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	<title>Family, travel, mom blog &#124; Theme Park Mom (Leigh Caldwell)</title>
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	<link>http://themeparkmom.com</link>
	<description>A travel journalist and mom&#039;s best family travel tips for Disney and other destinations.</description>
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		<title>Cuteness alert! Flamingo babies hatching at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay</title>
		<link>http://themeparkmom.com/cuteness-alert-flamingo-babies-hatching-at-busch-gardens-tampa-bay/</link>
		<comments>http://themeparkmom.com/cuteness-alert-flamingo-babies-hatching-at-busch-gardens-tampa-bay/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:42:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>ThemeParkMom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Theme Park News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[baby animal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[baby flamingo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[busch gardens tampa bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flamingo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sesame street safari of fun]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Flamingo babies are hatching at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. And, unlike many baby animals at zoos and other parks, who are (necessarily) kept in nurseries away from the public, these babies are already on display, which makes them especially fun for kids. Since June 3, seven baby Caribbean flamingos have hatched at Busch Gardens Tampa [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-2636" href="http://themeparkmom.com/cuteness-alert-flamingo-babies-hatching-at-busch-gardens-tampa-bay/baby-flamingo-solo/"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2636 alignleft" title="baby flamingo-solo" src="http://themeparkmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/baby-flamingo-solo-190x300.jpg" alt="" width="190" height="300" /></a>Flamingo babies are hatching at <a href="http://buschgardens.com/Bgt/" target="_blank">Busch Gardens Tampa Bay</a>. And, unlike many baby animals at zoos and other parks, who are (necessarily) kept in nurseries away from the public, these babies are already on display, which makes them especially fun for kids.</p>
<p>Since June 3, seven baby Caribbean flamingos have hatched at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. You can see them in the Bird Gardens area at Busch Gardens, along with about 125 adult flamingos. Bird Gardens is just around the corner from the new <a href="http://themeparkmom.com/tag/sesame-street-safari-of-fun/" target="_blank">Sesame Street Safari of Fun</a> children&#8217;s area, too.</p>
<p>The Busch Gardens folks say these babies prove that newly hatched chicks are not pink, but in fact have gray or white down feathers. Their pink coloring comes from the carotenoid pigments they consume as part of their diet. They won&#8217;t lose all of their darker feathers for a few years.</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-2641" href="http://themeparkmom.com/cuteness-alert-flamingo-babies-hatching-at-busch-gardens-tampa-bay/baby-running-with-adults-2/"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2641" title="Baby running with adults" src="http://themeparkmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Baby-running-with-adults1.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="299" /></a>
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		<title>Tips to avoid the summer reading slump</title>
		<link>http://themeparkmom.com/tips-to-avoid-the-summer-reading-slump/</link>
		<comments>http://themeparkmom.com/tips-to-avoid-the-summer-reading-slump/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:35:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>ThemeParkMom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[sponsored]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MobiStories]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://themeparkmom.com/?p=2626</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Guest contributor and MobiStories.com producer Wendy Toone, offers great tips this week on how your kids can avoid brain drain when they&#8217;re out of school. It&#8217;s Summertime! Yipppee! Time for swimming, trips to the beach, camping, and all sorts of &#8220;no more school&#8221; activities. However, many kids suffer from a backward slide in their reading [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<form class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://www.rolemommy.com/9b7ac7de-ec5f-4524-a087-7556ec0ec3ea.jpeg"><img class="mt-image-left" style="float: left; margin: 0 20px 20px 0;" src="http://www.rolemommy.com/assets_c/2010/07/9b7ac7de-ec5f-4524-a087-7556ec0ec3ea-thumb-250x167-1897.jpeg" alt="9b7ac7de-ec5f-4524-a087-7556ec0ec3ea.jpeg" width="250" height="167" /></a>Guest contributor and <a href="http://www.mobistories.com">MobiStories.com</a> producer Wendy Toone, offers great tips this week on how your kids can avoid brain drain when they&#8217;re out of school.</form>
<p>It&#8217;s Summertime! Yipppee! Time for swimming, trips to the beach, camping, and all sorts of &#8220;no more school&#8221; activities.  However, many kids suffer from a backward slide in their reading development when reading activities wane over the summer months.</p>
<p>Students can lose as much as three month&#8217;s worth of reading level during the school break.  Research shows that younger elementary school students rarely make up deficits in reading once they fall behind.  Conversely, students who read during the summer could end up three months ahead, too.</p>
<p>Children will benefit more if their reading activities are fun and not looked upon as &#8216;homework.&#8217;  While reading books is important, games that use letter-recognition, alphabetizing, syllable, rhyming and rhythm skills can keep kids&#8217; reading skills sharp without cracking open a book. If you have a road trip or plane excursion planned, use that travel time wisely.  Here are some games to try when traveling on summer vacations:</p>
<p><strong>Create a New Ending</strong>:<br />
Exercise their storytelling skills by rewriting their favorite story or a book they just finished&#8230;&#8217;It could also have ended like this&#8230;.&#8217;</p>
<p><strong>Write That Tune</strong><br />
Remember the game show &#8220;Name That Tune&#8221;?  Pick a familiar song and rewrite the lyrics&#8230;.a topic such as &#8220;gardening&#8221; sung to the tune of &#8220;Frere Jacques&#8221; ?? This exercise works on rhyming, syllable recognition, creativity, and can expand vocabulary.</p>
<p><strong>Kids get carsick reading but can watch movies on DVD? Try digital books</strong>.<br />
Amazon&#8217;s Kindle is amazing for Young Adult and adult digibooks, but they don&#8217;t have children&#8217;s titles. Only publishers such as <a href="http://www.mobistories.com">MobiStories.com</a> provide children&#8217;s picture books in color, narrated and ready for on-the-go reading practice. Order from digital publishers that offer downloads to your mobile devices for convenience.</p>
<p><strong>Car Games</strong>:<br />
<strong>Animal ABC</strong> &#8211; 2 ways to play&#8230;either start w/ &#8220;A&#8221; and name as many animals (aardvark, alligator, antelope) as you can, or take turns (Cindy does &#8220;B&#8221;, Joey has &#8220;C&#8221;).  Great for young readers (K &#8211; 2nd grade). Can make it more challenging by starting the next animal&#8217;s beginning letter w/ previous animal&#8217;s ending letter, i.e. dog -&gt; goose-&gt; elephant.</p>
<p><strong>Roadsign Roundup</strong> &#8211; Same idea, but this time call out words seen alongside the road in alpha order: billboards, safety signs, signs of businesses being passed. Good for intermediate readers (2nd &#8211; 5th grade).</p>
<p><strong>Pimp My Plate</strong> &#8211; Using letters found on license plates, create what the personalized plate meaning would be (phrase, name of their business, whatever you can come up with).  Can work on alliteration, homophones and creativity. Good one for advanced/older readers who need something more challenging.</p>
<p><strong>Where Do I Turn</strong> &#8211; This one isn&#8217;t really a game, but why not let the kids pass a little time reading the map and becoming the navigator.  You trust them, right??</p>
<p><strong>TrueText</strong> &#8211; If they&#8217;ve got the phone and you have unlimited texting, you could institute a &#8216;must spell it correctly &#8211; no text jargon&#8217; rule for a portion of (or the whole?) trip.  Of course, no texting to or from the driver, please.</p>
<p>So whether you&#8217;re traveling by car, plane, train, or sticking around for a &#8220;staycation,&#8221; remember to incorporate reading activities into your children&#8217;s summer schedules.  Read to them, read with them, and give them plenty of encouragement to keep their reading skills from sliding in the wrong direction.  Happy reading!!</p>
<form class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://www.rolemommy.com/a5b224b2-03de-47b6-ac1f-08120eaf7d35.jpeg"><img class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" src="http://www.rolemommy.com/assets_c/2010/07/a5b224b2-03de-47b6-ac1f-08120eaf7d35-thumb-300x167-1899.jpeg" alt="a5b224b2-03de-47b6-ac1f-08120eaf7d35.jpeg" width="300" height="167" /></a>Wendy Toone is a child expert, having owned and operated a leading children&#8217;s fitness center and now produces MobiStories, Digital Books for KidsTM. She is a cableAce-award winning television producer and has worked on hundreds of television commercials as a Production Manager after spending a decade onstage as a professional dancer. Wendy&#8217;s two children have been inspirational in the creation of MobiStories.</form>
<p>To download a free digital book for your PC visit <a href="http://www.mobistories.com">MobiStories.com</a>, click on Summer (in the Ages 2 &#8211; 4 category) add it to the cart and Michelle Obama then enter the code SUM0710 in the Coupon Code Box.</p>
<p><small>*This post is sponsored by the <a href="http://www.rolemommy.com/the-role-mommy-writers-network.php">Role Mommy Writer&#8217;s Network</a>.</small>
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		<title>California Tours’ Romantic Getaway Blends Wine Country Escape and San Francisco Sights</title>
		<link>http://themeparkmom.com/california-tours%e2%80%99-romantic-getaway-blends-wine-country-escape-and-san-francisco-sights/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:52:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>ThemeParkMom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel News and Travel Deals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Tours]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Napa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sonoma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tours]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wine country]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[California Tours has introduced a Wine Country Spa Package, a romantic five-day getaway perfect for a honeymoon or for couples seeking a brief, relaxing, vacation to remember. The package features a soothing stay at Spa Solage (voted #1 spa in the Americas and the Caribbean by Condé Nast Traveller), and private tours of the best [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.california-tour.com/">California Tours</a> has introduced a <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.california-tour.com/california/packages/sfwinecountry/sfwccs.php">Wine Country Spa Package</a>, a romantic five-day getaway perfect for a honeymoon or for couples seeking a brief, relaxing, vacation to remember. The package features a soothing stay at Spa Solage (voted #1 spa in the Americas and the Caribbean by Condé Nast Traveller), and private tours of the best of Napa and Sonoma Valley wine country and magnificent San Francisco.</p>
<p><a href="http://themeparkmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/winecountrytours.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2610" title="winecountrytours" src="http://themeparkmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/winecountrytours-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>“We offer a variety of wine country packages, but this luxury spa vacation was created specifically for couples,” said William Kim, general manager of California Tours. “From the couples spa treatments to the private tours of San Francisco and wine country, everything about this package gives couples the romantic and relaxing vacation they are looking for.”</p>
<p>The five-day getaway begins in beautiful San Francisco, with two nights’ lodging in the Hotel Nikko near Union Square. A private city tour takes vacationers to favorite San Francisco sights like Pier 39, the Golden Gate Bridge, and more. Conducted in a private vehicle, the tour reaches the most beautiful vistas atop the thrilling hills that larger tour buses can’t access.</p>
<p>After enjoying San Francisco, travelers are driven north to the wine country of the Napa and Sonoma valleys to taste world-class wines at private tours of renowned wineries such as Jacuzzi, Nicholson Ranch and Quintessa. This wonderful introduction to the art of fine winemaking includes the opportunity to discover new favorite wines. For example, guests will learn about Quintessa’s biodynamic winemaking process – featuring an organic, natural growing process that creates healthy and productive soils, vines, and grapes, with excellent results that are noticeable in the tasting room.</p>
<p>At the end of a pleasurable day, couples check into Solage Calistoga Resort and begin the spa portion of their stay. Travelers can relax in the geothermal mineral pool and enjoy a complimentary dinner at the resort’s Michelin-rated Solbar restaurant.</p>
<p>The following day is for pampering – beginning at Solage’s world-famous Spa Solage. Unwind with a unique and therapeutic mud treatment (a new version of the popular mud bath). Guests choose a mud type and then, as a couple or individually, apply a warm “mud cocktail” to the skin. Next, they are invited to rest in their private heated mud lodge, and, when done, to rinse off in Spa Solage’s geothermal mineral water bath. Travelers then enjoy a massage (also as a couple or individually), and leave Spa Solage fully relaxed and ready for the next part of their wine country and San Francisco adventure.</p>
<p>The vacation continues with a tasting of sparkling wine paired with cheese and fruit at Mumm Napa’s relaxing outdoor patio. Before returning home, travelers enjoy one last romantic evening in San Francisco on their own, perhaps at one of the city’s famous restaurants or cultural events.</p>
<p>In only five days, travelers will explore and learn about the region, try new wines, learn about the winemaking process, relax at deluxe spa facilities, and enjoy a world-class restaurant – all with comfort, luxury, and privacy.</p>
<p>“This vacation emphasizes comfort, and is perfect for working couples who want a memorable honeymoon package or couple’s retreat in only five days,” said Kim. “We will minimize the stress that often comes with traveling, so that when they return home, our guests will have enjoyed a truly wonderful experience.”</p>
<p>Prices will appeal to a variety of vacationers, and upgrades and options are offered for each package. The new packages are available immediately, and trips can start any day of the week. And for two or more couples traveling together, California Tours offers a special couples’ discount of 20 percent off of the package price.</p>
<p>To book a vacation and for complete information, visit <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.california-tour.com/">www.california-tour.com</a> or call toll-free 877.338.3883.
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		<title>Estrella del Mar Golf and Beach Resort Unveils New Las Villas Hotel &amp; Spa</title>
		<link>http://themeparkmom.com/estrella-del-mar-golf-and-beach-resort-unveils-new-las-villas-hotel-spa/</link>
		<comments>http://themeparkmom.com/estrella-del-mar-golf-and-beach-resort-unveils-new-las-villas-hotel-spa/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:34:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>ThemeParkMom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel News and Travel Deals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Estrella del Mar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hotels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mazatlan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mexico]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Located on 816-acres with 3.5 miles of pristine beach on the Mexican Rivera, Estrella del Mar is Mazatlán’s premier gated American master-planned oceanfront luxury golf and beach resort. Estrella del Mar already has over 250 owners from around the world. Owners and guests alike are privileged to enjoy all the amenities the resort has to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Located on 816-acres with 3.5 miles of pristine beach on the Mexican Rivera, <a title="Click this link." onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.estrelladelmar.com/">Estrella del Mar</a> is Mazatlán’s premier gated American master-planned oceanfront luxury golf and beach resort. Estrella del Mar already has over 250 owners from around the world. Owners and guests alike are privileged to enjoy all the amenities the resort has to offer. This month, the resort opened its new beachside hotel, Las Villas Hotel &amp; Spa. Guests can now experience the ultimate in hospitality, four signature restaurants and a luxurious new spa facility. The acclaimed Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Championship golf course, tennis courts and the Estrella del Mar Turtle Sanctuary complete your resort experience. Located just 10 minutes from the Mazatlán International Airport on lushly secluded Stone Island, <a title="Click this link." onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.estrelladelmar.com/">Estrella del Mar</a> is one of Mexico’s best kept secrets. Non-stop and one stop air access is available from 20 cities in the US, Canada and Mexico. And if nightlife, sight-seeing, the arts, international restaurants and European built architecture is of interest, the city of Mazatlán is a 30 &#8211; 45 minute drive from the resort.</p>
<p><a title="Click this link." onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.estrelladelmar.com/">Las Villas Hotel &amp; Spa</a> is inspired by traditional colonial Mexican design. The custom décor in the hotel’s Ocean Front, Ocean View and Garden View rooms is elegant and refined, including oversized granite and marble bathrooms with luxury tub and glass enclosed rain shower. Every guest will experience the perfect blend of luxury, affordability, unsurpassed beauty and service. Hotel guests and owners alike have access to a selection of on-site amenities, including 4 restaurants, our luxurious spa and fitness center, tennis, pool, beachside outdoor Jacuzzi’s and our acclaimed Estrella del Mar Turtle Sanctuary.</p>
<p>“The opening of Las Villas Hotel &amp; Spa represents a major milestone for <a title="Click this link." onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.estrelladelmar.com/">Estrella del Mar</a>,” said Pat Butler, CEO of Club Acquisition Company and 50% managing partner of Estrella del Mar. “My partners and I, Paladin Realty, continue to invest in Estrella del Mar with the end goal of making it one of the premier resort destinations in all of Mexico. In a time where many resort communities have slowed progress, we’ve aggressively pushed forward to meet the long-term commitment we made to our property owners and guests.”</p>
<p>Additional significant hotel amenities and features include:</p>
<p>-    New Signature Restaurants – The existing La Paloma Restaurant, located at the clubhouse, will now be joined by three new dining experiences on property, including Los Delfines Restaurant &amp; Bar, The Courtyard Café and for lighter fare, the Las Villas Poolside Restaurant. -    Las Villas Spa – The spa facility at Las Villas features a sauna, steam room, massage and relaxation room, hydrotherapy and many signature spa treatments of the Mexican Rivera. The facility also features a state-of-the-art fitness center and salon offering a wide array of the most popular salon treatments. -    Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Championship Golf: The 18-hole championship course boasts ocean views with beautiful tropical landscaping that borders the pristine Pacific coastline. Known for the breathtaking scenery and prestigious course layout, the Robert Trent Jones, Jr. course is the premier golf experience in Mazatlán. -    Meeting Facilities – Las Villas Resort &amp; Spa offers two meeting rooms and substantial space for corporate meetings and retreats. Each room is fully equipped with the latest technology in audio and visual equipment and WiFi.</p>
<p>New Condominiums: In addition to Las Villas Hotel &amp; Spa, <a title="Click this link." onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.estrelladelmar.com/">Estrella del Mar</a> recently unveiled Phase III of their Beachfront Condominium residences, representing an additional 84 units of which 32 are ready for immediate occupancy. Each residence features state-of-the-art finishes and has been designed to maximize views of the ocean and golf course and has a private walk-out patio with immediate access to the swimming pool and beach, or a private balcony providing outstanding panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Condominiums are constructed to meet the highest U.S. standards; the interior design features granite countertops, GE Profile appliances, travertine marble flooring, natural finish solid wood cabinetry, kitchen island, laundry room, central heat and air conditioning, solid wood doors, Internet access and satellite television.</p>
<p>Residences range from one to three bedrooms with penthouse units available. Prices start at $325,000 USD and an average cost per square foot of $325. Phase III comes on the heels of a successful sellout of Phase I and II residences.</p>
<p><a title="Click this link." onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.estrelladelmar.com/">Estrella del Mar</a> has golf course home sites available that offer the serenity, beauty and lifestyle like that of no others in Mazatlán. Home sites start at $89,500 and construction costs average $130 per square foot.
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		<title>July Is Oh Canada Month in Canada’s Festival City</title>
		<link>http://themeparkmom.com/july-is-oh-canada-month-in-canada%e2%80%99s-festival-city/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:23:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>ThemeParkMom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel News and Travel Deals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Canada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Edmonton]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://themeparkmom.com/?p=2604</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Edmonton, Canada’s Festival City, embraces the Canadian spirit this month with unique festivals that put the spotlight on Canadian talent. From Friday, July 23 to Sunday 25, the Honda Indy Edmonton roars to life as the wildly challenging track at Edmonton City Centre Airport plays host to the world’s best drivers: Dario Franchitti, the winner [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Edmonton, Canada’s <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.edmonton.com/for-visitors/festival-city.aspx">Festival City</a>, embraces the Canadian spirit this month with unique festivals that put the spotlight on Canadian talent.</p>
<p>From Friday, July 23 to Sunday 25, the Honda Indy Edmonton roars to life as the wildly challenging track at Edmonton City Centre Airport plays host to the world’s best drivers: Dario Franchitti, the winner of the Indianapolis 500, fan favourite Danica Patrick, and two Canadian motorsport superstars, Paul Tracy and Alex Tagliani, representing Team Oh Canada.</p>
<p>“It makes me proud to be Canadian,” says Tagliani. Tracy is equally excited about his return to this world-class event. “The Honda Indy Edmonton is one of the biggest auto races in all of Canada,” he says. “Competing at Edmonton has been a terrific mental and physical challenge over the years.”</p>
<p>“The Indianapolis 500 is the most famous race in the world, but what we’ve been told by the drivers time and time again is that this is their second favorite course, because it’s so challenging,” says Randy Kilburn, spokesperson for the Honda Indy Edmonton. “The <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.edmonton.com/for-visitors/about-festival-city.aspx">Edmonton, Alberta</a> course includes 14 turns, some at 160 to 170 miles per hour. If you don’t take them at that speed, people will pass you. When the drivers are finished, when they get out of their cars, they are drained not only physically but emotionally and spiritually, because it is so grueling.”</p>
<p>Viewers of TSN and other networks around the globe will be able to see Edmonton’s gorgeous skyline in the background of many of the turns throughout the course. For more information on this exciting Edmonton event, visit to <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.hondaindyedmonton.com/">www.hondaindyedmonton.com </a> For music lovers, Canada’s festival city has yet more great Canadian talent at a slower pace with the Blueberry Bluegrass &amp; Country Music Festival from July 30 through August 1. “There are 12 acts in total coming to Blueberry of which seven are Canadian,” says Patrick Guidera, Entertainment Director. These acts come from all points across the country, including The Troy Family from Sherwood Park, A Page In Time from St. Albert, The Bix Mix Boys and Woodbend from Edmonton, Loose Rooster from Sorrento, BC, and from Ontario, Hard Ride and Juno Award winner Fred Eaglesmith, who has been compared to Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle and Woody Guthrie.</p>
<p>Guidera has been attending the festival as a musician and jammer for the past 10 years and loves it, especially the tailgate jamming that happens after the concerts. It gives musicians and fans a good opportunity to meet a celebrity or two around the campsite. “The professionals come out to jam with folks into the evening, making everyone very thrilled and happy,” he says.</p>
<p>Learn more about the Bluegrass &amp; Country Music Festival, just one of many fun <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.edmonton.com/for-visitors/things-to-do.aspx">things to do in Edmonton</a> over the summer, at <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.blueberrybluegrass.com/">www.blueberrybluegrass.com </a> For more information on Edmonton’s array of Canadian festivals and events, visit <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.edmonton.com/">www.edmonton.com </a> About Edmonton Tourism Edmonton Tourism promotes Greater Edmonton as the destination of choice for tourism, conventions, major events and film production and is a division of Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC). For more information, visit <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.edmonton.com/">www.edmonton.com</a>.  Learn more about Edmonton through the stories of people who&#8217;ve experienced it at <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.edmontonstories.ca/">www.edmontonstories.ca</a>.
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		<title>Princess Cruises Details “Down Under” Cruises and Cruisetours for 2011-2012</title>
		<link>http://themeparkmom.com/princess-cruises-details-%e2%80%9cdown-under%e2%80%9d-cruises-and-cruisetours-for-2011-2012/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:21:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>ThemeParkMom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel News and Travel Deals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cruise]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Zealand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Princess Cruises]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://themeparkmom.com/?p=2602</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Among the world’s most unique destinations, Australia and New Zealand hold a special allure for travelers who hope to journey “down under” at least once in their lives. Drawn by some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, exciting cities, unique native cultures and a population of iconic animals found nowhere else in the world, passengers [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Among the world’s most unique destinations, Australia and New Zealand hold a special allure for travelers who hope to journey “down under” at least once in their lives. Drawn by some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, exciting cities, unique native cultures and a population of iconic animals found nowhere else in the world, passengers have found that these “must see” countries are perfect for an action-packed cruise vacation. For these travelers, Princess Cruises has unveiled its 2011-2012 Australia and New Zealand season, offering a range of cruise and cruisetour options for exploring these dynamic destinations.</p>
<p>As the largest cruise operator in the region, Princess will provide myriad ways to explore the sixth largest country in the world (Australia) and the youngest country on earth (New Zealand). Princess itineraries range from classic Australia &amp; New Zealand sailings to Australia &amp; Asia adventures, aboard ships both large and small. Travelers can also opt to add a land tour to one of these voyages for a full land/sea adventure. Passengers can also choose to cruise “Aussie style” aboard Princess’ three locally-based ships.</p>
<p>“Australia and New Zealand have been long-time favorite destinations for us, that our passengers rave about every year,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “Because we have such an extensive local operation in the region, we have a unique understanding of these remarkable countries, and strive to present a rich ‘down under’ onboard program as well.”</p>
<p>The delights of Australia range from distinctive Sydney Harbour and its iconic Opera House – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – to the expanse of the outback and the world’s largest reef, the Great Barrier Reef. This unique land, famous for the unmistakable sound of the didgeridoo, also features the lowest population density in the world – only two people per square kilometer – plus more than 10,000 beaches, the most of any country.</p>
<p>Cruise passengers can explore the country’s wineries, history and wildlife with calls in Melbourne and Hobart, Tasmania. Here travelers may catch a glimpse of Australia’s many unique creatures, including kangaroos, koalas and the Tasmanian devil; ride horseback through the region’s finest vineyards; or even visit the country’s last penal settlement, the infamous Port Arthur.</p>
<p>If travelers choose to extend their time with an Australian cruisetour, they can experience much more of this surprising land. Highlights include the outback landmark Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, Australia’s sacred Aboriginal site and the world&#8217;s largest monolith. The Great Barrier Reef is famous throughout the world for its outstanding diving and snorkeling, brilliant tropical fish and scores of sea life. Northern Australia’s Kakadu National Park surprises guest with everything from aboriginal rock art formations to an amazing habitat of birds and other wildlife.</p>
<p>When cruising through New Zealand, the one attraction guaranteed to get everyone up on deck is the scenic sailing through Fiordland National Park. This must-see attraction is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the striking Fiordland crested penguin, as well as 14 towering fjords and five icy-blue lakes.</p>
<p>In “The Land of the Long White Cloud” passengers will also learn about the fascinating Maori culture and may take in an entertaining “haka” performance, a native dance. Near Tauranga, Rotorua’s geothermal wonders also get attention with fascinating steaming craters, exploding geysers and boiling mud. In a country where there are nine sheep to every person, a trip to a farm for a sheep shearing or dog herding demonstration is also a popular option; and daredevils will fit right in with bungee jumping, which originated here. And New Zealand’s spectacular scenery will make travelers feel as though they are in one of the many movies filmed here, such as “Lord of the Rings.”</p>
<p>Passengers are sure to see a kiwi, whether it be the national bird; a delicious fruit (which were originally known as Chinese gooseberries, but renamed by enterprising New Zealand farmers once they started cultivating them for export), or simply the local people, who have become known as Kiwis themselves.</p>
<p>Cruises Princess offers several cruise options for exploring these dramatic countries, including voyages between Australia and New Zealand or Asia. Travelers can choose either a large amenity-filled vessel or small intimate ship, or they can opt to sail aboard one of Princess’ three ships based in Australia year-round.</p>
<p>Australia &amp; New Zealand sailings – Princess offers exploring “down under” with a season of Australia &amp; New Zealand sailings aboard Diamond Princess. These 12- or 13-day voyages travel between Sydney and Auckland, calling at Melbourne, Hobart (Tasmania), Fiordland National Park scenic cruising, Dunedin, Christchurch, and Tauranga along the way, with a call in Wellington, New Zealand also on the 13-day voyages. Sailings run from December 2011 to January 2012.</p>
<p>Australia &amp; Asia sailings – Travelers can visit the best of two continents aboard Diamond Princess with sailings between Sydney and Singapore or Beijing. The Australia &amp; Asia itinerary takes passengers on a 19-day journey from Singapore to the Asia ports of Ko Samui, Bangkok, Ho Chi Mihn City, and Bali; plus Australian calls at Darwin, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach for the Great Barrier Reef. The 23-day Australia &amp; China route also sails via northern Australia and adds ports such as Taipei, Nagasaki, Busan (South Korea), Shanghai and Dalian. Sailings depart November 27, 2011 and February 4, 2012.</p>
<p>Small Ship Experience – Ocean Princess offers several journeys between Australia and the wonders of Asia or the beautiful islands of the South Pacific, featuring the intimate, classic cruising atmosphere of a small ship. The 20-day Australia &amp; Asia voyages sail to northern Australia, including the Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef and Darwin; plus call in Bali, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and Bangkok and Ko Samui in Thailand. Ocean Princess sets sail on November 12, 2011 and March 17, 2012. The ship’s 16-day South Pacific &amp; New Zealand voyages travel between Sydney and Papeete, Tahiti, with calls in Tauranga, Auckland, and the island paradises of Suva (Fiji), Apia (Samoa), Pago Pago, Bora Bora, and Moorea. Sailings depart on December 2, 2011 and February 29, 2012.</p>
<p>“Aussie Experience” sailings – Locally based ships Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess offer “Aussie-style” cruising to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific from Sydney, Melbourne and now Brisbane. Featuring Australian dollars as the onboard currency plus dining and entertainment options geared to Australian tastes, these sailings offer a true local experience to passengers from all over. Itineraries include voyages to Tasmania, New Zealand, Northern Australia and Round Australia sailings that circumnavigate the continent. These ships also feature sailings from Australia to the South Pacific, Asia and World Cruise options roundtrip from Sydney. Sailings depart throughout the May 2011 to May 2012 season.</p>
<p>Cruisetours Three guided land tours of Australia can be added to a cruise to create a full land and sea vacation, covering some of the continent’s undisputed wonders. All cruisetours include a 12- or 13-day Australia and New Zealand cruise, plus time in cosmopolitan Sydney, including its world-famous Opera House and Bondi Beach.</p>
<p>Those who want to explore the extensive Great Barrier Reef will enjoy a high-speed catamaran tour of this living marvel with the Tropical Highlights tour, featuring four nights on land, including two nights in Sydney and two in Carins. Travelers will spend a day Great Barrier Reef, plus visit with some crocodiles, explore Kuranda Rainforest Village, and learn about the locals at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.</p>
<p>The six-night Australian Outback Adventure visits the Great Barrier Reef and ventures into the vast Australian Outback with two nights in Sydney, one night at Ayers Rock, one night in Alice Springs and two nights in Cairns. In the outback, travelers will visit the famed Uluru (Ayers Rock), touring the Olgas and 36 mysterious domes plus viewing Ayers Rock at sunset. They’ll also enjoy an Aboriginal cultural experience. In the town of Alice Springs travelers have the option to ride a camel and visit Desert Park to experience local wildlife.</p>
<p>The seven-night Ultimate Australia tour features the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock plus visits to Darwin and the majestic Kakadu National Park. This land itinerary offers two nights in Sydney, one night at Ayers Rock, one night at Kakadu, one night in Darwin and two nights at Port Douglas for the Great Barrier Reef. Travelers will experience Kakadu’s extensive wetlands, diverse wildlife and the largest number of accessible Aboriginal sites in Australia. In Darwin, visitors will explore the city, including the Darwin Museum and Windows of the Wetlands visitor center.</p>
<p>For additional information about Princess Australia &amp; New Zealand itineraries, see a professional travel agent, contact Princess at 1-800-PRINCESS or visit the company&#8217;s website, <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.princess.com/">www.princess.com</a>.
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		<title>RVParking.com Debuts Mobile Website for All Devices</title>
		<link>http://themeparkmom.com/rvparking-com-debuts-mobile-website-for-all-devices/</link>
		<comments>http://themeparkmom.com/rvparking-com-debuts-mobile-website-for-all-devices/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:18:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>ThemeParkMom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel News and Travel Deals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RV parking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://themeparkmom.com/?p=2599</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With a new version optimized for mobile devices, RVParking.com now offers the most comprehensive suite of RV park information for all mobile users. By going to http://m.rvparking.com in a mobile browser, Blackberry, Android, iPhones or any other mobile device users can find detailed information on over 18,000 RV parks in the U.S. The mobile version [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With a new version optimized for mobile devices, RVParking.com now offers the most comprehensive suite of RV park information for all mobile users.</p>
<p>By going to <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://m.rvparking.com/">http://m.rvparking.com</a> in a mobile browser, Blackberry, Android, iPhones or any other mobile device users can find detailed information on over 18,000 RV parks in the U.S.</p>
<p>The mobile version is specially designed for use on the road. It features a narrower design for easier reading on a smart phone. Fewer graphics and images on the mobile version also makes it faster to load. In addition, extra features have been trimmed to focus on the core needs of a mobile user.</p>
<p>“RVing is an inherently mobile activity so we wanted to make sure that our information is easily accessible to users of all mobile devices,” says Erik Budde, CEO of RVParking.com.</p>
<p>M.rvparking.com supplements the recently launched, free iPhone app by RVParking.com. Called “RV Parks,” it is available in the Apple app store or at <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.rvparking.com/iphone">http://www.rvparking.com/iphone</a>. The iPhone app provides a richer user experience, but, like all iPhone apps, requires the user to install it on an iPhone.</p>
<p>“We have a great solution for our dedicated iPhone users,” said Budde. “But now our mobile version works great on all smart phones, not just the iPhone, and takes only seconds to access.”</p>
<p>When visiting <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.rvparking.com/">http://www.rvparking.com</a> on a mobile device, users will automatically be redirected to the mobile version. If, for any reason, a user wants to switch back to the full version, that option is easily available from a link at the bottom of the page.</p>
<p>Mobile users still have full access to all of the information available at RVParking.com. Users can find detailed RV park information including power, pull-throughs and WiFi to name a few. Users can also search or browse parks by city or state. Once a user finds a park, they can call the RV park directly with a single click.
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		<title>New Cambria Suites Roanoke, VA Hotel Offers Special Group Rates</title>
		<link>http://themeparkmom.com/new-cambria-suites-roanoke-va-hotel-offers-special-group-rates/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:35:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>ThemeParkMom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel News and Travel Deals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cambria Suites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hotels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roanoke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virginia]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://themeparkmom.com/?p=2596</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Visitors to Roanoke, VA, can now select a brand new, all-suite hotel conveniently positioned near area businesses. The Cambria Suites in Roanoke, VA, is adjacent to the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and the prestigious Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute. Companies within one mile include Suntrust, Wachovia and Verizon. In addition to its exceptionally work-friendly location, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://themeparkmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/cambriasuites.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-2597" title="cambria suites roanoke virginia" src="http://themeparkmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/cambriasuites.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="176" /></a>Visitors to Roanoke, VA, can now select a brand new, all-suite hotel conveniently positioned near area businesses. The Cambria Suites in Roanoke, VA, is adjacent to the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and the prestigious Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute. Companies within one mile include Suntrust, Wachovia and Verizon. In addition to its exceptionally work-friendly location, the 100% non-smoking Cambria Suites hotel provides modern, stylish and sophisticated guestrooms and services designed to accommodate the demands of busy business travelers. In order to attract groups in search of Roanoke hotels, the Cambria Suites in Roanoke, VA, is presenting a special discounted rate. Groups who book rooms now through September will receive a $69/night room rate and those who book from October through December will receive a $79/night rate. Interested parties can visit the <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/GroupReservations?sid=d66Ti.Lx9Ttg6fh.1">Cambria Group Travel</a> page and find out more.</p>
<p>Amenities and services at the Cambria Suites in Roanoke, VA, include a fitness center, a coffee bar and an indoor pool with a spa. On-site dining trumps the average hotel food experience, as the Roanoke, VA hotel offers contemporary bistro-style cuisine at Reflect and gourmet to-go items at Refill Lounge. The Cambria Suites also features more than 1,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space for special events, offering amenities such as high-tech presentation and audio/visual technology, convenient catering services and free wireless Internet access to seal the deal.</p>
<p>A variety of upscale brand name amenities make the Cambria Suites in Roanoke a valued choice among Roanoke choice. Spacious guestrooms feature spa products from Bath and Body Works. Guests can begin busy mornings with Wolfgang Puck coffee. Additionally, rooms include two flat-screen LCD televisions and MediaHub plug and play technology for laptops, MP3 players, game consoles and digital cameras.</p>
<p>For information on the Cambria Suites, please visit the <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.cambriasuites.com/hotel-roanoke-virginia-VA529">Cambria Suites Roanoke website</a> or the <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.aimbridgehospitality.com/">Aimbridge Hospitality website</a>. Call (540) 400-6226 for reservations.</p>
<p>About Aimbridge Hospitality Aimbridge Hospitality is one of the nation’s leading independent hotel investment and management firms with a proven track record for delivering superior returns for its strategic partners in a variety of markets and economic cycles. Aimbridge provides management, asset management, development, renovation and consulting services. Based in Dallas, Texas, Aimbridge currently owns and/or manages 52 upscale, independent and branded hotels with nearly 11,000 rooms across the United States, including such affiliations as Marriott, Hilton, Embassy Suites, DoubleTree, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn &amp; Suites, Aloft, Hyatt, Wyndham and the Phoenix Inn Suites chain of hotels. For more information on Aimbridge Hospitality, please visit <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.aimbridgehospitality.com/">http://www.aimbridgehospitality.com</a>.
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		<title>Tarrytown New York Hotel Begins to Undertake Significant Renovations</title>
		<link>http://themeparkmom.com/tarrytown-new-york-hotel-begins-to-undertake-significant-renovations/</link>
		<comments>http://themeparkmom.com/tarrytown-new-york-hotel-begins-to-undertake-significant-renovations/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:33:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>ThemeParkMom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel News and Travel Deals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hotels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Springhill Suites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tarrytown]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://themeparkmom.com/?p=2594</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The comfort and conveniences of an extended stay hotel will soon have a whole new attitude at the SpringHill Suites Tarrytown, New York hotel where an extensive renovation is planned. The hotels&#8217; already spacious suites are being updated with a fresh new look and the lobby is undergoing a total makeover. &#8220;I am confident that [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The comfort and conveniences of an extended stay hotel will soon have a whole new attitude at the SpringHill Suites <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hpntr-springhill-suites-tarrytown-greenburgh/">Tarrytown, New York hotel</a> where an extensive renovation is planned. The hotels&#8217; already spacious suites are being updated with a fresh new look and the lobby is undergoing a total makeover.</p>
<p>&#8220;I am confident that our extensive refurbishment will improve the guest experience to the extent that it will create fresh demand for the value added incentives that our particular brand brings to the market,&#8221; says Hotel General Manager Mary Kay Manchin of the renovation scheduled to be complete in early 2011.</p>
<p>Guest suites at this <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/recreation/hpntr-springhill-suites-tarrytown-greenburgh/">Tarrytown hotel in Westchester County</a> will receive a full renovation with new beds, updated desks and other furnishings, lighting and even new curtains for an all new look . The suites at this distinctive hotel are already spacious by design with 25% more space than average hotel rooms and feature separate areas for relaxing, dining and sleeping as well as a pantry area, mini refrigerator and microwave. With all new furnishings and brand new bedding, these hotel suites are perfect for family or extended stay needs. Renovation of the hotel&#8217;s lobby is going all the way down to the concrete to create a contemporary great room with distinctive style that is warm and inviting to New York guests seeking quality hotel amenities, exceptional service and spacious accommodations.</p>
<p>Fun and affordable <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-deals/hpntr-springhill-suites-tarrytown-greenburgh/">Tarrytown hotel deals</a> combined with plenty of room for everyone make the SpringHill Suites Tarrytown Greenburgh hotel a perfect gathering place for family vacation fun. Unique family fun packages are available that include pizza, a movie and a $50 coupon book to Funfuzion in New Rock City; or families can &#8220;Nickelodeon&#8221; their stay for added fun for the kids and extra quiet time for mom and dad. In addition to spacious accommodations, a hotel pool and whirlpool, guests will enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet, convenience of &#8220;The Market&#8221; for 24/7 access to food, snacks and travel needs, free local shuttle service and complimentary parking.</p>
<p>When planning business meetings or social events, the SpringHill Suites is a perfect destination for clients or out-of-town guests and its first class amenities along with two intimate event spaces, catering services and professional event planners make it perfect as a <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/event-planning/wedding-planning/hpntr-springhill-suites-tarrytown-greenburgh/">wedding hotel in Tarrytown</a>. Rooms may be booked online at <a onclick="linkClick(this.href)" href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hpntr-springhill-suites-tarrytown-greenburgh/">http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hpntr-springhill-suites-tarrytown-greenburgh/</a> or call 1-800-228-9290 for reservations or more information.</p>
<p>About the SpringHill Suites Tarrytown Greenburgh</p>
<p>Conveniently located near major area corporations, Pace University, Fordham University, West Point Military Academy and Phelps Memorial Hospital, the SpringHill Suites Tarrytown Greenburgh Hotel offers guests stylish accommodations and a smoke-free environment. The hotel provides guests with complimentary high-speed Internet access, a full-service business center and an on-site fitness center that boasts updated equipment with personal TVs.
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		<title>Top Soccer Clubs from Around the Globe Compete in Disney Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament</title>
		<link>http://themeparkmom.com/top-soccer-clubs-from-around-the-globe-compete-in-disney-cup-international-youth-soccer-tournament/</link>
		<comments>http://themeparkmom.com/top-soccer-clubs-from-around-the-globe-compete-in-disney-cup-international-youth-soccer-tournament/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:02:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>ThemeParkMom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Theme Park News Releases]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[&#160; Nearly 200 teams bring international flavor to largest field in tournament history &#160; LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (July 8, 2010) &#8211; On the heels of the FIFA World Cup, nearly 200 elite youth soccer teams from around the world, including the Haitian National Women&#8217;s Under 17 team, will compete in the Disney Cup International [...]]]></description>
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<div align="center"><span><b><em>Nearly 200 teams bring international flavor to largest field in tournament history</em></b></span></div>
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (July 8, 2010) &ndash; On the heels of the FIFA World Cup, nearly 200 elite youth soccer t</span>eams from around the world, including the Haitian National Women&rsquo;s Under 17 team, will compete in the Disney Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, July 12-17.&nbsp;</div>
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Clubs featuring boys and girls (ages 9-17) from countries such as Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Malaysia, the United States and others will be joining the Haitian team in creating the largest field in the tournament&rsquo;s 12-year history.</div>
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More than half of this year&rsquo;s field comes from outside of the continental United States with Puerto Rico leading the international team count with 18 registered clubs. &nbsp;Canada is next (16), followed by Brazil (11). &nbsp;In all, 18 countries are represented.&nbsp;</div>
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&ldquo;This year&rsquo;s field is one of the most diverse and largest we&rsquo;ve had in our tournament&rsquo;s history,&rdquo; said the event&rsquo;s tournament director Mark Luster. &nbsp;&ldquo;The Disney Cup continues to be a great opportunity for teams from around the world to compete against other top young athletes while also getting to relax and enjoy a vacation at Disney.&rdquo;</div>
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Each team will play at least four games before advancing to a single-elimination tournament format.&nbsp;Championship games in various age divisions from under-9 through under-18 take place July 17.</div>
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Since 1999, the tournament has attracted teams from more than 20 countries giving participants a unique opportunity to compete on the same fields as teams from the English Premier League and Major League Soccer. &nbsp;For instance, Celtic Football Club, Blackburn Football Club, the MLS Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake have all competed or trained at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.</div>
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<div><span><b><span>About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex</span></b></span></div>
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ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts more than 300 events a year, is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States, accommodating 60 different sports and athletes from more than 70 countries. &nbsp;Designed to take youth sports to the next level, the 220-acre facility features: The Fieldhouse, a 165,000-square-foot fieldhouse which seats 5,500 for basketball; Champion Stadium ballpark (cap. 11,500); Hess Sports Fields, which include multiple baseball, softball and soccer fields; Jostens Center, an 80,000-square-foot multi-sport fieldhouse; and the Innovation Lab, a real-world testing ground for the ESPN Emerging Technology group to develop ground-breaking on-air products like Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom.&nbsp; In addition, the complex features 56 high-definition cameras (42 robotic, 10 handheld and four studio) and 40 high-definition video screens, including three jumbo screens, that can capture and display footage from any event taking place at the complex. &nbsp;The camera and video screens, as well as a 20-zone audio system, are controlled through the state-of-the-art Production Center that features eight edit bays and links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles. &nbsp;For more information, visit <a href="http://www.wdwnews.com/"><span>www.wdwnews.com</span></a> for press releases, photos and videos.&nbsp; Follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports.</div>
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<div><span><b><span>About Haitian National Women&rsquo;s U-17 Team</span></b></span></div>
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When an earthquake caused massive destruction to Haiti, the Under 17 Haitian Girl&rsquo;s National Soccer team was faced with devastation and many only had their teammates and soccer to turn to. &nbsp;The team decided to play through the tragedy and attempt to qualify for the U17 World Cup. &nbsp;When the team fell short after losing two qualifier games in Costa Rica, the team returned home to Haiti not knowing what the future would hold or if the players would ever play soccer together again. &nbsp;They have been reunited for the Disney International Cup.</span></div>
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<div><span><b><u><span>Contact</span></u></b></span><span><b><span>:</span></b></span></div>
<div><span><span>Marissa May, Disney Sports Public Relations</span></span></div>
<div><span><span>407/566-6318 (office)/ 480/246-6071 (cell)/ </span></span><a href="mailto:marissa.x.may.-nd@disney.com"><span>marissa.x.may.-nd@disney.com</span></a></div>
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<div><span>DISNEYCUPYOUTHSOCCER7-2010/7-9-10:mm</span></div>
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