CitySurfing Orlando

One of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World’s Epcot will be closing this spring for a few months of updating.

Test Track at Epcot will be closing in April 2012 for what Disney is calling a “re-imagineering” of the ride.

First, the full name of the ride will be changing from GM Test Track at Epcot to Test Track Presented by Chevrolet.

The entrance queue and the exit area are both going to receiving a remodel that incorporates the ride’s sponsor, Chevrolet, in a more prominent way. There will be interactive design and styling workstations at which you will be able to create custom concept vehicles. Also included will be a “SimCar” ride vehicle experience where you can put your design through its paces on the Test Track circuit.

The post-show area will still be a showroom for the latest Chevy models.

I’m hoping they make the ride seats a little wider and comfortable, too.

They don’t have an exact date for the ride to reopen, except to say their projected timeframe is fall 2012. So if you were hoping to ride it during a visit this summer, it won’t be open.

Mexico’s popular Spring Break party headquarters has opened it’s newest U.S. location in the heart of I-Drive’s southern corridor near the Orange County Convention Center.

By day, Senor Frog’s will be more family friendly, serving up a menu of Mexican fare. There will be games for the kids and a balloon artist wandering tables for dinner.

After 11pm, it will become a 21-and-over nightclub with live entertainment and a huge dance floor. Drinks are available in three sizes, including the gigantic yard stick size.

I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, but on Yelp it appears to be getting mixed reviews. If you’ve visited leave your opinions in the comments – we’d love to know what you think.

Senor Frog’s is located at 8747 International Drive and they’re open from 11am to 2am.

The Rainforest Cafe has released information that over the next few months, they will be adding on an outside bar area to their location at Downtown Disney.

It will be called the Lava Lounge and is expected to be open by this fall.

Also being updated is the volcano outside which will now erupt to go along with the sound effects.

The restaurant will not close during any of these updates.

Rainforest Cafe also has another Orlando location at the entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.

For those who’ve never been there, the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando has an almost monthly concert series called Velvet Sessions. They bring in classic pop and rock bands to play for the evening and have a pre-show with free cocktails and such.

Well, if you’ve always wanted to check out a Velvet Sessions show, but weren’t sure if you wanted to pay the $30 or so for a ticket, you might want to check out this special Valentine’s show.

It’s a bit off a twist called “Acoustic Sessions” and instead of a full band, it will feature Carl Dixon (formerly of the Guess Who) in an unplugged-style concert.

In addition to being a stripped down version of the normal Velvet Session concert (but no less fun), this show differs because it’s completely free.

Of course, because it’s free, drinks won’t be, but there will be cash bars and cocktail service for the evening, and $5 self-parking at the hotel. You can also reserve a table for two for $30 or a table for four for $50. Reserved tables get the first round of drinks complimentary, as well as parking (self or valet).

This “Acoustic Sessions” show with Carl Dixon takes place Tuesday, February 14, and starts at 8pm.

One of the major annual events hosted by SeaWorld Orlando and its sister park Busch Gardens in Tampa is the spring Bands, Brew & BBQ weekends.

During this event, each park hosts weekend concerts by big name headliners. SeaWorld Orlando’s include both classic rock and country, and run on both Saturday and Sunday.

Here is the list of headliners:

• Saturday, February 11: Foreigner
• Sunday, February 12: Gary Allan
• Saturday, February 18: Trace Adkins
• Sunday, February 19: Kenny Rogers
• Saturday, February 25: Doobie Brothers
• Sunday, February 26: Ronnie Dunn
• Saturday, March 3: Sara Evans
• Sunday, March 4: Scotty McCreery

Over at Busch Gardens, the concerts are Sundays only. Here is their line-up:

• Sunday, February 12: Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Sunday, February 19: Bret Michaels (of Poison)
• Sunday, February 26: .38 Special
• Sunday, March 4: REO Speedwagon

All concerts are included in regular park admission, from single tickets to Fun Cards to annual passes, as long as they are valid at that park.

Each park will also be offering BBQ for sale, as well as host a beer garden area with at least 50 different brews for purchase.