Orlando is predicted to be the center of pirate frenzy this Memorial Day weekend, as Disney releases its third installment of the popular "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie franchise. While many of the movie's fans are expected to make the pilgrimage to Orlando to visit the namesake attraction, they will find pirate adventures throughout the entire destination.

Gaylord Palms Resort will feature a pirate activity of its own over Memorial Day weekend, Pirates Treasure Hunt Challenge. The challenge is a contest of skill that will give overnight package guests an opportunity to act and think like pirates as they traverse the resort and decipher clever clues, solve intricate puzzles, and perform other "piratey" tasks for a panel of judges. At the end of the holiday weekend, the family who accumulates the greatest number of points during their treasure hunt challenge will claim the $10,000 pirate's prize.

While unrelated to the movie or any of the listed attractions, the Gaylord Palms event is sure to appeal to anybody fascinated by pirates.

Here is the entire list of visitor's favorites, compliments of Gaylord Palms Resort (listed in alphabetical order):

• DisneyQuest

Downtown Disney West Side
Walt Disney World Resort
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Phone: (407) 828-4600
www.downtowndisney.com

Fantasy adventures featuring cutting-edge virtual reality technology and classic Disney worlds await guests of all ages when they step inside DisneyQuest, a five-story, indoor interactive theme park that combines Disney's magic with state-of-the-art immersive technologies at the Walt Disney World Resort. Inside, guests will find: Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold, which takes a crew of four into a 3-D world of plundered towns, fortress islands and erupting volcanoes for an action-packed, five-minutes of fun.

• Elmo and the Bookaneers

SeaWorld Orlando
7007 SeaWorld Drive
Orlando, FL 32830
Phone: (407) 351-3600
www.seaworld.com

Learning to read has never been as fun as Elmo and his Sesame Street friends combine singing and dancing in an all-new swashbuckling pirate adventure that can only be seen at SeaWorld Orlando. Featuring an original musical score, special effects and live-action performances, this 20-minute show is sure to delight the whole family. Stars of the show include Elmo, Bert, Ernie, Rosita, Telly Monster, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby - the first new female Muppet to join Sesame Street in more than 13 years (Featuring performances through Labor Day Weekend).

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Epcot
Walt Disney World Resort
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Phone: (407) 824-4321
www.disneyworld.com

A flower-festooned pirate ship drops anchor at the 14th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival April 5-June 3 at Walt Disney World. According to Disney, the first-ever pirate ship topiary will feature Peter Pan and his nemesis, Captain Hook, plus Tinker Bell -- all as intricately designed topiaries. Pirate Mickey Mouse and Princess Minnie Mouse, plus Cinderella and Prince Charming, Belle and her Beast from "Beauty and the Beast," and other popular characters make topiary appearances throughout the park. In addition, a towering Pirate Goofy, with Donald Duck and Pluto, offers Disney gardeners a chance to reach new topiary heights. In all, there will be more than 70 topiaries -- plus 30 million blooms, artfully designed floral beds, expertly crafted bonsai trees and lush rose gardens -- gracing the 300 acres of Future World and World Showcase.

• Pirate's Cove

12545 SR 535
Lake Buena Vista FL 32830
Phone: (407) 827-1242
www.piratescove.net

Pirate's Cove offers an unequaled miniature golf experience. The adventures and legends of infamous pirates come to life in a setting reminiscent of Orlando's famous theme parks. Guests putt their way through caves, over footbridges, and under cascading waterfalls, amidst a fun-filled atmosphere of natural wonders, extraordinary landscaping, and enchanting pirate lore.

• Pirate's Dinner Adventure

6400 Carrier Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819                                                            
Phone: (407) 248-0590
www.piratesdinneradventure.com

Pirate's Dinner Adventure is an energetic and adventurous, interactive dining experience, captivating audiences of all ages. Guests set sail on the high seas aboard a pirate ship for swashbuckling thrills, combined with the perfect blend of comedy, romance, action and adventure. Pirate's Dinner Adventure is a bounty of hidden treasure waiting to be explored. Guests experience breathtaking feats of aerial agility and spectacular musical talent as they dine on a delicious Port of Call Feast. With more than 100 guests of all ages invited to don costumes and play a part in the evening's adventure, the attraction is widely known as "The World's Most Interactive Dinner Show."

• Pirates of the Caribbean

Magic Kingdom Park
Walt Disney World Resort
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Phone: (407) 824-4321
www.disneyworld.com
Since it opened on Dec. 15, 1973, the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction has entertained millions of Walt Disney World guests on a thrilling adventure through dark, mysterious caverns where "dead men tell no tales." Starring a comical cast of rascals, scoundrels, villains and knaves, the Adventureland attraction sends guests of all ages on a boat ride to a Caribbean seaport under siege by a swashbuckling band of pirates. The attraction features 125 Audio-Animatronics figures -- 65 pirates and villagers and 60 animals and birds - including the newest addition: Captain Jack Sparrow.

• Pirates Treasure Hunt Challenge

Gaylord Palms Resort
6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee
Phone: (407) 586-HUNT
www.gaylordtreasurehunt.com

This family treasure hunt, held over Memorial Day Weekend, gives package guests an opportunity to act and think like pirates as they traverse the resort and decipher clever clues, solve intricate puzzles, and perform other "piratey" tasks for a panel of judges. At the end of the weekend, the family who accumulates the greatest number of points during their treasure hunt challenge will claim the $10,000 pirate's prize.

• World of Disney shop

Downtown Disney Marketplace
Walt Disney World Resort
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Phone: (407) WDW-2NITE
www.downtowndisney.com

At the World of Disney shop, a world of pirates unfolds in the interactive Adventure Room. Young adventurers can pretend to sail the high seas and hoist the Jolly Roger. Young heroes and heroines can fill treasure chests and skulls with pirate plunder, create their own seafaring hat and interact with an Audio-Animatronics pirate named Rusty Blade and his talking parrot pal, Pollyanna.

More Details:

The Pirates Treasure Hunt Challenge at Gaylord Palms Resort unfolds over two days, and can easily be combined with visits to Orlando's world-famous theme parks and attractions. Some tasks will be appropriate for family members to tackle together, while others will challenge even the most creative of adults.

The Pirates Treasure Hunt Challenge room package is $199 per night plus tax and parking. The package, which must be purchased for a minimum of two nights, includes deluxe accommodations, resort fee, a treasure hunt kit, and access to special activities and skill contests related to the Pirates Treasure Hunt Challenge.

To make a reservation, or to receive more information about Pirates Treasure Hunt Challenge, call 407-586-HUNT, or visit www.GaylordTreasureHunt.com. Package guests can check into the hotel on Friday May 25 or Saturday May 26. For official rules, guests can visit www.GaylordTreasureHunt.com/rules.

Pirates have always held a prominent place in popular culture. But due to the success of Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie franchise, these swashbucklers have enjoyed newfound popularity. Since the original installment debuted in 2003, interest in pirates has catapulted.

In addition, hit reality television shows like "Survivor," "The Amazing Race" and "Treasure Hunters" and movies like "National Treasure" have increased the appeal of scavenger hunts to the family audience.

"Activities such as the Gaylord Palms Pirates Treasure Hunt Challenge are the natural progression of these trends," said Kemp Gallineau, general manager. "They give families a safe and controlled way to put themselves in the middle of the action while competing for their own treasure - just as they have seen on television or in the movies."

Gaylord Palms Resort features a soaring 4.5-acre glass-covered atrium that celebrates the best of Florida, including the destinations of St. Augustine, Key West, and the Everglades. Inside the atriums, guests can encounter live alligators and other native creatures, enjoy amazing landscapes, visit innovative shops, dine at award-winning restaurants and participate in on-site entertainment. In addition, complimentary shuttle service is offered to Orlando's world-famous theme parks and attractions.

About Gaylord Palms
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center has gained the attention of the meeting and convention industry by providing world-class convention and leisure-focused amenities - all in one place. The award-winning Gaylord Palms is a Gaylord Hotels-branded property owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.gaylordpalms.com or www.gaylordentertainment.com.