10-Day Regional Forecasts
7
Nov
Fantasy Surf – Indoor Surfing on the Ultimate Wave in Kissimmee Florida
Fancy an adrenaline rush but want a change from the theme parks? This week I went over to Fantasy Surf in Kissimmee for some aquatic adventure fun and I really enjoyed it! Fantasy Surf hosts a great indoor water sport activity termed flowriding – fun for all ages you can slide, ride and surf the ultimate waves – and its a safe and controlled environment so good for those new to surfing and want to try it out – but also great for practising tricks if you’re an accomplished surfer.
The impressive indoor FlowRider surf system is a real experience – like surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding rolled into one – set up on an artificial beach setting, the machine size is 32 ft wide and 49 ft in length and can allows 25-30 riders each hour. There are cushioned surfaces all around for safety and for those in your group opting out it’s still a lot of fun watching others develop their new or expert surfing skills!
Whilst you’re there you can visit ‘The Lull’ cafe for casual dining and shop for surf-style retail at the ‘Offshore’ store.
Fantasy Surf offers 30 minute sessions on the FlowRider waves for adults and children – minimum height requirements are 42″ – for bodyboard, 52″ for Flowboard. Its $25 for one adult session and $20 for one child session – but there are multiple session savings so check out Fantasy Surf – Ticket Prices for more details.
You’ll find Fantasy Surf located off Poinciana Boulevard between US HWY 192 and State HWY 535, open 7 days a week – Venue and cafe open from 7:30am and FlowRider from 9am – all closing 10pm
If you’re thinking about booking your vacation in Orlando – we have over 570 Orlando Villas available to rent for your perfect holiday – many with 360 degree virtual tours and all homes 15-20 minutes away from Disney and the main Orlando attractions. You can also keep up to date on Things To Do in Orlando here on this blog.
13
Jun
Universal Studios Summer Concert Series in June / July
One of Orlando’s most popular summer events is back – Universal Studios’ Summer Concert Series, bringing some big names in music to entertain you on weekends over the summer. Every Saturday, live concerts at the Universal Music Plaza stage commence at 9pm with legendary performances from great artists. First gig was Saturday 11 June and they are running until 16 July.
7
Jun
Family Fun at Old Town, Kissimmee!
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As I went to the Car Masters at Downtown Disney recently and really enjoyed it, it made me think of all the great classic show cars at Old Town attraction in Kissimmee – a down-to-earth, 1950s nostalgic entertainment area which you could slot into your vacation in Orlando. As well as shopping, dining and entertainment there’s car related events every week on a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. I enjoy the Saturday Night Cruise its one of the largest weekly car events in the world with over 300 classic cars all 1974 and older on display. There’s a Rock n Roll band on while the cars cruise throughout Old Town!
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19
May
Free Wine Tasting Tours – Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards
If you’re looking for something a little different from a day at the theme parks and kids attractions, and you enjoy savouring a glass of wine (who doesn’t?) why not visit the Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards in Clermont to broaden your knowledge of the award-winning local ‘Lakeridge Reserve’ wine which is sold at the larger supermarkets and wine shops throughout Florida.
Complimentary tours and wine tasting are offered seven days a week for both individuals and groups — Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The wine-making process is pretty fascinating and at their vast 127 acreage site, Lakeridge have a really great way of engaging and educating guests on how they grow, harvest and process, and finally bottle the wines ready for distribution.
12
May
Star Wars Weekends at Disney Hollywood Studios!
May the Force Be With You, it certainly is with Disney as it’s the annual comeback of the Star Wars Weekends celebrated by die-hard fans at Hollywood Studios starting May 20th 2011 for 4 consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sundays) upto 12th June 2011.
12
May
Florida Weather – What you can expect…
Here’s Florida’s monthly weather temperature guides for the year in Orlando and the Gulf Coast area where we have the majority of our 500 Florida villas for vacation rental, along with links to a 10 day forecast in various Florida regions, so you can check how the weather is for your holiday and plan for day trips further afield just before you travel.
Average Monthly Temperatures in Orlando
| January | High 72°F – Low 50°F | / | High 22°C – Low 10°C |
| February | High 74°F – Low 51°F | / | High 23°C – Low 11°C |
| March | High 72°F – Low 50°F | / | High 26°C – Low 13°C |
| April | High 83°F – Low 60°F | / | High 28°C – Low 16°C |
| May | High 88°F – Low 66°F | / | High 31°C – Low 19°C |
| June | High 91°F – Low 71°F | / | High 33°C – Low 22°C |
| July | High 92°F – Low 73°F | / | High 33°C – Low 23°C |
| August | High 92°F – Low 73°F | / | High 33°C – Low 23°C |
| September | High 90°F – Low 72°F | / | High 32°C – Low 22°C |
| October | High 85°F – Low 65°F | / | High 29°C – Low 18°C |
| November | High 79°F – Low 59°F | / | High 26°C – Low 15°C |
| December | High 73°F – Low 53°F | / | High 23°C – Low 12°C |
Average Monthly Temperatures in Fort Myers
| January | High 75°F – Low 54°F | / | High 24°C – Low 12°C |
| February | High 77°F – Low 55°F | / | High 25°C – Low 13°C |
| March | High 80°F – Low 59°F | / | High 27°C – Low 15°C |
| April | High 85°F – Low 63°F | / | High 29°C – Low 17°C |
| May | High 89°F – Low 68°F | / | High 32°C – Low 20°C |
| June | High 91°F – Low 73°F | / | High 33°C – Low 23°C |
| July | High 92°F – Low 74°F | / | High 33°C – Low 23°C |
| August | High 92°F – Low 74°F | / | High 33°C – Low 23°C |
| September | High 90°F – Low 74°F | / | High 32°C – Low 23°C |
| October | High 86°F – Low 69°F | / | High 30°C – Low 21°C |
| November | High 81°F – Low 62°F | / | High 27°C – Low 17°C |
| December | High 77°F – Low 56°F | / | High 25°C – Low 13°C |
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27
Apr
Royal Wedding Celebrations in Orlando
For folks across the pond looking to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Prince Wills and his Queen-to-be Kate on Friday 29th April, I’ve found a couple of events hosting the regal celebrations for you! Not a big royal fan? Still, you can’t beat a good wedding party!
In traditional English style, the popular Cricketers Arms Pub located at Festival Bay mall on International Drive are having tv screens dedicated to the wedding and a ‘Royal Wedding Palooza’ (if you’re like me and haven’t heard of palooza, for the benefit of you and I, I looked it up and it basically means ‘all-out, large scale party extravaganza’ – so it does sound like it promises a lot of fun). For more info, call Cricketers on 407-354-0686.
Disney’s Wedding Pavillion, overlooking Magic Kingdom across the lagoon, are hosting an event: beginning at 4am – with the Royal Wedding ceremony commencing at 6am Orlando time, and ending at 8am. An English themed wedding breakfast will be available to guests. For those keen to enjoy the royal celebrations in an authentic chapel-like building, you won’t mind the eye-watering early start – and guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion – question is: will you go dressed up, wedding-style? or…in your pyjamas!
There’ll be great photo opportunities with the fairytale Cinderella Coach majestically led by six white ponies and coachmen at the Pavillion. Incidentally, the coach was created by the same coach makers who have historically designed for the British Monarchy.
Entrance and parking to the event is free. The Wedding Pavillion is situated in the Seven Seas between the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Resorts.
22
Apr
SeaWorld Orlando launch brand new ‘One Ocean’ Shamu show!
Exciting news – Sea World have officially replaced the ‘Believe’ Shamu killer whale show, running since 2006 with the premiere of ‘One Ocean’ today!!!
Taking over a year to develop, the show will feature an all-new design backdrop, spectacular water fountains and the orcas will continue to splash and soak the audience in good measure. The first show will start at 10am and run regularly throughout the day and hopefully for years to come.
Check out the behind the scenes ideas which led to the creation of the new format show, with its message to inspire SeaWorld guests to “celebrate, connect and care” for the ocean. Here’s a couple of videos of the trainers, producers and designers collaborating over the set design, special effects, costumes and the ultimate musical score to encompass a multi-sensory celebration of life under the sea with the killer whales.
Can’t wait to see it for myself and update you on the new show. In the meantime, if you’re lucky enough to be visiting SeaWorld Orlando soon please come back and give us your comments – we’d love to hear what you think.
The majority of our 500 Florida vacation rental villas are within an easy 20-30 minute drive of SeaWorld Orlando and the major theme park attractions in Central Florida.
21
Apr
Eggscellent Easter events in Orlando
First things first, Happy Easter to you all from VR360 Florida Villas!
If you’re looking for some family Easter activities over the weekend I have a few favourites to share with you.
Go for some farm style fun at the Green Meadows Petting Farm in Kissimmee, they are hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th April. Kids are welcome to bring their own festive Easter basket and have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny. The Easter hunt is free with the paid guided tour ticket and takes place at the end of your farm tour. As a family activity, it’s nice to see the kids have the opportunity to touch and learn about the 300 animals in the farm’s country setting. Don’t miss the chance to milk a cow for the first time! Or watch the children take a pony ride and a tractor-drawn hayride. If you want to bring along you’re lunch, there’s really nice picnic areas as well. Don’t worry if you decide not to bring anything, as there’s a general store with snacks and drinks available. Tours run continuously from 9:30-4:30pm, children under 2 yrs go free and adult/child tickets are otherwise $21. Green Meadows is 10 miles southeast of Disney World on 1368 South Poinciana Blvd. Kissimmee. A $2 coupon saving is available for parties of upto 6.
The City of Winter Park are having their 57th annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday 23rd April starting at 9:30am ready for the 10am starting signal to set the kids racing off to find the 10,000 stuffed eggs placed around Central Park in downtown Winter Park. This event is free and children upto 10 yrs can participate. This is a favourite every year, and you’ll see grandparents bringing their 3rd generation children here for the hunt. For more info, call 407-599-3203.
For Easter season, if you’re shopping with the family, most of the malls in Orlando will have Easter themed Bunny professional photo opportunities for the children. So, why not bunny hop over to Mall at Millenia or the Florida Mall…
The majority of our 500 Orlando villas we have available to rent for your vacation are easily within 20-30 minutes drive of these attractions and the major theme parks in Central Florida.
14
Apr
Downtown Disney Orlando
Downtown Disney equals lots of entertainment and nightlife all in one Disney hotspot. Situated on Buena Vista Drive, follow the signs for Walt Disney World and then you’ll see signs for Downtown Disney, taking you to the free parking lots. The majority of our Florida villas to rent are within a 20 minute drive away. You can stroll along the scenic walkway of the 3 distinct sections, all bordering the village waterfront and experience the dining, shopping and entertainment on offer. On the West side – you can take in a live theatrical show of breathtaking acrobatics at the Cirque du Soleil theatre – tickets can be purchased at the box office in the theatre or by calling 407-WDW-SEAT. Or perhaps see the latest Hollywood movie at the AMC Pleasure Island 24 screen cinema – we have a handy post on our Florida Villas blog for film showtimes. Soak up the party atmosphere on Pleasure Island with the bars, discos and eateries. You’ll also find the very best Disney souvenirs and gifts for friends and family at the World of Disney store (largest Disney character store in the world) in the shopping hub of Downtown Disney Marketplace on the East side. Featured in the store is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique salon for girls and boys who want the ultimate princess and knight fairytale makeovers. This is extremely popular with young children over 3 years and we would advise calling in advance to make reservations. Makeover package prices vary. The marketplace also has a fine art gallery which is fun to browse called The Art of Disney. There are an abundance of themed restaurants for the family – the Rainforest Cafe has casual dining in an amazing tropical rainforest setting. For an unforgettable experience, try the T-Rex Cafe – a prehistoric adventure where you can eat, shop and gaze at the moving T-Rex dinosaur.
For music lovers, back on the west side, the House of Blues offers southern-inspired food along with live music from Rock ‘n’ Roll to R&B in their Music Hall adjacent to the diner. Once you visit, you’ll be coming back again and again. Check out Leona Lewis below…..
Why not try a 400ft balloon ride in the Characters in Flight open everyday.
