Velvet Sessions is Hard Rock Hotel’s special rock ‘n’ roll cocktail party and lobby concert held the last Thursday of the month (January through October).  Log onto VelvetSessions.com to buy your tickets and receive monthly updates on who’s playing.

A Velvet Sessions ticket includes: FREE specialty drinks, finger foods and warm-up tunes from 6:30 pm until show time, cash bars and live band from show time onward and complimentary valet parking*.  Plus, after the show, a DJ plays tunes in Velvet Bar until 1:00 am.

Velvet Sessions is a 21 and older event.

Thursday, May 31, 2012, at 6:30 pm

Velvet Sessions tickets are $29 on-line or $35 at the door.  Limited VIP tickets are $50 on-line only and include all the benefits of a regular Velvet Sessions ticket, plus access to a special viewing area with private bar.

Purchase tickets on-line and receive early entry at 6:00 pm.

To purchase tickets and for more information, log onto VelvetSessions.com or call 407-503-2401

Velvet Bar & Lobby Lounge
Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando
5800 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, Florida  32819-7834

If you are to visit the One Man’s Dream exhibition you will notice one very large change. As of the 16th May, the large model of new Fantasyland (seen at the press Summer to Remember event and at the D23 Expo 2011) will be available for guests to get up close to for the first time in Orlando. Take a look at the images below released by Disney of the installation of the new model

Just wanted to give you a quick update on the new Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure, including showcasing some new renderings of the experience we debuted at the Summer to Remember press event in April.

Starting in late June, Disney Phineas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure is based on the wily secret-agent alter-ego of Perry the Platypus – faithful pet to the title characters from Disney’s animated series “Phineas & Ferb.” Although just a simple pet to Phineas and Ferb, Perry turns into Agent P in each episode to help stop the misguided plans of his nemesis, Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

Epcot guests will transform into secret agents to help Agent P thwart some of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s most daring plots. Agents will use a high tech detection device called a “F.O.N.E.” or Field Operative Notification Equipment to receive clues for each case. Solving the clues will take agents to different places throughout seven World Showcase countries at Epcot – Mexico Pavilion, France Pavilion, Germany Pavilion, Norway Pavilion, Japan Pavilion, China Pavilion and the United Kingdom Pavilion. Agents will scour each country for clues, evil “Inators,” and – with a little bit of luck – help Agent P defeat Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

The current Disney Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure will close this Friday, May 18.

On the weekend of January 10th-13th 2013, the Walt Disney World Resort will celebrate 20 years of marathon running at the resort with a new look course, new entertainments and a raft of event designed to be seen at mile 20. The 26.2 mile course will also include a special medal and a new post race party in Downtown Disney.  Take a look at the video Disney released to explain it all.

The new show includes new fights, new choreography, new stunts and a new storyline. Some classic elements will remain. Guests will still cheer on one of six brave knights named for regions of medieval Spain. The new show will incorporate new characters from foreign lands, including a new nemesis to make the show that much more exciting.

Guests will also notice an upgraded menu for the utensil-free meal during the new show, including tomato bisque, focaccia bread with olive oil and seasoning, oven-roasted chicken, a larger BBQ spare rib, herb-basted potato, braided apple strudel and larger beverage servings.

The interactive dinner will feature a reception, live and silent auctions, and a delicious meal. With guidance from renowned celebrity chefs including Irvine, Sweet! by Holly’s Hollis Wilder and other local celebrity chefs, guests will learn how exciting healthy cooking can be by preparing a healthy dinner at their very own table, while donning aprons and chef’s hats. Guests are given the opportunity to choose the area within the hospital closest to their heart to designate where their funds will be directed.

October’s event, Ultimate Horror Weekend, has grown significantly since its modest start in Fort Lauderdale in 2003. After finding a permanent home in Orlando, FL it has become one of the largest horror conventions in the nation, with more and more fans attending each year. Just when you think the show can’t be topped, Spooky Empire brings it bigger and better the next year! Each show is more monstrous than the last. The name describes it perfectly; it is THE ULTIMATE weekend for horror fans of all ages!

Where else can you meet and mingle with your favorite horror movie and TV stars, buy any collectible you can imagine from your choice of over 200 vendors and artists, see new and up and coming films as well as your old favorites, take part in one of the largest Zombie Walks, get tattooed by some of the best artists from around the world, and of course party ‘til your heart’s content…or until you puke…and that doesn’t even list half of the events that go on during this non-stop weekend of horrors.

Spooky Empire felt as though they could still give the fans more. So, in 2011 they introduced the first “May-Hem” event taking place on Memorial Day weekend. Although a more intimate show, May-Hem still proved to pack just as big a punch as its predecessor. May-Hem exceeded everyone’s expectations and has now become an annual event.

• THURSDAY, MAY 24th

SUNDOWN

Join us at Gatorville for a movie at the pool. We will be screening “Night of the Living Dead” Perfect gathering for anyone coming to the hotel early. Sit by the pool, have a drink and enjoy the film with friends and fellow attendees.

• FRIDAY, MAY 25th

SUNDOWN

“Dead Man’s Party”

Live performances by:
“The Bloody Jug Band”
“2 Penny Circus”
Drinks specials, and more!

Gatorville Lounge/Pool Area

11:00pm

“An Evening with Roddy Piper”

Roddy Piper’s one man show, with opening act, Marc Price.
You must purchase admission to this event.
Tickets are $10, and are available at the ticket window. Seating is limited.

• SATURDAY, MAY 26th

12:00pm

Q & A with James Marsters

“Spike” of the hit shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. He’s also appeared on Torchwood, Smallville, and Caprica.

1:00pm

Q & A with Michael Rooker

Star of films such as Henry:Portrait of a Serial Killer, Mallrats, Slither, The Bone Collector, and more recently the hit TV show, The Walking Dead.

2:00pm

The Addams Family Panel

with cast members John Astin,LisaLoring and Felix Silla

3:30pm

Q & A with Joey Lauren Adams

Joey Lauren Adams has appeared in many hit films including Chasing Amy, Mallrats, Big Daddy, Dazed and Confused, Bio-Dome, The Breakup, and cable TV series United States of Tara.

4:30pm

Q & A with Vivica A. Fox

The beautiful star of films like Independence Day, Kill Bill, Batman & Robin, Idle Hands, Teaching Mrs. Tingle and numerous television shows including Curb Your Enthusiasm, 1-800-Missing and many more.

6:00pm

Q & A with Verne Troyer

Verne is best known for his memorable part as “Mini Me” in the Austin Power franchise, but he’s also appeared in many other films including Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, The Love Guru, and The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus.

7:00pm

Q & A with KristannaLoken

Former model Kristanna appeared in many television shows before making her film debut in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. She’s gone on to appear in BloodRayne, TV series Painkiller Jane and The L Word, and most recently Burn Notice.

11:00pm

Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-Long

with shadow cast performed by The Midnight Cinema.

• SUNDAY, MAY 27th

12:00pm

Charmed Panel

with cast members Holly Marie Combs,Brian Krause and Michael Bailey Smith.

1:30pm

Q & A with Ace Frehley

Original guitarist of legendary band KISS will take part in this rare event, giving his fans an opportunity to get up close and personal.

3:00pm

Q & A with Linda Hamilton

Forever best known as Sarah Connor in The Terminator series of films, she’s also starred in many other films and TV showsincluding Beauty and the Beast, Children of the Corn, and more recently Chuck.

Check out spookyempire.com for ticket details and schedule updates

If you have an exotic pet you can no longer care for, don’t just open the front door and set it free.  It’s illegal to release a nonnative animal into the wild in Florida, and it could be detrimental for the animal and the environment.

Saturday, May 19, 2012
10AM – 2PM
  Gatorland
14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, Florida 32837
*South Parking Lot Entrance
This Pet Amnesty Day is free and open to the public.  Exotic animals can be surrendered to the FWC free of charge with no questions asked and no penalties. Domestic pets including, but not limited to, dogs, cats and ferrets will not be accepted.

Nonnative pet amnesty events help to increase awareness of nonnative species problems.  Over 400 nonnative species have been observed in Florida, and more than 130 have reproducing populations. For more information on nonnative species in Florida, visit www.myFWC.com/nonnatives.

Anyone interested in adopting nonnative pets should download the proper adoption applications and animal care sheets at www.myFWC.com/nonnatives and click on “How to become an FWC exotic pet adopter.”  Adopters must have knowledge of natural history and caging requirements along with having proper facilities for the animals they are interested in adopting.

For parents hoping that this is the year their child musters the courage to take that first roller coaster adventure, it’s a tough call: do they encourage, bribe or shame their kids into facing their fears?  Or let them decide for themselves?

This summer, LEGOLAND^® Florida, Central Florida’s newest theme park, is helping families deal with Veloxrotaphobia, or fear of roller coasters, by arming parents with “Roller Coaster Readiness” tips.

Leadership at the park reached out to nationally-recognized psychologist and award-winning author Dr. Susan Bartell to create tools for both guests and employees to help parents manage these challenging situations.

“Our junior roller coasters offer just the right blend of speed and thrill that make LEGOLAND Florida the perfect spot for kids to ride their very first roller coaster,” says Adrian Jones, LEGOLAND Florida general manager.  “But because we know the ‘pink knuckle’ nature of these attractions doesn’t mitigate a first timer’s fears, we wanted to provide resources to parents as well as our model citizens to ensure that every first plunge is a positive experience for the entire family.”

According to Bartell, there are a host of mistakes parents commonly make when it comes to handling their child’s fear of roller coasters.

“Dismissing a child’s fear, comparing them to a sibling or friend, bribing them with gifts and money, or labeling a child with a negative name based on their reluctance won’t make them any braver,” says Bartell.  “In fact those strategies often cause greater anxiety, and resentment and make them more reluctant, not to mention ruin what should be a great day for the family.”

Brochures featuring the tips will be available online and at the front gate and include things families can do before they leave home and during the day, as well as ways to manage

a melt-down and ways to celebrate at the end of the day. 

Before Your Trip

Bartell suggests starting at home with these tips before leaving on the trip. 

• Learn Online – Young children (especially those who are anxious), don’t like surprises. So, visit the LEGOLAND Florida website with your child and look at the different attractions, discussing how much fun each one will be.

• Tell a Story – Talk to your child about fun roller-coaster experiences that you and other people had when they were kids. Be as animated, silly and positive as possible.

What to do When You Get to the Park

• Focus on Fun – As you arrive, review the park map and point out all the fun attractions, not just the roller coasters.

• Take it Slow – Invite your child to pick which attractions she most wants to experience. If she is reluctant to try the roller coasters, begin with at least a couple of her choices.

As the Day Continues…

• Watch and Learn – When some people in your party are eager to try a roller coaster, don’t split up. Rather, watch the roller coaster ride with your reluctant child, all the time commenting excitedly about how much fun it looks and how happy and excited kids are as they come off the ride. Point out that kids coming off the ride do not look scared and are not crying.

• Nervous is Normal – Explain that while riding a roller coaster, it is normal to feel a little nervous, scream, close your eyes, and squeeze someone’s hand – in fact, it is part of the fun. Explain that feeling a bit nervous doesn’t mean you are too scared to go on the roller coaster.

At the End of the Day…

• No Regrets – If your child expresses regret that he didn’t try the roller coaster, don’t make him feel bad. Now that the day is over, it’s easy for him to ‘be brave.’ Instead, remind him there is always a next time, and that he should focus on the rides he enjoyed and the fun that was had by all.