MacDill AirFest is a Great Event for the Entire Family!

[Editor's Note: Jeff and Kathryn are from the UK. We manage their beautiful vacation home right beside Disney World. We love when they come to visit because they have an adventurous spirit with a delightful sense of humor. (Oops, they're British so that should be "humour.") They love reading my blog and they often visit the "more than a mouse"™ off-the-beaten-path places we feature. Last week, they turned the tables on me and discovered a delightful event. It's the MacDill AirFest, featuring the USAF Thunderbirds, located in the heart of the bay in Tampa. Kathryn was particularly engaging as her face visibly flushed and she fanned herself with her hand while she spoke of the "hot young men in uniform" who seemed to be everywhere throughout the festival--saying all of this right in front of her husband Jeff. Of course I insisted that she write a guest blog post about her experience (with vivid detailed descriptions of these young men that she found so appealing!) At first, she resisted, but after several emails from the LanceAroundOrlando editorial desk (i.e. SunnyStefani) with a stern warning that she had better do as promised or risk having a reduction of the free compensation she had been promised; she relented and provided the following information. (Albeit sans the requested description!)--LanceAround]

By Homeowners Jeff & Kathryn

We are now back from our trip down to Key West and thought we had better do as promised and send you some details on the MacDill Airfest.

Kathryn was Particularly Interested in the Parachutists

The AirFest is held annually at the MacDill Military Air Force Base near Tampa. We arrived to be met with military precision parking–it is suggested that people should get there around the opening times of 8am to be sure of finding a parking space, although the parking area is huge. It is estimated that over 100,000 people attend the AirFest.

The show actually begins around 9am and runs to around 5pm. There were many aircraft on display, including the range of very large cargo/bomber types. Many of these aircraft allowed people to enter them and have a good look round. There were numerous vendor stalls at the grounds, which were selling various foods and drinks throughout the day.

There were also many static displays from all the different aspects of the military Air Force, which Kathryn found to be very interesting as she was able to get up to and personal with the men in uniforms!! [Editor's note: Wow, Jeff is a much more understanding husband than I am!]

Kathryn Swears This Angular Man is an Actual Parachutist and NOT a Cardboard Cutout!

The actual flying displays included demonstration parachutists, which Kathryn seemed particularly interested in as she had already met one of the display team (see photo–she is the one who is blushing), acrobatic flying, fighter planes both recent and vintage. All this culminated in a fantastic display from the Thunderbird team. Except for the vendors, everything was completely free of charge, including the car parking, which was really great.

All in all it proved to be a fabulous day out.

[Editor's Final Note: Since Kathryn is an avid reader of this blog, perhaps if you would write a comment requesting more details from her regarding the "men in uniform" whom she so passionately found appealing she will be kind enough to respond...]

Boba Fett's Advice to J and Mo is Simple--"Be Cool"

Last month Edward James Olmos, who portrayed Commander Adama in the new Battlestar Galatica, gave a shout out to our good friends J and Mo, who love science fiction. Perhaps their favorite sci-fi of all time is Star Wars. J even proclaims he’s a Jedi bfa. So I knew that when Jeremy Bulloch came to Disney World for a Star Wars Weekend Jeremy would want to give a special shout out to J and Mo.

You see, Jeremy portrayed Boba Fett, the bounty hunter, in the original Star Wars Trilogy.

Sure enough, as soon as I introduced myself as the blogger LanceAround, he immediately recorded this message to J and Mo. We suspect there’s a deeper, hidden message embedded inside this video so listen very carefully:

I asked Jeremy how he became so popular when playing a character who was completely covered in costume. He suggested that he has so much charisma, it just oozed out of the costume and onto the screen. Makes sense to me.

And in case you’re wondering how we managed to smuggle this highly sensitive video out of from under the noses of the dreaded Imperial Stormtroopers, well, it wasn’t easy. Number One Daughter had to use the Jedi mind trick to get the video out.

Don’t believe me? Seeing is believing…

As Always, Megacon is Packed

Megacon (short for Mega Convention) is one of the country’s largest conventions catering to comic book, sci-fi, anime, fantasy and gaming fans.

This year, Thomas Cook Photography has a booth at Megacon where he takes pictures in front of a green screen and can superimpose them onto a plethora of backgrounds.

#1 Boyfriend Helps at One of the Megacon Booths

He needed some help, so he hired Number One Daughter and Number One Boyfriend to assist at his booth on Friday

Custumes of All Varieties Can Be Found Around Each Corner

The most creative of costumes…

Popular Sci-Fi Icons Are Everywhere

Iconic characters from across the ages (and galaxies far, far away…)

Costumes Abound

Everyone ready to show off for the camera…

Doctor Who?

The convention is taking place today and tomorrow at the Orange County Convention Center on International Drive just north of Disney World. Tickets are only $25 at the door.  (10 & under get in for free.)

While it’s too late now–for only $495 you could have purchased a personalized meet & greet with this year’s featured guest, William Shatner.

Authentic Batmobile From the Movie Batman Returns Was Up For Auction

Film buffs attending the Mecum Auto Auction in Kissimmee this January got a real treat.  A vehicle on auction was an original Batmobile from the movie Batman Returns.

This is one of the actual Batmobiles driven by Michael Keaton during the film and brought to you via video by LanceAroundOrlando. [Note: The auction you hear in the background is not for the Batmobile]:

Apparently, the auction of the Batmobile was not successful as the Batmobile is still available for sale here.

Here are the signs that were on the Batmobile:

Sign on Batmobile

Mecum Auction Sheet

Rows and Rows of Every Kind of Car Imaginable

Imagine a museum with over 1750 of the most unusual cars you have ever seen.

They Have Everything

Imagine a string of huge tents which would dwarf even the largest circus in the world holding rows upon rows of these cars.

Imagine aisle upon aisle of car memorabilia, accessories, clothing and much more.

That’s what the annual Mecum auto auction in Kissimmee is like. You’ll find muscle cars and museum pieces; cars built in the early 1900’s to futuristic autos used in recent sci fi movies. There are motorcycles and minivans, hot rods and love bugs. You name it and if it’s auto related chances are you’ll find it at Mecum.

Certainly you’ll find someone who knows about it and has a passion for it.

Talk a Walk Down Memory Lane

The auction has been in Kissimmee for six years. The first year, it was held in one small tent on a corner of the Osceola Heritage Park complex. Now, it has grown into the second largest Mecum auction featuring over 1750 cars, original auto memorabilia, clothing and other accessories.

The 2011 auction took place from January 26 to 30. Here’s a video that gives you just a small glimpse of the action at this year’s auction:

Welcome to the Enzian Swamp Walk of Terror

There’s no better place than Orlando to enjoy Halloween!

You could try out a different haunted venue every night and still not experience all the Halloween Orlando has to offer. Every street corner seemed to host a new “Halloween City” store. Haunted experiences ranged from the highly popular Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios to Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween party at Magic Kingdom. There’s the “Screamline” zipline at Forever Florida, Halloween Eves at Kissimmee’s Pioneer Village, the “Haunted Hangar” at Fantasy of Flight, or even a gentle Pumpkin Harvest tractor drawn hayride at Green Meadows Farm.

The small Disney town of Celebration gets jammed on October 31 as busloads of children from all the resorts and local towns come to trick or treat in a place where the homes are conveniently located close to one another. The residence go all out for the festivities.  One of them even created a fake pirate ship completely covering the front of his home. He would put on a pirate show every couple of minutes. It was fantastic.

Halloween has come and gone for 2010–but if you enjoy this zany season as much as the LanceAround family, start making your plans to come to Orlando in 2011. Every year it just gets better and better.

This Halloween, the LanceAround family enjoyed the Haunted Swamp Walk of Terror at our favorite arthouse movie theater–the Enzian. Here is a video of the first few moments of this attraction. (Warning, may contain inappropriate language for young children.)

On Stage Frank Krzanik Showcases His Talent With His Model: #1 Daughter

Sue owns a vacation home in Central Florida and teaches cosmetology to high school students at a technology center in Illinois. My company manages her vacation home.  

Hairstyles of all Types Abound

She calls Mrs. LanceAround last week and explains that her fellow cosmetology teacher, Frank Krzanik, was selected to showcase the Bonika Shears at the Premier Orlando International Beauty Event held at the Orange County Convention Center. Frank needs some models so he can demonstrate how to cut hair. Would Mrs. LanceAround and Number One Daughter like to model?  

Packed Convention Center

With over 46,000 in attendance, the convention center is packed with eager attendees wanting to learn the latest trends in beauty and fashion. Number One Daughter sits in the chair while Frank’s hands, moving like a blur, wielding his Bonika Shears, cuts, styles and blow dries her hair. Meanwhile thousands of eager conference attendees stride by, stopping now and again to watch Frank’s techniques or examine the scissors for sale on display.  

In a short time, Number One Daughter is smiling broadly as she looks in the mirror at her new “do.”  Mrs. LanceAround, then Number One Son also take their turn in the chair. Once more Frank’s hands are a blur as he showcases his craft.  

As we are walking out of the convention center, Number One Daughter is beaming as she speaks about how wonderful a job Frank has done with all their hair. “He’s like Michelangelo with scissors,” she remarks. Then, with an inspired look in her eye, she proclaims, ”Hey, that’s the title for your blog post!”  

And so it is.

Larry The Cable Guy was in town last month and the Kissimmee CVB gave tickets to Office Manager Anne and Customer Service Guru Giselle from our office.  They had a great time and filed this post.  I am still trying to figure out what Office Manager Anne means when she says, “his routine was…not crude” followed by, “he went through the usual…flatulence jokes…”  hmmmm…

By Office Manager Anne

“Git-R-Done!”

“What?”

That was exactly what I said when Giselle in our office said, “You know — Larry the Cable Guy – Git-R-Done!”  

So let me explain…… we had been offered some comp tickets for a show at the Silver Spurs Arena here in Kissimmee and the headliner was Larry the Cable Guy.  I had never heard of him.  After being told who Larry was, LanceAround googled him and we sat through a few minutes of his very active web site.  So Customer Service Guru Giselle, myself and our significant others signed up for tickets.

The show was Saturday night at 8pm.  Silver Spurs Arena hosts the rodeo here in Kissimmee but is also a large venue for other entertainers.   Currently the Osceola Heritage Park, the complex where the arena is located, is home to the Houston Astros for spring training.  Also on the calendar for May 9th is country singer Wynonna Judd.

Anyway I digress, back to Larry! 

We arrived, parked and made our way to the entrance where security checked bags.  Not unusual these days, sad to say.  Customer Service Guru Giselle had to throw away her bottle of water before entering.  Once inside finding our seats was easy.  Then we went to the convenience stands where they had the usual array of snacks to offer.  A popcorn, large pretzel and soda was picked up and we were settled in for the main attraction.

The warm up comedian was quite funny and did his routine getting the crowd ready for Larry.  Larry came on and did stand up for just over an hour.  His routine was colorful but not crude.  Sometimes his very southern accent (which I am sure is not genuine) was hard to understand.  He went through the usual wife, children & flatulence jokes, mixed in with some global warming and light politics. 

Overall it was an easy evening of entertainment.  Thanks to the Kissimmee CVB and Osceola Heritage Park/Silver Spurs Arena.

Huge, Brightly Colored ICE Eskimos

Two million pounds of ice blocks stacked and carved into a wintery wonderland–welcome to the Gaylord Palms Hotel & Convention Center’s annual winter attraction:  ICE 2009!

ICE Polar Bear and Cub

Located at the corner of Osceola Parkway and International Drive South right next to the Disney World Resort, this is a spectacle for the entire family. 

We recommend rounding out your ICE experience by having lunch or dinner at the Villa de Flora–a mediterranean marketplace buffet, also located within the Gaylord Palms Hotel.  Stations of fabulous food representing Italy, France, Spain or Greece (depending on which day you visit) in a casual yet elegant all-you-care-to-eat atmosphere makes for a scrumptious day.

Sign in Front of ICE Santa

In addition to ICE and your meal, stroll around the exquisite four acre covered atrium located in the center of the hotel.  Snack at the chocolate store, shop for gifts and/or clothing, enjoy the lush, tropical landscaping and water features.

When you are ready to go through ICE be sure to bundle up.  There’s a reason the ice blocks do not melt!  Brrrrrr…

Mrs. LanceAround Sits on ICE Santa's Knee

Here are some things to keep in mind during your visit:

–It is REALLY cold inside ICE–9 degrees farenheit.  They provide you with a parka, but you might want to bring a hat, scarf, gloves and wear long sleeves and long underwear.  It costs a lot of money to enjoy ICE, so you don’t want to have to rush through it.

–Just to park at the Gaylord Palms costs $12.

Sliding Down the ICE Slide

–If you are like Mrs. LanceAround, you’ll want to walk through quickly and get out of the cold as fast as possible.  If you’re like me, you’ll want to take your time, examine all the sculptures and enjoy sliding down the ice slides.  There is a warm seat at the end of the exhibits for the Mrs. LanceArounds to relax and wait for the hubbies to finish playing!

–In addition to the ICE attraction, plan some time to walk through the tropically decorated indoor atrium of the hotel.  Enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the hotel restaurants.  Bring some extra money for a souvenir at one of several stores inside the atrium.

–We enjoyed ICE.  But our reactions were a little mixed.  We have seen ice sculptures before that were real works of art; graceful, delicate, beautiful and intricate.  The sculptures in ICE were made from large blocks that were somewhat simplistic.  We thought the cost was a little high.  Nonetheless, we do recommend that you experience ICE at least once.

A Fashion Show Turns Ghoulish at the House of Vayne

This time of year the Orlando Area comes alive with Halloween activities.

The most popular is Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios.  Every year it gets bigger and better.

Not to be out done, Busch Gardens in Tampa has their Howl-O-Scream.  Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in October, Busch Gardens closes their park at 6:00pm to prepare for the 7:30pm opening of Howl-O-Scream.  It ends at 1:00am on Thursdays and 2:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.

# 1 Daughter and Best Friend Bryana Are Enticed by a Vampire in the Mist

General Admission is advertised at $69.95 but advance web tickets only cost $39.95 on Thu/Fri and $49.95 on Saturday.  In addition, there are upgrades such as the “Viewing Tour,” “Funeral Tour,” and “Embalming Tour.”  There’s also a “Club enVy Happy Hour” and “Fright Feast” buffet upgrade available.

Mrs. LanceAround and I took Number One and Two Sons and Number One Daughter with Best Friend Bryana to experience Howl-O-Scream for this post.

Scares Abound Around Every Corner

In many ways, Howl-O-Scream is similar to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios in Orlando (as reported in this blog post and another blog post by Office Manager Anne from last year.)  There is a “theme” to the evening.  In this case, it is the vain vampires from the House of Vayne who turn evil in the middle of a fashion show. 

# 1 Daughter Opts Out of this Haunted House

There are several “haunted houses.”  There are “scare zones” where various creatures of the night attempt to startle you as you walk down the sidewalk.  And there are a couple of shows.

One thing that sets it apart from HHN, however, are the many roller coasters at Busch Gardens.  The combination of scary thrill rides with the ghoulish Halloween activities makes for a night of fun-filled fright!

The Macabre Magic of Jason Byrne

This year’s Howl-O-Scream features an excellent, though macabre, magic show by Jason Byrne.  Be sure not to miss it.

The general consensus of our party is that Howl-O-Scream, although it did not provide the intense level of scare you get at HHN, does provides an acceptable alternative to the crowds at Universal Studios.  It is especially convenient if you are staying on the gulf coast.  From the Orlando area, your ticket also includes a free shuttle that departs from the Orlando Premium Outlets at 3pm and then departs Busch Gardens at midnight for the ride back to Orlando.

Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival are all good reasons to plan your trip to Orlando during the month of October–If you dare!