The wait is over................... but dont stop believing!!!

We are excited to announce that after 67 hours of fun and insanity plus another 7 days of anticipation, Kyle Post and Stacey Doornbos are the official winners of "Orlando's 67 days of smiles" promotion. We are truly stoked to have had the opportunity to meet such a versatile group of fun, outgoing, and amazing people. Congratulations Kyle and Stacey and Thank you CVB and it's affiliates for the greatest job interview we've ever been on and opening our eyes to a terrific city. And a very special thanks to everyone who followed us our 67 hour adventure. We had a great time and hope you did as well. Until next time, be good, be safe, have fun, and remember to keep SMILING!

Sincerely,
Justin & Shannon

A Little Taste of Spain

Located on the historic Church Street just two blocks south of Wall Street is a tapas bar called Ceviche. The Orlando Location is one of four in The Sunshine State and was Voted 'Top Twenty New Restaurants in Florida' by Florida Trend Magazine. The Ceviche Menu consists of over 100 different Hot and Cold dishes. A lot of people have heard of Tapas but never actually took the time to find out what it means. Of Spanish Origin, Tapas are "Little Dishes" or snack sized foods meant to be eaten between meals. We call them appetizers here in the states but "Tapas" is definitely more fancy.


The dishes may be small, but the flavor and atmosphere are huge. They offer an exclusive Spanish Wine List and their Sangria is award winning. This distinct location features cathedral ceilings, old Spanish style decor with beautiful stain glass windows and a Flamenco Bar featuring live Flamenco music & shows. Best night to go? Tapas Tuesdays, featuring a $4 tapas menu and $4 sangria pitchers! We we're exhausted from our incredible day but still managed to sample several plates...... we got dessert to go. This experience is a MUST if you find yourself in Downtown Orlando. For more specials and events check out http://www.ceviche.com/3133

VIP Baby Woot Woot

From this day forth any theme park experience will be dull due to the hospitality, passion and knowledge of one man and one man only.

For more information on how to fully experience Universal Orlando Resort go to

http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets/vip-tours.html
MAKE SURE TO ASK FOR BRANDEN COLTON AND TELL HIM WE SENT YOU

Wall Street Plaza

Wall Street Plaza is located on a little brick road right in the heart of downtown Orlando. It consists of 8 bars owned by a couple and each bar has it's own flare.


Justin and I ate at Wallstreet Cantina and enjoyed the daily special "$2 Tuesday". Tacos, Margaritas, Beers, and Tequila were only $2. They have a great outdoor patio and every weekend there is a block party stretching from Orange Ave to South Court. To see all the different bars and what they have to offer throughout the week check out http://www.wallstplaza.net/ . You can also follow them on Twitter at wallstplaza.

Thrill seekers delight

There was a random drawing to determine which finalist would attend one of the three more popular theme parks in Orlando. Justin and I were lucky enough to draw Universal Studios over Disney World and SeaWorld. We say lucky because once we arrived we discover that not only were we going to Universal Studios but also its neighbor park Islands of Adventure on a 2 park VIP tour experience.

"All Aboard"! Our first stop was Islands of Adventure. The home of the most innovative, award winning, blood rushing attractions. It is the only theme park in the world where the rides were conceived from print. Print jumps off the page and comes to life with Marvel comic themed rides like...

Spiderman A revolutionary one of a kind 3-D motion ride. In 1999, it was the most expensive ride to ever produced, rolling in at the small amount of One hundred million dollars. Its the first time that a theme park has put a motion moving based platform in a 3 dimensional ride. "Spiderman" simulates a 400 foot free fall, but the physical cart never moves more than 12 inches from the track!

The Incredible Hulk This green monster wastes no time from the start with a launch that shoots you from 0 to 40 mph in two seconds. It's 1 of 2 rides in the world that within 2 minutes and 15 seconds you will experience 7 loops and 2 underground tunnels.

Doctor Doom's Fear Fall Can you stomach the anticipated countdown as you are launched 150 ft up in the air with the thrust of a 747 Jet Engine at speeds faster than the space shuttle? Justin's girly screams were evidence he couldn't.

There are numerous islands to visit on your journey around the park. Take the kids to Seuss Landing where their are no straight lines and speakers are posted at 4 feet for the little kiddies listening pleasure. Venture out into a world where dinosaurs and dragons come alive with rides like Jurassic Park River Adventure and Dueling Dragons.

2 NEW RIDES COMING SOON

We went behind the scenes with our "VIP Passes", and got the scoop on 2 of Universal Orlando Resorts upcoming newest attractions. The Islands of Adventure side of Universal will be opening an entire "theme park in a park" based on the world of JK Rowling's Harry Potter in 2010, just before the final film is released. The attraction will include thrill rides, specialized foods based off the movie. Our VIP Resort Guide was very "Hush-Hush" about the project and was not quite ready to give out all the details behind the magic yet. He did mention their newest highly anticipated attraction will offer guests the chance to visit some of the wizarding world's most famous locations. It is scheduled for completion and public debut sometime next year.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a roller coaster under construction at Universal Studios Orlando. This custom-designed attraction will feature an on-board sound system to provide a soundtrack for the 3,800-foot roller coaster track,as well as video cameras to record the experience. It is scheduled to open in this summer, but here we are and so far.......no show! We did get Brendan to sing like a canary about a few details. Guests will individually have a selection of 30 songs from several genres of music including artists like Kanye West, Fergie, M.C Hammer, Kenny Chesney, and No Doubt to play during the Rockit ride. The coaster will top out at 167 feet, 17 stories high, and the cars' climb will be at a 90-degree angle at 11 feet per second then comes down at 65 mph. We're told it will not do loops and despite the insanity of speed it will not have shoulder restraints...only a lap bar. When does it come out? We asked and after a chuckle, we were told "Soon"

It's all Greek to me

After an exhilarating morning filled with hang gliding, several media interviews, and indoor skydiving it was finally time for lunch. We went to Taverna Opa which is located in Pointe Orlando off of the very popular International drive. Pointe Orlando is where dining, shopping, and entertainment all collide.



Taverna Opa is a Greek "Tapas" restaurant that thrives on "celebrating family, fun, & tradition". It has an amazing atmosphere that includes authentic Greek music, dancing, and the restaurant itself is designed to make you feel as if you're sitting in a Greek courtyard.
The food was exquisite, to say the least. First, we were showered with numerous appetizers including "Horiatiki" (Traditional Greek Salad), "Keftedes" (Greek Meatballs), Calamari, "Dolmades" (grape leaves stuffed with rice), and lightly toasted Pita Bread served with Hummus and their own homemade Tsatsiki sauce. All though every appetizer was mouth-watering my favorite was the "Keftedes". So delicious and almost impossible to have just one.
For the Main course Taverna Opa presented a three meat platter which consisted of Oak Grilled Pork Loin, Chicken, and Beef Tenderloin Kebob.


By far some of the best cooked meats Ive had to date. Each perfectly seasoned, passionately cooked to perfection and all reasonably priced. Right when you think you've eaten more than your fill, Taverna Opa gets you on your feet for some Greek dancing and Napkin tossing. A true taste of Greece in Orlando.

A Pirates Life for Me!

Pirate Dinner Adventure is dinner and a movie with a twist. It combines acrobats, pirates, swinging, and singing with a harrrrty (pirate joke) 18Th century meal. Become part of the show by cheering on your sections pirate as he duels, sings, and competes for the love of the princess. Great family fun for everyone. Check out the details at www.piratesdinneradventure.com

Exclusive interview with Joey Fatone

I was so ecstatic when I found out that Joey Fatone was our celebrity guest for the day. I ended up sitting with him for a little brunch this morning. Also there was Mitch and David from "The Daily Buzz" morning show. Collectively, they were able to give me a little advice on being around the camera. The tips paid off when Joey agreed to do an Exclusive one on one interview with me after his experience with indoor skydiving at SKYVENTURE Orlando.

Skyventure Orlando

"SKYVENTURE" Orlando isn't kidding when they publicly exclaim, "Now everyone can fly"! It's easier for some more than others, as you will witness from our experience. However, with a few tries, and some help from professional staff like Peter, anyone can become airborne. If you have a fear of heights or lack the overall drive to throw yourself out of a perfectly good airplane, then "SKYVENTURE" is for you. Your one hour experience includes hands on training, flight gear rental, and two or more flight rotations. No experience necessary. This adventure is safe for practically anyone, 3 years and up, and is highly recommended by us. For Flight packages and more information, check out their website. Go to www.SkyVentureOrlando.com

Day 2: Flying, Floating, and Living the dream

Have you ever dreamed that you were a bird and that you could soar high all over the land? I have and today was my lucky day with the help of CVB and Wallaby Ranch. This "Diamond in the rough" is located right outside Orlando off of Ronald Reagan Parkway/CR 54. It is surrounded by natural Florida woodlands, which is home to man different species of Wildlife. Wallaby Ranch has about 500 acres of land where you can take flight for about 20 minutes 2,000 feet from the earths floor. One gift of flight will cost you around $100. Wallaby Ranch doesn't only cater to hang gliding but also provides camping in a quiet secluded area. They have unique trails and a couple of "hootches" (cabins) available for rent. The hootches range anywhere from very basic wooden shelters to 4 bedroom cabins that would run you $75 a night. The hang gliding itself is very liberating and also extremely peaceful. Malcom was my tandem instructor and the Ranch hails him as "one of the best". He has been a tandem instruction pilot since 1974 and has a very extensive record. The ranch also proudly boasts that Malcom has"more than 30,000 incident-free tandem flights under his belt. I find comfort in knowing I was in very good hands. If you are looking for a relaxing and refreshing birds eye view of this beautiful stretch of earth for a day or even a week, Wallaby Ranch is just the place. For more information and date availability, check out their website at http://www.wallaby.com/
P.S
The wonderful staff at CVB fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine (Shannon) by surprising me with a celebrity guest. I know the girls out there can appreciate my excitement when none other than "N'Syncs" Joey Fatone showed up and Hang Glided with us. He was everything I wished he would be.

Day 1: In the bag

Here it is, the day we have been waiting for. You already saw the video of our ride up here so we'll fill you in on what happened after. As the first couple to arrive to our house we were greeted with full attention from our CVB staff member, Amy. She showed us around our amazingly, ridiculous house. CVB was more than generous to have rented 3 "MTV Cribs" style houses for us from All Star Vacation Homes. All Star Vacation Homes have been around for 11 years and they provide 160 different sized luxury homes in a gated community with every amenity you can fathom; game room, personal pool and spa, fully equipped kitchen, flat screen TVs, home desktop with wireless capabilities, the list goes on. No words do it justice, check out their website (http://www.allstarvacationhomes.com/). After Amy gave us the tour, we were escorted to our Hawaiian themed room where we would be sleeping for the next 3 days. (Side note; we say sleeping and mean it. Our itinerary for the next 3 days is so jammed packed with a mere taste of what Orlando has to offer). Back to the room...it is decked out from top to bottom with everything that says Island Getaway. On the edge of our bed was a welcome bag. Contents of this bag? A welcome letter, 3-page itinerary, "Blues Clues" Style Handy dandy notebook, Chex mix, Wild Berry Skittles, Sun tan lotion, chap stick and lip balm(difference?), tissues, and hand sanitizer. A true survival kit indeed. We tossed our luggage in the room, hung out and chatted with Amy for a bit. And then it happened...BOOM... she announced the Black Shuttle Van had arrived from the airport carrying the other Finalists. The door opens. Then, BOOM! There we were standing face to face with the finalists! You know, the ones we have been cyber stalking for the last week or so? They were more than great and we were stoked to finally meet them in person. After trading travel stories and sharing some laughs everyone was shown to their rooms. Hysterical laughter erupted when we discovered that almost all the rooms were ridiculously themed. "High School Musical", "Harry Potter", "Pirates of the Caribbean", "Hannah Montana", "Nascar", and we haven't even seen the third house! Pictures to come. We gathered ourselves mentally and physically and ventured downstairs for the personality test. If you have taken one you have taken them all. Twenty questions strategically reworded twelve times. Don't strain yourself with the simple math, it was 240 questions in all. We don't know the results, but we are sure we passed. After every test is a meal and this was no different. CVB staff member, Megan, came through in the clutch with flying colors. A delightful spread of everything BBQ, chicken, burgers, pulled pork, coleslaw, potato salad, you name it. There was also a dessert spread, but there was no way we had any room after the bountiful feast. 67 days of gluttons, anyone? We ate, we mingled, we laughed, we left. Blogspot was calling our name. Not to mention, we have a 5:15a.m. the Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding Flight Park. Day 1 in the bag.

BOOM

As ready as we will ever be

TICK TICK TICK TICK TICK TICK, the clock is counting down. Only 17 hours left until the meeting time in Orlando. We have packed up more clothes than we'll need, but you never know what style to rock. Better to walk on the safe side as oppose to crawl home in regret. We were unable to print out our VIP CODE to get into the complex of the housing development, but have worked out all the details. We're packed, we're focused, we're ready. The sun is setting and when it rises..... LET THE GAMES BEGIN!


BOOM

......not afraid to try new things!

OK, so we're super excited about this process. If you haven't been following what's going on, you should and we're very disappointed in you. Meanwhile, we're new to the whole blog thing. Twitter is a 6 year old's birthday party, blog spot is straight up witchcraft! Ain't no mountain high enough for us. We had plenty of time to work on our submission video but are having some trouble finding our groove with these quick video posts. No worries, it's 1 a.m. in the morning, 6 hours since our last post and we're already miles from where we were. Sidenote: Itunes and viruses are the thorns in our side at the moment. WE SHALL OVERCOME. It's going to take a lot more than some cyberspace infections and digital jargin to stop this train. BOOM