND Daytona Beach vacation packages for the best of both worlds and a truly magical vacation in Central Florida. The best way to truly experience Central Florida is the BVE WAY!
Are you repeat Orlando summer visitor? If so, what keeps drawing you back an what advice do you have for first-time visitors?
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