Jetsettersblog

Busch Gardens in Florida will open its veterinary doors giving visitors the chance to observe and even take part in procedures for the first time ever at its new Animal Care Center. Opening 23rd January, the centre deals with all types of animal care from nutrition to treatments, X-rays to surgeries, which will be conducted in guest view in this new state-of-the-art facility.

Animal lovers who are visiting the park, will have free admission to the centre, which allows guests to experience what it’s like to work on the wild side, getting up-close and hands on with a host of animals from tigers to toads.

The new facility includes a nutrition centre, treatment rooms, a clinical lab and an interactive diagnostic activity, along with further treatment rooms behind the scenes. The Nutrition Centre will feature a specially designed kitchen, where educators will lead demonstrations several times a day on the planning and preparation of animal diets. Guests will even have the chance to assist preparing and doling out the range of food the park provides its animals, from fruits and vegetables to crickets and even mealworms, these nutrition demonstrations will take place during scheduled times each day.

The Treatment Centre will allow budding vets to watch as Busch Gardens’ skilled veterinarian do preventative checkups, treatments and surgeries on animals. Guests will be able to see into the
rooms through glass walls, and audio capabilities will allow animal enthusiasts to talk to vets working behind the glass. Cameras placed over the exam table will show unique vantage points to guests who can watch on monitors.

In the Clinical Lab, staff will perform tests on samples collected from the animals, such as blood, urine, and faeces, using the same types of laboratory equipment used in human hospitals. A camera connected to the laboratory’s microscope will allow guests to see exactly what the staff looking under the microscope see.

Science lovers can also participate in a Diagnostic Exercise by scanning an interactive activity card at several stations as they follow an animal from diagnosis to treatment to blood and lab work to a final outcome.

“We are proud of the care we provide our animals,” said Mike Boos, vice president of zoological operations. “We welcome the opportunity to share our level of care with our guests, and to continue our mission of connecting guests to animals and the natural world. No other zoological facility can offer the unique, up-close experience that this new facility will provide.”

Busch Gardens, and its parent company, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, are world leaders in animal care, caring for more than 60,000 animals, one of the world’s largest zoological collections. Busch Gardens Tampa cares for more than 2,000 animals representing 307 species.

Visitors to Central Florida’s Polk County can save big on area attractions and activities, restaurants, shops, accommodations, golf courses and more with the new 2012 “Passport to Adventure and Savings” discount card.

The free card is part of a brochure including more than 140 special offers from Polk County merchants.

Local residents can take advantage of the same discounts, and recommend the card to visiting family and friends. Visit Central Florida has produced 100,000 copies of the tourism brochure to promote local businesses and add value to a Central Florida vacation. Offers are valid through Dec. 31, 2012, unless otherwise noted.

With Interactive Cooking Experience

ORLANDO, FL, USA – It will be love at first bite this February for culinary couples as the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld introduces its Valentine’s weekend travel experience featuring a cooking class of savory seductions.

A 781-room aquatic-themed property with a prime location directly across from SeaWorld, the AAA Four Diamond Orlando resort is offering foodies its “Love at First Bite” package that lets lovebirds literally, eat their hearts out.

Based on a one-night-stay Friday, February 10th or Saturday, February 11th the package costs $269 per couple and includes:

Accommodations in one of central Florida’s largest guest rooms

An interactive, group culinary experience from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on either Friday or Saturday night in the R Kitchen – a new, cutting edge open kitchen that was among the resort’s added amenities in its recent $35 million renovation project.

Breakfast for two

Late, 1 p.m. checkout

An exclusive experience limited to 10 couples each night, the interactive cooking class will begin with a champagne toast.

After being provided the recipes, couples will work hands-on with the Chefs to create a four course meal with wine pairing, while learning about new industry trends and techniques, and developing skills they can apply to “at home cooking.” Hats and aprons provided, the menu of romantic delicacies will include:
Pan Seared Diver Scallop with Zellwood Corn and Prosciutto Crisp

“Waterkist Farms” Tomato with Buffalo Mozzarella, Baby Arugula and EVOO
Housemade Short Rib and Truffle Ravioli with Wild Mushrooms and English Peas
Honey Bell Orange Crème Brulee and Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream

The “Love at First Bite” Valentine’s weekend travel package is only available on stays Friday, February 10th or Saturday, February 11th. There are a limited number of rooms available for this promotion.

The cost per couple for one night is $269. Rates start from $229 for additional night-stays.

To book, visit RenOrlando.com and use the rate code ES8 or call 800-327-6677 and request the package.

After a warm belly and full heart, guests can head across the street to SeaWorld to experience everything from shark dives and thrill rides, to polar bears and penguins. Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld is an official hotel partner with SeaWorld, an alliance that comes with a long list of perks availed only to patrons of the world-class property. These include early entry to SeaWorld on select days during peak seasons; complimentary front-of-the-line access to SeaWorld (based on allotments); discounts on select food and gift purchases at SeaWorld and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark; complimentary scheduled transportation to SeaWorld and Aquatica, and Universal Orlando; and exclusive access to the SeaWorld Rescue Tour on early entry days.

*Offer is based availability. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms and cannot be combined with any other promotions. Blackout dates may apply. Advance reservations are required. Other restrictions may apply. Rate is per room, per night. Tax is additional.

Mission Inn Resort & Club GolfNow Getaway

HOWEY IN THE HILLS, Fla. — Stay, play and dine with Mission Inn Resort & Club with this exclusive GolfNow Getaway package featuring luxurious Club Suite accommodations, 18-holes of golf per night’s stay, breakfast buffet each morning, range balls, club cleaning, storage & bag tag. With tee-to-green elevations of up to 85 feet, Mission Inn’s two award-winning courses are memorable no matter what the score.

Want to play more?

Stay three nights or more and receive a free round of golf!

Included in your package:

In addition to golf, make plans to enjoy other resort offerings including our luxurious spa Marbella, boating, fishing, trap & skeet and exquisite dining. Mission Inn Resort & Club is located just 35 minutes north of Orlando.

Starting at $149.00 per person, per night, double occupancy. Rates subject to nightly resort fee, service charge & tax.

For more information, please call 800-874-9053 and mention the “GolfNow Getaway,” or click here.

Universal Orlando Resort said starting in February will introduce multiple new attractions this year, including a new Blue Man Group performance, an upgraded Amazing Adventures of Spiderman ride, a new Universal’s Superstar Parade, a new Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, and a new evening Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular show. For a video preview of these new attractions, click on Universal Orlando.

“We are about to offer our guests a historic range of incredible new entertainment experiences,” said Alice Norsworthy, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Universal Orlando Resort. “This year will be filled with excitement and entertainment for the entire family.”

Opening in February on Universal CityWalk, Blue Man Group will feature a new show environment, new music, new technology and new experiences, allowing audiences to join the Blue Men as they discover, engage and explore the world’s obsession with cutting-edge technology.

“New show elements include the curious Blue Men interacting with enormous “GiPads,” a funny look at contemporary communication vehicles, and a new finale with an original Blue Man Group music score.

Opening in March in Islands of Adventure, the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is being transformed into an all-new adventure featuring 4K digital high-definition animation, new high tech 3-D glasses and upgrades to the set, audio and lighting systems.

The re-animation of the ride film will include an entirely new level of detail for guests to discover, including a cameo by legendary comic book icon and Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee.

Debuting this spring at Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Superstar Parade is an all-new daily parade that features floats, state-of-the-art technology and hundreds of energetic street performers. Guests will sing and dance along with characters like the minions from Despicable Me, E.B. from the hit comedy Hop, Nickelodeon’s Dora & Diego and SpongeBob SquarePants during the interactive experience.

Guests also will the opportunity to enjoy performances and character meet and greets prior to the parade at select locations throughout the day.

Also debuting this spring at Universal Studios Florida is Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories.

Narrated by award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, Universal Orlando’s new nighttime show will celebrate the most powerful and emotional moments from Universal Pictures’ most iconic films, projected on cutting-edge waterfall screens within the Universal Studios lagoon and surrounded by colorful fountains and pyrotechnics.

Universal Orlando officials say the experience will take guests on a journey through epic cinematic moments filled with heroes, horror, laughter, good vs. evil and triumph.

The new show opens this spring, runs all summer and then on select nights through the end of the year.

Opening this summer at Universal Studios Florida will be Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, which will take guests on a 3-D adventure with their favorite characters from the hit film — Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and the mischievous minions.

The experience begins when guests enter Gru’s home, where they learn that they’re being recruited to become minions and undergo “minion training.”

Things don’t go as planned, and guests find themselves on a wildly hysterical journey with Gru and his daughters.

Once guests make it through training, they join an interactive, minion-inspired dance party where they can show off their best moves.

Universal’s creative team is working closely with Chris Meledandri’s Illumination Entertainment to bring this attraction to life in the most authentic way possible.

Characters showcased in the attraction will be voiced by the film’s original cast: Steve Carell (Gru), Miranda Cosgrove (Margo), Dana Gaier (Edith) and Elsie Fisher (Agnes).

In addition, Hollywood Drive-In Golf, a 36-hole miniature golf experience inspired by the classic drive-in movie era, will open in February at Universal CityWalk.

A new retail entertainment experience opening in Universal Studios Florida later this year will feature SpongeBob SquarePants and other characters from Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants.

The nearby Wet ‘n Wild water park also will open its first interactive family water play area this summer. Set amid tropical landscaping, the new area will feature 15 water slides and more than 100 soakers, jets, waterfalls and water cannons

Current Universal Orlando three-night vacation packages are available starting from only $249 per adult including tax.

Guests can upgrade to an on-site hotel and receive complimentary Universal Express access to attractions at both theme parks.

Don’t miss your thrills in Orlando with Trip Cancellation Insurance from Seven Corners at www.sevencorners.com

ORLANDO, Fla. — With two big league clubs’ spring training headquarters only minutes from Villas of Grand Cypress, March is the perfect month for the new Spring Training Grand Slam vacation package, which gets golfers swinging away in the morning, while leaving plenty of time to get to the ballpark for that afternoon’s first pitch.

Orlando’s premier golf resort, Villas of Grand Cypress showcases 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature-designed golf and features luxurious accommodations tailored for golfers, families and baseball fans alike. Grand Cypress is adjacent to Walt Disney World® and a short drive from the spring training homes of the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros.

Grand Cypress is home to one of the Top 25 Golf Schools in America, the Grand Cypress Academy of Golf. Programs serve every skill level, from beginner to tour pro, and are designed to produce results, while making the process fun, as well.

The Spring Training Grand Slam package includes:

* Luxury accommodations in either a Club Suite or Villa

* $100 in resort credit ($50 for golf / $50 for dining)

* Amenities including bicycles, two pools, pitch ‘n putt course

Rates are from $199 plus resort fee and taxes per night.

The Spring Training Grand Slam Package does not include tickets to baseball games. The package is available from March 1 to March 31, 2012.

The resort’s accommodations are ideally positioned along the fairways and waterways of its golf courses, and range from Club Suites to Luxury Guest Villas, with one to four bedrooms. Each provides spectacular views of the waterways, or fairways of the North Course, with private terraces, high-speed Internet access, flat-screen televisions, large baths, attentive housekeeping services and much more.

To take a swing at Grand Cypress with the Spring Training Grand Slam package, reservations may be made online and by calling (800) 835-7377.

About the Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels (SM):

The Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels(SM) concept was founded on the premise that personal luxury means different things to different people.

For the location of Benchmark’s properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com

On Saturdays and select nights starting Feb. 11 through April 14, Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration will bring costumed performers, authentic New Orleans bands, Cajun cuisine and live concerts to the theme park’s Mardi Gras parade.

Among the lineup of performers, Grammy-winner Kelly Clarkson will take the Music Plaza Stage on Feb. 18 while singer-songwriter and Grammy-nominee B.o.B will perform on March 24.

Additional performances include Billboard magazine’s “Female Entertainer of the Century” and disco diva Diana Ross; Boyz II Men; and four-time Billboard Latin Music Award-winner Prince Royce.

Additionally, this year’s parade will take guests on a journey through the earth’s different ecosystems with elaborately themed floats including bayous and swamps, rainforest, coral reefs, the deep blue sea and polar regions.

Every year, the parade’s hand-crafted floats are built by Blaine Kern Artists — the same company that designs the floats for the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans.

Authentic New Orleans bands will also perform every night before the headliner concert.

Disney Parks’ Walt Disney World Moms Panel has unveiled a new feature — the panelists can now receive and answer guests’ questions in Spanish.

In addition to the first bilingual offerings, two new specialty areas will be added to the site — Disneyland Resort and runDisney. The Walt Disney World Moms Panel is an online forum that serves as a resource for planning Disney Parks vacations.

As the Moms Panel expands, Disney Parks will look to rebrand in 2012 with details to come later this year.

Southwest Airlines Vacations is offering savings up to $250 on air/hotel packages to Walt Disney World Resort and up to 30 percent off Disney Resort Hotels.

Use promotion code DISNEY250 to receive the offer. Bookings must be made by Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. CT for travel Feb. 2 through June 14.

Customized Disney vacation packages include roundtrip flight via Southwest Airlines to the Walt Disney World Resort via Orlando, hotel accommodations (including taxes), Magic Your Way Ticket, Disney’s Magical Express complimentary roundtrip airport/hotel transportation service, Disney’s Extra Magic Hours, Rapid Rewards points on the flight portion, 24-hour traveler assistance, and first and second checked bags fly free. Southwest Airlines Vacations offers vacation packages to more than 80 destinations with flight service available from every scheduled Southwest Airlines departure city.

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort
Phoenix, AZ

Vacation your way at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa with a $50 daily activity credit to spend on golf, spa, dining and more! Dive in to one of four swimming pools, drift along the lazy river or take a swing on one of two championship golf courses. Wildfire Golf Club features two picturesque 18-hole courses designed by two of golf’s greatest legends–Arnold Palmer and Nick Faldo. Rates are from $179 through December 2, 2012.

Doral Golf Resort & Spa

Miami, FL

It’s the perfect time to experience the unparalleled golf and amenities of Doral Golf Resort & Spa. Enjoy luxury accommodations and breakfast daily at Terrazza; step up to the tee at three championship courses and hone your skills at the Jim McLean Golf School. There’s never been a better time to take on the courses of Doral Golf Resort! Rates start at $279 per person.

Orlando World Center Marriott
Orlando, FL

Discover world-class golf in the heart of Orlando at Orlando World Center Marriott. Challenge your game with 18 holes of championship golf at Hawk’s Landing and then enjoy world-class dining, a full-service spa, and a million-gallon tropical pool complex with waterfalls and waterslide.

The Stay and Play Golf package features deluxe accommodations, breakfast buffet for two in Solaris restaurant, and unlimited daily golf for two at Hawk’s Landing Golf Club. Rates start at $294.

Royal St. Kitts Golf Club

Basseterre, St. Kitts

Sweeten your next golf getaway with a trip to “Sugar City” and the spectacular St. Kitts Marriott Resort. The Escape! Golf package features luxury overnight accommodations, breakfast buffet daily and two rounds of golf at Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, one of the best conditioned and most scenic golf courses in the Caribbean. Rates start at $207 per night, based on double occupancy.

Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa

Lexington, KY

We golf year-round at Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa in Lexington. Make it a long weekend this winter with that special someone and book our His & Her Golf & Spa Escape package, featuring deluxe accommodations; breakfast for two daily; one round of golf including green fees and golf cart; and one Griffin Gate signature massage. Rates start at just $284.

To book, call 800-391-6690 and request promotional code ZJL or visit www.griffingatemarriott.com

Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club
St. Petersburg, FL

Hit the links at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, FL, and enjoy a terrific Tampa Bay golf package that includes unlimited golf, luxury resort accommodations and more! The Escape! Golf Getaway package features a complimentary upgrade to a bay view room; one round of golf for one or two players; unlimited same day replay rounds; and 50% off rental of new Callaway clubs. Rates start at just $234 for one player.