Sea World’s Spooktacular Halloween!

My family had the most amazing day at Seaworld’s Spooktacular Halloween event.  I wasn’t even aware that SeaWorld offered this incredible Halloween event,  I was already familiar with Disney’s “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween”, and Universal’s “Halloween Horror Night”s and many of our guests come down at this time of year to take part in those events.  But SeaWorld’s Spooktacular Event was an unexpected surprise.

I’ve been to SeaWorld in the past, and have always loved this theme park.  I love the interactive aspect of SeaWorld.  The opportunity to feed dolphins and stingrays.   Children and adults alike experience such a thrill having  a hands-on-approach with nature.   The shows at SeaWorld are a combination of Broadway-meets-Cirque de Soliel–meets-Animal Kingdom.  We have always been enthralled by the acrobatic skills of the performers, as they dive from platforms high above our heads, and by dolphins that jump, flip, and spin to music,  while watching beautiful tropical birds in harmonious synchronized flight  all at the command of their trainers.

The Spooktacular event was just as enthralling .  The park was filled with children dressed as pirates,  superheros,  princesses, I even saw one child dressed as a cloud with rain!! The performers were a colorful array of customed mermaids,  sea fairies, octopuses , giant fish, and other sea creatures.  The children picked up candy bags at the park and could trick-or-treat at designated locations.  My 3 and 4 year old daughters were in complete awe with all the music and dancing, and of course, the unlimited candy.  My 10 and 12 year old, had just as much fun, filling their bags with candy and joining in the dances with the cast members.  At the end of the day,  we decided, that the SeaWorld Spooktacular would be part of our family’s Halloween tradition. 

For more information visit Seaworld’s Spooktacular Halloween page!

The Origins of Halloween

October signifies to me the beginning of the official “Holiday” season.   Halloween has become synonymous with everything autumn, such as pumpkins, red and orange colors and harvest time.  But it is sometimes viewed as a controversial holiday.  A holiday that glorifies evil and darkness.  I used to be one such proponent of boycotting this holiday.  In fact, as a sophomore in college, I decided to write an entire thesis paper on the origins of the Halloween traditions, it’s associations with Druid worship and witchcraft.  My paper was well written, thoroughly researched and extremely biased, and so was I.

I carried my biased opinion throughout my early adulthood.  I refused to participate in the office Halloween party, would not eat any Halloween candy, and on Halloween nights I turned off my lights and hung a big sign on my front door that read “WE DON’T CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN.  Not surprisingly, my home and car were targeted on more than one occasion for an occasional egg washing with a toilet paper accent.

I was adamant in my “anti-Halloween” sentiment, until I had children.  For the first five years of child rearing, it was easy, until that one fall afternoon when my 5 year old daughter returned home from school, with a wild look of excitement in her eyes as she declared she was going to be a “Princess Angel” for Halloween.  Her three year old younger sister piped in that she too was going to be an angel.  Then they looked at me with innocent, thought provoked eyes and asked the question I feared would be asked, “What’s Halloween?”

Suddenly, my thesis on the evils of Halloween seemed so inappropriate and totally irrelevant.  Certainly, my children weren’t evil, nor their classmates, nor teachers, nor MOST of my neighbors.  We weren’t going to draw a circle of fire in the backyard, recite ancient incantations, and sacrifice our puppy. 

“What’s Halloween?”  I realized it’s a time of imagination, pure fun, and an excuse to eat an unbelievable amount of candy in one day.  It’s also an American tradition, as American as apple pie, baseball, and Thanksgiving.

My personal convictions, still keep me opposed to the ideas of blood and gore, I won’t purchase the “hatchet in the back” costume, nor do I enjoy an “Angel of Death” wielding a bloody knife chasing me down a corridor.  For me, life is full of things to be afraid of, natural disasters, diseases, Wall Street needing government assistance, and my bank going bankrupt?!!!…. So to willingly make myself afraid isn’t my idea of a good time.  But that’s my personal choice and I understand now that other people have the right and freedom to think and feel otherwise.

I’ve also discovered that there are local churches that offer alternative options for celebrating Halloween minus the fright.  One such church is Real Life in Clermont FL.  This Halloween, the church will have a “Fall Festival” where children can dress up like Biblical or Historical characters, enjoy hay rides, roast marshmallows, listen to live music, and yes partake in eating immeasurable amounts of sweets.  This church is one of many in the Central Florida region that offer fright-free Halloween fun.  Next week, I’m taking my family to “SeaWorld’s Spooktacular” which is a month-long celebration of Halloween, and another fun and safe alternative.  I will be sure to write about that experience, from a child and adult’s perspective.  Happy Halloween!

The GlenBrook Resort in Clermont

Before moving to Central Florida, whenever my family vacationed in Orlando, we never ventured too far from the tourist areas.  Our vacation radius was no more than 15 miles from our resort or the attractions. We actually envisioned all of Central Florida as a myriad of restaurant chains, outlet malls, miles of highway, amusement and water parks. When my family decided to relocate to Central Florida a few years ago, we were unsure where to begin our house hunt.  Although, we love the hustle and bustle of the world’s number one vacation destination, to us, home is a sanctuary and a place to retreat.  We enjoy the serenity of a quiet walk, the view of beautiful countryside, the scent of fresh cut grass, the sound of children running carelessly in the yard, the utopia of suburban life.  We didn’t know that we would discover that lifestyle located only fifteen minutes from the Disney attractions, in a western suburb of Orlando, the city of Clermont.

Clermont is referred to as the “gem of the hills”.  It’s located in Lake County, a county known for having over 1,000 lakes and rivers.  Although, most of Central Florida is flat terrain, Clermont is known for it’s rolling hills, picturesque parks and neighborhoods surrounded by natural wonders.  Clermont is a thriving city and although it’s growing rapidly, Clermont still maintains the small town “Old Florida” culture.  In Downtown Clermont, you can shop at the farmers market every Sunday, where you can purchase fresh produce, fruit, vegetables, honey and herbs.  While taking a stroll downtown, you can always stop into Lyn’s Ice Cream and Deli Sandwich shoppe and enjoy a old-fashioned malt, banana split, or sundae made from hand-dipped ice cream.  Downtown Clermont is full of antique shops, dining, and entertainment, located on the shore of beautiful Lake Minneola.
 
 One of the most famous attractions in Clermont is the Citrus Tower.  It towers over 500 feet above sea level and is known as one of Florida’s first attractions.  From the glass enclosed observation deck you can see the panoramic view of Clermont’s rolling hills and orange groves.  Citrus Tower is also home to Lilly’s Citrus Tower gift shop, located on the first floor.  This gift shop sells a variety of home and garden products, Yankee candles, Florida made jams and jellies, Florida candies, unique baby gifts, and even carries Crabtree and Evelyn products, Webkinz and so much more.

The Glenbrook Resort is located in the beautiful city of Clermont.   Many of our guests enjoy staying in Glenbrook, because it’s not only close to all the major attractions, but also affords the opportunity to experience the charm, beauty, and lifestyle of Clermont. Next time you are vacationing in the Central Florida area, go west on Hwy 192, then North on Hwy 27 and take a venture into the city of Clermont, the  “Gem of the Hills”, where you will experience the charm of “Old Florida” culture and history.

Personal Chef

One of the beautiful features of a Global Resort Vacation home is having your very own fully equipped kitchen. Many of these kitchens offer state of the art appliances and amenities fit for a chef.  However, if you are like me and are culinary-challenged, or if you simply don’t feel like preparing a meal after a long day at the park, how about hiring a personal chef?

We are proud to recommend Linda Page, a member of the USPCA (United States Personal Chef Association) and owner of the chef service, “A Chef of Your Own”.  Linda graduated first in her culinary school and did a 3 year 6,000 hour apprenticeship with Westin Hotels and the American Culinary Federation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  She has served as an Assistant Pastry Chef, junior Sous Chef at a gourmet restaurant, and teaches a variety of cooking classes.

Just imagine coming back home from a busy day at the parks, opening the door and smelling the aroma of chicken marsala with rice pilaf, fresh baked rolls, and homemade lemon pie.  Linda’s menus are vast and can satisfy a variety of palates.  If you are more of connoisseur of gourmet foods, you might want to try her Greek chicken with raisins and feta, or maybe a specialty salad made of romaine lettuce, goat cheese, and toasted almonds. If you are in the mood for good old’ comfort food you might request a menu with broccoli cheddar soup, pigs in a blanket, barbecue pulled pork, homemade baked beans, and potato salad, then finish the meal with some of Linda’s homemade cookies.

So, next time you vacation with Global, treat yourself to “ A Chef of Your Own” Bon Appétit!!!  Visit http://www.mychefsite.com/achefofyourown .

The Ormondy Penthouse

I received the ever- important, overly informative  “end of summer” letter from my child’s school today making me aware of all the new and exciting changes that were going to take place this upcoming school year.  There will be new uniforms to purchase, new classes offered and new teachers assigned to these newly offered classes.  Yes, there are big changes in store for the students.

In fact we’ve been hearing the word “change” a lot these last couple of months.  Truth be told, the word “change” can symbolize to some “the uncharted and unexplored possibilities” but to others it symbolizes “the uncomfortable or overwhelming possibilities.”  Since summer is quickly coming to an end, why not make a change in your vacation?

Our guests have become familiar with the beautiful Orlando vacation homes Global offers close to all the Orlando attractions, but many of our guests might not be familiar with Global’s Ormondy Penthouse with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and inter-coastal waterway.  Most of our guests, when planning an Orlando vacation, might not be aware that they could enjoy a luxury condo steps away from the beach or that they could spend an afternoon salt-water fishing or parasailing in the Ponce inlet.  An Ormondy vacation could include enjoying a race at the Daytona Motor Speedway, or walking along the boardwalk, taking in an outdoor concert, and ending the day with an evening cruise.

Now that summer is ending and our schedules are changing, why not consider a change in your Orlando vacation plans?  Schedule a few days at Global’s Ormondy penthouse, for more info visit www.ormondy.com .

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