In This Issue Welcome Disney News 2006 Hurricane Predictions PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line and Its Ports of Call 2006 Deluxe Book review Universal Studios News May events Weather forecast

Hi subscriber, welcome to the May newsletter of the Florida Review & Travel Guide.

All being well, by the time you read this newsletter, we will be in Florida relaxing by the pool in a beautiful 4 bedroom lake view house we are renting in Kissimmee. Look out next month for a review.

One difference we will notice this year is the dramatic rise in gas (fuel) prices. With the current level of instability in the world, oil prices have surged to over $70 a barrel and you can expect to pay around $2.75 to $3.00 a gallon at the pumps. I can remember back to when it was $0.82 a gallon - those were the days!!

If you are planning on driving to Florida from the north east, perhaps now is a good time to think about using the Amtrak Auto Train service instead. Read all about the Amtrak Auto Train and other rail services to Florida here.

Last month it was sharks and manatees, this month it is alligators. April and May are the main mating season for alligators in Florida and coupled with low water levels, they are more likely to come into contact with humans at this time of year.

Over in Polk County, they have shut the Lakeside Trail at the Circle B Bar Reserve because of aggressive alligators.

There are around 18,000 reports a year of alligators straying into areas where they conflict with humans so make sure you check that pool before diving in!!

It goes without saying that you should never approach an alligator or attempt to feed it (it is illegal anyway). Be particularly careful around water, especially at night when they are more active and if you do have the misfortune to get bitten by an alligator, seek medical help immediately as infections are highly likely.

If you need a clinic, Publix, the well known supermarket chain who have nearly 900 stores in the south east of the United States, have announced a deal with the Little Clinic to open medical clinics inside Publix stores.

The first clinics are expected to open in the Orlando, Tampa and Miami areas in the first half of 2006.

Disney have announced that a new Nemo themed musical show using puppetry similar to Broadway production of "The Lion King", will open at Disney's Animal Kingdom new Theater in the Wild, this fall. The show will run for around 30 minutes and will pick up the story where the "Finding Nemo" movie leaves off.

The United States Postal Services (USPS) have just released a new set of four 39-cent stamps featuring romantic Disney cartoon character couples. They are Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Beauty and the Beast and finally Lady and the Tramp.

Disney has recently sold off several parcels of land around the periphery of the vast 27,000 acre Walt Disney World Resort. Developers have snapped up a 47 acre plot and another 53 acre plot and plan to build vacation homes and condominiums including short term rental property. A further 30 acres have been sold close to highway 192, west of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

For more information about renting a villa or condominium in Florida, click here.

Two of Disney's oldest deluxe hotels, the Polynesian and the Contemporary which were both built in 1971, are coming to the end of a major round of refurbishments. In the Contemporary, rooms have been redesigned with an Asian theme and now have flat-screen televisions and a better workspace environment to cater for convention visitors as well as holiday makers.

Over at the Polynesian, the rooms have been modernised with a South Seas feel to them. You can read more about all the Disney Deluxe hotels by clicking here.

On a tragic note, a second person has died after riding on Epcot's $100 million "Mission: Space" ride. In both cases it is thought the person had a pre-existing heart condition.

The simulator is meant to emulate blasting off and landing on the planet Mars and in the three years Mission: Space has been open, 10 people have reportedly felt serious ill after riding on it.

Disney takes safety very seriously and there are 13 different signs warning of motion sickness, spinning, and dark and enclosed spaces plus a video to give you an idea of what to expect.

For more information about all of the Walt Disney World Resort, click here.

Early forecasts are predicting an above average hurricane season in 2006 but not as bad as the record breaking 2005 season. The team at Colorado State University are predicting 17 named storms (that takes us all the way up to Rafael) with 9 hurricanes of which 5 of them could reach speeds of 110 mph.

This compares with 27 named storms in 2005 of which 14 became hurricanes and 7 reached speeds of 110 mph. On average over the past 50 years, each year there are 10 named storms of which 6 become hurricanes, 2 of which are severe.

Five names have been withdrawn from the list of hurricane names to be used again following last years terrible season. Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan and Wilma have all been permanently retired. After the 2004 season, the names Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne were retired.

The new names for 2006 start with Alberto and then continue with Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sandy, Tony, Valerie and end on William.

The hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30. To read more about hurricanes and the weather in Florida in general, click here.

PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line and Its Ports of Call 2006 Deluxe, ISBN 1587710315 is published by PassPorter Travel Press (March 28, 2006).

The Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line and Its Ports of Call 2006 Deluxe book is a unique kind of travel guide and follows the same approach as PassPorter's main Walt Disney World Resort Guide, the PassPorter Walt Disney World 2006 in that it combines a planner where you can plan out your itinerary, an organiser to keep everything together when you are cruising on a Disney Cruise Line ship, a journal to record your activities and impressions and a keepsake to show your family on your return.

The PassPorter series have won numerous literary awards including the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best First Book by a New Publisher.

All the PassPorter guide books are backed up by a dedicated website where you can review and download corrections and updates.

The 2006 fourth edition has been fully updated and has over 300 pages. The opening chapters help you plan your cruise, particularly if you have never been on a Disney Cruise Lines cruise before with useful tips on packing, itineraries, sailing dates, deck plans of both the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, side-by-side comparisons of the different kinds of staterooms (cabins) with floor plans and advise on the quietest cabins and rooms to avoid, getting to Port Canaveral and local accommodation.

There are chapters on dining (both formal and informal) with menus plus details of all the entertainment, relaxation and activities for the different age groups. There is also a very useful chapter dedicated to the various ports of call with 8 pages on each destination with reviews, detailed maps and worksheets.

To read the rest of this review and details of where you can buy this book, click here.

Universal are determined to increase their attendance figures this year and have announced a number of changes for 2006 at both Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios and Universal CityWalk.

A new ride called "High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride" will open in June at Islands of Adventure using a track that was originally built in 1999 for Sylvester McMonkey McBean's Very Unusual Driving Machine but never used. The ride will take you through seven different scenes at Seuss Landing and is suitable for all ages.

Over at Universal Studios, they are opening "Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular" in July. This will replace the current nightly fireworks show and features four 36 foot tall, 360-degree projection cinespheres showing classic Universal movies against a backdrop of music, fireworks and lasers.

There are also plans to upgrade two of the existing shows. The rock and roll "Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue" will open on May 26 with new costumes and songs and "The Lucy and Ricky Show" based on the famous "I Love Lucy" television show will perform seven days a week during the summer on Hollywood Boulevard.

A new nightclub called "Red Coconut Club" opens at Universal CityWalk in June. Live music and dancing is accompanied by signature cocktails including the Red Coconut which is served in a glowing red glass coconut. Also, the 400 seater "Bubba Gump Shrimp Company" restaurant based on the film "Forrest Gump" opens in July.

To read more about all the Florida theme parks, click here.

Don't forget that May 14 is Mother's Day and there will be lots of local celebrations throughout the State and Memorial Day is on May 29.

The 13th Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival continues to run right through to 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 April 28 - May 1 see Gary Puckett, May 2-4 The Grass Roots Featuring Rob Grill, May 5-8 Paul Revere and the Raiders, May 9-11 The Association, May 12-15 Davy Jones, May 16-18 The Tokens, May 19-22 BJ Thomas, May 23-25 Felix Cavallere's Rascals, May 26-29 The Guess Who and May 30 - June 1 Tony Orlando (www.disney.com for more details).

At the Magic Kingdom they are celebrating all night Grad Nites parties on May 5, 6 with special live performances by Frankie J, Omarion, Teddy Geiger, Fefe Dobson and Simple Plan.

At Disney MGM Studios, the Star Wars Weekends run from May 19 to 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 May 20-22 look out for Daniel Logan (Young Boba Fett) and John Goodson (Concept Model Maker - Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith) and on May 27-29 Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Rob Coleman (Animation Supervisor - Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith) (www.disney.com for more details).

This year's annual Sunfest at West Palm Beach runs from May 4-7 with a special All Access Party on May 3. Billed as Florida's largest music, art and waterfront festival, it features over 50 musicians from across the US with all kinds of musical styles (www. sunfest.com for more details).

The Canadian 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds kick off their 2006 schedule with a display at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport on May 3 (www.snowbirds.dnd.ca for more details) before moving onto Fort Lauderdale (see next entry).

Correcting the wrong dates given last month, on May 6-7, the McDonald's Air & Sea Show takes place at Fort Lauderdale Beach and features the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Army Golden Knights, Canadian Forces Snowbirds and PT-728, an authentic WWII Motor Torpedo Boat. On the Saturday night, there is a jazz concert with Chuck Mangione (www.nationalsalute.com for more details).

The 8th Annual Thunder Beach Motorcycle Spring Rally takes place between May 4-7 at five different venues around Panama City Beach and features concerts, a custom bike show and bike parade. (www.thunderbeachproductions.com for more details).

At the Old Spanish Trail site in Crestview, the annual Old Spanish Trail Festival in from May 5-6. There is an arts and crafts bazaar, beauty pageant, carnival rides and live music. (www.cityofcrestview.org for more details).

On May 12-13 there is the Clay County Cattleman's Association Professional PRCA Rodeo at Green Grove Springs with bareback bronco riding, team roping, bull riding, steer wrestling and cowgirls barrel racing (www.claytourism.com for more details).

Delayed until May 18, there is a possible launch of a Delta 4 rocket carrying the GOES N (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite N) from Pad 37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Launch is scheduled for 06:14:00 PM EST extending to 07:14:00 PM (www.kennedyspacecenter.com for more details).

Between May 18-27, the 10th FAI Women's, Class 2 and 5 World Championships takes place at Quest Air Flight Park, Groveland (www.flytec.com for more details).

The Florida Cajun Zydeco Festival runs from May 19-21 at Quiet Waters Park, Deerfield Beach with continuous live music on 3 covered stages. It is also an opportunity to sample authentic cajun and creole food and dance the day away on covered wooden dance floors. (www.cajun-fest.com for more details).

If bluegrass is more your thing, then head on over to the John D. MacArthur Beach State Park at North Palm Beach on May 21 for the Bluegrass Jam Music Session to listen to Bill Rich and other musicians.

On May 20, the 22nd Annual Heritage Village Skirmish re-enacts the Civil War Days at the Heritage Village, Pinewood Country Park, Largo (www.pinellascounty.org for more details).

On May 20-21, the Fort Myers Beach Airshow takes place over Fort Myers Beach and features both civilian and military aircraft including the USAF Heritage Flight Team (www.fmbairshow.org for more details).

On May 20-21, AirFest 2006 takes places at Tallahassee Regional Airport where you there is a fly-in and aviation expo. There is even a chance to fly in a World War II fighter (www.eaa445.org for more details).

The Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival is from May 26-27 and has been staged for the past 30 years. Don't miss "Big Bertha" which can cook 1,650 ears of corn in nine minutes in 350 gallons of boiling water. As well as an abundance of sweet corn, there is an arts and crafts show, a car and bike show and live entertainment from Mercy Me, Terri Clark, Neal McCoy, Allen Cox and Jim Van Fleet (www.zellwoodcornfestival.com for more details).

May is generally hotter than April but less crowded once the Easter break has finished so expect average queues at all the major theme parks.

You can expect highs in the 80s throughout the State with lows in the mid 60s in the north and central regions and 70s in the south.

For the first two weeks it will be very sunny and warm but then with the possibility of thunderstorms returning especially in the south.

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.

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