Courtney Mills

Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 19: Ripped From the Screen gets underway this evening

2009-09-25T04:00:00Z

Courtney Mills of Orlando Fun Tickets previews this year’s event. Which – for 23 select nights during the months of September & October – will bring many modern horror films to life...(read more)

Treat yourself to tickets to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

2009-09-04T04:00:00Z

Courtney Mills of Orlando Fun Tickets looks beyond Labor Day and suggests that now would be a great time to secure your admission to this after-hours event at WDW’s Magic Kingdom...(read more)

Beat the heat this summer with a trip to one of Central Florida’s water parks

2009-08-04T04:00:00Z

Courtney Mills of Orlando Fun Tickets talks up some of the more popular amenities that can now be found at Aquatica, Discovery Cove, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon...(read more)

When it comes to fun Fourth of July festivities, O-town is the “Oooh” & “Aaah” capital of the USA

2009-06-30T04:00:00Z

Courtney Mills of Orlando Fun Tickets takes a look at the fireworks displays & concerts that will be presented at Central Florida’s theme parks this Friday & Saturday...(read more)

SeaWorld Orlando’s new “Manta” flying coaster is a must-sea … er … see

2009-05-29T04:05:00Z

Courtney Mills of Orlando Fun Tickets takes you from when Central Florida’s newest attraction was still a construction site to the face-down view of what this thrill ride is really like...(read more)

Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theatre serves up crime, comedy and killer cuisine

2009-05-01T04:00:00Z

Courtney Mills of Orlando Fun Tickets reports on this long-running Orlando-area attraction, which has entertained hundreds of thousands of tourists since it first opened back in 1980...(read more)

Central Florida's tourism traditions continue with Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival

2009-03-26T04:00:00Z

Courtney Mills of Orlando Fun Tickets talks about how flowers continue to power the theme parks in this part of the country...(read more)

Mardi Gras celebrations seriously adds to the fun at the Universal Orlando Resort

2009-02-26T05:00:00Z

Courtney Mills of Orlando Fun Tickets tries to see just how far she can stretch her entertainment dollar by visiting IOA & Universal Studios as well as taking in a Mardi Gras parade & concert … all in ONE day!...(read more)

Having your cake and eating it too at Walt Disney World in 2009

2009-01-29T05:00:00Z

Courtney Mills of Orlando Fun Tickets is your confection connection, as she explains the ins & outs of this year’s “What Will You Celebrate” free-admission-on-your-birthday promotion...(read more)

10 Ways to Improve Your New Year's Eve Experience at a Disney Theme Park

2008-12-31T05:00:00Z

So you're in Orlando right now and really have your heart set on having that once-in-a-lifetime experience. Of ringing in the New Year while standing shoulder-to-shoulder with 50,000 other people inside of a Disney theme park while fireworks explode overhead.

Well, know this: New Year's Eve at Walt Disney World is not for the faint-hearted. The crush of the crowds that you'll encounter tonight often gets to a lot of people and can ruin their enjoyment of this event. Which is why it's important -- before you head out to the parks today -- to do at least some advance preparations.

"What sort of advance preparations?," you ask. In the spirit of the season, here's my own New Year's Eve countdown. Which list the Top Ten things you can do to make sure that tonight's experience is far more enjoyable for you, your friends & your family.

10. BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE -- No matter where you go today at Disney World, you're going to encounter lengthy lines. So why not eliminate at least one of those lines by purchasing your admission to the parks in advance? At...Oh, I don't know... some reputable local ticket broker like...say... Orlando Fun Tickets?

9. ARRIVE EARLY -- New Year's Eve at the Walt Disney World Resort is always an incredibly busy time. But if you can beat the rush, get to your theme-park-of-choice today before the bulk of the crowd arrives, you'll definitely be ahead of the game. So head out ASAP. But please be sure and...

8. BRING ALONG THE PROPER SUPPLIES -- Whatever the weather is like right in Orlando, chances are that -- by midnight tonight -- things will have cooled down considerably; which is why it would be wise to bring along a coat, hat, and gloves today. But also remember that -- in order to hold your spot for tonight's festivities -- you'll likely be standing in the sun for several hours today; so some sunscreen and bottled water will be needed as well. And given that there'll be long lines at all of the parks' restaurants and food service locations, bringing along a few snacks would probably be a smart idea too. Not to mention a book or an iPod, just in case you get bored while standing there. Plus a cell phone (in case of emergency and/or to stay in touch with family & friends) and a camera (to record the event). And don’t forget the extra batteries for your electronics, so that you don’t miss a beat of the event!

Though -- to be honest -- the very best thing that you can bring along today is...

7. A BUDDY -- Someone to hold your place while you slip off to use the bathroom or go to get food & a drink; someone to stay & protect your viewing spot for tonight's fireworks extravaganza. Notice how I keep saying things like "hold your place" & "stay in one spot?” Given the huge crowds that you'll encounter today & tonight, that's why it's important to...

6) HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS -- If you really want to stake out a primo viewing spot for tonight's fireworks, this is not a day that you should plan on experiencing too many rides, shows and attractions. There'll be so many people in the parks today that the lines are just going to be impossible. Even if you make use of FastPass, you're still looking at two and three hour waits.

And it's going to be like this at ALL of the WDW theme parks. So...

5) DON'T PARK HOP -- Pick the one Disney theme park that you really want visit today, the one fireworks extravaganza that you want to see tonight and then stick with that park. Sure, Disney World has a wonderful transportation system. But given the huge number of people who are on property today, it's quite likely that WDW will begin restricting access to its parks by late morning/early afternoon; literally turning people away. So unless you want to wind up on the outside looking in, once you get inside one of the theme parks, stay there.

Photo by Jeff Lange

And once you get inside that park, as soon as possible...

4) STAKE OUT YOUR SPOT -- Think about all of the other fireworks shows that you've seen inside of this particular theme park. What was the best possible location for viewing that show? If you don't know and/or have never been to that Disney theme park before, ask a Cast Member for directions and then head immediately to that location. Find yourself a bench to sit on and/or a fence to lean on and then park it. Yes, it'll be hours 'til the New Year's Eve entertainment is finally underway. But all this extra effort will be worth it in the end.
What's that you say? What if you get there late and then can't find a primo viewing spot for the fireworks. Not to worry. All you have to do is...
3) LET THE THEME PARK'S SCHEDULE WORK FOR YOU -- Here's something that most WDW visitors don't realize. On New Year's Eve, Walt Disney World typically presents two fireworks shows at each of its theme parks; so that those parents who've brought their young kids into the park can then go home happy, knowing that they've at least experienced some holiday entertainment. So keep in mind that a large number of people will be exiting the parks with their strollers around 10 p.m., which means that a lot of spots are suddenly going to open up in the heart of the park right about then. So if you plan your moves accordingly, you may soon find yourself a great spot for viewing tonight's fireworks.
But that being said, you should always...
2) BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS -- Let's remember that you're not the only one who's in the parks today trying to experience New Year's Eve. So please try & be respectful of the other folks around you, which means that you shouldn't continuously fire off your flash and blind everyone else in the crowd. And, please do not hoist your child up onto your shoulders at the very last moment and then block the view of everyone standing behind you. A little courtesy can go a long way in a hyper-crowded situation like this.

And speaking of crowds...
1) BE PATIENT WHILE EXITING THE PARK -- If you're in the Magic Kingdom and/or Epcot tonight, chances are that -- once the fireworks are over -- you'll be one of 50,000+ people who are then trying to get back to their hotel room or car. In a crowd that big, it's easy to get separated or maybe even hurt. Which is why -- if it's all possible -- once 2009 arrives, you should immediately find a bench and sit down for a half hour or so. Do some people-watching while the crowd recedes, grab one last Mickey ice cream bar, or reminisce with your friends and family about your favorite parts of your day at the park. Once the walkways in the Park are wide open again, then head for the exits. That way, your New Year will get off to a trouble-free start, rather than having to push & shove your way onto the Monorail.

What's that you say? This sounds too much like work? And you want to be able to enjoy your New Year's Eve? Well, if that's really the case, both SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Orlando are holding hard ticket events tonight. The SeaWorld New Year's Eve event starts with a reception at Shamu's Underwater Viewing area followed by a buffet dinner. Guests will then be treated to an exclusive interaction with the park's killer whales, then VIP seating to that night's Shamu Rocks show as well as Michael Andrews' 11:45 p.m. concert which will conclude with fireworks.

Meanwhile, over at Universal Orlando, Guests will enjoy an exclusive evening of entertainment at CityWalk. There'll be a live performance by the Doobie Brothers, not to mention all-you-can-eat gourmet fare like filet mignon & jumbo shrimp. Then -- at the stroke of midnight -- there'll be a free champagne toast.

Sounds great, right? Well, just keep in mind that you actually have to pay for all this VIP treatment. Tickets for SeaWorld Orlando's News Year's Eve at Dine with Shamu are $99 for adults and $69 for children (ages 3-9). Tickets for New Year's Eve at Universal CityWalk are $124.99 plus tax. Though American Express cardholders can save $5 on each ticket as well as get express line access into this Universal Orlando event.

Anyway... That's the skinny on spending New Year's Eve at the Orlando area's big three attractions. Wherever you wind up ringing in 2009, please be smart and party responsibly.

From all of us here at Orlando Fun Tickets, have a Happy New Year!

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Short lines & seasonal fun to be found at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

2008-11-28T05:00:00Z

"Tis the Season to be Jolly ... "

Well, normally it would be. But given what's been going on with the economy this year, for a lot of folks holiday time 2008 is shaping up to be "Tis the Season to be Stingy ..."

So with so many people cutting back on their holiday spending, why should you spring for "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party" tickets this year?

To be honest, until just this past Friday, I didn't have a good answer to that question. Mostly because I had never actually experienced MVMCP.

But having just spent a very cold night at the Magic Kingdom, I can now tell you why this holiday hard ticket event is something that you don't want to miss the very next time you're down at Walt Disney World in November or December.

So what makes "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party" so special? For starters, it's an after-hour private party at the Magic Kingdom, which gives a limited number of Guests access to the place, which means that there are virtually no lines for the most popular rides, shows and attractions at this theme park.

Photo by Courtney Mills

Which was how -- last Friday night -- I was able to rack up two back-to-back rides on Space Mountain with almost no wait, as well as all of the rest of the shows & attractions that I experienced at MVMCP. The longest line I encountered all night was over in Frontierland, where I waited a whole seven minutes before I finally got to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

So -- if you're looking to make the most of your time at the Magic Kingdom, while racking up as many rides as possible -- snagging a ticket to "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party" might be a very smart idea.

On the other hand, if you're just looking for a great evening of holiday entertainment the next time you're in Orlando, MVMCP definitely delivers the goods. As I wandered through the Magic Kingdom last Friday night, I saw all sorts of seasonal shows.

Photo by Courtney Mills

Take -- for example -- "Celebrate the Season," which is presented on the forecourt stage at Cinderella Castle. This outdoor entertainment features lots of energetic singers & dancers, as well as those great new winkin', blinkin' and talkin' versions of Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy.

Speaking of Cinderella Castle ... This Magic Kingdom icon was literally the centerpiece of the "Holiday Wishes" fireworks show, with the very walls of this Castle being used as projection screens for this seasonal extravaganza.

Then, factor in all of those rarely seen characters you encounter as you wander through this theme park on MVMCP. This past Friday night, the walk-around versions of Big Al & Wendell from "Country Bear Jamboree" were out and about in Frontierland. Decked out in colorful scarves & hats, these two were happy to pose for pictures with all passersby.

Of course, if you really want to see Disney characters, you've got to stack out a spot along Main Street U.S.A. to catch "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade." Then you'll get the chance to see all of the Company's high profile cartoon characters while soapsuds "snow" drifts down from above.

That may be my own complaint about about MVMCP. That "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade" may have been a little too long. Which means that you can get kind of frosty while standing out there in the cool Central Florida night air.

But being cold brought along the great bonus of the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ticket: Hot Cocoa & Cookies provided for all Guests attending MVMCP. You can duck in to any one of the four locations at the Magic Kingdom where they're offering these freebies and then warm up for a bit before heading back out into the party.

Photo by Courtney Mills

So let's review here: If you purchase a MVMCP ticket, you get:

* A Magic Kingdom with virtually no lines, which then allows you to experience super-popular attractions like "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Haunted Mansion" with almost no wait.
* To experience special seasonal shows like "Belle's Enchanted Christmas" and the Castle Dream Lights without battling with crowds.
* As much as Cookies and Hot Cocoa as you care to consume.

And, you can get all -- a full five-hour-long after-hours party at the Magic Kingdom – for nearly $40 less than what it costs to buy a single day ticket to that same theme park. All of that entertainment for nearly half the price! No wonder so many Central Florida families have made a trip to "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party" one of their holiday traditions. With some holiday-happy folks making a point of attending MVMCP two & three times each year.

This year may have been my first "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party." But I know that it won't be my last. Next year, I'll definitely be back. But next time, I'll be sure and wear a warmer coat.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is held at the Magic Kingdom theme park on select nights now through December 19th. Orlando Fun Tickets is currently offering specially discounted tickets to certain nights at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. If you'd like to learn more about this offer, please click on this link.

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