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x5red · 6 years ago

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Sixty fun & fascinating facts about the classic Supergirl (1 / 4)

Great guns! How time flies!

May 2019 will mark sixty years since the pages of Action Comics #252 carried its landmark tale: a crashed rocket ship in a Midvale field, and emerging from within, an enthusiastic young teenager who was destined to become one of Earth’s fiercest champions. That teenager was, of course, Kara Zor-El -- otherwise known as Supergirl..!

To celebrate the classic Kara Zor-El’s sixtieth anniversary, compiled below is part one of a series outlining sixty surprising or unusual facts about the original intrepid Argo City teen who leapt from that crumpled Midvale rocket ship. Covering her original Silver and Bronze Age incarnation, in comics and on screen, each factoid is calculated to intrigue and delight -- hopefully even seasoned Kara fans will find a few morsels of trivia that had previously escaped their attention.

Enjoy...

1. She wasn’t originally known as Kara Zor-El when she debuted in comics.

What’s in a name? Well not a lot, it seems, if you happen to be Kryptionian..!

Although everyone knows Supergirl’s real name is Kara Zor-El, the Maid of Might herself didn’t deem it worthy of a mention until Action Comics #288 (May 1962), three years after her introduction, when she innocently referenced her full moniker during a dream sequence. After that readers would need to wait another fifteen years(!) before she’d mention it again in Superman Family #177 (June 1976). Outside of these rare instances Kara was usually known as Kara of Argo City, or in very early comics simply just as Kara, her birthplace itself not having acquired a name until Action Comics #280 (Sep 1961).

2. 1984′s Supergirl wasn’t actually the first movie headlined by a superhero female.

Many movie buffs will list 1984′s Supergirl as the breakthrough release that finally saw women headline a movie in the superhero genre, but this is far from the truth.

Supergirl’s record is true, but only in the English-speaking world: there had already been numerous superhero movies in non-English markets centred around super-powered female crime fighters, most notably in the Philippines. The most popular Filipino superheroine, Darna, had already racked up no less than eleven movies by 1980, plus one guest appearance in another hero’s movie.

3. She once fell madly in love with a woman.

As incredible as it seems today, the straight-laced DC Comics of the 1960s once okayed a story in which the Maid of Might fell head-over-heels in love with a woman. It happened in Adventure Comics #384 (Sept 1969), and, as you might expect, the story had a few twists and turns before the true nature of Kara’s romance was revealed.

The short version is this: Kara uses computer dating to select a match suitable for a superwoman. The computer picks Volar, a male superhero from the deeply misogynistic planet of Torma (second planet of Star-Sun 447B, in case you want to pay a visit.) Kara travels to Torma and is smitten by Volar, but he seems reluctant to reciprocate her affections. Eventually the plot reveals its twist: due to Torma’s notorious chauvinism, Volar is actually a superheroine forced to masquerade as a superhero. ”I’m heading back to Earth – where I belong!”, exclaims a disappointed Girl of Steel, “I found out Volar was no hit – but a real miss!” (Ho ho!)

4. She’s a self-professed fan of Jazz.

Growing up in both Argo City and Midvale, Kara was probably exposed to a wide range of different musical styles -- but at the end of a long day saving the world, what kind of sounds did she like to relax to? The pages of Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #7 (May 1983) dropped readers a hint when Kara expressed a strong affinity towards Jazz music. Indeed in a later issue of that same series, it is while attending a free Jazz concert with friends in Chicago’s Grant Park that Kara first tangled with the super-villain Reactron (making his comicbook debut.)

5. She once packed in her superhero career to become a socialite and style-icon in Paris.

The mid-60s was an interesting time for DC Comics; a tipping point between the juvenile gimmick-driven hangover of the Golden Age, and the more mature storytelling style of the upcoming Bronze Age, as one generation of artists and writers slowly gave way to the next. Brave and the Bold #63 (Dec 1965) fell squarely into the former category with its outlandish story, Revolt of the Super-Chicks.

The tale begins with a restless Kara feeling unappreciated: the public see her as just a hero in a gaudy costume, ignoring the sophisticated woman inside. Much to the chagrin of Kal-El, Kara abandons her superhero-ing career and heads to the bright lights of Paris to live it up. Kal sends Wonder Woman to Paris to talk some sense into Kara (the first time the pair had shared an adventure, by the way), but Diana is likewise wooed by the socialite lifestyle and joins Kara in her nocturnal revelry. If it hadn’t been for the intervention of the villain Multi-Face, the pair might have still been in Paris now.

6. Producer Ilya Salkind regretted Helen Slater’s casting as Supergirl.

When Ilya Salkind took on the task of co-producing Superman-related movies in the mid 1970s, he’d argued against the wishes of both Warner Bros. and his producer father, Alexander, by suggesting that the title role not go to a Hollywood A-lister. Ilya followed exactly the same logic when it came time to cast 1984′s Supergirl, championing an unknown actor called Helen Slater over more bankable names such as Brooke Shields (favoured by his father.)

In an interview in 2000, however, Ilya seemed to have some regrets, telling Scott Michael Bosco on behalf of Digital Cinema, “[...] frankly, with hindsight I regret it. Brooke Shields would have – not made it a better movie, but perhaps a more commercial one. This I’m convinced. I think there would have been more men seeing the movie.” Commenting on how Slater’s screen presence was more Katherine Hepburn than Sophia Loren, Salkind noted, “What happened, I think, is that we lost a lot of the audience, the male audience. I think it was also because the girl was a little unattainable.”

7. One of her most iconic costumes was originally designed by a fan.

Supergirl has had a number of crime-fighting outfits over the decades, but two particularly stand out as being iconic: Helen Slater’s 1984 movie costume (plus its imitators, such as the post-Crisis Matrix costume and Melissa Benoist’s tv costume), and the 1970s hotpants outfit.

The Girl of Steel’s hotpants attire was a racy number that screamed 70s sexploitation at a volume only Kryptonian lungs could achieve: short shorts, a plunging V neckline, billowing sleeves, and a neck choker, all in the customary red, sky blue, and yellow. The design wasn’t something dreamt up by one of DC’s staff of artists, however. but taken from a sketch submitted by reader John Sposato of Edison, New Jersey. DC had used several fan submitted costume ideas during the early 1970s -- each outfit typically receiving one or two story outings -- but John’s submission was obviously so liked by DC artists that it eventually became her permanent costume for most of the 1970s.

8. She turned Streaky into a Super Cat by accident.

DC in the Silver Age prided itself on being a family-friendly brand, free from the squalor and depravity that had once graced the pages of some of its competitors, causing moral crusaders (armed with books written by Dr. Fredric Wertham) to brand the medium as a threat to the youth of America. Without the use of excessive violence to bring thrills and drama to its superhero comics, DC relied on gimmicks such as Kryptonite. Consequently, by the Silver Age, the stuff was everywhere(!)

With her keen practical mind, Kara decided (much to the condescending amusement of her cousin) to develop an alchemy that would neutralise the harmful effects of this ever burgeoning supply of Kryptonite (Action Comics #261, Feb 1960.) She failed, naturally, but the discarded end-product, labelled X-Kryptonite, ended up accidentally giving a local stray alley-cat super powers. And so Streaky the Super Cat was born -- entirely by accident..!

9. Lena Luthor wasn’t the only female Luthor family member giving her trouble.

The Luthor family has a long history of causing trouble for the Girl of Steel. Not only did Supergirl struggle to keep her secret identity from the telepathic Lena (Thorul) Luthor -- Lex’s little sister -- but Adventure Comics #397 (Sept 1970) saw the introduction of Lex’s scheming niece, Nasthalthia. Nasty, as she was known, joined Stanhope College with a determination to help Uncle Lex flush out which of Stanhope’s students was secretly Supergirl. Suspecting Linda Danvers from the start, Nasty even followed Linda when she graduated and moved to San Francisco to become a TV camerawoman. The pair would play a dangerous cat-and-mouse game throughout many early 1970s Supergirl tales, but Nasty never quite got the proof she needed to unmask the Maid of Might.

10. She was married when she died in Crisis on Infinite Earths.

A story published in Superman Vol. 1 #415 (Jan 1986) saw the Fortress of Solitude infiltrated by a mysterious visitor from a distant planet. Intent on stealing a memento of the recently deceased Kara, the handsome green-skinned thief named Salkor is quickly apprehended by Superman.

Salkor explains how he had found Supergirl drifting unconscious in space some two years previous. He had cured her of Kryptonite sickness, but she had been left with severe amnesia. In the days that followed Salkor and Kara drew close and entered into a quickie marriage, but not long after the marriage he awoke to find Kara missing -- her memory had presumably returned. Over the next two years Salkor slowly traced his bride back to Earth, but tragically he arrived just as news of her death was broadcast around the world.

11. Her creation was part of a strategy to boost DC’s flagging superhero comic sales.

Supergirl wasn’t created on a mere creative whim; the impetus behind her introduction was likely a long-term sales strategy DC Comics had been following since the mid-1950s. According to Gerard Jones in his book Men of Tomorrow, DC knew that the demographics for the Superman radio and television shows revealed a sizeable share of young girl audience members, and that market research showed that girls read their brother’s Superman and Batman comics (second hand!) DC therefore set out to entice young girls into buying their own superhero comics by introducing titles like Superman’s Girlfriend, Lois Lane, and characters like Batwoman and Supergirl. Although some superheroines have been accused of being nothing more than eye-candy for the young male audience, Supergirl was introduced squarely to inspire young girls.

12. She could read your mind.

In Adventure Comics #397 (Sept 1970) Supergirl investigates a mystery girl found in a coma on the Stanhope College campus. As the anonymous patient lies motionless in a hospital bed, the Girl of Steel conveniently remembers that she has the ability to perform Vulcan mind-melds: ”I'll try to delve into her subconscious -- maybe I can learn something”. The trick reveals that the mystery girl was the victim of a black magic cult, causing Supergirl to infiltrate the group undercover (literally!) Strangely, although the Girl of Steel can read other people’s minds, she seemed very poor at reading her own, as she promptly forgets all about her mind-reading abilities after that single issue.

13. She always knew how to be popular.

When Kara from Argo City first landed on Earth, she took it upon herself to pick her own secret identity name. “While you were gone”, she tells her cousin, “I used my super-hearing and heard many Earth girls’ names! I thought of a good one for myself.” The name she chose, of course, was Linda.

It isn’t perhaps a surprise that her super-hearing fixated on that particular name, given that according to names registered with US Social Security, Linda was one of the most popular girls’ names in the 1950s, beginning the decade in the top slot, but dropping two places to third by the time Kara arrived on Earth in 1959. (Kara, by the way, was 935th on the girls list at the time that Ms. Zor-El crashed her rocket ship in Midvale.)

14. Her first appearance on television was in a 1962 comedy sketch, played by Carol Burnett.

In 1962 the Garry Moore Show featured a seven minute sketch lampooning the popular George Reeves Superman TV show -- the comedy gimmick being that instead of the Man of Steel, the sketch’s evildoers were pitted against the Maid of Might, played by comedian Carol Burnett. (A similar spoof by Lucille Ball a few years earlier doesn’t count, btw, as Lucy was playing Superman, not Supergirl.)

The madcap plot sees Carol dashing to and fro, frantically switching back and forth between her everyday clothes and her hero costume, while performing an array of ridiculous feats of strength. It is debatable whether this truly qualifies as a genuine Supergirl appearance, given the obvious Reeves inspiration, but Burnett’s 1962 version does use the Supergirl name and a reasonable facsimile of her 60s costume.

15. Her first proper appearance on television was in an advert, selling underwear!

Even if the 1962 Carol Burnett sketch is ruled out as not being canonical Kara, Supergirl’s late-70s underwear commercial qualifies without a shadow of a doubt. The short advert, for the kids brand Underroos, sees Supergirl, Spider-Woman, Wonder Woman, and even Batgirl, all extolling the virtues of wearing superheroine themed undergarments. Dating from sometime around 1978, the ad seems to be the first authorised on-screen appearance of Supergirl, meaning that the ad’s opening line, “Now Supergirl is on Underoos”, is the first spoken line uttered by any actress playing the Girl of Steel. (It is unknown who the lucky voice artist was.)

That’s all for part one -- hope you enjoyed it..! Check out part two (soon) for another fifteen fascinating factoids.

#supergirl #superhero #comics #dc #dccomics #superheroine #karazorel #kara zor-el #silver age #bronze age #streaky #superman #luthor

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bournefan · 6 years ago

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Matthew Bourne interview: Swan Lake’s choreographer on his high-flying reboot

As Matthew Bourne’s fabulous Swan Lake gets a reboot, he tells David Jays how he has hand-reared a new generation of male cygnets

The Sunday Times, December 2 2018, 12:01am

You know you’re ageing when swans, like policemen, are getting younger. So imagine how Matthew Bourne feels as he revives his landmark production of Swan Lake with its all-male swans. “It’s the first time we’ve done the show where quite a large amount of the cast were not born when we made it,” he tells me during a break in rehearsals in east London. He sighs self-deprecatingly. “It feels a bit weird. I’m some sort of historical figure to them.”

This Swan Lake soared straight into dance history when it premiered in 1995. It whirled Tchaikovsky’s tragic romance into a modern British context: the prince struggles with the expectations of an icy royal family and is overwhelmed by a magnetic wild bird. It’s like The Crown, but with added hot boy swans. Bare-chested, ferociously charismatic, those swans became instant icons, and the production reached the West End, Broadway, film, DVD and student curriculums. No one had expected it to run, let alone fly with such irresistible force.

Bourne has more silver in his beard these days, but, almost 25 years on, he’s delighted that the work still acts like catnip to charismatic young dancers. “The piece has an amazing legacy of inspiration for young guys,” he says. “For virtually everyone in it, it’s the thing that made them want to dance and it’s their dream to be in it. They have a big emotional relationship with it — you can’t buy that.”

For many spectators, too, Bourne’s Swan Lake is the gateway drug that gets them hooked on dance. But it was his first large-scale show, so he is pleased that the by now “knackered” sets and costumes gave him an opportunity to rework it. “I’d be happy to lose a lot of the humour,” he reflects. “I’ve grown more involved in the dark psychology. The prince is a mind in turmoil. For me, it’s very simple — it’s about someone without love in their life who wants to be held.

“We’ve questioned everything,” he continues. He was tempted to make the Fergie-like royal girlfriend a bit more Meghan, but it was “too late in the day” for such radical changes. But he has stripped things back: the rackety Soho club sequence, for example, originally home to Quentin Crisp and Joe Orton, is simplified to focus on dance.

Fresh eyes for the creative team were provided by Paule Constable, Bourne’s inspired go-to lighting designer for more than a decade, but a newcomer to this piece. “Classical ballet is not my comfort zone,” she admits. “But this is engaging and overwhelming. It’s about loss, and it’s profoundly painful.” She was especially taken by “the emotional impact of the ending. It really hits you.”

Constable also praises Bourne’s “narrative muscle”. “It’s fascinating, as an early show for Matt. It has big dance sections — the complexity is very different from the contemporary choreography of The Red Shoes. Matt’s reinvented it. A lot of people say it feels more grown-up this time.”

She had asked herself if seeing these young men dancing as swans would still feel radical, but she isn’t wondering now. “I had no idea it would feel so resonant and pertinent. We are sitting on a massive crisis in mental health, particularly for young men. Twenty-three years ago, Matthew was already engaged in these struggles.”

Does Bourne never resent his iconic Swan as being more of an albatross round his neck? “No, I’ve never felt it. It’s the biggest show we do, so there’s always a big influx of new people. Many of them have never acted before. Developing talent is a huge part of the show now.” For a lot of the cast, this is their first professional gig. In fact, many of the show’s fledgling swans were hand-reared. Some had performed in Bourne’s Lord of the Flies, a production that recruits local young men at each venue, many of whom have never set foot in a theatre.

More intriguing still, several dancers emerged from the company’s “Swan School”. Hold on, Swan School?

“We started it to give people a better chance of getting into the show,” Bourne explains. It was prompted by watching unpolished talent at auditions. “We invited people who we thought had potential, but who, left to their own devices, may just have come back a year later without the means to be cast.”

I can’t help imagining a feathery Hogwarts, but the reality is more focused: learning the choreography, getting feedback, exploring the show’s mix of styles. As Bourne puts it, “a crash course in being a swan”.

Swanning, he insists, is trickier than it looks — he drops a starry ballet name he didn’t think was right for it. As for the complete newbies: “There’s always been room for people who have a good standard of dancing but no performing experience — they learn through doing the show.” Later, in rehearsal, I watch the least experienced Prince: James Lovell, who came via Swan School. “He’s the youngest guy in the company, and he’s playing the Prince,” Bourne marvels. “He’s an actor, perfect for us. He’s holding his own completely.”

As for the new swans, they were lured from West End musicals and big ballet companies. Matthew Ball, rising star of the Royal Ballet, told Bourne that, when young, he had the show poster on his wall. He even had the T-shirt. He has taken leave from the RB to dance the Swan; and Max Westwell left English National Ballet altogether. “I’d auditioned for Swan Lake before,” he says, “but it wasn’t the right time. This time I really went for it.” Meanwhile, the contemporary-trained Will Bozier was performing in Wicked, but leapt at a chance to audition. He, too, was a devoted fanboy: “I grew up watching Swan Lake.”

To inform the performances, Bourne shares film clips via Facebook and tries to make everyone watch The Birds. Bozier and Westwell — one sweet, one springy, both with close-cropped hair — describe their all-enveloping preparation. Bozier browses YouTube for footage of swans attacking people (Bourne’s birds are far from house-trained); when he isn’t needed in rehearsal later, I see him practising wing things at the back. Meanwhile, Adam Cooper, who originated the role, came in to coach them. How was that? “Insane,” Bozier says. “He’s still amazing — the speed of his movement. It all clicked into place.”

Each dancer must put their own stamp on the dual role of the Prince’s beloved wild bird and the wicked buck who humiliates him at the palace ball. Bourne explains what he needs: “In the same way that [the traditional ballet] is a challenge for the ballerina, these two roles are very different. You can’t just be a beautiful Swan. As the Stranger, you’ve got to come out and be a bit of a sexpot. It doesn’t work if you have only one of those things.”

In rehearsal, Bourne is a soft-voiced authority, the kindest of historical figures. “It’s difficult, this piece,” he tells the company. “A lot of different characters, and you have to keep changing styles.” How do the dancers themselves assess the challenge?

“Coming from a classical background, the range in the movement was tricky,” Westwell says. “And it is a big role, you have to pace yourself.” With multiple casts throughout the tour, each Swan will wrap itself around the heart and body of three Princes. “It feels different each time,” Westwell says. “So many scenarios. You have to respond in the moment. We’re working flat out.”

If this Swan Lake welcomes a new generation of artists, Bourne’s next show, based on Romeo and Juliet, goes further, involving a raft of young creatives. “We’re working with lots of younger artists,” Constable says. “We’re all bringing on young associates. I’m working with a lighting designer called Ali Hunter. She has a voice in the room, not just as an assistant. This project feels like it has incredible possibility.”

Swan Lake is at Sadler’s Wells, London EC1, until Jan 27, then touring until May 25: new-adventures.net/swan-lake

#swan lake #matthew bourne

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vacationsoup · 6 years ago

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New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/things-to-do-in-orlando/

Things To Do In Orlando [Florida] With Videos – Bucket List Guide

Our Things To Do In Orlando Guide

Ever think about taking a trip to The Theme Park Capital of the World?

Things to do in Orlando, Florida

Surely enough, when talking about Orlando, Florida, the first thing that comes to mind would be the bevvy of amusement parks that attract millions of tourists every year.

Disney World, Universal Studios, Seaworld, it seems that Orlando’s got a theme park to suit every every man, woman and child. But who’s to say that that’s all the city’s got to offer?

This guide gives you the full rundown of what to see and do…

Quick Navigation

Where is Orlando

Theme Parks

Food & Drink

Activities

Where Is Orlando?

Orlando is a city in Florida, USA., the heart of the Orlando metropolitan has a population of over 2 million and still growing.

Orlando is given the moniker “The City Beautiful”, and it is easy to see why. Its official symbol is the equally beautiful fountain at Lake Eola. The city is also called the “Themepark Capital of the World” because of the numerous amusement parks that can be found there.

Being one of the world’s most famous and top tourist sites, Orlando’s well-known attractions form the foundation of the city’s tourism industry. Two of the major attractions in Orlando are Walt Disney World, started by the Walt Disney Company in 1971, and located estimated 21 miles (34 km) southwest of Downtown Orlando in Bay Lake; and the Universal Orlando Resort, which opened in 1999. Most of the most significant attractions are located beside International Drive with one of those being the iconic Orlando Eye.

Orlando is also one of the busiest cities in the USA for conferences and conventions, as the Orange County Convention Center, the second-largest convention facility in the United States, can also be found in Orlando.

The Weather In Orlando

Orlando has a warm climate like much in the south of the United States. There are two basic seasons in Orlando: hot and rainy.

The rainy season lasts from May until late September, and a warm and dry season that lasts from October through April. The city’s warm and humid climate is caused by its low elevation.

Where is Orlando

Theme Parks

Food & Drink

Activities

Bucket List Things To Do In Orlando

(Theme parks)

Disneyworld

Epcot

Universal Studios

Gatorland Orlando

Seaworld

Animal Kingdom

Disneyworld

Disneyworld – Orlando, Florida’s ultimate bucket list attraction

The very first Disneyland park ever opened still offers a unique variety of thrills and laughs for every generation of Disney lover.

Aside from meeting larger-than-life-sized Mickey and his troupe of friends, for a hundred bucks US you can enjoy dazzling nighttime fireworks displays behind the legendary Cinderella Castle (featured prominently as THE Disney logo), stroll down any of the park’s SIX different ‘lands’ (Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Main Street and Liberty Square), eat a bunch of Mickey-themed food and be a part of the Disney magic.

It definitely is true when they say that at Disneyworld, everyone is a kid at heart: reminiscing your childhood (or enjoying it as one) will never be simpler.

Our Fav Rides

To know which rides to hop onto first, here are the top 5 you would not want to miss:

Pirates of the Caribbean

A landmark achievement in theme park storytelling, it is a pitch-perfect attraction with perhaps the coolest theme park ride song ever.

. The burning city scene was so realistic; the Anaheim Fire Department was initially concerned about the ride’s safety. But of course, it is safe.

Little kids might not enjoy this ride, though, as it has mildly frightening images and small splashdowns.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

It is a contemporary classic Disney theme park attraction that incorporates a breathtaking free fall ride, amazing effects, and a familiar storyline.

The “fourth dimension” sequence, in which the ride vehicles move horizontally through the ride building is just plain incredible.

Star Tours: The Adventure Continues

Launch to a Star Wars galaxy far, far away in this cool, modernized adaptation of one of the first motion simulator rides. The technology behind the attraction, which allows multiple possible story lines, is justly astounding. , which will bring two new attractions and a allegedly surprising level of detail and immersion is set to open in the Studios park in 2019.

Splash Mountain

Disney combines the classic log drop ride to an animatronics-filled dark ride themed to the Uncle Remus characters from “Song of the South.”

You’ll won’t be able to hum “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” until after you get back your composure from this thrill ride!

Where Is Disneyworld?

Opening hours

Magic Kingdom Park – open from 9.00 AM to 10.00 PM

Top Tips For Visitors

https://youtu.be/kviHYkow8_Qhttps://youtu.be/ixWtJXFtTp4 Money Saving Tips For Disneyworld

Universal Studios

The other famous amusement park is another giant of the entertainment industry, boasting movie franchise-themed attractions for Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Transformers, Minions (Despicable Me by extension), E.T. and many more.

Universal Studios Orlando, Florida

You could take a tour bus to explore the whole park, eat thematic food, go space bowling, as well as engage in such mundane, everyday activities as hanging out with Velociraptors, getting your own magic wand at Ollivander’s.

Or you could listen to Bob Marley’s music, watch Animal Actors, reading along with The Cat in the Hat, fidget with Men in Black style architecture or meet the Simpsons… the place has got it all.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

This is not only the best attraction at Universal Orlando, it arguably one of the top theme park rides in North America. When the first Hogwarts simulation experience launched in 2010, its vivid detail and high level of immersion caused the Potter fans’ hearts to soar, and J.K. Rowling proud. The highlight of this attraction is the wild romp which includes a exit through the Hogwarts Castle, an airborne Quidditch match, terrifyingly close encounters with Death Eaters, and more wizarding world experiences.

Revenge of the Mummy

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This mummy ride will definitely have you screaming for your mommy!

Revenge of the Mummy presents a marriage of a dark ride with remarkable computer graphics and special effects and a remarkable, launched roller coaster experience.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Showing the cheeky, jesting humour from the films, Minion Mayhem is both hiarious and irreverent.

It is the third attraction to be offered in the park’s ride in film theatre. With its high-def resolution and appealing story, it is by far the best of the three.

Where Is Universal Studios?

Click for prices

Seaworld

Seaworld Orlando

Some people say that the ocean is as mysterious and incomprehensible to humankind as outerspace itself; you never know what secrets are yet to be uncovered in the vastness of the depths, what incredible sights and creatures we are yet to uncover.

If you’re more of a nature and water lover, Seaworld offers the curious visitor a taste of what we DO know, and then some. Check out vast underwater tunnels while sharks and manta rays swim overhead, see vibrant corals and billowing kaleidoscopes of exotic fish, watch orcas and dolphins do unbelievably intelligent tricks, and even feed penguins in polar-themed exhibits.

Then there are the rides..

Seaworld Orlando Sesame Street 2019

Where Is Seaworld

The Epcot Center

Disney Epcot Center is one of 4 theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort that measures around 300 acres.

It is twice the size of Magic Kingdom Park, and is divided into two parts: Future World and World Showcase.

The Future World is a zone dedicated to all things scientific, and it is divided into different subsections such as: agriculture, automotive safety, fossil fuels and geography.

Future World also serves as the center’s main entrance and it showcases the park’s iconic landmark, Spaceship Earth, a large geodesic sphere formation which holds a themed attraction inside.

The current attractions in Future Word include: Spaceship Earth, Innoventions, Mission: Space, Test Track: Presented by Chevrolet, The Seas with Nemo & Friends (Turtle Talk with Crush), The Land (Soarin’ and Living with the Land: Presented by Chiquita), Imagination! (Journey into Imagination with Figment), and Festival Center (Seasonal operation) (formerly Wonders of Life).

The second zone is the WORLD’S SHOWCASE.

This part will allow you and your family the chance to travel around the world and stop in friendly countries:United States of America, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, and Italy.

Circling a 40-acre lake, the 1.3 mile stroll will take you to eleven national pavilions which are filled with native entertainment, food and merchandise, brimming with each county’s culture.

If you are going to Epcot this video is a must watch as it really does share some great tips from rope drop to where to watch the fireworks from (and everything in between).

https://youtu.be/UPK0OD5Q3Rchttps://youtu.be/vcqvHUjtqpQhttps://youtu.be/Z3977KTcXwU

We found discount tickets for Epcot… Just click on the buy now button below

(We are not associated with the company, we’re just sharing the love)

Epcot discount tickets

Gatorland Orlando

Gatorland Orlando, Florida

Aside from the amusement parks, what makes Florida so unique amongst all of the USA’s 50 states would be the Everglades, a vast swampy region which serves as home to countless species of flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth.

Of course, this natural habitat is home to the American Alligator, a large and rather dangerous creature in its natural habitat, so it is best to leave Mother Nature undisturbed and head out to Gatorland Orlando, where you can see these humungous reptiles in action from behind the safety of the stands.

If you’re really raring for a taste of the life-threatening, head to the zipline, where you’ll zoom across alligator infested waters. Definitely NOT for the faint of heart!

Prices and opening hours – Open 10am to 6pm from the 26Th of May

Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Orlando

Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened its gate to tourists and guests in April 22, 1998. It is the biggest of the 4 theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park is brimming with rides, attractions, adventures and entertainment that reflect Walt Disney’s commitment to nature preservation and conservation. The park pilots in animal care and research for a truly unique and memorable experience that combines learning with fun. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to more than 1,700 animals from 250 species and are spread across 500 acres of lush landscape.

It is divided into 7 zones: The Oasis; Discovery Island; Africa; Asia; Rafiki’s Planet Watch; Dinoland USA; Pandora—The World of Avatar.

Africa Zone

In the Africa zone, guests get to ride on the Kilimanjaro Safari which will take them through the African Savannah. It also offers the Wild Africa Trek, a package that offers up-close views of the animals, lets them walk on a rope bridge over hippos and crocodiles and have a sumptuous lunch in a private safari camp on the savannah.https://youtu.be/gpdwDVfKJF0

Asia Zone

A major growth of the park came after the opening of the Asia zone. The most notable attraction here is the Maharajah Jungle Trek, a walking tour that features bats, komodo dragons, bats, deer, and birds.https://youtu.be/eIM1g1Vja1c

Dinoland

The Dinoland USA boasts of the famous attraction Dinosaur, a fast-paced and rough ride that’s not advised for those with back/heart conditions.https://youtu.be/WPi3-KH9ZNM

Pandora

Pandora—The World of Avatar opened in May 27, 2017.

It is an exceptionally immersive zone that lets guests to walk into the world of the Na’vi. This park area, which was breathed into life from James Cameron’s film Avatar, has Flight of Passage, an exhilarating ride that allows guests to fly on the back of a banshee as they soar around Pandora.

Flight of Passage Avatar ride

The majority of your experiences here in Disney’s Animal Kingdom are related to nature conservation. This is an ideal place to visit to have fun with the whole family while instilling in the children a genuine love and care for nature and wildlife.

Here are some tips for making your visit to Animal Kingdom the best day out possible…

https://youtu.be/Nn-4ue14PFghttps://youtu.be/RJ_PqFPHZ7I

Where is Animal Kingdom

Where is Orlando

Theme Parks

Food & Drink

Activities

More Things To Do Around Orlando

Kennedy Space Center

Wekiwa Springs

Golf

Shopping

Orlando Eye

Orlando Magic

More Things To Do In Orlando

Kennedy Space Center

More of a museum than a theme park or space station, this piece of history serves as NASA’s launching pad for America’s travails into outer space.

It has served as the base for, among others, the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs. For the curious visitor it features many relics of space travel, both successful and otherwise, such as the Apollo Saturn V rocket.

There are also virtual simulators that can take you to outer space, minus the stress of actual travel of course!

Admission starts at $47 for children (ages 3 – 11) and $57 for adults (12 years and over). You can even have lunch with an astronaut for $15.99 (child) and $29.99 (adult).

Full details on pricing and packages here https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/info/tickets

Orlando Magic

Aside from the theme parks and attractions that Orlando, Florida houses, it has also become a household name because of the NBA team Orlando Magic. The Magic started in 1987 when NBA granted them franchise, along with Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves.

However, they had two wait until two years after before being given the chance to play on the hard court. The very first game they played was on October 13, 1989 against the then champions Detroit Pistons, which The Magic won. Even though they won a lot of other games after that, history changed when The Magic picked their first star player—yep, you guessed it, the big man Shaquille O’Neal.

Orlando Magic – Dwight Howard

More things to do in Orlando…

The Magic once again became the NBA’s most improved franchise, as they were better by 20 games. Shaq-o-Macwas the first rookie to be voted an All-Star starter since Michael Jordan in 1985.Stuff the Magic Dragon has been the Magic’s mascot since 1987. Its name is a pun on Puff the Magic Dragon and the alternative name for slam dunk, “stuffing.”

Miss Stuff already?

No worries, the Orlando Magic has pre-season upcoming games at the start of October all the way to April of next year.

Tickets range from $14 to $540 for the best seats available. You may book tickets on the NBA site here: https://www.nba.com/magic/schedule

Wekiwa Springs

Wekiwa Springs has been welcoming tourists and visitors since half of the nineteenth century, making it one of the oldest attractions and tourist site in Orange County.

The emerald waters and lush greeneries in this unique park are a sight for sore eyes if you’ve been hopping from theme parks to theme parks and malls to malls in Downtown Orlando. It provides 13 miles of hiking trail that’s begging to be explored.

The trail is ideal for biking, horseback riding, or just easy strolling to observe the abundant wildlife and lush hammocks that the park offers. The river also presents opportunities for canoeing and kayaking, while the spring for cooling off on a hot summer’s day.

https://youtu.be/CXBC5eVqWb0https://youtu.be/38Yl-LUCRTw

Wekiwa Springs also offers camping options, which include a full facility campground and primitive camping areas.

All in all, the park is the best place to go if you are seeking a quiet sanctuary and want to enjoy Orlando in a natural setting.

Orlando Eye

The Orlando Eye

If you are looking for more things to do in Orlando then the Orlando Eye is right up there , literally.

Orlando Eye or ICON Orlando is truly the ride of iconic proportions.

It is the highest observational wheel on the North American east coast.Atop the ICON, you get to enjoy breathtaking views (literally if you are acrophobic) from 400 feet up that include Orlando attractions, downtown, and the East Coast and Cape Canaveral.

It has a total of 30 Unique Air-Conditioned Capsules, with a capacity of 15 people per capsule. Hence, you can enjoy an intimate moment with a glass of wine or champagne while sightseeing with your date, or have fun and take Instagram-worthy panoramic pictures with your friends.

Getting into one of Orlando Eye’s capsules into one of Orlando Eye’s capsules costs $20, with a whole bunch of other package options available (such as flex passes, special occasions, groups etc).

Address: 8375 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819-9309 Phone number: +1 407-601-7907 Opening Hours: Sun – Thu: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Fri – Sat: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Golf In Orlando

Bay Hill Club

Waldorf Astoria Golf

Orange County

Champions Gate Golf

Reunion Golf and Spa

Disney’s Magnolia

Playing golf around Orlando

More things to do in Orlando…

You could say that Florida is the golf capital of the world with over 1,250 courses (just don’t tell Scotland). If you are staying in or around Orlando you will find just under 100 courses to choose from.

Here are six of the top golf courses in the area.

Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lounge

Bay Hill Club’s famous 17th hole

The Bay Hill Club and Lounge used to be the late Arnold Palmer’s headquarters. Hence, it follows that this course is as lavish and luxurious as his lifestyle was.

The United States PGA Tour for Arnold Palmer Invitational is held here annually, and the players compete against each other on this three nine-looped course. Bay Hill’s rippled terrain adds favourable elevation changes to many of the holes, which is a bit uncommon for Floridian golf courses.

The tranquil ponds, albeit beautiful, pose a threat at the risk-reward par-5 16th, par-3 17th, and superb par-4 18th. These brilliantly crafter holes provide challenge from the novice golfer to the pro players.

9000 Bay Hill Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

+1 407-876-2429

Pricing: $275, golf cart included

Orange County National

Panther Lake

Orange County National or Panther Lake Course is one of Orlando, Florida’s golfing gems.

It boasts of two first-rate Championship courses (Panther Lake and Crooked Cat) and an excellent practice facility. This tough and visually appealing course has plenty of water in the form of lakes and ponds.

The landscape of the Panther Lake course was designed to provide a hilly feel.

16301 Phil Ritson Way, Winter Garden, FL 34787, USA

+1 407-656-2626

Pricing: Monday – Wednesday: $135; Thursday/Sunday: $145; Friday/Saturday: $155,

golf cart included

Reunion Golf and Spa Resort

Tradition course

The Reunion Resort has three excellent layouts, with the Jack Niklaus designed Tradition course being the best of the three.

The two other courses, The Legacy and The Independence, have more distinct elevation shifts, but The Tradition is characterized by softer undulations. It also has its own clubhouse, so it’s definitely the top choice.

Among many very expertly crafted holes, the par-4 14 is a masterpiece. It has an elevated tee, vast sandy waste area, and waters along the green field, so it is as stunning as it is challenging.

The Tradition course, inarguably, is one of Jack Niklaus’ design legacies.

7593 Gathering Dr, Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

+1 407-662-1000

Waldorf Astoria Golf Club

Waldorf Astoria Golf Club is close to Walt Disney World’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

This golf club is a newcomer, but it has handsomely made its way to the top golf course list because of the expert design by Reese Jones. It boasts of many challenges adorned with hazardous but stunning waters, and fancy bunkering.

14224 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL 32821, USA

+1 407-597-5500

Pricing:Monday-Thursday: $195; Friday-Sunday: $215

Champions Gate Golf

ChampionsGate golf, Orlando

The magnificently crafted setting of the ChampionsGate Golf Club is home to two equally superb gold courses: National and International.

This course has an authentic British feel to it. Unlike many British links layout, though, the ChampionsGate Golf Club has a vast expanse of water around many of the holes.

The par-5 3 resembles the par-5 14 at England’s Royal St. Saint George’s.

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Greg Norman designed this course with a wide array of golfing challenges, in a setting unlike most of its Floridian peers.

8575 White Shark Blvd, Davenport, FL 33896, USA

+1 407-787-4653

Pricing: Monday-Thursday: $137; Friday-Sunday: $147

Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course

The famous Mickey Mouse bunker

Who says anything Disney is only for kids?

Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course is a delight to novice and professional golfers alike. The excellently manicured links are adorned by beautiful Magnolias, with no housing in sight.

The layout is in natural setting, trees lining the perimeter of the course with some parts dense, some parts sparse.

Joe Lee designed this beauty with some water hazards, undulating greens, and several golfing challenges.

1950 Magnolia Palm Dr, Orlando, FL 32830, USA

+1 407-938-4653

Pricing: $35-$129 plus tax

Shop Till You Drop in Orlando

Shopping in Orlando

Orlando, Florida receives annually receives around 68 million tourists with their wallets brimming with cash.

After splurging on theme parks and attractions, their next favorite locations are the malls, and The City Beautiful also provides them with a lot of shopping options to choose from. The biggest of these malls is the Florida Mall, which draws around 20 million visitors to its more than 250 fashion, hardware, and electronic shops.

Of course, Disney World that made Orlando famous also gets some retail action with their souvenirs that tourists can’t resist. Nevertheless, here are our top shopping picks in Orlando:

Orlando Premium Outlets

Orlando Premium Outlets is the Holy Grail of discount lovers (hey, who doesn’t like big discounts, right?), which makes it one of the top shopping destinations in Orlando.

The mall offers discounts from 25% to a whopping 65% on designer brands like Victoria’s Secret, Hugo Boss, Diesel, Levis, Nike, Adidas, Quicksilver, Ralph Lauren, and 150 more.

This doesn’t look like your typical mall, though, because it doesn’t have outlets, but rows of shops all outdoors. The outlets are divided into several categories: ‘Designer Fashions & Sportswear’, ‘Fine Leather & Luggage’, ‘For Children’, ‘Gifts & Specialty items’, ‘Shoes’‘Accessories & Jewelry’, and ‘Food’.

The outlet also has an Outlet Marketplace Center, which houses a few more stores. Orlando Premium Outlets has 180 stores in total.

New Parking Options At Orlando Premium Outlets

Opening Hours: 10:00-21:00 daily

Address: 4951 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819

Tel: (407) 352-9600

Mall at Millenia

If you are looking for luxury brands and you do not care much about discounts (Wow, you’re a rare kind of species), then the Mall at Millenia is the place for you.

This upscale shopping center has big brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Chanel, Jimmy Choo, and so much more.

Nowhere else in Orlando ever comes close to the Mall at Millenia. You can find this mall just south of Downtown Orlando, near major theme parks like Disney, Universal, and Seaworld.

Opening Hours: 11:00 – 23:00 (close 00:30 on Fri & Sat)

Address: The Mall at Millenia, 4200 Conroy Road, Orlando, FL 32839

Tel: +1 407-226-0333

The Florida Mall

The Florida Mall is the biggest mall in the whole of Orlando.

It houses 250 stores and caters to 250 million visitors yearly. It covers around two million square foot of space and its shops range from small boutiques to designer brands. Moreover, it also has gadgets, electronics, home decor, DIY, accessories and health and beauty shops.

Aside from hundreds of shopping options, The Florida Mall also has its own hotel with 510 rooms. It’s also just a few minutes away from Disney World and Universal.Latest renovations have also included a 105,000 square foot ‘Dining Pavilion’ to the mall complex, as well as more shops, a bigger seating area and free Wi-Fi all over the mall.

It also has other facilities like foreign exchange service, valet parking, taxi stands, and children’s playground.

Opening Hours: 10:00-21:00 daily

Address: 8001 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32809

Tel: +1 407-851-6255

Shopping At Disney Springs

No Disneyland experience is complete with nothing else but pictures to show for it.

Hence, the Disney Springs in Orlando is the destination to buy souvenirs and other theme park –related merchandise. But don’t get us wrong, there is something here for everyone, and you can easily spend the day enjoying everything they have.

A lot of those shops are specialty and novelty boutiques and specialize in a particular theme, such as Disney’s Days of Christmas, The Candy Cauldron and Pin Traders.

The biggest and most famous shop is World of Disney, where you can find clothes, accessories, house ware, gifts, and toys in the largest collection of Disney theme park products Disney World has to offer.

Opening Hours: 09:00-24:00 daily

Address: Downtown 1486 East Buena Vista Drive, Downtown Disney Boat Dock, Orlando, FL 32830

Tel: +1 407-939-6244

Winter Park Orlando

Shopping at Winter Park Orlando

Winter Park in Orlando is a quaint upscale village that is brimming with cultural and historical attractions.

Aside from that, it is also a place for some retail therapy. The shops and alleys will remind you of authentic European boulevards that marry history, art, and specialty shops under a long line of oak canopy.

The area offers apparel options as well as brilliant art collections. Aside from the several museums nearby, Grace Gallery Fine Art has an impressive collection by top artists, and Scott Laurent Collection has a selection of modern art and home decorations. Also, hundreds of artists exhibit and sell their art at the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival in mid-March and the Autumn Art Festival in mid-October.

Eating Out In Orlando

All tastes can be catered for in Orlando

Take a Bite of Their Gastronomic Paradise

The theme parks and other charming sights aren’t the only things that made Orlando, Florida a top tourist destination; food is also one of the reasons why this city has been called “The City Beautiful”.

We have rounded up our top picks on where to grab your grub when you’re in Orlando, so you know exactly where to go:

Without further ado, here are the top restaurants in Orlando

Kres Steakhouse in Orlando

Main Dining Kres Steakhouse in Orlando

Kres Steakhouse in Orlando dishes up sumptuous steaks and seafood for the family. This steakhouse is voted as the top restaurant in Downtown Orlando by several prominent publications.

Foodies visiting Orlando shouldn’t miss Kres Steakhouse, as they only use in-house prime aged beef, and fresh local Floridian seafood on their menu.

Some of their bestsellers are beef Wellington, Porterhouse steak, and their delicious Lobster bisque. Their food servings are impressive too, so even the largest of appetites would find it a challenge to finish their three-course meals. They also have a bar, which gave a nice, fancy touch to their restaurant.

Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 11:30 – 00:00, Sat 17:00 – 00:00

Address: 17 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

Tel: +1 407-409-7227

Victoria and Albert’s, Orlando

Lamb Loin Rainbow Carrots Banana Curry

Fine and fancy dining isn’t new around the Disneyworld compound, but all the others pale in comparison with Victoria and Albert’s.

Their prix five seven-course meal is nothing but a top-of-the line, crème de la crème dining experience. Meals here are not only food; they are an event worth remembering, whether they’re served in the chic dining room, or even on the Chef’s table. Victoria and Albert’s is most likely just reserved for special occasions, but the food and their top-notch service will surely create memories that will last for lifetime.

Onion Ash Dusted Wild Texas Boar

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday – 5:30PM – 7:30PM

Address: 4401 Floridian Way, Orlando, FL 32830, USA

Phone: +1 407-939-3862

Chatham’s Place, Orlando

Chatham’s Place has been the impressing the fine-dining foodies of Orlando, Florida since 1988.

It is one of the most notable restaurants in and around Orlando because of their excellent food, wonderful ambiance, and unbeatable service. Their Cajun Crabs, Filet Mignon, and freshly-caught Floridian Grouper is a favorite on the menu.

Their menu is not that broad, but you wouldn’t really need a lot with the superb choices that they have.

Their service is also attentive, but not intrusive, so you can enjoy an intimate meal with live piano accompaniment, which makes it a top choice for client dinners and romantic dates.

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday – 5:30PM – 9:00PM

Address: 7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Phone: +1 407-345-2992

Beth’s Burger Bar

Beth’s Burger Bar, Orlando

Beth’s Burger Bar didn’t earn their approval stars for nothing; they offer a customizable, build-your-own-burger menu, local and international beers, and delicious wines.

They also have a ton of available board games, beer pong, bingo nights, and daily specials to satisfy the kid within us.

Create your own burger at Beth’s

Their burgers are made only from fresh black Angus beef for optimum quality.

If meat isn’t your thing, they also have succulent veggie burgers and tasty chicken sandwiches. Their beer special is only $2 all day, every day.

The prices here at Beth’s Burger Bar are reasonable, and their service quick, so make them a first choice when you’re looking for a place to grab some fast bites.

Opening Hours:Monday-Saturday: 11AM – 10PM, Sunday: 10AM –10PM

Address: 9938 Universal Blvd #120, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Phone: +1 407-203-8100

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop is a dessert place second to none.

It is said to be a chocolate heaven, and they even give you choco samples when you are there. The only downside to this shop is the long line that you can expect every day. But hey, when you want the best, you gotta go get the best.

This is by far, the best ice cream shop in the whole of Orlando.

Another top seller in Ghirardelli’s is their warm brownies with fresh vanilla ice cream on top, with melted chocolate, chopped almonds, and a succulent Maraschino cherry on top. They have a wide array of luscious ice cream flavors, different drinks, and many MANY chocolates. This is definitely an outstanding ice cream shop that’s more that what meets the eye.

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain – Nom nom

Opening Hours: Monday-Wednesday and Sunday: 9:30AM – 11:30PM,

Friday-Saturday: 9:30AM –12AM:

Disney Springs, Buena Vista Dr, Orlando, FL 32830, USA

Phone: +1 407-939-5277

Where is Orlando

Theme Parks

Food & Drink

Activities

Orlando Florida definitely earned its nickname “The City Beautiful” with the plethora of theme parks, upscale malls, excellent golf courses, and fancy dinner date destinations it boasts of, and the magnificent sights and sounds it offers.

But Orlando has more than just wizards, marine wildlife, and the iconic mouse. It is also a haven of artists and performers, of artisans and entertainers. It also has a rich historical past that is still reflected in its structures and architectures.

The beauty of The City Beautiful goes beyond skin deep; there is more to Orlando than the attractions that puffed up its reputation for everything fun and dandy. But whether you’ve come to the city for fun or a deeper exploration of its culture and arts, you will never run out of things to do in Orlando, Florida.

#Florida #golf #Orlando

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