End-of-Summer Outings

by Adele Woodyard
Soon the kids will be back in school—if they’re not already behind a desk. So here’s some more ideas for a last minute shot of family fun with some place to go, no matter what your budget.
High End:
Hot muggy weather got you down? Chill out at SeaWorld Orlando’s Antarctica Empire of the Penguin. Haven’t tried it myself but understand it’s a quick freeze that starts with a high-tech ride across an ice floe. But where else would a colony of 200-250 penguins live? With single ticket prices at $89 adult and $81 ages 3-9, check for discounts online. http://www.seaworldparks.com
Prefer water to goosebumps on your arms? Legoland in Winter Haven could be the way to go. Not only to get wet, but operate a water cannon on a boat ride through an imaginary China. One-day tickets run $79 adult, $71 children and seniors. Save on discount dates online http://www.florida.legoland.com
It’s said you can get even wetter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure water rides, where Harry Potter lives. In-the-know advice is to buy a plastic poncho at a discount store before you go. Of course the newest ride is the 3-D Transformers at Universal Studios Orlando which means separate tickets. $92, $86 ages 3-9. So take your pick, discount and multiday packages online: http://www.univerrsalorlando.com
Mid-Price:
Wet ‘n Wild Water Park, Orlando offers family fun in two to four-person tube rides with such excitement as a 53 foot vertical drop into a dark tunnel or a 5 story rube ride with 600 feet of twists and banked turns, etc. A more sedate pace is dancing lights to music. $55, $50 (3-9) base price; $10 off in advance . http://www.wetnwildorlando.com
Low End:
Florida resident? Sept. 2, 2013 is last day to get a $15 discount off normal $24.99 admission to Gatorland, Orlando. No matter what your age, it will be $9.99 per person, plus tax of course, to visit a park where thousands of gators and crocodiles live. You may even spot four rare “white” gators, as well as two Florida panthers (who will probably be asleep). Proof of residency required. 1-800-393-5297.Show times on site. http://www.gatorland.com
FREE:
Aug. 31-Sept. 1: 4th Annual Downtown Labor Day Weekend Craft Festival, Venice. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to view (and buy) wide variety of ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, metal works, and more along Miami Ave. A Green Market adds fresh produce.
Or try the 1st Vista Volusia International Latino Arts, Culture and Culinary Festival at Manatee Park, 325 N. Beech St. Daytona Beach, noon-9 p m .same dates.

Halloween Happenings #2

by Adele Woodyard
This week we’re looking at the biggies—theme parks; two of them have special contests, and both have deadlines. So we begin our search for blood and guts not only with what you can see, but what you might win.
Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, select dates through Oct. 31 offer the return of the zombies in a popular show, The Walking Dead. Of course there’s also more spooky items, like haunted houses, and roaming “scare actors” to make you shiver. You only have until 5 p.m. Wed. Oct. 10 to enter the contest where a Grand Winner not only gets four VIP tours of the Horror Nights and a one night hotel accommodations on Oct. 20, but four 1-day, 2-park, tickets valid for admission to Universal Studios and the Islands of Adventure.. Lesser prizes for runners-up. So be sure to check out http://www.tampabay.com/thingstodo and click on contests tab. Not the contest entry type? If a Florida resident over 18, click on http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com
Howl-0-Scream, Busch Garden’s Dark Side of the Gardens give you a Mon. Oct. 15 deadline for their contest, with Grand Prize pack of six tickets and six Front Line Fear passes, meal vouchers, and parking for the group ; runners-up get four Howl-O-Scream tickets. See above for contest URL rules and entry.. Everyone else can enjoy the parks 13th year of zombies, two new haunted houses, roaming hordes and dance party at http://www.thedarksideofthegardens.com
Younger kids are not forgotten. For special trick-or-treaters there’s
Legoland Florida’s Brick-or-Treat where spooky, kooky themed treat stations, scavenger hunt, costume contests are included in regular admission 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. through Oct. http://www.flroidalegoland.com
SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular is a trick or treat in costume, with mermaids, marine life and kids help Sesame Street’s Abby Cadabby hunt for her magic want. Noon -9 p.m. on select dates. Included with park admission. http://www.seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/spooktacular
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is perfect for little ones in costume to trick-or-treat around the Magic Kingdom.. A Boo-to-You parade has a Headless Horseman and characters from the Haunted Mansion, and fireworks, all on select nights until Nov. 2. http://www.disneyworld.disney.go.com and click on Live Events.
Sun. Oct. 28.is the trick-or-treat night from 4 -8 p.m. at the Florida Aquarium Guppyween. $2 kids in costume; $12 ages 12 and up. http://www.flaquarium.org
Mon-Wed. Oct. 1-31 Fantasy of Flight Haunted Hangar, Polk City offers a new spine-tingling walking tour with creepy stories of aviation’s mysteries, e.g. Lost Squadron, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.. Free with general admission. 863-984-3500. http://www.fantasyflight.com

Holiday Fun For Kids

by Adele Woodyard
Have one or more kids ages 2 to 12? Did they like to play with blocks? Build things out of Legos? If “yes” they’ll love Legoland Florida, the states latest theme park. What was once Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven is now a collection of buildings, little people, even actual rides made of millions of Lego bricks. Yet things that move are operational.
In Miniland USA the Sunshine State spreads from Panama City beaches to Key West. Lego cars race around a Daytona Speedway track. A space shuttle gets set to take off from Cape Canaveral and pastel bricks copy the colors of Miami’s South Beach. You meet President Obama with family and dog in front of the White House, watch water shoot from a fountain at New York’s Rockefeller Center, and drop in on Las Vegas.
But what about rides? Kids taller than 34 inches can steer a boat through a river maze, bigger ones earn a driver’s ,license if they safely drive a car. They can shoot at mummies in the Egyptian tomb Lost Kingdom Adventure, or a water cannon during a Jet Ski-like ride. Of course there’s a 4D theatre, pirates, a Legoland Castle and rides for toddlers in a Duplo Village. There’s even a couple of (real-not Lego) roller coasters, one a wooden one left over from Cypress Gardens. Altogether there are over 50 rides and shows spread over 150 acres and many of the attractions feature push button cannons that shoot water, smoke, foam and plastic balls.
My memory of Cypress Gardens recalls a boat ride past flourishing gardens, a water ski show on Lake Eloise, and lovely Southern belles in hoop skirts strolling along the paths. According to my September, 1993 column, a butterfly house and numerous rides had been added, but it was still a beautiful park that appealed more to adults. Today live water ski shows remain, this Southern belle’s hoop skirts cover a body made of 62,000 Lego bricks, and kids can let their imagination run wild. Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $75 adult, $65 ages 3-12 and 60+. 877-350-5346. http://www.floridalegoland.com

Legoland opened Oct. 15. Another “newbie” in an older theme park has featured cheetahs in a ride and habitat, at Busch Gardens, Tampa since May 27. Cheetah Hunt coaster mimics these sleek, exceedingly fast and endangered cats in three separate “launch” sections over 90 minutes. Said to be the longest ride in the park, it is also the least scary, but minimum height is 48”. Since it zips past where they live at 60 mph, Cheetah Run is the best place to view them up close. You might even get to see the baby cheetah named Kasi, and its puppy pal, Mtani. Admission: $83.95 adult $72.75 ages 3-9; deals online. 888-800-5447. http://www.buschgardens.com

Your kids seen the movie The Dolphin Tale yet? Whether yes or no they’ll love to meet Winter, Florida’s newest celebrity at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The dolphin with the prosthetic tail daily charms adults and kids alike. $14.95 adult, $10.95 age 60+, $9.95 ages 3-12. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Thurs. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. http://www.seewinter.com