Volume 2, Issue 3 (April / May 2009) of Orlando Attractions Magazine is now available for preview and pre-Order. FEATURES: • COVER STORY: Idol Opportunity Visitors to Disney’s Hollywood Studios get into the act in the new American Idol Experience. • Unleash Your Inner Celebrity VIP tours offer a unique way to see Orlando’s theme [...]

An eclectic new women’s boutique with trendy apparel and novel accessories is now open at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Tren-D blends vintage and hip designs with whimsical Disney characters in a unique setting befitting the trendiest fashion salons. This new shopping destination showcases the artistry of favorite designers including Tarina Tarantino, Roxy and Kidada Jones.

CityWalk’s newest store, Element, recently opened in a newly constructed space near NASCAR Sports Grille. The store is a skateboard shop with skater-inspired clothes, accessories and of course, skateboards. Element is owned by the same company as Quiet Flight Surf Shop, also in CityWalk. They said they hope to bring in some skateboarding stars for [...]

From orlandosentinel.com: Virgin Megastores around the country — including the one in Downtown Disney — will close this summer, a company spokeswoman confirmed Monday afternoon. Link Update: It was originally reported that Virgin’s last day at Downtown Disney would be May 31. Now it’s been changed to May 12, 2009.

Reading Trout Books in Celebration, the small community’s only book store, is unfortunately closing at the end of the month. The owners, Amy and Adam Parrish, said the store was just taking too much time to run. They both have been running the store along with their full-time jobs with Disney and if that wasn’t [...]

If you’re a Florida resident, you have just a few more days to take advantage of a special price to Discovery Cove. But even if you’re not a resident, keep reading to find out how you can win one of two prize packages. Now through Saturday, Dec. 20, Florida residents can receive a special $219 [...]

The Design-A-Tee store by Hanes is now open in the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Here’s a look: The store consists of eight computer kiosks where you can select the type of tee (long or short sleeve), the size, color, and a graphic design for the front. Some of the categories include characters, celebrations, Pixar and Disney [...]

GIVE THE GIFT OF ATTRACTIONS! We have added a handy (and timely) new feature to theOrlando Attractions Magazine web site. You can now purchase subscriptions, back issues, and t-shirts as gifts and create your own Attractions-themed gift note to print or e-mail. Just add the items to your shopping cart and look for the  icon when checking out. If you select that the [...]

This holiday season, Downtown Disney has gone to the dogs. Disney’s new “Santa Paws” invites dog owners to bring their pooches for a photo opportunity and meet and greet with Santa Claus. It’s doggone fun for pups as they enjoy the yuletide cheer, pose for pictures and share their Christmas wish list with St. Nick [...]

The lakeside setting of Downtown Disney is the backdrop for more than 150 artisans displaying original creations during the 33rd annual Festival of the Masters today through Sunday (Nov. 7 to 9, 2008). Festival of the Masters is a nationally recognized art show which is ranked among the country’s best outdoor art festivals each year. [...]

From bizjournals.com: The shuttered Splendid China theme park may get a new life soon. Boca Raton-based Falcone Land & Development LLC is working with Kissimmee-based R.J. Whidden & Associates Inc., a planning and civil engineering firm, on plans for a multiphase redevelopment of a 366-acre site in Osceola County that includes the former theme park [...]

Ricky and I will be manning a table all day this Sunday during the NFFC (National Fantasy Fan Club) Giant All Disneyana Show and Sale at the Regal Sun Resort near Downtown Disney. We’ll have our newest issue as well as back issues available for sale. More information from the NFFC’s Web site below. Come [...]

With one of the most important elections for our nation on the horizon, Gap and singer/songwriter Matt White are inviting Orlando shoppers to voice their passions by customizing a free Gap “Vote For__” T-shirt tomorrow (Labor Day) from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. while supplies last. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Universal Studios or SeaWorld, [...]

We’ve had readers ask us what’s happening with the long-planned, never progressing Ron Jon Surf Park at the Festival Bay Mall. By this summer, they were supposed to have a huge surf area with a full-size wave pool, two smaller ones and a lazy river that brings you back to the start after you’ve surfed [...]