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Beep! Beep! The City of Orlando has unveiled its latest free shuttle program, which will offer free travel around downtown's Creative Village. The City of Orlando have announced the start of a six-month autonomous shuttle pilot program in partnership with Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) and Beep Inc., the Lake Nona provider of autonomous shared mobility solutions. The autonomous pilot, called SWAN Shuttle (Shuttling With Autonomous Navigation), will provide the city and LYNX data and learnings to guide the city’s transportation strategy on how shared, electric and autonomous vehicles can enhance accessibility, improve the quality of life for residents and ensure the city remains future-ready and sustainable. “The City of Orlando believes communities must be connected to thrive and so we are always looking at new ways to embrace creative, innovative ways to do this,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “With the expansion of autonomous vehicle shuttles into our neighborhoods, we can converge cutting-edge technology with new mobility solutions to further redefine the way our community moves. The SWAN shuttle builds on our diverse network of mobility options and furthers our commitment to our residents, our environment and our future.” Residents, visitors and businesses will have access to the fare-free SWAN Shuttles seven days a week in Creative Village starting on August 20, 2023. The roughly one-mile route will have five stops connecting LYNX Central Station and SunRail to UCF/Valencia Downtown, Luminary Green Park, Electronic Arts (EA), and Parramore and Creative Village residents and businesses. The shuttles will operate in the existing bus lane dedicated to the LYMMO Orange line in the early-afternoon and evening from 10:00am to 2:00pm and 6:30pm to 10:30pm. “We move thousands of customers each and every day,” said Tiffany Homler Hawkins, CEO of LYNX. “This partnership is an innovative way to test technology and understand how it will benefit our riders in a real-time setting that we believe will benefit the community for years to come.” Beep is an Orlando-based company with extensive experience in safely deploying and testing autonomous shuttles in communities from Florida to California, including the country’s largest and longest running autonomous shuttle network in Lake Nona, a living lab and master-planned community in the City of Orlando. Beep’s national command center in Lake Nona will provide monitoring and oversight of the Creative Village SWAN Shuttle pilot alongside its other project sites across the United States. “We are proud to be part of a forward-thinking and innovative community committed to the investment in technology that will improve the quality of life for its residents and the livability of our city,” said Joe Moye, CEO of Beep. “Our partnership with the City of Orlando and LYNX provides the collaboration necessary to ensure autonomous vehicles are tested safely so that we can incorporate community feedback and prepare for the coming era of autonomous electric transportation, which will improve road safety, decrease carbon emissions, and extend mobility to everyone.” 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. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

Summer is in full swing at Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels with sizzling offers steps away from the enchantment, excitement, and signature events at Walt Disney World Theme Parks including EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival starting late July, and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party beginning August! Save 20% this fall at Disney Spring Resort Area Hotels, steps away from the enchantment, excitement, and signature events at Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Disney Springs. Right now, special rates are available to book August 15 through November 30, 2023, for stays September 5 through December 21, 2023, based on availability. Some blackout dates may apply, and availability may be limited. The rates do not include Resort Service Fees or daily parking fees (if applicable), taxes, or gratuities. The offer is exclusively available through the promotion website and is not valid with any other special offers, promotions, existing reservations, or for groups. The Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels include B Resort & Spa, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando, Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Holiday Inn Orlando Disney Springs, and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista. All Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels are conveniently located in the Walt Disney World Resort with spacious accommodations, luxurious amenities, dining, and recreation offerings. Each resort is an Official Walt Disney World Hotel and is within walking distance of the area's finest shopping, dining, and entertainment via the pedestrian sky bridge to Disney Springs. This fall at Disney Springs, guests can enjoy Fall into Magic, Halloween, and Together We Are Magia to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with entertainment, seasonal shopping, and autumn flavors. Guests of Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels receive additional benefits to add value to their Orlando area vacation experience including: Complimentary transportation – Daily bus shuttle service is available to all Walt Disney World Theme Parks for Disney Springs® Resort Area Hotels guests. Individual hotel shuttle schedules vary. Early Access – Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels guests enjoy even more magic with exclusive 30-minute early entry to any theme park every day. Golf - Tee times can be booked up to 90 days in advance with discounts on greens fees and rental equipment to play on all four Walt Disney World Golf courses. Plus, guests can purchase tickets including Walt Disney World Tickets with Park Hopper options and upcoming special events including: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Gather round goblins, gargoyles, ghosts, and all! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is making its return to Magic Kingdom Park! It’s a ghoulishly good time filled with everything from a themed parade and spelltacular stage show with favorite characters to a festive fireworks extravaganza and plenty of sweets for all trick-or-treaters. Choose from select nights now through November 1, 2023. Come on...Let’s Boo This. EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival Sip, savor, and stroll through a tasty selection of global marketplaces at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival now through November 18. Experience an entire menu of family fun including a Remy-inspired scavenger hunt and the return of the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. The Magic Of Possibility EPCOT will be the center of the Disney100 celebration at Walt Disney World® this fall. Meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their platinum best in the Imagination! Pavilion. Spaceship Earth will light up each night with special colors and lights accompanied by the Disney100 anthem, a unique rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star.” Discover more about the Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels here! B-Resort & Spa Discover B Resort & Spa, a boutique hotel experience that indulges discerning guests with a chic mix of modern sophistication and playful, family-friendly fun. This luxurious oasis offers an incredible array of exclusive amenities—when you are not too busy enjoying theme park thrills. B Delighted in stylish spaces complete with signature B Hotels & Resorts amenities that make staying with us in the Disney Springs Resort Area the place to be. The resort boasts 394 stylishly appointed guestrooms and suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of the area’s lakes, theme parks and evening fireworks celebrations. Doubletree Suites by Hilton Orlando The only all-suite hotel in the Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels and is the natural choice for a family vacation! The hotel offers 229 newly renovated one and two bedroom suites,at the DoubleTree, guests enjoy spacious suites with a private bedroom plus a separate living room that includes a queen sleep sofa, dining/work area and wet bar. Start the day with the bountiful breakfast buffet, then catch a complimentary shuttle to the Disney park of your choice! Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando The Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista is more than a hotel. It’s an experience. One that allows its guests to Travel Happy and stay enchanted, entertained, and eventful! In addition to everyday free meals, this stunning new hotel offers exciting amenities for both the young and young-at-heart. Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel keeps you connected. An on-site arcade, oversized resort-style pool and playful splashpad keep you entertained. Numerous indoor and outdoor dining options satisfy any appetite. Unmatched views of Black Lake and nightly views of Magic Kingdom Park fireworks keep you enchanted. Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is a vibrant resort offering spacious accommodations, an energetic Float Lagoon pool with Kid’s Splash Pad and unsurpassed hospitality. Each of our 1,011 renovated guest rooms is stylishly appointed and features luxurious pillow-top mattresses and bedding, along with thoughtful amenities such as a 46” HDTV, coffee maker, mini-refrigerator and high-speed Internet access. Splash and relax in our expansive Float Lagoon pool complex, or enjoy delicious poolside drinks and casual cuisine at Shades Pool Bar & Grille. Citrus 28 market is the perfect place to grab breakfast or a quick snack before you head off to the parks. In the evening, wind down at Sunnies in the lobby, or enjoy some quiet time enjoying a cocktail around the firepits at Shades. Our on-site arcade is a perfect late-night activity for the kids. Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista offers 814 non-smoking deluxe guest rooms and suites, with select guest rooms offering incredible views of Disney Springs. The resort offers several dining options sure to please all of the members of your family. For your convenience, Mainstreet Market offers delicious grab and go options throughout the day. Savor tempting sushi and steaks prepared in the 1,000-year-old style at Benihana Steakhouse and Sushi. Sip frosty beverages and enjoy casual cuisine outdoors at the Rum Largo Poolside Bar and Café, or unwind with a hand-crafted cocktail and dinner in John T’s while watching your favorite game. The hotel offers 2 heated swimming pools, Jacuzzi tub and splash pad perfect for those warm Florida days. Stay active in our fitness center, have fun with the kids in the arcade or catch up on business in the 24-hour business center. Holiday Inn Orlando The 323-room Holiday Inn Orlando is the only Holiday Inn and InterContinental Hotels Group hotel in the Walt Disney World Resort. With a prime Disney location, you won’t find any better value from this TripAdvisor Top 30 ranked, award-winning Holiday Inn for your vacation, meeting, or wedding plans. Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Each of the resort’s 394 newly renovated, modern guest rooms are located in one of the hotel’s two 5-story buildings. All guest rooms feature exterior entrances, pillow top mattresses with luxurious linens, premium WI-FI, a 55-inch flat-screen HDTV, mini-refrigerator, and an in-room safe large enough to accommodate a laptop. The hotel offers a variety of food and beverage options for your enjoyment. Start your day off right and fuel up at our daily breakfast buffet in the LakeView Restaurant. Joffrey’s Coffee shop located in the lobby is also open for breakfast daily and serves coffee, tea, an assortment of pastries and hot breakfast sandwiches. The Oasis Restaurant, located poolside is open daily for lunch, dinner and refreshing beverages. The Sundial Café, also located in the lobby offers an assortment of grab n go snacks and beverages. Kids of all ages love the newly re-imagined Oasis Aquatic Pool Playground, an exciting focal point of this family-friendly resort featuring two pools, interactive water features, and a large hot tub. Adults can relax on the beautiful pool deck and soak up some of the Florida sunshine or relax with some great food and refreshing beverages from our poolside restaurant and bar. Additional amenities include a business center, state of the art fitness center, sand volleyball court, basketball court and a game room. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Gotta Go Orlando is your free guide to all the amazing happenings in Orlando. Every day we offer the most up to date news and information on the best of Orlando and Central Florida. We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links, so certain articles may be paid for, or some articles may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site. For more information or to comment on any article we publish, please feel free to Contact Us.

Aldi has agreed to purchase the parent company of Florida-based grocery store Winn-Dixie and plans to convert many locations into the ALDI format, Southeastern Grocers Inc. have announced. It looks like its the end of the road for Florida based grocery store Winn-Dixie, as international grocery giant ALDI has agreed to purchase around 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores across the southeast US, with around 75% of stores here in Florida, including stores here in Orlando. Retail stores in Mississippi, Floria, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Alabama will be purchased in a deal with the two firms' parent company Southeastern Grocers, expected to be completed in 2024. ALDI CEO Jason Hart said it was the "right time to build on our growth momentum." The acquisition continues the growth of ALDI in the U.S., "Like ALDI, Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket have long histories and many loyal customers in the Southeast and we look forward to serving them in the years to come," CEO Hart continued. In addition to purchasing these stores, ALDI plans to add 120 new stores nationwide this year to reach a total of more than 2,400 stores by year-end. Despite many retailers shuttering stores due to economic conditions, ALDI is doubling-down on expansion plans, supporting its position as one of the fastest-growing grocers in the country. "This merger agreement is a testament to our successful transformational journey and the tireless work of our dedicated associates who serve our communities," said Anthony Hucker, President and CEO, Southeastern Grocers. "ALDI shares our vision to provide exceptional quality, service and value - and this unique opportunity will evolve our business to benefit our customers, associates and neighbors throughout the Southeast." "ALDI will operate Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores with the same level of care and focus on quality and service, as we also evaluate which locations will convert to the ALDI format to better support the neighborhoods we'll now have the privilege of serving," added Hart. "For those stores we do not convert, our intention is that these continue to operate as Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores." The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2024, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. 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. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

Get ready for frightful family fun at Gaylord Palms Resorts annual Goblins & Giggles Weekends returning to Orlando this spooky season. Bewitching thrills, chills and laughter will once again fill fall weekends as guests are treated to family-friendly Halloween fun beginning Sept. 9, 2023, when Gaylord Palms Resort kicks off its annual Goblins & Giggles Weekends celebration. The much loved event which runs through Oct. 29, will feature live shows, interactive events, dance and costume parties, character experiences, spooky animal encounters, a themed scavenger hunt and escape room, and plenty of sweet treats. Plus this year, Gaylord Palms Resort is offering two “Fall Into Family Fun” hotel packages with features like free resort credit, premium guest room views, and tickets to popular Goblins & Giggles Weekends events. This fab event is once ago jam-packed with tons of Halloween hijinks that guests can enjoy during the event, lets check out the highlights! A SPIRITED DANCE & COSTUME PARTY Young ghosts and goblins are invited to join a few fun-loving frights like Morgana the Witch, Vlad the Vampire and Grimm the Good-Hearted Goblin, for the Monster Mash Bash Dance Party & Costume Contest. Presented inside the resort’s replica of St. Augustine’s Castillo de San Marcos fort, Monster Mash Bash takes place multiple times each Saturday during the event. Tickets are $16.99 per person, plus tax and fees, based on availability. GET CRAFTY THIS HALLOWEEN The all-new Adventure Kids’ Clubhouse invites guests to let their imagination soar as they paint Halloween-themed art on their own canvas. This hands-on, family-friendly activity provides all the tools for guests to create treasured keepsakes to take home. The clubhouse art activity is open Fridays and Saturdays, and tickets are $14.99 plus tax per craft. A HAUNTED ESCAPE Locked in the Captain’s Quarters of an ancient pirate galleon, guests are challenged to find Captain Horswaggle’s most valuable treasure in the Pirate’s Treasure Escape Room. The captain’s wife, Emerald, is on hand to help guests set sail on their escape room adventure, solve intricate puzzles, and disembark the ship before the captain and crew discover their pilfering plans of plunder. Reservations are needed, and prices start at $120 for a party of four. The escape room operates on Fridays and Saturdays during Goblins & Giggles Weekends. SPOOKY SCAVENGER HUNT The Gaylord Hotels Adventure Kids invite families to join the Adventure Kids Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt. Taking place daily at the guests’ leisure, the Adventure Kids have hidden pumpkins around the resort’s 4.5-acre garden atrium. This interactive quest invites guests to learn and explore the spookier side of nature while searching for clues, solving riddles and finding the pumpkins. Tickets are $12.99 per scavenger hunt booklet, plus tax and fees. GOBLIN SOME CANDY Youngsters can add to their candy collection with tasty treats on the Trick-or- Treat Expedition. Trick-or-treaters are encouraged to wear their best costumes as they meet some cheerfully spooky characters in the Gaylord Palms’ atrium. Trick-or-Treat Expedition is presented each Saturday during the event and is an exclusive activity for Gaylord Palms’ overnight guests. CARVING OUT SOME FALL FUN Elaborate pumpkin art is showcased on the Jack-O’-Lantern Walk, with crafty pumpkin carvings inspired by the spirit of the Sunshine State displayed inside the hotel’s atrium. Admission is complimentary. DIVE-IN MOVIE It's time for a delightful dive-in movie as the family-friendly, animated feature film "Spookley the Square Pumpkin" is presented for overnight resort guests in Cypress Springs Water Park each Friday and Saturday evening during the event. GIVE ‘EM PUMPKIN TO TALK ABOUT Spookley the Square Pumpkin will also make multiple appearances each Saturday during the event, offering picture-perfect photo moments for guests. EERIE ADVENTURES Adventure Kid Sophie, Seth the Sea Turtle, and Ava the Alligator showcase some of Florida’s creepy creatures, like snakes and alligators, inside the resort’s garden atrium in the Adventure Kids Spooky Celebration. The live show is presented each Saturday during Goblins & Giggles Weekends and is complimentary for guests. FRIGHT NIGHT, LIGHT SHOW Gaylord Palms’ animated LED light curtains, suspended high above the atrium, create a multi-sensory spectacle that tells the musical tale of The Phantom of the Atrium. The show centers around a mysterious figure who lurks in the rafters while composing his latest musical masterpiece. Presented at 9 p.m. nightly, the show can be viewed at many spots in the atrium, while guests with select atrium-view rooms can enjoy the show from their balconies. FANG-TASTIC FLORIDA ANIMALS Spooky Animal Encounters will be presented each Saturday evening during Goblins & Giggles Weekends. Guests will learn more about snakes, alligators, and other amazing animals and how they contribute to Florida’s autumn ecosystem in this up-close experience with some of the Sunshine State’s diverse wildlife. In addition to the Halloween special events, Gaylord Palms guests can enjoy plenty of year-round fun for the family across the 64-acre resort. Gaylord Palms features a 4.5-acre atrium with indoor gardens, winding paths, a full-size sailboat, a 161,000-gallon lagoon, and Florida wildlife. The resort also features the 3-acre Cypress Springs Water Park (an exclusive amenity for overnight guests), a variety of soothing treatments at the 25,000-square-foot Relâche Spa, a world of dining options and more. Another popular year-round activity is the Wildlife Rescue, an augmented reality (AR) experience that takes guests on a virtual safari using a free app that can be downloaded to a smartphone. Exotic animals from around the globe magically come to life in the AR environment, allowing guests to take a sharable photo with each species. Goblins & Giggles Weekends tickets are on sale at GaylordPalmsGetaway.com/FallActivities. For more information about the Goblins & Giggles Weekends packages, guests may visit GaylordPalmsGetaway.com, or call 407/586-0000. 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. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site.

On the day that SeaWorld Orlando have teased a new roller coaster, they have also teased a new water attraction for Aquatica Orlando Water Park! Today, August 16 has been a busy day for the SeaWorld social media team, as not only have they teased Project Penguin, their currently under construction at SeaWorld Orlando, they have also teased Project Shark at Aquatica Orlando on the Aquatica Facebook and Instagram pages. When you click the link you can sign up for details on the new attraction, with the words, "The water is swirling. Be the first to hear about Project Shark by signing up for emails below. The wording on the social media post is overlaid on the Tassie's Twisters bowl slide, so with the wording "the water is swirling" this could be an update to the slide, or something altogether new, guess we will just have to wait and see! 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. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

Set sail this weekend for a fun-filled adventure at The Orlando Boat Show, Central Florida's premier boat show. The Marine Industry Association of Central Florida (MIACF) presents the Orlando Boat Show for a three-day event this weekend, August 18 - 20, 2023 at the Orange County Convention Center, North Hall B. The highly anticipated show features 20 of Central Florida's top boat dealers representing more than 80 manufacturers with approximately 400 boats on display. The Orlando Boat Show features a wide variety of boats including bowriders, center consoles, deck boats, flats boats, freshwater fishing boats, jet boats, pontoons, and surf boats to fit any lifestyle and budget. Extra incentives are available only during the show from dealers and manufacturers such as extended warranties, service packages, waived dockage, enhanced electronics, and accessory packages. “The Orlando Boat Show is designed for new and avid boaters to explore the latest in boating trends and technology, featuring hundreds of new 2023 models by the world’s leading boat manufacturers,” said Jeff Husby, president of Regal & Nautique of Orlando and president of MIACF. “With interactive displays and a new kids’ fishing clinic, the whole family will enjoy the best of boating at one show.” Husby continued that the boating lifestyle promotes physiological and psychological changes spanning health and wellness, awe and wonder, creativity and play, happiness, and relaxation. Ticket prices are $10 per person and are available for purchase online at https://orlandoboatshow.com/tickets or at the gate. Kids under the age of 12 are free! Orange County Convention Center parking is $20 with cashless pay only. The show is set to feature a variety of special events too, with all events included in show admission. NEW: Hook The Future kid’s fishing clinic Captain Don Dingman, as seen on the Sportsman Channel's Hook The Future TV show, presents kid’s fishing clinics and interactive discussions of basic fishing techniques, tackle, safety, and conservation. Kids aged 5-15 receive a free rod and reel combo following each clinic while supplies last. Twiggy, the waterskiing squirrel In 1978, a baby squirrel was rescued after being blown from her nest during a hurricane. Lou Ann and Chuck Best chose to take her in and make her a part of their family. Twiggy the world-famous water-skiing squirrel has been entertaining adults and children alike with her water ski show since 1979. Due to her husband’s passing in 1997, Lou Ann decided to make water safety an important part of Twiggy's act. She created a squirrel-sized life jacket for Twiggy to wear in her performances. Thereafter, all of Twiggy's shows are focused on teaching her fans about water safety. Today, Twiggy starts a new chapter in her legacy. Lou Ann’s son, Chuck Best Jr. has decided to take on the family business and continue Twiggy’s story. Chuck and his fiancé, Toni, have reimagined his parents’ show and together they have embarked on an all-new, revamped, interactive and exciting show for Twiggy. Twiggy is now the spokes animal for The National Safe Boating Council's "Wear It" Campaign promoting water safety all over the world. Additional Activation Areas Kids aged 12 and under can catch a live fish at the Let’s Go Fishing Trout Pond and receive a custom caricature driving a boat by Cartoon You Caricatures. Try the Virtual Saltwater Fishing Simulator to experience the excitement of competition to catch a bull dolphin. The Fishing Zone is devoted to all types of fishing gear including freshwater and saltwater rod and reels, freshwater, and saltwater lures, clothing for a great day on the water, and all types of fishing gear and accessories. New Model Debuts The all-new Super Air Nautique GS24 recently made its global debut featuring a multitude of winning attributes and high-level multi-sport performance, rounding out the new GS-Series with a 24-foot offering that takes versatility to a whole new level. After undergoing a groundbreaking redesign, the GS24 delivers unparalleled performance for wakesurfing, wakeboarding, and waterskiing in a 24-foot boat. That multi-sport performance, paired with Nautique's renowned quality and dependability, creates an extraordinary boat model fit for the family that likes to do it all. See it first at the Orlando Boat Show! Action Water Sports to Feature New Models from MasterCraft and Barletta MasterCrafts’ SurfStar Surf System delivers award-winning wakes and waves at the touch of a button. Surfers can adjust wave height, shape, and push to their liking. The NXT21 can hold 14 passengers, as well as up to 10 boards. This boat also includes the flip-down swim step, pop-up pylon, and clamping board racks. Barletta’s Meridian layout plan is available in the Lusso Series. The Meridian-Lounge layout won the NMMA Innovation award in 2023. This style is a combination of Ultra-Lounge and Quad-Lounge layouts. The Barletta Aria Series is 25% off MSRP at the Orlando Boat Show. National Marine Manufacturers Association Created in 1989, the Marine Industry Association of Central Florida (MIACF) is a not-for-profit trade organization focused on the sound growth of the marine industry for the benefit of its members and their customers, local communities, and the environment. MIACF is comprised of more than 30 members in Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties and is the owner and producer of the Orlando Boat Show and the Daytona Beach Boat Show. 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. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site.

LEGO fans will be converging on Tampa this weekend, as a LEGO fan event is coming to the Florida State Fairgrounds. Do you or your kids love LEGO? Now is your chance to join thousands of LEGO fans from throughout Florida who will be attending a massive two days LEGO event filled with, yes, you've guessed it... LEGO!! Brick Fan Fest - A LEGO Fan Event is set to take place at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, this weekend, Saturday, August 19, and Sunday, August 20, 2023. This is a must see event for LEGO fans of any age, with lots of LEGO creations to view, building zones, games, speakers, character meets and more. There will be amazing LEGO Displays created by LEGO Fans and professional builders from around the US including a moon base, trains/monorail models, castles, LEGO cities and more. You will also have the chance to mix with LEGO celebrities as you challenge yourself and your family to build contests with Tim and Zach Croll from the LEGO Masters season 2 TV show, plus meet the LEGO MASTERS Season 2 winners Mark and Steven Erickson and see some of their amazing displays. Plus test your skills on the Strongest Bridge LEGO competitions with Master Builder Dan Steininger. There will also be a Jurassic zone in partnership with Glazer Children's Museum. The zone will include a 15' LEGO Jurassic World Park display, a Fossil dig, mini-John triceratops character and more! Plus, for the little brick builders, explore the Kids Zone with thousands of Duplo bricks for the littlest LEGO builders. The event will also include a vendor area for all the hard to find LEGO sets, minifigures and more. For more info: www.BrickFanFest.com 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. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site.

The latest addition at entertainment destination ICON Park on I-Drive is The Great Florida Road Trip, and each weekend in August visitors have been discovering more about the destinations featured in the game during Destination Days. The new interactive camera game, Great Florida Road Trip which is played onboard The Wheel spotlights popular family vacation destinations across the state, and throughout August, ICON Park is partnering with destinations featured in the game to highlight and celebrate their unique attributes. This weekend's Destination Days is showcasing Ocala, celebrating its unique attractions, offering deals for its residents and sharing why these destinations are an important part of a Florida vacation with Orlando residents and tourists. This weekend, Saturday, August 19, and Sunday, August 20, Ocala residents can purchase $10 tickets to The Wheel. (regular price is $34.99) There will also be n education booth and videos in ICON Park from Ocala, so guests can learn more about its unique attractions, plus there will be a raffle to win a gift basket of prizes from Ocala, including a hotel stay, attraction tickets and more (no purchase required). Next weekend, August 26 and 27, will feature Sarasota. The Great Florida Road Trip takes visitors on a nostalgic vacation through midcentury Florida – before the era of sprawling theme parks and resorts. Part game, part educational opportunity, this experience puts the spotlight on Florida’s legacy as an entertainment and tourist destination. Guests will be taken on a journey that highlights the historic locations that have beckoned visitors for decades. The 45 different post cards that guests will look for include iconic Florida attractions, including Silver Springs’ glass bottom boats, Florida Flamingoes, a Daytona car racing, the Everglades and many more. Each participant will receive a camera like device to photograph destinations and earn points while raking a ride around The Wheel. A “winner” from each capsule will receive a $5 gift card to be used in the “In the Game Arcade” inside the wheelhouse. Check out the highlights of this new attraction at ICON Park! Meet the Flamingoes Meet the Flamingoes – Freddy, his wife Faye, and their two charming chicklets Francine and Felix. Join this feathered family as they pile into the old station wagon for a rollicking road trip to Florida’s classic attractions and destinations. Capture Moments with Your Photomatic Camera Rolling down the road aboard The Wheel, you’ll help these long-legged motorists make memories by capturing pictures of stops along the way for their scrapbook with your very own Photomatic Camera. Snap The Most Photos & Win Keep your eyes peeled for cartoonish post card-style depictions of beloved destinations like The Everglades, St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, and more! In this whimsical gamified travelogue through Old Florida, whoever snaps the most photos will receive an exciting prize to make their own Florida vacation extra special. 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. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

Today, August 16 is National Roller Coaster Day, and SeaWorld Orlando have just teased a little more info on their currently under construction coaster for 2024! Reason for more details... SeaWorld Orlando are continuing to cement the footers on their claim of being the Coaster Capital Of Orlando with work well underway on a new roller coaster coming to the park in 2024. While the park have yet to officially announce that they have a new roller coaster in the works, coaster track is already on site, and work is continuing on the ground works for the new coaster. Plus the park have just dropped a huge hint on the coaster on its social media sites!! Today's social media post has teased the height requirement for the new coaster, showing a penguin walking towards a 42 " height chart inside the penguin enclosure at the park. The video is captioned, "Waddling by to say Happy National Roller Coaster Day." The post also includes a link to a page on the SeaWorld Orlando website, where you can sign up for info on the new coaster. The page proclaims, "The ice is cracking. Be the first to hear about Project Penguin and how you can save the day by signing up for emails below." Also in a huge hint that the coaster will be a straddle coaster, SeaWorld Orlando have changed their header picture (shown above) to new straddle coaster Artic Rescue at SeaWorld San Diego!! Previously, back on July 21 the park also teased on its social media channels that "Prime Day shopping got a little out of hand" while showing a section of the new roller coaster track onsite, together with a Prime Delivers screenshot with the words "Delivery from Switzerland" Switzerland is the home of roller coaster manufacturer B & M, who have already designed and manufactured the majority of SeaWorld Orlando's coasters including Manta, Kraken, and Pipeline which debuted earlier this year. So what do we know about the new coaster? Rumors for the roller coaster point to a story-style coaster with indoor show scenes, and with SeaWorld Orlando now confirming the Project Penguin name, this pretty much confirms that a section of the new coaster will be indoors, using the former Empire of the Penguin ride area. The station is expected to be inside the building, and just like the end of the the Empire of the Penguin attraction that included live penguins, we expect the new coaster to feature a similar scene during the ride. Construction is already taking place inside the building, and construction walls block off a significant amount of area around the former Empire of the Penguin building, where the outdoor section of the coaster will be placed. Is the new coaster a kid friendly coaster? We had already expected this new coaster to be a family coaster, and the 42" height requirement confirms this, but we can still expect major thrills! So what type of coaster will the new ride be? With SeaWorld Orlando changing its social media header to straddle coaster, Artic Rescue which opened in June at SeaWorld San Diego. this confirms rumours that we can expect a similar ride now at SeaWorld Orlando. A straddle coaster is a type of roller coaster design with a unique seating arrangement. Unlike traditional roller coasters, where riders sit inside the train's cars, a straddle coaster allows riders to straddle the seat. SeaWorld already have three straddle coasters in its parks, SeaWorld San Antonio has Wave Breaker, DarKoaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Arctic Rescue at SeaWorld San Diego. Interestingly Artic Rescue features an indoor launch station inside the Wild Arctic exhibit. The Wild Arctic area of SeaWorld San Diego shares similar characteristics with the penguin area at SeaWorld Orlando. As we get more info, we will let you know!! 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. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

It’s baaaaack! Walt Disney World are bringing back a fan favourite treat! Disney foodies rejoice! Walt Disney World have announced that starting today, the Croissant Doughnut, has returned to EPCOT, with a new home at Connections Café. Yes, Cronuts, are finally back at EPCOT. Stop by to get your fix of cinnamon-sugary deliciousness soon!! 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. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month celebrations begin September 15 at Walt Disney World! From spotting Bruno in the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade to meet and greets with Mirabel, learn more about all the ways you can celebrate at War Disney World! Walt Disney World Resort is gearing up to celebrate Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, with new offerings that you and your familia can enjoy during the festivities – and beyond! This year's celebration begins Sept. 15 and ends Oct. 15, 2023, and the exciting news is that we now know when a fantastical member of the Familia Madrigal arrives at Magic Kingdom. On Sept. 15, Mirabel, from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto,” will begin meeting friends from all over the world in her magical Casita. This character greeting will extend beyond Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month and will be available year-round. So exciting! And speaking of the Familia Madrigal, Mirabel’s uncle, Bruno, – yes, we are talking about him – will be part of the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade, also at Magic Kingdom starting Sept. 15. Alongside Bruno, beloved friends like Miguel from “Coco,” Princess Elena of Avalor and José Carioca will make their way throughout the park. ¡Qué alegría! ¡Que empiece la música! We can’t celebrate our cultura y tradiciones without music and to kick off the month, there’ll be plenty to make you dance and sing! This year during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE, you can enjoy an all-star musical lineup as part of the Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare, which includes the most Hispanic talent to EVER hit the America Gardens Theatre stage: Monsieur Periné – Sept. 15, 2023 Raul Acosta and Oro Sólido – Sept. 16-17, 2023 Bacilos – Sept. 18, 2023 Los Amigos Invisibles – Sept. 22-24, 2023 Latin Ambition – Sept. 27-28, 2023 All performances will take place at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy the park, food and beverages, as well as the amazing music, during your visit to EPCOT. Stroll through Disney Springs to find live entertainment and dazzling displays from talented Hispanic and Latin American artists. Disney Springs Art Walk: A Canvas of Expression Miércoles Mágicos at Disney Springs Drey-C at Waterside Stage Comida and More! This year, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival features several Hispanic and Latin dishes at Global Marketplaces throughout the park, including Charcuterie in a Cup from Spain, the Pão de Queijo from Brazil, and the Guava Cake with whipped cream and coconut from Shimmering Sips Hosted by CORKCICLE. All are deliciosos! Check the full menu for all of the Global Marketplaces during the festival and start planning your must-tastes! You can also indulge in treats across Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts. Check Disney Parks Blog for the official Foodie Guide to Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month available September 7. Art and Cultura Hispanic and Latin American cultures are full of art of all types – paintings, pottery, graphics, film and more. Each country has its own art forms that weave together to form a tapestry of diversity. Here are some of the ways Walt Disney World will celebrate these rich traditions. In honor of the month and available year-round, the Disney Springs Art Walk will welcome TRATOS, a Miami-based Cuban couple, who will live paint their art this September. Guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom can learn to draw Dante from Disney/Pixar’s “Coco” and hear about a featured Hispanic animator at The Animation Experience at Conservation Station. Disney Resort hotel guests can also view Movies Under the Stars. Look for movies inspired by Latin America, like “Encanto” and “Coco,” which will be shown on select nights during the month. Keep the Celebración Going The excitement doesn’t stop in October! Disney Springs is home to a variety of Hispanic-owned specialty shops and eateries. From dining at Jaleo by José Andrés and Frontera Cocina to perusing Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers, there is so much to explore! Plus, merchandise that pays homage to Disney’s Hispanic and Latin American-inspired characters will also be available. Using Walt Disney World transportation? See if you’re gliding alongside the Familia Madrigal on the Skyliner or riding with Miguel on a bus. Character murals on vehicle exteriors add an extra sprinkle of pixie dust! If you like shopping, new merchandise will arrive in time for the festivities, with items from beloved films like Disney/Pixar’s “Coco” and Disney Animation’s “Encanto” for the celebration and beyond. And this is just the beginning! More offerings will be announced soon. Remember that to experience any in-park offerings, you must have a valid theme park admission and may need a theme park reservation for the park you are visiting on the same date. 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. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

Have you ever had a dream that you wish will come true? If you’ve ever stood at the foot of Cinderella Castle and wished to be able to stay in the coveted Cinderella Castle Suite, we have just the thing for you! 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. From today, August 16, 2023 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. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site