Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
19
to www.disneyworld.com. SeaWorld
( & 407/351-3600; www.seaworld.
com) features a dazzling laser/fireworks
spectacular. There's also a free fireworks
display in downtown Orlando at Lake
Eola Park. For information, call & 407/
246-2827. Other fireworks events are
listed in the local newspaper, the
Orlando Sentinel.
S EPTEMBER
Night of Joy. The first weekend (Thurs-
Sun) in September, the Magic Kingdom
hosts a festival of contemporary Chris-
tian music featuring top artists. This is
a very popular event, so obtain tickets
early. Performers also make an appear-
ance at Long's Christian Bookstore in
College Park, about 20 minutes north
of Disney. Admission (if you buy in
advance) to the concert is $44.95 for 1
night (7:30pm-12:30am), $75.95 for 2
nights; single-night admission at the
gate is $49.95. Use of Magic Kingdom
attractions is included. Call & 407/
934-7639 for concert details; for infor-
mation about the free appearance at
Long's, call & 407/422-6934. Univer-
sal has gone head-to-head with Disney
on this one, scheduling its Rock the
Universe concert the same weekend
( & 866/788-4636 ). Big-name Chris-
tian bands and speakers headline the
event. Tickets (which include admis-
sion to the parks after 4pm) cost $45
for 1 night or $75 for both nights of the
event. Packages including both nights
of celebration, and admission to the
parks is available as well.
O CTOBER
Orlando Magic Basketball. The NBA
team plays half of its 82-game regular
season between October and April at
the Amway Arena, 600 W. Amelia St.
Ticket prices range from $10 to $115.
A few tickets, usually single seats, are
often available the day before games
involving lesser-known NBA challengers.
Call & 407/916-2400 for details,
or 866/448-7849 or 407/839-3900 for
tickets. Online go to www.nba.com/
magic .
Halloween Horror Nights. Universal
Orlando's Islands of Adventure ( & 888/
389-4783 or 407/363-8000; www.
universalorlando.com) transforms its
grounds on select nights during Octo-
ber and into November into haunted
attractions. Live entertainment and spe-
cial shows, hundreds of ghouls and
goblins roaming the streets, along with
specially designed haunted houses,
make for a truly terrifying experience.
The park essentially closes at dusk,
reopening in a new macabre form from
7pm to midnight or later. Full admis-
sion ($79 adults) is charged for this
event, which is definitely geared to
grown-ups (as the liquor flows freely
and the frightfulness is truly that). Note
that guests are not permitted to wear
costumes (so that Universal employees
can spot their peers).
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween
Party. The Magic Kingdom ( & 407/
934-7639; www.disneyworld.com)
invites you to join Mickey and his pals
for a far-from-frightening time. In this
one, you can come in costume and
trick-or-treat throughout the Magic
Kingdom from 7pm to midnight on
any of 10 or so nights. The alcohol-free
party includes parades, live music, and
storytelling. The climax is a bewitching
fireworks spectacular. Unlike the cele-
bration at Universal Studios, this one is
completely family-friendly. A separate
admission fee is charged ($48.95-
$55.95 adults, $42.95-$49.95 kids
3-9; depending on the night), and you
should get tickets well in advance.
The Disney Golf Classic. Top PGA
tour players compete at WDW golf
courses during the month of October.
Many tour professionals, including
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