The Magic Castle Inn is a charming and enchanting accommodation located in Kissimmee, Florida. This family-friendly motel offers a magical experience for guests of all ages. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a warm welcome and a sense of wonder. The Magic Castle Inn is adorned with fairy lights and whimsical decorations, creating an atmosphere of enchantment. The rooms at The Magic Castle Inn are clean, comfortable, and spacious. Each room is decorated with a touch of magic, featuring artwork and decor that transport guests into a world of fantasy.
Twelve years of crisis have had a profound impact on Syrian children. They have been exposed to violence and indiscriminate attacks, losing their loved ones, their homes, their possessions and everything they once knew. They have grown up knowing nothing but the crisis. Today, over 47 percent of Syrian refugees in the region are under 18 years old and more than a third of them do not have access to education. In Syria, more than two million children are out of school and 1.6 million children are at risk of dropping out.
From The Long Season , a documentary from the single shot cinema school of multi-award-winning director Leonard Retel Helmrich given its UK premiere this month at the Human Rights Watch film festival, BFI. It is unusual, and normally wrong, for aid workers to speak out about aid work and politics, but an endgame of sorts is approaching in Syria and it is clear that the road both to that point and beyond it will bring further intolerable suffering.
Each room is decorated with a touch of magic, featuring artwork and decor that transport guests into a world of fantasy. The beds are cozy and inviting, ensuring a peaceful night's sleep after a day of adventure. One of the most enchanting aspects of The Magic Castle Inn is its swimming pool.
Op-Ed: In Syria, my fame became a curse. Now it helps give meaning to my journey as a refugee
In my homeland of Syria, I thought my fame would protect me. But after I received attention for seeming to speak out against the totalitarian and violent Assad regime, being famous suddenly became a curse. It sent me on a punishing journey I never would have chosen but which has had its own unexpected rewards.
I knew everything was about to change when the head of a major Syrian movie studio ordered me to appear on television and apologize for something I would never have dared to say in public. An August 2011 front-page article in the Los Angeles Times had begun by saying I had openly accused Syrian “security forces of torture and corruption.”
Not until the third paragraph did the journalist make her writerly reveal: I was actually delivering a line of dialogue playing the hero in a soap opera whose title roughly translated to “Torn From the Womb.” That it was a character speaking, not me as myself, would not matter to the government.
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Syrian soap operas get real this Ramadan
Since the Syrian uprising against Assad had begun months earlier, the secret police had tried to recruit me and many other public figures for its propaganda machine. I resisted and avoided speaking out against the regime. But the article had made one truth clear: I did not support the villainous Syrian President Bashar Assad or his henchmen.
There would be no TV apology from me, and life as I knew it would soon be over.
The secret police began repeatedly threatening me, making the land beneath my feet feel like it was quaking. I knew that the Syrian regime was like an octopus’ mafia — if you were able to escape one tentacle another one would ensnare you.
I was also acutely aware of the harrowing punishment being meted out to other artists. Ali Farzat, a famous political cartoonist, was badly beaten, his fingers deliberately broken by pro-Assad gunmen. A few months later, Zaki Kordelo, an actor and my treasured friend, was forcibly disappeared overnight.
At any moment, I expected a horrifying death to come my way.
In my 50s, I was forced to flee my country, leaving behind my elderly parents, a vibrant acting career, my house, all my assets. And I began a journey of survival as a refugee, becoming one of the more than 89 million people in the world who have had to escape persecution, war and natural disasters.
Fortunately, my wife was already in the U.S. studying public policy at the University of Minnesota, and I joined her there in October 2011. When she asked me to sign an application to apply for asylum in the U.S., she shared a painful truth that horrified me: “There is no more home to go back to.”
AdvertisementSoon, I would even leave behind my given name. Every time I introduced myself to someone in Minnesota, they would react with incredulity. So Jihad — a common name back home — became Jay. If only reinventing yourself in another country was as simple as changing your name.
The asylum process dragged on for years. Life was brutal and perpetually on hold. We struggled to find work. I got pizza and flower delivery jobs, but I didn’t even make enough to cover our groceries. Visits to the doctor were an unaffordable luxury. We were starving, scared and very much alone.
But we had each other, and we found strength in knowing that the high price we were paying was because we had taken a moral stand, along with other innocent people, against the killing machine that is the Syrian regime.
In an attempt to resuscitate my acting career, we made our way to Los Angeles in 2012. I would go on more than a hundred auditions without landing a part. Finally, I connected with the director Werner Herzog, who cast me in his 2015 film “Queen of the Desert,” starring Nicole Kidman. Parts in other films featuring such actors as Tom Hanks and Ben Affleck would follow.
My wife eventually secured a good job in her field, which freed me to pursue acting. Nearly a decade would pass before we became U.S. citizens. By any measure, we are a success story — refugees who were able to build a productive new life in America.
In ruins during civil war, Syria marks 50 years of Assad family rule
On Nov. 13, 1970, Hafez Assad, a young career air force officer, took power in Syria in a bloodless coup, the latest in a succession of military takeovers since independence from France in 1946.
Since I became a refugee more than a decade ago, the global refugee population has more than doubled. By one accounting, more than two-thirds of us have come from just five countries. It’s not surprising to me that Syria leads the list, with nearly 7 million displaced people. Millions live in refugee camps, essentially forgotten by the world at large.
In every moral challenge, some people find the fortitude to stand up while others don’t. Some Syrian artists who were once my friends became cheerleaders for the Assad regime. They chose to remain on the dark side of history. I chose to seek the light.
In the short drama “Facing Mecca,” I play a Syrian refugee who struggles to bury his wife in accordance with Muslim rites. When it won a Student Academy Award in 2017, it made me believe I could turn to film to raise awareness about the plight of refugees and highlight other injustices in the world.
Fellow refugees often tell me my story helped them hold on to hope in their darkest moments. That has made me realize I already inhabit my greatest role: speaking out for refugees and those who are unable to escape the violence and chaos in their home countries, whether through activism or the film projects I pursue. And this is why my journey as a refugee will never end.
Jay Abdo is an actor and producer. He will receive FilmAid’s Richard C. Holbrooke Award for Humanitarian Service on Oct. 12. @JayAbdoActor.
Enclosed in a lush and tropical courtyard, the pool is a haven for relaxation and fun. Guests can take a dip in the sparkling waters or lounge by the poolside, enjoying the Florida sunshine. For families with children, The Magic Castle Inn offers a variety of activities to keep them entertained. There is a playground with swings and slides, as well as a game room filled with arcade games and board games. Children can let their imaginations run wild in this magical setting. The Magic Castle Inn is also conveniently located near the Walt Disney World Resort, making it the perfect choice for families visiting the theme parks. The inn offers complimentary shuttle service to and from the parks, allowing guests to save time and money on transportation. In addition to its magical accommodations, The Magic Castle Inn also provides exceptional service. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure that guests have a memorable and enchanting stay. They are always available to answer questions, provide recommendations, and assist with any needs that may arise. Overall, The Magic Castle Inn is a truly enchanting place to stay. From its whimsical decor to its magical amenities, this inn offers a unique and unforgettable experience for guests of all ages. Whether you are visiting Kissimmee for a family vacation or a romantic getaway, The Magic Castle Inn is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime..
Reviews for "Immerse Yourself in the Magic of The Magic Castle Inn"
1. Maria - 1 star - The Magic Castle Inn was a total disappointment. The room was not properly cleaned upon check-in, with visible dirt and dust all over. The linens were old and stained, making us question their cleanliness. The bathroom was also in poor condition, with a broken showerhead and clogged drains. The noise from the neighboring rooms and outside was unbearable, and the thin walls offered no sound insulation. The overall experience was unpleasant, and I would not recommend this inn to anyone.
2. John - 2 stars - I had high hopes for The Magic Castle Inn, but it failed to meet my expectations. The room was small and outdated, with worn-out furniture and a musty smell. The Wi-Fi was weak and unreliable, making it difficult to stay connected. The customer service was lacking, with unhelpful staff who seemed disinterested in assisting guests. The inn's location was also not ideal, far from major attractions and in a noisy area. Overall, my stay at The Magic Castle Inn was underwhelming and I would not choose to stay here again.
3. Lisa - 2 stars - The Magic Castle Inn left much to be desired. The room I stayed in was dark and poorly lit, giving off a gloomy atmosphere. The cleanliness was subpar, with visible stains on the carpet and old food crumbs under the bed. The air conditioning unit was noisy and ineffective, making it difficult to sleep comfortably. The amenities mentioned on their website, such as a pool and fitness center, were either closed or not well-maintained. The lack of attention to detail and overall upkeep of the inn made for a disappointing experience. I would not recommend staying here for a pleasant vacation.