In This Issue Welcome Thanksgiving and Christmas in Florida Cypress Gardens Eyewitness Top 10 Orlando book review New Passport Regulations for US citizens October desktop October events Weather forecast

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

Firstly, let me apologise if you received two copies of September's newsletter. A glitch with the news server resulted in some newsletters being sent out twice.

Hurricane season is now well under way with three hurricanes (Florence, Gordon and Helene) in the space of a fortnight. In fact you may spot a hurricane theme throughout this newsletter.

Luckily the phenomenon known as the Bermuda High (an area of high pressure with a clockwise circulation over Bermuda) resulted in all three being turned northwards well before reaching the Caribbean or US mainland.

Bermuda bore the brunt of Florence and Gordon and Helene passed further to the east but the effects were felt as far away as Ireland and the UK.

In other news this month, Disney have announced an increase in car parking charges; it will now cost $10 to park at Disney. Read more here. Also, don't forget that October 1 is the first day of Disney's Year of a Million Dreams, more details next month.

Over at SeaWorld, the killer whale Katina gave birth to a new 7 ft long, 350 pound baby. At this time they do not know whether it is a boy or a girl. Click here to read more about SeaWorld.

Space Shuttle Atlantis

NASA successfully launched and recovered the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the first construction mission back to the International Space Station since the Columbia disaster. Atlantis delivered and installed the P3/P4 truss structure and its solar arrays which will significantly boost the power capabilities of the station.

As mentioned last month, yet again the weather played its part with Hurricane Ernesto delaying the launch.

The next mission, using Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-116 (ISS 12A.1) is scheduled to launch in early December and will deliver a further truss section and a SPACEHAB module. NASA are considering bringing the launch forward and launching at night which the have not done since the Columbia accident. Read more here.

NASA have also announced details of the next generation of space exploration vehicle, code name Orion to be built by Lockheed Martin, more details next month.

Florida books published in October

October sees the release of many 2007 editions of Florida's annually revised guide books.

All the Birnbaum Walt Disney World 2007 editions, consisting of Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2007, Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Dining Guide 2007, Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids, by Kids 2007 and Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Without Kids 2007, plus Birnbaum's Disney Cruise Line 2007, the 9th edition of Florida Off the Beaten Path, Brit's Guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World and The Rough Guide to Florida are all published in October.

These new editions will be reviewed over the coming weeks but in the meantime, you can see a list of all the recently published books and those expected in the next couple of months here.

Looking ahead, after Halloween, Florida starts to gear itself up for Thanksgiving (November 23) and the Christmas season celebrations.

Most of the major theme parks including SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens start their Christmas festivities around Thanksgiving and run them all the way through to the Christmas week or New Year though some are only on selected dates.

The Walt Disney World Resort offers everything from the millions of lights at the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney-MGM Studios, to the Candlelight Processionals at EPCOT, the new fireworks spectacular and parade at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom and the special seasonal parade at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

With the exception of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party which runs on selected nights from 7:00 pm until midnight, all the Christmas events are included in the standard ticket admission.

If you are planning to visit Florida between Thanksgiving and the New Year, then check out our seasonal celebration pages where you can find clear calendars showing which parks are running special events on which days to help you get the most from your trip.

Cypress Gardens has had a chequered history over the last few years and on September 11, Adventure Parks Group (APG) who now run both Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valosta, Georgia and Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Winter Haven, Florida voluntarily filed for reorganisation under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Cypress Gardens closed in 2003 and was purchased by APG late in 2004 but before it could re-open, the park was hit by hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne causing over $25 million of damage.

The damage caused by the storms delayed the opening and APG have been unable to reach agreement regarding a claim settlement with their insurers.

APG have secured $15 million of additional funding which will allow both parks to continue operating as normal whilst APG try to resolve their financial difficulties.

Passport tickets are being honoured and there are plans to expand the concert and event line-up for the rest of 2006 and into 2007.

For more information about Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, click here.

Eyewitness Top 10 Orlando is one of over 50 Top 10 Travel Guides published by Dorling Kindersley. They also publish Top 10 Miami and the Keys.

The Top 10 Travel Guides are handy pocket sized guides with detailed fold-out maps in both the front and back covers. Whilst it is no substitute for a full sized guide book, it is cheap and can easily be slipped in a pocket or bag when you are out and about.

Eyewitness Top 10 Orlando runs to some 160 pages and is split into three sections. It contains over 80 top 10 lists, everything from the Top 10 Attractions in each of the theme parks to the Top 10 Ways to have fun on the cheap.

The first section, Orlando's Top 10, deals with the main Orlando attractions including Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios. The second section, Around Orlando, covers International Drive and Kissimmee including all of the smaller attractions.

The final section, Streetsmart, addresses other topics such as tips for senior citizens, things to avoid, hotels, restaurants, behind the scenes tours and useful addresses.

Packed with colour photographs and maps throughout, where appropriate the entries include the address, map references, telephone number, admission charge information, price category and website address.

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

On January 8, 2007 the United States Government is implementing the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) as part of a policy to strengthen US borders.

This new initiative requires that all travellers to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Bermuda and the Caribbean present a passport (or other accepted documents, namely a Merchant Mariner Document or NEXUS Air card) when entering or re-entering the United States. This includes children.

To assist the transition over the holiday season, the new regulations come into effect on January 8 rather than January 1 as originally planned and affect citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda travelling by air and most commercial sea travel; i.e. cruise ships.

Land border crossing will not be affected until January 1, 2008.

European and other international travellers are unaffected as they already require a passport to enter the United States but it does mean that amongst others, US, Canadian and Mexican citizens will now need a passport (or other accepted document) if cruising from Florida to the Caribbean or Mexico for example.

For more information about passport requirements, click here.

Desktop calendars for October 2006 (Bok Tower and Gardens) and November 2006 (Homosassa River) 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 October now, click here.

October sees most of the major theme parks celebrating Halloween as described in last months newsletter, click here for further details.

Starting October 1, Bok Tower are celebrating the butterfly with a number of different events throughout the month. On October 9 it is Edward W. Bok's Birthday Carillon Concert at 1 pm and 3 pm. (www.boksanctuary.org for more details).

At the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, the 118th Silver Spurs Rodeo of Champions kicks off at 8pm on October 6 and then again at 1pm on October 7 and 8. Here is your chance to see the nations top cowboy's competing in a variety of events including the PRCA Xtreme Bulls event plus bareback broncs, racing barrel horses and crazy rodeo clowns (www.silverspursrodeo.com for more details).

The Central Florida Peanut Festival takes place at Linear Park in Williston on October 7. As well as family entertainment, a range of peanuts and peanut products are showcased by the Peanut Industry of Florida.

This year, the 32nd Annual Mount Dora Bicycle Festival is held from October 13 to 15 with rides from 5 to 100 miles in length (www.mountdora.com for more details).

Later in the month is the Mount Dora Craft Festival which is reckoned to be one of the top craft festivals in the country. This year it takes place on the weekend of October 28 to 29. Over 300 craft artisans will be displaying their wares throughout the pretty town of Mount Dora, north of Orlando.

If you prefer your bikes to have a little more grunt then from October 19 to 22 at locations thoughout Daytona Beach you will find the 14th Biketoberfest® motorcycle rally. There will be thousands of new, vintage and custom bikes in shows and rallies plus on-track action at the Daytona International Speedway (www.biketoberfest.org/ for more details).

If you've recently won the lottery then head over to the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando on October 17 to 19 for the 59th Annual Meeting of the National Business Aviation Association. There are over 1,000 exhibitors plus 11 fixed wing aircraft and four helicopters on display. There are a further 100 business aircraft on display at near by Orlando Executive Airport (www.nbaa.org for more details).

From October 19 to 22 the 2006 FUNAI Classic golf tournament takes place at Disney's magnificent Palm and Magnolia courses (disneyworld.disney.go.com for more details).

The 28th Fantasy Fest, Key Wests answer to Mardi Gras, takes place from October 20 to 29. This year's theme is "Key Weird on the Dis-Oriented Express" where you will be entertained by parades, masquerades, circuses, sideshows and street parties where just about anything goes (www.fantasyfest.net for more details).

In the town of McIntosh (between Gainesville and Ocala), they are holding the McIntosh 1890s Festival on October 21. The residents turn back the clock when they dress up in 1890s clothing. There are dozens of arts and crafts stalls set amongst the traditional Victorian and Florida 'cracker' style houses.

On October 21 to 22 at the Albert Whitted Airport in Downtown St. Petersburg, you can watch the Tampa Bay Charity Airfest 'Salute to the Military' including an F-15 Strike Eagle and a US Marine Corp beach assault (www.albertwhittedairfest.com for more details).

The annual Rattlesnake Festival is on in San Antonio over the weekend of October 21 to 22. As well as rattlesnake shows and live entertainment, you can also see gopher and turtle racing (www.rattlesnakefestival.com for more details).

On Saturday October 28, the Latin-style Guavaween celebration is held in Ybor City, Tampa. It is a huge street party centred around the Mama Guava Stumble Parade with a costume party and concerts that goes on from 10am until 3pm with up to 80,000 people expected. The revelry does not stop there and goes on well into the small hours (www.cc-events.org for more details).

The US Navy will be showing off their Blue Angels display team from October 28 to 29 at the NAS Jacksonville Air Show (October 27 is practice day) (www.blueangels.navy.mil for more details).

If you like fishing then head over to the free Great Outdoor Fest at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee on October 28 to 29. Entertainment includes fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation vendors, fishing competitions, a boat show and daily concerts (www.greatoutdoordays.com for more details).

Throughout the month, Epcot's 11th International Food and Wine Festival continues until November 12 at Epcot.

The Eat To The Beat concert shows run nightly at 5:45 pm, 7:00 pm and 8:15 pm. From October 1 to 3 it is Family Stone Experience, 4 to 7 Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, 8 to 11 Loverboy, 12 to 14 David Sanborn, 15 to 16 The Beach Boys, 17 to 18 Little Richard, 19 to 21 Three Dog Night, 22 to 25 The Four Tops, 26 to 28 Gloria Gaynor and 29 to November 1 The SOS Band (disneyworld.disney.go.com for more details).

Note that Disney's Blizzard Beach will close on October 29 for its annual refurbishment and will not open again until January 7, 2007.

As mentioned earlier, hurricane season is now in full swing so keep a watch for hurricane alerts.

The Florida weather this month is split into three distinct bands with the north in the mid to low 80s and the central region in the high 80s with partial sunshine for the first half of the month and the likelihood of showers in the latter half.

In the south you can expect high 80s with more sunshine but it will be much more humid.

Very little rain is expected throughout the month as the rainy season starts to tail off.

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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