Raglan Road at Downtown Disney

Raglan Road is the premier Irish restaurant and pub in Downtown Disney.  Featuring the culinary works of famed Irish chef, Kevin Dundon, Raglan Road is the 5-star Irish experience this side of the Atlantic.

Starting March 8-10 and March 14-17, Raglan Road begins the celebration of St. Patrick's Day with it's usual fine dining and fantastic drink choices coupled with some great entertainment.  Beginning at 6:00pm on select nights, Raglan Road will feature such acts as The Willis Clan, Nova Celtic, Celtic Wave, and the ever-popular Raglan Road Irish Dancers.

Access on most nights is a small charge of $5 each and on the 17th the cover will be $10 each.  Come and enjoy the best Ireland has to offer, have a superb dinner, and revel in Irish culture through music and dancing,. Have a Guinness at the 135 year old bars and make some friends.  Make sure you wear your green.  No orange allowed!!

Reservations can be made at 1-407-938-0300.  Enjoy.

Seuss Landing Universal Studios Islands of Adventure

You can't be too big for this.  At Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, there is an entire section devoted to the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss.  The world created many years ago by Theodore Seuss Giesel comes to life in a way only a major motion picture company like Universal can do.  The entire area is a splash of storybook colors and sights that we all grew up on.

Take a ride on "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" pictured above.  This ride is similar to the "Dumbo" ride at Walt Disney World.  There is also the "Seuss Trolley" (you can see the tracks above and also the "Caro_Seuss-el", a carousel full of all the cool characters that only a wonderful storyteller like Dr. Seuss could create.  There's also the "Cat in the Hat", a ride through the story depicting everything you saw in the cartoon.

Take the kids to eat at "Circus McGurkus" under the big tent.  It's fast food but the entire area is for the visitors ten and under and they will enjoy it. Have some Moose Juice! It's cool.

When you have a day at Islands of Adventure, the little ones will enjoy it all.  In the warmer months there is a little water park where they can play and get wet.  Great fun for them.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville - City Walk

Visit Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure you'll pass through City Walk, a collection of clubs, restaurants, shops, and bars.  Margaritaville is one of the main attractions here and we love to visit when we go there.

Margaritaville is a 2-level restaurant, bar, and night club designed and hosted by singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett. The food and atmosphere is great and they have some of the wildest mixed drinks you can find in the Caribbean.  If you like the beach scene and love to hang out with folks who like to drink and have fun you really should see this.  Have a "Cheeseburger in Paradise", a wide variety of fish plates, Cuban sandwiches, or jambalaya.  The food is fantastic and service is always the best.  If you like, you can visit either of the two indoor bars or sit by the lagoon at the outside bar which is especially relaxing in the cooler months.

Eat indoors or outside on the "Porch of Indecision" and enjoy the entertainment.  At 10:00 pm there is a cover charge as the place magically becomes a night club and select bands play some great music till 2:00 am.

Always a great time.  Sandwiches start at about $9.99 and dinner range from about $12 to about $29.  You can be comfortable with your family or with all your rowdy pirate friends

And remember, when in Florida, there's always a gift shop close by!

Sea World Orlando - Bands, Brew, and BBQ

Sea World has a great celebration every year around this time that showcases southern cooking, concerts, and Harley-Davidson's.  Bands, Brew, and BBQ is a sharp contrast to parties like Mardi Gras but is a great time by a different flavor.

Featuring outdoor cooking by Tony Roma's, Cecil's Texas Style BBQ, and Sonny's Real Pit BBQ, this party, which runs from February 9th through March 17th, is more like a football tailgate party at the Super Bowl or the Daytona 500.  It takes advantage of our Florida weather and southern style cooking to produce a fun, family-oriented good time.  While everybody up north is still walking through slush, you can enjoy a combination of good food, music, and Sea World entertainment all in the same day.

The concert series is a great lineup featuring acts like Merle Haggard, the Beach Boys, Third Eye Blind, and Florida's own Darius Rucker.  Cheryl Crow performs on March 17th, so the shows are lined up. Come out and see what everyone else is enjoying.

Bands, Brew, and BBQ is included in your annual pass and Pass Holders receive a 10% discount for  booking a VIP Package which gives you reserved seating for concerts, dinner, and sampler vouchers.

Always a good time, Bands, Brew, and BBQ is a great time in the sun and under the lights in the heart of the capital of Southern Rock.

Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios is now celebrating Mardi Gras on Saturdays and select nights from February 9th through April 20th. It's one long street party with food, music, dancing, and live entertainment.  There will be about 14 big shows featuring acts like Steve Miller Band, Montgomery Gentry, Phillip Phillips, and Pitbull.


There will be plenty of French Quarter street music.  While you're there check out the City Walk Clubs such as Pat O'Brien's Pub and Bob Marley's (my favorite).

Florida residents are eligible for a $25.00 discount.  Mardi Gras is included in your Premium Annual Pass. There are also package deals for residents such as $115.00/night per person/per night at one of the Universal resorts.  Go to Universal Studios web site or visit some of the other sites such as Kayak and Orbitz.  They are also good for package deals.

Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco Visits Walt Disney World

On Monday, Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens quarterback and Super Bowl MVP, joined Mickey Mouse for the traditional "I'm Going To Disney World" parade down Main Street USA.  Flacco, who threw 3 touchdown passes for the win over the San Francisco 49ers was joined by family and friends for a blockbusting celebration in Orlando where tens of thousands of visitors cheered and congratulated him on a great win over a great team.

Crowds were huge and the weather was great for this day.  Congratulations to Flacco for a great season.

Nolan's Irish Pub - Cocoa Beach

There's nothing better outside of Ireland than an Irish Pub run by an Irishman.  When you visit this quaint little place tucked in the tourist corridor of Cocoa Beach, Florida, you're made to feel at home by the casual crowd and atmosphere.

Owned and operated by John and Mary Nolan, Nolan's Pub is a beautiful full service bar with pub-style dining. Prices are very reasonable and the food is delicious.  For example, the Guinness Stew is as good as I've ever eaten and the Shepherd's Pie is carefully prepared in a casserole dish served with marble rye.

John and Mary have done everything to make Nolan's a comfortable place where folks feel welcome.  The atmosphere is friendly and quaint with a sitting area complete with fireplace where fireside chats are held every Thursday from 7:00-8:00pm.  Also, live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights featuring Irish musicians such as Cahir O'Doherty Fran Doyle, and Peg Dolan.

John and me at the left. Below, Ryan and Deirdre with John.

           www.nolansirishpub.net

John and Mary also run a very successful travel called "Tours Galore"  They can book you a very professional vacation anywhere but their specialty is all-inclusive tours to Ireland.  They just completed a record year of trips so see for yourself and go with the pros! Visit their site below and email them for more information. They would love to hear from you!

                                                         
                                         info@nolansirishpub.net

                                           info@toursgalore.net