 Tampa's Premier Halloween event, Howl-O-Scream, is BACK at Busch Garden's Tampa Bay! Taking place on select nights, Thursday-Sunday from now until October 31st, Busch Gardens® Howl-O-Scream® returns in full force, taking over the entire park with haunted houses, scare zones, sinister shows and more. Yesterday I was invited to attend the opening night and after going the last few years, I have to say, I think this is my favorite year yet! Scare zones were throughout the park and more decorated. There were new houses as well as some old favorites, but they felt scarier. My favorite was The Forgotten, which was like a red room of pain vampire house - very well decorated. The Christmas house, The Residence: Home for the Holidays, was definitely a fun spin on halloween horror too. Although last night was not too busy, this event is guaranteed to get much, much busier so I highly recommend the front line fear pass which will get you to the front of the houses one time each - instead of waiting in long lines! You can also do the front line fear pass extreme, which will include the coasters that will be open. I had the equivalent to this pass and I have to say, it was AMAZING - totally worth it and allows you to do everything you'd want to do during your visit.  This year there were bumper cars with clowns and I was here for it. It was fun to feel like a kid again bumping into people and interacting with the spooks like this. The line was short too - so if you are looking for something different to do during your visit, be sure to visit the bumper cars.  This year for drinks there were some new cocktails, fun souvenir cups, my fav - the Jell-O shots, and soon there will be blood bag drinks. My drink of choice for the night was this vodka grape drink which I cannot remember the name of, but it tasted a lot like a vodka cranberry. It was yummy. They also had one with tequila. The Jell-O shot was made with peach schnapps and was delish! Definitely a fun way to start the evening. New this year were interactive necklaces. These were super cool! These skull necklaces light up different colors depending on the area of the park you are in and then, from what I was told, go into a fog mode while in the houses. They also sold "no boo" necklaces for those wanting to enjoy the evening but not be scared. As usual there was some great entertainment. Unfortunately, we were only able to catch the last 10 minutes of Fiends because we were off having too much fun - lol - but what we did see was funny and great as usual. We did catch the Rolling Bones which was really good. I loved how their instruments changed colors to the music and they played really well. Highly recommend catching them for a short performance. We did not see any of the other shows while we were there since we were off doing other things around the park. Howl-O-Scream is an extra ticketed event at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, so be sure to see which nights are available and find your tickets HERE. Here's wishing you a happy spooky season! Note from The Orlando Millennial:
I am a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay & Seaworld blogger ambassador. In exchange for sharing upcoming information sometimes I receive complimentary admission to events. I often share my adventures at the parks on Instagram, so be sure to follow along at @orlmillennial As always, all opinions are my own.
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An ALL-NEW Summer Celebration debuted at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay over Memorial Day Weekend! The park will feature a variety of entertainment throughout the day, including the return of “Cirque Electric”, and “Gwazi Beats”, a new atmospheric show combining drums, dancers, and stilt-walkers in a pulse-pounding display of music and dance. Plus, the award-winning “Turn It Up!” has resumed to daily operations in the Moroccan Palace Theater.  To celebrate the summer season, guests 21+ can enjoy a complimentary beer sample daily at Pantopia Drinks & Snacks from NOW until August 7. For those craving something sweet to beat the heat, the Moroccan Delights ice cream parlor will reopen with a refreshed look and mouth-watering treats like handcrafted thrill shakes, ice cream floats, specialty sundaes and more. After nightfall, the park glows with unique theming, entertainers, and the thrill of conquering coasters in the dark like the all-new Iron Gwazi. Guests can dance to DJ beats throughout the park, including a newly themed block party plaza presented by Coca-Cola®. For an epic finale to a thrilling day of adventure, guests will be drawn to the vibrant energy radiating from a unique new production on the Festival Field. As the most stunning show ever to light the park’s sky, “Summer Celebration Fireworks Spectacular” will feature an explosive array of colors and exciting effects from dazzling lasers to mesmerizing fountains and pyrotechnics. This all-new production is offered every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night at 9:15pm from NOW until August 7, including an extra presentation on July 4 for Independence Day.  With the return of world-class entertainment and all-new thrills like Iron Gwazi, there’s never been a better time to become a Pass Member. Annual Pass Members enjoy 12 months of visits with special benefits including exclusive access to the Pass Member Lounge opening later this summer, plus free parking, free guest tickets, access to special VIP events, savings on merchandise and more! Annual Passes start as low as $14.75/month with no down payment. Restrictions apply.  Busch Gardens’ Summer Celebration takes place daily from NOW until Sunday, August 7 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida. More about Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure, offering 300 acres of fascinating attractions based on exotic explorations around the world. Busch Gardens is a unique blend of thrilling rides, an AZA accredited zoo with thousands of animals representing more than 200 species, and exciting seasonal events all year providing unrivaled experiences for guests of every age. For more information, visit www.BuschGardensTampa.com. Busch Gardens is owned by SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS), a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world.  Note from The Orlando Millennial:
I am a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay & Adventure Island blogger ambassador. In exchange for sharing upcoming information sometimes I receive complimentary admission to events. I often share my adventures at the parks on Instagram, so be sure to follow along at @orlmillennial As always, all opinions are my own. 
Adventure Island, voted one of the country’s TOP TEN water parks by USA Today, opened two new thrills in May. RAPIDS RACER On Rapids Racer, riders grab a two-person raft before racing through nearly 600 feet of slide, complete with low walls to encounter opponents throughout this side-by-side experience. The thrill of the chase is amplified as guests swirl through the world’s first dueling saucers in this exhilarating journey full of high-speed tunnels, turns, and more.  WAHOO! REMIX Formerly Wahoo Run, Wahoo Remix will be Adventure Island’s FIRST waterslide to feature synchronized light and sound elements, delivering an all-new, high energy, family raft ride experience with ultimate party vibes. Enclosed tunnels that were once dark will now glow and groove as riders zoom through over 600 feet of fun. With a variety of stunning light shows, each ride could be different than the last.  “With the addition of these two new slides, plus several other parkwide enhancements, Adventure Island is truly a can’t-miss destination for family fun in the sun”, said Neal Thurman, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay & Adventure Island Park President. The park is undergoing one of the largest refreshes in its 40+ year history, complete with a new front gate arrival plaza, freshly painted slides and areas, a social-worthy photo opportunity near the Endless Surf pool, and the recently opened Hang Ten Tiki Bar. In between thrilling rides on fan-favorite slides, guests can unwind in an all-new tropical oasis with hammocks, lounge seating and beach games. Experience the fun all year long! The best way to experience the fun all season long is with an Annual Pass. In addition to unlimited visits, Pass Members receive special benefits including FREE parking, up to six FREE guest tickets, savings on merchandise and other exclusive perks throughout the year. About Adventure Island: Located right across the street from Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay, Adventure Island® is Tampa's Island paradise, featuring a combination of exhilarating water rides and tropical, tranquil surroundings. A fun-filled tropical atmosphere awaits, with adventurous water slides including Solar Vortex, Vanish Point™, Caribbean Corkscrew® and Colossal Curl™, cascading waterfalls, a 17,000-square-foot wave pool, children’s water playground called Fabian’s Funport® and other family attractions. Guests can dig their toes into the sand or relax in lounge chairs or a private cabana. For more information, visit AdventureIsland.com for more information. Note from The Orlando Millennial:
I am a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay & Adventure Island blogger ambassador. In exchange for sharing upcoming information sometimes I receive complimentary admission to events. I will be visiting Islands of Adventure this month to check out all the new updates and will be sharing my visit on Instagram, so be sure to follow along at @orlmillennial As always, all opinions are my own.  Santa Claus is coming to town - oh wait, no, he's already here! That's right - if you saw my post from earlier in the month (see here), then you may already know that Busch Gardens Tampa's Christmas Town has arrived earlier this year! I was again lucky enough to be invited out to check out the grand opening weekend of their brightest holiday event and it did not disappoint! Different entertainment and special things are offered throughout the day, so I would check the schedule for the day you are interested in going to ensure you get to do everything you want to do.  My friends and I decided to go a bit later in the day so that we could enjoy the food and drink booths in the "Christmas Town Village" - always a favorite of mine, plus see all the beautiful lights, and the fireworks! We had perfect chilly weather, which really added to the feeling of the holiday season.  Let’s talk drinks. This year I really enjoyed the frozen eggnog, but I think my favorite was the apple brandy hot toddy. When it got cold enough outside I order one and it was just SO good! My significant other ordered the Jack Fire, which was too strong for me but he loved it - definitely high on the alcohol content, so if you are looking for bang for your buck - that is your drink! Between the four of us that night, we had 3, 8-punch sampler cards, which I highly recommend. The sampler cards are the BEST way to try out different drinks and if you love one, then buy it in the bigger size. Plus, you can use it on the food, which is normal size. Seriously, an AMAZING DEAL - I always recommend this!  Totchos: Sweet Potato Tater Tots, Smoked Brisket, Bacon Onion Jam, Beer Cheese, Green Onions  Bison Chili Mac: Gemelli Pasta, Sam Adams Beer Cheese, Parmesan Crumbs  Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie: Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Vanilla Whipped Cream For food, I was a little bit limited on what I could eat. Although many of the food options sounded good, many of them included some form of pork, which I do not eat. I was able to have them make me the totchos without the bacon onion jam and it was still very good - but my friend got it with so that is the picture that you see. The bison chili mac was outstanding - honestly, so good. My friends agreed it was one of their favorite things of the night. The maple bourbon pecan pie was very good too. There were a few other items I wanted to try but I waited too long and they sold out - so be sure to grab what you want when you can - you don’t want to miss out if something is popular!  As always, the lights around the park were beautiful. I love how they use such colorful lights, especially near the kids area, I feel like you never see these colors anywhere else and it is just so magical! One of my favorite places every year is the bridge that is full of lights that change to the song that is playing. I definitely spent a little time in there in awe as always.  We used this park visit to feel like kids again and we took a ride on the merry-go-round, which if you haven’t been on it, they have some pretty cool looking horses - even a camel! We also rode one coaster before deciding it was back to food and drinks before fireworks, because hey - who doesn’t like more holiday beverages and fireworks?   There is a special viewing area for the fireworks, but I recommend watching from the Christmas Town Village. You get a wonderful view while still being able to drink and/or eat if you want, and be around less crowds. The fireworks went off at 9pm, but the park did not close for another hour, which was nice, as we were able to continue enjoying the park a bit before heading out.  You can experience Christmas Town daily - which is included in park admission - until January 2nd! Fireworks are on select days. Looking forward to returning next year! As always, thank you for reading and if you go, let me know what your favorite food and drink were! 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.
 Save up to 60% on Tickets and Fun Cards during SeaWorld Orlando’s Black Friday sale taking place for a limited time November 15 through November 26 Just in time for the holiday season, SeaWorld is offering unbeatable deals and great low pricing during the 2021 Black Friday sale, beginning November 15th. Save on tickets, Passes, Fun Cards, upgrades and more! Guests can take advantage of these unbeatable offers during SeaWorld’s Black Friday sale November 15 through November 26!
Additional offers include:
I am a Seaworld blogger ambassador. In exchange for sharing upcoming information sometimes I receive complimentary admission to events. As always, all opinions are my own.
 BUSCH GARDENS® CHRISTMAS TOWN™ RETURNS EARLY WITH MILLIONS OF HOLIDAY LIGHTS, SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS AND A NEW SANTA EXPERIENCE Tampa’s biggest and brightest holiday event opens earlier this year with MILLIONS of twinkling holiday lights throughout the park’s 335 acres, spectacular fireworks, and a brand-new experience with Santa that will create merry memories for guests of all ages. Included in park admission, the award-winning holiday event features all-new activities for the whole family, including:
 Other fan favorite holiday entertainment returning to this year’s Florida-style winter wonderland includes:
As guests dash through the night between iconic rollercoasters, they can explore the Christmas Town Village: a delicious destination filled with drinks and dishes from an indulgent holiday menu. These unique, limited time options include NEW specialty cocktails like the “Mistletoe Margarita” and the “Apple Brandy Hot Toddy”. Complete the night with a signature Christmas Town Hot Chocolate featuring festive flavors like peppermint or gingerbread. Feel the spirit of the season in each bite with the new maple bourbon pecan pie or feast on holiday favorites like the smoked brisket “totchos.” The best way for guests to savor and save during the holidays is with a Christmas Town Sampler Lanyard, starting at ONLY $44.99 for an 8-punch lanyard. Give the Gift that Gives All Year: Busch Gardens Fun Card and Annual Passes! For a limited-time, guests who purchase a 2022 Busch Gardens Fun Card receive park admission to visit NOW through the end of 2022 for only $119.99. For even more value, guests can purchase an Annual Pass for unlimited visits and unbeatable benefits ranging from no blockout dates, up to six free guest tickets, and exclusive monthly rewards for 2022. The Annual Pass is organized in easy-to-use tiers, and includes one-park, two-park Busch Gardens and Adventure Island Passes, and the popular Florida four-park options, allowing guests to choose the pass, benefits and the parks that are the best fit. To be the first to know about event details and special offers, visit www.ChristmasTown.com and follow Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Guests are encouraged to check the park’s website before visiting to learn which event components are available each date. Christmas Town runs daily with park-wide festive fun from November 12 through January 2. Guests can get a head start on the holiday celebrations with a Preview Weekend November 6 & 7 and enjoy shows, holiday character meet-and-greets, and iconic holiday light displays. Annual Pass Members get exclusive access to the 2 p.m. Christmas on Ice performance during the Preview Weekend. 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.  Each weekend, park guests can toast delicious brews while enjoying award-winning attractions and entertainment at SeaWorld’s open-air festival every Friday – Sunday beginning August 13. Just in time for International Beer Day, the park voted #1 amusement park in the USA by the USA Today 10Best Reader’s Poll, is serving up an incredible party for craft beer lovers! SeaWorld’s Craft Beer Festival features more than 100 crafts brews, wines, seltzers, and cocktails. Guests can sample an unbeatable mix of domestic and local Florida favorites, plus savor more than 20 food items expertly paired to match their preferred brew. And to top it all off, festive entertainment will keep the party going all day long. This is the one craft beer celebration guests won’t want to miss. The fun is brewing Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays, plus Labor Day, August 13 – September 12 only at SeaWorld. New This Year! Craft Beer Festival Dinner Series Guests can enhance their Craft Beer Festival experience and attend an exclusive craft beer dinner on select festival evenings. Featuring seventeen favorite Florida local and national breweries and distilleries, attendees will enjoy a welcome reception with specialty craft beverages and small bites, followed by a signature four-course dinner complemented with brewery-selected beers and spirits. Presenting breweries will host a “beer-talk” and interact with guests throughout the evening. Hosted in the private Reef Room at Sharks Underwater Grill, this exclusive ticketed event is the ultimate celebration of craft brews fit for both the “craft-beer connoisseur” and the “craft-brew curious” fan. 2021 Craft Beer Festival Dinner Series Dates:
Bonus Dates:
Theme Park Pub Grub for Every Palette! SeaWorld Orlando’s Craft Beer Festival features 20+ specialty dishes for guests to discover and pair with their new favorite craft brew, frozen cocktail, or non-alcoholic beverage. Guests can explore an array of flavors with brand-new festival fare, including: NEW! Beer Battered Popcorn Rock Shrimp paired with Kraft Heinz™ Four Pepper Ranch
To explore what’s “on tap” and “on the table”, explore our full event menu & guide: https://seaworld.com/orlando/events/craft-beer-festival/menus/ Savor and save with a Craft Beer Festival Tasting Lanyard! For the best value to taste a variety of food and drink offerings, guests can purchase a Craft Beer Fest Sampler Lanyard, starting at only $50.00. Pass Members get an exclusive offer: 15 items for the same price as a 12-item Sampler (that’s 3 bonus samples)! For all alcohol purchases, including sampler lanyard redemption for alcoholic items, guests must be 21 years of age or older to be served. Not into Beer? No fear! Enjoy festival cuisine, frozen cocktails & mocktails, live music and more! Beyond the brews, SeaWorld offers plenty of delicious options for everyone to enjoy at the Craft Beer Festival this year. From delectable bourbon tastings to chilling frozen cocktails and seltzers, satisfying refreshment is abundantly available in every corner of the park. Several festival locations feature non-alcoholic beverage options as well. Best Way to Play: Now through August 15, SeaWorld is offering a BOGO 50% Off Sale! Guests can buy one, get one 50% off on single- or multi-day tickets. And for guests looking for the best perks during Craft Beer Festival and all of SeaWorld’s special events throughout the year, get a SeaWorld Annual Pass with great benefit options including free parking, free guest tickets and more. Annual Passes start as low as $12 per month for a limited time. For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets and passes, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com. Events and times are subject to change. Follow SeaWorld Orlando on Facebook, Instagram and the SeaWorld Orlando Blog for the latest park updates and information. The safety of our guests, Ambassadors and animals in our care remains our top priority. Consistent with CDC guidance, we recommend that our guests wear face coverings while indoors. I am a Seaworld blogger ambassador. In exchange for sharing upcoming information sometimes I receive complimentary admission to events. As always, all opinions are my own.
 Each weekend, park guests can toast delicious brews and coast on epic thrill rides at Busch Gardens’ open air, beer-inspired food festival, now serving every Friday – Sunday through October 31. During the fourth year of Bier Fest at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, guests can sip seasonal beverage offerings and savor new recipes featuring fan-favorite breweries. Beer flows through the park on an all-new beer trail, weaving between iconic coasters, local live music and fascinating animal habitats while incorporating fan-favorite restaurants and outdoor culinary stations, including the new Giraffe Bar. This year, park guests can toast to new adventures each Friday through Sunday, from August 13 to October 31. Pair Epic Thrill Rides with NEW Hoppy Culinary Delights Brew fans will have dozens of beers to choose from at this year’s Bier Fest, featuring over 50 varieties of IPAs, wheat ales, stouts and more! This year’s event shines a spotlight on breweries that bring flavor to Florida and beyond, with iconic local, regional and national brews incorporated into new shareable samples at over a dozen culinary locations, including:
Not into Beer? No fear! Enjoy frozen cocktails, live music and more! Beyond the brews, Busch Gardens offers plenty of delicious options for everyone to enjoy at Bier Fest this year. From delectable bourbon tastings to chilling frozen cocktails and seltzers, satisfying refreshment is abundantly available in every corner of the park. Several festival locations feature non-alcoholic beverage options as well, including the new Giraffe Bar. Barrilitos® strawberry hibiscus or watermelon Agua Frescas offer cool relief on warm summer days and Serengeti views from panoramic windows or the open-air patio. After enjoying live local music at the Coke Canopy, a stop at Xcursions gift shop is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth. The NEW sangria and mimosa bar pairs with the whiskey-inspired gourmet cupcake flight fresh from the park’s bakery for the perfect dessert combo. Savor and save with a Bier Fest lanyard! For the best value to taste a variety of food and drink offerings, guests can purchase a Bier Fest Sampler Lanyard, starting at only $49.99 for a 8-sample punch card. Pass Members get an exclusive offer: 15 items for the same price as a 12-item Sampler to enjoy three extra samples for FREE! For all alcohol purchases, including sampler lanyard redemption for alcoholic items, guests must be 21 years of age or older to be served. Enjoy fan-favorite events all year with a Busch Gardens Annual Pass or Fun Card! Visit again and again with a Busch Gardens Fun Card, where guests can pay for a day and play all year!* For the price of a single-day ticket to Busch Gardens, the Fun Card allows access throughout the year, so guests can visit again and again, and experience great events like Bier Fest, Christmas Town and more! For the best value and benefits, guests can upgrade to a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum Annual Pass to enjoy the perks they want most throughout 2021. Annual Pass Members* receive 12 months of visits with the best benefits ever, including FREE parking, up to 6 free guest tickets, and exclusive savings on merchandise, Quick Queue, and more! Annual Pass Members and Fun Card holders get special discounts for the best deals on Howl-O-Scream, starting at $26.99 for a limited time. Guests can visit www.BuschGardensTampa.com for more information and to purchase tickets, Fun Cards, or Annual Passes. Fans can stay up to date with park events, attractions and more by following Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The safety of our guests, Ambassadors and animals in our care remains our top priority. Consistent with CDC guidance, we recommend that our guests wear face coverings while indoors. *Some restrictions apply 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.
 SeaWorld’s Fireworks Spectacular Ignite to take place nightly beginning at SeaWorld June 18, plus extra Fireworks on July 4 weekend! SeaWorld nightly fireworks began this past weekend on June 18th, and run through August 8, plus select nights through September 6. Additional July 4 fireworks shows taking place July 2-4. DETAILS: Ignite: Surf the wave to a whole new level with Ignite, a fireworks and fountains spectacular that brings the brilliant colors of the sea to the skies above the park. The fireworks can be seen from all around SeaWorld’s large central lake, including from Bayside Stadium, The Waterfront, and the Orca Encounter Pathway. Showtime is at 10 p.m. during Electric Ocean evenings. July 4 Fireworks: Enjoy three nights of fireworks this Fourth of July weekend! Bring your family and friends for festivities beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 2, Saturday, July 3, and Sunday, July 4, weather permitting. All three nights will feature our fireworks spectacular "Ignite" at 10 p.m. followed by a patriotic fireworks finale at 11:30 p.m. Guests can also enjoy extended hours at Club Sea Glow until 11:30 p.m. Details and reserved seating options are available here: www.seaworldorlando.com/july4 Both fireworks performances can be viewed from all around SeaWorld's large central lake, including the Orca Encounter Pathway, The Waterfront, or Bayside Stadium.
I am a Seaworld blogger ambassador. In exchange for sharing upcoming information sometimes I receive complimentary admission to events. As always, all opinions are my own  Enjoy NEW “Spark! A Nighttime Spectacular”, now launching EVERY NIGHT from Friday, June 11 through Sunday, August 8!  Summer Nights just got brighter at Busch Gardens! Due to popular demand, the park’s NEW nighttime spectacular, “Spark!” can now be enjoyed every night starting Friday, June 11 through Sunday, August 8. As the biggest and brightest show ever to light the park’s sky, “Spark!” features an explosive array of fireworks and exciting effects from dazzling lasers to graceful water elements and dramatic pyrotechnics. From the electrifying pre-party to the epic grand finale, the dazzling experience of “Spark!” can be enjoyed with any park ticket, Fun Card or Annual Pass. After August 8, “Spark!” will continue to light the night sky at Busch Gardens with presentations each Friday, Saturday and Sunday night through September 6, including Labor Day. 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. |
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!
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