Special events continue at Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is going strong at Walt Disney World, and it doesn't end until May 19. The festival runs every day, which means you have plenty of time to check out the colorful topiaries that depict favorite Disney and Pixar characters, see the butterfly garden, catch a gardening presentation, and let the kids play at each of the various playgrounds.Bring your appetite because there's something new this year: food kiosks dotting World Showcase with a variety of freshness-inspired food items and beverages. Pick up your free passport and have it stamped as you check out the various attractions and food booths. See how many stamps you can collect, and earn a special stamp if you manage to get them all.While any day at the festival is fun, weekends have a few extras in the form of the Flower Power concert series with bands from the 1960s and '70s and special talks by HGTV celebrities.SeaWorld Orlando moves pretty rapidly from its popular Bands, Brew and BBQ event into Viva La Musica. This festival of Latin food, music, and fun, runs on Saturdays from April 13 to May 4. Artists include Daddy Yankee on April 13, Willie Colon on April 20, Grupomania on April 27, and El Gran Combo on May 4.The bands are a huge draw at this event, but so is the delicious cuisine. The dishes all have a Latin flair, with items like lechón, arroz con gandules y yuca al mojo, arroz con pollo, habichuelas coloradas y maduros, carne frita con tostones, alcapurrias and ceviche.Like all SeaWorld Orlando events, Viva La Musica is family friendly. Shamu and friends will be on hand to great the little ones, who can dance and participate in fun activities.Concert seats are first come, first served, but you can buy a VIP package if you want to be guaranteed a good seat.View the list »
Yes, the official Mardi Gras in New Orleans in long over, but the party continues at Universal Studios Florida on Saturdays until April 20. This special event is a blend of food, music, parade floats, performers, and of course beads. The two remaining headliners bands of the year are Pitbull on April 13, and the All-American Rejects on April 20.Each night's concert follows the gala Mardi Gras parade, with a dozen colorful floats and a wild rain of beads. You can indulge in authentic Cajun culinary specialties, enjoy musical performances by bands straight from Louisiana, and have fun with the street performers as they show off their antics.Once Mardi Gras ends for the year, the next major event at Universal Studios Florida is the opening of its Transformers ride, which is slated to open in the summer. After that, Halloween Horror Nights is just around the corner, starting in late September.

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Spring Break will end soon, but that doesn't mean an end to the special events at the Orlando theme parks. You'll find special events running at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida right now, and SeaWorld Orlando kicks off an event this weekend.

So what exactly can you do at the parks during these special happenings? Check out this list for the scoop on the latest fun at each of these parks. In all three cases, the events are included in your regular ticket price, which make this a particularly good time to head out to the Orlando area.

The parks aren't the only spot for special events. Check out the overnight party with Shrek being offered at the Gaylord Palms Resort one weekend in April and one in May by jumping to this article.

Need advice or guidance from a Central Florida theme parks expert? Check out my ebooks for Kindle and Nook.

View the list
  • Yes, the official Mardi Gras in New Orleans in long over, but the party continues at Universal Studios Florida on Saturdays until April 20. This special event is a blend of food, music, parade floats, performers, and of course beads. The two remaining headliners bands of the year are Pitbull on April 13, and the All-American Rejects on April 20.Each night's concert follows the gala Mardi Gras parade, with a dozen colorful floats and a wild rain of beads. You can indulge in authentic Cajun culinary specialties, enjoy musical performances by bands straight from Louisiana, and have fun with the street performers as they show off their antics.Once Mardi Gras ends for the year, the next major event at Universal Studios Florida is the opening of its Transformers ride, which is slated to open in the summer. After that, Halloween Horror Nights is just around the corner, starting in late September.
  • SeaWorld Orlando moves pretty rapidly from its popular Bands, Brew and BBQ event into Viva La Musica. This festival of Latin food, music, and fun, runs on Saturdays from April 13 to May 4. Artists include Daddy Yankee on April 13, Willie Colon on April 20, Grupomania on April 27, and El Gran Combo on May 4.The bands are a huge draw at this event, but so is the delicious cuisine. The dishes all have a Latin flair, with items like lechón, arroz con gandules y yuca al mojo, arroz con pollo, habichuelas coloradas y maduros, carne frita con tostones, alcapurrias and ceviche.Like all SeaWorld Orlando events, Viva La Musica is family friendly. Shamu and friends will be on hand to great the little ones, who can dance and participate in fun activities.Concert seats are first come, first served, but you can buy a VIP package if you want to be guaranteed a good seat.
  • The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is going strong at Walt Disney World, and it doesn't end until May 19. The festival runs every day, which means you have plenty of time to check out the colorful topiaries that depict favorite Disney and Pixar characters, see the butterfly garden, catch a gardening presentation, and let the kids play at each of the various playgrounds.Bring your appetite because there's something new this year: food kiosks dotting World Showcase with a variety of freshness-inspired food items and beverages. Pick up your free passport and have it stamped as you check out the various attractions and food booths. See how many stamps you can collect, and earn a special stamp if you manage to get them all.While any day at the festival is fun, weekends have a few extras in the form of the Flower Power concert series with bands from the 1960s and '70s and special talks by HGTV celebrities.
View the list

, Orlando Theme Parks Examiner

Barb Nefer lives in the thick of the Orlando attractions area. She has an annual pass to all the major theme parks, from Disney and Universal to Legoland Florida, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. Besides the parks, she covers a wide range of Florida tourist attractions, restaurants, and hotels. You...

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