Dr Phillips Center For The Performing Arts Center Unveils Rendering Of New CNL Art Plaza

In a few short months, phase 1 of the of the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Orlando will open.  The area will accommodate 3,000 people for the outdoor performances, which will begin shortly after the performing arts center opens to the public in November.

According to center president, Kathy Ramsberger, The CNL Arts Plaza will host more than 20 free performances during the arts center’s inaugural season.  “This plaza is an invitation for people to come to the arts center,” she said. “This will be Central Florida’s next town square.”

For more information about the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, you can visit there website here.

 

 

Magical Photo Wednesday – Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse

Today’s Photo comes from a place that does not get a lot of love in the photo community. My kids begged to go on the Swiss family Robinson Treehouse so my father (being the grandfather he is) said yes!  So off we went.

While traveling to the top, I looked down and saw how the stairs zigged and zagged.  I couldn’t resist, I had to snap this picture.

Once we arrived at the top I was so impressed with the vantage points available.  I was even able to capture a picture from the top looking out at Splash Mountain, but I will share that with you on another day.

Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse is a Disney classic!  Have you climbed to the top to take advantage of the photo opportunities?

Enjoy ~ Justin

You can view more pictures form Justin on Flickr.

Florida Is A Hot Market For First Time Home Buyers

Florida is a hot market for first time home buyers.  Realtor.com recently reported it’s top 10 cities for first time home buyers and 3 Florida cities made the list.  Those cities are Tampa-St Petersburg-Clearwater coming in 2nd, Orlando coming in 5th and Jacksonville coming in 6th.

Top 10 Markets for First-Time Home Buyers by Rank

MSA	Median Listing Price	Total Listings	Median Age of Inventory	Unemployment rate
Pittsburgh, PA	$135,000	11,026	128	5.70%
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	$169,900	21,062	88	5.90%
Philadelphia, PA-NJ(NJ)	$174,900	10,656	141	6.40%
Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$175,000	8,433	67	5.40%
Orlando, FL	$191,900	13,425	81	5.50%
Jacksonville, FL	$198,000	9,787	95	5.60%
Philadelphia, PA-NJ(PA)	$219,000	21,909	121	6.40%
Dallas, TX	$224,900	15,887	57	5.40%
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$227,500	9,435	98	4.90%
Phoenix-Mesa, AZ	$244,900	23,654	59	6.20%

Here are the criteria realtor.com® used to rank the top 10 markets:

1. Location, location, location: Market popularity is an important consideration for first-time buyers. It is common for owners to become “move up” buyers and purchase a larger home a few years after a first-home purchase. Buying a home in popular markets increases the likelihood of making money on a first home.
2. Affordable list prices: One of the biggest barriers to homeownership is affordability. Homeowners not only have to be able to afford a monthly mortgage payment, but must have enough saved for a down payment.
3. Ample inventory: Inventory shortages can often spark bidding wars in which investors or buyers with higher incomes can price out first-time buyers. Markets with an ample inventory of homes for sale are less likely to experience bidding wars. 
4. Reasonable time on market: Median age of inventory is a clear indicator of demand in a market. High demand is another factor that prompts bidding wars and makes it difficult for first-timers to get the home of their dreams.  Additionally, first-time homebuyers should consider how long a home has been on the market. They may have an opportunity for a better deal if a seller is required to price a home more competitively in order to close.
5. Steady employment: Unemployment rates affect all aspects of the economy, including first-time buyers. In order to pay for their mortgages, new buyers need to work and hold steady jobs in markets that support their job.

Methodology: Realtor.com® examined key housing indicators including: search rank, median list price, year-over-year change in inventory, median age of inventory and unemployment rates across 146 markets and evaluated the metrics against the needs and desires of the typical first-time homebuyer. All metrics considered were pulled directly from realtor.com®’s February 2014 data and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

25th Annual Spring Fiesta In The Park At Lake Eola

If you are looking for a great outdoor event in Orlando, be sure and check out the 25th Annual Spring Fiesta In The Park At Lake Eola.  This family and pet friendly event will take place in downtown Orlando on the following dates.
Satruday, April 5, 2014 – 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday, April 6, 2014 – 12:00pm-5:00pm

This years Spring Fiesta is one of the largest artists and crafters festival in Orlando.  There will also be live entertainment, great food and children’s play areas.   For more information about this event be sure and visit them on Facebook.

Dine With Your Favorite Star Wars Characters

Who wants to dine with characters from Star Wars? OK, maybe not the original characters but what about Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy or Stormtrooper Donald? Now, you have your chance!

On May 4th (how appropriate…May the 4th Be With You!)  dining at Disney Hollywood Studios will feature two new character meals that will run throughout the Star Wars Weekends events. The Star Wars dining experiences will be available at Hollywood and Vine and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre from May 4th through June 15th.  Disney guests can choose between the Jedi Mickey Star Wars dining experience at Hollywood and Vine for dinner or the Star Wars Galactic Dine-In Breakfast at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre.

The Jedi Mickey Star Wars dinner will include visits from Disney Star Wars characters such as Ewok Chip & Dale, Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy and Stormtrooper Donald.  Cost for the meal is $55.99 for adults and $33.99 for children. The cost for this experience will also include a digital download of a photograph with Ewok Chip and Dale.  In addition, this experience is also available as part of the Fantasmic! Dinner Package for a few dollars more — $59.99 for adults and $36.99 for children.

If a character breakfast is more your thing, join Stormtroopers, Jawa, Gredo, Boba Fett and Darth Vader for a Star Wars Galactic Dine-In Breakfast.  These are the actual Star Wars characters – not Disney characters in costume.  In addition to the Star Wars characters, the drive-in screen will feature clips and music from Star Wars.  The cost is $47.99 for adults and $29.99 for children.  This experience will also include a digital photo on a commemorative PhotoPass card.

Bookings for these dining reservations began today, so if you are interested book quickly. These character meals are sure to be extremely popular and will be gone quickly!

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

Christine Hardenberger (The Vacation Architect¬¬¬¬¬¬¬TM) can help you navigate the travel maze. She is an authority on Disney, Universal Studios and cruise vacations. She has been recently featured on MSNBC’s Today Travel and the NEA Magazine. Contact her at 800-272-7739 or Christine@magicalmouseplans.com and let her create a blueprint for a better vacation!

FREE Printable Moving Check List from Taking the Florida Plunge

Taking the Florida Plunge or just moving to the other side of town can be very stressful.  One thing that will assist in eliminating that stress is a moving checklist.  I am happy to provide you with a FREE Our Florida Plunge Moving Check List.  This check list will take you from 3 months before your move date to the days following your relocation.

To print your FREE Our Florida Plunge Moving Check list click

Our Florida Plunge Moving Check List

 

Once your move is complete, you may also be interested in Our Florida Plunge List, where you and your family can track all of the adventures you want to experience in Florida.

I love to hear your comments.  Please leave a note below and let me know what you think of this FREE moving check list printable.

FREE Our Florida Plunge List Printable, It’s A Bucket List for Florida

Many of you have heard of a bucket list.  If you have been following me for any length of time you know I have a Florida Plunge List.  This is our families list of things to do and see in Florida. It’s a list that never ends and always has new things added to it.

To help you keep your list, I’ve created the following Florida Plunge List Printable.  Gather the family around the kitchen table and start creating your Plunge List.  Florida is a big state, have fun with it!

My Florida Plunge List Printable

What’s on your Florida Plunge List?  Let me know, I’m always looking for unique things to experience in Florida. 

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FREE Printable Moving Checklist

Adventureland – Tinkerbell Moves Out, Dining Location Moves In

Rumors are flying about changes coming to Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland.  The first change that is circulating is Tinkerbell is moving.  Walt Disney World has yet to confirm this announcement, but it appears Tink will be moving to Town Square Theatre with Talking Mickey Mouse.

Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

With Tinkerbell’s move, her Magical Nook will become vacant.  It is rumored that this space, along with the connecting terrace will become, once again, a dining location.  You may recall this location was previously a dining location called Adentureland Veranda.

Lots of changes are happening at Walt Disney World.  It will be interesting to see if these rumors pan out.  What’s your thoughts on these possible changes?  What type of dining experience would you like to see in Adventureland?

Walt Disney World Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom

Life got in the way and I was not able to attend the opening day of the Walt Disney World Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom.  As disappointed as I was, I loved the pictures and videos that were captured during this new Disney parade come across my computer monitor.  I’m happy to say that this past Sunday my assistant (aka. daughter) Jayla and I were able to make our way to Magic Kingdom to see this wonderful addition to Disney in person.

I wanted to ensure Jayla and I had a great seat for the parade, so we claimed our spot around 2 PM right in from of the Emporium near Town Square.  We sat directly across from The Confectionery.  The first reason I picked this side was for the shade!  It was a beautiful day, but the Florida sun can be harsh.  The second reason I picked this spot was so that it was not as convenient to get in and out of The Confectionery, meaning I would  not spend every dime I had in there on Cotton Candy and Candy Apples.  Don’t worry, my assistant didn’t go without.  I did pay her with 1 bag of cotton candy and a lemonade!

Shortly after 3 PM, we saw the first float make it’s way in front of the castle, circle around the hub and start heading straight towards us down Main St.  My first thought was “WOW”!  I was truly impressed with with the colors in this parade.  It was so vibrant, and was clearly visible all from one end of Main Street to the other.  Once the parade arrived, I found myself staring at all of the little details.  Feathers, make-up, flowers and the list goes on and on.  There were so many fine details on each costume and float.  It truly was a festival of fantasy in design alone.

As the parade proceeded past us, Jayla and I got more and more excited about each float and each character we’d see.  The parade had most almost all of our favorites included.  We truly had a magical time at this parade viewing.  I debated not taking pictures during this time, since it was my first time viewing the Walt Disney World Festival of Fantasy parade, but I’m so glad I did.  You know the saying, a picture is worth 1,000 words.   So now I share with you several thousand words in the form of pictures.  I hope you these images help bring a little Disney magic into your day and I truly hope you get to visit Walt Disney World very soon so that you can experience it too.

I would love to hear from you.  Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.  And don’t forget to click “Follow Taking the Florida Plunge” on the right hand side of your screen!

Downtown Disney Parking Garage Construction Update – March 7, 2014

Published March 7, by Libby Pennell

Driving by Downtown Disney yesterday I noticed the floors to the new parking garage are finally going up, so I decided to snap some pictures so you can see the progress being made.  Enjoy…

This is just one of the many major changes coming to Downtown Disney.
Keep checking back for more updates on the soon to be Disney Springs!