On the night of April 14th, 1912 the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank in the cold and dark of the Atlantic Ocean. Now you have a chance to immerse yourself into what it was like to sail on that ship right up to the time she went down. Titanic – The Experience is on display at the Orlando Science Center. Through the use of actual artifacts, multimedia and actors guiding you on the tour, it’s a chance to experience the ship and get to know those who sailed on her. VIDEO: Immerse Yourself Aboard The Titanic IMAGES: Titanic - The Experience INFO: More Info On Titanic - The Experience
Escaping the noise and congestion of Central Florida is just a short boat ride away. Hontoon Island State Park, just outside of DeLand, can provide you with a unique park experience. It starts with a ride on the solar powered ferry. Picnicking, fishing, hiking and camping are all available on the island. It’s a great chance to get away to an island that has been in use for more than 2,000 years. VIDEO: Hontoon Island State Park IMAGES: Volusia's Hontoon Island DIRECTIONS: How To Get To Hontoon Island
If you have a little-know Florida hot spot, let our iWitness videographer know. Fill out the form and make sure you give him good enough directions to find it. List a contact name and number if you know one.
We took Skywitness up to give you an unusual view of some of Central Florida's favorite parks. Check out Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Wet 'n Wild and SeaWorld from high in the sky. VIDEO: Aerial Tour Of Theme Parks IMAGES: Skywitness View Of Theme Parks
Don't miss your school prom because you can't afford a dress. There is an organization that is looking to help you. Becca's Closet was started by a high school student in South Florida. After her tragic death family and friends felt that the best way to pay tribute to this caring young woman was to continue her project. They collect used prom and homecoming dresses and give them to young women who can't afford the often high price for a gown. Orlando is one of 27 chapters for this organization that has collected and distributed more than 20,000 dresses. VIDEO: Getting Girls To The Prom In Style IMAGES: Donating Dresses Is Mission For Becca's Closet WEBSITE: Becca's Closet
Vanna White is spending some time in Orlando shooting clips to be used in Wheel of Fortunes shows that will be taped here later this year. We caught up with her at SeaWorld where she was getting up close with Shamu and friends. She talked about why they go to the effort and expense of taking the show on the road. VIDEO: The Wheel Heads To Orlando IMAGES: Vanna White At SeaWorld
Orlando was one of two sites to host an open call tryout for High School Musical: Get in the Picture. The ABC show will air in July and will offer those who make the cut an opportunity to head off to school to hone their performance skills. Hundreds of 16- to 22-year-olds showed up at Disney today to exhibit their talents for the show's producers. VIDEO: High School Musical Tryouts In Orlando IMAGES: High School Musical Reality Series Tryouts
If you're going to Hontoon Island State Park you're going to need a boat. Fortunately the folks at Hontoon Island have a small ferry that runs visitors back and forth between the mainland and the island all day long. Several years ago they replaced the gas engine with an electric motor. Now they've added solar panels to the ferry to make those thousands of trips a year more energy efficient than ever. VIDEO: Hontoon Island's Solar Powered Ferry VIDEO: A Visit To Hontoon Island State Park IMAGES: Volusia's Hontoon Island
For most of us recycling means setting the recycle box by the curb one day a week and waiting for the stuff to be picked up. Art teacher Jill Altomare wanted her students at Parke House Academy in Winter Park to understand that recycling means reuse. Her students, along with other teachers and parents spent a couple of days turning plastic bottles, bottle caps and grocery bags into a playroom. VIDEO: Recycled Play Room IMAGES: Water Bottle Walls And Bottle Cap Floors
Artist John Milton Ensor Parker believes that one of the goals of art is to stimulate thought. Now you have a chance to ponder Parker's art here in Orlando. The New York artist was hired by the developers of the new high rise condominium 101 Eola to create a work of art for the outside of their building. His 1,400 square foot painting is attracting attention and, the building's owners hope, setting an example for others as they build in the neighborhood. VIDEO: Orlando's Building Art IMAGES: John Parker's To The People Of Orlando
During a shuttle launch photographers stay 3 miles from the shuttle itself. To capture close-up images many of those photographers go out well before the launch and set up remote cameras close to the shuttle. We went along for the STS-123 launch and watched the process. At the same time we watched as WFTV Channel 9 set out 4 high definition remote video cameras in an attempt to bring local viewers a unique and close view of a shuttle launch in high definition. VIDEO: Getting A Close Look At A Shuttle Launch IMAGES: Remote Cameras Catch Close Up Views
For 17 years the Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant has been stationed in Port Canaveral. The Vigilant and her crew are making preparations to get underway on a 2-month patrol in the Caribbean. While on patrol they will likely encounter drug smugglers, boatloads of people trying to make their way into the United States illegally and participate in rescues at sea. The commander of the Vigilant invited us along for a day long shakedown cruise as they get ready to head to sea. It was a rare opportunity to watch the Coast Guard in action up close. VIDEO: At Sea With The Coast Guard IMAGES: A Day On The Vigilant
For 31 years the Valiant Air Command in Titusville has collected and restored military aircraft. Each year they roll their planes out, invite others in and put on a world-class air show. Take a look at the 2008 Valiant Air Command Warbird Airshow. VIDEO: Military Aircraft On Display And In The Air IMAGES: 2008 Warbird Airshow
The 37 swans that grace Lake Eola are icons of the City of Orlando. Now a festival will celebrate the swans, and will raise money to pay for the cost of their care. And if all goes as planned Lake Eola will become a rare spot. It will be home to every species of swan in the world. VIDEO: A Celebration For The Swans IMAGES: The Swans Of Lake Eola
Strange News Photos
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Wheel of Fortune is coming to SeaWorld Orlando. Vanna White was just in town taping for the show which will be here in December. Check out these pictures of Vanna at SeaWorld. IMAGES: Vanna At SeaWorld Orlando
High School Musical: Get in the Picture is a new ABC reality series that will air this summer. The show was at Disney recently looking for young stars. Hundreds of people showed up to see if they had what it takes to be a part of the series. While there they had the chance to meet show host Nick Lachey and be a part of the taping for the series. IMAGES: High School Musical Series Tryouts
In honor of Earth Day students at The Parke House Academy in Winter Park celebrated by building a playroom. The room is built out of used water bottles, drinking bottle caps and other assorted recyclables. Take a look at these pictures of them building their R.U.M.E.
IMAGES: Water Bottle Walls And Bottle Cap Floors
96 years ago the Titanic sank on her maiden voyage. You have a chance to sail on her through the end of the year at the Orlando Science Center. Check out these images from Titanic – The Experience. IMAGES: Titanic - The Experience
Hontoon Island has been in use for more than 2,000 years and is only accessible by boat. Since the late 60s the island has been a part of the Florida state park system. Located in the St. John’s River in Volusia County Hontoon Island State Park is a great little getaway that is a bit off the beaten path. IMAGES: Central Florida's Island State Park
When New York artist John Milton Ensor Parker was commissioned to create a painting for 101 Eola, a new condominium complex in Orlando, he gave them their moneys worth. John's 1,400 square foot painting is in place and on display for folks passing by the 14 story building to ponder and admire. Check out these images from the installation of this unique piece of art. IMAGES: John Parker's To The People Of Orlando
Dream away the day by checking out our Brevard and Volusia beach web cams. Send us a link to your favorite cam and we'll build a list so we can all travel the world from our desks! WEB CAMS:Click For Volusia And Brevard
Web Crawler
Check out these stories from our fellow web journalists around the country.
Click to meet Chris Hunt, a student at Pacific Lutheran University who is currently sixth in the world at solving the Rubik's Cube. Using algorithms, memorization techniques, and a tireless dedication for practicing, Hunt has risen to elite status in only three years.
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Pittsburgh was one of six stops on the tour Sister Hazel headlined. The band helped promote the world's first rock n' roll theme park in South Carolina. Hear what the band and CEO of the park have to say, and check out the Beatles' beloved 'Magical Mystery Tour' bus. More Details
From barking, to meowing, to back somersaults, Phineas the parrot uses a variety of tricks to impress those passing by at the Pike Place Market. Click to see how incredible this parrot really is.
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WFTV 9 Family Connection's Santa Saturdays were held here at the Channel 9 studios. The two weekends were a great success. The United States Marine Corp Reserve was on hand collecting for their Toys for Tots campaign. Check out this video to see a Santa Saturday. VIDEO: Santa Saturdays At WFTV IMAGES: Santa Saturdays And Toys For Tots INFO: More About Toys For Tots
Marines, bikers and barbeque were all on hand at Porkie's Original BBQ in Apopka recently. But the night was about more than hanging out and comparing rides. This was a night for giving to the WFTV 9 Family Connection and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve annual Toys for Tots campaign. As you'll see this is a generous group who helped to get this year's campaign off to a great start. VIDEO: Bikers Give To Toys For Tots
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