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Beauty pageant still set tomorrow at Cypress Gardens

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Be part of history as Cypress Gardens brings the excitement of a beauty pageant to the park tomorrow. The pageant takes place at 6 p.m. in the Royal Palm Theater. The two highest scoring ladies will be awarded Miss Cypress Gardens USA and Miss Winter Haven USA and advance to the Miss Florida USA Pageant in 2009. They both will receive the same prize packages including: college scholarships; photo shoots with a modeling agent; custom jewelry; passes to Cypress Gardens; personal training and more.

There are three areas of the competition, each worth 1/3 of the total score – interview, swimwear and evening wear. The interview portions consist of a panel question and an on-stage question. The panel interviews will take place and be judged before the pageant production. The on-stage question follows the evening gown portion of the pageant. Interviews are judged on poise, charm, self-confidence, their ability to communicate and the substance of their answers. During the swimsuit competition judges will focus on beauty, figure/physical fitness and the confidence with which each contestant carries herself. The final area of the competition is evening wear. Contestants will be judged on overall appearance, self-confidence and sense of style, as well as stage presence and posture.

All Cypress Gardens park guests may attend the pageant at no additional cost. For guests arriving after 3 p.m. there is a special admission cost of $20. There will be a pageant registration table at the front gate. There will be general seating in the theater.

For more information about the pageant, including a full list of the prizes, visit cypressgardens.com/MissCGUSA.

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Interactive 'Kim Possible' experience coming to Epcot

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Later this fall, Epcot guests will get to experience a brand new interactive attraction inspired by Disney Channel’s animated series Kim Possible. The new experience is slated to premiere in late 2008.

Using the latest technology, Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure will invite guests of all ages to become secret agents, teaming up with members of Team Possible to save the world from various comical villains and their mad inventions.

As guests embark on this international adventure, they will receive an official “Kimmunicator,” at kiosks throughout Epcot. The interactive, handheld device is designed to help them maneuver through the mission. The interactive device connects guests with a variety of Kim Possible characters who provide clues to stop villains from taking over the world. The highly interactive devices also allow guests to control top-secret equipment hidden inside the World Showcase pavilions, creating an ultra-interactive adventure jam-packed with mystery and excitement.

Guests can play Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure in seven of the World Showcase pavilions: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France and United Kingdom. Each pavilion features a unique mission including distinctive visual events and a different super villain from the animated series.

“Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure is an example of a next generation attraction that offers fun and excitement for the entire family,” said Jim MacPhee, Epcot vice president. “We are constantly exploring new ways to provide immersive experiences to Epcot guests, and this new offering will add to our dynamic portfolio.”

“Today’s emerging generation expects more immersive, personal and interactive experiences in every facet of their lives, including their entertainment choices,” added Bruce Vaughn, chief creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering. “As leaders in family entertainment, Disney theme parks push the envelope by combining state-of-the-art technology with creative storytelling to enhance the overall Disney vacation experience.”

Disney’s “Kim Possible” is an Emmy Award-winning animated series from creators/executive producers Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle and Walt Disney Television Animation. It tells the story of an average high school cheerleader, Kim Possible, who, in her spare time, happens to save the world from super villains. With the aid of her enthusiastic pals, this contemporary heroine is capable in ways few high school students ever imagine. On the flipside, she realizes that defeating the bad guys comes easier than coping with the typical teen pressures of schooling and socializing. Viewer’s connection to “Kim Possible” led to a successful off-TV franchise for The Walt Disney Company including Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable characters at Disney Parks, DVDs, books, video games and Disney Consumer Product’s line of “Kim Possible” branded products available at mass retailers nationwide.

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Magazine lists free things to do in Orlando

The below list is just part of a long list of free things to do in Orlando I recently came across on National Geographic Traveler magazine’s Web site.

Fitting for our magazine, I’ve highlighted their attractions section, but you can click to their site for other suggestions in the categories of art, culture, families, food/drink, outdoor, and theater/music.

From nationalgeographic.com:

Attractions

Enjoy the sights and smells of tropical plants at A World of Orchids in Kissimmee. The 22,500-square-foot (2,090-square-meter) conservatory has orchids as well as many other species of exotic flora. Walk along the path and admire natural exhibits with flowers from Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Australia, and Central and South America. Closed Sundays.

Walk through A World of Orchids, a huge conservatory filled with tropical plants from around the world.
Take a walk in Big Tree Park, and visit Florida’s oldest resident, “the Senator.” At 118 feet (38 meters) tall and approximately 3,500 years old, it is one of America’s oldest bald cypress trees. Amble along the boardwalk or bring along lunch to eat at one of the park’s many picnic tables.

Stroll along Disney’s Boardwalk, a re-creation of a 1930s-style Atlantic coastal village. The 45-acre (18-hectare) waterfront district is known for its nightclubs and entertainment hot spots, but all visitors can enjoy the many street musicians, magicians, and performers for free.

Walk the streets of the picture-perfect town of Celebration. The town, conceived by Disney, is a blend of historic-themed architecture and modern technology. Admire the old-fashioned properties and let the kids play in the interactive fountain. Stop by the farmers market on Sunday mornings or check out the many free events (author readings and signings) offered by Reading Trout Books. Visitors can even see (fake) snow falling in the winter months.

You don’t need a Disney World ticket to enjoy Disney shops and entertainment. Stroll the streets of Downtown Disney Marketplace for an array of boutiques and eateries for every budget. Check out their Festival of the Masters (November), an arts-and-crafts event where kids can create their own chalk masterpieces. Watch glassblowers at Arribas Brothers; visit the 4,400-square-foot (409-square-meter) Lego Imagination Center to compete in a “beat-the-clock” building contest, or see a 12-foot (3.6-meter) T. rex and 30-foot (9-meter) sea serpent, both made of thousands of pieces of one of America’s favorite toys. 

Even if you’re not in the park, the Magic Kingdom fireworks can be seen from other areas. Leave your car in the main parking lot and take the free tram to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) for the best up-close views of the nightly fireworks. If you are staying in a Disney-operated resort, hop on the monorail for free and get off at the Magic Kingdom entrance to watch the show.

Just north of Orlando is the largest flea market in the U.S. Fleaworld and Funworld have more than 1,700 vendors selling bargain-priced items. The venues showcase acrobatic shows, circus and magic acts, and exotic animals. Fleaworld is open Friday-Sunday; Funworld is open on weekends only. Both have free admission.

Each year, thousands of tourists who visit Orlando go to Lake Wales, Florida, to see if the old Indian Legend of Spook Hill is true. A sign marks the spot where you should stop your car, put it in neutral, and watch as your car rolls uphill.

Just south of the Orlando International Airport is Old Town, a unique amusement park and shopping area. Over 700 motorcyclists rally through the streets on Thursday nights. On Saturday nights Old Town comes to life with a vintage-car parade with over 300 cars. While the park offers live entertainment every night at 7:30 p.m., its Saturday night show (7 p.m.) plays exclusively ’50s and ’60s rock ‘n’ roll. Visitors must buy tickets for the amusement rides, but admission to Old Town, and its concerts and car shows, is free.

All Orlando visitors can enjoy free nightly Italian music performances at the picturesque Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. The hotel has been recognized as one of the most elaborate themed hotel environments in the United States.

Even if you’re not the gambling type, you can take a boat ride aboard the Sterling Casino Lines for absolutely no cost. The luxurious five-deck, 75,000-square-foot (6,967-square-meter) Ambassador II leaves from Port Canaveral (Terminal #2B) every day at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Guests can watch Vegas-style entertainment, listen to live Caribbean drum music, and enjoy a complimentary deli-style buffet during the five-hour cruise. Gamblers will also enjoy free cocktails. The cruise is only for those 21 and up, so leave the kids with grandma. Reservations recommended.

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Photos and video from the Pokemon World Championships

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On Saturday I attended the 2008 Pokémon World Championships at the Hilton hotel near Downtown Disney. Although I’m not into Pokemon myself, I brought along my 9-year-old son, who is a big pokemon fan.

The day started with the opening ceremony where they showed a short video and talked about the 400-plus trading card game entrants from 25 different countries. As soon as the ceremony ended, the games began. Although people from every country could enter the trading card game championship, the video game challenge was between the U.S. and Japan. Everyone in the championship had won their spot by qualifying earlier this year.

In addition to rooms set up for the card championships and video game championships, they also had a free-play room available and a movie room showing Pokemon movies all day. There were also many pokemon banners, signs and walk-around and blow-up characters.

The movie is below. You can see the photo gallery here.
For more information and the full list of winners, visit go-pokemon.com/worlds.

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