Welcome to the June Newsletter
Hi Subscriber, welcome to the June newsletter of the Florida Review & Travel Guide.
Well, we are back home all too soon after yet another great holiday in Florida.
After temperatures in the 90s every day for a fortnight (and still 80 degrees at 10 o'clock in the evening),
it is a shock to the system to return home to high 50s/low 60s and rain virtually every day for a fortnight;
already we are planning the next trip!!
The vacation home we rented was everything we expected and you can read more about it below.
On May 18, the US Navy deliberately sunk an old aircraft carrier, the USS Oriskany, off the coast of
Pensacola to become what is believed to be the world's largest man-made artificial reef.
More about this next month.
NASA started selling tickets on May 22 to watch the launch of the space shuttle STS-121 Discovery on its next mission.
Launch is scheduled for July 1 but you will have to be quick as tickets are expected to sell very quickly.
A few days later on May 24, NASA launched the latest GOES N weather satellite which will help to track hurricanes.
Read more about NASA tickets
here.
Whilst we were at SeaWorld, we had the opportunity to see the rehearsals for the new "Believe" Shamu killer
whale show (the show officially opened on May 11) and it is an amazing show.
It follows on from the premiere last summer of the new "Blue Horizons" dolphin show, as SeaWorld revamp some
of their main shows.
The new 30 minute "Believe" show is set to an orchestral score and tells the story of a young boy who
dreams of killer whales.
As you watch the boy paddling his canoe out into the ocean on the new giant movable video screens at the start
of the show, a killer whale jumps out of the water in the stadium, right on cue; truly incredible timing.
Interspersed with the jumps, somersaults and dives of the whales and their trainers, are testimonials from
several of the trainers.
For a lot of the show, two whales with their trainers perform synchronised moves, diving deeper and jumping
higher than ever before, the trainers cartwheeling through the air after being projected out of the water
on the noses of the whales.
The new video screens move from side to side and rotate during the show, displaying movies and
images from above and below the water, giving you amazing views of the action.
As an aside, Anheuser-Busch who own SeaWorld, have announced that their "Here's to the Heroes" tribute
to the military has been extended through the rest of 2006.
Here's to the Heroes gives free one day admission to any of the Anheuser-Busch theme parks for
serving members of the US and coalition armed forces and their families (up to three direct dependants).
There was a very moving moment at the start of the "Believe" show when they asked any members of the armed
forces to stand up and be recognised.
For more information about the SeaWorld theme park and all the rides and shows, click
here.
Vacation home on Eagle Pointe
The vacation home we rented on Crescent Lakes in Poinciana last trip wasn't available this time so
we rented another villa on Eagle Pointe, a relatively new development, which is also off Poinciana Boulevard
but nearer to US Highway 192 with its mixture of bars, restaurants and shopping malls.
Walmart is just around the corner, and Disney just 10-15 minutes away, making it ideally situated to allow a
trip back to the house mid afternoon for a swim and a snack, before returning to the parks for the evening shows.
The house itself was a pretty villa, on a quiet residential street with a good mix of rental properties and
permanent residences, overlooking a beautiful lake.
With four bedrooms, two bathrooms, open plan great room or living room, dining room, kitchen with eating area,
laundry room, games room (converted from the garage) and screened pool, the accommodation would be
ideal for one or two families.
The layout of the bedrooms means that two families could be at opposite sides of the property,
each family having their own double room, twin room and bathroom.
We were there with our grown-up daughter and her friend and thus had loads of space.
All the accommodation was tastefully decorated and spotlessly clean.
The management company, Unique Florida Rentals, were situated just down the street and dealt with any
problems the same day.
We hate cold swimming pools and even though it was May, we had arranged for the pool, overlooking a lovely lake,
to be heated, and it was like a warm bath, not the biggest pool we have had, but by far the most comfortable -
it was very hard to get the girls out!!
For more information about this villa, the Eagle Pointe subdivision and general information about
renting a vacation home in the Orlando area, click
here.
Book Review - A Brit's Guide to Orlando
A Brit's Guide to Orlando is written by Britain's leading experts on all things Disney,
Simon and Susan Veness and is published each year by Foulsham (the 2007 edition is due out in October 2006).
As its name suggests, A Brit's Guide to Orlando is written primarily for British people planning a
trip to the central region of Florida and in particular to Walt Disney World but don't be put off by the
title. This book is very readable and is good for anyone planning a visit to the Orlando area.
The book is split into 13 chapters with the early chapters covering planning, when to go, how to
beat the crowds, travelling with disabilities, planning a wedding, driving and car hire.
If you don't want to drive, then there is even information on getting around without a car.
A Brit's Guide to Orlando is packed full of tips and is backed up by a website where you can obtain
updates to the book and also buy a Personalised Itinerary Planner which has been developed
specifically for UK visitors to Orlando.
The main sections cover all the major theme parks in the Orlando area as well as many of the minor
attractions in the surrounding area.
Particularly for overseas visitors there is a chapter on shopping, malls, supermarkets and duty
free allowances.
If you are flying into or out of Orlando or Sanford, then the Going Home chapter is a real asset
and covers topics such as returning your car and all the airport facilities such as shops, lounges and restaurants
whilst you are at the airport.
To read the rest of this review and details of where you can buy this book, click
here.
Just after we got back from Florida, Disney announced they planned to introduce a less intense version of
Mission: SPACE at Epcot in time for Memorial Day.
Now when you go to ride Mission: SPACE you can choose between the original ride (orange team) and a softer "lite"
version (green team).
Mission: SPACE "lite" leaves out the centrifuge part of the ride so though you still experience
being shaken about you are not subjected to the effects of high g-forces which has made so many riders feel ill.
The new version will allow those guests who are more prone to motion sickness (like me!!) to still enjoy the ride.
Two people who turned out to have pre-existing medical conditions have died after riding Mission: SPACE
in the last year, though
Disney say this has nothing to do with the decision to introduce an alternative version of the ride.
To read more about Walt Disney World, click
here.
After mentioning last month about the added risks from alligators at this time of year,
it was terrible to hear that three women died from suspected alligator attacks in Florida during May.
Whilst this news is tragic, you should not panic, it has to be put into perspective.
On average, there are around 6 to 8 major attacks by alligators in Florida each year and
prior to this May, it is estimated that around 18 people have died as a result of alligator attacks in
Florida since 1948, less than one a year, whilst at the same time, over 3000 people die on Florida's roads each
and every year.
The three fatal attacks in different parts of Florida (one near St. Petersburg on the West coast,
one near Fort Lauderdale on the East coast and one near Lake George in the central region) all
took place near water.
You should never feed alligators and when near water you should take precautions.
Never go in water which has floating vegetation or take pets or small children near
the water's edge, particularly between dusk and dawn when alligators are more active.
During our recent holiday, we were sat out on the lanai one evening just as dusk approached, when we couldn't
believe our eyes.
Despite signs about alligators posted all around the lake, a holiday maker from a neighbouring home,
jumped into the lake and proceeded to swim its entire length, returning
some 30 minutes later by which time is was pitch dark.
To read more about Florida alligators and how to avoid any problems with them, click
here.
Don't forget Fathers Day on June 14.
Memorial day on May 29 heralds the start of the summer season so you can expect the crowds at the theme
parks to start to rise over the next couple of months.
From May 26 to September 10, the long lost Liberty Bell 7 Mercury space capsule flown by Gus Grissom
will be on display at the Kennedy Space Center
( www.kennedyspacecenter.com
for more details).
The 13th Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival comes to an end on June 11
with fantastic flowers, gardens and topiaries.
Flower Power Concerts are held in the American Gardens Theatre at 5:45 pm, 7:00 pm and 8:15pm.
On May 30-June 1 see Tony Orlando, June 2-5 Arlo Guthrie, June 6-7 The Turtles Featuring Flo and Eddie
and June 8-11 Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone
( www.disney.com
for more details).
At Disney MGM Studios, the Star Wars Weekends run until June 11.
Each weekend there is an opportunity to see Star Wars actors and movie makers through a series of meet and greet
sessions, conversations and motorcades.
On June 2-4 look out for Jay LaGa'aia (Captain Typho) and Orli Shoshan (Shaak Ti from Episodes II and III)
and on June 9-11 Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) and Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett)
( www.disney.com for more details).
From June 1-11, the 57th annual Fiesta of Five Flags takes place to celebrate the founding of
Pensacola in 1559 by Don Tristan DeLuna
( www.fiestaoffiveflags.org
for more details).
On June 2-3, there is a Water Carnival & Illuminations Parade in Tarpon Springs with a floating stage
with musical and theatrical performances and then on June 22 there is the Sunset Beach Concert
( www.tarponsprings.com
for more details).
The Sprint Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival is held this year from June 2-5 at Fort Walton Beach Landing.
The 27th annual Olympic style Florida's Sunshine State Games take place from June 15-18 in Miami and caters
for amateur athletes of all ages and skill levels and
from June 9-11, the Sunshine State Inline Hockey Championships take place at Lake Worth
( www.flasports.com
for more details).
On June 18, you can see Bill Rich and other musicians at the Bluegrass Jam Music Festival in
MacArthur Beach State Park's Amphitheater, Palm Beach
( www.macarthurbeach.org
for more details).
On June 24, the Naples Beach Hotel start their 21st season of SummerJazz on the Gulf with
Gumbi Ortiz and The Latin Project
( www.naplesbeachhotel.com
for more details).
The 7th annual USA Junior Olympic Windsurfing Festival is from June 24-25 at Merritt Island and is open to all
children aged 6-17
( www.calema.com
for more details).
From June 29-July 1, Daytona International Speedway hosts a three day event with the Grand American
Rolex Sports Car Series on June 29, the Winn Dixie 250 on June 30 featuring
NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and then the PEPSI 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series on July 1
( www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com
for more details).
June 1 heralds the official start of the 2006 hurricane season.
All the experts are predicting that 2006 will not be as bad as the record breaking 2005 season,
with a forecast of around 13 to 17 named tropical storms, of which eight to ten will become hurricanes
and as many as four to six becoming major hurricanes (category 3 to 5, with wind speeds of at least 111 mph).
The current averages over the last 40 years are 11 tropical storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes which
means 2006 is expected to be about double the averages but
more worrying is the prediction that at least two and as many as four hurricanes are expected to
make landfall in the USA.
Expect most of the month to be seasonal with afternoon thunderstorms and slightly above average rainfall.
Temperatures in most of Florida will be in the high 80s/low 90s except for the Keys where it will
stay in the high 80s.
To check out the rest of the Florida weather including 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 © 2006, Stephen Downs, Florida Review & Travel Guide. All rights reserved.
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