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Ahoy me hearties, ye be setting sail for fun and adventure with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee on this adventure.

Departing from Disney’s Contemporary Resort, mateys receive a true buccaneer’s welcome as they chow down on hearty pirate grub and grog before setting sail on an unforgettable moonlight voyage around Seven Seas Lagoon.

Play Disney trivia games, sing songs and sea chanteys and savor “Wishes” fireworks lighting the night sky above Cinderella Castle in front of the Magic Kingdom. On the sail home, your pirate hosts enchant you with the tale of Peter Pan, plus more trivia questions and special prizes. Once tied up, the voyage concludes with a visit from a very special guest. Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage is scheduled Fridays through Mondays. Cost is $53.99 adults, $30.99 children ages 3-9.

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Universal Orlando Resort announced that special vacation packages will go on sale Sunday, July 31st that will give guests the opportunity to attend “A Celebration of the Harry Potter Films.” This special event will be hosted by Warner Bros. and will celebrate a decade of movie history by allowing fans to share their love for the Harry Potter films. The event will take place from Friday, November 11, to Sunday, November 13, at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

During this special event, guests can celebrate their favorite memories and stories of Harry Potter with filmmakers, cast members and fellow fans.  While all theme park guests will be able to enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during their visit, only a limited number of guests and those who buy special event packages will have access to exclusive benefits such as:

• A spectacular evening gala in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

• Autograph signings with stars from the Harry Potter films

• Q&A sessions with Harry Potter filmmakers and cast members, along with the creators of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

• Screenings of all eight Harry Potter films – including “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” – at the AMC Universal Cineplex 20 in Universal CityWalk.  Access to the screenings can be added to the vacation packages for an additional fee.

Throughout the three-day celebration, guests will also be able to explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter films come to life.  They will enjoy experiences such as soaring above Hogwarts on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, sipping Butterbeer in Hogsmeade and being inside Ollivanders and seeing a wand choose its wizard.

The primary way to participate in celebration events is by purchasing one of Universal Orlando’s special vacation packages.  Packages are extremely limited and go on sale at noon EDT on Sunday, July 31. Guests can choose from two vacation package options:  the Celebration Vacation Package and the Premier Vacation Package. There will be additional ways for a limited number of people to participate in celebration events. Stay tuned for more details.

Vacation Packages for A Celebration of the Harry Potter Films

Celebration Vacation Package – Starts at $369 per person

• 4-night accommodations at a Universal Partner Hotel

• 3-day ticket to both of Universal Orlando’s theme parks

• More time to enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with Early Park Admission starting at 6 a.m.

• Reservation to one in-park Harry Potter talent Q&A session (one per person)

• Commemorative pin (one per person)

• Harry Potter Blu-Ray set (one per package)

Premier Vacation Package – Starts at $699 per person
All of the above, PLUS:

• Reservation to one in-park Harry Potter cast member autograph session

• Admission to the exclusive nighttime gala event on Sunday, November 13

• Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks

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Savannas surrounding Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offer up a panorama of wildlife as creatures large and small roam the grasses, forage for food and play in harmony. The grounds are home to approximately 200 mammals and exotic birds representing a cross-section of the African palette – bongo, greater kudu, zebra, wildebeest, impala, African spoonbills and Eastern white pelicans, to name a few.

Just before sunset, eager adventurers gather outside the lodge with a guide for a thrilling game-viewing safari. Up to 12 persons can board a specially designed vehicle for a bird’s-eye view of a typical North African safari.

Safari-goers are wide-eyed as many animals move within feet of the vehicle.  Cameras and videos are poised to capture the Africa-like wonders.

The second part of the journey leads to the resort’s signature restaurant, Jiko-The Cooking Place, where a savory South African feast awaits safari-goers. Flavors of Africa fill the air in a memorable multi-course meal served family-style and blending regional spices and grains. Popular South African wines are paired with each course, which includes a sweet display of desserts.

The Wanyama Safari is offered to guests (age 8 and up) staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, seven days a week at 4 p.m.

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Picture the morning sun rising in the Florida sky, illuminating a landscape rich with animals catching the first light of day. And you have a front-row seat.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge invites Kilimanjaro Club Level guests to an amazing two-hour experience.

During an approximately 45-minute safari, guests will have the opportunity to learn more about animal care, the grounds of the theme park and the operation. Included in the cost of the tour is a lavish breakfast buffet in the park, at the Pizzafari Restaurant.

The Sunrise Safari is offered Sundays and Thursdays at 7:00 a.m. Cost is $65 adult, $32.50 child (ages 3-9).

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Grand 1, the most luxurious watercraft at Walt Disney World Resort, offers a pampered VIP boating experience on the waters of Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake just outside Magic Kingdom. A personal captain and deckhand launch the 52-foot Sea Ray yacht from the marina at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Morning and afternoon excursions on the Grand 1 offer guests a spectacular view of Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Wedding Pavilion and several Walt Disney World resorts. For an elegant evening voyage, romantic music sets the mood as the sun sets over the gabled roofs of the Grand Floridian. On select nights, cruisers can view “Wishes,” a magnificent fireworks display above Magic Kingdom.  Those on board are treated to synchronized audio from the show.

For the ultimate cruise, the Grand Floridian private-dining staff can prepare anything from an evening snack to a gourmet five-course meal with fine wine pairings. A private-service butler can also cater to guests’ every need.

As many as 18 people can sail for $553 per hour, including charter fee, boat captain and deckhand. Dining service and private butler are available for additional fees.

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Unschooled in the fine art of surfing?

Novices can catch a wave and master the rush of shooting the curls at the Typhoon Lagoon water park in Walt Disney World.

Every 90 seconds, the world’s largest wave machine blasts out walls of surf that can tower up to six feet high. Cocoa Beach Surf School invites guests to learn from professional surfers how to cut, carve and “hang 10.”

The 2.5-hour program is available by reservation for $150 on select mornings prior to regular park hours. Guests (ages 8 and older) can call 1-866-972-6244 for more information.

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Walt Disney World guests can experience a Segway Human Transporter (HT) for themselves, firsthand, as part of three different programs.

Around the World at Epcot is a two-hour guided tour that allows guests to operate the two-wheeled, one-person transportation device throughout World Showcase before it opens to other park guests. Cost is $99.00 per person. Tours are daily at 7:45, 8:30, 9 and 9:30 a.m.

The Simply Segway experience is a one-hour beginner’s class that gives guests a product overview, training and indoor riding time at Epcot’s Innoventions area. Cost is $35.00 per person. Simply Segway is offered daily (except Tuesdays) at 11:30 a.m.

Wilderness Back Trail Adventures is a two-hour tour that lets guests explore the natural beauty of the Florida landscape in and around Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.  Cost is $90 per person.

For all Segway programs, class size is limited to 10 guests. For tours at Epcot, park admission is required. Riders must be at least 16 years old to participate. Guests can call 866-972-6244 for more information or reservations. The Segway HT is the world’s first self-balancing human transporter that uses advanced technology, gyroscopes and tilt sensors to emulate human balance.

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Recently, Orlando Harley-Davidson opened its newly expanded 3,635-square-foot store at Downtown Disney West Side. The largest and most interactive Harley merchandise store of its kind, it draws guests in with a 40-foot tower and massive LCD/LED screens showing specially produced footage of motorcycles in action. Guests are also able to see and sit on some of the latest Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and a brand new production studio lets guests be pictured in their favorite riding spot or transformed into real bikers. Guests can even design biker vests of their own.

Later this summer, Apricot Lane Boutique, a specialty retail store that offers celebrity-inspired branded apparel, affordable fashion jewelry, handbags and accessories, will open in the space the Harley-Davidson store previously occupied on Pleasure Island at the Walt Disney World Resort.

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Walt Disney World just announced it’s plans for the current RIDEMAKERS Store, formerly Virgin Megastore, at Downtown Disney’s West Side.  Within the next few months, construction on Splitsville, a 50,000 square foot bowling, billiards, dining, music and nightlife complex will begin.  RIDEMAKERS will be relocated to the Downtown Disney Marketplace.

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Universal Orlando Resort surprised guests who attended the midnight film screening of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” at AMC Universal Cineplex 20 with something they could only have dreamed of – exclusive, complimentary access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Immediately following the film, these select guests had The Wizarding World of Harry Potter all to themselves from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Moviegoers were notified of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity following the film. After celebrating in the theaters, more than 3,000 excited guests walked a red carpet to the place where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter films will live on. During their visit, guests experienced the wand choosing them at Ollivanders, tasted Butterbeer, toured Hogwarts castle and enjoyed many other experiences found only at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter features multiple themed attractions, shops and a restaurant – all faithful to the films.

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.(s11) © 2011 Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved.

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