 Last weekend I was invited to visit Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for the third year in a row. This year was very different than the last few years due to COVID-19. I have to say, I think I enjoyed it even more! Just like in previous years, there was the Christmas Village which was full of food and beverage vendors with tons of holiday treats. Plus there was still meet and greets, Santa, the ice skating show, and more just in a more social distanced and masked-up way! Honestly, I love that the park requires reservations and is at limited capacity because it means a much more enjoyable experience (IMO). We felt like we had SO much room and we rarely waited in line for food or drinks. We felt very safe, especially since we mainly stay in our homes during this time, so this was a huge thing for us. We did not have a chance to catch the ice skating show, but I loved that they held it outdoors this year, because in the past going inside made me a little claustrophobic plus a little warm. The weather was beautiful, so it was perfect to have it outdoors so that people could enjoy the weather and have their holiday food and beverage. The show took place 3x that evening as well. There are things to do ALL day as part of the "Christmas Town" experience, but the food/drink vendors don't open until 4pm. Just like many of the other festivals, you will find this area by taking a LEFT once you start getting into the park. I LOVED that the first thing you saw this year was Frosty! Last year he was a bit hidden, but this year he was your first friendly holiday face to greet you!  After Frosty, once you get to the Christmas Village, this is where the yummy food and beverage vendors begin!  Let's talk holiday food and beverages - let's be real, this IMO is the best part of holiday fun at the parks other than - FIREWORKS, but we'll get to that.  There are SO many different foods and treats, but for sure an emphasis on TREATS. If you have a sweet tooth, you are going to LOVE this! I mean, look at those cookies and donuts! Is your mouth watering yet? Just wait...  Apple Cobbler Cake Cone from North Pole Bakery  Chicken & Waffles, Bison Beef Sliders, and Beer Cheese Soup from Winter Waffles & Bites Those were just a few, there's plenty more to be had, but let's talk about some of the drinks!  Frozen Hot Cocoa with Baileys added in from Jack Frosty Cocktails (not sampler lanyard size)  Frozen Kahlua Eggnog from Jack Frosty Cocktails (sampler lanyard size) Above: Cinnamon cranberry mimosa - all the holiday feels in a delish mimosa! Perfect for a holiday cheers! Below: Peppermint Hot Cocoa with Baileys added in a refillable mug - yum! Nothing says "it's the holidays!" like some hot cocoa! How did we eat and drink so much? Well, the best deal is to purchase the Christmas Town Sampler Lanyard. The 5-item lanyard is $34.99 and the 10-item is $49.99 (this makes everything $5!) Now, the drinks WILL be a smaller size, but that just means you get to try more! Honestly, I love the sampler lanyard because I never have to worry about how much I am spending nor do I have to worry about taking out my wallet - easy peasy! PLUS, if you love the hot cocoa, there is a souvenir refillable mug - super cute and highly recommend! To learn more about the other food and drink offered during Christmas Town, GO HERE.  During COVID, I do not go on rides or really go inside places, it still makes me pretty uncomfortable, so I love that Busch Gardens has tons of things to do outside while being socially distanced. There were a few meet and greets with some Princesses and also Santa (we did not meet Santa). We did decide to ride the Christmas Train as they were offering social distancing (skipping a row between parties) and it was only one way. This was a nice little break as you get to see different parts of the park while also hearing holiday music. I loved that they kept parties separated, so we felt very safe.  As previously stated, I did not visit with Santa, but I did see this GIANT Coke Santa that the had on display, which was pretty amazing:  Now, for the part that really made the evening SUPER special - FIREWORKS! This does not happen every night during Christmas Town, so be sure to check out their schedule online before booking your reservation if this is something you want to see - which I recommend! I live in Central Florida and I have been seriously missing fireworks, so this was something really special right now. I was so happy to see fireworks again! Most people watch them from the field where they had the ice skating show, but we watched from the Christmas Town Village - this was awesome because we were able to sit down and were almost all by ourselves. We could see and hear the music just fine.  Christmas Town was a wonderful this year, even with social distancing, masks, etc. If you are looking for a fun holiday experience, I recommend going. Christmas Town is included with daily admission, so you can start your day with rides and animals, and end your day with Holiday Cheer!  I am a Busch Gardens blogger ambassador. In exchange for sharing upcoming information sometimes I receive complimentary admission to events. As always, all opinions are my own.
0 Comments
 I was invited by Busch Gardens to attend their Howl-O-Scream event this year. This was my first time attending this event in Florida. I used to go to this event when I was younger at their Virginia theme park. This year things are a little bit different due to the need for social distancing. There are no haunted houses but there are still plenty of scares! This year there are 10 scare zones instead of haunted houses. The scare zones vary in size and type. Some are more elaborate While others are more of a walk-through as you are going to other areas of the park. They are all well-themed and they do a great job. There is social distancing through most of the park and most of the scare zones as well. The employees do a good job not getting too close to you but still making you feel like they are. My favorite scare zones were Little Nightmares, Dia Los Muertos, the Shortcut, and the Junkyard. Dia Los Muertos was not very scary but super beautiful - so be sure to snap some pics! This year there is also a great show called “Fiends” which I HIGHLY recommend! This show is definitely not for children, so if they are with you don’t go. But if you are kid free be sure to check out this funny and a little bit raunchy show! It is not your typical Halloween show! I do recommend arriving about 30 minutes early to secure a spot as there is social distancing taking place in the seating areas. There are also some yummy eats and drinks not just for the Halloween event but if you get to Busch Gardens earlier in the day you can take advantage of the Bierfest. We almost missed it but did get to take advantage of a few drinks and bites! My favorite HOS “snack” were the Jell-O shots in the syringes.  You still have time to get your “scream” on at Busch Gardens this Halloween season! Head to their website to reserve your date and ticket as they are doing limited capacity due to COVID-19. Masks are required. update: I forgot to add that when you arrive they take your temperature using thermal cameras so you don’t even have to stop! You just walk on through, which I found very cool! Plus when you get your wristband for HOS they hand it to you to put it on yourself due to COVID-19 measures. I really liked this.  I am a Busch Gardens blogger ambassador. In exchange for sharing upcoming information sometimes I receive complimentary admission to events. As always, all opinions are my own.
 It’s the perfect season for a spooky movie under the stars at SeaWorld. Drive in for a safe, nostalgic experience that starts with enjoying locally sourced food trucks and ends with watching a classic Halloween feature (or two) from the comfort and safety of your car. Please Note: Per Orange County regulations, a face covering will be required if you are outside of your vehicle. WHEN: Reservations are available now for festivities taking place Saturdays Sept. 19 through Oct. 31 and Fridays Oct. 23 and 30. Family-friendly Halloween film: 7:45 p.m./ Fright-filled Halloween film: 10:30 p.m.
SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass members receive a 20% discount on the event! Purchase tickets and check back each week for upcoming shows at: https://.seaworld.com/orlando/events/drive-in-movie/ SAFETY: SeaWorld Orlando is committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees, and the animals in our care. The park has worked diligently with state and local health officials, outside consultants and attraction industry leaders to enhance our already strict health, safety and cleanliness standards. These protocols and guidelines will be modified based on evolving industry standards and methodologies, public health, and governmental directives, and advancing scientific knowledge on the transmissibility of COVID-19. SeaWorld Orlando is excited to continue to provide our guests with fun, inspiring and memorable experiences, while addressing important health and safety needs during this time. For detailed information about the measures that guests can expect when visiting the resort, including key operational changes, visit Seaworld.com/orlando/safety. I am a SeaWorld Orlando blogger ambassador. In exchange for sharing upcoming information sometimes I receive complimentary admission to events. As always, all opinions are my own.
 TEN TERRIFYING SCARE ZONES WITH LIMITED CAPACITY COVER BUSCH GARDENS IN FRIGHTS FOR HOWL-O-SCREAM 2020  This year’s modified Howl-O-Scream event will include ten terrifying scare zones throughout Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s expansive 335-acre park, including four all NEW zones. Designed to scare safely, the creative production team has consulted with medical experts to modify this year’s zone designs with a physical distancing focus, as well as enhanced health and safety measures, while staying true to the terrifying experience fans crave. With significantly limited capacity to create plenty of open space, guests will experience the heart-pounding fear of NEW horrors as they dash between thrilling rollercoasters and the fan-favorite Fiends show every Friday through Sunday from September 25-November 1, 2020. ALL-NEW 2020 Scare Zones with Limited Capacity
 On Your Way to Fiends, Enjoy a Taste of Bier Fest During Howl-O-Scream: As guests roam between zones and coasters, they can enjoy select favorites from the Bier Fest menu available throughout the night. Delicious drinks and dishes from favorite culinary cabins are the perfect grab-and-go accompaniment as guests head to the Festival Field for the fan-favorite Fiends show starring Dr. Freakenstein and his frightful entourage, on its largest stage ever! Bench seating will be arranged in a physically distant manner to ensure there is plenty of space for a limited number of guests to enjoy each performance. Best Way to Play: Buy Early and Save! In addition to enhancing the park’s already strict health and safety measures, park capacity will be significantly limited for guests to enjoy Howl-O-Scream. Reservations are limited each night, so guests are encouraged to buy their tickets now at an advanced rate for a discounted gate price and make their reservations at www.HowlOScream.com. Additionally, Pass Members and Fun Card holders enjoy exclusive discounts for Howl-O-Scream.  Additional Expanded Health and Safety Measures: For general admission and special events including Howl-O-Scream, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees, and the animals in our care. The park has worked diligently with state and local health experts, outside consultants and attraction industry leaders to enhance our already strict health, safety and cleanliness standards. These protocols and guidelines will be modified based on evolving industry standards and methodologies, public health, and governmental directives, and advancing scientific knowledge on the transmissibility of COVID-19. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is excited to continue to provide our guests with fun and memorable experiences, while addressing important health and safety needs during this time. For detailed information about the measures that guests can expect when visiting the park, including key operational changes, visit buschgardens.com/tampa/safety. Learn More: Visit HowlOScream.com to make a reservation now and learn more about this year’s Howl-O-Scream. Stay tuned for more dreadful details by following Howl-O-Scream on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Howl-O-Scream is intended for a mature audience. This event contains intense adult content such as violence, gore, and blood. Howl-O-Scream 2020 is a separately-ticketed night event. Protective Face Coverings are required, but no costumes are allowed  I am a Busch Gardens blogger ambassador. In exchange for sharing upcoming information sometimes I receive complimentary admission to events. As always, all opinions are my own.
 Ever been interested in visiting the hidden little tropical paradise in Central Florida named Discovery Cove? Now is your chance to do so at a great rate! I personally went a few years ago and it was like a private all-inclusive beach day! WHAT: Guests can save between 20% - 40% on both Discovery Cove’s Day Resort and Signature Dolphin Experience all-inclusive packages. In addition to enhanced health and safety measures, capacity at Discovery Cove will be further limited to create an even more exclusive experience and for guests to enjoy the all-inclusive resort with even more open space. WHEN: Reservations can be booked now through August 2 for visitation through December 24, 2020. Advanced Reservations are required and limited, guests are encouraged to reserve early. DETAILS: Guests who make their reservation before August 2 can save between 20% and 40% on reservations! Discounts range by day for available dates through December 24, 2020. Visit DiscoveryCove.com or call 407-513-4600 for details and to book a reservation today for an amazing getaway close to home. SAFETY: Discovery Cove is committed to the health and safety or our guests, employees, and the animals in our care. The resort worked diligently with state and local health officials, outside consultants and attraction industry leaders to enhance our already strict health, safety and cleanliness standards. These protocols and guidelines will be modified based on evolving industry standards and methodologies, public health and governmental directives, and advancing scientific knowledge on the transmissibility of COVID-19. Discovery Cove is excited to continue to provide our guests with fun, inspiring and memorable experiences, while addressing important health and safety needs during this time. For detailed information about the measures that guests can expect when visiting the resort, including key operational changes, visit Discoverycove.com/orlando/park-info/park-safety/  I am a SeaWorld Orlando/Discovery Cove blogger ambassador. In exchange for sharing upcoming information sometimes I receive complimentary admission to events. As always, all opinions are my own.
 For the first time in the park’s history, guests can enjoy movies and fireworks under the stars from July 10-12! WHAT: SeaWorld is announcing a NEW event for one weekend only! Experience the fun, nostalgia, and magic of movies under the stars with SeaWorld’s park-and-view drive-in movie theatre! In addition to locally sourced food trucks offering plenty of snack options, back by popular demand, the park’s spectacular fireworks display “Light up the Sky” will be shown Friday (July 10) and Saturday (July 11) night for both park guests and movie goers to enjoy. “Light up the Sky” will also take place Sunday (July 12) evening for those guests attending “Flicks & Fireworks.” WHEN: Reservations are available for booking now for festivities taking place July 10-12. Each evening, food truck service will begin at 7:45 p.m. with movies immediately following the 9:00 p.m. fireworks display. Movies or "Flicks" include:
Access to SeaWorld Orlando’s “Flicks & Fireworks” requires a separate guest reservation in addition to the regular reservation required for park access via guest ticket or pass. "Flicks & Fireworks" is $50 per vehicle and includes a reserved guest parking spot in an exclusive lot with access to locally sourced food trucks and perfect viewing of SeaWorld’s fireworks display, all from the comfort of the guest’s personal vehicle. For guests who do not wish to visit SeaWorld during the day, Flicks & Fireworks is also available for purchase without park admission and requires a separate reservation. Purchase Here: https://seaworld.com/orlando/events/flicks-and-fireworks/ SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass members receive a 20% discount on the event. SAFETY: SeaWorld Orlando is committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees, and the animals in our care. The park has worked diligently with state and local health officials, outside consultants and attraction industry leaders to enhance our already strict health, safety and cleanliness standards. These protocols and guidelines will be modified based on evolving industry standards and methodologies, public health, and governmental directives, and advancing scientific knowledge on the transmissibility of COVID-19. SeaWorld Orlando is excited to continue to provide our guests with fun, inspiring and memorable experiences, while addressing important health and safety needs during this time. For detailed information about the measures that guests can expect when visiting the resort, including key operational changes, visit Seaworld.com/orlando/safety Follow SeaWorld on Facebook, Instagram and the SeaWorld Orlando Blog for the latest news from SeaWorld. I am a SeaWorld Orlando blogger ambassador. In exchange for sharing upcoming information sometimes I receive complimentary admission to events. As always, all opinions are my own.
 SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., one of the world’s leading theme park and entertainment companies, announced today a phased reopening (with capacity limitations) of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island on June 11, 2020. The reopening of the parks will include enhanced health and safety protocols for cleaning and sanitizing, physical distancing, face covering requirements, and temperature screening. A new online reservation system will also help manage capacity so that guests can enjoy a safe and fun experience while maintaining physical distancing. The phased reopening plan was approved by the State of Florida.
“We thank Governor DeSantis, Mayor Castor, and County Administrator Merrill for their support of tourism in Central Florida as we prepare to reopen our Tampa parks to the public on June 11,” said Marc Swanson, interim CEO of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. “Over the past two months, we have worked with state and local health officials, third party medical and epidemiology experts, and attraction industry leaders to enhance our strict health, safety, and cleanliness standards. We are committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees, and animals in our care, and will continue to follow the guidance from health officials as conditions evolve.” “We have been eagerly awaiting the day to announce the reopening of Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, and we’re so glad that day is here,” said Stewart Clark, president of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island. “The health and safety of our guests has always been our top priority and we’re looking forward to delivering memorable experiences at our parks while addressing the important health and safety needs of our guests during this time.” Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island have launched new safety websites with detailed information about the measures that guests can expect when the parks reopen, including key operational changes. Specific information by park can be found by visiting the following websites: To help manage capacity to maintain physical distancing within the parks, all parks will require advance online reservations. Guests will be asked to visit the reservation pages of park websites where reservations will be required to guarantee entry given anticipated demand. Reservations will be available starting at 10:00AM ET on June 8, 2020. Please visit buschgardens.com/tampa/reservation and adventureisland.com/reservation for more details. Guests can receive the latest information on hours of operation for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay by visiting, BuschGardensTampa.com or Facebook.com/BuschGardensTampaBay and for Adventure Island by visiting, Adventureisland.com orFacebook.com/AdventureIsland. This information was received from a press release. Hey Florida - America's First Dual Tailspin Waterslide Opens at Adventure Island on March 14th!2/25/2020  Annual Pass Member EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW event on the park’s opening day, Friday, March 13 Adventure Island, Tampa’s premier waterpark located across the street from Busch Gardens, kicks off its 2020 season on Friday, March 13, with the opening of a RECORD-BREAKING NEW water slide, Solar Vortex - America’s FIRST dual tailspin water slide. In preparation for the park’s opening, Brandon Thom, Adventure Island’s new Vice President, is sliding into his role with a “ride of passage” on the newest attraction. “Adventure Island is heading into its 40th splash-filled season and we couldn’t be more excited to kick-off 2020 by adding America’s first dual tailspin water slide to our portfolio of slides,” said Thom. “As a family raft slide, Solar Vortex packs a bigger thrill than I was expecting – the high speed generated by the tailspin feature really amps up the ride journey. Along with Adventure Island’s many slides, pools, and splash zones, Solar Vortex is sure to make 2020 our best season yet.” Solar Vortex debuts new water slide elements unlike any other attraction at Adventure Island. The high-thrill family raft slide combines high-banking rotations and rapid descents, sending sliders on a swirling journey through two open tailspin features. Solar Vortex will also include three dynamic AquaLucent™ elements – harnessing the power of the Florida sun into colorful patterns that shine through the slide as riders reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. NEW Exclusive Pass Member Preview Adventure Island Pass Members get the EXCLUSIVE first chance to preview the new ride when the park opens for the season on Friday, March 13. Only Pass Members can experience Solar Vortex by presenting their ID and Pass at the park entrance. If you haven’t gotten one yet, go to www.adventureisland.com/annual-pass to buy a pass NOW! The ride will open to the public on Saturday, March 14. Solar Vortex shines brightly near Splash Attack and the Rambling Bayou lazy river. Adventure Island has 10 sliding attractions in total, many featuring multiple unique slide routes, in addition to wave pools and soak zones for guests to enjoy. NEW for the 2020 season, guests can purchase an All-Season Quick Queue Unlimited granting unlimited priority access to the major slides, including Solar Vortex. Go to www.adventureisland.com/upgrades/quick-queue to get your All-Season Quick Queue Unlimited NOW! Best Way to Play – Time is Running Out! The best way for guests to experience Adventure Island all season long is with an Annual Pass or Fun Card. Annual Pass Members receive 12 months of unlimited visits, FREE parking, priority access to Solar Vortex, merchandise and dining discounts, and special limited-time perks throughout the year. Or for a limited-time, Florida families can purchase a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2020 Fun Card and get an Adventure Island 2020 Fun Card for FREE. This limited time buy-one-get-one FREE offer provides unlimited access to TWO parks until December 31, 2020.¹ ¹Some restrictions apply; Blackout dates may apply. Adventure Island Fun Card valid through the end of the season. I am a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay & Adventure Island blogger ambassador. In exchange for sharing upcoming information sometimes I receive complimentary admission to events. As always, all opinions are my own.  Popular Preschool Card returns for year-round fun in 2020 SeaWorld offers an ocean of experiences that are perfect for pint-sized guests. The 2020 Preschool Card is now available for registration exclusively for Florida Residents. SeaWorld and Aquatica Orlando will offer kids ages 5 and younger a FREE Preschool Card valid for unlimited visits to SeaWorld and Aquatica Orlando through December 31, 2020. Advance registration must be completed online for the Preschool Card by February 3, 2020 and guests must redeem their ticket by March 31, 2020. The 2020 Preschool Fun Card includes popular, family friendly SeaWorld events including Inside Look, Elmo’s Birthday Celebration, Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend, Seven Seas Food Festival, Electric Ocean and the kid-favorite Spooktacular. To learn more and to register for the Preschool Card, Florida Residents can visit: https://seaworld.com/orlando/tickets/preschool-free-admission/. For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit www.SeaWorldOrlando.com. Follow SeaWorld on Facebook and Instagram for the latest details and information. Disclaimer: I am a SeaWorld Blogger Ambassador and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending events and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, upcoming events, news, and more, Seaworld has provided me with exclusive opportunities. As always, my opinion is my own.
|
Hey Ya'll!
Hi all! I'm Michelle and I have been a lifestyle blogger since 2017. I used to host fun networking events around Orlando and now I've decided to take a step back and continue to focus on my favorite part - bringing you all the fun happenings around Central Florida, plus filling you in on my travels, life, and more! I'm a foodie, selfie-taking Millennial that loves spending time at the theme parks, traveling, and spending time with her dog, and trying new wine. I hope you enjoy reading my blog!
Archives
November 2020
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
Copyright ©2019-2020. The Orlando Millennial. All Rights Reserved.