Welcome to the June Newsletter
Hi Subscriber, welcome to the June newsletter of the Florida Review &
Travel Guide.
This newsletter has now been going for two years - thank you to all of
you who have subscribed over this time and I hope you continue to enjoy reading it.
STOP PRESS:- Harry Potter attractions coming to Universal Studios Islands of
Adventure - more details next month.
Hurricane Season
Firstly a correction to last month's newsletter, the hurricane season officially
starts on June 1 (not May 1), see below for the latest news
and predictions for the 2007 season.
US One Dollar Coin
Following the news in the March newsletter about the recently introduced $1 coin,
the US Mint released the second in the series featuring President John Adams,
during May.
Take up of the new $1 coins has not been that good and some banks did not bother
to order in the new coins as they still have some of the original George
Washington coins from the first run.
If you do come across the George Washington coin, check the edges to see if the
phrase "In God We Trust" is present. Some coins were minted without this legend
and are reckoned to be worth around $350 each.
Gas Prices
The price of gas (petrol) continues to rise and has crept over $3 a gallon in some
areas. Expect to pay anything between $2.92 and $3.39 a gallon for regular.
Disney No Smoking Policy
As of today (June 1), all the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels are becoming
non-smoking resorts. Guest will only be able to smoke in designated outdoor
smoking areas (similar to the Disney Theme Parks).
Smoking will not be permitted in any of the guest rooms, balconies, patios or
other enclosed hotel areas.
Latest Books
Florida books published in JuneBooks about Florida published in June include:
- A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Florida
- Orlando Then and Now
- Hidden Mickeys, 3rd Edition: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best-Kept
Secrets
- North Florida & the Florida Panhandle: An Explorer's Guide: Includes St.
Augustine, Panama City, Pensacola, and Jacksonville (Explorer's Guide North
Florida & the Florida Panhandle)
- Florida ATV Trails Guidebook (A Complete Quad Riding Guide To FL
ATV)
All these books can be found in our new Florida book directories for
US and
UK visitors.
The Florida weather continues to make an impact on the state and a prolonged period
of dry weather coupled with lightning strikes have caused devastating wildfires,
particularly on the Georgia/Florida border and over 250,000 acres have been destroyed.
Despite the hurricane season not officially starting until June 1, it did not
stop sub-tropical storm Andrea from forming in early May.
Though Andrea did not develop and did not make contact with the US mainland,
the strong winds took their toll and a surfer died off New Smyrna Beach when
he became engulfed in a gigantic wave.
Rip Currents
Swimmers and surfers should take note that strong winds and a heavy swell
can also cause rip currents which can drag people out to sea.
Look out for red flags flying from the lifeguard stands warning of the hazard and
never swim alone.
Brevard County lifeguards estimate that they had to
help over two hundred swimmers who got into difficulties over Memorial weekend;
one person drowned off Cocoa Beach and another off Miami Beach.
Latest Hurricane Predictions
Hurricane experts continue to make predictions for 2007 and the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center reckon there is a
75% chance that the Atlantic hurricane season will be above normal this year.
Most tropical storms and hurricanes form between August and October.
NOAA predict 13 to 17 named storms, with seven to 10 becoming hurricanes, of which
three to five could become major hurricanes (Category 3 higher). These figures
are similar to those forecast by the Department of Atmospheric Science at
Colorado State University and AccuWeather Inc. Read more...
Kennedy Space Center News
SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of El Segundo, California has been given
permission to launch its Falcon rockets from the Kennedy Space Center using Pad 40
(previously used by the now retired Titan 4 rocket).
The Falcon rockets will compete with the United Launch Alliance Boeing Delta and
Lockheed Martin Atlas rockets that currently launch from Kennedy but at approximately
half the cost.
The Falcon 1 is similar in size/payload capacity to the Delta 2 and the larger
Falcon 9 family will have a lift capacity similar to the Atlas 5 and Delta 4 families.
SpaceX are also working on a Dragon space capsule which could be used to ferry
astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station.
Test flights are expected to commence next year so there will soon be even
more opportunities to witness a launch.
Shuttle Launch Experience
As mentioned last month, the new "Shuttle Launch Experience" ride which simulates
a space shuttle ride, has opened at the Kennedy Space Center.
Launches in June
On June 8, the Space Shuttle Atlantis is due to blast off on its delayed mission
to the International Space Station. Atlantis had been scheduled to lift off in March
but was damaged by a hailstorm whilst sat on the launch pad. All launch tickets
are sold out.
Even if you miss the shuttle launch, you may still get to see a rocket launch as
an Atlas 5 launch is scheduled for June 14 and a Delta 2 for June 30 though these
dates may change.
Read more...
Book Review - Florida (Lonely Planet)
The 4th edition of Florida was published in January 2006 by Lonely
Planet Publications.
Lonely Planet Publications are the largest independent travel guide publisher
in the world.
Florida by Lonely Planet is similar in style to a number of other Florida guides
like the Rough Guide to Florida with a selection of colour photographs at the start
of the book but whereas the Rough Guide has a few monochrome images illustrating
the rest of the book, the Lonely Planet has no further images what so ever.
The book is co-written by four authors, Kim Grant, Loretta Chilcoat, Beth Greenfield
and Catherine Le Nevez and each author covers a couple of the regions.
The Preface covers the usual topics including the history of Florida, culture,
the environment, outdoor activities, food and drink plus a series of classic and
tailored itineraries.
The writing style is easy going and does not pull any punches. The coverage
is good though not as comprehensive as some other guides.
Read more...
Blue Man Group
As part of an attempt to bolster falling attendance figures at its Orlando theme
parks, Universal Studios brings the acclaimed three-man performing-arts troupe,
the Blue Man Group to Universal Orlando starting June 7.
Universal's Sound Stage 18 (once home to the Nickelodeon TV show) has been
redesigned as a 1,000 seat theatre and will be
accessible from both Universal CityWalk and Universal Studios.
Like Disney's Cirque du Soleil show, La Nouba, admission will be by separate
ticket with prices starting at $59 for adults and $49 for children.
For anyone who has not heard of the Blue Man Group, the fact that the front rows
of the theatre are designated a "poncho" zone and the stage is said to drain well,
will give you a clue !! Read more...
New Universal Theme Parks
Universal Studios have announced a deal which will see a new licenced Universal
theme park and entertainment complex being built in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Universal Studios Dubailand and Universal City Dubailand will open in 2010 with
over 4,000 hotel rooms and 100 restaurants.
In a separate announcement, there are also plans for another licenced park in South
Korea which could open in 2012. As well as the Universal owned parks in Florida and
California, there is also a licenced park in Japan and another in Singapore is
planned.
Free Monthly Desktop Wallpaper
June and July 2007 desktop wallpaper calendars
Free desktop calendars for June 2007 (Pinewood Estate at Bok Sanctuary) and
July 2007 (Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom) are ready to download now.
Note that some of the larger files can be 200-300k in size so if you are on a modem
dialup line it will take a few minutes to download.
To view and then download the Florida free desktop wallpaper for June or July now, click here.
Also don't forget if you are looking for inspiration on what to do on your Florida
vacation, why not take advantage of our collection of free brochures where you will find
information on many activities including golfing vacations, eco-tours, scuba diving
and Caribbean cruises.
Read more...
Caribbean Cruises
Despite a softening of the Caribbean cruise market, several cruise lines have
announced orders for new cruise ships which will bring even more choice to anyone
planning a cruise (34 new cruise ships are on order).
New Cruise Ships
As reported in March, Disney have ordered two news ships for delivery
in 2011 and 2012.
Carnival Cruise Lines recently took delivery of the new 110,000 ton Carnival
Freedom which has 1,487 staterooms and will be based in Miami from this winter.
Royal Caribbean Cruises have ordered a second 220,000 ton ship for delivery in 2010,
the first will be delivered in 2009 and will carry 5,400 passengers.
Royal Caribbean are already sailing the 160,000 ton Freedom of the Seas and its
sister ship, Liberty of the Seas on the Caribbean circuit. A third ship,
Independence of the Seas due to be delivered in 2008. Each can carry 3,634 passengers.
At the other end of the scale, Royal Caribbean Cruises have also launched a new
luxury cruise brand called Azamara Cruises. The first ship, renamed Azamara Journey
will hold a mere 710 passengers.
With a reduction in Caribbean cruises this summer, Carnival Cruise Lines have moved their
ship Elation from Port Canaveral to San Diego, California and the Disney Magic
has sailed to the Mediterranean for the start of a summer European itinerary.
Read more...
Father's Day is on Sunday June 17.
June is the month of pirate parades and celebrated landings including the
founding of Pensacola, Drake's Raid at St. Augustine, Billy Bowlegs Pirate
Festival at Fort Walton Beach, John Levique Pirate Days at Madeira Beach
and the Greek Landing Day Celebration in St. Augustine.
If you are a Star Wars fan, then you must not miss the Star Wars Weekends
at Disney MGM Studios where you will get the chance to meet all your favourite
characters.
For full coverage of June events throughout the State of Florida, click here.
Temperatures in June are expected to be about average with slightly above average
rainfall. June normally sees a big increase in rainfall, compared to May which this
year has been very dry.
The month will start with scattered thunderstorms and then more settled sunny periods
followed by further thunderstorms.
In the North, around Pensacola and Jacksonville, temperatures will be in the high 80s
to low 90s during the day with night-time temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s.
Temperatures across the Central region will be similar to the North.
Once you get down to the South, then you will notice the increase in humidity
with temperatures in the high 80s during the day and high 70s over night.
Expect thunderstorms throughout the month.
To check out the rest of the weather for all of Florida including a live weather
map, monthly temperature and rainfall charts across the State and the latest
hurricane news, click here.
We plan to bring you a newsletter on the first day of each month with details of
upcoming events and news from across Florida.
Copyright © 2007, Stephen Downs, Florida Review & Travel Guide.
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