River News Now Breaking News Travel

(NAPSI) - Spring break may be a time-honored tradition for college students, but in one popular tourist area it's becoming an event for the entire household. During Orlando's Family Spring Break® in 2008, families can find an enjoyable atmosphere in which to take a break from busy work and school schedules, reconnect and recharge.

New features for spring include: Aquatica, SeaWorld Orlando's water park, blending up-close animal experiences with thrilling rides and underwater adventures; The Simpsons at Universal Studios, a uniquely hilarious journey through Springfield; and "Block Party Bash," at Disney's Hollywood Studios, an interactive parade featuring over 20 Disney-Pixar characters.

Throughout the spring, the Orlando area is also packed with annual festivals, cultural offerings and special events, such as:

• 49th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival held in Winter Park, March 14-16.

• 17th Annual Florida Film Festival, March 28-April 6.

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort, March 19-June 1.

• Orlando Shakespeare Theater presents "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," February 23-March 16.

• "Blue's Clues Live! The Most Spectacular Place," presented by the Orlando Repertory Theatre, March 7-30.

• Orlando Ballet presents "Fairy Tale Princes and Princesses," March 15.

Baseball fans can enjoy a sneak preview of the upcoming Major League Baseball season at The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex, February 27-March 29, during the Atlanta Braves' spring training season.

For helpful hints to plan an Orlando vacation, along with attraction information, visit www.orlandoinfo.com or call (888) ORL-4FUN. While in Orlando, visitors may stop by the Official Visitor Center located at 8723 International Drive, at the southeast corner of International Drive and Austrian Row. The Official Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (closes at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 and is closed Dec. 25).

There are plenty of ways for families to reconnect and recharge during spring break in that favored destination hot spot, Orlando.