Not only have we entered 2012 this week, but it's also the last few days of winter break for schoolchildren. If we're talking about college-age kids, then they've got a little longer. Regardless, this is the last dash time for family vacations at the theme parks in Orlando, FL...specifically at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

We've been a few times now since it opened 1.5 years ago, and each time we return with photo galleries and tips aplenty. If you're about to jet down to hit the park or are contemplating a last-minute mini-vacay, here's everything you need to know:

· Changes to ticket prices & ride seating
· Our complete, first-hand survival guide to the Potter park
· Photos from November 2011
· Photos of the all the FOOD
· Inside the Forbidden Journey castle & ride
· The souvenirs! Oh man, the souvenirs.
· Photos & video of the Hippogriff and Dragons roller coasters
· Even more photos (from the night before opening)

[Photo: Jaunted] ]]> JetSetCD 2012-01-02T16:22:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/12/6/63236/2365

Legoland in Florida still has its new theme park smell, but it’s already time to upgrade. The Lego bricks aren’t looking forward to the hot and humid summers, so they’re adding a brand new water park. Officials had mentioned this during the park’s October debut, but now we know that’s it’s all on scheduled and ready to arrive in time for the 2012 summer season.

Obviously there will plenty of spots to splish and splash for the kiddos, and as with the rest of the park it’s going to be tailored to the likes of loves of little ones. Some of the attractions planned for the new waterpark include a Lego Wave Pool, along with something they’re calling Twin Chasers—where you and a buddy twist and turn through intertwined tube tracks. ]]> kjb 2011-12-06T08:44:26-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/11/17/55430/969

SeaWorld Orlando is located right in the middle of a theme park battleground, and they’re not going to just sit back and let Universal Studios and Walt Disney World have all the fun. They’ve already built new coasters and other attractions, but another round of upgrades and improvements might just keep Shamu ahead of Harry Potter and Mickey Mouse.

For one of the park’s largest expansion ever the place is going back to its roots, and they’re doing even more stuff with the animals. SeaWorld is planning to add a new penguin exhibit, but it’s going to be a little bit different than visiting the zoo. Arriving towards the beginning of 2013—Antarctica — Empire of the Penguin—will bring a whole new array of shops and restaurants to the park along with plenty of penguins.

Of course the centerpiece will be a brand new attraction, but one of the many highlights is the plan to introduce some frigid temperatures to park visitors—like Antarctica cold. They’re still finalizing what exactly the new ride will feature, but they’re promising “closer-then-ever animal connections” with “state-of-the-art interactive ride technologies.” ]]> kjb 2011-11-17T12:51:56-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/10/10/155950/94

Theme park openings are awesome, and today we plan to bring you all the latest and greatest as the fine folks of Legoland take the cellophane off their latest park in Winter Haven Florida and let us take a look around today.

It is media day, and Legoland Florida was kind enough to invite us and let us have a look around a day before the park opens to the public.

Miniland, Aqua Wave Racers, and maybe even some Lego Battles await -- so sit back relax and get ready to be awash in the inimitable Lego color palette -- live blog style.]]> markj 2011-10-14T10:40:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/7/6/84820/06031

Amstel Light just not cutting it anymore? If you need a dose of the stronger brew, or another of Amsterdam's unique offerings, there's now a new way to get to the Netherlands from Florida. On June 24, Dutch airline ArkeFly launched a non-stop service between Amsterdam and Orlando. SoFla gets a piece of the action, too, with the flight continuing on to Miami International before flying non-stop back to Amsterdam.

The new routes, which will operate Mondays and Fridays, make ArkeFly the only Dutch airline to offer non-stop service to Orlando and Miami. ]]> MsRebecca 2011-07-06T13:45:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/6/14/85637/6828

It looks like an annual Disney tradition has taken place just in time for the summer vacation season, as the theme parks in California and Florida have raised their ticket prices. There wasn’t too much warning either—which is usually the case—as the house of mouse sent out a little reminder on their Disney Parks blog that things would be heading north effective Sunday, June 12.

For those looking forward to hitting up Walt Disney World anytime soon, tickets for one day of fun at one of the parks is now $85 per adult—it was $82 before the pricing update. Kids—which are only those between age three and nine—get a slight discount at $79 per day. Of course there are all kinds of multi-day park tickets which do provide some sort of discount in one way or another, but unfortunately those were increased as well. Expect a four day ticket—with the ability to hop between the four main parks—to now set you back $298. ]]> kjb 2011-06-14T10:20:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/5/19/10348/0843

It was almost this time last year that Universal Studios Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened, and we're not ashamed to say our time at the park created some of our most memorable and fun moments from 2010.

Instead of resting on their laurels, Universal just announced more improvements and new things coming to their Orlando park, although these won't be ready until next year. The biggest deal is that the movie Despicable Me will become a 3D "experience" ride to replace the Jimmy Neutron one already in place. Here's the lowdown on that: ]]> JetSetCD 2011-05-19T11:22:51-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/