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Tags: 2009-Halloween-Theme-Park-Map / 2009 Halloween Theme Park Scare Guide / Halloween Travel / Scary Travel / Theme Parks / Orlando Travel / Los Angeles Travel / → All Tags
2009 Halloween Theme Park Scare Guide: Halloween Horror Nights
At this year’s event you will be trapped by “SAW’s” maniacal serial killer Jigsaw, come face-to-fangs with “The Wolfman” and be chased by the twisted “Chucky” doll.
And that’s just the beginning: All eight haunted houses, six scarezones and two live shows are inspired by blockbuster horror films. Until now, you’ve only been able to watch the action in horror films like “SAW,” “The Wolfman,” and “Chucky.” But at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, these films and more have been transformed into live experiences that put you in the middle of your worst cinematic nightmares.
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Spend One Day Volunteering And Get A Free Pass From Disney
Mickey's giving away free one-day passes to Disney's Theme Parks and all you have to do to get one is spend a day volunteering. Beginning on January 1, 2010, you can sign up to volunteer with any participating organization for just one day, and in return you will receive a one-day pass to any Disney park. Disney is hoping to inspire one million people to volunteer (and spend money at Disney World) next year.
If you're not sure how or where to volunteer, Disney has made it easy by teaming up with HandsOn Network, which links volunteers with more than 70,000 nonprofits across the country. Once you've completed your day of service, it will be verified by HandsOn and you will receive a voucher good for one day at any Disney park.
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Follow the 67-Day Adventures of Orlando's Smile Ambassadors
Donnie and Marie might be known for their wholesome perkiness, but they've got nothing on Orlando "Smile Ambassadors" Kyle and Stacey. The cheery duo—Kyle, a Broadway actor, and Stacey, who works with children—hail from New York and have been BFFs for a dozen years and counting. They applied and won their coveted position by submitting an audition video and essay to the 67 Days of Smiles contest, and their merry attitude was deemed good enough to represent the city of Orlando.
On their 67-day journey (they're currently 26 days in), the gleeful twosome are experiencing all of Orlando's 100 attractions, with blog entries and constant Twitter updates (@67days) documenting their every step.
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Federal Agencies Accused Of Blacklisting US Tourist Destinations
There appears to be something of a scandal brewing in DC and several federal agencies might be blacklisting entire segments of the country, banning their employees from holding events in popular cities. Suffice it to say that the duly elected representatives of those areas are less than pleased:
Three Central Florida congressional representatives joined four colleagues in signing a letter to the U.S. General Accounting Office urging an investigation of allegations that some federal departments have Orlando, Las Vegas and other possible destinations on a no-meetings list ... the use of do-not-travel list that allegedly would rule out meetings in some cities, including Orlando, that are known as tourist destinations. The allegations started last winter when financial companies that received federal bailout money were criticized for holding corporate meetings in resort destinations.
It's not hard to imagine how these blacklists might be formed. After a bunch of bailed out banks got busted for throwing parties, the last thing the Department of Whatever needs is TMZ running a post headlined "DC Politicos Party During Two Day Vegas Bash." Plus the public really does have a legitimate interest in preventing lawmakers from partying on their dime.
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SeaWorld Orlando Launches Manta, Its New World-Class Roller Coaster
It's tough to overstate the awesome awesomeness of SeaWorld Orlando's new Manta roller-coaster. The ride, which soft-launched last weekend and will soon be open to the public, has already been declared by the LA Times Travel blog to be the #1 new ride of the year.
There's 3,359 feet of tracks, a top speed of 56 mph, four inversions, and a max drop of 113 feet that all add up to two minutes and 35 seconds of face-down flying adrenaline:
Sometimes zoos and aquariums build less-than-electrifying rides to keep teenagers amused while parents and younger siblings wander around. Ferris wheels, slow-moving trains, bumper cars - these are standard fare. But that's not what's happening here.
