Orlando Things to Do Tips by Hexepatty

Flag Retreat Ceremony at Disney - Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World Review

Despite the fact my father ended up in the hospital at the end of the brief ceremony, the 'Flag Retreat' with guest veteran participation was really a moving ceremony. (Dad suffered heat stroke and at 80... he spent one night but was released the next day). They do the flag retreats DAILY with veterans pre-arranged to participate. If you know of a military veteran going to Magic Kingdom that might enjoy this ceremony, do the following:

Call the WDW info Hotline number at 407/824-2222 and ask for Magic Kingdom City Hall. Tell them the date the veteran you know will be at Magic Kingdom and request them to be the Vet of the Day. Be flexible if that date is already filled.

Guest must be a ticket holder for the park, naturally (nothing is free at Disney!). At the completion of the ceremony, the vet receives a commemorative certificate and a special trading pin that says 'veteran.'

Disney has a photographer and they give you a free 5x7, and then you pay for any other photo you want. (Photog took about 75 photos).

NOTE: To prevent your elderly vet from passing out at this event, request a wheelchair and/or make sure they hydrate, wear a hat and eat before the ceremony. It lasts about 30 minutes. The ceremony doesn't require lots of walking, but just getting into Magic Kingdom requires lots of walking. Keep this in mind!

Address: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Directions: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

Phone: 407/824-2222

Art Shows

Being the cultural diverse city that it is, Orlando has plenty of Art Shows and Festivals. For example, I attended the Doggy Art Festival in Winter Park on April 1 2007 (Sunday). I bought a wonderful pastel by Artist Lee Vandergrift. I love my "Kitty Cat Can Can" pastel. Not a large piece, but it's Just Right! Lee's poster art for the Fringe is my other Vandergrift piece ( a print) hanging on my walls. So now I'm a "collector" I suppose! hahahha...

Website: http://www.leevandergrift.com

Orlando Fringe Orlando Fringe Review

Each year, Orlando puts on a 10-day live arts (Theater, Musicals, Comedy, Bands, Dance, Ballet, etc..) Festival and it is amazing. I was the Volunteer Coordinator for the Festival this past May. We used 255 Volunteers and they put in 4600 hours of volunteer hours. AMAZING. And the quality of the Performances was totally outstanding. Come to the Orlando Fringe!!!

Address: Get info at: 398 W Amelia St., Orlando, FL 32801

Directions: Downtown Orlando, at a variety of Venues...

Other Contact: producer@orlandofringe.org

Phone: 407/648-0077

Website: http://www.orlandofringe.org

Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney Walt Disney World Review

The clubs are not quite as "happening" as Universal, but you don't have to park in Daytona and walk five days to get to the clubs, either. So, yeah, sue me. I like PI. Prolly cuz sister works there and that works for me! (Comedy Warehouse is my favorites. Adventurer's Club is a fun way to waste time, too!!!)

Address: Downtown Disney off of Buena Vista Drive

Directions: I-4 Exit for Downtown Disney...

Small World Orlando Fringe Review

It's a SMALL world. Here is the Magic Kingdom Castle. It's based on a famous castle in Germany. It was once painted PINK but then they decided to change the color. Of course, many people think that if you go to Orlando the only thing that there is is Disney. Trust me, there is more, but you have to discover the REAL talent and art there is in Orlando!

Fringe Artists Orlando Fringe Review

Meeting the artists is always a delight. Ricky Avila is a writer, director, actor, producer, and somehow in there found time to have a FULL TIME JOB w/ Oracle... while VOLUNTEERING 30 hours. Talented - Ricky rocked our worlds!!! ; )

I (surprisingly) really... Water Parks Review

...enjoyed Sea World! I learned lots about killer whales and I got to feed sea lions and dolphins!! Plus you got to see lots of tourists from all over the world and I love seeing NON DISNEY attractions every once in a while. Sadly, It's too expensive to go more than once every few years.

Address: Orlando

Other Contact: Kinda pricey at $50 per adult. B