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10 BEST NEIGHBORHOODS TO LIVE IN Best Areas to Reside in Central Florida
SPRING 2018
FISCALLY FABULOUS Tax Day Secrets, Loopholes and Philanthropic Deductions
LUXURY CHAMBER ORLANDO Luxury Chamber of Commerce launches in Orlando
PUBLISHER | Jay Shapiro: jay@orlandoobserver.org
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Madame Tussauds Announces New Justice League Experience Justice will be served this summer at Madame Tussauds Orlando. The world-famous attraction revealed plans to unite an all-star cast of DC Super Heroes in an epic new experience. For the first time ever, fans of DC's Justice League will come face-to-face with their favorite heroes in an action-packed adventure unlike any other. From fear comes courage! Guests will get a chance to star alongside Justice League's Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Henry Cavill as Superman and Ben Affleck as Batman, as they fight to save the world from Lex Luthor's evil corporation, LexCorp. Developed in collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on behalf of DC Entertainment, this first-of-its-kind attraction experience combines an all-star cast with blockbuster thrills, authentic replica props and costumes that bring each character to life like only Madame Tussauds can do. "Fans have never come this close to the action," said James Paulding, General Manager. "Madame Tussauds Orlando, together with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, have created a Justice League experience you have to see to believe – from the unbeatable roster of DC Super Heroes to the sensational, hi-tech experiences." Justice League: A Call for Heroes will also debut later this summer at Madame Tussauds Sydney, part of a greater transformation across Madame Tussauds attractions around the globe to deliver live fame experiences that make guests the star of their favorite stories. Justice League: A Call for Heroes HEROES UNITE! The battle begins when the Justice League lands at Madame Tussauds Orlando on May 25, 2018. Guests who answer the call will be transported to the streets of Gotham City and Metropolis, uniting with the Justice League Super Heroes in a series of thrilling missions to destroy LexCorp's hold on the world. Wonder Woman guests will help to destroy LexCorp's formidable technology that has disabled the city. By harnessing their inner super power, guests will be able to emit a powerful blast from Wonder Woman's gauntlets to weaken LexCorp's control over the city. Elsewhere in the city, Lex's experiment wreaks havoc, sending a helicopter and its occupants hurtling toward the ground. Guests will have to summon all their strength and join Superman to help lift a REAL helicopter back into the sky as onlookers cheer from the streets below. As the battle continues, one Super Hero will remain elusive. Guests must summon Batman with the BatSignal. Billowing smoke and wind reveal Batman as he's called into battle on the rooftop, ready to save the world. for tickets and information visit: madamtussauds.com/orlando
Little Known Theme Park Experiences 1.
Get a Haircut at Disney
Visit Magic Kingdom's Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, USA for a once-in-a-lifetime trim or even a whole new look. Welcoming all ages, the shop also offers a special First Haircut experience for little ones, complete with commemorative Mickey Ears and a certificate. 2.
Grab a Cold One with the Simpsons
Grab a glass of Homer Simpson's favorite beverage, with three varieties of Duff Beer available only at Universal Studios. Despite the running joke on the show that all three are the same beer, the real-life versions include Duff (a lager), Duff Lite (a light beer), and Duff Dry (a stout). 3.
Become Your Very Own AVATAR
Create a personalized AVATAR as the ultimate souvenir at Disney's Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Animal Kingdom. Guests can have their faces mapped and printed onto a Na'vi action figure, complete with blue skin and traditional garb, just like the aliens in the film. 4.
Pet (and Feed!) Sting Rays
While the popular marine mammals like dolphins and sea lions may be more well-known, one of the most unusual animal encounters is feeding and touching the stingrays at SeaWorld Orlando. Guests of all ages - even tiny tots - can dip their hands directly into the pool, feel the velvety texture of the rays, and delight as the gentle creatures suck fish from their hands at lightning fast speed. (Don't worry, the stingray barbs are trimmed, just like human fingernails.) 5.
Perform "Real" Magic
Spell it out with the wave of a wand at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. Objects suddenly move, water spouts and secrets reveal themselves throughout Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade when visitors use one of the Interactive Wands available at Ollivander's Wand Shop. 6.
Meet The Pets That Went from Shelters to Stars
Many people don't know that SeaWorld also provides a home and second chance at life for dogs and cats rescued from animal shelters. Considered by many to be untrainable due to their high energy, these adopted animals now steal the stage and fans' hearts - as stars in the parks' Pets Ahoy, a funny, fast-paced animal training show that also imparts a meaningful message to support local animal shelters. The cast of talented rescued animals includes dogs, cats and even ducks, and guests can personally meet some of these amazing "animal ambassadors" along with their trainers after the show. 7.
Dine with Princesses in Epcot, Too
Join Disney princesses for Storybook Dining at the Norway pavilion of Epcot's World Showcase. While many visitors flock to Magic Kingdom's Cinderella Castle for princess dining, this lesser-known option includes a meal with several of the mostloved princesses in another, equally beautiful medieval castle. 8.
Send A Letter from Hogsmeade
Send a real letter from Hogsmeade's Owl Post at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. Special postage, a Hogsmeade postmark and even unique wizardly stationary makes for a one-of-a-kind love letter, pen pal or postcard. 9.
Make Friends with Rescued Manatees
Step behind-the-scenes and catch a glimpse of SeaWorld Orlando's working manatee rescue and rehabilitation facility to learn more about the plight of these vulnerable animals that have been rescued from illness or injury in the wild. Guests can get a closer look at some of the water's most gentle creatures - including calves, "teens" and adult manatees - all of which have been rescued and are undergoing treatment with the goal of successfully returning them back to the wild.
10. Play I-Spy with Mickey Embark on a scavenger hunt for hidden mickeys, a famous "secret" of the Disney Parks. Everything from rides to dĂŠcor and even walking paths at Disney properties feature subtle Mickey shapes, some easier to spot than others. While books have been published to help guests find them all, half the fun is in the discovery.
James Savina Named General Counsel For Wyndham Destinations Appointment Strengthens Leadership Team Preparing for Launch of New Company Upon Planned Separation of Wyndham Worldwide into Two Independent, Publicly Traded Companies. Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the world's largest vacation ownership company and member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN), has named James "Jim" Savina as Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Wyndham Destinations. Wyndham Destinations is the vacation ownership, exchange and rental business that will be created as one of two independent, publicly traded companies to be established upon the planned separation of Wyndham Worldwide.
Savina will become a member of the Wyndham Destinations executive leadership team. In his capacity as General Counsel, he will oversee all aspects of the company's legal services. Savina will also serve as corporate secretary and chief ethics and compliance officer for the company. "Jim has a broad and diverse background, with expertise in guiding large companies through extraordinary change while building and strengthening legal, compliance and governance functions," said Michael D. Brown, president and CEO for Wyndham Vacation Ownership. "I'm confident that Jim's capabilities will strengthen our leadership team and the vision we share for the success of Wyndham Destinations." Prior to joining Wyndham Destinations, Savina served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at The Kraft Heinz Company, where he played a central role in the merger of Kraft Foods Group and H. J. Heinz Company and led the combined company's legal department. Previously, Savina served as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer for Kraft Foods Group. His prior experience includes roles as Executive Director, Global Legal Investigations & Legal Operations for Avon Products; Senior Counsel and Director of Claims and Legal Administration for Energy Future Holdings; and Associate for Jones Day. Savina earned his Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin.
Orlando Chapter Launch April 2018 Charter Memberships Now Available www.luxurychamber.org