Disney's Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival 2012

This posting will be mostly pictures so enjoy the colors. Since we are experiencing an early Spring this may help chase away some of the Winter blues. There are many of the same displays from last year, but still is a cheerful experience so if you have not been it is worth the trip. The music line up this is okay.

 

Farmer Jones?

Talk to the hand...

Sugar Ray at Universal Orlando March 2012

This will be mostly video and pictures and the concert was great. The first song was a little off, but the band delivered an excellent performance and it was a great way to end Saint Patrick's Day 2012.

 

Take a look at the video with the link below. It was a little bit off, but still a good performance.

 Someday by Sugar Ray at Universal Orlando 2012

Every Morning on You Tube

EPCOT 2012 International Flower and Garden Festival starts March 7

If you like flowers and enjoying gardening, then you will want to come to EPCOT for the annual Flower and Garden Festival. Last year was the first time that I went to it since moving to Orlando and I enjoyed the displays, music and gardening demonstrations. If you have never been to the festival it is worth the trip because it is a great transition from the Winter months to Spring and Summer so shake off the snow and cold and make the voyage to see a wonderful color palette of flowers.

EPCOT 2012 Flower Festival

This is also a great time the head to the beaches so give yourself at least a day to visit the beaches. I would recommend somewhere on the Gulf Coast like Saint Petersburg or Clearwater, but the east cost near Daytona is just as good during this time of the year.

March and April concerts at Universal Orlando

With Spring approaching the theme parks in Florida always start the year with some cool groups and this year will not disappoint either. Here is the line up  from Universal Orlando for March and April. I went to see the Goo Goo Dolls last night and they were okay and looking forward to seeing “Sugar Ray” because the group was excellent at EPCOT in 2011.  If you plan to attend the concerts make sure you check the park sites for announcements on concert times and any cancellations. Also, get to the parks at least an hour prior to the concerts to get a good viewing location and depending on the artist you may need to arrive earlier.

           

            Universal Orlando - Bands and show schedules

• Saturday, March 10: Big Time Rush
• Friday, March 16: J Cole
• Saturday, March 17: Sugar Ray
• Friday, March 23: Hot Chelle Rae
• Saturday, March 24: B.o.B
• Friday, March 30: Plain White T’s
• Saturday, March 31: Prince Royce
• Saturday, April 7: Cyndi Lauper
• Saturday, April 14: KC & The Sunshine Band

Concert series in February at SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa

With Spring approaching the theme parks in Florida always start the year with some cool groups and this year will not disappoint either. Here is the line up from each of the three parks and probably the newest name to the list is American Idol season one winner "Kelly Clarkson".  If you plan to attend the concerts make sure you check the park sites for announcements on concert times and any cancellations. Also, get to the parks at least an hour prior to the concerts to get a good viewing location.

SeaWorld Orlando - Bands and show schedules

• Saturday, February 11: Foreigner
• Sunday, February 12: Gary Allan
• Saturday, February 18: Trace Adkins
• Sunday, February 19: Kenny Rogers
• Saturday, February 25: Doobie Brothers
• Sunday, February 26: Ronnie Dunn

                Universal Orlando - Bands and show schedules

• Saturday, February 11: The B-52’s
• Saturday, February 18: Kelly Clarkson
• Sunday, February 19: Boyz II Men
• Saturday, February 25: Diana Ross

            Busch Gardens Tampa - Bands and show schedules 

• Saturday, February 12: Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Saturday, February 19: Bret Michaels
• Saturday, February 26: 38 Special
• Saturday, March 6: REO Speedwagon

Visiting beach with our pet in St. Petersburg Florida

Looking for fish?

Posing for photo and taking a break from the play

      It is cool going to the Disney, Universal and SeaWorld parks and riding the rides and watching the shows, but if you have a pet dog and want to do something different that includes your pet, then you may want to search out one of the many dog beaches in Florida. My wife and I went to a beach on the west coast with our husky and it was enjoyable spending time at the beach with her. The water was a little cool, but this did not deter our Husky from taking a dip. 

     There are lots of designated areas for dogs along the Florida beaches, but the West Coast is much better because of the clear Gulf water. Here is a helpful link to the top 10 http://www.bringfido.com/attraction/beaches/state/florida so take a look. These pictures were taken at the Ft. De Soto Paw Playground and Beach in Saint Petersburg, FL.

      The areas designated for the dogs tends to be a little small, but there is plenty of room for your dog to play and enjoy. We enjoyed Ft. De Soto Paw Playground and Beach because the beach area was a little larger and there was a generous playground area for the dogs as well.

 Bring your camera so you can get some shots of your dog and also take along their favorite throw toys to play fetch. 

You may want to go a little later in the day so that you can catch the sunset on the beach with your dog.