Orlando Sentinel: Travel
- Spooky Empire horror-themed convention says it had no choice but to relocate from Orlando to Tampa
Thursday - 05/02/2019 - 05:30 AMNote: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported expected guests for this year’s show. A popular horror-themed convention that announced this week it would relocate to Tampa after more than a decade in Orlando was forced to do so after it could not find enough floor space for its growing...
More | Talk | Read It Later | Share - Universal: Potter coaster riders will face animated Hagrid figure
Monday - 05/06/2019 - 11:00 AMPassengers aboard Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, the new roller coaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, will find themselves face-to-face with a life-size figure of the thrill ride’s bigger-than-life title character.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Disney gives $1.5 million to Valencia College's culinary program at downtown Orlando campus
Monday - 05/06/2019 - 03:00 PMWalt Disney World Resort is donating $1.5 million for the new culinary arts program that’s being built in the University of Central Florida-Valencia College downtown campus. The downtown Orlando campus, built where the original Orlando Magic stadium once stood, is set to open in the fall to educate...
More | Talk | Read It Later | Share - Orange County hotel tax revenue comes in flat for March
Friday - 05/03/2019 - 09:25 AMTourist tax revenue was flat in March, generating nearly $31 million, the Orange County Comptroller announced Friday. In January, the tax revenue fell by 2.5 percent compared with January 2018, the first decline in more than two years.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Legoland, other Merlin attractions offer deals on annual passes during Cinco de Mayo weekend
Friday - 05/03/2019 - 10:20 AMMerlin El Mago — that is, The Magician — is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with some deals. An annual pass to five Merlin Entertainments attractions, including Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven, will be discounted for three days starting today.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Disney: Baby gorilla born at Animal Kingdom
Thursday - 05/02/2019 - 12:15 PMA western lowland gorilla was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Wednesday morning. Visitors may already catch a glimpse of mom Kashata and baby Grace at the theme park’s Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, officials say.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Disney unveils 'May the 4th' / Force merchandise for 'Star Wars' day
Thursday - 05/02/2019 - 03:30 PMWalt Disney World is rolling out select merchandise and experiences for Saturday’s “Star Wars” festivities, falling under the popular and punny “May the Fourth” umbrella, a salute to the Force and all things far, far away.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Orange County's new Horizon West fire house meets booming demand in growing west Orange
Wednesday - 05/01/2019 - 11:05 AMOrange County’s newest fire station, its first in the booming Horizon West community near Disney, means more money in Joan Sullens’ pocket. The Horizon West resident now qualifies for a premium-reducing, fire-protection discount on her homeowners insurance policy because firefighting crews are...
More | Talk | Read It Later | Share - Disney flashback: 5 (former) Hollywood Studios stand-outs
Tuesday - 04/30/2019 - 05:00 AMAs we mark the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park this week, there is an emphasis on the future. I mean, one can’t ignore the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge that’s not so far, far away.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Universal: Classic monsters join Halloween Horror Nights lineup
Monday - 04/29/2019 - 12:40 PMThey’ll do the monster mash at the 2019 edition of Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. A haunted maze dubbed Universal Monsters will feature Dracula, Dr. Frankenstein, the Wolf Man and other classic movie characters at the event.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Get a sneak peek of the emerging landscape of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World
Tuesday - 04/30/2019 - 04:05 PMBatuu, the world of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, is a work in progress at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Earthly construction workers are creating the jagged landscape of the far-flung planet — currently punctuated by steel structures, domes, towering spires and hammering heavy machinery —...
More | Talk | Read It Later | Share - Royal Caribbean brings two new ships to Port Canaveral
Sunday - 05/05/2019 - 06:00 PMSome of the best of what Royal Caribbean has to offer is set to call Port Canaveral home as both Harmony of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas take over sailing duties.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- 5 things to know about Universal's new Today Cafe
Friday - 05/03/2019 - 05:00 AMUniversal Studios has whipped up a new restaurant, which now has an official opening date. Today Café will open to the public on May 16. The eatery is tied to NBC’s “Today” show, so it’s only natural that Al Roker, who’s been a regular on the morning program since 1996, will be on hand for festivities....
More | Talk | Read It Later | Share - Gatorland's first Gatorpalooza will mark park's 70th anniversary
Friday - 05/03/2019 - 09:50 AMGatorland is turning 70 years old and will celebrate the occasion on May 18 with a new event called the Gatorpalooza Fun Fest. Admission that day to the attraction, which opened on South Orange Blossom Trail in 1949, will include live music, games, giveaways, artisans, vendors and the usual animal...
More | Talk | Read It Later | Share - Spooky Empire leaders say they had no choice but to relocate convention to Tampa
Thursday - 05/02/2019 - 05:30 AMA popular horror-themed convention that announced this week it would relocate to Tampa after more than a decade in Orlando was forced to do so after it could not find enough floor space for its growing show, its leaders say.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Crayola Experience: Free annual passes go to teachers
Thursday - 05/02/2019 - 12:55 PMCrayola Experience, the attraction devoted to crayons and imagination, has started giving away annual passes to teachers. The attraction, operating at Florida Mall, is distributing certified teachers for grades pre-K through 12) a pass — without blockout dates.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Get a sneak peek of the emerging landscape of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World
Tuesday - 04/30/2019 - 04:05 PMBatuu, the world of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, is a work in progress at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Earthly construction workers are creating the jagged landscape of the far-flung planet — currently punctuated by steel structures, domes, towering spires and hammering heavy machinery —...
More | Talk | Read It Later | Share - Thousands of SeaWorld annual pass holders to get refunds in lawsuit settlement
Wednesday - 05/01/2019 - 12:05 PMA federal judge gave final approval to a $11.5 million class action settlement agreement this week after a group sued when their SeaWorld passes were automatically renewed without their permission.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Shetland pony born at Disney World may join Cinderella stable
Monday - 04/29/2019 - 11:15 AMWalt Disney World has introduced visitors to Lilly, a Shetland pony born at the resort’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch. She has famous parents: Lady and Ferdinand, who pull Cinderella’s coach at Magic Kingdom and at Disney’s Fairytale Weddings.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Blue Angels to return to Disney, fly above Epcot
Monday - 04/29/2019 - 01:55 PMThe U.S. Navy Blue Angels are scheduled to fly over Epcot on Thursday, May 2, Walt Disney World announced Monday. The pilots are expected to make two passes above Spaceship Earth, the big-ball centerpiece of the theme park, in the morning.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Visiting the world’s largest occupied bat houses in Gainesville
Wednesday - 05/01/2019 - 05:30 AMThree unassuming white structures on stilts are tucked away near University of Florida’s campus in Gainesville. If you’re not paying attention or looking toward students in hammocks next to Lake Alice across the street, you might miss it.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Disney: MagicBand options expanded for passholders, hotel guests
Monday - 05/06/2019 - 10:35 AMWalt Disney World annual passholders and hotel guests will have more options when it comes to MagicBands in the future. Disney has announced that 30 select designs will become available to those visitors at a discount.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Audubon offers tips to enjoy Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive on 4th anniversary
Friday - 05/03/2019 - 01:40 PMOrange Audubon volunteers will help visitors spot wildlife this weekend at the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. The guided service is the nonprofit conservation society’s homage to the no-admission, 11-mile trail, which officially opened to the public four years ago this month and now draws about 100,000...
More | Talk | Read It Later | Share - Family sues Disney, says bedbugs bit them at resort, then went home with them
Friday - 05/03/2019 - 02:30 PMA Louisiana couple is suing Disney, claiming they took home some unwanted souvenirs — bedbugs — that infested their home and traumatized their autistic son during their stay at the All-Star Movies Resort last year.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Disney: New 'Wonderful World of Animation' filled with cinematic memories
Thursday - 05/02/2019 - 05:00 AMDisney World’s latest projection show has everything and the animated kitchen sink in it. The new “Wonderful World of Animation” production at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park incorporates every animated theatrical release, including the upcoming “Toy Story 4.” This allows “The Lion King”...
More | Talk | Read It Later | Share - Star Wars fans celebrate on social media landing Disneyland reservations
Thursday - 05/02/2019 - 02:00 PMSome celebrated by posting memes of dancing stormtroopers as bragging rights to be among the first to see Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland. Others complained about waiting two hours, staring at their computer screens, as they hoped for luck to fall on their side.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Visiting the world’s largest occupied bat houses in Gainesville
Wednesday - 05/01/2019 - 05:30 AMThree unassuming white structures on stilts are tucked away near University of Florida’s campus in Gainesville. If you’re not paying attention or looking toward students in hammocks next to Lake Alice across the street, you might miss it.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- New Disney rules on smoking, strollers take effect today
Wednesday - 05/01/2019 - 08:30 AMWednesday officially kicks off new rules at Walt Disney World that change where you can smoke in the theme parks and how big your stroller can be. Under the changes, stroller wagons are also officially on the Disney blacklist as of Wednesday from the park.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share
- Get a sneak peek of the emerging landscape of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World
Tuesday - 04/30/2019 - 06:47 PMBatuu, the world of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, is a work in progress at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Earthly construction workers are creating the jagged landscape of the far-flung planet — currently punctuated by steel structures, domes, towering spires and hammering heavy machinery —...
More | Talk | Read It Later | Share - Float like a butterfly, bleat like a sheep: Mohammad Ali fights Orange County to keep pet goats
Sunday - 04/28/2019 - 06:00 AMMohammad Ali is fighting for his two pet goats. Because the animals are prohibited by county code in his west Orange neighborhood, Ali said he recently got rid of beloved pet goats “Happy” and “Brownie” — and that has made him sad and blue.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share