Its that time of year again and not a moment too soon – Universal’s Mardi Gras 2011 at Universal Studios is sure to be one of their best line-ups yet. Expect to see several Global Team members attending Mardi Gras this year. With acts such as  Franki Valli to Lynard Skynyrd to NE-YO – there is sure to be at least one show that interests you.

Getting to the show early is important  if you expect to be near the stage. While some fans line up hours beforehand, 90 minutes before showtime should be good enough to get close enough to the Music Plaza stage. Performances take place in the shadow of the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Roller Coaster and it can get tight so you should decide if seeing the performers up-close is that important. There are large screens towards the back of the courtyard which helps to entertain fans who might want to make a quick exit once the performance is over. Most of the food/drink stands are also on the fringe or at the back of the courtyard so it can be convenient to stand back a little.

Just one caution for those attending Universals Mardi Gras, while not an absolute, the performances are usually very good and suitable for fans of all ages. I did see Kid Rock a few years back and all I can say is that his language wouldn’t have been put up with a few miles down I-4 in Disney World.

The complete line-up:

• Feb. 12: Frankie Valli & the Four Season
• Feb. 19: The B-52s
• Feb. 20 (Sunday): KC & the Sunshine Band
• Feb. 26: Pitbull
• March 5: Lynyrd Skynyrd
• March 12: Foreigner
• March 18 (Friday): Neon Trees
• March 19: The Roots
• March 25 (Friday): OneRepublic
• March 26: Blake Shelton
• April 1 (Friday): Sean Kingston
• April 2: Ne-Yo
• April 9: Lifehouse
• April 16: The Beach Boys
• April 23: Thirty Seconds to Mars

If you’re a Global guest and at one of the shows, please send us a picture – we would love to feature you on our website!

For more information and up to date show times, please visit the Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2011 website.

If you’re traveling to Orlando, make sure you check out www.globalresorthomes.com for your lodging needs.

If you’re traveling to Orlando, make sure you check out www.globalresorthomes.com for your lodging needs.

If you’re traveling to Orlando, make sure you check out www.globalresorthomes.com for your lodging needs.

We then get a hot cup of cocoa or coffee at Java Coast located right there in the Emerald Plaza.  If you time it just right, you will see the Majestic Christmas Tree ceremonial lighting, which towers right over the Emerald Plaza. Following the lighting, we take a trip down memory lane and enjoy favorite Christmas tunes of yesteryear A capella style, performed by the Florida Traditions. When my son was younger, we would go see Santa, be he is too old for that now…so he tells me anyway. (I think that one can never be too old for Santa!) Then we enjoy lunch/dinner at Sunset Sam’s Fish Camp and we always ask to sit in the 60′s  Sailboat. They have some of the best seafood around, and the crab cakes are wonderful! After a great meal, we go to the ice skating rink where we work it all off. We have been doing this for about 5 years now as a family tradition and we highly recommend it to all!

If you’re traveling to Orlando, make sure you check out www.globalresorthomes.com for your lodging needs.

If you’re traveling to Orlando, make sure you check out www.globalresorthomes.com for your lodging needs.

Now that we live in Orlando, our favorite thing to do is go to the Holiday Candlelight Processional at Disney’s Epcot Center. The choir walks out in candlelight procession and really gives you the holiday spirit. It’s so peaceful. I just love it!

If you’re traveling to Orlando, make sure you check out www.globalresorthomes.com for your lodging needs.

From all the staff at Global Resort Homes, we would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. This year Global is making a donation to Seeds Of Hope Brazil, an organization that helps children living on the streets and in the orphanages of Sao Paulo Brazil. An e-card just went out to all of our owners and friends. To see what was sent click HERE.

As we enter our busiest time of the year, we wish safe travels to all incoming guests. Staying in an vacation home for the holidays can be a very special experience and we hope that all of our guests have the very best time possible.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

It’s becoming sort of a tradition for my wife and I to spend New Years Eve at Universal. We intend to try Pleasure Island but the entertainment always seems lacking. Anyway, this year will be no different – we’ll ring in the New Year in style at City Walk. If you haven’t been to City Walk on New Years your in for a treat. When I was younger I do not think I would have gone out of my way to see the B52′s. Maybe Foreigner but it would have been a stretch! In any event, I haven’t been let down by Universal on New Years Eve yet so I’ll trust them again – I’ll just wince a little bit when Love Shack it played. Maybe next year they’ll get Whitesnake?

Starting from the entrance to Starbucks and ending at Margaritaville, the entire area is walled off for those willing to pay $119.00 + tax for a ‘private party’.

I have to say, I’m not a fan of crowds and I hate waiting in line for a meal but the spread that is put out is worth a little wait. The salmon filets that usually are outside of Buffet’s Margaritaville are worth the trip alone. Plus, in the past 3 years we have attended, the masses of people never seem to get that large. Sure, theres a gaggle of revelers around but there is still room to walk and move.

For complete details on the event vist the official Universal City Walk site. Last year there was an option to pay an additional fee ($40.00 I think) for unlimited top-shelf drinks. I didn’t see that option online so you may want to ask when purchasing your tickets.

Tip: Getting out of Universal on New Years (and the 4th of July) is a exercise in patience. You can easily spend 60 minutes leaving the garage. If your up for it, take in a movie after the midnight fireworks when everyone is trying to leave. Although the clubs are open till 2 a.m., most people start leaving once the fireworks have concluded. You’ll have an easy walk and exit once you leave the theater.

See you there!

–

Bill

Here is a run down of the Orlando theme park events.

Halloween Horror Nights 17 — Carnival of Carnage
Tip: Order online and in advance for special discounts. This event regularly sells out and starts at 6:30 pm.

How do you feel about chainsaws – sans chains? Diet Mountain Dew bottles filled with ‘evil’ coins? If that does it for you then the ‘Carnival of Carnage’ is your best bet. I would consider Universals Halloween event to be the most adult oriented of the three in Orlando – not the best place for small children unless they recently emerged from a corn field. Get it? Children of the corn? Oh well. HHN’s is full of ‘Gotcha’ moments, lots of simulated fog, and no less then 8 haunted houses. Jason & Freddie are back to renew their friendship as Leather face joins this award winning ensemble. Of course, the whole carnival is run by everyones favorite clown – Jack. He only gets work for about 30 days a year and his frustration shows!

2007 Dates: Sept. 28, 29, Oct. 4-7, 11-14, 18-21, 24-28, and 31, Nov. 1-3.
Cost: $64.95.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Easily scared? Gutless? This ‘Not-So-Scary’ event is for you.

2007 Dates: Sept. 14, 21, 28, 30, Oct. 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, and Nov. 2
Cost: $38.95 or $45.95 for ages 10 and up; $32.95 or $39.95 for ages 3-9

Having children crying en masse isn’t traditional Disney so you won’t find rubber knife wielding Jason wannabes walking throughout the park. The young (and the young at heart) are encouraged to come in costume to the event. A special Halloween parade, select rides (the recently refurbished Haunted Mansion just opened), storytelling, and cast members dolling out free candy make up the bulk of the event. Your teen-age children might cry “LAME!” but your pre-teen kids will howl in delight.

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular
FREE !!! Low-key family fun. Suitable for all ages

Seaworld’s Halloween event also has a low-scare factor (like Disney) and is best suited for those looking to do some in park trick-or-treating. Lacking some of the high-tech effects and spooked-out walk around characters (Shamu did not like the horns they wanted him to wear) Seaworld does have one thing going for it that the Disney and Universal do not … it’s free to all park guests. Kids can also come in costume.

- Bill