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The popular Orange County Animal Services appreciation event at Lake Eola Park, Barktoberfest is back! Orange County Animal Services will host the 10th Annual Barktoberfest later this month, when the fun and free event returns to Lake Eola Park, N Eola Ave, Orlando, on Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 12 pm - 4 pm! Barktoberfest is the shelter’s rescue appreciation event that serves to celebrate the partnership between OCAS and the rescue community. Animal Services currently works with more than 80 rescue groups across the state that aid in the recovery and adoption of homeless animals. Many of these pets will be present at Barktoberfest and available for adoption through the individual rescue groups. Pet Adoption Dozens of available animals will be onsite, in the care of the shelter’s rescue groups. This includes puppies, adult dogs, specific breeds and mixed breeds. With a wide variety of options, there will be a pet for each interested adopter available! Adoption prices and policies vary by group. Rabies Vaccinations and Microchipping OCAS will also be offering free Rabies Vaccinations and Microchipping! Event Vendors Barktoberfest will feature local pet-related businesses and groups! If you’re interested in joining OCAS for Barktoberfest, please email Barktoberfest@ocfl.net to receive a vendor application. Animal Services is asking participating vendors to donate $250 to the shelter. For the latest news and events from throughout Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you updated throughout the day, every day. You can also stay updated with the latest news and events on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, you should subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel!

Brevard Zoo receives $2 million gift from Ron Jon Surf Shop and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation for Aquarium and Conservation Center in Port Canaveral, passes two-thirds mark of $100 million campaign. Brevard Zoo has received a transformative $2 million gift from Ron Jon’s founder and his wife, Ron and Lynne DiMenna. These dollars will help construct the beach-themed entrance complex at the Zoo’s world-class Aquarium and Conservation Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Half of the gift, $1 million, will be donated from their retail company, Ron Jon Surf Shop, and the other $1 million as a grant from their foundation, Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation. The Aquarium and Conservation Center is a once-in-a-generation endeavor by Brevard Zoo to revolutionize coastal conservation, environmental education, and the rehabilitation of imperiled marine species throughout Central Florida. Following a $25 million commitment from an anonymous donor in 2021 and a $5 million gift from the DSF Charitable Foundation earlier this year, this gift represents the third-largest private donation to Brevard Zoo’s Our Legacy Campaign, a $100 million community fundraising effort to build the future Aquarium. In recognition of this gift, the Aquarium’s beach-themed entrance complex will be named in honor of Ron Jon Surf Shop and the Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation. The 17,510-square-foot complex will be the first area visitors will experience upon arriving at the Aquarium, comprising a covered entry, orientation gallery, ticketing, restrooms, guest services, a gift shop, a sea turtle nesting exhibit and more. The main feature of the complex will be an interactive dune exhibit, modeled to look like real coastal sand dunes, that highlights the work of Brevard Zoo’s Perdido Key beach mouse conservation program. Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation has supported the program annually since 2020, with grants totaling more than $55,000. Signage will recognize Ron Jon and the foundation’s generous support, while a Bait Ball Tank, Under the Weed Line Tank and Near Shore Reef Tank will add color and appeal to this exciting introduction to the Aquarium. “Ron Jon Surf Shop is an iconic brand in East Central Florida, and we are overjoyed to recognize their incredible generosity—and the generosity of the Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation—at our Aquarium,” said Brevard Zoo’s chief executive officer, Keith Winsten. “This gift will have a major impact on our ability to bring this world-class facility to life, which will conserve and celebrate the coastal ecosystems and wildlife we share our region with, from manatees to the tiniest beach mouse. “This naming is a fitting tribute to Ron Jon’s philanthropic leadership and the Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation’s conservation efforts throughout Florida as well as their loyal support of our beach mouse program,” Winsten continued. Groundbreaking for the Aquarium is expected in the fall of 2024, with a planned opening in early 2027. The future Aquarium will span 14 acres of shoreline along the Banana River at Port Canaveral, reflect the distinctive aesthetic of Brevard Zoo, and facilitate meaningful connections between visitors and Florida’s marine life and coastal ecosystems through a joyful, accessible and relaxed experience. In addition to the beach-themed entrance complex, planned exhibits include a Manatee Critical Care Center and Habitat, Sea Turtle Care Complex, Shark Flats, Ray Encounter, Alligator Alley, Otter Run and a tarpon feeding experience. The project is expected to support more than 900 jobs and attract over 300,000 tourists annually, engaging at least 525,000 visitors each year. With this gift, Brevard Zoo crosses the two-thirds mark of its $100 million Our Legacy Campaign, with more than $67 million in funds committed since the campaign formally launched in December 2021. "We are immensely grateful to Ron Jon Surf Shop, the DiMennas, and the Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation, whose combined generosity has helped us reach this thrilling milestone and will help inspire a passion for the conservation of our beaches, waterways and the species that call them home for generations to come.” For the latest news and events from throughout Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you updated throughout the day, every day. You can also stay updated with the latest news and events on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, you should subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel!

It's the most wonderfully SPOOKY time of the year, and a visit to Dezerland Action Park Orlando is gonna get you some unique photo opportunities with the kids. Dezerland is home to the Orlando Auto Museum, and inside you'll discover vehicles that are guaranteed to excite the little ones, and the grown up's too... Get your photos with the Ghostbusters Ecto 1 vehicle, the Munsters Koach, The Dragula, Scooby Do's Mystery Machine, as well as not one but three Batmobiles! Adam West's from the TV show, as well as Michael Keaton's and Val Kilmer's from the movies. Plus, for the month of October, Dezerland Action Park Orlando is offering kids in costume free entry to the Orlando Auto Museum. To receive free admission, each child must be accompanied by a paid adult. Accompanying adults will also receive a 50% discount on tickets. The entertainment center will also host Cosplay and Cars Halloween Trunk or Treat on October 29. With over 850,000 square-feet of entertainment space, Dezerland Action Park Orlando on International Drive is filled with excitement for you to uncover. In addition to the Orlando Auto Museum, the park features countless attractions including the 007 Bar, adjacent to the world’s largest collection of James Bond vehicles and memorabilia, indoor go-karting, bowling, a trampoline park, axe throwing, arcade games and 4D motion simulators. For more info check out Dezerland's website. For the latest news and events from throughout Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you updated throughout the day, every day. You can also stay updated with the latest news and events on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, you should subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel!

Give Kids The World Village will come alive with glittering lights and holiday magic during an intimate, elegant evening featuring dinner, live entertainment, and live and silent auctions. This holiday season join Give Kids The World is hosting Holiday Soiree, an elegant evening featuring dinner, entertainment, and live and silent auctions in The Hoppening Place, followed by a festive After Hours Party on The Avenue surrounded by lights – including music, access to the Castle of Miracles and delectable desserts in Henri’s Starlite Scoops. VIP packages featuring an exclusive pre-reception event and sponsorship opportunities are available. Proceeds will make magical wishes come true for critically ill children and their families at our whimsical nonprofit resort. Space is limited - reserve your tickets and tables today! Rated Four Stars by Charity Navigator, Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida, that provides week-long, cost-free wish vacations to critically ill children and their families from around the world who want to visit Central Florida. A stay at the Village is much more than a vacation. During one incredible week, wish families laugh, play, and create priceless memories together away from hospital visits and medical procedures. It's a magical week of "YES" where wish kids can experience the simple joys of childhood, and where families can recapture some of the precious moments that may have been missed due to illness. Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has welcomed more than 188,000 families from all 50 states and 76 countries. The Village is made possible by the support of generous donors and community partners, as well as thousands of passionate volunteers – who donate their time and talent making wishes come true. Learn about volunteer opportunities. Read on for info on even more holiday fun at Give Kids The World this holiday season! Give Kids The World have made their list for the holidays already, and yes, the've checked it twice, and this coming holiday season at Give Kids The World is going to be EXTRA nice! Give Kids The World have introduced their newest festive offering: Holiday VIP Tours! This exciting new holiday event is going to be a must visit for the holidays here in Central Florida, during Holiday VIP Tours, guests will savor the magic of 1.6 million glimmering lights covering the iconic GKTW venues, have fun taking holiday photos with special backdrops, and enjoy the exclusive behind-the-scenes stories that go along with each unique area. And that's not all, the GKTW villas will be decorated by Give Kids The World' incredible Village partners! The Holiday VIP Tours will take place on select nights in November and December, and tickets are only $59.99 per person. All proceeds will benefit Give Kids The World. Get your tickets now for this magical event now, supporting such a worthwhile cause. Also taking place this holiday season at Give Kids The World is the 3rd Annual Magical Night of Hope, read on for al the details on this extra special night. Give Kids the World is inviting you to join them for the 3rd Annual Magical Night of Hope on December 9, 2023. This special event is an intimate Christmas concert featuring some of your favorite personalities from the Disney YouTube community. This year’s show will take place live from Give Kids The World Village, and will once again be streamed live on YouTube. And for the first time, you will have the opportunity to join the live studio audience! Magical Night of Hope was created to raise funds for Give Kids The World Village, an 89-acre whimsical nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides critically ill children and their families with magical weeklong wish vacations at no cost. A stay at the Village is much more than a vacation; it's an opportunity for these families to laugh together, play together, and create priceless memories away from hospital stays and medical treatments. There are two ticket options for the Magical Night of Hope for you to choose from: General Admission ($50.00) As a General Admission guest of THE live studio audience, you will have the opportunity to experience THE concert in person. It is sure to be a magical way to kick of the holiday season. You’ll also enjoy a delightful Dessert Reception. VIP Package ($150.00) As a VIP guest of the live studio audience, you will have the opportunity to experience the concert from the best seats in the house. As well as enjoying premium table seating and a dessert reception, you'll also meet and greet the cast, receive a special gift, and enjoy a private tour of Give Kids The World Village. This magical nights is sure to sell out, so make sure you buy your tickets before they do! For the latest news and information from throughout Central Florida, here at Gotta Go Orlando we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date with us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, for the best of Orlando.

A 4-day comedy takeover of Tampa & St. Pete is happening in January 2024! Multiple venues, multiple comics and so much more will be included in the 2024 Sunshine Comedy Festival. Get ready to laugh your way into the New Year at the much-anticipated Sunshine Comedy Fest 2024! From January 11-14, Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida will be bursting with side-splitting humor as this new festival showcases the finest local comedians and bring in headliners from across the country. But that’s not all! Sunshine Comedy Fest will include live podcasts, exclusive after parties, live music and a VIP Pool Bash. Presented by Side Splitters and Coastal Creative, Sunshine Comedy Fest will include headline comedians Andy Haynes, Andrea Jin, Comrade Tripp, LeMaire Lee, and Shwan Gardini. With multiple venues including Side Splitters Comedy Club Tampa, Coastal Creative, and The Floridian Social Club, Sunshine Comedy Fest 2024 promises endless entertainment and unforgettable moments. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this laughter-filled extravaganza! Get details and tickets here. For the latest news and events from throughout Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you updated throughout the day, every day. You can also stay updated with the latest news and events on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, you should subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel!

It's the spookiest time of the year in Orlando, and ICON Park is celebrating with lots of fun Fall and Halloween fun throughout October. Cooler weather and spooky celebrations have arrived in Central Florida, and ICON Park is joining the fun and getting in the fall spirit. All month long, the 20-acre entertainment destination will have family-friendly themed experiences, events and specials for kids, adults (and even dogs). Check out all the fun... Fall Football Headquarters This fall, enjoy fun-filled weekends at ICON Park, without missing a second of the big games. Each weekend of football season, NFL and college football games will be broadcast on the giant screen (10 ft. by 20 ft.) inside The Wheelhouse at ICON Park. The Wheelhouse is ICON Park’s indoor hall with a giant bar, dining, and attractions for all ages, and will also offer gameday drink specials like select beers for $4. Also new this fall for beer lovers, ICON Park supports local brewers as the Wheelhouse bar launches a new series of custom craft beers fromBrewlando – Orlando’s newest and largest brewery. The new choices include four German-style crafted beers: the Brewlando Hoffner Hefe, the Brewlando Brewliner Weiss, the Brewlando Oktoberfest (Amber Lager) and the Brewlando 501 Oatmeal Stout. For BBQ with your game, Brother Jimmy’s BBQ airs live football games on its many screens every Saturday and Sunday and offers half-price wings and half-price pitchers of Brother Jimmy’s custom ale from noon to 8 p.m. at the bar. At Buffalo Wild Wings at ICON Park this month, all TVs are focused on football every Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and there are drink specials like $4 Goose Island Wild Herd Beer, $4 shots of Screwball Whiskey and beer buckets for the table. At Tin Roof, enjoy live music and football every weekend with live games airing on Saturdays and Sundays, game day food platters and drink specials like $3 Jell-O shots, $5 Fireball shots and $18 pitchers of Bud Light. HALLOWEEKEND at ICON Park (Oct 26- Oct. 31) ICON Park is offering a long Halloweekend of fun! Starting Thursday, Oct 26 through Halloween on Tuesday, Oct. 31, the park will offer free and discounted tickets, a haunted holiday light show and spooky photo ops. "Wheely” Big Fun for Costumed Kiddos Bring your little princess, astronaut or cowboy out to ICON Park from Oct 26 to 31 for a FREE ride on the Carousel on the Promenade. Offer is valid for all costumed kids ages 12 and under. Your costumed kiddo also will get the whole family 50 percent off tickets for, ICON Park’s signature attraction, The Wheel, so families can take in the views of Orlando together on their own private, air-conditioned capsule (up to five tickets.) Haunted Holiday Light Show Gather outdoors on The Lawn to be immersed in The Wheel’s popular annual light and fog show, as 64,000 LED lights dance 400 ft. in the air while fog drifts across the lawn at your feet. Shows will take place nightly, beginning this Saturday, October 7th through Tuesday, October 31st. Sundays through Thursdays — 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays — 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Best Spooky Selfie Spot Every night in October, the 400-foot Wheel is the ultimate Orlando Halloween photo spot for selfies, as it illuminates the skyline with a magnificent color-scape of orange, purple, green and red lights. Halloween Fun at Museum of Illusions Museum of Illusions is transforming its most popular exhibits to truly immerse guests in the spooky spectacle, all throughout October. Guests can get lost in a haunted mansion, encounter supernatural creatures and experience optical trickery that defies the laws of physics. Each weekend in October, guests can solve riddles, decode illusions and unlock hidden doors to discover hidden candy treasures as they explore the museum. Bark-O-Ween Bash: Spooktacular Puppy Pawty: Friday Oct 13, 6 – 8 p.m. One of Museum of Illusions’ most popular events is back. On Friday, October 13 from 6 to 8 p.m., the museum will be hosting a puppy party with dog-friendly treats, tons of adorable photo ops and a costume contest with a prize of $150 for the winning pup and their owner. Tickets will be $29.99 and include admission for the owner and their pet. Eerie Enchantments: A Haunting Halloween Soiree: Saturday, Oct. 28 If you’re looking for a unique Halloweekend celebration in Orlando, you won’t want to miss Museum of Illusions’ “Eerie Enchantments: A Haunting Halloween Soiree” on Saturday, October 28. The event will feature a cash bar, a costume contest with prizes, photo ops with Halloween-themed illusions and more spooky surprises. While the kiddos are having a blast, mom and dad can sip on delicious spirits. The Wheelhouse Bar, The Lawn Bar and Sky Bar are offering a variety of specialty drinks now through October 31, including: Shark Attack, Smashin Pumpkins, Columbian Candy Corn, Black Magic Margaret’s, and The Apple of My Eye! ICON Park is a 20-acre, open-air, gate-free entertainment destination with plenty of fun adventures for the whole family. The perfect place to ride, dine, drink, and explore. Located in the heart of the Orlando Entertainment District, the complex encompasses 10 entertainment attractions, over a dozen world-class restaurants and bars, nightly live music, retail stores and an outdoor marketplace – all anchored under the brilliant lights of the 400-ft icon of the Orlando skyline, The Wheel. Visit attractions including SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando and Museum of Illusions Orlando. Choose from a diverse mix of restaurants for lunch, dinner and late-night bites with a wide variety of flavors and cuisines. Find a unique collection of shopping treasures as you explore the outdoor market with its brick promenade and cozy festoon string lights. ICON Park is at the center of the International Drive Resort Area and is conveniently located near I-4, Universal Boulevard and the Beachline. Learn more at ICONParkOrlando.com For the latest news and events from throughout Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you updated throughout the day, every day. You can also stay updated with the latest news and events on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, you should subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel!

If you’ve ever stood at the foot of Cinderella Castle and wished you could stay in the fairytale Cinderella Castle Suite, Give Kids The World is giving everyone the opportunity to do just that! The wonderful Give Kids The World Village, an 89-acre nonprofit resort in Kissimmee that provides critically ill children and their families with week-long wish vacations at no cost, have unveiled a chance for one lucky winner and three guests to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Magical Celebration Vacation Package featuring a one-night stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite, located inside the iconic Cinderella Castle, four stories above the Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort. Now through October 16, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET, Disney fans can visit http://give.gktw.org/castle to enter for the chance to be treated like royalty during this unique fairy tale experience. But there’s more to the prize package than just one enchanted evening; the package also includes domestic round-trip coach airfare; a two-night stay in a standard room at a Deluxe Disney Resort hotel; 3-day theme park tickets with Park Hopper Option; a $500 Disney gift card for the winner; and breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table! Behind the Cinderella Castle’s glowing stained glass windows, the Cinderella Castle Suite is a study in opulence. Designed to resemble a 17th century French chateau, the ornately-decorated suite features coffered ceilings, an antique limestone fireplace, elaborate mosaics and murals, and luxurious furnishings fit for a princess or prince…plus a gilded clock stuck permanently at 11:59 p.m. – since Cinderella’s magic spell ended at midnight in the movie. Prize package recipients are not the only ones who will come away with cherished memories for a lifetime. Proceeds from this chance to win will benefit Give Kids The World Village, an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides critically ill children and their families with week-long wish vacations at no cost. From life’s simple pleasures to the stuff that dreams are made of, every wish family is treated to an all-inclusive experience including transportation; accommodations; all meals and snacks; donated theme park tickets to Walt Disney World Resort and other area attractions; nightly entertainment; daily gifts; and nonstop fun at the Village, a remarkable storybook destination of its own – featuring an array of accessible rides and attractions. Since 1986, more than 188,000 wish families from all 50 states and 77 countries have been welcomed to the Village to laugh together, play together, and create unforgettable memories away from hospital stays and medical treatments. “We are so grateful to our friends at Walt Disney World Resort for their tremendous generosity,” said Give Kids The World President & CEO Pamela Landwirth. “Their support helps ensure that we will continue our legacy of creating happiness, promoting optimism, and inspiring hope for the precious wish families we serve; and what a truly magical way of making that possible!” To learn more about Give Kids The World Village, to sign up to volunteer, or to make a donation, visit http://www.gktw.org. For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, your free guide to Orlando.

Be thankful for two amazing restaurants to celebrate Thanksgiving here in Central Florida. Whether your an Orlando local or in town to celebrate Thanksgiving, you will have lots to be thankful for if you choose either The Wilson Cocktails & Seafood at the Melia Orlando Hotel Celebration or the Park Avenue Tavern in Winter Park. Thanksgiving reservations are now open at both locations, read on for all the details. Park Avenue Tavern Park Avenue Tavern is the quintessential American bar and restaurant, centered around a combination of classic elegance and over the top hospitality. Park Avenue Tavern will offer a three-course plated Thanksgiving dinner for $65 per adult and $22 for kids (just the second course). Diners can start with either Butternut Squash Soup or Fall Harvest Salad. For the main course, diners will enjoy a plate of Sage and Rosemary Roasted Turkey Breast with herb cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry-orange chutney, green bean casserole and turkey gravy. For dessert, diners can choose either pecan pie or pumpkin pie. RESERVATIONS can be made HERE. The Wilson Cocktails & Seafood The Wilson, a quirky, coastal bistro, is located at Meliá Orlando Celebration and features a menu of coastal cuisine with global influences and seasonal craft cocktails, beer, and wine. The Wilson is a full restaurant and bar with an outdoor space, complete with an outdoor bar called Wilson’s Backyard, where brightly colored umbrellas seemingly float under Central Florida’s blue skies and a large terrace with a stunning view of the pool. The Wilson Cocktails & Seafood will offer a family-style three-course menu for Thanksgiving for $55 per person and $25 for children under 12. For the first course, diners will enjoy the option of a Mediterranean Salad, Caprese Salad or a Mortadella platter. The second course will be a Cider-Brined Roasted Turkey plate "with all the trimmings," including stuffing, whipped potatoes, green bean casserole, baked macaroni and cheese, gravy and cranberry sauce. For the third course, diners can choose either Pecan Pie or Pumpkin Pie topped with spiced rum whipped cream. RESERVATIONS can be made HERE. For the latest news and events from throughout Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you updated throughout the day, every day. You can also stay updated with the latest news and events on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, you should subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel!

Big news from Everglazed, as the popular Disney Springs donut shop is moving up the 1-4 to Tampa. Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew is expanding, and heading to the west coast, setting up an outpost at Sparkman Wharf in Tampa within the Container Park. Everglazed Donuts which is located next to Splitsville Luxury Lanes at Disney Springs, will open great to Splitsville in Tampa too, which is no surprise as both are owned by the same people! Like the Disney Springs location, the new Everglazed Donuts at Sparkman Wharf will offer a similar menu, which features hand-crafted confections featuring mouthwatering donuts with an assortment of cold brew pick-me-ups and sweet-yet-savory sandwiches. One major difference is the name, with the new Tampa location being named Everglazed Chickens and Donuts, as the location will be offering chicken tenders and crinkle-cut fries too. Immerse yourself in a complete donut experience as you gaze through the windows of the Everglazed working show kitchen where the humble donut is fried, glazed and piled high with a rainbow of toppings. Featuring both classic donuts and gourmet creations, Everglazed is where happiness is glazed daily. Also specializing in cold brew coffee, Everglazed offers bespoke beverage combinations like the Cinnamon Bun and Strawberry Mocha. For the latest news and information from throughout Central Florida, here at Gotta Go Orlando we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date with us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, for the best of Orlando.

Get ready to discover your inner hero with a first look at the finisher medals for the 2024 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. Whether you’re a seasoned runner who could finish a race in glass slippers or a rookie with big dreams of a fairy tale finish, there’s a place — and a race — for you at the 2024 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by CORKCICLE. Returning to Walt Disney World Resort Feb. 22 – 26, 2024, join some of Disney’s most beloved Princesses and Queens for an unforgettable race weekend celebrating the ways we are all heroes, every day. Being a hero is not just about the happily ever after at the end of the story. For our Princesses and Queens, it’s the courage to embark on the journey, jump out of the tower, open the restaurant, and find the fifth spirit. As a runner, it’s the sweat and determination that goes into each training run, the resilience to rise after every fall, and the unwavering commitment to reach our goals. Today, we’re excited to reveal a first look at what will be awaiting runners at the finish line: Disney Princess 5K presented by CORKCICLE Make a splash in “Part of Your World” during the Disney Princess 5K presented by CORKCICLE! Merfolk and land-dwellers unite in this fin-tastic race! When you can dash past the finish line, you’ll snag a beautiful medal that’ll get you beaming—and bragging. Disney Princess 10K presented by CORKCICLE It’s time to let down your hair and race to new heights with Rapunzel during the Disney Princess 10K presented by CORKCICLE. Celebrate what makes life so special—family, friends, and the freedom to be who you are. Your handsome prince of a reward? A medal like no other. Disney Princess Half Marathon presented by CORKCICLE Your fairytale finish can come true – it all depends on you! Join Tiana for the Disney Princess Half Marathon presented by CORKCICLE, where you can chase dreams and savor every step on a course flavored with music and magic and finish with a beautiful finisher medal. Disney Princess Fairy Tale Challenge presented by CORKCICLE Embrace the frosty thrill of the Disney Fairytale Challenge with Anna and Elsa! Conquer the 10K and Half Marathon distances in this cool challenge to earn a prestigious Queens’ royal medal. From 3.1 to 19.3 miles, you can also plan to join the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend fun virtually! Whether you’re looking for motivation to train for a future runDisney race or get a taste of the magic wherever you run, virtual race events are a great way to reward yourself for staying active! Head over to runDisney.com to learn more about the 2024 Virtual Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by CORKCICLE. For the latest news and events from throughout Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you updated throughout the day, every day. You can also stay updated with the latest news and events on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, you should subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel!

One of the best holiday events in Central Florida is returning for another year of illuminated magic at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. There’s great news for those who are already planning their holiday event calendar this year – tickets are now on sale for Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild, one of the most popular holiday events of the past few years. The event, a Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens tradition, will run on select nights from November 17, 2023 to January 14, 2024. The festival features dazzling, larger-than-life handcrafted lanterns illuminated in the night by thousands of LED lights. Situated around the Zoo on a 3/4-mile loop, they delight visitors with an incredible display of color, light and sound celebrating traditional Asian lantern festivals. Guests can purchase tickets here or visit https://www.centralfloridazoo.org/lanterns/ for more information. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance in order to lock in the best rates and secure preferred dates and times. The event has grown in popularity each year, and nearly every night sold out in 2022. This year’s event will include all-new lanterns, including a section featuring dinosaur lanterns, so even those who have attended in the past will have a whole new experience. “We’re thrilled to offer those in Central Florida the opportunity to enjoy this spectacular event for a fourth time. Almost every lantern is new again this year,” said CEO Richard E. Glover, Jr. “This is a cornerstone event for us at the Central Florida Zoo, and it truly is a community event. Collaborating with Publix again makes this year’s event even more special.” The festival started in 2019 and was not held in 2020. This is the second year Publix will serve as the presenting sponsor. “It’s exciting to return as the presenting sponsor for the Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens,” said Hannah Herring, Publix media relations manager. “We love being part of this holiday tradition with our customers, associates and the community.” The festival is presented in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. For more information about the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, visit www.centralfloridazoo.org. For the latest news and information from throughout Central Florida, here at Gotta Go Orlando we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date with us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, for the best of Orlando.

The South Open Dancesport Championships is bringing the biggest celebrities of the ballroom industry to the JW Marriot Grande Lakes this December. The biggest names in the ballroom industry will take to the dance floor this December, from December 6 - 12, at the beautiful JW Marriot Grande Lakes , 4400 Central Florida Pkwy, Orlando when the South Open Dancesport Championships come to town. This glittering occasion brings professional and amateur dancers from across the nation and the world to Orlando, where they will compete to be crowned 2023 champions. Traditionally mornings and afternoons are dedicated to all level Pro/Am dancers and the evenings are set for all the Professional Championships. Or more information and to book tickets to see this spectacular event, click here. For the latest news and events from throughout Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you updated throughout the day, every day. You can also stay updated with the latest news and events on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, you should subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel!