Welcome to the July Newsletter
Hi subscriber, welcome to the July newsletter of the Florida Review & Travel Guide.
We plan to bring you a newsletter on the first day of each month with details of upcoming events and news from across Florida.
We are always interested in your comments and feedback so please email us at
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if you have anything you would like to tell us.
Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-114
It is now over two years since the space shuttle Columbia/STS-107 broke up over Texas on final approach on February 1, 2003. Originally Discovery/STS-114 was scheduled for lift off May 15th but this was delayed when it became apparent that NASA would not be able to complete the safety modifications on time.
Having rolled out to launch pad 39B on April 6th, Discovery was returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building on May 26th to allow NASA engineers to replace the external fuel tank. Discovery has now been connected to the tank originally destined for the Atlantis mission. This tank has been fitted with an extra heater to reduce the hazards of ice debris during the critical launch phase. It was rolled back to the launch pad on the giant crawler transporter on Wednesday June 15th.
The new launch window is scheduled to run from July 13th to July 31st and all being well, Discovery should blast off in two weeks time. All tickets to watch the launch sold out a long time ago but you can still watch the shuttle launch from outside of the Kennedy Space Center.
Watching a space shuttle launch is one of those 'must do in your lifetime' moments and is a truly awesome experience. The memories will be with our family for ever; don't miss it if you have the opportunity. Click here for more information on
where to watch the launch.
Blue Horizons at SeaWorld
SeaWorld Orlando have opened Blue Horizons on Memorial Day weekend, a new show to replace the long running Key West dolphin show. The award winning Broadway set designer, Stanley Meyer has designed a new set and backdrop for the Whale and Dolphin stadium in conjunction with Broadway costume designer Tracy Christensen who has designed all the costumes for the SeaWorld trainers and other cast members. Both of them were previously involved in the Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast. A new Plexiglas front screen also allows you to see the action under the water.
Whilst the previous dolphin and false killer whale show was primarily educational, the new 20 minute show is is much more of a theatrical experience along the lines of Cirque du Soleil and is set to a musical score performed by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. It tells the story of a young girl, Marina who dreams of swimming with Delphis the spirit of the sea and flying through the clouds with Aurora, the spirit of the sky.
Whilst the Atlantic bottle-nose dolphins and false killer whales jump and dive and interact with the trainers, exotic birds such as macaws, a giant Andean condor and sun conures soar overhead. The cast also includes platform divers, gymnasts on aerial trapezes and wires and bungee jumpers who shoot gracefully in and out of the water, all dressed in ornate costumes representing the sea and the sky.
Click here for more details on
SeaWorld and its rides/shows.
Book Review - Walt Disney World Resort & Orlando
Walt Disney World Resort & Orlando, ISBN 1405306602 was published by Dorling Kindersley in January 2005 and is part of their Eyewitness Travel Guide series.
It follows their trademark style with beautiful colour artwork and cutaway drawings packed into a compact format and runs to 209 pages. It is split into several main sections; the first is an overview of Central Florida. There is then a section on Walt Disney World Resort with details of where to eat and drink, information such as waiting times and height restrictions on each ride and the best time to ride or visit the parks. The third section covers Orlando's other theme parks such as SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Universal Citywalk and Wet 'n' Wild.
The final sections describe the rest of the central region, with details of where to stay, eat and shop, entertainment and sports, practical information and there is even a few pages on getting married in Florida. I can thoroughly recommended this book.
Click here for more
guide book reviews and details of where you can buy this book.
Cheap Eating Out
If you are looking for a bargain family meal, then consider one of the many 'all you care to eat' buffet restaurants like Sizzlers, Ponderosa Steakhouse or the Golden Corral.
Typically you buy your entree and/or buffet when you enter the restaurant and then if you have included the buffet you can basically choose and eat as much as you wish from the very varied menu. Some restaurants offer breakfasts, lunches and dinners all at really great prices for anyone on a budget. Generally the earlier you eat the cheaper it is.
Read more about eating out in Florida including family restaurants, diners and themed restaurants.
July Events
You can expect all of Florida and especially the theme parks to be extra busy on the 4th of July, particularly Magic Kingdom. You should check with the parks or resorts for any special arrangements and opening times.
You will need to plan your day well in advance especially in terms of making meal reservations and where you want to spend the afternoon and evening. For example, it is not unheard of for the Magic Kingdom toll plaza to close late afternoon because of shear visitor numbers.
Weather Forecast
July and August are typically the hottest months of the year and the high levels of humidity only add to the discomfort.
The first two weeks of July are expected to be fairly normal, partly sunny with scattered thunderstorms. Thunderstorms will become more frequent as the month continues with temperatures increasing.
Average temperatures are expected to be 83°F (slightly up on normal) with above average rainfall in the north, slightly below in the south. However the rain is warm and rarely last for long!!
Check out the rest of the Florida weather including monthly temperature and rainfall charts across the State and the latest hurricane news.
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 © 2005, Stephen Downs, Florida Review & Travel Guide. All rights reserved. Please do NOT reprint or host on your website without explicit permission from
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