Dora the Explorer delivered special backpacks and read a story to children at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in celebration of her 10^th anniversary on August 14th.  The backpacks have been specially designed for Nickelodeon’s Beyond the Backpack Campaign, an initiative aimed at teaching parents all about the importance of preparing their children for kindergarten.

Dora the Explorer makes her Orlando home at the Nickelodeon Suites Resort, the only hotel of its kind in the world.  To celebrate her 10^th Anniversary, Dora the Explorer will visit the children, sign autographs, read and deliver backpacks to children at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.  In addition to the celebratory visit to the hospital, Dora will also receive a special gift from the City of Orlando.  A proclamation will be given to Dora the Explorer declaring August 14^th Dora the Explorer Day in the City of Orlando.

Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children is a sanctuary of hope and healing. The most advanced technology, coupled with compassion and dedication have made Arnold Palmer Hospital one of the most trusted names in children’s healthcare worldwide. Careful attention has been paid to creating a cheerful, comforting environment to minimize stress and generate smiles. Arnold Palmer Hospital is a 158-bed pediatric hospital facility located in Orlando, Florida, United States.

is Nickelodeon’s newest pro-social campaign with the mission of engaging kids to make a difference in the world by moving their bodies, minds, communities, and planet. It connects kids to resources, organizations, information, as well as other kids. To learn more and get involved, visit www.thebighelp.com

Nickelodeon Suites Resort

has joined this mission and is taking on 4 issues that are a prevalent part of kids lives today: The Environment, Health and Wellness, Education and Community. Here you can learn more about what we are doing to help support our community making it a better place to visit and live.

How is Nickelodeon Suites Resort helping BIG?

• Nickelodeon Suites Resort has donated 132 lbs of soap and 70 lbs. shampoo and counting!
  Clean the World is a non-profit charity organization that collects and recycles the partially used soap from hotels, resorts and others sources to donate to impoverished people around the world. By providing soap to those that need it most, Clean the World helps prevent the spread of disease and saves lives. To learn more, visit www.cleantheworld.org
  
  Florida Green Lodging
• The Nickelodeon Suites Resort was recognized by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection with a Green Lodging Certification for environmentally friendly hotel practices.
  Nickelodeon Suites Resort achieved its green lodging status by using reusable dining items, encouraging the reuse of bath towels and linens, establishing a volunteer green committee, reimbursing employees for public bus passes and installing energy-efficient lighting throughout the property. Since 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program has set conservational guidelines for the hospitality industry. The state also recommends designated properties like Nick Hotel to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and facilities. For more information, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging/. 

     Give Kids The World

• Nickelodeon Suites Resorts characters visit the GKTW Village every Tuesday to help fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. 

• Every holiday season, Nickelodeon Suites Resorts team members decorate a Villa for the visiting families to enjoy.
  Give Kids The World is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need. For more information, visit www.gktw.org.
  
  Miami Children’s Hospital
• Nickelodeon Suites Resort partnered with Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation to host 17 kids who survived the Haiti earthquake. 
  Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation (MCHF) is a non-profit organization whose sole mission is to create awareness and generate funds for Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH), the only licensed specialty hospital in South Florida exclusively for children. For more information, visit www.mchf.org.
   

     Any Soldier Inc

• Nickelodeon Suites Resort raised $1,149 for Any Soldier Inc. and collected more than 100 postcards from guests to send to soldiers overseas in 2009.
  Any Soldier Inc. helps nearly 100,000 American soldiers in all branches of the military, both active duty and reservists, and has become one of the leading efforts in making sure the men and women who have been deployed for the war are cared for, via letters and packages from home. For more information, visit www.anysoldier.com.
  
  National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
• Nickelodeon Suites Resort donated $1,319.86 for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in 2010.
  Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit Foundation has developed and expanded programs that fulfill that mandate. Their mission is to honor and remember Americas fallen fire heroes and to provide resources to assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives. For more information, visit http://www.firehero.org/.For more about our Hero Appreciation program, please visit www.nickhotel.com/hero. 

• Nickelodeon Suites Resort raised $6,460 in 2009
  The Florida Education Foundation promotes and supports academic excellence for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students in Florida. The Foundation recognizes outstanding teachers and educational contributors, develops strategic alliances with business organizations and advances statewide educational initiatives. For more information, visit www.floridaeducationfoundation.org.
  
  Partner in Education
  
• Nickelodeon Suites Resort was named 2009-2010 Partner in Education of the Year from West Creek Elementary School.  

Today, Universal Orlando Resort also revealed details about what is expected to be one the most exciting theme park experiences ever created:  Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.  It will be one of three themed attractions within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the heart of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This all new adventure combines a powerful storyline with spectacular new technology so effectively that guests will be completely immersed in the experience.

And as they live their adventure, guests will feel things no one has ever felt inside a theme park attraction, move in ways no one has ever moved, experience film like no one else ever has, explore vast sets punctuated by amazing special effects – and have an adventure only possible in Harry Potter’s world.

The new attraction lies deep within Hogwarts castle, a majestic structure that towers over The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - the only place in the world where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter books and films comes to life. 

The Adventure

Imagine…

…meeting Harry, Ron and Hermione as if they were in person

…soaring over Hogwarts castle with Harry

…being swept into a Quidditch match

…feeling the chilling effect of a Dementor

…exploring your favorite places inside Hogwarts castle

…living adventures you’ve only been able to imagine – until now.

The Story

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey draws you into the excitement and chaos of Harry’s life.  As you venture through Hogwarts castle, you meet Harry, Ron and Hermione who convince you to skip a planned lecture and follow them. Upon taking their advice, you travel by Floo powder, and begin the adventure as you soar over Hogwarts, narrowly escape a dragon attack, have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow, get pulled into a Quidditch match and more.

“Guests will experience firsthand a completely new adventure featuring the iconic characters, amazing creatures and recognizable locations they’ve only read in the books or seen in the films,” said Thierry Coup, creative director for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The Location

The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey experience starts as soon as you walk through the gates of Hogwarts.  Within the towering Hogwarts castle, you explore a truly magical place. You journey through iconic locations taken from the films and take in the extraordinary detail of each scene.  They include:

Rockin’ Lake Eola will start Saturday, May 29, 2010 and will go from 3pm – 11pm, followed by every Friday, June 4 – September 3, 5pm – 11pm

For more information email contact@rockinlakeeola.com or visit www.rockinlakeeola.com

•Hero Celebration March 14, 2010 Join us in Studio Nick for a red-hot celebration with special firefighter guests, live game shows and free pizza. Local fire departments will compete in a head-to-head battle. Come see who gets pied and who gets SLIMED!

•Antique Fire truck display Saturdays and Sundays Get up-close-and-personal with real life fire trucks. Encounter tall ladders, long hoses and all the tools used throughout the years to fight fires. Sponsored by Florida Antique Bucket Brigade.

•Support National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Every day Donate to this organization when you check in and you’ll receive your very own firefighter helmet.

•Fire Public Education Select Saturdays Stop, drop and roll! Learn about important fire safety tip with local firefighters. Experience a simulated fire drill in a portable safety house, sponsored by Kissimmee Fire Department. Plus, you’ll get the chance to take pictures in front of a big, red fire truck.

•Bucket Brigade Saturdays and Sundays Kids and parents compete to fill big buckets with water. The team that fills their bucket first wins! A competition wouldn’t be complete without a SLIME finale.

•Jell-O Eating Contest Saturdays and Sundays Get ready to compete! Join us for a red, white and blue Jell-O eating contest.

February 19-21, 2010
located: 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee, Florida

At Wekiwa Springs State Park, the Wekiwa River winds its way through its pristine landscape allowing great opportunities to canoe, kayak or have a picnic along the river banks. Cool off with a relaxing dip into Wekiwa Springs, a five-foot deep spring fed by a 20-foot deep cavern.

Blue Springs State Park would not be complete without the West Indian manatee. Between December and March, the West Indian manatee migrates up the St. Johns River to the warm waters of the Blue Springs manatee refuge. During this time, park visitors are free to view these gentle giants in this 12-foot deep spring. Averaging ten-feet in length and weighing up to a ton, the West Indian manatee draws thousands of tourists and nature adventurists each year. However, swimming with these majestic creatures is prohibited as they are endangered. As the manatees leave the sanctuary, guests are free to swim, snorkel, tube and partake in many other St. Johns River recreational offerings.

At the Aiguille Rock Climbing Center, yoga classes and an array of kids climbing programs are offered. Come on down to the gym on Mondays for Challenge Night. From 7:00PM until closing, a variety of demanding physical and mental obstacles will test your strength and willpower. Challenge Night comes complete with team building exercises and difficulty courses that change weekly.