Disney World Ticket Prices

By now, if you're planning a vacation or live in Florida you have heard that Walt Disney World Parks just raised their 1-day Pass to $99.00.  There is a lot of speculation as to why.  Some think it's the cost of inflation, others believe Disney stock needs a revitalization.  It may be due to the fact that Disney is getting set to go into labor negotiations with the parks union and are anticipating an increase in demand for wages and benefits. 

Historically, Walt Disney World raises their prices followed by the other Orlando area theme parks.  It was just recently announced that Universal Studios Orlando is going to raise their prices but I'm not sure the rates have been set yet.  You can bet Sea World and Busch Gardens will follow suit.

Disney doesn't have any special rates at the moment for one-day park passes.  They do have their multi-park and multi-day passes still.  Rates are discounted for on-line purchases, Florida resident, AAA, and a few others.  There are also rates for on sight hotels and the Disney Dining Plan is good to look at if you have a large party going to the parks for the day.  The other parks have similar plans are usually break even or you might save a few bucks rather than paying as you go.

It is certainly a lot of money to pay $400.00 for a family of four to attend the park for the day but if you go to some smaller venues or to some of the traditional smaller places to visit you may find you don't spend a lot more. 

Don't let it deter you from coming to Florida.  We still value our vacationers an you deserve it after the winter the northern states experienced!

Diagon Alley Universal Studios Orlando

Diagon Alley, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is the newest addition to the Harry Potter experience.  Diagon Alley is a street in old London containing shops, eateries, and other places of interest located at the far end of Island of Adventure.

The latest addition is the Hogwart's Express that you can take from Universal Studios and get off at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  You can see it from miles because Hogwart's Castle looms high in the sky above the area which is out of sight of the "muggle" world.

Young and old alike can visit London and explore places such as Ollivander's wand shop and get a demonstration from a wizard or dine a 3 Broomsticks across the street.  There are all sorts of little shops with oddities such as Broomsticks (you guessed it) and Sugarplums Sweet Shop where they sell old world confections.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- Diagon Alley

Bands, Brew, & BBQ Sea World Orlando

courtesy of www.seaworldorlando.com

Bands, Brew, and BBQ is an annual spring festival held at Sea World Orlando that includes 5 weeks of outdoor fun that is unique to Central Florida.  Beginning February 1st and continuing until March 9th, this event begins at 11:30 AM each day while bands begin paying at 4:00PM.  The event is free with a regular admission.  Sea World teams up with numerous restaurants and caterers in the Orlando area to provide the best food in the south for a superb southern style festival that you can only get down here.

Unfortunately, this year's celebration is in danger of being a flop due to controversy created by an independent documentary film called "Blackfish" which was critical of Sea World's treatment of killer whales.  The film was inspired by the death of whale trainer Dawn Brancheau.

Entertainers like Willie Nelson, Cheap Trick, Martina McBride, and 38 Special, have all withdrawn in recent weeks.  Not all claimed it was a result of the movie but it is widely speculated that they didn't want to be associated with the negative press.

Surprisingly, Sea World hasn't said much publicly about the withdrawals or the movie that prompted them.  All told, it seems the festival is still planned and they expect to go forward with the plans but something will have to bring all these acts back to invite the public to participate.  I will withhold my opinion about this turn of events but to say the least I think it's a sad image of a great organization.

Reference: DeWayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel.