Traveling to Disney World in Orlando is the best part of the year for many people.  For some, it's a trip they're only able to experience every few years, or even once in a lifetime.  If only Orlando was just around the corner for everyone, and didn't cost any money to travel to, or to gain admission into the parks.

Well, thank you Google, because now anyone can go walking down Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom, or walk up to Spaceship Earth in EPCOT.  Well, in a different type of reality, but one that you're able to do well wearing your pajamas and sitting on your own couch.

By now, we are all familiar with Google Street Views, and most of us have seen the Google Street Car driving around with the green camera atop its room.  Those cars have literally mapped and photographed every street in America.  And, now, they have mapped and photographed all the streets of the Walt Disney World Resort.

Now we can all go right to Cinderella Castle, walk around, and explore the park just as all those lucky vacationers were doing on that beautiful sunny day...




Or, how about visiting EPCOT...




This is such a cool thing for many reasons.  For one, this makes the parks immediately accessible to anyone and everyone.  But, for those of us who are planning an upcoming trip to Disney World, this gives people a resource to help familiarize themselves with the layout of the parks before they actually arrive.

So, a big thank you to the Google Street View Trekkers (like the one pictured below).  Although, who wouldn't have wanted to do that job?  Sign me up!

The Orlando Eye is a 400-foot tall Ferris wheel of sorts, or, as their website describes it, a "400-foot tall observation wheel".  It is located right on International Drive (click here for Google maps location), and, for the first time in a long time, it presents a new angle to see Orlando.  One that, until now, very few people have been fortunate to see.


From high above the ground, encapsulated in comfortable viewing rooms, riders are able to look out over and past Orlando in all directions.  It's really an incredible way to soar above all the action below, to see all the theme parks, lakes, and water parks, to view the Orlando city skyline, to point in the direction of a hotel you might be staying in, and, on a clear day, to see all the way to Cape Canaveral and the Atlantic Ocean.

The Orlando Eye has posted it's opening times through December 31st, and the attraction will open every day at 10 AM.  It will close each night at 10 PM, with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays, when it will be open till midnight.  Tickets are fairly affordable at $25, however, if you prepurchase your tickets and schedule a time slot, the price is discounted to only $18.  And, if you would like a glass of champagne for your adventure, the price is $32.  They also offer several combo ticket options, where you receive discounts if you pair your Orlando Eye ticket with other attractions (SEA LIFE, Madam Tussaud's, and Legoland).

To check out The Orlando Eye website, click here.



Over the weekend, there was a small issue with the wheel, and the attraction was shut down for approximately an hour.  Although there were some frustrated guests, the crews worked hard and quickly to get it back up and running.  More info here

It's sad to say, but sometimes it's time to say goodbye to the old, and hello to the new.  Although we have been long-time fans of Dr. Doom's Fearfall and Disaster, the new rides and attractions steal all of our attention.  Check out the their full analysis here.

For a paltry $39 (regular price is $68), you can watch the court drama unfold from your royal table. Brave knights will joust for your honor! Serving wenches will bring delicious food to your table! Ladies will faint for the honor of being in your presence!

Your "traditional" meal includes oven-roasted chicken, herb-roasted potatoes, tomato bisque soup, garlic bread, spare rib, and a pastry, plus two rounds of soft drinks, coffee, or tea. The only thing not included is your mead. Er..wine. I'm not exactly sure that's a traditional meal for the 11th century Spanish castle that you'll be sitting in, but details! And don't worry, your little prince or princess won't be left out. Children's tickets are also available for the deal for $29 (regularly $42). You can use your ticket anytime between now and January 31, 2014.

Want to earn all of that Halloween candy you'll be eating soon? On Saturday, October 5 at 10pm runners and Disney villains alike will descend on Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler course will be full of nighttime thrills and chills as participants travel a course of pavement, grass, and sand from Hollywood Studios to ESPN's Wide World of Sports, then back to Hollywood Studios and on to a finish that they'll never forget. In addition to on-course entertainment and refreshments, runners will also receive a race shirt, finisher medal, and entry to the Disney Villains Hollywood Bash party.



If a creepy 10-miler isn't quite your idea of fun, there will be several other runDisney events taking place that weekend, including the Disney Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run and several Kids Races.



For more information or to register for one (or more!) of the races, click here.

I know that a lot of you out there collect Mickey Ear hats. Well, get ready for the latest and greatest. The latest ear hat will not only glow in the dark; it will also "glow in myriad colors, commanded with the latest technology to complement the imagery and beat of the fireworks and spectaculars." How cool is that? 



The ears will debut on October 15, which is also the 15th anniversary of Fantasmic!, Disney's nighttime show at Hollywood Studios. If you've always wanted to be a part of the show, now's your chance! The hats will be available for $25 each at select locations in the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

For more information, click here.

On Friday, September 13th, Disney's Hollywood Studios will stay open until the 13th hour (or 1am, as us non-villains call it). Hades, lord of the dead, is hosting a creep-tacular party that you don't want to miss. We all know that the Disney villains are way more interesting than the heroes and heroines, so make sure you don't miss this event.



Naturally, this is a Disney event, so in addition to the hot club music and even hotter dancers, there will be a meet and greet with your favorite Disney villains. And in the lead up to the 13th hour, the sky will light up with the "Villainy in the Sky" fireworks display.

The dance party is part of Disney's Limited Time Magic series, which brings 52 weeks of surprises (big and small) to the Disney parks. And this Limited Time Magic is really limited - the 13th Mischief only lasts from 8pm - 1am. For more information, visit the Limited Time Magic page.

P.S. - This is a great warm-up for all of the Halloween shenanigans that Orlando has to offer.

Ladies, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think there's a Disney princess in all of us. And it sounds like Walt Disney World agrees with me.On September 18, 2013 (that's just over a week away!), the Princess Fairytale Hall will open its doors, and the princesses will be there to greet their fans.

Visitors will be able to choose if they want to meet Cinderella and a visiting princess or Rapunzel and a visiting princess. Naturally, the setting will be exquisitely royal - a Disney princess and her honored guests deserve no less! In addition to details taken from the princesses' stories (think shoes and crowns for Cinderella, and you'll get the idea), each room is also stocked with princess story books, just in case you've somehow forgotten the specifics of your princess's story. Remember, this is Disney. "No detail is too insignificant."

Want to know more? Just check out the video below!

By now, you should already have September 21 marked on your calendar for Dapper Day at Walt Disney World. (We certainly made sure to tell you about it!) If you haven't, what are you waiting for? How many chances do you get to dress up in your dapper finest and join your fellow fashionistas in stepping out in your Fall finest?


Still need some encouragement? Check out the Dapper Day Instagram feed for some inspiration. Convinced now? We thought you might be! So what are you waiting for? Go buy your discounted park passes now!

Usually, we go to the Disney resorts to indulge in a few days of family fun and roller coasters, but what if you're looking for a bit more quiet and pampering? Don't worry - Disney can provide that, too! Saratoga Springs, a two-story, full-service spa opened on July 25th at the Walt Disney World Resort.


The wood floors, stone details, and wood-beamed ceilings were inspired by 19th century resorts at Saratoga Springs, New York that were built in order to take advantage of the therapeutic properties of the natural springs. If it sounds like you might be roughing it, don't worry. "Walt Disney Imagineers incorporated nature through the design using a hummingbird motif showcased in wood carvings and furnishings; alongside authentic Native American artwork." This is Disney, after all, not upstate New York.

The spa's core themes are renew, relax, and imagine. Signature services start at $65 for the Saratoga Springs Signature Pedicure at top out at $435 for the four-hour Saratoga Springs Getaway. Additional services, from massage therapies to skincare to hand and foot treatments are also available. We can't imagine a better way to renew and relax.

If you have little ones in your family, there's a good chance that Orlando's spookier Halloween offerings are more trick than treat. But never fear! (Yes, yes. Bad pun intended.) Disney's Magic Kingdom has you covered with Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.


On select nights from September 10 through November 1, you can dress up and join the not-so-scary fun as you trick-or-treat with Mickey and all of his friends. In addition to the standard candy collection, you can also attend the Disney Villains Mix and Mingle in front of Cinderella's castle, watch Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade (led by the Headless Horseman), and fireworks and songs at Happy HalloWishes.

Admission to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is not included in regular park admission. Tickets start at $59 for adults and $54 for children 3 - 9. To view available dates and purchase tickets, click here.

Normally, we think of dreams coming true when we think of the Orlando theme park experience. But what if all of your nightmares came true instead? Well, strap in, friends, because that's exactly what happens at Halloween Horror Nights. On select nights from September 20 - November 2, Universal Studios will be taken over by the things that go bump in the night - especially zombies.


Fans of AMC's The Walking Dead are in for a special treat (and probably several very nasty tricks) because this year's HHN theme is lifted straight from the show. More details will be coming soon, but if you want to make sure you have the chance to run for your life, buy your tickets now. Prices start at $91.99 for a single night of horror, and there are multiple add-on and package options available. If you want to make sure you hear all the latest and gory greatest, sign up for the email newsletter.

Don't believe us when we say it's horrifying? Check out the video from the last time HHN teamed up with The Walking Dead. This is Universal's 23rd year running the creep show, so you better believe that they know what they're doing.

I don't know about you, but there's something about Fall that makes me want to be more stylish. Summer is far too hot. Winter requires too many layers. And Spring fashion just doesn't have quite the same appeal. But Fall. Fall is amazing. And what better way to celebrate the arrival of Fall than with the Dapper Day Fall Soiree at Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios? Mark your calendars for September 21, and start polishing your pearls and wingtips.



If you've never heard of Dapper Day before now, here's how the group is described on their website: "DAPPER DAY Events celebrate the tradition of stepping out in style. All sophisticated fashions, from vintage-inspired to contemporary chic, are encouraged." Sounds pretty amazing, right? If you're not sure what kind of outfits are appropriate, don't worry - you can check out the idea board on Dapper Day's site. They also have an online store with cute buttons and pins and tote bags so that you can let everyone know you're a Dapper Day participant. (Chances are that the typical park guest won't be nearly as dapper as you are, but you never know.)

Discounted park tickets are available here. The pricing options start at $59 for a 1-day, 1-theme park after 4pm pass. Please note that the discounted Dapper Day tickets are only available until September 20, so don't assume that you can be fashionably late to this party.

Notorious chef Tony Bourdain is making his way to Orlando - on April 26 at 8pm, Bourdain will be center stage at Hard Rock Live Orlando. Much like the the man himself, his shows are often notorious for being expensive and for selling out in minutes. But GrouponLive has you covered. For a mere $33, you, too, can see Bourdain in action.


Here are the deal details, directly from the GrouponLive site:

The Deal

• $33 for one G-Pass to see Guts and Glory: An Evening With Anthony Bourdain (Up to a $65.30 value)
• When: Friday, April 26, at 8 p.m.
• Where: Hard Rock Live Orlando
• Seating: Rows D–M of the rear-balcony section
• Door time: 7:30 p.m.
• Ticket values include all fees.
• Click here to view the seating chart.

With Animal Kingdom's 15th anniversary AND Earth Day happening on April 22, the official Disney blog decided it was the perfect time to release this amazing time lapse video of the Tree of Life's construction.


Ready for a few pieces of trivia? The Tree of Life is 145 feet tall, and there are 325 different animals carved into its trunk, roots, and branches. It was built to represent the circle of life - I'm pretty sure we can all sing along to that one, right?

Want to know more about the plans for Animal Kingdom's anniversary? Be sure to check out this blog post!

Moroccan cuisine makes use of many Mediterranean ingredients and is know for its extensive use of spices. It's also a bit of a cult favorite at Epcot's World Showcase Pavilion. And now lovers of Disney and Moroccan food have reason to rejoice: by the end of this year, a new waterfront Moroccan eatery will open in Epcot.


The menu at Spice Road Table will feature tapas-sized portions of Morocco's best-known dishes. With both indoor and outdoor seating, we hope that Spice Road will open in time to enjoy some of Orlando's gorgeous late Summer and early Fall weather.

And from the sound of it, this restaurant is just the beginning of of several enhancements to this stop on Epcot's world tour.

For all of you who just can't wait for Disney's Star Wars Weekends in May, we have a little treat for you to enjoy right now. Through April 7, the Orlando Science Center will be exhibiting "Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination."

In case you missed the announcement two weeks ago, Downtown Disney is expanding. Work began this week on Disney Springs, and while the work currently isn't all that exciting, the plans look amazing.


The project is slated to finish in 2016 and "will treat guests to significantly more shopping, dining, and entertainment amid beautiful open-air promenades, meandering springs, and waterfront charm." Visitors will find a mix of Disney and non-Disney branded items in shops of all sizes, from boutiques to flagship anchor stores.

The expansion and renovation will approximately double the number of shops and restaurants currently found in Downtown Disney and will divide the space into four unique "neighborhoods." The Town Center will offer sophisticated shopping and dining; the Landing will be a colorful commercial district with inspired dining and beautiful waterfront views. For a more family-friendly environment, guests can visit Marketplace, which sounds like it will encompass most (if not all) of the current Downtown Disney area. Finally, a West Side will play host to a more "exuberant atmosphere with lively entertainment."

For more information and frequently asked questions, make sure to visit the Disney Springs announcement page.

The date for this year's Orlando Restaurant Week (put on by Orlando Weekly) have been announced. Mark your calendars for May 1 - 11, 2013. Details are still scarce, but if previous years are any indication, you're in for several treats.



Participating restaurants offer prix fixe meals ranging from $10 - $35 for 2 or 3 courses. Menu and price, obviously, are dependent on your choice. Last year's choices ran the gamut from bbq and food trucks to steaks and fondue.

Make sure you follow Orlando Weekly on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the latest announcements.