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Bond Movie Marvels - A Review of the Bond Exhibit and Lounge at Dezerland in Orlando, Florida
Orlando is known for its unique and larger than life entertainment offerings, and Dezerland Action Park has transformed the old Artegon Marketplace into Florida’s largest indoor attraction. With over 800,000 square feet of fun, there is more to do than can be done in one visit. In this video, we spend a part of a day at the action park exploring and reviewing one of its notable attractions, the Bond Exhibit and Lounge. This Restaurant, Bar, Car Museum, Movie Memorabilia Musuem, and more, holds some incredible pieces as part of an overall experience at Dezerland. Home to many screen-used vehicles and props, the Bond exhibit is a must for any fans of the James Bond franchise. Also inside is The Auto Musuem, Karting Orlando, Axecelsior Axe Throwing , and more. This is a great offering for raining days. Have you been to Dezerland Action Park in Orlando? If so, what was your favorite thing to do inside the giant indoor attraction?
Artistic Noodles - A Review of Twenty Pho Hour on International Drive in Orlando, Florida
Fun food places abound in Orlando with many of them becoming favorites with locals and visitors alike. We ventured out to International Drive in Orlando, Florida to try out a new noodle place, Twenty Pho Hour. In this video, we showcase this restaurant for its great noodle bowls, which can be personalized based on ingredient choices, as well as the artistic decor. Twenty Pho Hour goes all in on creating a stylized experience that places you inside a sketch book. The walls, decorative fixtures, tables and chairs, as well as the salt and pepper shakers, are all presented in this simplistic line-art motif. We enjoyed the bowls we chose as well as the flavored boba teas. The atmosphere of the dining room was welcoming and the use of the space as an artistic piece on top of a culinary experience made for a fantastic lunch. We look forward to another visit soon.
A Honeymoon at Sea - Part 2 - A Review of Our Stay Aboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas
This is the second part of a two part series. The great thing about living in Florida is being so close to so many large cruise ports, including Port Canaveral, Port of the Everglades, Tampa, Miami, and more. Setting sail into the sunset is the stuff of dreams when it comes to honeymoon planning so that’s what we did. One year after our wedding, we finally were able to enjoy our honeymoon aboard Mariner of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships, setting sail from Port Canaveral. In this video, we showcase our voyage aboard the Mariner of the Seas from the perspective of a honeymooning couple, with a focus on the final day of our cruise and Coco Cay. Don’t worry! No mushy romantic stuff. This voyage was a relaxing one for us and a great one to get us back to traveling. We had a great voyage aboard the Mariner of the Seas due to lower bookings and a less than full ship. Are you starting to travel again? What amazing trips are you planning? Let us know in the comments.
Rev Your Engine at The Orlando Auto Musuem - A Review of Dezerland Action Park in Orlando, Florida
Orlando is known for its unique and larger than life entertainment offerings, and Dezerland Action Park has transformed the old Artegon Marketplace into Florida’s largest indoor attraction. With over 800,000 square feet of fun, there is more to do than can be done in one visit. In this video, we we step into the Orlando Auto Musuem, one of the largest car collections in the world. The Auto Experience at Dezerland is incredible with countless vehicles from different time periods, countries, manufacturers, movies, and more. A car lover could spend hours looking at the beautifully curated collection. This Musuem made for a great date day for the two of us. Also inside is Karting Orlando, Axecelsior Axe Throwing, bowling, The Bond Lounge, and more. This is a great offering for raining days Have you been to Dezerland Action Park in Orlando? If so, what was your favorite thing to do inside the giant indoor attraction?
A Honeymoon at Sea - Part 1 - A Review of Our Stay Aboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas
The great thing about living in Florida is being so close to so many large cruise ports. Setting sail into the sunset is the stuff of dreams when it comes to honeymoon planning so that’s what we did. One year after our wedding, we finally were able to enjoy our honeymoon aboard Mariner of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships, setting sail from Port Canaveral. In this video, we showcase our voyage aboard the Mariner of the Seas from the perspective of a honeymooning couple, with a focus on the first 4 days of our voyage. We showcase the food, entertainment, and ship. Don’t worry! No mushy romantic stuff. This voyage was a relaxing one for us and a great one to get us back to traveling. We had a great voyage aboard the Mariner of the Seas due to lower bookings and a less than full ship. This is the first part of a two part series. Are you starting to travel again? What amazing trips are you planning? Let us know in the comments. We’re excited to hear about your adventures too!
Magic at the Amway - A Review of an Orlando Magic Game at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida
There are some impressive amenities in the Orlando area and the Amway Center in Downtown Orlando is one incredible venue. We’ve been to the Amway countless times for concerts, traveling live Entertainment shows, Solar Bears hockey games, and more, and love how the arena acts as a great gathering place for the local community. In this video we review our experience at the arena during an Orlando Magic versus the Chicago Bulls basketball game. Spoiler: The Magic win! We think the Amway Center is a great addition to our ever-growing and changing downtown and can’t wait to visit again for our next outing. The Amway Center is home to the Orlando Magic, the Orlando Solar Bears, and more. Have you enjoyed a show or game at the Amway Center? If so, what do you love about the venue? #OrlandoMagic #DowntownOrlando #OrlandoFlorida #AmwayCenter #CentralFlorida #Orlando #
Karting and Axe Throwing Action - A Review at Dezerland Action Park on I-Drive in Orlando, Florida
Orlando is known for its unique and larger than life entertainment offerings, and Dezerland Action Park has transformed the old Artegon Marketplace into Florida’s largest indoor attraction. With over 800,000 square feet of fun, there is more to do than can be done in one visit. In this video, we spend a part of a day at the action park exploring and reviewing two of its notable attractions, Karting Orlando and Axecelsior Axe Throwing. Karting Orlando is Florida’s longest indoor go-kart track and Axecelsior Axe Throwing offers some cutting-edge action. We loved everything that we got to experience and are eager to get back soon to try out some of the attractions we missed. Also inside is The Auto Musuem, The Bond Lounge, and more. This is a great offering for raining days Have you been to Dezerland Action Park in Orlando? If so, what was your favorite thing to do inside the giant indoor attraction? #orlando #orlandotravel #floridatravel #internationaldrive #orlandoflorida #dezerland
A Doggy Celebration - A Review of Paws in the Park for the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando
Every year thousands of dog and pet lovers converge for Paws in the Park, an event that supports the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. This local fundraising event is full of fun activities, vendors selling dog and pet related items, as well as food, music, fun, and more. In this video, we visit Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando to enjoy the canine themed activities and to show our support for this incredible animal shelter. Plus, we always enjoy taking a leisurely stroll around the lake. We enjoyed the event's many activities and exploring the row after row of vendors on site for the festivities. This event is held annually and is one that we recommend for dog and pet lovers who are locals or visiting. We adopted our dog Rocky from the Pet Alliance and are advocates for all of the great work they do for local animals.
An Arctic Blast - A Review of SeaWorld Orlando's new Roller Coaster in Florida
New thrilling experiences open each year at Florida's theme parks with each new attraction adding interesting and unique ride elements. This year, SeaWorld Orlando is opening their newest thrill machine, Ice Breaker. Ice Breaker, the park's highly anticipated coaster, offers 4 launches, two forward and two backwards, as well as a more-than-vertical track tower that drops riders at a 100-degree angle. This roller coaster packs a chilling arctic punch and has a lot of pep. Although Ice Breaker isn’t breaking any records, it does offer a fun experience that is unique to any you’ll find in the area. This Premier Rides roller coaster is also a completely new addition to the park that doesn’t remove any current offerings allowing for a more complete park experience. We love this new addition and can’t wait to jump aboard again soon. Ice Breaker opens this year on February 18th. Annual Pass holders are currently able to ride during specified dates.
Craft Brews in Clermont - A Review of Suncreek Brewery in Clermont, Florida
Suncreek Brewery in Historic Downtown Clermont, Florida is a beautiful facility within walking distance to Lake Minneola, the South Lake Trail, and the shopping and dining of Historic Downtown Clermont. In addition to their core beers, Suncreek also features seasonal and specialty beers on tap, ciders, and more on a rotating menu, both on tap and in bottles and cans. In addition to their beers, visitors can also purchase food on-site through Michael’s Ali Coal Fire Pizza and Mac’d Out. In this video, we visit Suncreek Brewery to sample some of the beers and to enjoy some Mac’d Out for lunch. We had a great visit and were able to enjoy their outdoor seating and the live music they had for the day. We have been to this location a few times and always enjoy ourselves. We love their wide selection of beers as well as the convenience of being able to grab a great meal while enjoying our beers.
We Ran a Disney Marathon – A Highlight of the Walt Disney World Marathon in Orlando, Florida
The Walt Disney World Marathon is an annual tradition here in Central Florida. Each January, thousands of runners flock to Orlando to participate in this 26.2 mile trek through four of the world’s most famous theme parks. Join us in this video as we join in on the fun to experience this incredible event. On a whim a few months before the big day, we decided to tackle this adventure together. For those of you interested in running the Walt Disney World Marathon, we recommend it. As large as the event is, it’s facilitated well overall and is host to runners from all over the world. With landmarks such as castles, geospheres, and larger-than-life trees to guide us on our way, it’s hard to say that there are any more beautiful and exciting places to run a marathon than at Disney World.
Bottoms Up, Lake Side - A Review of Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co. by Lake Eola in Orlando, Florida
Orlando’s growing Craft Brewery offerings can be found on every corner it seems. Downtown Orlando is a great place to find craft beverages from local independent breweries. Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company is one such place. Join us in this video as we visit this brewery, located across the street from Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando, to experience their Taproom and some of their beers. This open-air brew-pub provides a great gathering place for Orlando locals and visitors alike. Offering a full-service food menu and broad beer menu, guests are sure to find something to savor and sip during their visit. In addition to enjoying their Taproom, this location holds events and other offerings throughout the year. We also receive great service whenever we visit this location which is a plus when you’re looking to unwind over a beer. Cheers! #craftbeer #independentbrewer #drinklocal #orlandoflorida #craftbrewery #floridabeer
Tasty Brews & Retro Vibes - A Review of Ten10 Brewing Company in Orlando, Florida
Orlando has a growing craft and independent brewery scene. One notable location is Ten10 Brewing Company in the Mills 50 District north of Downtown. In this video, we step inside the Taproom at this brewery to enjoy some of their craft beverages along with some food. Ten10 Brewing has a wide selection of beers on tap that vary in style, body, and flavor. While José dives into an IPA, Sam enjoys a flight before settling on a favorite. We really enjoy this brewery for its classic rock vibe, the selection of beers, and the full food menu. We shared one of their loaded nachos while enjoying our beers, which were smothered in cheese. In addition to their Taproom, this location holds events and other offerings throughout the year. We also received great service, which is always a plus when you’re looking to unwind over a beer. Cheers!
Epic Holiday Cheer, Universal Style - A Review of Universal's Holiday Parade Featuring Macy's
We love how Epic the holidays can be at the Universal Orlando Resort. We enjoy their parks each December as part of our Christmas and other holiday traditions. Join us as we review one of their most notable annual signature offerings for the holidays, Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s. Every year, this impressive parade travels the streets of Universal Studios Florida with floats, balloons, and characters, daily from mid-November to the first of the New Year. In addition to character appearances and an extraordinary cavalcade of characters, the parade also features the famed towering balloons from the Macy’s Parade in New York City. The parade runs annually from about Mid November through the first of the New Year. It features characters from DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek and Madagascar as well as Illumination Animation’s Despicable Me! This offering is worth seeing if you're visiting Universal Orlando around the holidays.
Sea of Holiday Cheer - A Review of SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration in Orlando, Florida
We enjoy all of the holiday offerings the local theme parks and resorts offer around the holidays. SeaWorld Orlando has an annual event that stands on its own with a family friendly and welcoming holiday event, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. In this video, we showcase a few of the park’s celebratory offerings including their beer and food, their nighttime lights, Winter Wonderland on Ice show and Fireworks. We enjoy this even every December as one of our traditions this time of year. The walkway after walkway of light-wrapped trees and wreath lined windows brought warmth and cheer to our hearts during our visit and is a perfect winter celebration for locals in Orlando and visitors alike. The event runs from mid-November each year and into the first week of January. This is a can’t-miss event with more to enjoy than any one person could do in one visit. #SeaWorld #Orlando #Christmas #SeasonsGreetings #HappyHolidays #MarriedLife #CentralFlorida
Live the Force - A Review of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Walt Disney World
Stepping into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is an immersive step into the storied world of Star Wars. Join us as we visit the planet of Batuu, an all new world created to tell the story of Star Wars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park, to highlight and review the experiences. This land offers several adventures for fans of all ages. The land is home to two rides - Millennium Falcon - Smuggler's Run and Rise of the Resistance. Both of these attractions build on previously used theme park ride technology to create immersive experience that are unlike any others at Walt Disney World. We also step into Oga’s Cantina, an out-of-this-world watering hole that features a custom cocktail menu with Star Wars themed beverages. We enjoy the detail, architecture, and theming of this land and think it’s a great addition to the park. #StarWars #DisneyWorld #Orlando #DisneyParks #orlandotravel
Master of Wine - A Review of Wine Bar George at Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida
Join us as we venture to Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida to showcase Wine Bar George, the only wine bar in Florida to be led by a Master Sommelier. George Miliotes, the founder of Wine Bar George, is one of only 269 Master Sommeliers in the world and brings a high degree of wine knowledge to the table. Guests can pair their wines with delicious fair from their full food menu. From savory appetizers to bold entrees, there’s plenty of great food options to enjoy with their wide selection of wines. With their award-winning wine lists, wine lovers are sure to find a style of wine to suit any palate and any occasion. Wine is served by the glass, bottle, or even the ounce allowing guests to sample and savor wines from their extensive collection. They have over 130 to choose from! Wine Bar George is a perfect place for all who enjoy a glass of wine. The cozy atmosphere, paired with knowledgeable servers, creates an environment that is comfortable and accessible for all. Cheers!
Toll Worth Paying - A Review of Toll Road Brewing Company in Ocoee, Florida
Toll Road Brewing Company in Ocoee, Florida, in the Orlando Metro area, is the first brewery in Ocoee and is locally owned and operated. Celebrating its third year in operation, this independent brewer crafts a wide selection of craft beverages in several different styles. In this video, we step inside Toll Road Brewing to enjoy a few of their craft beers along with some tasty food from the food truck they had on site for the day. We enjoyed our visit to Toll Road Brewing and were impressed not only with the beers we tasted but also the friendly atmosphere and great service. The brewery holds events throughout the month including triva nights, BINGO, and more along with food truck service and live music on weekends and other busy days. We can’t wait to visit this great place again. Drink responsibly. #craftbeer #independentbrewer #drinklocal #craftbrewery #floridabeer #orlando #orlandoflorida
Chiseled In Stone - A Review of The Albin Polasek Musuem and Sculpture Gardens near Orlando, Florida
Founded in 1961, The Albin Polasek Musuem & Sculture Gardens, located in Winter Park, Florida near Orlando, is the last home of Polasek. This historic home was designed by the artist to be a functioning studio. After his death, his home was opened as a museum to showcase the artist’s work and life. Visitors can explore more than 200 works of art by the Czech-born artist through a series of galleries and sculpture gardens. Join us as we step into and review this museum and explore the beautiful sculpture garden located on the shores of Lake Osceola. In addition, we enjoyed one of their docent-led tours of the home, where we stepped into Polasek’s art studio. We enjoyed our visit to this beautifully curated museum. The facility does an excellent job of showcasing the artist’s journey, his creative process, and his story.
See the Seas - A Video Review of SeaLife Aquarium at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida
In this video, we step inside to showcase and review SeaLife Aquarium Orlando. This compact yet expansive aquarium, located at the base of The Wheel in the ICON Park complex on International Drive, has a lot to offer. Sending its visitors across the seven seas and the oceans, SeaLife’s creatively crafted exhibits showcase some amazing creatures from all around the globe. We enjoyed diving into this experience and getting up close with the fish, stingray, eels, and other ocean creatures. Join us as we roam through the depths at this family friendly aquarium and its educational exhibits. This location is also a great option for those rainy days in Orlando. Be sure to follow us here on NewsBreak for insight into local Central Florida attractions, breweries, museums, and more.
Welcome to Sam José!
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Follow Us for Florida Living, Travel, and Fun! When looking for things to do in Florida, Orlando, or the Central Florida area, look no further. We’ve done it or are doing it all! We cover all things from Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld in the heart of themed entertainment as well as the surrounding areas and beyond. Come along with us as we discover museums, creative spaces, craft beverage makers, unique places, tourist attractions, and a whole lot more. The world needs more love, humanity and understanding. The human experience is one that we all share as humans on this planet. Our goal with Welcome to Sam José! is to showcase the best of the human experience within the Central Florida area. Additionally, we’re out to show the world what a happily married gay couple can look like in an ever-changing and dynamic world.
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