If you are anything like me, you are plagued by colds, sniffles and sometimes even full-blown viruses whenever you go on vacation. I have notoriously sensitive sinuses, and my husband has seasonal allergies, so sometimes our trips turn into tissue-filled Benandryl® fests. Sure, loading up on vitamin C and drinking tons of water (always a good thing to do on Orlando vacation) can help, but now there’s another way to get the most from vacation while literally breathing easier — the Respire rooms by Hyatt, now available at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.

With help from PURESolutions NA, Respire rooms are hypo-allergenic in design and execution, perfect “for all travelers but especially suited to guests with asthma, allergies and other respiratory sensitivities…[designed to] eliminate up to 98 percent of airborne viruses and bacteria, as well as pollen and other irritants commonly found in indoor environments.” That’s the official word, from the Hyatt press release. Here’s more, from both Hyatt and Pure:

“The well-being of our guests is a top priority, and with the new Respire by Hyatt rooms, we are able to offer travelers another way to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day,” said Tom Smith, vice president of rooms, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. “Respire by Hyatt is a simple,but empowering initiative that we are pleased to provide to our guests.”

“The decision by Hyatt to offer hypo-allergenic rooms across several of its brands sets a new standard for service that we are proud to stand behind,” said Brian Brault, CEO, PURESolutions NA. “We are delighted to be a part of this impressive effort that allows us to create aunique clean air environment for guests without sacrificing the comfort of the hotel room.”

The rooms are beautifully decorated, too, with lots of leather, dark wood and modern touches that befit a luxury property like the Grand Cypress. So what do you think, readers? Would you go out of your way to stay in a Respire room or are you willing to take your chances in a more standard, and probably less expensive, regular room? With good looks and possible health benefits — plus everything else this particular resort has to offer — I have to say I am very tempted. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

(source)

A SHOW OF ‘FORCE’: Taking on the stern and determined look of a Jedi Knight, “Star Wars” creator George Lucas with Jedi Mickey Mouse, Princess Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy — and the lovable Disney droid, R2-MK — at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. The legendary filmmaker attended “The Last Tour to Endor,” a special event at the theme park in honor of the “Star Wars”-themed thrill attraction, Star Tours. (Todd Anderson, photographer)

THE DAILY MAGIC: “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. with “Star Wars”-inspired Disney characters Stormtrooper Donald Duck and Princess Leia Minnie Mouse. Stewart was in Orlando as a special host of “Star Wars Celebration V,” the official Lucasfilm fan event held at the Orange County Convention Center. At the convention center earlier in the day , Stewart took the stage with “Star Wars” creator George Lucas and interviewed him live in front of thousands of fans. (Todd Anderson, photographer)

(source)

Just in time for the massive November 19, 2010 premiere of the long-awaited Harry Potter and the Deahtly Hallows, Part 1, Universal Studios Orlando Islands of Adventure is holding a special event just for annual passholders. That night, a limited number of passholders (Premier and Preferred only) will have exclusive access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. All of the rides will be open and operating for the event, which will run from 8pm to 10pm only on November 20, 2010. Other perks include access to all the shops in Hogsmeade Village, including Ollivanders and Zonko’s; meals and snacks at the Hogshead Inn (a place of enormous importance in the final book) and The Three Broomsticks; a free commemorative poster; and exclusive one-night-only merchandise offers. I’m betting other surprises will be in store, too.

Registration is active now via the Universal Studios Orlando website and entrance to the event will be limited, based on a first-registered, first-served basis. Once registered, guests will need to check in on-site at 6pm to be guaranteed entrance.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Aug. 16, 2010 – All 32 sea turtles recently taken in by Walt Disney World Resort after being impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have completed their initial veterinary examinations and are responding well to treatment, say Disney animal care experts.

Among the sea turtles in recovery are Green Turtles, an endangered species, and Kemp’s Ridley Turtles, one of the most endangered species of sea turtle in the world. The initial exams performed at the veterinary hospital at Disney’s Animal Kingdom included x-rays, blood tests and a complete physical assessment.

“The animals are doing quite well,” said Andy Deneault, an assistant curator responsible for the care of sea turtles at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “Once we received these animals, we immediately put them on a regimented diet to build their strength. We also keep the sea turtles in special shallow salt-water pools set up just for this effort.”

With the ultimate goal of releasing the turtles back in the wild, Disney animal experts are focused on increasing the turtles’ body weight so they have the strength to swim in the open ocean.

As a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center, Disney Animal Programs supports the rescue and rehabilitation of more than 1,000 injured and orphaned wild animals each year. Since 1986, Disney animal care teams have nursed more than 250 endangered sea turtles back to health.

In addition, as part of the coordinated response to the Gulf oil spill, Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF), supported by Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green, has donated 0,000 to help with environmental and animal rescue efforts, including ,000 to The National Audubon Society for their response in the Gulf. Another ,000 in grants from the DWCF Rapid Response Fund is being awarded to various grassroots organizations assisting with the cleanup.

(source)