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Five Reasons You Should Go To The Delray Beach Open

2/23/2017

Jack Sock photo by Thomas Routzong

Five Reasons You Should Go To The Delray Beach Open

Delray Beach, Florida

By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong

We have been enjoying the Delray Beach Open for more than a decade. It is one of our favorite tennis tournaments so we have put together a list of five reasons you should go to the Delray Beach Open too!

1) NEW AND OLD - It’s the perfect place for fans to catch a glimpse of some of the young guns of today and some of the most recognizable pros of yesterday.

The Delray Beach Open in sunny Delray Beach, Florida offers the amazing combination of an ATP World Tour event and an ATP Champion's event. See the stars of today and your favorites from the past.

2) THE BEST OF THE BEST - The ATP World Tour event features some of the most successful players in both men’s pro singles and doubles.

In 2017, the Delray Beach Open boasts the number 3 singles player on the planet (Milos Raonic), the number 1 American singles player (Jack Sock), a US Open singles champ Juan Martin Del Potro and the most successful doubles team of all time (the Brian brothers).

3) Pro tennis today is all about power and those who can control it. It is not unusual to see these guys crushing serves at over 150 mph. A tennis court is only 78 feet long. Imagine a ball rocketing toward you at 140 or 150 mph.

Croatian Ivo Karlovic has recorded serves at over 156 mph. Canadian Milos Raonic has served at 155 mph.

Amazingly, talented players today have the hand-eye coordination to hit these balls back.

4) UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL - There are matches playing simultaneously on multiple courts plus players warming up on others. Some of the seats are literally just 10 feet from the lines of the court! You are so close, you can see the fuzz being pummeled off the tennis ball and the sweat flying off the players.

5) LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION - Delray Beach is a delightful city and sunny Florida is a great place to be in February.

For more information, visit http://www.yellowtennisball.com

Learn more about Delray Beach at https://mydelraybeach.com/visitors/index.php

Article by Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Copyright 2017 Sunny Harbor Publishing
Sunny Harbor Publishing, PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956
Phone: 321-446-7552
Email: SunnyHarborPublishing@yahoo.com
Website: www.SunnyHarborPublishing.org

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Pandora – The World of Avatar will open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Saturday, May 27, 2017

2/9/2017

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Pandora – The World of Avatar will open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Saturday, May 27, 2017.

Inspired by Academy-award winning filmmaker James Cameron’s box-office hit, “AVATAR,” the new 12-acre land will immerse guests in the lush world of Pandora about a generation after the film’s human-Na’vi conflict.

The magical new land will transport guests to a mystical world of bioluminescent rainforests, floating mountains and soaring Banshees. Two main adventures will beckon Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests:

Riding a magnificent Mountain Banshee, guests will soar across Pandora on Avatar Flight of Passage. This high-tech adventure will offer a thrilling flight through the jungles and floating mountains, and over the majestic oceans of this colorful world. On the family-friendly Na’vi River Journey guests will sail down a sacred river hidden within a glowing rainforest. The expedition will end in an unforgettable encounter with a Na’vi Shaman, a figure who has a deep connection to the life force of Pandora.

Guests will also be able to dine at Satu’li Canteen, grab a drink at Pongu Pongu or shop for Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits, and more at Windtraders.

The expansion completes the transformation of Disney’s Animal Kingdom from a day into nighttime theme park with captivating offerings and extended entertainment.

Pandora – The World of Avatar is a creative collaboration by Walt Disney Imagineering, Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment to bring to life the mythical world of Pandora.

Information provided by Walt Disney World News

Published by Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong in Family Travelers Magazine

Keywords: Pandora – The World of Avatar, Pandora, World of Avatar, Avatar, walt disney world, animal kingdom, #wdwnews, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Steven Skelley, Thomas Routzong, Sunny Harbor Publishing, Family Travelers Magazine

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom - February 17 Premiere of Majestic New Nighttime Show "Rivers of Light"

2/9/2017

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Rivers of Light, an all-new nighttime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, will begin delighting Walt Disney World Resort guests Feb. 17. Rich in symbolism and storytelling, the elaborate theatrical production takes guests on a breathtaking emotional journey – a visual mix of water, fire, nature and light all choreographed to an original musical score.

The new 15-minute show is the latest addition to the lineup of nighttime experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Celebrating the majesty of nature and the connection between animals and humans in the world, the performance combines live performers, beautiful floating lanterns, glistening fountains, special effects and authentic animal imagery projected on giant water screens.

“Disney’s Animal Kingdom is built around the lives of animals, built around the rules of nature, and those rules dictate that as you move between day and night everything changes…and you’re going to want to see that,” said Joe Rohde, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “It all really is summed up by Rivers of Light. In the show, we take this combination of light and water which create life, and out of that comes this fantastically rich explosion of animal life that ultimately rises up and joins the stars.”

As the sun sets, guests gather along the picturesque edge of the Discovery River at the site of a fabled age-old ritual. A new 5,000-seat amphitheater welcomes guests to two distinct “villages” separated by a bridge and the river. Sounds of animals are heard from a nearby forest, and magical fireflies descend from the Tree of Life toward the lagoon, creating a sense of wonder as four beautifully illuminated Lotus flowers float across the water.

The ceremony begins with a stirring musical overture signaling the arrival of a pair of mystical Storytellers, two complementary forces who come to the river bearing gifts of light. They set out from the shore aboard elaborate lantern vessels. Adorned in intricately designed costumes, the hosts engage in a dramatic dance of water and light to summon the animal spirits – an Asian Tiger, Tropical Turtle, African Elephant and Great Horned Owl – and take guests on a wondrous journey across Asian jungles and African savannahs.

Disney challenged renowned Broadway production designer Michael Curry to create vessels that were artistic and stimulating, yet innovative. The commanding lanterns stand 15 feet tall and are 30 feet long, illuminated from within by innovative LED technology.

As the mesmerizing show progresses, Rivers of Light continues to unfold with a powerful musical score created by songwriter and composer Don L. Harper and recorded at the renowned Abbey Road Studio in London. The signature song “We Are One” was written by Mark Mancina, who created the score and was a key collaborator on the music for Disney’s hit animated feature film “Moana.”

A collaboration with Disneynature to incorporate rare nature cinematography showcasing tender animal moments adds rich authenticity to the storyline. Many are never-before-seen moments from Disneynature films.

The crescendo of the evening finale blends triumphant music and a waterfall of colors celebrating the circle of life.

“At the show’s finale, we hope guests will feel like they have been on a tremendous ceremonial and visual journey,” said Michael Jung, Walt Disney Imagineering creative director. “Rivers of Light really provides an affirmation of life and reminds us of the beauty and fragility of the natural world we all share – with animals and one another.”

Technology and attention to detail play starring roles in the new show. The 11 show floats are independent of each other and programmed to follow a choreographed “dance” across the lagoon. More than 50,000 programmable, color-changing LED lights are found in the four Animal Spirit Guide floats alone. Each Lotus float produces its own water screen. Costumes for the storytellers and their acolytes include fabrics using 5,000-year-old dye and weaving techniques.

Following its Feb. 17 premiere, Rivers of Light will be performed on select nights.

Special dining packages are available to park guests that include reserved seating at the new show. Packages are offered at the buffet-style Tusker House or the new signature restaurant Tiffins (lunch and dinner). Reservations can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dining or by calling 407 WDW-DINE.

Rivers of Light joins a rich variety of new nighttime experiences and family adventures designed to offer up Disney’s Animal Kingdom in a whole new light. These include:

Post-sunset adventures on Kilimanjaro Safaris, allowing guests to travel through the African savannah amid the artfully created orange glow of the setting sun during evening hours of operation.
After-dark hours allowing guests to experience nighttime on popular park attractions including Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids and more.
Fine dining at Tiffins, newest signature restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort, with innovative dishes that take diners to Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas amid travel-inspired artwork.
Exuberant song-and-dance gathering nightly in the center of the park, Discovery Island Carnivale. Includes lively music and dance, vibrant costumes, delectable food and beverage, face painting and more.
Tree of Life awakening after dark. Through projections and special effects, the animal spirits of the Tree are brought to life like never before, revealing moments of wonder and enchantment.
Harambe Wildlife Parti. This safari after-party crisscrosses Harambe, from its theatre district to its bustling marketplace with the sights and sounds of local street musicians and entertainers, inviting guests to join them in dance and song, partake in exotic foods and libations and explore the diverse wares of village artisans and merchants.

All are part of the largest expansion in the history of Disney’s Animal Kingdom which will culminate this summer with the opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar.

Information provided by Walt Disney World News

Published by Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong in Family Travelers Magazine

Keywords: walt disney world, animal kingdom, #wdwnews, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Steven Skelley, Thomas Routzong, Sunny Harbor Publishing, Family Travelers Magazine

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“Awaking Beauty: The Art of Eyvind Earle” at the Walt Disney Family Museum

2/6/2017

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“Awaking Beauty: The Art of Eyvind Earle” at the Walt Disney Family Museum
May 18, 2017–Jan. 8, 2018

Immerse yourself in the lush landscapes and enchanting illustrations of Eyvind Earle, in the artists’ first-ever comprehensive museum retrospective. Featuring more than 250 works, this exhibition spans Earle’s prolific career, ranging from intricate thumbnail concept paintings for Lady and the Tramp to evocative large-scale background concept artworks for Sleeping Beauty.

Beyond his work at The Walt Disney Studios, Earle’s distinctive style and interpretation of iconic American landscapes as a fine artist and printmaker have inspired generations of artists and designers.

This extensive exhibition will feature original artworks from the full spectrum of his dynamic career alongside unique scratchboards, rare examples of his sculpture, companion poetry, and commercial illustrations.

The exhibition, which premieres at The Walt Disney Family Museum on May 18, 2017, is co-curated by Michael Labrie, Director of Collections and Exhibitions for The Walt Disney Family Foundation and The Walt Disney Family Museum, and Ioan Szasz, CEO of Eyvind Earle Publishing.

For more information, visit http://waltdisney.org/

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Five Reasons You Should Go To The Delray Beach Open

Pandora – The World of Avatar will open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Saturday, May 27, 2017

Disney’s Animal Kingdom - February 17 Premiere of Majestic New Nighttime Show "Rivers of Light"

“Awaking Beauty: The Art of Eyvind Earle” at the Walt Disney Family Museum

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