Welcome to the June Newsletter
Hi Subscriber, welcome to the June 2011 newsletter of the Florida Review & Travel Guide.
On schedule, last month Busch Gardens opened their new Cheetah Hunt roller coaster and Disney's Hollywood Studios re-opened the Star Tours ride. This month sees the opening of Gatorland's new Screamin' Gator Zip Line.
Universal Orlando is on a roll and has now released details of the new attraction to replace the Jimmy Neutron ride plus enhancements to the Spiderman ride (see more details below).
BREAKING NEWS - It looks as if Comcast will buy Blackstone's 50% stake in Universal Studios.
Adventure Island
The 30 acre seasonal Adventure Island water park next to Busch Gardens in Tampa have announced the dates for this years Island Nights. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night between June 9 and August 13, from 5 to 9 pm, the park is transformed with family friendly DJs, live music, stilt walkers, steel drum bands and Polynesian dancers.
Also the park will be operating extended hours between 9 am and 9 pm from June 9 to August 14.
Legoland Opening Date
Legoland has now announced the official opening date for Legoland Florida - Saturday, October 15, 2011.
Tickets can be bought in advance on the Legoland website and there are still special deals on both annual passes and the one day preview admission ticket.
They have also teamed up with 13 preferred hotels to offer Florida family vacation ticket/room packages as part of their "Bed & Brick" programme. Some hotels are in nearby Winter Haven whilst others are a bit further afield including the Nickelodeon Suites Resort in Orlando. The packages all include accommodation and a choice of one or two day admission tickets to Legoland Florida.
Legoland Florida is aimed very much at families with young children aged 2 to 12. It is being built on the site of the former Cypress Gardens park.
Read more about Legoland Florida and the current Legoland Florida ticket deals.
NOAA Predictions
Like Colorado State University, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is also forecasting an above average Atlantic hurricane season this year with 12 to 18 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which six to ten are predicted to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including three to six major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of 111 mph or higher).
An average year has 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.
Don't forget, June 1 is the official start of hurricane season.
Read more about Florida's current weather or follow us on Twitter for the latest tropical storm and hurricane news throughout the year.
Aquatica in Texas
SeaWorld has announced that they are building a second Aquatica water theme park in San Antonio Texas. Unlike Florida, Aquatica Texas is being built inside the existing SeaWorld park replacing SeaWorld's Lost Lagoon.
Aquatica Texas will open in time for Memorial Day weekend in 2012.
New Zip Line Ride
A new zip line ride has opened at Zip Orlando close to the Green Meadows Petting Farm in Kissimmee. The forest and wetlands is home to native deer, alligators, turkeys, racoons, owls and the elusive Florida panther.
Unusually, you have to check in offsite at 4509 S. Orange Blossom Trail, 30 minutes prior to your tour and you are then transported to the attraction by complimentary shuttle van. Reservations are recommended.
The attraction has eight different cable runs between 225 and 800 feet long and approximately 65 feet above the ground. Each one is different with numerous platforms and suspension bridges with twin racing zips and double layered zips in places.
There are no age limits but your weight must be between 70 and 270 pounds. The fully guided tour takes about two hours and the cost is $95 per person. Florida residents can get a discount of $20 off the normal price.
Gatorland Screamin' Gator Zip Line
Gatorland has also announced the opening date for their new zip line attraction, the Screamin' Gator Zip Line. It will open on June 16. Price is $69.99, which includes admission to Gatorland.
Read more about Gatorland's Screamin' Gator Zip Line.
I-Walk Lawsuit
The owners of Universal Orlando are suing the companies behind the planned entertainment and dining complex on International Drive, to be called I-Walk Orlando. They claim the name is too similar to CityWalk and could cause visitors to think I-Walk is part of Universal Orlando.
The I-Walk Orlando complex will consist of three new attractions including a Madame Tussauds waxworks museum and The Orlando Eye; a 425 foot high observation wheel. The third attraction is yet to be confirmed.
The new complex will open in 2013 on the site of the former Mercado entertainment and shopping zone on International Drive, near the Orange County Convention Center.
Latest Hotel Deals
Amongst the travel deals in June, we have found 20% discount at the Walt Disney World Swan, 3 star hotels in Orlando from $26 per night and 4 night Carnival cruise from $179 from Miami. Other deals include:
There are many more good deals this month as tour operators continue to offer discounts, so if you are planning a vacation to Florida during 2011, then let the Florida Review & Travel Guide help you on your way.
This is just a small sample. To see the rest of the great deals and more, check out our late Florida deals page.
Gasoline Prices
After several months of steep rises, global oil prices have fallen. The average pump prices in Florida has fallen by 9 cents in the last month, from $3.86 a gallon to $3.77 a gallon for regular.
In many states, prices have now exceeded $4 a gallon.
Beware of at least two gas stations in Orlando, located near Orlando International Airport who charge sky high prices and still refuse to post prices that can be seen from the road. Unwary rental car drivers are being caught out by these practices.
Before filling up, always check the prices. You have been warned and if you cannot see the prices from the road take heed!
You can always find the latest pump prices at GasPriceWatch.com.
Universal Attraction News
In the run up to the re-opening of Disney's Star Tours ride in a 3-D makeover, Universal started putting out teasers about their new attraction to replace the Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast ride and the makeover of an existing ride.
On May 19, Universal announced that the new attraction will be a 3-D simulator ride based on "Despicable Me" and the current Amazing Adventures of Spiderman ride will be updated with new state-of-the-art 4K High Definition animation technology. In conjunction with the press webcast, a "flash mob" including a group of Minion characters gathered outside Universal Orlando to publicise the new ride. Both attractions will open in 2012.
"Despicable Me" is a recent Universal cartoon featuring the arch villain Gru and his three adopted daughters Agnes, Edith, Margo plus the cute little yellow Minion helpers. A sequel is planned for 2013.
Much like Disney's transformation of Star Tours, the new Universal ride will use the existing Jimmy Neutron simulators but will be updated with Infitec 3-D projectors.
The story is brand new and revolves around Gru and his daughters needing help to deploy a new invention. The audience end up being "transformed" into Minions complete with minion 3-D goggles. Guests will ride in eight-passenger vehicles around Gru's home and secret laboratory. After the ride, guests can take part in an interactive minion-inspired dance party.
The changes to the Spiderman ride have already started using new digital projections that give much more detail, enhanced textures and lighting effects and sharper images. Eventually the entire ride will be re-animated in high definition with set enhancements and new hidden details.
Many theme park fans had hoped for a new King Kong ride or perhaps Transformers.
Cheetah Hunt
As planned, the new Cheetah Hunt roller coaster opened at Busch Gardens in time for the Memorial Day weekend, just a couple of days after Disney's Star Tours re-opening.
Unfortunately there were a few technical issues over the first few days and coupled with the fact that Cheetah Hunt is not part of the Quick Queue system, waits of 3 hours were common place at times.
Like several of the latest rides in Florida, there is a test seat outside the ride so you can check that you can fit in and lock the shoulder restraints before boarding, ensuring the green light illuminates. Taller riders should be ok but larger guests may not be able to ride. Height restriction is 48 inches.
General consensus is that Cheetah Hunt is a good fun roller coaster ride but unfortunately some of the below ground trenches are not themed, just bare concrete walls. This may be due to cost cutting or running out of time but it is a real shame. Otherwise there is some great theming and you can imagine yourself as a cheetah running after your prey.
Overall, the ride is mild compared to some coasters with just one 360 degree barrel roll inversion but it makes a great family coaster with a very smooth ride. There are some great moments like when it jinks from side to side whilst running along a river bed or the air time you get over the camel back near the end.
Read more about Busch Gardens Cheetah Hunt ride and attraction.
Visitor Numbers Increase
After several years of declining visitor numbers, Florida and Orlando in particular is now experiencing growth in the number of visitors coming to Central Florida.
Orlando has become the first US city to record more than 50 million visitors in a single year. Results for 2010 put visitor numbers at 51.455 million, 10.9 percent up on 2009 and the highest number since 2005 when the figure was 49.3 million. New York recorded 48.7 million last year, putting them in second place as most visited US city.
Not surprisingly Disney, SeaWorld and Universal Orlando are also seeing an increase in attendance figures. Most theme parks keep attendance figures a closely guarded secret but some information has been released in recent weeks.
In the first quarter of this year, Disney saw a 2 percent increase in their attendance figures in North America (Disneyland California and Walt Disney World combined).
SeaWorld has announced a 7 percent increase in visitor numbers for the same period this year with an even bigger increase in advanced reservations at Discovery Cove.
Over at Universal Studios, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter continues to pull in the crowds with an amazing 68 percent increase in attendance in the first quarter.
Despite all this good news, unemployment in Florida still remains high at 9 percent and with the cost of fuel close to $4 a gallon, some people will still be put off vacationing in Florida this year.
Frommer's South Florida: With the Best of Miami and the Keys
Frommer's South Florida: With the Best of Miami and the Keys was re-published in September 2010 and offers candid views on the best sightseeing, restaurants, clubs, beaches, outdoor activities, hotels and more throughout South Florida and the Keys. It is written by Lesley Abravanel who actually lives in Miami and now in its 7th edition, it is updated every two years.
Frommer's South Florida covers four main areas; Miami, the Everglades and Biscayne National Park, the Keys and the Dry Tortugas and finally the Gold Coast around Palm Beach. Around half the book is devoted to Miami.
The book includes a full-colour foldout map plus around 20 other two-tone area maps.
Lesley Abravanel has also worked on a number of other Florida travel guides; including Frommer's Florida, Florida for Dummies, Frommer's Portable Miami and Frommer's Florida for $70 a Day as well as writing for the Miami Herald.
Like other Frommer's guides, a very good feature is their 'Favourite Experiences' and their 'Best of South Florida' section covering a whole range of topics including the best hotels in a range of different categories, restaurants, museum, cultural experience, snorkelling spot, beach, public golf course and best dive bar.
As well as the region by region coverage, there are also introductory chapters on suggested itineraries from days out to a complete two week tour, recommended books and movies, cuisine, advice on the best time to travel and a calendar of events.
Read our complete review of Frommer's South Florida: With the Best of Miami and the Keys.
Gaylord Resorts
Last month Gaylord Resorts announced a partnership with DreamWorks Animation that will bring some of the well known characters from the animated movies including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Monsters vs. Aliens and Madagascar to the four Gaylord Resorts including the Gaylord Palms Resort near Disney World in Kissimmee.
Called "The DreamWorks Experience at Gaylord Hotels", the new attraction opens in November 2011 in the run up to Christmas and vacation package tickets are already on sale.
Guests can expect character breakfasts, private birthday parties, meet-and-greet sessions, parades, shows, special themed Christmas events, summer poolside activities and of course - themed merchandise.
This idea of creating a themed resort will put Gaylord Resorts in direct competition with Disney, Universal and Nickelodeon who all operate themed resort hotels in the Orlando area. Unlike some of the other resorts like Disney, Gaylord Resorts will not be extending the theming to the hotel rooms and suites.
Last year, DreamWorks signed a similar licensing deal with Royal Caribbean International and the studio's characters now appear on four of the Royal Caribbean International cruise ships.
Free Monthly Desktop Wallpaper
June and July 2011 desktop wallpaper calendars
The free Florida desktop wallpaper calendars are now available in new widescreen and netbook format as well as standard format so if you have a widescreen monitor or a netbook you can now download a new widescreen calendar. 
Free desktop calendars for June 2011 (Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay) and July 2011 (Toucan at Discovery Cove) are ready to download now.
Note that some of the larger files can be up to 700k in size so if you are on a modem dialup line it will take a few minutes to download.
Click to view and then download the Florida free desktop wallpaper for June or July now.
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 Florida brochures where you will find information on many activities including golfing vacations, eco-tours, scuba diving and Caribbean cruises.
June Events
June is quiet month when it comes to concerts and air shows but if you are a Star Wars fan, then you must not miss the Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios where you will get the chance to meet all your favourite characters.
June also seems to be pirates and landing month in Florida with events celebrating 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.
In June, there is both Flag Day to commemorate the adoption of the US flag and Fathers Day though these are not public holidays.
Following its delayed launch, the Space Shuttle Endeavour made its final landing. Only one more launch after this one.
Noticeable artists on tour in Florida this month include Taylor Swift, The Monkees, ZZ Top, Katy Perry, B.B. King, Def Leppard & Heart, Keith Urban, Lionel Richie, U2 and Florence And The Machine.
Looking further ahead, Sade & John Legend, Natasha Bedingfield, Britney Spears, New Kids On The Block & Backstreet Boys, Motley Crue, Poison & New York Dolls and Kings Of Leon are also performing in Florida.
Click here for full coverage of the latest events throughout the State of Florida or for a comprehensive list of upcoming Florida concerts.
Weather Forecast
Like last month, there have been more devastating storms across the United States but again Florida was spared. Nearly 150 people lost their lives in a tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri.
As in May, June should see temperatures a little above seasonal averages and rainfall about average for the time of year.
In the North around Pensacola and Jacksonville, the month will start with plenty of sunshine but with the occasional thunderstorm and shower as the month progresses. Daytime temperatures should be in the high 80s to high 90s, getting close to 100 degrees on occasions. Overnight temperatures will be in the low to mid 70s. This month it will be slightly cooler on the East coast.
Across the Central region, the weather outlook is similar but even warmer. Temperatures will be in the high 80s to high 90s during the day, dropping to low to mid 70s over night. Again there could be a couple of extremely hot days when you need to take extra precautions.
Down in Miami and the Keys, the weather will be similar but with less chance of thunderstorms or rain. Temperatures will be in the high 80s to low 90s during the day and low to mid 70s overnight. In the Keys there will be less chance of rain.
Don't forget that June 1 is the official start of the hurricane season.
Click here 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.
June Books
Only four Florida books published in June but as always there are a few stragglers and newcomers previously missed including a couple of small books by PassPorter.
June Book List
- Orlando Insight Smart Guide
- Moon Florida Gulf Coast by Joshua Lawrence Kinser
- Beyond Disney: The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld & the Best of Central Florida by Bob Sehlinger, Grant Rafter, Menasha Ridge
- Warriors Without War: Seminole Leadership in the Late Twentieth Century by Dr. Patricia Riles Wickman
- Haunted Monticello, Florida by Betty Davis and Big Bend Ghost Trackers
- PassPorter's Free-Book for Walt Disney World by Jennifer Marx
- PassPorter's Disney 500: Fast Tips for Walt Disney World Trips by Jennifer Marx
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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