Tag: SeaWorld

Can’t get enough of the great outdoors….  Hiking, biking and exploring till your heart’s content while getting fit as a fiddle with the health and wellness benefits of vacationing? If you’re an ambitious biker, hiker or just intrigued walker ready to explore many different destinations, typography and geographical regions with numerous activities and attraction, we’ve got the top list of destinations for you. The list to follow will get your feet dancing for a Best Vacation Ever (BVE) low-cost, custom vacation provided by 30-plus year travel leader Preferred Guest Resorts (PGR) that can take you to some of the most spectacular hikeable and bikable places in the world.

Planning for your family’s Best Vacations Ever trip to Orlando, Florida, during a peak holiday travel period? First of all, zap those holiday pre-travel fears because research shows that planning your trip can boost happiness, releasing endorphins. Plus, Best Vacations Ever helps unburden the stress some travelers feel when packing and planning, and not knowing what to expect during such festive times of the year. With its subtropical climate, it doesn’t take magic to know that booking well advance during the peak season is most important, especially during the holidays and most fickle weather season. Best Vacations Ever travel provider Preferred Guest Resorts is here to release you from many stresses and help you prepare, plan and pack for amazing holiday adventures in Florida. If you haven’t already booked your Best Vacations Ever family holiday vacation, call one of our travel representatives now at 800-656-2780 and save hundreds of dollars of your family vacation at the most-need time of the year.

Preferred Guest Resorts (PGR) knows that vacationing is more than just time off work—it’s a state of mind! It’s a chance to get away from the daily grind, recharge your batteries, improve your health and wellness with exciting activities, do exciting things you have never done before, and enjoy tremendous, irreplaceable bonding time with family. Orlando is one of the top family-fun destinations in the world, and PGR’s Best Vacations Ever helps bring that magical vacation to life, traveling tens of thousands of families per year with its promotional packages that save a family hundreds of dollars with free accommodations and other possible incentives to enhance the family travel and bonding experience. So pack your bags, because there couldn’t be a better time to visit Orlando. Here are a few of the exciting new adventures that have just opened up in Orlando that you don’t want to miss:

Imagine a frosty beverage and a cushy lounge chair on a pristine beach as your toes dig in the warm sand….Yeah, that’s the ticket!  A nearby Orlando beach trip is the perfect day trip or extended-stay to high-energy, on-the-run days spent trolling Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Studios Orlando® and SeaWorld Orlando® and numerous attractions. The Florida peninsula’s east and west coast beaches are as diverse as the variety of Orlando attractions. Your Preferred Guest Resorts’ travel agent can advise you of Orlando’s nearby beaches and the beach-vacation options of a Best Vacations Ever promotional package, all with free accommodations at every stop. Combo packages include 4 days in Orlando

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and every traveler wants to take beautiful photographs while on vacation so they document and share their visual story. The biggest mistake vacationers (and people) make is thinking a fancy new camera is the answer, when actually technique is more important than equipment. If you learn its capabilities, practice and learn how to avoid a few pitfalls, you can take beautiful photographs with almost any camera. Preferred Guest Resorts has culminated a top 10 list of tips and techniques from several of the world’s best travel photographers so you can take better photographs while on your Best Vacations Ever journey to picturesque family destinations:

1. Read the camera’s manual, and learn all its controls and features so you’re prepared. TIP: More advanced information in expanded versions is often downloadable on retailer websites.
2. Learn what “resolution” is and set your camera for the highest resolution possible. It makes digital altering/editing later much easier, especially if you want to make a vacation storybook. Get multiple large-file holding memory cards because high-rez photos create larger files and take up more room. TIP: Travelers take many more photographs than they expect, so you could be in a destination where it is too hard to buy one or have to pay higher tourist costs.
3. Practice good focus methods—it’s the number one thing to ruin a photo. Learn how to use your automatic focus, which usually requires a half shutter press. Use the “macro” mode for very close-up shots. Auto focus often works better than manual. Pros often ignore auto focus and use metering to take better photos. TIP: If your auto photos turn out of focus, definitely try manual. You can capture some great close-up on manual at the theme parks and beaches.
   
4. Learn how your camera works in varying light; Inside, outside and different times of the day when you get to your Preferred Guest Resorts’ vacation destination. Photos turn out very different in the varying forms of light. Also learn when to use your flash. TIP: Use your flash carefully; don’t use it when you don’t have to.
5. Avoid red-eye by having people avoid looking directly into the camera or using a “bounce light.” Aiming your flash above the subjects’ heads, especially with surrounding light walls, will help avoid red-eye, too. TIP: Look around for color; red will draw into a person’s eye. There is a lot of color at theme parks for great images.
   

   

6. Learn how to set your white balance—the most underused feature—that compensates for different kinds of lighting and how to set it for conditions like cloudy days, shade or bright sun in your vacation destination.
7. Learn what ISO speed is, and set it to the lowest setting for posed or slow-moving photographs. TIP: This setting is perfect for group or tripod shots while on vacation.
   
8. Before shooting, stand very still, frame and focus the photo creatively in your mind; then in your viewfinder. TIP: Avoid distractions and cluttered backgrounds in the photo when needed, although clutter can add texture and detailing to a photo, especially if you’re at a colorful attraction, theme park or exotic beaches while traveling on your Preferred Guest Resorts’ Best Vacation Ever.
9. Try interesting angles that show minimum shadow and maximum color. Take a risk, and use the Photographers Rule of Thirds, where primary points sit along third lines. Horizon or other lines should not cut the picture in half. TIP: Divide your frame into thirds, and don’t put your subject in the middle of the frame, a helpful tip for any travel photo you take.
   
10. Use lines, shapes, color and light to give depth and interest to an image, and add a dramatic, artistic effect to photographs, especially while in picturesque Preferred Guest Resorts’ vacation destinations.

    

If a picture tells a thousand words, fill your memory cards and share your expansive journey with more beautiful travel photographs than ever before. Remember, the more practice and the more images you take, the greater your eye becomes behind the lens. Preferred Guest Resorts’ promotional vacation packages can send you to amazingly affordable destinations and your Best Vacations Ever, so call 800-656-2780 today to book a vacation you’ll never forget, especially with brilliant photographs.

What are some of your tips and tricks for taking better photographs while traveling?

A vacation used to be a license to splurge—to eat and drink whatever you wanted—but travelers today are much more conscious about healthier eating options and spreading out their family vacation splurging a little bit. A nice dinner out with all the trimmings is always great fun, especially if you’re on vacation in Orlando. But for many parents, healthy eating options are a big concern, especially on the wallets when out enjoying all the city’s theme parks and attractions during their affordable vacation in Orlando, Florida.

You can always bring your own healthy snacks and sippie cups to refill juice or water  in your  backpack (check park websites for policies on bringing in food and water ahead of time.). But there are more healthy eating options today, especially when health and fitness options are top of mind at all kinds of eating establishments—theme parks included! Just ask your vacation representative at 800-656-2780 who can also help with advance ticket purchases while booking your promotional vacation package.

More and more theme-park travelers started expressing strong interests in having healthy eating options, especially after seeing the quick in-and-out joints with burgers, hotdogs, fries, and chicken nuggets,vendor stands with popcorn, decorative ice-cream treats and candy shops, and kids hyped up on too much sugar.

Moderation, obviously, is the key, but you and everyone in your family can eat healthy and still enjoy your promotional vacation in the theme-park capital of the world, so you don’t go back home 5 pounds heavier, with kids that are completely thrown off their healthy eating routines.

Healthy entrees are easier to find at the bigger restaurants at the theme parks, but the smaller, quick-serve joints do serve healthy options, too. If you take time to read the menu you’ll find plenty of alternatives to fries like Jello, applesauce, fruits slices or carrot sticks. Having two members share a meal also is  a great way to monitor portion control and save money while on vacation.

Your promotional vacation package to Orlando can be as fun, healthy and affordable as you want it to be. Remember that your Preferred Guest Resorts representative can help you with any advance ticket purchases and reservations too, if you call 800-656-2780. There are plenty more options available if you just look around while you’re at the parks or if you check out the dining options at each website ahead of time. But, to give you a head start, here are a few suggestions for  healthy eating options at some of Orlando’s big-name theme parks.

SeaWorld®Orlando

SeaWorld has one of the best healthy dining programs out of all the Orlando attractions, making it easy to stick to healthy eating habits. Don’t worry, there’s something to please everyone and every taste bud in the family. Along with a mesmerizing tableside view of sharks, you can get freshly prepared, upscale entrees of all varieties, from assorted salads to freshly grilled seafood and chicken at Sharks Underwater Grill. It’s may be a bit more expensive, but it’s truly memorable experience. One the kids will totally enjoy, no matter what they are eating.  Makahiki Luau serves up incredible Pacific Isle cuisine that’s full of fresh fruits, salads, prime entrees, along with plenty of traditional luau entertainment. (Call your vacation representative ahead of time at 800-656-2780 too see if they can assist with the required advanced registrations.)  SeaWorld also caters to vegetarians with a delicious super- low-calorie vegetable plate or a yummy garden burger at the Spice Mill. There’s also the cold veggie wrap in the Antarctic Market that’s a nice, refreshing bit to nosh on during a hot summer’s day. The delicious smells and succulent flavors from the Voyagers Smokehouse might tempt your taste buds to go off the wagon, but its just-as-flavorful yet healthy turkey sandwich is an equally delicious alternative that’s flattering on your figure, too.

Universal Orlando® Resort

Universal Orlando Resort combines adventure and healthy meals. No matter where you stop almost all of Universal’s dining options offer healthy alternatives to French fries or other high-calorie sides. Choose from veggies, side salads or fruit to help balance any meal. The Beverly Hills Boulangerie, Louie’s Italian Restaurant and Richter’s Burger Co. all offer a selection of soups, salads and sandwiches that won’t leave you feeling guilty or wondering if you’ll fit in that new swimsuit you bought for the hotel pool. When you’re in Islands of Adventure, try the Garden Burger at Burger Digs or the Chicken Caesar Salad at Pizza Predittoria for a quick, wholesome meal that won’t leave you too full for the rides. For an award-winning meal, look for the towering rock formations, cascading waterfalls and ancient figures carved into the side of Mythos Restaurant^® and get ready for a top-rated meal with a scenic view and plenty of healthy options, such as the succulent Cedar Plank Salmon. Passing in between the two parks, the healthy options abound at Universal CityWalk®, which has a host of renowned restaurants you can sit a spell for a great wholesome meal for the whole family. Head to Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville® for the Caribbean Chicken Salad, or a plethora of options at restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe®, Emerils® Restaurant Orlando, NBA City, Bubba Gump Shrimp™ and many more.

Walt Disney World® Resort

Healthy snacking is the key to keeping both parents and kids happy while visiting the most magical place on earth. A colorful assortment of fresh fruit, veggies and juice can be found cold-packed with vendors at any of the parks, like in Animal Kingdom’s decorative Harambe Fruit Market, which entices children with its cold-packed variety of colorful fruits, water and juices. You can also find delicious, low-fat smoothies at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies in Magic Kingdom that are great for beating the heat while being healthy. For lunch? Head into Tomorrowland where you’ll find tofu and noodle bowls at the Terrance Noodle Station and Turkey Bacon Wraps at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café. Hollywood Studios also offers veggie sandwiches and a Southwest Salad with chicken at Starring Rolls or Backlot Express. There’s no skimping on flavor to eat healthy at Animal Kingdom’s Yak & Yeti, with its Mandarin Chicken Salad, or the hibachi-style grilling Teppan Edo or the many eateries in the countries at Epcot®. There are also a bounty of options for healthy eating at the many eateries within the countries of the World Showcase. French fries are popular and pretty much a staple item, so you’ll always find those on menus. But at least there are alternatives, like salads or fruits, that are offered at most establishments and at least one low-fat and one vegetarian entrée are now offered at all table-service restaurants.You can even satisfy your sweet tooth with a Dole Whip or a naturally super sweet mango smoothie that fills you up, too, instead of those hard-to-resist fudge bar or Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bar. A couple during the vacation week is almost a tradition, but keep it a minimum… a special treat!

It’s much easier to eat healthy at the parks than people think, especially with so many options and a shared consciousness to serve and keep park visitors happy and healthy. Sometimes, it’s having the will power to follow through that’s the hard part. Remember, you can always stash away a few healthy treats and some water bottles in your backpack to help save money, time and stave off the kids’ boredom standing in long lines, depending on park policies you should check ahead of time online.  Whatever you decide, know that there are plenty of options to suit all your needs as you and your family enjoy your promotional vacation in Orlando. Be sure to call your vacation representative at 800-656-2780 for any information or assistance in booking your vacation, getting theme-park tickets or hard-to-get dinner reservations in advance, as well as notice of any dietary restrictions the hotel can be advised of. Then go ahead and have your Best Vacation Ever!

Preferred Guest Resorts is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel. Registration No. ST37842.

This advertising is being used for the purpose of soliciting the sale of a vacation ownership plan.

complete details of participation in offering provided by the sponsor.