The theme parks in Central Florida are always trying to re-invent themselves for their guests, offering new attractions, shows, restaurants and yearly celebrations to encourage guests to come back year after year – and to give them something to look forward to! Universal Orlando is no different – over the past year, and in the upcoming year, Universal has several new experiences that have either already opened or are on the horizon for every guest at the Universal Orlando Resort.

Perhaps the most anticipated and newest attraction to open at Universal is The Simpsons RIDE. Having just opened at Universal Studios Florida, guests follow their beloved characters from the hit TV show as they visit Krustyland, a low-budget theme park made by none other than Krusty the Clown! Join Homer, Marge and the gang as you travel through Krustyland for the ride of a lifetime, crashing through Krustyland’s attractions, stunt shows and rides. All of this takes place in vehicles that are before a large IMAX theater screen, as each vehicle creates the simulation of motion, speed and flight for a ride experience like none other!

Another unique experience at Universal is just outside the theme parks’ gates at CityWalk. Here, you can see Blue Man Group, a worldwide phenomenon that opened at Universal Orlando in June of 2007. Thought it may be reaching its one-year anniversary, this show is still making waves in Central Florida, as it combines a unique blend of music, comedy and theatrics that has brought a brand new entertainment option to the entire Orlando area for locals and tourists alike. If you go, plan on seeing a one-hour, 45-minute live stage show that brings an eclectic mix of live music, percussion instruments and humor that amazes and engages its audience with new and unique creativity never seen before. Whether you are seeing it for the first time or are a repeat guest, Blue Man Group should definitely be on your Universal Orlando itinerary!

Speaking of CityWalk, Universal’s newest restaurant is now open right here in this entertainment district. The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant & Market is fun for the entire family, with mouth-watering entrees of what else – shrimp – along with other menu selections like seafood, steaks, sandwiches and desserts. And before you can say “Run, Forrest, Run!,” be sure to check out all of the memorabilia throughout the restaurant from the famous Oscar-winning film, “Forrest Gump.”

If you are looking for another new dining adventure at Universal, be sure to also check out Islands of Adventure’s all-new character breakfast. Join a host of animated characters each Thursday through Sunday morning from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Confisco Grille for the most important – and fun – meal of the day! Reservations are required for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (call 407-224-4012), and meal prices are $15.95 for adults and $9.95 for children.

Finally, if you are a wrestling fan, you won’t want to miss Total Nonstop Action Wrestling live at Universal Studios. Universal Studios day guests can be a part of the Spike TV show’s tapings and Pay Per View events for free at Universal Studios’ Soundstage 21 at the park. Tapings are held on select dates (the current schedule goes through May 27, 2008), and all seats are first-come, first served. Even non-Universal guests can enjoy these tapings for free – simply proceed to the SHARP Aquos Theatre at CityWalk, head to the right and follow the signs for the taping. For the most up-to-date information on the show, call 407-224-6000.

If any of the above shows or attractions interest you, all you have to do is one thing – come visit the Universal Orlando Resort today! And for an inexpensive way to see everything at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, including Blue Man Group, you have come to the right place. DWtickets.com is your No. 1 online source for discounted theme park tickets, so be sure to click here to save your family precious money on your next vacation. And, while you are here, check out our discounted ticket options for the other top attractions in Central Florida, including Disney, Sea World and local dinner shows, among others. We hope to see you real soon!

If you would like an alternative to spending Valentines Day at one of the two Universal theme parks the Universal Orlando Resort still has plenty of options for you and your loved one, from an exciting show at CityWalk to plenty of romantic options at the three resorts there on property. Or, you could always spend a day in the parks and then end your day with a bang with one of these options. If that is the plan, you can count on DWTickets.com to help with your Valentine’s Day expenses. We are your No. 1 online source for discounted tickets to all of the top attractions in Central Florida, so click here to peruse through these special discounted offers and get your Valentine’s Day planning underway!

As we mentioned earlier, the three first-class hotels at the Universal Orlando Resort are a great way to begin and end your Valentine’s Day this year. In addition to the plethora of amenities available, guests at these three resorts also get select privileges to both of the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure parks, including a UNIVERSAL EXPRESS ride access pass, special activities and recreation, and many other perks for your park-hopping adventures.

The Royal Pacific Hotel is the largest of the three resort hotels, with 1,000 rooms, and is also the most affordable option of the three. This resort is a tropical paradise, with tropical landscaping, elaborate waterfalls and the orchid court with flowers in bloom all year long that will instantly transport any guest to an island in the South Seas. With a sandy lagoon-style pool to lay by in the afternoon and many fine dining establishments to visit at night (including Emeril’s Tchoup Chop, his second restaurant on property, featuring cuisine with Asian and Polynesian influences), you won’t even have to step foot off of the property to fully enjoy Valentine’s Day this year.

The second resort at Universal, the Hard Rock Hotel, prides itself on being the “coolest hotel on earth.” A California mission-style facade will greet the guests upon arrival, and a palm-lined swimming pool immerses visitors in not only water, but sound as well with their underwater music feature. With rock-n-roll memorabilia located throughout and a monthly rock-n-roll party with live bands, you truly can feel like a rock star at this resort. With 650 rooms, it is the smallest of the three accommodations, but it is by no means lacking in the entertainment department. If you happen to be staying here on Valentine’s Day, the Palm Restaurant at the Hard Rock Hotel is the most recommended sit-down restaurant, with a legendary menu of American fare, Italian cuisine, prime cuts of beef and jumbo lobster. For reservations for the Palm Restaurant, call 407-503-7256.

The third and final resort on property, the Portofino Bay Hotel, is at the head of the class for the Universal Orlando resorts and is by far the most romantic of all of the Universal Orlando hotels. It, like the other two resorts, has won numerous awards, including the AAA Four Diamond Award, Travel + Leisure Top-500 Hotels, and it is listed by Conde Nast as one of the "World’s Best Places to Stay." With its 750 guest rooms, an average room size of 463 square feet and three distinct pools (including a beach pool with children’s play area, an elegant villa pool with cabanas and a hillside pool), it outshines its competition. At the Portofino Bay Hotel, one can experience la dolce vita – the sweet life – as the picturesque hotel is located along a bay, creating the charm of a sunny seaside village of Portofino, Italy. It is even complete with intricate details such as cobblestone streets and outdoor cafes. Rooms offer stylish and spacious accommodations with Italian furnishings and VIP service all stay long, and dining here is heads and shoulders above the competition as well, with Mama Della’s Ristorante, Bice Ristorante and Trattoria del Porto all offering the finest in Italian cuisine.

If you happen to venture out of your hotel on Valentine’s Day, CityWalk offers a plethora of choices for a special Valentine’s Day. You can experience all of the clubs and bars at this entertainment hub, go see a movie at the AMC Universal Cineplex – or do both! For just $11.99, you can purchase a CityWalk Party Pass, which gives you unlimited one-night access to many of the clubs, bars and restaurants located around CityWalk (of note: this is included with your multi-theme park admission). Or, for $15.40, enjoy the CityWalk Party Pass and a Movie, which allows you the same access as above, with an additional pass to see a movie at the AMC Universal Cineplex, a 20-screen movie theater complex located in the heart of CityWalk. Among the clubs you will encounter at CityWalk are the Red Coconut Club, the newest venture that sits atop CityWalk, the groove – a dance club with a different theme each night – or Pat O’Brien’s, a re-creation of New Orleans’ favorite watering hole.

CityWalk also has another option that is still relatively new to the Orlando entertainment scene. Blue Man Group now occupies the Sharp AQUOS Theater at CityWalk, located between Hard Rock Café and the main entrance to Universal Studios, providing a small and intimate atmosphere for every single seat in house. Blue Man Group combines a unique blend of music, comedy and theatrics in a one-hour, 45-minute live stage show that amazes and engages its audience with new and unique creativity never seen before. Tickets for this show range from $59-$69 per person, with children’s tickets ranging from $49-$59. However, at DW Tickets, you can purchase discounted Blue Man Group tickets – simply call 1-877-219-9328 to place your order!

From all of us here at DWTickets.com, we would like to wish you a very happy Valentine’s Day!

ABC's hit show : "Dancing With the Stars" will be making it's long anticipated arrival in Orlando, at the Amway Arena, home of the Orlando Magic. The show will be coming to town on June 25, and will be featuring most of the popular show's most famous dance stars, including Joey Lawernce, Cheryl Burke, Drew Lachey, Joey Fatone, formerly of N'SYNC, and Edyta Sliwinska. This is a very exciting time for the city of Orlando and there will be many more events coming into town this summer. With NFL Hall of Famers such as Jerry Rice, Emmit Smith, and NBA Hall of Famer Clyde "The Glide" Drexler participating in past contests, Dancing With The Stars has become a must-see event, and the City of Orlando is very proud to be hosting one of their tour stops on June 25th, 2007.

The Blue Man Group will be arriving next month at Universal starting on June 7th, and Tony N Tina's Wedding is already in full force over in Kissimmee. School will be out in a few weeks, so this is the time to get your kids, load up the mini-van, and come on down to Orlando, Florida - where you can take the happiest vacation on the planet. Buy discount Disney World tickets by CLICKING HERE and take advantage of big savings for the entire family. See you in Orlando, and don't forget to bring your bathing suit.