| Everyone has heard of spring breaks for college | | | | of American life through ethnic traditions, |
| students in Florida, but now spring break is | | | | contests, and top-name entertainment, together |
| becoming an event for the whole family. The | | | | with an abundance of juicy strawberries. The |
| Orlando Family Spring Break (R) offers families | | | | Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens presents |
| the perfect atmosphere to take a break from | | | | "Hippity Hop Adventure" March 22-23, when kids |
| busy work and school schedules and features | | | | receive a free bunny tail, win prizes, enjoy face |
| major new attractions, special events, and | | | | painting and more as they discover clues along an |
| family-friendly cultural activities. The family spring | | | | adventure trail leading them to the Easter Bunny. |
| break for 2008 is the sixth one in this series and | | | | Orlando's cultural scene has plenty of offerings to |
| several new theme park attractions will be open | | | | enlighten and entertain the whole family. A classic |
| when visitors come to Orlando. Seaworld is | | | | children's book comes to life when the Orlando |
| opening "Aquatica" and the park also offers close | | | | Shakespeare Theatre presents "If You Give a |
| animal experiences with thrilling rides and whimsical | | | | Mouse a Cookie" February 23 - March 16. Or, you |
| underwater adventures, and journeys from | | | | can embark in an interactive song and dance |
| serene to extreme. Universal Studios has a new | | | | extravaganza by connecting the clues with Steve, |
| ride which promises a uniquely hilarious journey | | | | Blue, Goldilocks and many other favorite |
| through Springfield with the Simpson family and | | | | storybook characters in "Blue's Clues Live! The |
| Simpson family fans are sure to be delighted by it. | | | | Most Spectacular Place" presented by the Orlando |
| "Block Party Bash," an interactive parade featuring | | | | Repertory Theater March 7-30. Engage young |
| over 20 Disney-Pixar characters and the latest | | | | travelers in the enchanted land of make believe |
| "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage" show, featuring | | | | and happily ever after when the Orlando Ballet |
| characters from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Little | | | | presents "Fairy Tale Princes and Princesses" March |
| Einsteins," "Handy Manny" and more will open at | | | | 15. The event, part of the Family Series, provides |
| Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM | | | | the ballet experience in less than an hour and |
| Studios) Jungala at Busch Gardens Africa is a new | | | | offers behind-the-scenes interactions including |
| 4-acre attraction set in a lush landscape, featuring | | | | learning how a tutu is made and a ballerina |
| exciting signature rides, a family climbing area and | | | | meet-and-greet. The Orlando Spring break is the |
| exotic animal interactions. In addition to the | | | | perfect way for families to spend quality time |
| attractions at the theme parks Orlando has a | | | | together and enjoy themselves in sunny Florida. |
| number of spring festivals and special events that | | | | For helpful hints to plan an Orlando vacation, along |
| are ideal for families. Your can enjoy the Annual | | | | with attraction information, visit orlandoinfo.com |
| Central Florida Fair at the Central Florida | | | | springbreak While in Orlando, visitors may stop by |
| Fairground, April 17-27, where the carnival like | | | | the Official Visitor Center located at 8723 |
| midway is packed with games and rides for the | | | | International Drive, at the southeast corner of |
| whole family. Do you like pies? Then go and | | | | International Drive and Austrian Row. The Official |
| devour endless samples of pies April 19-20 at the | | | | Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 |
| Great American Pie Festival in Celebration. | | | | p.m. |
| Festivities include cooking demonstrations, | | | | Mark Whichard is a frequent writer on Orlando |
| children's pie making, pie-eating contests and the | | | | tourism. He and his wife Susan are the proprietors |
| Never-Ending Pie Buffet. Spring is strawberry | | | | of Orlando Disney Villas, an agency that rents |
| season and the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant | | | | villas near Disney World. |
| City, February 28 - March 9, celebrates the fabric | | | | |