Just in time for the warmer temperatures Seaworld® has opened a new and exciting family Waterpark.

Omaka Rocka –
Now open, an all-new family waterslide that will rock you into Aquatica with unique thrills including high-speed tubes and half-pipe funnels that’ll have riders splashing and sliding frontward and backward and climbing the walls.

Omaka Rocka is the first waterslide of its kind in the world.

What makes Omaka Rocka this year’s can’t-miss waterpark ride in Orlando? Riders will speed down flumes into massive funnels, sliding high up one side and then the other, rocking back and forth, feeling a sensation of near weightlessness.

Coming out of the funnel, they’ll skim into a drenching splashdown and then find themselves wanting to do it all over again.

Omaka Rocka is a waterslide taste of half-pipe, near-vertical thrills previously experienced only by daring skateboarders and snowboarders.

Thursday,  April 15, 2010:

Sun ‘n Fun Splash-In at Fantasy of Flight     
Seaplanes and amphibious aircraft perform water landings and takeoffs as part of this competition on Fantasy of Flight’s Lake Agnes. Included with general admission for spectators.

Thursday, April 15, 2010 at Noon:

 Splash-In Luncheon with “Miracle on the Hudson” Co-Pilot Jeff Skiles  
Meet Jeff Skiles, Captain “Sully” Sullenberger’s First Officer on the U.S. Airways Flight 1549 now known as “Miracle on the Hudson.” $20 plus tax per person. Separate, advanced reservations required: 
Call 863-984-3500 or visit www.fantasyofflight.com/splash-in to make reservations.

Saturday April 17, 2010:

 
13th Annual Mustangs & Mustangs in conjunction with    

Living History Symposium: “Victory In The Sky” with American Fighter Aces
Only Mustang event in Florida to feature both beautifully-restored WWII P-51 Mustang war birds and hundreds of classic and modern Ford and Mustang automobiles. WWII American Fighter Aces, including Col. C.E. “Bud” Anderson, will be featured during a Living History Symposium: “Victory In The Sky” at Mustangs & Mustangs.
Included with general admission for spectators.

May 1 – 31, 2010:

National Military Appreciation Month      
Fantasy of Flight honors brave individuals of the armed forces by extending free admission to all active-duty, retired and reserve military. Must present current ID to qualify. Not valid with any other offers or discounts.

For more information please visit: http://www.fantasyofflight.com/splash-in/ or Call 863-984-3500

Florida Spirit is in the heart of Disney World always providing information of what is “happening” in and around the land of the mouse. Recently I happened to pick up a brochure at our local Walgreens which had some very interresting facts on Florida I thought would also interest you!

Getting married?
Couples can get married without leaving their vehicles in Zephyrhills (pop. 10,833), where Sharon Burnett, a minister and notary public, operates a drive-through wedding service.  A couple with a marriage license, an adult witness and $20 can marry without turning off the car.

Have an old car?
Rachel Veitch, 90, of Orlando, bought her 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente new and continues to drive it nearly 600,000 miles later. Veitch takes meticulous car of her car, nicknamed “Chariot,” which has outlasted three marriages and gone through eight mufflers, three sets of shocks and at least 17 batteries. Veitch bought her battery with a lifetime guarantee, so she paid only for one. Smart lady!!

Do you like your job?
In the Apalachicola National Forest, some people make a living with a peculiar practice known as worm grunting.  Grunters drive wooden stakes into the ground and rub the tops of the stakes with a metal stick. The resulting vibrations cause earthworms to surface so they can be collected for fish bait.

Do you like Cats?
Approx. 500 Cats live in style at Caboodle Ranch, a 30 acre cat sanctuary created by Craig Grant in Madison County (Pop. 18, 733). The property resembles a mini-city for the kitties with a city hall, police department, chapel, elementary school, Wal-Mart and Cat Nap Inn with lakefront cabins. Meow!

Do you eat seafood?
The first Red Lobster restaurant opened in 1968 in Lakeland (pop. 78,452). The restaurant chain, headquartered in Orlando, is credited with popularizing popcorn shrimp and introducing snow crab and calamari to landlocked Middle America.

Do you Yo-Yo?
The World’s largest yo-yo collection, which numbers 4,251, is owned by Dr. John “Lucky” Meisenheimer, an Orlando dermatologist. He is the author of Lucky’s Collectors Guide to 20th Century Yo-Yos.

Experience the Excitement Starting June 18, 2010 as Harry Potter opens its next chapter at Universal Orlando.

Rides will include–
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey- Sour above Castle grounds using 21th century technology + magic to create a very “one of a kind” ride.
Dragon Challenge- Two high-speed roller coasters. An intertwining set of coasters letting you experience the aggressive loops and twists of a Hungarian Horntail Dragon.
Flight of the HippogriffTM- an enchanting family coaster decorated with fluttering leaves & feather’s, all woven from Wicker
 

Shopping:
Dervish and Banges- providing you with the widest variety of Harry Potter clothing and magical items also including journals and stationery items.

Honeydukes & Zonko’s- Two unique store’s with the widest selection of the most Delightful sweets including fudge and souvenirs.

Olivanders – Makers of the finest Wands since 382 B.C., helping you select the wand that is right for you.

Restaurants:

Three Broomsticks Restaurant: offering you a one of a kind selection of food and beverage-everything from Pumpkin juice, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, turkey legs and fish veggies. A separate kids menu is sure to please and young Harry Potter student.

Hogwarts TM Castle- Allowing you the get up close and personal with some of the familiar passageways.

Central Florida Home & Garden Show
March 19 – 21, 2010
More info: 407.464.7653
Millions of decorating ideas, building and remodeling solutions, and landscaping tips when the annual Central Florida Home & Garden Show returns this weekend to the Orange County Convention Center. Like its sister event, the Orlando Home Show, the Central Florida Home & Garden Show is the region’s largest consumer home and garden showcase and offers the best opportunity to shop, compare and save on every home improvement project.

Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival
March 19 – 21, 2010
More info: 407-758-8820
The area’s largest art festival is held annually in Downtown Winter Park for three days each spring. Art in a variety of forms, including paintings, photography, ceramics, glass and jewelry are all available for sale from the roughly 260 artists that participate in the event.

Cinema in the Park
March 19, 2010
More info: 407-688-5004
FREE to the public!!
Family movies on the third Friday of each month at Centennial Park in Sanford. Bring the family and a blanket or chairs for the 7:00pm showing of this month’s movie.

Arnold Palmer Invitational Golf Tournament
March 22 – 28, 2010
More info: 407-876-2888
The Bay Hill Invitational is one of the premiere-event jewels on the PGA Tour. Enjoy some of the biggest names in golf challenge one another as well as Bay Hill’s demanding layout.