Florida Travel

Just in time for summer, Gaylord Palms Resort has opened its new family fun water park — Cypress Springs. The new zero-entry pool area features a multi-level tree house with four awesome water slides, plenty of gurgling springs, an over-sized water tipping bucket and an outdoor movie theater.

Also, this summer enjoy special 1- or 2-night Summer Fun with Shrek & Friends packages that include a bountiful ShrekFeast buffet breakfast, the Madagascar Crack-a-lackin' Pool Party and Splash 'n' Screen Movie (both at the new Cypress Springs Water Park) and DreamWorks surprises for the entire family! Rates start at just $209/night.

More about Gaylord Palms and Orlando:

• Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
• Gaylord Palms Photo Tour
• Orlando Vacation Planning Guide
• Things To Do in Orlando

^{Photos © Dawn Henthorn, licensed to About.com}

Continuing their expansion in Florida, Ron Jon Surf Shop is opening a new stand-alone store in Clearwater Beach this Thursday, May 24. The all-day grand opening event festivities on Thursday will feature free giveaways. Also, visitors to the store from Thursday, May 24 through Monday, May 28, will be invited to register to win one of 10 $50 Ron Jon gift cards. Winners will be randomly selected on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 and the gift cards will be shipped the same day.

The new store is located just north of Pier 60 and the round-about at 377 Mandalay Avenue on Clearwater Beach.

Lots of fun will rev up at Downtown Disney in two weeks — Saturday and Sunday, June 2 & 3, 2012 — as classic cars meet the car stars from Disney-Pixar's animated motion picture "Cars 2." Lightning McQueen, pal Mater and master British spy Finn McMissile are racing into town for meet and greets during the second annual two-day Car Masters Weekend. Car fans are sure to delight in a family-friendly weekend devoted to all things cars, that includes activities from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day at Downtown Disney's West Side:

• More than 100 classic muscle cars are expected to line the Downtown Disney promenade as the local Muscle Car Network of Cental Florida displays their muscle and exotic cars for families and judges to view. Guest will have the chance to vote on their favorite car to win the "People's Choice" and "Kid's Choice" awards.
• Automotive designer, Chip Foose, will make special appearances as one of the car show's guest judges. Foose contributed to the design of Ramone in the Disney-Pixar "Cars" film, will also be on-hand for a signing of his Cars-inspired images, including Doc Hudson, Lightning McQueen, Flo, Ramone and Mater.
• Put the pedal to the metal with Ridemakerz model cars.
• Vehicles from the new Exotic Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway will be on display.
• Cars fans can purchase tickets and cool off at the AMC Downtown Disney 24 Theatres for an all-day movie marathon featuring the 2006 Disney-Pixar "Cars" and 2011 release "Cars 2" films.
• General Motors will display their latest Chevrolet models, including the Corvette Grand Sport, Camaro Convertible and the Volt.
• Disney face painters and tattoo artists will be on hand with special cars-themed designs. Also, special "Cars" merchandise will be available throughout Downtown Disney.
• Finally, enjoy the sounds spun by a DJ and the tastes of local food trucks.

Read more:

• Top 5 Picks for Cars Fans at Disney World
• Downtown Disney
• Downtown Disney Photo Gallery

Make reservations now for Disney's Art of Animation Resort, which will roll out the opening of its Cars-themed wing of family suites on June 18. Staying at this new value resort has its perks.

^{Photos © The Walt Disney Company}

Extreme, exhilarating, exciting, extraordinary and extravagant all define the experience of getting behind the wheel or even riding in a FERRARI, LAMBORGHINI, AUDI or PORSCHE during an Exotic Driving Experience. This incredible encounter, developed by the Richard Petty Driving Experience team, is currently only available at the Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando.

I'll give you a hint, ladies. This thrill-of-a-lifetime experience would make a great Father's Day gift!

^{Photo © The Walt Disney Company/Matt Stroshane, Photographer}

The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1. Whether you live in Florida or will be traveling in the state, take the hurricane season seriously and begin making plans.

In April, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced their forecast for a less active hurricane season for the Atlantic this year. There is a 42 percent chance of at least one major hurricane to make landfall on any portion of the U.S. Coastline, but just a 24 percent chance of one making landfall on the East Coast or Gulf Coast (including the peninsula of Florida). On average, the Atlantic hurricane season produces 11 or 12 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes. NOAA's 2012 Atlantic hurricane season predictions are as follows:

• 10 named storms
• 4 hurricanes
• 2 "major" hurricanes -- Category 3, 4 or 5

What can YOU do? Be informed, make a plan and take action TODAY!

• All About Hurricanes
• 2012 Hurricane Names
• Hurricane Preparation
• What To Do During and After a Hurricane
• Traveling in Florida? Consider these tips for traveling during hurricane season.

I know first-hand that being prepared makes the difference between just surviving, and surviving comfortably — read my Personal Glimpses of Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan. While we all are aware that we should stock up on water and non-perishable food, we sometimes forget about some of the "other essentials" — things that make you safer or make your life a little easier under "not-so-perfect" living conditions. So, in a final bid to get encourage your preparedness, I've compiled a list of some hurricane preparation supplies that maybe you haven't thought about (but, maybe you should) — all are conveniently available online.

^{Photo © NASA}

This weekend, with temperatures in the mid-80s and a 30-to-50 percent chance of thunderstorms, many of us may be hunting ways to beat the Florida heat and things to do when it rains. Here's what's happening around Florida this weekend:

• This is the last weekend to enjoy the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival that continues through May 20, 2012. The festival, including the popular weekend Eat to the Beat! concerts featuring Micky Dolenz, The Monkees lead singer, is included in the price of regular Epcot theme park admission.
• The sci-fi fun kicks off Friday, May 18 and continues through Sunday, May 20 and every weekend through June 10 for Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios
• More than 400 dealers of antiques and collectibles will be on hand at Renninger's for the Antique Fair, scheduled this weekend — May 19 & 20.

Get tips on visiting Florida and your favorite theme parks this month:

• May Weather, Festivals and Events in Florida
• Disney World in May
• Universal Orlando in May

Stay Connected:

• Receive the About Florida Newsletter
  
• Follow AboutFLORIDA on Twitter
  
• Follow DisneyWorldFLA on Twitter

^{Photo © The Walt Disney Company}

In case you missed it like I did, Dinosaur World has opened its 12-acre expansion that was announced in November of 2010. Much of the new prehistoric area is visible from I-4 near Plant City. The expansion, besides adding more parking, restrooms, picnic areas, a 5,000 sq. ft. gift shop and two new dinosaur-themed playgrounds, includes a 22,000-square foot prehistoric museum displaying everything dinosaur! What you won't want to miss though is the five new animatronic dinosaurs that roar to life!

Read more:

• Dinosaur World Review
• Dinosaur World Photo Tour
• Plant City, FL

^{Photo © Dawn Henthorn, licensed to About.com}

Mother's Day is now behind us, but one of the heaviest travel weekends is ahead — Memorial Day. Although it comes a bit earlier on the calendar this year — May 28 — this is the weekend that seems to mark the beginning of summertime travel; and, every year AAA forecasts millions of Americans will take to the roadways. Travelers can pave the way to a smooth trip with these timely tips and bits of information that specifies new traffic laws.

If you're not sure whether it's cheaper to fly or drive to your destination? Check this cool cost calculator from AAA and places to find the cheapest gasoline.

This can also mark the beginning of Florida's unrelenting summer heat and humidity. Make sure you are aware of heat stress symptoms and try these tips to beat the Florida heat.

What's back? Love bugs, that's what! I just saw my first one the other day, so while I'm preparing for a trip this weekend I'll need to pack something to get the crushed critters off my windshield. A couple of years ago, a reader wrote in response to reading my article "What's Bugging Florida?" where I wrote about the not-so-lovely love bugs: "Other than avoiding the peak hours for the 'bugs' flight, not much can be done to spare your automobile. Regular windshield wiper fluid often does not easily remove the bugs and the result of running your wipers is a streaked gooey mess that cuts visibility. Keeping a bucket in your car stocked with a bottle of water, a non-scratch pad, and baking soda is your best defense. The baking soda is known to make removal of the little critters easier."

Wanda had a better idea. She included this tip in her email: "I live in Louisiana the easiest fastest way to remove the love bugs you speak of on your website that plague Florida, Texas and Louisiana — use water and a Bounce^® fabric [softner] sheet, will remove the bugs instantly and not scratch the paint. Very best method there is."

Comment: This works great!!! I even tried it with another fabric softner sheet — Snuggle^® — and it works just as well. Everyone should be able to keep a small supply of fabric softner sheets in their car along with a bottle of water. Great tip! Thanks again, Wanda!

Soon you'll be able add Starbucks to these best places to get coffee in Disney World! Starbucks will open locations at each Disney theme park beginning this summer. Cafes will serve Starbucks menu items, including beverages, signature sandwiches and desserts. While the exact locations have not been announced, each location inside the theme parks will be designed to fit the theme of its surroundings. Check out what else is new at Disney World.

^{Starbucks Logo, Getty Images/Alex Wong, Photographer}