Orlando Vacations: Gaylord Palms at Christmas!

The Most Miserly Mom sees everything in Orlando! We have everything from talking mice to talking trees to snowing Mount Everest to Mission Space to Dr. Seuss to performing killer Whales - I mean really - We have Everything!!!!!!!!!

And even though we are in Central Florida, and we have awesome Sunshine, which is one of the many reasons I love living here, one of our major Resort Hotels The Gaylord Palms brings us an incredibly awesome event - "ICE." And yes, I mean real ice. TWO MILLION POUNDS OF Cold ice. Freezing ice. The kind that makes your fingers hurt. The kind that makes you feel numb. The kind that made you leave where you came from and come to Florida in the first place. Just kidding. But it is truly a spectacular event. It is an ice carving expedition of sorts that you can walk through. It is kept at 9 degrees! I am going to attach a picture on my blog so you can see it. This year's theme is "A Season of Wishes." And there are ice slides and trains and it truly brings the season in full throttle. This ice show runs from November 18th - January 2nd. For more information you can check out the Gaylord Palms web site http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordpalms/things_to_do/IcePalms.cfm.

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Disney Souvenirs?

What does the Most Miserly Mom have to say about souvenir shopping at the Disney Theme Parks? Well, for the most part I say Don't! If you want to save money that is.

This mom doesn't anyway, because although I absolutely love browsing in the shops at the theme parks, I cannot stomach the thought of paying the prices - I just can't. I can't pay $20 for a Donald Duck t-shirt or $40 for a Mickey stroller or $59 for a Sweat shirt. It isn't in my Miserly blood. The Most Miserly Mom buys souvenirs at the shops that have things for $10 and under! Those are my kinds of shops! Most of the parks have one of those shops these days.

You need to check my blogs and my book at http://www.cheaporlando.net/ for where to find them. I also shop on International Drive for bargains. There are many super cheap stores on this strip that have great deals. It's definitely worth it. Take it from The Most Miserly Mom.

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Disney Dreams officials rules

Federal law requires that games and lotteries (think McDonald's Monopoly game) must adhere to rigid rules, and those rules must be posted. I hadn't thought about where the rules would be, but if I'd given it any thought, I'd have probably guessed the exact place I accidently found them today anyway: Guest Relations. Here's where they're posted at Disney-MGM Studios:

Disney World at Christmas

The Most Miserly Mom knows how special Christmas time can be - especially at Disney World! If you & your family enjoy looking at lights, Christmas decorations, and the festive feeling of the season - the visit Walt Disney World during the Christmas season.

The Most Miserly Mom will tell you, however, that you can save money by visitng Disney before December 18th or so - Visit during the beginning of December and you can not only enjoy the magic of Disney at Christmas time, but you will be able to save money as well. Early December is still a less expensive time to visit Orlando & Disney World. You can get discounts at hotels in Orlando and at Disney if you visit in early December, and you will still be able to enjoy the magic of Christmas at Disney.

In fact, at the Magic Kingdom, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is offered on the following dates:
November 13, 17, 27, 28, and 30, and December 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, and 22.

If you steer clear of Thanksgiving weekend and visit during the beginning of December you can enjoy Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and get discounted hotel costs.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is in the Magic Kingdom. This party includes a parade, holiday entertainment, special fireworks show, family photos, treats, snow on Main Street U.S.A., and popular Magic Kingdom® Park attractions. Advance-purchase prices start at $39.95 for adults, $31.95 for kids 3-9.

Happy Holidays in advance from The Most Miserly Mom!

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Midway Madness Technology Sneak Peak

The upcoming ride in Disney-MGM Studios and DCA, Midway Madness, will be like "Men in Black" or Buzz Lightyear with interactivity, but fold in 3-D and some kind of reactivity from the screens. When your gun shoots something on the screen, it will become see-through and react.

For a preview of how this works, look no further than Innoventions' "Where's the Fire" exhibit, a more-primitive version of the same technology. (Thanks for the heads-up, Bill!)

Silver Springs Arts & Crafts Fall Festival

Nov. 4-5, 2006
Live country, bluegrass and Cajun music, dancing and traditional Southern cooking presented at Bill Bowlegs Bar & Grill. Enjoy fried or BBQ chicken, fried catfish and art and craft booths throughout. Silver Springs Nature's Theme Park
5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd
Silver Springs, Fl. 34488
352-236-2121 or www.silversprings.com

Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney

Nov. 10-12,2006
9:30am - 5:30pm
Enjoy a brush with greatness as you meet over 150 artists at the 31st Annual Festival of the Masters. Admire their diverse creations displayed on the Downtown Disney West Side. It's an affair of the "art" for the entire family, with plenty of fun at the Children's Activity Centers and Chalk Art displays in the Marketplace. You'll be drawn to it!
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32330; 407-824-4321 or www.disneyworld.com For Orlando Hotels and Restaurants Click Here.

8th Annual Orlando Beer Festival

Nov. 11-12, 2006
More than 150 brands are expected to attend and one will win the title "Best of the Fest" and will get to distribute and market their beer at a select City Walk venue, in additon to national media exposure. Orlando, 407-363-8000. www.universalorlando.com

PhotoPass at MouseFest

The upcoming MouseFest conglomeration of Disney fans, a kind of United Nations for Disney fan communities, will feature an official Disney presence in the form of PhotoPass this year. The fan community is really coming of age.

UpTown Saturday Night

Saturday: October 28
Enjoy extended shopping hours, live entertainment and book signings as the quaint shops along San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine extend their hours for an evening of entertainment and shopping. Uptown Saturday Night is free to the public and takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. along San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine. For more information call 904.824. 9357 or for St. Augustine Hotels.

Treasure Chest Quest

Saturday: October 28

Search for buried treasure and feast on a fabulous buffet at St. Augustine’s only Pirate Game Show Dinner Theater! Treasure Chest Quest takes place every Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the IHOP Banquet Room at 2600 N. Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Tickets are $27. For reservations, call 904.377.9500. More information is available at www.treasure-chest-quest.com .

Birds, Botany and Breakfast Walk

Saturday: October 28
Join the Friends of GTM Reserve and birding experts Linda and Jerry Harrison for a “Birds, Botany and Breakfast” nature walk. The walk will begin at 8 am at the Guana River Dam Trailhead located off A1A at Guana River Road. Come walk along the GTM Reserve’s hiking trail and look for birds, plants, and other interesting wildlife. The walk will take about 2 hours, cover about 1 ½ miles and will be followed by coffee, orange juice and donuts. Bring binoculars if you have them. The cost is $10 per person for the guided walk and continental breakfast ($5 for Friends of GTMNERR members). Make reservations by calling the GTM Reserve at (904) 823-4500, space is limited.

St. Augustine Community Orchestra-South of the Border

Friday: October 27

Enjoy a free presentation of the Community Orchestra’s South of the Border. The performance includes renditions of the Christopher Columbus Suite, Blue Tango, Night in Mexico and Sovenir de Porto Rico, all led by Conductor John Bush. The concert takes place at 8 p.m. in the Lightner Museum’s Café Alcazar on Granada Street in St. Augustine. For more information call 904.461.6727.

Women's Exchange Fall Luncheon

Friday: October 27
Enjoy a special luncheon with St. Augustine Women’s Exchange. The luncheon takes place at the Pena–Peck House, built in 1750 as the Spanish Treasurer’s home, and operated by the Women’s Exchange since the 1930’s. The luncheon, which is served at noon, features recipes from members of the Exchange. Following the luncheon, tours of the Pena-Peck House are available. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Women’s Exchange Gift Shop located at the Pena-Peck House, 143 St. George Street in St. Augustine. For more information call 904.829.5064.

Ghosts and Legends of St. Augustine

Friday and Saturday: October 27 – 28
Ride around the nation’s oldest city hearing of the ghosts and legends that abound. The tour includes a visit to the St. Augustine Lighthouse grounds that was recently featured on the Sci-Fi Channel’s Ghost Hunters, where the ghosts are dying to meet you. Tours start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $22. For more information call 904.829.1122 or 800.461.1009 or click here for St. Augustine Hotels.

Murders, Myths & Monsters

Friday and Saturday: October 27 – 28
Join Ghost Tours of St. Augustine for a hauntingly fun walking tour highlighting the many murders, myths and monsters that makes St. Augustine known as one of the nation’s most haunted cities. Meet the Spirits as your guide leads you through the narrow streets and alleys and to the shadowed cemeteries. Ghostly characters are met along the way. Murders, Myths and Monsters provides two different haunting experiences. North-side tours start from the City Gates area, at the north-end of St. George Street and tickets are $12. The South-side walking tour includes admission to Potter’s Wax Museum’s Mysteries and Monsters. Tickets are $16. Tours start at 7 p.m. and run through the evening. For more information call 904.829.1122 or 800 461.1009.

Haunted Hayride

Friday and Saturday: October 27 – 28
Take an old-fashioned hayride and discover the nighttime beauty of the maritime hammock while meeting haunting goblins of the forest, spooks from sandy graves and other denizens of the dark. Young children will be able to go through a “scare-free” walking loop of the Enchanted Forest for a magical experience. The fun starts at Anastasia State Park (please enter the park at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre). The haunted hayride takes –place from 7 -9 p.m. and admission is $7 per person. For more information call 904.461.2035.

LightHouse Dark of the Moon Tour:

Friday and Saturday: October 27 – 28
See the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Keeper’s House in the shadowy darkness! These special tours are from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. and include a climb to the top of the tower (in the dark) and a visit to the dark museum and Victorian home that served as the keeper’s quarters. Although ghostly sightings have occurred here for more than a century and the crew from the nationally-televised “Ghost Hunters” had an amazing encounter here, there is NO GUARANTEE that you will encounter the supernatural. Tickets are $25 per person. To reserve yours, call Faith at 904.829.0745 (Note: This tour will be repeated on Halloween, October 31.)

Tales of the Dead at Colonial Spanish Quarter

Friday and Saturday: October 27 – 28
Experience ghostly history with story tours through The Colonial Spanish Quarter, including a visit to the De Mesa-Sanchez House. Haunted 18th century tales of this house plus tales of past, but possibly still present, inhabitants of Colonial Spanish Quarter will be told. Tours take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 Adult, $5 Accompanied Child, and $20 Family of four. Reserved tickets can be purchased at the Colonial Spanish Quarter Bookstore or at the Government House. For more information call 904.825.5096.

Creatures of the Night

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: October 27-29
Come dressed in your favorite costume to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park and we will provide the candy, a creepy creature experience, animal trading cards, and a great time! Young ghosts and goblins can wander the wild walkway and encounter costumed animal keepers with creepy creatures and candy! There will be an alligator feeding show and a drawing for free annual passes and other prizes. The fun takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and admission is $7 adults, $5 children. For more information call 824-3337 or visit www.alligatorfarm.com.

A Weekend Ghostly Encounter

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: October 27-29
Walk the dark, narrow streets of St. Augustine and hear stories of those who came before us…and refuse to leave. Tours depart from the Old Drug Store, 31 Orange Street in St. Augustine. Tours include admission to the Haunted Hospital and start at 6 p.m. Tickets are $14 per person. For more information call 904.827.0807.

Haunted Hospital

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: October 27-29

The Doctor is always in at the Haunted Hospital! Come check in with the MAD Surgeon as he demonstrates the “cutting” edge of patient care. This tour is not for the faint of heart for you never know what lurks within each of the dark rooms of the Haunted Hospital. Tickets are $6 per person. Tours start at 6 p.m. at the Spanish Military Hospital, 3 Aviles Street in St. Augustine. For more information call 904.827.0807.

Ghosts of the Matanzas

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: October 27-29
Join the ghostly pirate that has commandeered the 72' Schooner Freedom and holds passengers captive as they sail the dark waters of Matanzas Bay. Entertaining tales and assistance from the captives are the highlight of this adventure-- not to mention the rations and grog that add to enjoyment. BEWARE--'there be pirates here'. Tours start at 8:15 and 9:45 on Friday and Saturday, 6:45 and 8:15 on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Tickets are $35 for adults and kids 2 -12 are $25. For more information call 904.810.1010. Reservations are required for these tours.

Universal Studios Vacation: Free Car Rental?

The Most Miserly Mom found a deal at Universal Studios!

Universal Orlando Resort is offering a special that provides free car rentals to visitors who buy Universal ticket packages on their Web site. The packages start at $139 per person and include unlimited access to both Universal Orlando theme parks for up to five consecutive days and a three-day car rental. Children ages 9 and under are free.
For more information call 407-363-8000, or check out their web site:

http://www.universalorlando.com/vp_index.html

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/

Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Orlando & Disney Vacations with Science?

The Most Miserly Mom is pleased to tell you that if you are in Orlando visiting Disney and the theme parks this weekend, you can combine some learning with fun (and do it cheaply)!

The Orlando Science Center is an amazing place for fun, learning, and entertainment. And this weekend, on October 28th, they are putting on a Spooktacular Science Extravaganza. The Most Miserly Mom has taken her children to the Orlando Science Center numerous times - and I can tell you that it really does rival a theme park for fun! Now I know how much fun you will be having at Universal Studios & Disney World & Sea World, but you can take a day off from the theme parks and give your wallet a break and give your kids an all around spectacular spooky day at the Orlando Science Center.

Take a look at the events:



And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/

Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Disney World & Orlando Vacations: Cheap Airfare

The Most Miserly Mom knows that one of the biggest costs in your vacation is the money you will spend on airfare traveling to Orlando & Disney World.

How should you save the most money on airfare when planning your vacation?

• Plan ahead! Airfares are often less expensive if you plan in advance.
• Be flexible! Be prepared to change the days of the week you originally planned, knowing that if you switch your days there may be lower prices.
• Check on-line airfares. Always check on line prices to compare them with what you find out directly with the airline. And check many online travel sites like expedia, orbitz, cheaptickets, as well as the airline sites to compare prices.
• Use discounts! Don't be afraid to pull out those coupons from your entertainment book. Don't be afraid to ask AAA for discounts or to ask for Senior Citizen discounts.
• Plan to travel in value season if possible. Steer clear of Christmas break and Spring Break.

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Disney World Vacations: Should You Rent a Car?

The Most Miserly Mom likes to help people save money on their Disney World Vacations, and one of the most frequent questions asked of me is "Should we rent a car in Orlando?"

When you take your vacation to Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World & Orlando, and you want to save money, then most likely you WILL rent a car. Yes, it is an added expense, but what you will save in the long run will be worth it!

Here are the reasons why:

• If you have a car you can easily stay at an economical hotel minutes from Disney and the other theme parks as opposed to staying on site at Disney and paying more money.
• If you have a car you can easily drive to economical restaurants to feed your family instead of paying the astronomical prices at restaurants inside Disney, Universal or Sea World.
• If you have a car you can easily head to International Drive to purchase discounted souvenirs as opposed to paying exhorbitant prices within Disney, Universal or Sea World.

The Most Miserly Mom wants to remind you of a few important points when renting a car in Orlando to save money:

Always ask for discounts! AAA, Motor Club discounts, coupons & anything you get your hands on will help with your car rental costs.

• Steer away from purchasing any insurance with the car rental companies - Check with your own insurance company or credit card service to see if you are already covered.
• Do not take an "upgrade" from the car rental company unless they are giving it to you for free.
• Rent an economy car - Keep this expense as low as possible. You won't need anything more for zipping around Orlando to Disney, Universal, or Sea World.

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Christmas at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show

October 28, 2006 - January 1, 2007

The Dixie Stampede is magically transformed into a holiday fantasy with twinkling lights, softly falling snow, evergreens, poinsettias, old-fashioned holiday costumes and familiar holiday music.
The spirit of the season will appear before your eyes. Our live nativity scene is both dramatic and spectacular. The true meaning of Christmas comes alive as three kings riding atop camels on their way to Bethlahem. The beauty of angels from above will amaze you.
But no show is complete without the fun and games! The holiday festivities get playful as Elves from the North Pole and South Pole will compete in friendly rivalry while serving up a festive four-course feast! Be ready to stomp your feet and get loud! That's all part of the thrill!
For more information, call (866) 443-4943, or visit www.dixiestampede.com.

Safe Trick or Treat Locations

Places to bring your little princesses and monsters other than in your community.

Old Town - Oct. 31st
2-6pm; 407-396-4888

Festival Bay - TBA
407-351-7718

Waterford Lakes Town Center - Oct. 31st
5-7pm; 407-737-2866

Florida Mall - Oct. 31st
5-7pm; 407-851-6255

Pointe Orlando - Oct. 31st
10am-10pm; 407-248-2838

Please call and confirm, dates and times may change without notice.
Have A Safe But Fun Halloween!

Orlando & Disney World Hotels: Fall Discounts!

The Most Miserly Mom maintains that October & November are awesome times both economically and enjoyably for visiting Orlando and Disney World, Universal Studios, & Sea World.

Not only are there numerous fall activities, like Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios & Mickey's Not-so-Scary Halloween Party at Disney's Magic Kingdom, but there are great deals at the local hotels.

For instance, Marriott Vacation Club International is offering this deal:

"Beat the crowds and discover Florida with fall's ideal weather andshorter lines at the theme parks with participating MVCI resorts. Guestswho stay three nights in a two-bedroom villa receive two adult passes toone Walt Disney World Theme Park, SeaWorld Adventure Park, or UniversalOrlando -- all starting at $667* and valid through December 18, 2006."

The Most Miserly Mom love deals!

For more information on that particular deal either call Marriott reservations: 1-800-VILLAS-9 (1-800-846-5279) or visit
http://www.marriott.com.

And for more hotel deals and Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Disney World Cutting the Fat??

The Most Miserly Mom has been reading many articles about Walt Disney World cutting the fat out of their food, and I must say that I find it interesting.

Disney plans to "eliminate trans fat altogether from food served at their theme parks by the end of 2007." http://money.cnn.com/2006/10/16/news/companies/disney_fat.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes

The Most Miserly Mom has always been surprised at the amount of McDonald's french fry stands their are around Disney's Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and even Epcot.

Although as I write in my book, "A Mom's Miserly Guide: Universal, Orlando, & Disney on $25 a Day," I usually bring my own healthy snacks and sandwiches with me to the parks - not only to save on trans fat and calories - but to save money!

That is just one tip in my guide to Disney.

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/

Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

CityWalk Entertainment Calendar - November 2006

Below please find the November talent booking calendars for the following CityWalk venues:
• Red Coconut Club
• Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
• CityJazz
• Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom
• the groove• Latin Quarter
• Pat O’Brien’s• NBA City
• NASCAR Café

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

8TH ANNUAL ORLANDO BEER FESTIVAL returns to Universal CityWalk, November 11&12. - More than 100 brands are expected to attend and the winner of the coveted title “Best of the Fest,” as chosen by the Central Florida Home Brewers Association, will get to distribute and market their beer at a select CityWalk venue. Event times:*Saturday, November 11th – 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.*Sunday, November 12th – 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.For more information visit - www.orlandobeerfestival.com

TOXIC AUDIO AT CITYJAZZ
Off Broadway sensation and award winning vocal quintet takes the stage for four shows at City Jazz at Universal City Walk.*Friday and Saturday, November 17-18*Doors open at 6pm, two shows at 7:30pm & 9:30pm*Tickets on sale at CityWalk Guest Services and Ticketmaster - $19 plus tax

CITYWALK VENUE ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 2006
FOR MORE INFORMATION, GUESTS MAY CALL CITYWALK GUEST SERVICES AT (407) 224-2691

Red Coconut Club
*$7.00 Cover after 9:00p.m. or CityWalk party pass
*21 and up welcome
*Daily Happy Hour – Featuring half price martinis/appetizers
*Live DJ
*Complimentary valet parking with validated receipt
Girls' Night Out at Red Coconut Club – Thursday nightsLadies will receive:

*Complimentary admission and valet throughout the evening
*$4 Grey Goose or Bacardi cocktails, $5 martinis
*WOMX MIX 105.1 will be there from 7-9 p.m. for prize giveaways and drawings
*Half-priced Martinis and Appetizers

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
$7.00 Cover after 8:00 p.m. or CityWalk party pass
Thursday is Locals’ Night
*Daily – Happy Hour at the Porch of Indecision from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*Live DJ – Lone Palm
*Live Entertainment on the Patio:

Blue Stone Circle: November 1-4, 7-11, 14-21, 26-30
Leonard Brothers: November 5-6, 12-13, 22-25

CityJazz
*$7.00 Cover or CityWalk party pass
*18 and up welcome.
Herb Williams Band: November 1-4, 7-11, 14-16, 21-25, 28-30

TOXIC AUDIO
*$19 plus tax – Tickets on sale at CityWalk Guest Services and Ticketmaster.
*Friday and Saturday, November 17-18
*Doors open at 6pm, two shows at 7:30pm & 9:30pm

CityJazz goes Bonkerz!
*Bonkerz Comedy Club presents live comedy at CityJazz every Thursday through Saturday night.
*Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 8pm. Times vary on select nights. Food menu available.

COMEDIAN SCHEDULE:
November 2-4 Artie Fletcher as seen on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”, HBO & “Law & Order”
November 9-11 Steve Netta as seen on MTV
November 16 Warren Durso as seen on The USA Network
November 23-25 Kim Harrison as seen on Nickelodeon’s “Funniest Mom in America Contest” & Fox

Bonkerz presents Hypnosis Sundays at CityJazzComic/Master Hypnotist Doug MacCraw offers a hilarious experience where subjects and audience members journey into a world of side-splitting hypnotic hi-jinks. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., showtime at 8:00 p.m on November 1, 9:00 p.m. other nights.

Karaoke at CityJazzGuests can sing their heart out and make their Universal CityWalk debut, Mondays at CityJazz. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., show starts at 8:45 p.m., 18 and up welcome.

Bob Marley’s – A Tribute To Freedom
*$7.00 Cover after 8:00 p.m. or CityWalk party pass.
*21 and up after 9pm
* Rastafarian Thursday’s – 4pm until close. Red Stripe and Captain Morgan specials.
* Entertainment, prizes and more!

Mystik NRG: November 1-3, 6-10, 13-17, 20-24, 27-30
Chain Reaction: November 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26

the groove
*$7.00 Cover after 9:00 p.m. or CityWalk party pass
*Mainstream Dance Music Nightly

DJ John Campisano: November 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
DJ AJ: November 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, 28-30

XL/Skyy Jet Set Fridays at the groove - 9 pm-2 am
*$7.00 Cover after 9:00 p.m. or CityWalk party pass
* Stick from WXXL 106.7FM will be broadcasting live starting at 10:00pm
* Enjoy great Skyy drink and Skyy bottle specials and VIP programs!

Teen Nights at the groove – Select nights
Come listen to live DJ’s spin all of today’s hits and experience state-of-the-art sound, lighting and video. Teens ages 15-19 welcome with High School ID’ or driver’s license.
* Friday, November 10 7:00pm – 11:00pm - $15 admission
* Tuesday, November 21 8:00pm – 12:00am - $12 admission
* Wednesday, November 22 8:00pm – 12:00am - $12 admission

Latin Quarter
*$7.00 Cover after 9:00pm or CityWalk party pass

Alejandro Kartal: November 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, 28-30
George Dimitrov: November 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27

Rumba Thursdays
*Ladies’ Night hosted by 100.3FM.
*Guests enjoy a Reggaeton/Freestyle dance party.
*Drink specials Brahma, Leblon and Skyy drink specials. *10:00 p.m. – 2 a.m
*21 and up welcome

Pat O’Brien’s
*$7.00 Cover after 9:00 p.m. or CityWalk party pass
* Piano Bar – Live Music Nightly, New Orleans style food and ½ price appetizer menu
* 2 for Tuesdays at Pat O’Brien’s
* 2 for 1 Hurricanes, Heinekens and Amstel Light from 4:00p.m. – 10:00p.m.

WMMO 98.9fm presents Party at Pat’s every Wednesday night
*Drink specials on Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Select, Michelob Ultra, Hurricanes
*Half price on select appetizers*6:00pm –12:00am

NBA City
*Skybox Happy Hour, Monday thru Friday, 4pm – 7pm
* Happy hour specials are only available in the SkyBox lounge located on the second floor.
* Domestic beer, .35 wings specials and $4.99 Basket of Lug Nuts (jalapeno poppers)!

Nascar Café
*Guests can enjoy live music on the weekends from guitarists on the patio starting at 6pm.

RaceDay Parties
* Watch the excitement of NASCAR’s Nextel Cup Series at NASCAR Café!
* Every Sunday in October, “Chase to the Nextel Cup” food and beverage specials.
* 6 large projection screens.

Mannheim SteamRoller Share the Celebration

Friday, December 15, 2006
The one and only Mannheim Steamroller, America's #1 holiday concert, rolls into Orlando for one show only on Friday, December 15 at 8 pm. Still together after more than 20 years, the original band takes the stage for a memorable, multi-media evening of your favorite Christmas music.
Get your tickets at the TD Waterhouse Centre Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone 407-839-3900. Groups of 10 or more, call 407-849-2014.
THE ONLY FLORIDA PERFORMANCE

Sunshine State Resort is Home to ICE!

ICE!, an attraction hand-carved from nearly two million pounds of ice, will return for its fourth year. The wildly popular family experience gives guests an opportunity to visit a whimsical winter wonderland of interactive environments and larger-than-life, three-dimensional holiday scenes and sculptures, all hand-carved from ice.
The attraction, which is presented by Coca-Cola and co-spnsored by Nissan and Sarah Lee, combines fantastic frozen creations, thrilling ice slides, dramatic lighting and special effects.
The enormous structure used to house ICE! is cooled to a chilly 9 degrees. To stay comfortable inside the attraction, visitors are given oversized winter coats to wear.
This year, ICE! features several new or revised scenes, including a holiday train and depot that guests can "climb aboard" to explore. In response to guest feedback, some elements will return for an "encore," including a breathtaking life-size nativity carved completely of crystal-clear ice. A guest favorite--three fantastic ice slides--will return amid a towering Christmas Castle.
The attraction is carved by a team of 40 artisans from Harbin, China. The talented artisans spend nearly an entire month in Kissimmee creating this one-of-a-kind attraction.
ICE! tickets range form $9.99 - $24.99, depending on the type of ticket, and day of the week. Discounts will be available for tickets purchased online in advance at www.gaylordpalms.com/ice
For more information or reservations, call (407)586-4ICE.

Best of Florida Christmas Overnight Packages

Overnight Best of Florida Christmas packages start at $249 per night plus tax, based on a two-night stay. Packages include a Florida-view guest room, 2 tickets to ICE!, a souvenir photo, self parking, and a host of exclusive resort guest benefits. Packages and rates are available for families of all sizes, beginning with a one-night stay.
This year's celebration will include special experiences created exclusively for guests who purchase the Best of Florida Christmas overnight package:

• Priority Entry to the ICE! attraction and ICE! skating rink, as well as the ability to visit both attractions multiple times during a stay.
• Family memories event, a new experience created just for overnight guests.
• Holiday bedtime stories, broadcast every night via a special in-room channel.
• Elf tuck-ins, bedtime visits by one of Santa's helpers (additional fee).
• Christmas Concierge, who can recommend and help book unique holiday experiences throughout Orlando.

Gaylord Palms Resort is Orlando's Host to Christmas Season

Kissimmee, Fl. - As the Orlando host to the Christmas holiday season, Gaylord Palms Resort will offer a slate of activities that are "merry and bright," Nov. 18, 2006 - Jan. 2, 2007.
The special events are part of the resort's Best of Florida Christmas celebration, featuring live entertainment, unique attractions and holiday activities held to commemorate the Christmas season.
This year's Best of Florida Christmas program will include 46 days of holidays revelry, including several new or revised events:

• ICE!: This frozen family experience is Orland's most unusual holiday attraction, handcarved from nearly two million pounds of ice. This year's walk-through experience will reflect the theme "A Season of Wishes."
• ICE! Skating: This outdoor skating rink will offer a holiday tradition common only in northern climates. Skate rentals are included.
• "Holiday Wishes" Christmas Show: A Christmas variety show featuring a cast of characters and a memorable soundtrack of holiday favorites.
• Christmas in Florida: The County Wreath Collection: A new exhibition of wreaths decorated to reflect Florida's diverse destinations, from coast to coast.
• "Lights Alive!" Shows: featuring lights throughout the resort's atrium, synchronized to festive holiday music.
• Holiday Gnome Hunt: Families can hunt throughout the Gaylord Palms atriums to spot cleverly hidden gnomes, each ready to celebrate the holiday season.
• Visit Santa: Kids can take an opportunity to share their special Christmas wishes with Santa Claus...in person, or via email.

5th Annual Charity Oktoberfest At World Golf Village

Saturday: October 21
Celebrate October at the United Way 2-1-1’s Fifth-Annual Charity Oktoberfest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Walk of Champions at World Golf Village. The event is free and open to the public and will feature a European car and motorcycle show, Bavarian bands and dancers, food and beverages, an awards ceremony and more. Registration, vehicle check-in and photos will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and registered participants will be eligible receive several awards and prizes. Owners may register their motorcycles for $25 and cars for $35 for the first automobile and $25 for each additional car. The event is free and open to the public. World Golf Village is located at Exit 323 along I95. For more information call 904.307.9431 or visit www.nefl211.org/oktoberfest/.

Ripley's Halloween Story Time - A children's Ghost Adventure

Saturday: October 21
Bring the kids for a FUN Halloween experience at Ripley’s. Geared towards kids under 10, The Children’s Ghost Adventure includes a kid-friendly haunted house and a night-time walking tour that is a tiny bit scary but never threatening! Tickets are $5. Tours start at 5 p.m. and leave from Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, 19 San Marco Avenue. This tour will also be offered on October 27, 28 and 31. For more information call 904.824.1606.

Charity PawParade

Saturday: October 21
Experience paw power by participating in the Charity Pet Pawparade at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, 19 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine. Dogs and cats will strut their stuff to support local pet rescue agencies. Registration is $10 per pet and begins at 9 a.m. with judging at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. All proceeds go to benefit Goliath and Bebe’s World and Noah’s Ark. For more information, call 904.824.1606.

European Epicurean At The Cultural Center

Saturday: October 21
Celebrate the senses with beautiful music, fun entertainment, fabulous food and superb wines that relate to three popular, romantic European regions - Andalusía, Provence & Tuscany. The Cultural Center will transform into these glorious European destinations with Cafés Cantantes, gypsies, flamenco dancing, sloping vineyards, colorful scenery and their own picturesque Chiantigiana Wine Road. The European Epicurean will take place at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, from 6 to 10 p.m. For more information call 904.280.0614 or visit www.ccpvb.org.

Ripley's Haunted Express

Friday and Saturday: October 20-21
Ride through old St. Augustine hearing the haunting stories and legends of the Nation’s Oldest City aboard Ripley’s Haunted Tour Train. Tickets are $18 and tours start at 8 p.m. from Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, 19 San Marco Avenue. In addition to this weekend, the Haunted Express will depart nightly during October 27, 28 and 31. For more information call 904.824.1606 or for St. Augustine Hotels

Enchanted Forest

Friday and Saturday: October 20-21
Young children will be able to go through a “scare-free” walking loop of the Enchanted Forest for a magical experience. The fun starts at Anastasia State Park (please enter the park at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre). Enchanted Forest admission is $4 and will be open from 7 to 9 p.m. Call 904.461.2033 for more details.

Ghosts and Gravestones

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT! Enjoy a most haunting experience on St. Augustine’s premier "Frightseeing" Tour that explores the darker side of St. Augustine's past. The only tour that takes you inside the three most haunted places in the entire city. Haunts include: The Old Drug Store that rests upon an old Indian burial ground and is a natural gathering place for lost souls and malignant spirits. Enter... and in darkness you will learn the secrets of embalming and why so many people were buried alive; The Spanish Military Hospital where you can visit a death bed and hear of amputations and strange medical practices shared in whispered tones as you re-live the grizzly duties of 17th century medical practitioners; and The Old Jail, featured on the Sci-Fi Channel’s Ghost Hunters, that was built in 1891 and housed prisoners for over 60 years. Listed on the Florida and National Haunted Places Register, the Old Jail has been the site of countless supernatural occurrences. Many criminals met their maker here at the end of a hangman's noose. Tours are scheduled nightly this weekend and on October 27-31. They start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $24 for adults and $12 for children. For more information call 904.829.3800.

3rd Annual St. Augustine Amateur Men's Golf Tounament

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: October 20-22
See some of the nation’s best amateur and collegiate golfers competing in what has become one of the best tournaments of its kind in the Southeast. Played over 54 holes at the St. Johns Golf Club, the tournament’s competitors will be selected on the basis of their golfing resumes. Points awarded to the winner, runner up and Top 5 finishers will count toward the Golfweek/Titleist Men’s Amateur Rankings. Registrations is $230.00Proceeds from the event will benefit the First Tee of St. Johns County – an initiative that provides young people of all backgrounds with an opportunity for personal development through golf and character education. Starting times are 8 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There will be a Long Drive Contest and cook-out at the First Tee on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. An Awards Ceremony will be held following play on Sunday. The St. Johns Golf Club is located at 4900 Cypress Links Blvd., in Elkton. For more information, call 904.377.6440 or visit www.staugustineamateur.org. For St. Augustine Hotels Click Here.

Limelight Theater - I'm Not Rappaport

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: October 20-22
Meet a really “odd couple”–Nat and Midge, as they confront aging and life in their own New York way. Schmoozing together, grumbling and complaining, these two old codgers are surprisingly inventive and provide the ultimate gift of laughter. Show times through November 5 are every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Matinees are every Sunday and on October 21 & 28 and November 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for students and military. Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for students and military. The Limelight Theater is located in the Joukowsky Family Foundation Center for the Performing Arts, 11 Old Mission Avenue, St. Augustine. Call or visit the Limelight Box Office at 904.825.1164 or www.Limelight-Theatre.org.

Women's Exchange Fall Lucheon

Friday: October 20
Enjoy a special luncheon with St. Augustine Women’s Exchange. The luncheon takes place at the Pena–Peck House, built in 1750 as the Spanish Treasurer’s home, and operated by the Women’s Exchange since the 1930’s. The luncheon, which is served at noon, features recipes from members of the Exchange. Following the luncheon, tours of the Pena-Peck House are available. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Women’s Exchange Gift Shop located at the Pena-Peck House, 143 St. George Street in St. Augustine. For more information call 904.829.5064.

Halloween fever at Rita's Home

Kiana, Serena and Zania having a scarecrow parade time at Rita's home.

Let’s Eat!

In less than two hours, a person can put together eight to 12 family-size entrees without shopping, chopping, or mopping. Fresh is best at Let’s Eat!, and October entrees include customer favorites like Salmon Wellington, Shrimp and Feta Pasta and Herb Pork with Rasberry Sauce. Let’s Eat! also offers new recipes such as New England Pot Roast, Hoisin Fish and Chicken Caprese. Each month, clients choose from 14 different entrees, including new vegetable side dishes. Located in The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips, 7601 Della Dr., Suite 13, Orlando, Let’s Eat! is open Monday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information and to make reservations, call (407) 345-0645 or visit www.letseatdinner.com on the Web.

Magical Mealtime

Located at 7705 Turkey Lake Road in the Bayhill Plaza, Magical Mealtime is one of Florida’s largest meal-assembly kitchens, and a fun, quick, cost-effective way of providing high-quality meals for dinner. Magical Mealtime combines the hottest new concept of meal assembly with catering for parties and other special events; and also provides private party facilities. Dinner is a snap with Magical Mealtime. Special packages are available. For more information, call (407) 354-5393 or visit www.magicalmealtime.com on the Web.

The Dinner A’Fare

Family dinners together can be simple, and The Dinner A’Fare can make it happen by helping clients create 12 meals in two hours. Families will not have to worry about grocery shopping, buying ingredients that are used once or twice, taking trips to the fast-food drive-through, but can enjoy a healthy sit-down dinner with a minimum of preparation time. Located at 2735 Old Winter Garden Road in Ocoee, The Dinner A’Fare is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, reservations, menus and pricing, call (407) 905-4440 or visit www.thedinnerafare.com on the Web.

The Grape

Opening this winter at Pointe Orlando on International Drive, across from the Orange County Convention Center, The Grape is an upscale wine concept that combines a wine bar and retail seller under one roof. Offering more than 120 wines, a full menu of small-plate gourmet fare designed to complement the wine list is also available. The Grape offers an interactive experience that is entertaining for all guests, regardless of their knowledge of wine. For more information, call (407) 248-2838 or visit www.yourgrape.com on the Web.

Home Cookin’ LLC

Busy executives and families in the Orlando area can now enjoy a customized in-home personal chef service. Owned and operated by MetroWest resident Doug Janousek, Home Cookin’ offers fresh, home-cooked meals in the privacy of one’s home. Janousek meets with clients, then plans meals customized for their needs, ranging from daily to weekly service, as well as intimate dinner parties and special events. For the most part, preparation and cooking is done in clients’ kitchens. Janousek is a recent Le Cordon Bleu summa cum laude graduate of Orlando Culinary Academy and a member of the Central Florida chapter of the American Culinary Federation. For more information, call (407) 295-9967 or visit www.home-cookin.net on the Web.

Take Out Express

A revolutionary upscale restaurant-delivery service, Take Out Express delivers hot meals within 55 minutes or less to offices and homes and provides room service to hotels in Southwest, Lake Buena Vista and Kissimmee from a wide variety of restaurants, including Bella Roma, Sam Snead’s Tavern, Butcher Block Steakhouse, Peacock Garden Restaurant, Sushiology, Mikato Japanese Steakhouse, Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine, Magic Wok, Houlihan’s, Passage to India, Sizzler, Taste of Hong Kong, TGI Friday’s and TooJay’s Original Gourmet Deli. The charge for delivery is $4.99 per restaurant, and catering and gift certificates are available. Take Out Express operates daily from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., with lunch available for groups only. Menu choices can be made at www.orlandotakeoutexpress.com on the Web, and orders can be faxed to (407) 352-1019 or called in to (407) 352-1170. For more information, visit www.orlandotakeoutexpress.com on the Web.

WineStyles Wine & Gifts

WineStyles, a new and easy way to shop for wine, demystifies the wine-buying experience. WineStyles’ staff categorizes their wines by style, or taste profiles. Their mission is to bring superb, world-class wines to customers at affordable, everyday prices, while taking the guesswork out of choosing wine. WineStyles offers a wine club for those who enjoy wine tastings, discounts on purchases and a free bottle of wine on their birthdays, plus other benefits. Hospitality employees also enjoy benefits at WineStyles. Service employees are invited to a complimentary wine tasting the third Tuesday of every month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., when there is a 10 percent discount on all wine purchases with proof of employment. Located in The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips at 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., WineStyles is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call (407) 351-9463 or visit www.winestyles.net/drphillips on the Web.

Walt Disney World Souvenirs: Disney Store Florida Mall

The Most Miserly Mom went searching for bargains again on Disney World souvenirs. I found some great deals for Disney Fans at the Disney Store inside the Florida Mall.

I found Disney hats: 2 for $15!
I found Disney dolls like Belle, Cinderella, Snow White: 2 for $20!
I found all kinds of Disney plush toys - Pluto, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Pooh, Tigger, and many more: 2 for $20!

There were bargains galore in this Disney Store - The Most Miserly Mom definitely recommends shopping for Disney souvenirs here!

The Florida Mall is located at 8001 South Orange Blossom Trail. The phone number is 407.851.6255. For more information check out http://floridamall.orlandofanatic.com/index.php?shoppingId=44&groupId=2.

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Dick Nunis

Today I got to meet Dick Nunis, the onetime head of all Walt Disney parks and attractions. This is a man who once got chewed out by Walt when he was a Working Lead on Jungle Cruise, and later rose to command just about everything that mattered in the company (in the 80s). He was, and is, history incarnate.

He was nice, and pleasant, when I met with him. Others have claimed he can have a gruff demeanor, but I sure didn't see it today.

The Timeshare Explosion at WDW

Several folks in the Internet community are up in arms that DVC is expanding to Animal Kingdom Lodge. I think this is because AKL is seen as private and exclusive, while DVC is somewhat akin to the McDonald's and Wal-Marts of the world (and less expensive than AKL).

While that might be true, the company has been marching toward this goal for some time now. Saratoga Springs hasn't stopped construction yet, for instance. And a brand new tower will go up next to the Contemporary Resort (completely ruining line of sight from Tomorrowland, some say).

What's behind all of this? Extremely simple: money. Or more accurately, short-term money. DVC involves booking a ton of money at this exact moment (in the current quarter) and then reaping only a steady stream of money later on. It's like selling hotel rooms for a guaranteed price every year... only the price is quite a bit less than you would have gotten for "rack rate." The two upsides are a big addition to the bottom line in the current year, when the DVC membership is first purchased, and then a better occupancy rate in future years.

No doubt in my cynical mind that the motivation here is the short-term profit. It's how the publicly-traded Disney company works these days, alas.

The Seas With Nemo and Friends

I posted a long review of Nemo on miceage: http://www.miceage.com/kevinyee/ky101606a.htm

The short version: this is one great dark ride! Here's my video of the ride from annual passholder preview weekend:

Epcot Food & Wine Festival - A Blast With the Disney Gift Card!

The Most Miserly Mom visited the Epcot Food & Wine Festival again yesterday and I was very, very pleased! Although the crowds were bigger than usual for October (because of this special event) I enjoyed all kinds of scrumptious delicacies in Epcot's World Showcase.

Let's see: A Kiwi- custard torte in New Zealand, chocolate creme brule in France, chicken bastilla in Morocco, perogie & kielbasa in Poland, corn bread in America, and the list goes on and on!

I think what The Most Miserly Mom likes the most this year is the ease in purchasing food, gifts, and any items at all with the Disney Gift Card. What you do is use cash or credit card to purchase your gift card, and then you can use this card anywhere in Disney! The Disney Gift Card can be used at any food venue, any gift store, The Disney Cruise Line, shopping at Disney web sites, and it is so simple. Disney employees simply swipe your card quickly and that's that! It made moving through the lines at EPcot's Food & Wine Festival much easier for this Miserly Mom. Plus I was able to keep to a specific budget, which is always important to my Miserly sense. If you put a certain amount to spend for the day on the Disney Gift Card, you can limit the funds you spend for the day. It works perfectly!

The Most Miserly Mom is sorry to see the Epcot Food & Wine Festival end, but the holidays are coming, and I am ready for those festivities!

I have attached additional photos from the Epcot Food & Wine Festival as well. Enjoy!

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

About Us

Chef Voila! is a new and exciting concept in the world of cooking. We offer the latest in cooking instruction for the entire family, in a way that is both educational and entertaining.
We invite your family to step into our colorful state-of-the-art kitchen studios to experience the fun that we an cook up! While singing and dancing your way to culinary perfection, our expert chefs will instruct you on everything from basic cooking techniques, to the secrets of gourmet chefs and food experts from around world.
Chef Voila! offers something for everyone at all skill levels and culinary interests, from creating to just plain eating. We have a variety of classes that cover all types of cooking topics such as international cooking food art, holiday creations, and more.
Our mission at Chef Voila! is to bring the entire family back into the kitchen, where family memories and delicious meals can be made. We believe that by making cooking fun, kids and adults alike will develop creative culinary skills they will use for a lifetime.

Cafe' Voila! and Retail Shop

Just looking for a new place to relax? Come join us at Cafe' Voila and enjoy assortment of gourmet soups sandwiches, salads and baked goods. While enjoying one of our featured desserts or special of the day, browse our retail shop where we sell a selection of unique cookware gifts.

Birthday Parties

This dish will serve up the fun every birthday party deserves. Chef Voila! whisks together the joy of cooking and the excitementof turning one year older in a way sure to entertain all your guests... and the most special one.

Your Birthday Party Ingredients:
1 group of 10 or more
1 birthday cake & candles
1 birthday theme (many to choose from!)
1 gift for the guest of honor
1 optional goody-bag set
10+ oodles of fun
1 very happy birthday!
- let fun simmer as long as possible, then ignite the candle fireworks!

For more information visit www.chefvoila.com

For Kids who knead Fun!

Cooking Classes
A safe, clean kitchen, a fun-loving chef, nd kids ready to have a blast make these dishes an easy way to whip up some fun. Kids will explore their creativity and gain a sense of accomplishment after they've created something delicious!

Your Cooking Class Ingredients:
1 group children
2 fun-loving chefs
5 cups creativity
8 dashes excitement
15 tbsp giggles
- let dance for 5 minutes, serve with a smile!

Your Main Course Menu:
Cooking 101: First Course
Cooking 102: Cooking Up Some Fun
Cooking 103: Chef Extraordinaire
Cooking 104: International Tasty Traditions

Parties

Chef Voila! has party platters waiting to spice up your next private party or gathering. Our kitchen studios and cafe are the perfect place for birthay parties, baby and wedding showers, holiday parties and more.

Your Party Ingredients:
1 group of 10 or more
1 party theme
1 special occasion!

Disney's Year of a Million Dreams!

The Most Miserly Mom knows how much families dream of coming to visit Disney World, Mickey Mouse, and all of their favorite characters.

Disney's newest promotion takes visitors beyond their Disney Dream Vacation - It's called "Disney's Year of a Million Dreams."

Can you imagine sleeping in Cinderella's castle in the Magic Kingdom? How about leading a parade through Disney? How about riding on Mickey's float in the "Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade?" Or how about actually winning another Disney Vacation?

These are the types of things that Disney is giving out and doing to make the trip to Disney World even that more exciting. Disney guests are actually selected randomly to receive these gifts.

Could you be one of those selected? Maybe so! I hope to see you at Disney World soon!

For more information on "Disney's Year of a Million Dreams" go to:
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/index?name=YOMDLowBandPage

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Epcot Food & Wine Festival!

The Miserly Mom is heading to EPCOT this morning to enjoy the gorgeous Florida weather and enjoy EPCOT's "Food & Wine Festival."

It is 78 degrees here in Orlando today - perfect weather for Epcot! And this is the perfect time for you to visit Orlando, Disney, Universal, or Sea World. Now is the time for discount pricing - The hotels offer great deals right now and will continue to do so until about the 2nd week in December. This is our Value season in Florida! The crowds are low, the prices are low, and the temperature is perfect!

I have attached pictures from my last visit to EPCOT. Come down and join The Most Miserly Mom at the theme parks!

I am off to find money saving tips now.

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/

Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

For Adults looking for fresh Fun!

Cooking Classes
Looking for a new dish of fun for an outing with friends or that special someone? We host a variety of adult classes, covering an array of exciting culinary topics and featuring local celebrity chefs. Grab your aprons and your favorite bottle of wine and join us at Chef Voila!

Your Cooking Class Ingrediants:
1+ adults
2 experienced chefs
7 cups learning
12 tbsp laughter
1 great new memory
this is a dish best served with fun!

Your Main Course Menu:
We've got a wide variety of classes. Check our schedule often, classes change monthly and fill up quickly!

Team Cuisine!

Here's your opportunity to strengthen relationships in a comfortable, entertaining, and relaxed environment. Chef Voila's Team Cuisine is an unique new way to build unity among your staff.
By dividing your staff into teams and assigning them to an experienced Chef, each member of your team will experience how skill, care, and dillgence in one aspect of a recipe is essential to the whole.
Team Cuisine is a great way to show your staff how everyone's contributions are important and necessary in order to reach a common goal! Afterwards, teams join together to enjoy the entire meal and discuss lessons learned.
Team Cuisine is great for project kick offs, employee appreciation events, new team member introductions and re-energizing your existing team.
It's fun, affordable, and interactive! For more information on this Teambuilding Recipe for Success, visit www.chefvoila.com

Chef Voila's Spooky Halloween Party!

Open House
October 28th 3-5pm
1140 TownPark Ave.
Colonial TownPark
Lake Mary

Kids... Wear your costume and join us for cookie decorating, bobbing for apples, face painting, and more! It's going to be full of frightening food and freaky fun! Colonial TownPark's
"Trick or Treat Around Town" hosted by Radio Disney will follow our event.
Please call for more information 407-333-3262 or visit www.chefvoila.com
$10/child

Ghosts Galore in St. Augustine!

ST. AUGUSTINE, Sept. 13….. The scariest time of year is almost here and with nearly 450 years’ worth of scary stories, frightening legends and spooky shadows cast among genuine Old World architecture, its obvious why St. Augustine is a favorite haunt of everyone who loves Halloween. This year, the Nation’s oldest city offers a collection of tours and excursions guaranteed to put goose bumps on even the most determined cynic. Read on – if you dare!

Ripley's Halloween Ghost Train

October 17 – 21 & 24 – 31
Board the Ghost Train for a ride throughout the haunted streets of old St. Augustine. There are stops along the way where tales are told and guests can use Electro-Magnetic-Field Meters to identify the presence of spirits. After hearing stories of the local haunts, passengers enter the historic Castle Warden for a sleuthing experience of actual events. Tours start from Ripley’s Castle Warden, 19 San Marco Avenue at 7 p.m. Tickets are $24 for adults and $12 for children 6 -12. Reservations are required. For more information call 904.824.1606 or for St. Augustine Hotels Click Here.

Death in the Oldest House

October 19
Experience an 18th century funeral as the St. Augustine Historical Society presents “Death in the Oldest House,” a special evening program about funeral and mourning customs practiced during St. Augustine’s colonial period. Library manager Charles Tingley will speak, and museum docents will interpret living tableaux depicting the funeral of an infant son of Tomás González and his wife Francisca (1727) and the funeral of Joseph Peavett, husband of Mary (María) Evans (1786). Death in the Oldest House tours take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with last tour at 8:30 p.m. Admissions are Adults $8, Seniors $7, Children 6-18/Students $4, Family$18, St. Johns County residents $3. Historical Society members are free. The Oldest House Museum Complex is located at 14 St. Francis Street, in St. Augustine. For more information call 904.824.2872.

Ghosts and Gravestones

October 20 - 23 & 27 - 31
TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT! Enjoy a most haunting experience on St. Augustine’s premier "Frightseeing" Tour that explores the darker side of St. Augustine's past. The only tour that takes you inside the three most haunted places in the entire city. Haunts include: The Old Drug Store that rests upon an old Indian burial ground and is a natural gathering place for lost souls and malignant spirits. Enter... and in darkness you will learn the secrets of embalming and why so many people were buried alive; The Spanish Military Hospital where you can visit a death bed and hear of amputations and strange medical practices shared in whispered tones as you re-live the grizzly duties of 17th century medical practitioners; and The Old Jail, featured on the Sci-Fi Channel’s Ghost Hunters, that was built in 1891 and housed prisoners for over 60 years. Listed on the Florida and National Haunted Places Register, the Old Jail has been the site of countless supernatural occurrences. Many criminals met their maker here at the end of a hangman's noose. Tours are scheduled nightly and start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $24 for adults and $12 for children. For more information call 904.829.3800 or for St. Augustine Hotels

Ripley's Halloween Story Time-A Children's Ghost Adventure

October 21, 28 & 31
Bring the kids for a FUN Halloween experience at Ripley’s. Geared towards kids under 10, Children’s Ghost Adventure includes a kid-friendly haunted house and a night-time walking tour that is a tiny bit scary but never threatening! Tickets are $5. Tours start at 5 p.m. and leave from Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, 19 San Marco Avenue. For more information call 904.824.1606.

Enchanted Forest

OCT 20 & 21
Young children will be able to go through a “scare-free” walking loop of the Enchanted Forest for a magical experience. The fun starts at Anastasia State Park (please enter the park at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre). Call 904.461.2035 for more details.

Ripley's Haunted Express

October 20 & 21, 26-31
Ride through old St. Augustine hearing the haunting stories and legends of the Nation’s Oldest City aboard Ripley’s Haunted Tour Train. Tickets are $18 and tours start at 6 p.m. from Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, 19 San Marco Avenue. For more information call 904.824.1606

Ghosts of The Mantanzas

October 25 - 31
Join the ghostly pirate that has commandeered the 72' Schooner Freedom and holds passengers captive as they sail the dark waters of Matanzas Bay. Entertaining tales and assistance from the captives are the highlight of this adventure-- not to mention the rations and grog that add to enjoyment. BEWARE--'there be pirates here'. Tours start at 8:15p.m. on the Wednesday and Thursday and 8:15 and 9:45 on Friday and Saturday, 6:45 and 8:15 on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Tickets are $35 for adults and kids 2 -12 are $25. For more information call 904.810.1010. Reservations are required for these tours. View St. Augustine Hotels

Haunted Hayride

October 27 - 29
Take an old-fashioned hayride and discover the nighttime beauty of the maritime hammock while meeting haunting goblins of the forest, spooks from sandy graves and other denizens of the dark. Young children will be able to go through a “scare-free” walking loop of the Enchanted Forest for a magical experience. The fun starts at Anastasia State Park (please enter the park at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre). Call 904.461.2035 for more details.

Haunted Hospital

October 27 - 29
The Doctor is always in at the Haunted Hospital! Come check in with the MAD Surgeon as he demonstrates the “cutting” edge of patient care. This tour is not for the faint of heart for you never know what lurks within each of the dark rooms of the Haunted Hospital. Tickets are $6 per person. Tours start at 6 p.m. at the Spanish Military Hospital, 3 Aviles Street in St. Augusitne. For more information call 904.827.0807.

A Weekend Ghostly Encounter

October 27 - 29
Walk the dark, narrow streets of St. Augustine and hear stories of those who came before us…and refuse to leave. Tours depart from the Old Drug Store, 31 Orange Street in St. Augustine. Tours include admission to the Haunted Hospital and start at 6 p.m. Tickets are $14 per person. For more information call 904.827.0807 or for St. Augustines Hotels Click Here.

Halloween Ghostly Encounter

October 30 & 31
Join us on the only walking tour that enters a haunted building. Enter the Military Hospital that has been investigated by the Ghost Hunters Team of the Sci-Fi Channel. Tours start from the Old Drug Store, 31 Orange Street and the Haunted Hospital, 3 Aviles Street in St. Augustine. Tickets are $10. Tours start at 8 p.m. For more information call 904.827.0807

Murders, Myths & Monsters

October 27 & 28
Join Ghost Tours of St. Augustine for a hauntingly fun walking tour highlighting the many murders, myths and monsters that makes St. Augustine known as one of the nation’s most haunted cities. Meet the Spirits as your guide leads you through the narrow streets and alleys and to the shadowed cemeteries. Ghostly characters are met along the way. Murders, Myths and Monsters provides two different haunting experiences. North-side tours start from the City Gates area, at the north-end of St. George Street and tickets are $12. The South-side walking tour includes admission to Potter’s Wax Museum’s Mysteries and Monsters. Tickets are $16. Tours start at 7 p.m. and run through the evening. For more information call 904.829.1122 or 800 461.1009.

Ghosts and Legends Of St. Augustine

October 27 & 28
Ride around the nation’s oldest city hearing of the ghosts and legends that abound. The tour includes a visit to the St. Augustine Lighthouse that was recently featured on the Sci-Fi Channel’s Ghost Hunters, where the ghosts are dying to meet you. Tours start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $22. For more information call 904.829.1122 or 800.461.1009. St. Augustine Hotels

Creatures of the Night

October 27- 29
Come dressed in your favorite costume to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park and we will provide the candy, a creepy creature experience, animal trading cards, and a great time! Young ghosts and goblins can wander the wild walkway and encounter costumed animal keepers with creepy creatures and candy! There will be an alligator feeding show and a drawing for free annual passes and other prizes. The fun takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and admission is $7 adults, $5 children. For more information call 824-3337 or visit www.alligatorfarm.com.

A Very Scary Halloween Party At Casa Monica

October 31
People have been saying for years the beautiful Casa Monica hotel has ghosts--now you can see for yourself! The evening promises loads of fun with a live band, a costume contest and lots of scary specialty drinks, including the Kiss of the Vampire, The Zombie, The Ghouls Shroud and more. The hauntingly fun-time takes place at 95 Cordova Lounge at the Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augusitne from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is free and this event is for adults only. For more information call 904.827.1888 or visit www.casamonica.com.

Sea World & Universal Studios Tickets

The Most Miserly Mom loves Sea World and Universal Studios. These theme parks have so much to offer the entire family. Did you know that you can actually buy tickets that include both theme parks as well as Bush Gardens and Wet 'n Wild too?

You can. These theme parks have banded together to attract Orlando visitors and keep them coming back. The tickets are called 4 Park Orlando Flex tickets.

Here's the information:

4 Park Orlando Flex Ticket - 14 days
Unlimited admission to SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure and Wet'n Wild water park. For up to 14 consecutive days. Tickets are Non-Transferable.
Adult Price: $189.95
Children (3-9) $155.95

These tickets can be purchased on line:
http://commerce.4adventure.com/store/dept_tickets.asp?ShopperID=240BC80A276AE439FB953881261BE84B&Token=KGIFDEJEGEDFDDJ&dept_id=203

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Disney World: Bring your pets?

The Most Miserly Mom knows that sometimes it's hard to go on vacation to Disney World because of our "furry children"! It's true, I know. Many people don't visit Orlando or Sea World or Disney World because they don't want to leave their pets at home or they can't afford the added expense of boarding their pets.

Good news for you! If you are driving to Orlando to visit Disney or Universal STudios - you may be able to bring your pet along. There are actually over 57 AAA rated hotels in the Orlando area that welcome pets. So you don't have to board your pet to bring the family to Disney!

The theme parks have kennels for your pet for the day as well, so if you need to bring the family pet to Disney, The Most Miserly Mom says do it!

For more information on kennels at Walt Disney World go to: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/guestServicesDetail?id=GuestServicesKennelsDetailPage

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Second Seminole War At Castillo de San Marcos

Saturday and Sunday: October 14 & 15

Come learn about Florida’s early frontier days when reenactors and rangers at the Castillo de San Marcos present life in Florida during the Second Seminole War of 1835 -1842. Both American and Native American viewpoints will be presented through demonstrations and displays. In addition, there will be an encampment at the Colonial Spanish Quarter. The Castillo de San Marcos is located on Avenida Menendez along St. Augustine’s Bayfront and is open 8:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Admission is $6 adults, children 15 and under are free. For more information call 904.829.6506 ext. 233, or visit www.nps.gov/casa/.

Guana Beach Talk and Walk

Saturday: October 14

Find out what kind of animals once inhabited some of your favorite seashells! Discover why the beach is such a harsh environment and how the organisms that live there are especially adapted to deal with these conditions. Find out just how salty the ocean is by doing a salinity test! Join the Guana - Tolomato - Matanzas environmental educator, Angie Golubovich for this informative ¾ mile beach walk at 9 a.m. The walk starts at the Guana Beach South Parking lot on A1A in Ponte Vedra Beach. The cost is $3 per vehicle for parking. For more information call 904.823.4500 or for St. Augustine Hotels

Universal Studios Lowers Prices

The Most Miserly Mom likes it when this happens: Universal Studios lowered their prices. I have always enjoyed Universal STudios and Islands of Adventure. Even though Universal has a completely different flavor of atmosphere than Disney and Epcot and MGM Studios I would not pass up going there if I was visiting the Orlando area. And now Universal has made it even easier with their discounted prices.

Universal's discounted tickets do have to be purchased in advance on the internet - so you do have to make your plans in advance to visit the theme park. But if you do this, the tickets cost $85 for two days and both parks. That also includes entrance to all of the clubs at Universal's City Walk as well. That's two days unlimited admission to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and City Walk for any age.

The Most Miserly Mom is pleased with this price break!

For more information about Universal Studios and their ticket prices go to:
http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets.html

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Downtown Disney - Lots of Free Fun!

• 
  The Most Miserly Mom always like free fun - And you can have lots of free fun at Downtown Disney with your family. I always enjoy strolling around Downtown Disney - the foliage, the waterfront, the flowers, the Disney memorabilia, and the smells of chocolate all make the atmosphere festive & fun.
  
  Downtown Disney is where Cirque du Soleil, Disney Quest, and The House of Blues are located. there are also numerous restaurants like Bongos, Wolfgang Puck's and Planet Hollywood. Of course all of these restaurants are quite expensive - even though I'm Miserly I want you to know about them.
  
  There is also an AMC theatre with 24 movies, candy stores, a Virgin Music Megastore (great for browsing), and many more shops. The Most Miserly Mom even found one shop here where everything is $10 or less for souvenirs - make sure you use that one to keep your visit economical.
  
  Here are some other free things to do at Downtown Disney:
  
  
• Check out the wonderful interactive fountains where children (and adults who have the guts) may enjoy playing and getting wet.
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  The Lego Imaagination center has a FREE 3,000 square foot outdoor play area filled with Lego blocks, plus some absolutely amazing and huge Lego sculptures for you to admire! (They even have a giant Lego dragon!)
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  Check out the Free magic demonstrations at the Magic Masters shop--learn a card trick.
  
  For more information on Downtown Disney go to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/moreMagic/moreMagicLanding?id=DTDLandingPage
  
  And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
  Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

New Fantasmic poster

For the longest time, Guests who didn't know how to read the park maps had difficulty locating the Hollywood Hills theater. This billboard clearly points in the direction visitors have to go if they want to see Fantasmic.

DVC building spree

Saratoga Springs is convulsing with new building projects. Everywhere you look, new buildings are going up. You can see why Disney is pushing DVC in all the parks, and on the cruise line boats. That, plus it's a really high-margin business. My only question is, will these new developments really deliver value to the eventual customers? Some of these buildings are quite far from the central complex, and far from the only restaurants in the area. Yet one assumes they are paying the same thing.

DVC encourages skipping restaurants

When you visit most Disney World hotels, you'll see that the shops and stores offer some limited snacks, usually just enough to tide you over until the next full meal (at a Disney restaurant, of course). But if you step into a DVC resort, the entire nature of the choices changes. There are more snacks, more microwave foods, and decidedly more frozen foods.



The implication is that Disney deems it OK (or preferable even?) that DVC guests stay in their DVC rooms, not venturing out to spend money in the hotels. Interesting. Tells you where Disney places its priorities. The high-margin DVC business must look a lot better on paper than the low-margin restaurant business.

Minor loss of atmosphere adds up

There used to be a faux gas pump outside of the restrooms in Mickey's Toontown Fair. It contained just water, a goldfish, and heavy bubbles. Inside was also an oversized key - the key to the "restroom" supposedly, and part of the charm of the area. That gas pump has been unceremoniously ripped out in the past two weeks, apparently to make room for the toppings cart for the nearby hot dog ODF (outdoor food) cart.



Looking back at my pictures, I see this gas pump has disappeared at least once before, in 2004. Do they rip it out to clean it or something?

New menu prices sometimes mean improvements

Every year around this time, Walt Disney World raises the prices at its restaurants. Sometimes, though, the new menu boards come with improvements. In this case, Casey's Corner gets a new menu board, complete with minimal motion (the swinging bat). I like it!

HalloWishes from the Polynesian Resort

We'd always heard they pipe in the music to the Magic Kingdom's fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian, but it was not to be for this showing of HalloWishes. Possibly they just don't do it anymore, or maybe they don't do it for the private parties.

If nothing else, it was a chance to enjoy the "fireworks in the round" for free.

Find Low Gas Prices

GasBuddy compiles information from more than 173 gas price information sites to help you save on gas by focusing your search. Enter your Zip code to find stations and prices near you. If you're traveling, click on a state, then a county to find prices in towns you'll be traveling through. Or click on the USA National Gas Temperature Map for the graphic depiction of gas prices nationwide. For information go to www.gasbuddy.com

Lincolnville Festival Will Celebrate Oldest City's African-American Heritage

26th Annual Event!
November 3-5

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Oct. 10) – The African-American heritage of the Nation’s oldest city will be celebrated with music, food and fun when the Lincolnville Festival returns to St. Augustine’s Historic Lincolnville on November 3rd through 5th.

The festival gets underway on Friday with live R&B music, food, arts and crafts. Saturday features narrated tours of Historic Lincolnville sites, live country/pop, jazz and dance music throughout the day and a special “Soul Food” contest. On Sunday, the day’s entertainment features great gospel music – along with more food and more fun.

Funds raised from the festival will go to the second phase of the Fort Mose Museum, which is being built in St. Augustine. In 1738, the Spanish Governor of Florida Chartered Fort Mose as a settlement for freed Africans who had fled slavery in the British Carolinas. The only requirements for freedom for the Africans were to convert to Catholicism and to form a militia to protect St. Augustine, which they did. Consequently, Fort Mose is the first free African-American settlement in what is now known as the United States. The story of Fort Mose represents a story of courage, determination, and perseverance. The stories of Africans fleeing to freedom and of Native Americans who aided them, as well as tales of the many other people touched by Fort Mose will inspire everyone who visits the new center.

Historic Lincolnville is one of the oldest African-American communities in the United States with more than half of its buildings dating from the late 19th century. Held on Granada and Washington Streets in historic Lincolnville, admission to the Festival is free. Festival hours are Friday, 5 to10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday 2 to 6 p.m. For more information, call 904.377-3421 or (904) 814-7763 .

Oldest City To Celebrate Holidays With A Festival Of Lights And Events

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Oct. 10) St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city will celebrate the holiday season in dazzling style when the 13th edition of its memorable Nights of Lights flashes to life on November 18. One of the South’s most popular holiday extravaganzas, the city not only creates a magical setting with more than two million tiny white lights, the Nights of Lights also features a full schedule of special events including concerts, historical re-enactments, exciting tours and even a Christmas parade.

In a manner befitting one of the nation’s most historic cities, this inspiring display of light is based on the tradition of the town’s original Spanish colonists who placed a white candle in their windows to brighten the nights during the Christmas holidays. The Nights of Lights continues this tradition in grand style with tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere as they outline the buildings of the historic district and beautiful bay front, reflect in the waters of Matanzas Bay, glisten from stately palms and extend their glow to the nearby lighthouse and beaches.

Within this holiday wonderland, an exciting array of special events and activities await visitors. Nighttime tours of ancient buildings and inns led by storytellers in period clothing, rollicking train and trolley tours through the narrow brick streets, festive shopping, First Friday art walks in December and January featuring more than 20 galleries serving free holiday refreshments, luminaries in the town plaza, holiday concerts – even a Christmas parade – are among the special events to be added to the memory books of visitors and residents alike.

This is also a special time to celebrate the brief 20 years when the town was occupied by the British (1763-1784). Held this year on December 2, British Nightwatch is a fun, re-creation of holiday frivolity with a torch lit parade through town by hundreds of authentically-clad re-enactors, house tours, wine, caroling and volleys of musketry.

The Night of Lights opening ceremonies, featuring a high-energy musical performance in the city’s historic Plaza de la Constitucion, get underway at 4:30 p.m. on November 18. The lighting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. when a single flick of a switch will bathe the historic district in the soft glow of two million lights.

For a detailed listing of all Nights of Lights tours and events, go to www.nightsoflightscelebration.com or call 1.800.653.2489. For St. Augustine Hotels Click Here.

Best of Florida Christmas at Gaylord Palms Resort

Nov. 18, 2006 - Jan. 2, 2007

You can't miss Best of Florida Christmas at Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando this holiday season from Nov. 18, 2006 - Jan. 2, 2007. This family fun event features live entertainment, unique attractions and holiday activities held to commemorate the Christmas season. Some activities include an outdoor ICE! Skating rink, "A Season of Wishes" Christmas variety show and the marquee attraction, ICE! The walk through experience carved from nearly two million pounds of ice. For more information about Best of Florida Christmas visitwww.gaylordpalms.com/ice. Tickets are on sale now. For reservations, call (407) 586-4ICE

Disney's CirqueDu Soleil - Amazing!

The Most Miserly Mom has visited & been entranced by La Nouba Cirque Du Soleil at Downtown Disney, and although this particular event is not economical I do have to rave about the experience.

I guess I wasn't sure what to expect when I first saw this display of acrobatics, gymnastics, intriguing circus-style performances, and incredible choreography. I was simply entranced, dazzled, and amazed the entire time. My eyes didn't know where to look next, from a contortionist to a high-wire act, to a flying trapeze artist. The colors, the music, the costumes, the dancing, all absolutely embrace and infuse your senses.

The most exquisite sight was the "flying man!" The Most Miserly Mom could not believe her eyes at this Not-so-Disney like performance - A muscle-bound man flying through by a rope, with trails of red silk behine him! I thought he would whisk me away to another land as in a Harlequin Romance! He was unbelievable.

La Nouba is definitely not economical, the tickets start at @$54 for children 3-9 and $68 for anyone 10+, but if you decide to budget this show into your trip to Walt Disney World, it is well worth the money. You can always try to get a AAA discount, or if you are a Florida Resident and a passholder you can sometimes get discounts depending on the month (they vary). Personally, the Most Miserly Mom would not spend this for her children if they were under 7 years of age because of the cost and the ability to sit still and really enjoy the spectacle that La Nouba is.

For more information about La Nouba call 407.939.1298 or go to:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/moreMagic/moreMagicLanding?id=DTDCirqueDuSoleiLandingPage

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Disney's Animal Kingdom - My pictures

The Most Miserly Mom wanted to share her Disney Animal Kingdom pictures.

I like to share my pictures as well as my Miserly Travel Tips for traveling to the Theme Parks.

And for Miserly Money Saving Tips visit my web site: http://www.cheaporlando.net/
Check out my book: A Mom's Miserly Guide: Orlando, Universal, & Disney on $25 a Day

Alice Davis sighting

We saw Alice Davis at the watch shop on Main Street this weekend. She was not mobbed here at WDW, but had this been Disneyland, she would have been. Just one more perk of living on the coast with fewer fanatics who are local.

European Epicurean To Bring The Best Of Europe To Ponte Vedra

October 21

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Oct. 9) – Three of Europe’s most romantic regions will be magically transported to Ponte Vedra on the evening of October 21. Called “European Epicurean,” this unique event will transform the Culture Center at Ponte Vedra Beach into Andalusia, Provence and Tuscany.

This European celebration of the senses will feature beautiful music, entertainment, fabulous food and superb wines from each of these regions. From 6 to 10 p.m., Cafes Cantantes, gypsies, flamenco dancers, sloping vineyards, colorful scenery, and even a picturesque Chiantigiana Wine Road will be available to entertain and amuse patrons of the event.

Tickets to European Epicurean are priced at $150 per person. All proceeds will benefit the Cultural Center’s educational programs. For tickets, call the Center at 904.280.0614. The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach is located at 50 Executive Way. For more details on Center activities, go to www.ccpvb.org.

European Epicurean is funded in part by a grant from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. For more information on events and vacation opportunities, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website www.getaway4florida.com or call 1.800.653.2489.
For St. Augustine Hotels Click Here.