NETFLIX’S “STRANGER THINGS” COMES TO LIFE FOR A LIMITED TIME AT UNIVERSAL’S CABANA BAY BEACH RESORT

T

he Hit Series Featured at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights Expands to the Hotel

With a Special Pop-Up Photo Experience

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort just got a whole lot stranger. From now until October 31, guests can go further into the Upside Down as Netflix’s “Stranger Things” springs to life in select areas of the hotel.

Guests will get an exclusive look inside the iconic Byers’ living room from season one, and fan-favorite ice cream shop Scoops Ahoy, from season three of the hit sci-fi series through special photo pop-ups in the hotel. The pop-ups will be open daily from 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. (hours may vary) on the second floor of Cabana Bay Beach Resort and are exclusive to Universal Orlando hotel guests. Guests must show a room key to gain access to this exclusive pop-up experience – Cabana Bay guests will receive priority access, while guests of the other Universal Orlando Resort hotels will queue in a standby line.

UNCOVERING FLORIDA’S QUIRKY ACCOMMODATIONS

 

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA (August 22, 2019) – Many vacationers travel for the experience to “live like the locals,” and in many Florida destinations, for an out of the box experience, you can experience the quirky side through your choice of lodgings.  Here are just a few examples…

BETTER THAN A MAGIC KINGDOM IN CENTRAL FLORIDA

Have you ever considered reserving a room at an Inn with it’s own airplane hangar, man cave, yurt, treehouse and classic car hangar?  In Orlando North, Seminole County, FL there’s a small but very unusual property that features all this and more. The rural Danville B&B, 5-star AirBnB-rated, is self-contained in an airplane hangar that looks like a country porch upon arrival, then magically transforms into a mini-town with the flick of a switch. It features a cozy inn with two guest rooms, an Irish Pub, theater, photo booth and wedding pavilion. Guests can enjoy a stay in the master suite, with access via a private residential elevator or the dramatic oak staircase. Additional hangars house planes, a man cave, and classic cars.  There are also yurt and treehouse accommodations too.  The owner/pilot will fly guests for an aerial view of the area in his private plane and guests can tool around in vintage vehicles from the classic car hangar or roam the property on Segways.    232 N. Jungle Road, Geneva, FL 32732. (407) 349-5724. www.danvillebnb.com. PHOTO GALLERY: http://www.danvillebnb.com/wedding-gallery.htm

Guests of the Aloft Orlando Downtown will find tons of fun stuff to do that doesn’t involve theme parks

Orlando has been synonymous with theme parks for decades. Forget that most of them are not actually inside the city limits. More important: Orlando itself has become a hot destination, with a flourishing downtown and unique sections of the city where the adventurous traveler can find plenty of things to do that don’t involve mouse ears, monsters or thrill rides.

Right in the heart of it all is Aloft Orlando Downtown, the city’s foremost boutique hotel. Aloft has plenty going on — its pool is the place to be — but outside the doors, there’s plenty of action.

Join us for a quick tour:

• Two of downtown’s major venues are within a brief walk of the hotel. A couple of blocks away is the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, which draws top acts. Orlando has become a major tour stop for entertainers of all stripe. Also close is the Amway Center, home to the NBA’s Orlando Magic and superstar concerts.

• A little more than a half-mile from the hotel is Lake Eola Park, perfect for a sunny stroll on a 1-mile sidewalk that circles the lake. Visitors can also rent swan-shaped paddle boats for a relaxing excursion. Central Boulevard, which runs along the Lake Eola’s south side is loaded with intimate eateries and bars, as well as the Orlando Farmer’s Market, which runs year-round on Sundays. Just off Central you’ll find Mathers Social Gathering — while it serves alcohol, it’s anything but your typical watering hole. Located on the third floor of a vintage furniture store from the 1800s, the speakeasy-style establishment is designed as an elegant yet comfortable space that promotes friendly mingling among locals and visitors alike.

TEXAS - LIVE LIKE A EWING WITH NEW OVERNIGHT PACKAGE AT ICONIC SOUTHFORK RANCH

DALLAS (August 2019) – Guests can now spend the night at the famed Southfork Ranch—made famous in the long-running “Dallas” TV series—and live like a Ewing with full access to the entire mansion and pool. 

The legendary Parker, Texas, ranch--home to countless Ewing family showdowns—provides the perfect place to reminisce about the many memorable moments J.R., Sue Ellen, Bobby and Lucy Ewing delivered to captivated fans around the world during the show’s 1970s and 80s heyday. Of course, this overnight stay makes an unforgettable romantic getaway, proposal, wedding night, anniversary or other special-occasion opportunity.  

Reunion Resort & Golf Club Bids Farewell to Summer with First-Ever “End of Summer Celebration”

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 29, 2019) – Sadly, summer must come to an end, but not without one last big hurrah at Reunion Resort & Golf Club. The 2,300-acre luxury resort is hosting its first-ever End of Summer Celebration, August 9-11, with a variety of fun-filled, family-friendly activities for resort guests and locals alike to enjoy throughout the weekend. With friendly competition, fun surprises, a musical bash and much more, the event will showcase many of the resort’s most popular offerings, including championship golf, footgolf, pickleball, tennis, dining and water park. To register for the event and for more details, visit  www.reunionresort.com/summer.

“We’re so excited for the End of Summer Celebration as a fun way to showcase everything the resort has to offer our overnight guests and locals,” said Kevin Baker, General Manager. “No one likes to see summer end, but we hope this event will wrap it up in grand fashion while giving everyone a glimpse into the wide variety of activities they can come enjoy through every season. We encourage locals to register and spend the weekend with us enjoying the resort amenities normally only available to resort guests such as the water park and golf. By opening the resort to locals for the weekend, we hope they will come back for future stays with friends and family or just a relaxing staycation.”

BOCA GRANDE, FL - The Gasparilla Inn & Club Named Florida’s #1 Resort by Travel + Leisure Magazine

Boca Grande, Fla. resort kicks off 106th season with a special package
 to celebrate prestigious honor

BOCA GRANDE, Fla. (July 10, 2019) — The Gasparilla Inn & Club is pleased to announce that it has been ranked the #1 Resort in Florida by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. To celebrate this honor and thank guests, the resort is offering “The Gasparilla Experience Package” that will run October 3-31, 2019. 

Whether seeking outdoor fun or a relaxing escape, guests can select one of the following complimentary experiences each day:

NOW OPEN: UNIVERSAL’S ENDLESS SUMMER RESORT – SURFSIDE INN AND SUITES ADDS EXTRA AFFORDABLE HOTEL OPTION FOR UNIVERSAL ORLANDO GUESTS

The destination’s first Value Category hotel features 2-Bedroom suites, exclusive theme park benefits, a surfboard-shaped pool, and a casual food court – all at an affordable price

ORLANDO, Fla. (June 27, 2019) – Today, Universal Orlando Resort’s seventh hotel – Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites – opened its doors to guests as the destination’s first Value Category hotel. Universal Orlando now offers a hotel for every style, every family and every budget, complete with exclusive theme park benefits and a seamless vacation experience.

Brought to life by the award-winning Universal Creative team, Surfside Inn and Suites offers guests a relaxed and easy retreat, with a surf and beach vibe woven throughout the hotel. The 750-room hotel is the destination’s seventh property in partnership with Loews Hotels & Co., giving guests the immersive experience they have come to expect at a Universal Orlando hotel with rates starting as low as $73 per night for a 7-night stay.

Rosen Inn Honors Fathers All Summer Long With Special Getaway in Orlando Designed Just for Dad

Available Now Through Sept. 30, Including Father's Day,

Dads Can Enjoy Multiple Days to Play

ORLANDO (May 30, 2019) - What's better than a Father's Day getaway on Dad's big day? One that lasts the entire summer long!

 

Maybe Dad can't take all summer off, or even worse, has to work on his big day. No worries! Rosen Inn hotel closest to Universal Orlando Resort™, one of eight Rosen Hotels & Resorts in Orlando,offers loved ones the opportunity to honor Dad as he rightly should be - anytime - or multiple times - throughout the summer. The hotel's special value-oriented overnight stay package has all of the perks and special discounts only a dad could love. 

Give Dad a Day to Remember this Father's Day at Rosen Hotels & Resorts in Orlando

Stay Packages, Dining Specials Show Appreciation for a Father's Care

ORLANDO (May 29, 2019) - Dads may not be into all of the attention and compliments that come with celebrating Father's Day, but they all want to be appreciated for everything they do. So, give that special guy a day - or a weekend - to remember by treating him to a stay and a dad-style meal at one of Rosen Hotels & Resorts' stellar properties in Orlando.

 

Whether he's a new dad, a veteran dad or has been doing it long enough to start to master this "dad thing," all dads appreciate the time to rest and recharge. He can do that with overnight stay packages and special golf and dining offers available at Rosen Shingle Creek, Rosen Centre, Rosen Plaza, Midpointe Hotel and Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista.

Stays with Rosen Hotels & Resorts always include free Wifi in guestrooms, state-of-the-art RFID locking systems and never a resort fee!   

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort Now Taking Reservations for New Pirate Island Hotel Opening in Spring 2020

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (May 23, 2019) – The pirate invasion is coming to LEGOLAND^® Florida Resort!

Pirate Island Hotel, the newest on-site accommodation at LEGOLAND Florida Resort and first LEGO^® Pirate hotel in North America, is now accepting reservations for stays starting May 22, 2020. The pirates are recruiting buccaneers to join their crew with a limited time offer; buy two nights and receive one night free! Guests can book all of their future pirate adventures at  www.legoland.com/pirateisland.

                                        

“Pirate Island Hotel will be a great addition to LEGOLAND Florida Resort,” said General Manager Rex Jackson. “Based on our consumer demand, the need for a third on-site accommodation has never been higher. Along with THE LEGO^® MOVIE™ WORLD, Pirate Island Hotel is a key component in the park’s overall growth and expansion as we continue to strengthen LEGOLAND Florida Resort as a multi-day destination.”

Pirate Island Hotel will be the third accommodation located at the park built for kids and will feature 150 fun-filled rooms (including four suites), a heated pool with pool deck (complete with LEGO^® soft bricks to build in the pool), hundreds of LEGO models, daily in-room LEGO treasure hunts, exclusive character experiences and is located only 130 kid-steps from the main entrance to the theme park.

Treat Mom Like a Queen for a Day with Special Mother's Day Menus and Events at Rosen Hotels & Resorts in Orlando

ORLANDO (May 2, 2019) - Mothers should be celebrated every day of the year, but especially on Mother's Day, offering time with family to be pampered and to be made to feel like a queen. The hotels of Orlando's Rosen Hotels & Resorts have just the right gift for a special woman: a bountiful buffet brunch filled with all of her favorites and some special surprises.   

Backstreet Boys’ Howie Dorough First to Stay in THE LEGO® MOVIE™ Themed Rooms at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort

Pop Star Receives ‘Larger than Life’ Experience at THE LEGO^® MOVIE™ WORLD

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. (April 5, 2019) – Building off the recent opening of THE LEGO^® MOVIE™ WORLD, one-of-a-kind themed hotel rooms complete LEGOLAND^® Florida Resort as the ultimate THE LEGO^® MOVIE™ destination. Howie Dorough, his wife Leigh, and sons Holden and James, are the first to stay in the brand-new THE LEGO MOVIE themed rooms at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, the only place where the films come to life.

Dorough’s family flew on Emmet’s Triple Decker Couch, soared to Cloud Cuckoo Land and battled DUPLO^® aliens inside the theme parks newest and largest expansion, THE LEGO MOVIE WORLD during a fun-filled break from the Backstreet Boy’s Las Vegas residency.

“We’re already huge fans of LEGOLAND Florida Resort, these rooms take it to the next level by really making us feel like we are living in the movies,” said Dorough. “Most adults are thrilled to meet A-list celebrities, but I’ve never seen my kids as star stuck as the moment they met Emmet and Lucy in THE LEGO MOVIE WORLD.”

Beginning April 8, guests can enjoy the ultimate vacation (or slumber party) just steps away at the LEGOLAND Hotel’s newest addition, THE LEGO MOVIE themed rooms. Designed with familiar scenery and beloved characters from the movie, no detail is left untouched. Adults can relax in a room inspired by Emmet’s bedroom, while kids dream of spaceship adventures in the children’s room, modeled after Benny’s Spaceship.

Guests can book THE LEGO MOVIE themed rooms at www.legoland.com/florida.

Delaware North announces new Courtyard by Marriott to open on Florida’s Space Coast

 

Opening in fall 2020, property will be the closest hotel

to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and launch complexes

BUFFALO, N.Y., and TITUSVILLE, Fla. – (March 21, 2019) – Delaware North today announced that it will develop and operate a new Courtyard by Marriott hotel on th former site of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® in Titusville, Fla.

The five-floor, 152-room hotel will include 14 extended and one-bedroom guest suites, a large outdoor pool and a rooftop deck with bar for an elevated evening experience and for viewing the increasingly frequent rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The hotel’s Bistro will serve full breakfast and dinner menus and feature Starbucks® products. The property will also have 800 square feet of meeting space for conferences and special events.

HYATT REGENCY ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HOSTS DOG ADOPTION DAY WITH THE PIXEL FUND

Launch of New Dog-Friendly Initiatives

WHO:             

Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport (OIA) and The Pixel Fund

 

WHAT:           

Dog Adoption Day

 

WHEN:           

Monday, March 25, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(Additional media interview times available by appointment)

CALIFORNIA - Movie Location Shoot Package, In May, Find You Will Be, at Oasis in Death Valley

Photo credits: The Oasis at Death Valley / Xanterra Travel Collection

A Long Time Ago (1977) 
In Death Valley (Not That Far, Far Away)
A Director Introduced Us To
 A Film That Became A Cultural Phenomenon
While Much Of The Galaxy Was In Studios
Some Of The Movie Was Filmed On Earth 
And It’s Still There.
In Death Valley National Park, U.S.A.

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – May The Fourth – March 18, 2019 – When families and people watch the 1977 movie Star Wars is at The Oasis at Death Valley, it starts inevitable tales of when the movie’s director came to this true American Oasis in 3.3 million square miles of desert, oasis and mountain national park to film and transport people to another galaxy.

Past generations of employees have shared stories with newer generations and certainly know where the movie locations are. These include the breathtakingly and picturesque locations throughout Death Valley National Park including Dante's View, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Desolations Canyon, Artist's Drive and Golden Canyon – all just a quick 20 to 40 minute drive from the Resort.

REVIEW: Light Haven Motel at Hollywood Beach - The Perfect Dose of SoFla Nostalgia and Tradition

I spent my formative years in South Florida. While I never grew to be a huge fan of the area, I can't deny that I have some wonderful memories from the time I spent there, and I also acknowledge certain aspects of the area that continue to charm me to this day. I appreciate South Florida more now when I return as a tourist, but even when I lived there - I loved any excuse to stay in a little efficiency apartment near the beach... and I always had a fondness for Hollywood Beach specifically. On a recent visit, we discovered a fantastic, quaint little place that checked off all the boxes for a fabulous (and affordable) beach weekend - Light Haven Motel.


We've stayed in vacation homes, mountain cabins, standard hotels, Disney hotels of all levels, and other elaborate resorts. We truly are the type of people who appreciate the variety of accommodation styles that exist in modern-day tourism - but nothing is quite like a cozy little studio when vacationing in a beach town. Light Haven Motel is a small cluster of efficiency apartments and studios. Consider it the pre-Airbnb version of a home-away-from-home, beach bum style! The site is lovingly maintained by local owners and a couple staff members. They went out of their way to be personally welcoming when we arrived, and we noticed immediately that our fellow guests all seemed very fond of the whole crew. Any lodging staff can be attentive, but the staff at Light Haven went beyond that, showing a very thoughtful and friendly side to their hospitality. A crazy close encounter with a member of South Florida's infamous iguana population led to a lively conversation about just how much the ecology of South Florida has changed since we were residents ourselves. 

Experience Authentic Florida During President's Day Weekend Festivities At The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes

Luxury Orlando Resort Encourages A Weekend Outside

Exploring Orlando’s Natural Beauty

ORLANDO, FL - February 5, 2019 — While most travelers come to Orlando for theme park entertainment, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes has designed a Presidential Weekend Staycation showcasing the resort’s setting on 500 acres of the most enchanting natural surroundings in Florida. “The goal,” according to General Manager Jon McGavin, “is to get kids of all ages outside, away from electronic devices, and interacting with nature.”

Local Orlando residents and those near enough to travel to Florida for the long weekend of February 15 to 18, can partake in the President’s Day Weekend Activities which include Eco-Tours on Shingle Creek (kayak or canoe), Fishing Excursions, Sunrise Safari, Gator Show, and more.

NORTH CAROLINA - Experience the New & Luxurious Horse Shoe Farm in Hendersonville, NC

WHAT: The Horse Shoe Farm is an 85-acre riverfront estate, minutes from downtown Hendersonville, Asheville, and Tryon, NC, offering luxury accommodations for up to 50 guests, an unparalleled spa experience in an authentic renovated barn; a stable with 7 stalls, a number of field run-ins, an outdoor riding ring, and over 50 acres of fenced pasture; and private event space for weddings, family gatherings, and retreats. Its high-end concierge services for guests, include grocery delivery, private chef, personal shopping, private aircraft (jets), luxury car rentals, and more.  Its local farm to fork dining, scenic surroundings and rustic chic ambiance will create an experience you will never forget. 

NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS: UNIVERSAL’S ENDLESS SUMMER RESORT – DOCKSIDE INN AND SUITES

All 2,800 Rooms and 2-Bedroom Suites at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites Are Now Available for Booking – Book Today! 

ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 16, 2019) – Guests can now book their stay at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites, opening May 2020. This coastal-themed hotel inspired by breathtaking sunsets will join its sister property, Surfside Inn and Suites, in the destination’s all-new Value hotel category. With rates starting at $76 per night, Universal Orlando now offers a hotel for every style and budget, complete with exclusive benefits and a seamless vacation experience at the destination’s most affordable rates.

The destination’s newest hotel will offer 2,050 relaxed and casual guest rooms and suites. Families needing a bit more space will find it easy to spread out and unwind in the 2-Bedroom Suites, which start at $115 per night for a 7-night stay. These suites sleep six comfortably and feature a kitchenette and separate bath and vanity areas, so the whole family can get ready in time to experience Early Park Admission. It’s the perfect home-base for families of any size to experience all that Universal Orlando has to offer – at a quality that’s simply unmatched anywhere else in Orlando.

NEW THREE KINGS FESTIVAL CELEBRATES HOLIDAY TRADITION DURING FINAL DAYS OF CHRISTMAS AT GAYLORD PALMS

Gaylord Palms Resort will cap off the holiday season with new shows and activities, January 1-6, 2019.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – (December 20, 2018) – For the first time ever, Christmas at Gaylord Palms will offer the Three Kings Festival, a special commemoration of the extended holiday season celebrated by many Christians in Spain and Latin America. The resort will add additional shows and activities as part of the festival to highlight Three Kings’ Day, a holiday that honors the Three Wise Men and their visit to the meet baby Jesus as told in the Gospel of Matthew. The event will run from January 1- 6, 2019, also allowing guests one last chance to experience the other activities of Christmas at Gaylord Palms presented by Pepsi!

FESTIVE FUN AND FLAVORS

Twice daily, guests can enjoy the all-new show, The Journey of Los Tres Reyes Magos. This free stage show showcases the Three Kings in a musical celebration as they retell the Christmas story and the celebrations surrounding it, including Las Posadas and el Día de los Reyes, all on stage in Emerald Plaza inside the grand St. Augustine Atrium.