Author Archives: Dave

Orlando is not just for children

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Orlando tourist board to target adults without children

orlando-skyline-lake-lucerne

The Orlando skyline

Visit Orlando (Orlando’s tourist board) is to launch a campaign in October to promote Orlando as a place for adults without children to choose as their next holiday destination.

For many years, Orlando has been seen as a haven for children to enjoy Disney, Universal, Legoland and its numerous other attractions, with Mum, Dad and Grandparents going along for the ride.

However this is not the case.  Orlando offers an exciting nightlife, has many places to visit, to wine and dine, and further afield there are national parks to enjoy and stunning beaches to relax on.  Not to mention the huge amounts of theme parks that aren’t just for kids!

For outdoor activities and spot, Orlando offers world class Golf courses, fishing, hot air balloon rides, watersports, swimming with Manatees, scuba diving and snorkelling, and loads of other outdoor activities.

We’ve visited Orlando without children before, and had a great time in Disney, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove.  The restaurants and generous American portions go a long way to help, too.  We’ve gone further afield to visit the Florida Keys and Everglades, and the Gulf coast is supposed to be stunning.

So don’t wait for little people to turn up on the scene, visit our villa now before it’s too late and you’re worrying about whether the pool child safety screen is up!

Disney – not just theme parks

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New technology from Disney Research

Disney is not just about Mickey Mouse and Goofy in its world renowned theme parks.  It’s actually a massive corporation with an enormous research & development budget.  Whilst scouring the news for Disney related gossip, I came across these new technologies from Disney Research.

disney mechanics

disney mechanics

Print your own mechanical toys

By far the most impressive of these videos, Disney has created a way to simplify the creation of mechanical toys without any knowledge of mechanics.  This leads the way to 3D-printing of the toys, and the associated gears and mechanisms that drive the toy’s motion.  Astounding!

Paper Generators – harvesting energy from touch, rubbing and sliding

Electricity produced by rubbing surfaces together is used to light LEDs and electronic ink.  The little people will love this.

Tactile Rendering of 3D Features on Touch Surfaces

Another impressive technology is the ability to simulate ridged and textured surfaces that are actually smooth.  This uses vibrations to simulate the friction of textured surfaces.

PAPILLON: Designing Curved Display Surfaces with Printed Optics

Here’s a way of projecting an image onto a curved surface, but also as a touchscreen display.

 

Disney Springs renovation of Downtown Disney

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Transformation of Downtown Disney already begun

Disney Springs

Downtown Disney morphs into Disney Springs

Disney are well into the work that brings about the transformation of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs, an exciting development that guarantees to bring added fun and excitement to anybody’s vacation in Florida.

Disney Springs official blog entry here

Downtown Disney has been in existence for more than 30 years, so it’s probably about time for a revamp.  The Walt Disney Resort promises more than 150 shops, dining and various entertainment venues.  We can’t wait!

Aside from the end result and how it will improve and attract new visitors, the work will help boost Florida’s economy with over 1200 new construction jobs and 4000 roles in total.

Disney Springs – what is it?

The new site for Disney Springs will contain four main areas:

  • The Town Centre promenade for shopping and relaxing
  • The Landing commercial district on the waterfront
  • The Marketplace is a family-friendly area for all ages
  • The West Side for loads of entertainment venues

All in all, due to complete in 2016.

Florida theme park news

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Attractions coming in 2014

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney’s Lego Sculpture

As if visiting Florida wasn’t already awesome, here are some new Florida theme park attractions coming or rumoured in 2014.

Magic Kingdom

  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Spring)
  • Festival of Fantasy Parade (Spring)

Disney

  • Brand-New Festival of the Lion King Theatre (actually 2013);
  • Additions to Downtown Disney / Disney Springs

Universal Studios and Resort

  • London and Diagon Alley (spring)
  • Cabana Bay Beach Resort (soon)
  • New restaurants and shops coming to CityWalk

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens and Aquatica

  • A Sea of Surprises (special year-long event starting from January 2014 at SeaWorld Orlando);
  • Falcon’s Fury (next spring/summer at Busch)
  • I-Drive Live (2014 / 2015)
  • A new slide for Aquatica – SeaWorld’s Water Park (Spring);

LegoLand

  • A new themed area at Florida LEGOLAND

 

Florida bans texting while driving – just about

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Texting fine is a measly $30

News is out that Florida has finally tried to toughen up on mobile phone use whilst in cars.  Florida is attempting to catch up on countries and other states that are far more advanced in their laws.  But it is failing.

You can’t be stopped if you’re texting.  It has to be in conjunction with another crime.  You couldn’t make this up.

The fine?  $30.  Administration would cost more.  If you do it twice?  $60.  Ooooooo.

Apparently it’s the 41st state to do so.  I can’t believe it’s legal in some states!  Get with the 21st century please.

Hopefully anyone visiting Florida doesn’t text whilst driving anyway, but just so you know – better keep $30 handy…..

Florida bans texting while driving?  Not really.