Welcome to Holiday Genie's Travel blog

The popular ‘Star Wars Weekends’ are set to return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for another year, once again bringing the magic of the films to life and offering unique insights for fans of the movies.

The weekends kick off in May, with the final weekend slot being on June 9^th, and each mini event will have one of the films stars centre stage to talk about their experiences. Over 60 stars in total will visit the park, appearing at various locations.

As with previous events, there’s also the chance to get face to face with one of the films stars for an autograph, with Fastpass tickets for the sessions available from the parks front gate on the day.  If you’re after a little memorabilia to take home, after the signings, you can head on down to Darth’s Mall (near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster), where you’ll be able to buy a range of specialty merchandise.

The Star Wars weekends are always a fun day out an well worth seeing if your enjoying one of the many holidays in Orlando.

Busch Gardens will soon be offering a permanent stage show which features characters from the animated film Madagascar, one which is sure to be a big hit with the whole family.

Featuring at the Tampa-based attraction from May 18, it will be called ‘Madagascar Live! Operation Vacation’ and will star Alex The Lion, Gloria the Hippo and King Julien in a 20 minute stage spectacular. Also including dancers, singers and a live band, it offers a fantastic party which all members of the audience are urged to join in with.

There’s plenty of reason to visit the shows during the opening weekend (May 18 & 19), with animal expert and TV personality Jack Hannah making a special guest appearance to share animal facts, meet fans and sign autographs.

If you are looking forward to getting off on your Orlando holidays in the coming weeks, be sure to head over to Busch Gardens and check out this great show.

Image Credit: Roller Coaster Philosophy (Flickr.com)

While you may have made the easy decision of heading to Orlando for this year’s holidays, the hard part is working out which of the many theme parks to include in your itinerary. A place which you will regret missing is Walt Disney World Resort, regarded as one of the top family fun experiences in the world and renowned as the place where dreams come true. If you somehow need a little more persuasion, here are some of the best rides you could discover during your visit.

We begin with one of the oldest, with Space Mountain having provided millions of visitors immense entertainment since its inception back in 1975. With the iconic domed facade an unmistakable sight in the skyline of the Magic Kingdom, a space-themed indoor rollercoaster found inside is what many will be queuing up for. It has become a success story that it is now found at all five Disney parks around the world, so why not come and experience where it all began almost 40 years ago?

For those who like a fright, the Haunted Mansion provides the perfect method of getting your heart racing. Visitors are asked to climb aboard a doom buggy and take a journey through a dark and mysterious old mansion inhabited by an army of ghosts. It’s easily the scariest attraction at the park, so why not come along and discover what all the fuss is about during your Orlando holidays?

Finally, with rollercoasters being such a popular aspect to any theme park visit, it only makes sense that the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad gets a special mention. Set around a fictional mine, it is said to be cursed and riders soon find them onboard a runaway carriage which doesn’t look like it’s going to stop anytime soon. Be sure to relax yourself before buckling up, because this ride is sure to take your breath away!

Image Credit: Darren Wittko (Flickr.com)

The world has been given a sneak peek into the much anticipated new Antarctica Ride at Universal Studios, one which is sure to be met with huge popularity when it opens for business later this month.

To ensure that ‘Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin’ appeals to all ages, visitors can choose from two journey types; there’s the Wild Expedition which features a frantic route of twists, turns and bumps, or the mild expedition for those who want to bring their toddler along for the revolutionary experience.

There will be plenty of room to explore, with the park boasting a footprint of nearly four acres; there’s enough space to house an underwater viewing area, a high tech ride, a restaurant and gift shop, and 245 Gentoo, King, Adelie and Rockhopper penguins.

With the attraction set to open to the public on 24 May, it is sure to be hugely popular with those looking forward to their Orlando holidays this summer.

Image Credit: Liam Quinn (Flickr.com)

Orlando’s famous Pirate Dinner Show is receiving an update for 2013, with the introduction of a brand new production titled “Rise of the Sea Dragons”.

The new show should make for a great night out for anyone planning on taking an Orlando holiday in the region, with production staff promising a night packed with adventure, action, and thrilling tales.

The special effects will come together to create one of the most exciting shows yet. Guests will be treated to a delicious meal whilst enjoying the aerial artistry, swordplay and storytelling which takes place on the replica of an 18th century Spanish gallion floating in a300,000 gallonlagoon in front of them! It’s an entertaining night out for all the family, with tickets just $63.95 + tax for adults and $39.45 + tax for children.

More information about the event, including times and dates, can be found on the Pirate Dinner Adventure website.

Image Credit: Experience Kissimmee, Florida (flickr.com)

Universal Orlando recently released the official expansion plans for the park’s popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter, news which is bound to excite the fans.

The announcement covers the official details of the expansion, showing off the planned recreations of Diagon Alley andLondonfrom the Harry Potter films. The area is set to be just as expansive as the currently existing park and will offer up an extension of the already authentic and immersive environment.

The two most exciting features look to be the recreation of the iconic London station from the film, complete with Hogwarts train and the famous Diagon Alley: home to Gringotts Bank, wand and sweet shops, and a giant fire-breathing dragon.

Work is yet to truly start on the project, so it’s a couple of years off yet, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for more news if you’re planning on taking an Orlando holiday in the near future.

Image Credit: rickpilot_2000 (flickr.com)

There has been news of some new arrivals at Busch Gardens after keepers at the park announced the safe arrival of three endangered Malayan tiger cubs.

Having been born on March 31, it was a fantastic development for the long standing conservation efforts by the Tampa-based theme park, as the species is incredibly rare and there are only 500 left in the wild. In an official statement released by Busch Gardens, the cubs are currently being cared for by veterinarians, along with the parents Bzui and Mata; they will be returned to the natural tiger habitat in the park in around four weeks. One of the cubs was born with anemia, a rare skin condition which the keepers are also treating.

It comes as great news for anyone looking to visit the theme park during their holidays in Florida, meaning there is the rare chance to see these beautiful animals in their youngest form.

Image Credit: bobosh_t (Flickr.com)