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Whether your Mom has the rock star vibe or is a laid-back lady, Universal Orlando Resort Hotels have the perfect fit for your perfect mom. Mother’s Day is a special time when we get to celebrate how much our moms mean to us, and what better way to do this than to treat her to brunch? And in Orlando, a fab option is a memorable day at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel filled with festivities, food and family. Several Universal Orlando Resort hotels have one-of-a-kind experiences for everyones one-of-a-kind moms.  Each of the Mother’s Day brunches has a unique twist of their own, perfect for your family's feast. Loews Royal Pacific Resort If the islands are your mom’s style, you can’t go wrong at Islands Dining Room at Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Mother’s Day brunch here has everything to make your mom feel like she is in a tropical paradise. The Royal Pacific combines traditional brunch favorites with Pan-Asian inspired flavors, ensuring there's something to please every family member. Make your rounds at the raw bar, charcuterie spread, and sushi station, and don't forget the Wok station, picking out your favorite proteins, noodles, veggies, and sauces for the perfect stir-fry creation. With hula dancers, a ukulele player, and even a face painter, this Mother's Day brunch is filled with the spirit of aloha. Check out the menu and make your reservations here: Mother's Day - Islands Dining Room. Hard Rock Hotel Orlando Imagine your squad surrounded by the vibrant energy of the legendary Hard Rock Hotel, indulging in flavorful dishes, jamming out to live music, and enjoying some awesome memorabilia from your favorite artists. The flavorful menu includes everything from classic breakfast delights to gourmet delights. Start with the delicious, creamed heirloom tomato bisque, Florida citrus poached shrimp, and chilled snow crab legs before hitting the carving station. Featuring options like espresso-rubbed strip loin of beef, spiral-cut honey ham, crispy chicken breast, and salmon, there's something for everyone. Plus, don't miss the dessert grand finale — be sure to save room for cinnamon roll cheesecake and berry shortcake shooters. Any mom will feel like the rock star she is at The Kitchen at Hard Rock Hotel. Find the menu here and make reservations here: Mother's Day - The Kitchen. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. If your mom is more of a chill vibes on the oceanside type, or just needs some peace, she’ll love stepping into the tranquil island oasis that is Amatista Cookhouse. With dishes inspired by the flavors of the islands, every bite will remind you of a Caribbean vacation. From classic breakfast favorites to Caribbean-infused delights, there's an endless variety of dishes to try. Begin with the mint compressed watermelon salad before picking your favorite pairings at the charcuterie, iced raw bar, and ceviche stations. Next up is the char-grilled beef churrasco and herb-roasted prime rib before finishing off the feast, with one, or maybe more of the 10 desserts. With live Caribbean steel drums and that laid-back island vibe, it's the perfect recipe for a memorable celebration. Being treated to a day in paradise at Amatista Cookhouse sounds like just the place to escape to. View the menu and make your reservations here: Mother's Day - Amatista Cookhouse. Gotta Go Orlando is committed to offering locals and visitors the best coverage of things to do in Orlando, and Central Florida, including the latest entertainment news, live music, theater, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, events, culture, and more. For the latest entertainment news and things to do in Orlando, and throughout Central Florida, join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Never miss any Orlando news! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter. Got a story to tell? Contact us here. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.

Howl-O-Scream is returning to Busch Gardens tampa Bay this fall and for those restless spirits who are dying for a great deal, now is the time to snatch tickets. Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream returns to Tampa Bay in full force, taking over the entire park with haunted houses, scare zones, sinister shows and more. This year's after-hours ticketed event takes place on select nights from September 6 - November 2, 2024. Unspeakable horror lives in every dark corner, including on Busch Gardens’ pulse-pounding thrill rides. Howl-O-Scream is bringing fear to the next level and once you’re in there’s nothing to fear but everything, and right now for those restless spirits who are dying for a great deal, now is the time to snatch tickets. This week only, Busch Gardne sTampa Bay is tempting guests to grab discounted event tickets before the prices creep up. The best scares happen in pairs, so to get the deal guests must purchase a minimum of two tickets, each priced $38.99, that can be used on any Howl-O-Scream event night with no blackout dates. While the event lineup for 2024 has not yet been announced, guests can expect: Haunted Houses Dark minds have been brewing new ways to terrify those brave enough to enter the sinister haunted houses with new unsuspecting scares. Pulse-Pounding Attractions With exhilarating coasters and thrilling attractions, guests can take on their favorite rides in the dark in between the frights and scares of Howl-O-Scream. Bring your fears to new heights on Iron Gwazi & SheiKra, then let the adrenaline rush as you launch into the shadows of Cheetah Hunt & Tigris. Tickets Howl-O-Scream 2024 Tickets are on sale now with savings of up to 50% Flash Sale: Buy Early and Save Get two Howl-O-Scream Tickets for $38.99 each! Tickets are valid for 1 visit to Howl-O-Scream 2024 on any event night (Sept. 6 - Nov. 2, 2024) at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Unlimited Admission Ticket Save 40% Scream your way through every night of Howl-O-Scream 2024 between Sept. 6 - Nov. 2, 2024 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Only $146.99, or unlimited visits on Thu, Fri, and Sun $94.99. Two Park Ticket Busch Gardens & SeaWorld Save 50% Brave 1 visit to Howl-O-Scream 2024 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and 1 visit to SeaWorld Orlando select nights Sept. 6 - Nov. 2, 2024. $96.99. Two Park Unlimited Admission TicketHowl-O-Scream 2024 Save 40% Scream your way through every night of Howl-O-Scream 2024 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay AND SeaWorld Orlando between Sept. 6 - Nov. 2, 2024. $174.99. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. Gotta Go Orlando is committed to offering locals and visitors the best coverage of things to do in Orlando, and Central Florida, including the latest entertainment news, live music, theater, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, events, culture, and more. For the latest entertainment news and things to do in Orlando, and throughout Central Florida, join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Never miss any Orlando news! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter. Got a story to tell? Contact us here. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.

Irish singer-songwriter Hozier comes to Orlando and Tampa as he becomes first Irish artist since Sinéad O'Connor to top US charts. Hozier has secured a huge feat with his latest single Too Sweet, as he becomes the first Irish artist to top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 34 years, and making the achievement all the sweeter is the fact that Hozier is only the fourth Irish performer to reach Number 1 in Billboard chart history. The last Irish artist to achieve chart-topping success on the Billboard Hot 100 was Sinéad O'Connor, when Nothing Compares 2 U spent four weeks at Number 1 in 1990. Prior to that, U2 scored two 1987 Number 1s with I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and With Or Without You. With the the first-ever Irish artist to score a Billboard number one was Gilbert O'Sullivan, when Alone Again (Naturally) hit the top in July 1972. Hozier who is currently on the road here in North America. with his Unreal Unearth Tour, performing 37 headlining shows arrives in Central Florida on Wednesday May 8, where he will take the stage at Orlando's Kia Center with special guest Allison Russell. This will be followed by a show in Tampa, at the MIDFLORIDA Amphitheater on Saturday, May 11, again with Allison Russell. Remaining tickets are available for both shows, but are extremely limited. Tickets for the Orlando show are available here, and tickets for the Tampa show are available here. Hozier is an Irish singer-songwriter renowned for his soulful and bluesy folk-rock music gained international recognition with his breakthrough single, "Take Me to Church," which earned critical acclaim and widespread popularity. His self-titled debut album, "Hozier," released in 2014, further solidified his status as a musical sensation, featuring not only "Take Me to Church" but also other hit songs like "Someone New" and "Work Song." Known for his emotive lyrics and powerful vocals, Hozier's music often explores themes of love, spirituality, and social issues. His soulful and introspective songwriting has earned him a dedicated global fanbase, and he remains a prominent figure in the contemporary music scene. Gotta Go Orlando is committed to offering locals and visitors the best coverage of things to do in Orlando, and Central Florida, including the latest entertainment news, live music, theater, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, events, culture, and more. For the latest entertainment news and things to do in Orlando, and throughout Central Florida, join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Never miss any Orlando news! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter. Got a story to tell? Contact us here. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.

Opera Orlando returns to the Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater for a special add-on production that concludes its 2023-24 All for Art season. Opera Orlando concludes its 2023-24 All for Art season with a dark retelling of Grimm’s THE JUNIPER TREE, a contemporary chamber opera by composers Philip Glass and Robert Moran to a libretto by Arthur Yorinks. Taking place at the ALEXIS & JIM PUGH THEATER at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Friday May 10, and Saturday May 11, THE JUNIPER TREE will be sung in English with English and Spanish supertitles. A pre-show talk, free for all ticket holders, will be held on stage 50 minutes prior to each performance, as well as a talkback following each performance with the creative team. This tale about a jealous and scheming stepmother who murders her stepson and serves him up in a stew to his unsuspecting father, only to then meet her own dramatic end, is a haunting and hypnotic opera with some of Glass’ most tuneful melodies. In partnership with Victorian spook troupe Phantasmagoria and Orlando Family Stage, local stage director John DiDonna has conceived a feast for the senses with dance, puppetry, spectacle, and of course, gorgeous singing. International conductor Geoffrey Loff will make his Company debut leading a fantastic cast featuring Opera Orlando 2023-24 season Studio Artists and the Opera Orlando Youth Company. Tickets start at $49, and are available via the Dr Phillips Center website. Gotta Go Orlando is committed to offering locals and visitors the best coverage of things to do in Orlando, and Central Florida, including the latest entertainment news, live music, theater, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, events, culture, and more. For the latest entertainment news and things to do in Orlando, and throughout Central Florida, join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Never miss any Orlando news! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter. Got a story to tell? Contact us here. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.

Experience gourmet pan-Asian cuisine on-the-go from legendary Japanese Master Chef Masaharu Morimoto at Morimoto Asia Street Food in Disney Springs. Morimoto Asia Street Food is a walk-up window located on the patio of Morimoto Asia, Japanese Master Chef Masaharu Morimoto's signature restaurant in Disney Springs. Morimoto Asia Street Food offers guests the chance to try Chef Morimoto’s Pan-Asian cuisine similar to what is offered at the Morimoto Asia restaurant in a quick counter setting. Open daily from 12 - 8 pm, the fast-casual menu at the street food counter features Morimoto’s iconic pan-Asian selections, small plates, dim sum options and more. Morimoto Asia Street Food has introduced some new items that are worth a try! Bulgogi Kimchi Ramen: Thin-sliced sweet soy-marinated beef, aromatics duck broth, house-pickled kimchi, gochujang sauce, scallion and soy-marinated egg. Teriyaki Salmon Onigiri (Japanese Rice Ball): Teriyaki-glazed salmon, house-polished short-grain rice, and rice. Taiwanese-style Fried Chicken "Gee Pie": Five-spice marinated chicken with a choice of curry spice or Beijing spice. Korean Corn Dog: Beef hotdog, mozzarella cheese, Panko bread crumbs, Sriracha ketchup and honey mustard. Open daily from 12 - 8 pm, the menu at the street food counter is available for takeout or to enjoy on the adjacent covered patio seating. In addition to the new menu items at Morimoto Asia Street Food, Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs recently revamped their offerings with new signature pan-Asian cuisine options for weekday lunch, available 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  Monday through Friday. Highlights of the new lunch menu include: Katsudon - Panko breaded pork skirt, dashi soy, organic egg, scallions and pickled ginger on top of house-polished white rice. $21 Poke Bowl  - Tuna, salmon, hamachi marinated in soy, sesame, crunchy garlic chili over sushi rice. $24 Asian Salad - Mesclun and baby iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, tomato, red onion, orange segment, apple, wonton chips and ginger dressing. $15 Options to add protein: chicken for $9, oishii shrimp for $10, bulgogi beef for $10, calamari for $9 or fried tofu for $5. In addition to the new lunch specials, a selection of hot entrees, dim sum and sushi rolls are also available during the lunch period. Full menu here. Japanese master chef Masaharu Morimoto is known worldwide as one of the most inventive forces in Asian cuisine. His take on Chinese, Japanese and Korean dishes offers an unforgettable culinary journey to all those who dine in Morimoto Asia’s eye-catching space. Morimoto Asia is located at Disney Springs,1600 East Buena Vista Drive, Orlando. The venue’s massive, 2-story interior boasts glittering, 20-foot-long chandeliers, Shanghai-inspired lounges, private dining spaces, a second-level sushi bar, a VIP-style lounge and an exhibition kitchen that provides behind-the-scenes views of chefs in action. To book a reservation, please call (407) 939-6686. For more information on Morimoto Asia, click here. Gotta Go Orlando is committed to offering locals and visitors the best coverage of things to do in Orlando, and Central Florida, including the latest entertainment news, live music, theater, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, events, culture, and more. For the latest entertainment news and things to do in Orlando, and throughout Central Florida, join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Never miss any Orlando news! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter. Got a story to tell? Contact us here. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.

LM Productions is bringing its latest theatrical production, Historical Hotties to this year's Fringe. Written and Directed by 2023's Spirit of the Fringe, "Melanie Bailey", and starring 2024 FestN4s Patrons Pick Artist, "Bikini Katie Thayer", "Historical Hotties" is a heartfelt review of the lives of some of the women who have shaped history. The show offers a unique blend of comedy, history, and empowerment, bringing together a diverse cast of historical figures reimagined as modern-day personalities to explore themes of strength, resilience, and sisterhood. From Queen Nefertiti to Eleanor of Aquitaine, Marie Curie to Marsha P. Johnson, each icon is brought to life with humor, wit, and heart, inviting audiences to laugh, cry, and cheer along with their remarkable journeys. As middle aged reporter Catherine struggles with her own confidence and how to raise her daughter in the tumultuous world we live in today, she is visited by the Spirit of Boss Bitches who introduces her to women throughout history to help guide her on her path. Will Catherine find strength in the stories of those who walked the path before her? Historical Hotties is being performed select dates from May 15 - 26 at the Fringe Brown Venue, 812 E Rollins St, Orlando. The duration of Historical Hotties is 60 mins, with tickets costing $15, and is suitable for ages 18". The show contains Adult Language, Mature Themes, Nudity, and Sexual Content. Get tickets here. Orlando Fringe Festival returns to Loch Haven Park, Downtown Orlando between May 14 - 27, 2024.  Orlando Fringe is a 14-day immersive cultural experience featuring over 1,000 ticketed performances spanning a wide array of genres, such as dance, spoken word, musicals, comedy and much more. Free festival highlights include the Outdoor Stage music festival, Visual Fringe art on display throughout festival grounds and Kids Fringe play and entertainment for the young and young-at-heart weekends May 18 - 19 and May 25 - 26. Anchored in Loch Haven Park, the festival features venues at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Orlando Family Stage and the Orlando Museum of Art, plus Fringe ArtSpace in Downtown Orlando on historic Church Street.  BYOV’s (“Bring Your Own Venues”) this year include returning venues Renaissance Theatre Company, The Starlite Room @ Savoy and Stardust Lounge, new venue CityArts, along with various site-specific venues chosen by artists. This year’s festival marks the popular return of Outdoor Stage theme nights on a brand new stage provided by OPAV and the hit late-night show offerings part of Fringe After Dark that include Fringe The Afterparty, Flashlight Cabaret, The Afters and Musical Mondays. For more information on Orlando Fringe 2024 and to purchase tickets, visit www.orlandofringe.org, and contact the Box Office: 407-648-0077. Gotta Go Orlando is committed to offering locals and visitors the best coverage of things to do in Orlando, and Central Florida, including the latest entertainment news, live music, theater, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, events, culture, and more. For the latest entertainment news and things to do in Orlando, and throughout Central Florida, join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Never miss any Orlando news! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter. Got a story to tell? Contact us here. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.

Mystic, an extremely rare white leucistic alligator, and her brother, Mayhem, can now be seen every day in their beautiful habitat in the White Gator Swamp. Gatorland, the “Alligator Capital of the World,” is excited to present to the public for the very first time, daily viewing of Mystic and Mayhem, two of the rarest alligators in the world. Mystic is the only white, leucistic alligator ever hatched outside of the swamps of Louisiana, and the only baby leucistic ever displayed to the public. Mystic and her normal-colored brother, Mayhem, now reside in a $50,000 specially-built habitat that protects their skin and features ultraviolet lighting to assist them with normal growth and vitamin production. This beautiful, temperature controlled home is designed with two large water features so they can swim together or hang out in their own pool. “This is incredibly special for us here at Gatorland to have these two amazing, rare baby alligators in public view in our White Gator Swamp,” exclaimed Mark McHugh, President & CEO of Gatorland. “Our visitors get to experience something they will never see anywhere else but here at Gatorland. Mystic and Mayhem are just steps away from our adult leucistic gators so guests can see the babies, then turn around and see the giant adults.” Mystic weighs in at 177 grams and is 420 mm long.  Her little brother Mayhem weighs 146 grams and is 400 mm long. They eat bite-size pieces of raw chicken and tiny Croc Chow pellets made to supplement their nutrition. Gatorland’s animal care staff also takes them outside for additional enrichment. Iconic experiences you can only find at Gatorland include the Historic Gator Jaw Entrance for that one-of-a-kind selfie, the Gator Jumparoo Show, Adventure Hour Giant Alligator Feeding, Screamin’ Gator Zipline zooming over alligators and crocodiles-voted Best Zipline in USA by AOL Travel, Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure, White Gator Marsh with albino and rare leucistic alligators, Baby Gator Marsh, Alligator Breeding Marsh Observation Tower and Capybara Encounter on Flamingo Island. Gatorland combines Old Florida charm with exciting experiences, exhibits, and entertainment. Originally opened as a roadside attraction in 1949, the park is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year. Today the iconic park provides affordably priced family fun featuring thousands of alligators and crocodiles, breeding marsh with observation tower, popular capybara encounter, free-flight aviary, nature walk, petting zoo, educational wildlife programs, award-winning gift shop, Florida’s best train ride, Gator Gully Splash Park, on-site restaurant, and one-of-a-kind shows including Gator Jumparoo, Alligators-Legends of the Swamp, and Up-close Encounters. Popular adventure experiences inside the park include the Screamin’ Gator Zipline, Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure, and the brand-new Croc Rock Three-In-One Adventure. For more Gatorland info., visit online at www.gatorland.com or call 800-393-JAWS Gotta Go Orlando is committed to offering locals and visitors the best coverage of things to do in Orlando, and Central Florida, including the latest entertainment news, live music, theater, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, events, culture, and more. For the latest entertainment news and things to do in Orlando, and throughout Central Florida, join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Never miss any Orlando news! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter. Got a story to tell? Contact us here. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.

Written and performed through the lens of a queer experience by Miami based artist, Luca Torrens, “Howdy, Stranger” is a one-person cowboy comedy which uses music, puppetry and humor to answer the question: How far will a person go for love and respect? “Best of Fringe'' Award Winner in the 2023 San Fran Fringe, “Howdy, Stranger” is a one person musical comedy which uses the power of tequila, puppetry and dangerously catchy show tunes to answer the question: How far will a person go for love and respect? We follow a queer lawman named Jean who strives to become the new county deputy, despite being a fool and insufferable theatre kid. When an outlaw steals his only friend (Oscar Nominated Buttermilk the Horse), Jean embarks on a rivetin’ romp through the West to face gunslingin’ outlaws and disturbingly handsome criminals with nothin’ but a smile and a song (while trying not to get shot and killed to death). “Howdy, Stranger” is full of laughs, tears, and shockingly deep themes (We are not liable for any Daddy Issues that may or may not surface). Written, performed and glitter glued together by Miami based artist, Luca Torrens, this show is for those struggling to find their place in the world but especially to queer youth to whom acceptance is everything “Howdy, Stranger” is being performed select dates from May 18 - 25 at the Pnk Venue - Orlando Shakespeare Theater, 812 E. Rollins St. Orlando. The duration of the show is 60 mins, with tickets available form $6 - $15. The show is suitable from ages 13+, and contains mature themes and violence. Get tickets now. Orlando Fringe Festival returns to Loch Haven Park, Downtown Orlando between May 14 - 27, 2024.  Orlando Fringe is a 14-day immersive cultural experience featuring over 1,000 ticketed performances spanning a wide array of genres, such as dance, spoken word, musicals, comedy and much more. Free festival highlights include the Outdoor Stage music festival, Visual Fringe art on display throughout festival grounds and Kids Fringe play and entertainment for the young and young-at-heart weekends May 18 - 19 and May 25 - 26. Anchored in Loch Haven Park, the festival features venues at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Orlando Family Stage and the Orlando Museum of Art, plus Fringe ArtSpace in Downtown Orlando on historic Church Street.  BYOV’s (“Bring Your Own Venues”) this year include returning venues Renaissance Theatre Company, The Starlite Room @ Savoy and Stardust Lounge, new venue CityArts, along with various site-specific venues chosen by artists. This year’s festival marks the popular return of Outdoor Stage theme nights on a brand new stage provided by OPAV and the hit late-night show offerings part of Fringe After Dark that include Fringe The Afterparty, Flashlight Cabaret, The Afters and Musical Mondays. For more information on Orlando Fringe 2024 and to purchase tickets, visit www.orlandofringe.org, and contact the Box Office: 407-648-0077. Gotta Go Orlando is committed to offering locals and visitors the best coverage of things to do in Orlando, and Central Florida, including the latest entertainment news, live music, theater, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, events, culture, and more. For the latest entertainment news and things to do in Orlando, and throughout Central Florida, join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Never miss any Orlando news! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter. Got a story to tell? Contact us here. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.

AWOL is a feel-good adventure caper about discovering you still have plenty to offer. It's a celebraton of taking risks and the joy of unexpected surprises. From the creative teams behind the Orlando Critics' Choice Award winners Forget Me Not, How I Met My Mother and Til Death, come the hilarious AWOL: 2 Old men Escape From A Care Home & Go To A Metal Festival. AWOL: 2 Old men Escape From A Care Home & Go To A Metal Festival will take to the stage at Orlando Family Stage, Silver Venue - 1001 E Princeton St, Orlando, from May 15 - 25. Cyril doesn’t like old people, which is a shame, because he is one. When he learns his estranged granddaughter, Lily, has her big break with her thrash metal band, Abscess, he and his friend Neville are determined to show up and support her. Neither of them will ever be the same again.⁣ ⁣ Tickets cost $15, and are available now. 18+, contains Adult Language, and Mature Themes. FIVE STARS - Edmonton Journal⁣ "HILARIOUS" - Winnipeg Free Press "SCREAMINGLY FUNNY" - UMFM Orlando Fringe Festival returns to Loch Haven Park, Downtown Orlando between May 14 - 27, 2024.  Orlando Fringe is a 14-day immersive cultural experience featuring over 1,000 ticketed performances spanning a wide array of genres, such as dance, spoken word, musicals, comedy and much more. Free festival highlights include the Outdoor Stage music festival, Visual Fringe art on display throughout festival grounds and Kids Fringe play and entertainment for the young and young-at-heart weekends May 18 - 19 and May 25 - 26. Anchored in Loch Haven Park, the festival features venues at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Orlando Family Stage and the Orlando Museum of Art, plus Fringe ArtSpace in Downtown Orlando on historic Church Street.  BYOV’s (“Bring Your Own Venues”) this year include returning venues Renaissance Theatre Company, The Starlite Room @ Savoy and Stardust Lounge, new venue CityArts, along with various site-specific venues chosen by artists. This year’s festival marks the popular return of Outdoor Stage theme nights on a brand new stage provided by OPAV and the hit late-night show offerings part of Fringe After Dark that include Fringe The Afterparty, Flashlight Cabaret, The Afters and Musical Mondays. For more information on Orlando Fringe 2024 and to purchase tickets, visit www.orlandofringe.org, and contact the Box Office: 407-648-0077. Gotta Go Orlando is committed to offering locals and visitors the best coverage of things to do in Orlando, and Central Florida, including the latest entertainment news, live music, theater, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, events, culture, and more. For the latest entertainment news and things to do in Orlando, and throughout Central Florida, join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Never miss any Orlando news! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter. Got a story to tell? Contact us here. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.

Maitland residents don't have much longer to wait for some super-large pizzas, with Lazy Moon Pizza announcing an opening date for their latest location in Maitland. The popular pizza restaurant, Lazy Moon Pizza with locations at University Boulevard near UCF and East Colonial Drive near Mills Avenue first announced back in September 2021 that they were expanding, choosing the former Einstein Bros. Bagles building inside the Shoppes at Maitland on Orlando Avenue to open their third location. Now after a very long wait, Lazy Moon Pizza, best known for its super-large pizzas and fun-loving atmosphere have finally given Maitland residents an update on an opening date, and the great news is that the new location wil lbe in a soft opening starting May 15, with a grand openng on May 18, at 11 am. The Maitland restaurant will include extensive indoor seating, together with an outdoor beer garden seating 62, complete with wood trellises and overhead plants. Lazy Moon has shared images of the progress on the restaurant, including a fun mural. For more about Lazy Moon, visit Lazy Moon Pizza. The Maitland restaurant will be open Sunday through Thursday, 11 am- 11 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 11 am to midnight. Gotta Go Orlando is committed to offering locals and visitors the best coverage of things to do in Orlando, and Central Florida, including the latest entertainment news, live music, theater, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, events, culture, and more. For the latest entertainment news and things to do in Orlando, and throughout Central Florida, join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Never miss any Orlando news! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter. Got a story to tell? Contact us here. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.

Orlando has seen a 25% year-over-year increase in International visitors, welcoming more than 6 million visitors with record-breaking Canadian visitation. Visit Orlando, The Official Tourism Association  for Orlando, announced that the destination welcomed 6.13 million international visitors in 2023, an increase of 25% over 2022 numbers. Canada remains Orlando’s top international market, with more than 1.2 million visitors traveling to Orlando in 2023, the highest number from this market in Orlando’s history. We saw strong gains from all of our core international markets, particularly from Canada, which brought in record-breaking visitation numbers,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO for Visit Orlando. “Orlando’s international growth is a testament to the uniqueness of our unbelievably real destination, the support from our travel trade partners and our emphasis on strategic marketing initiatives to help drive visitation from our key markets.” The 2023 international visitation numbers represent 94% of pre-pandemic (2019) levels, with Canada, U.K. and Brazil remaining the top three international origin markets to Orlando. Canada: 1,256,000 (↑ 46%) - All-time record-breaking visitation number United Kingdom: 877,000 (↑ 8%) Brazil: 696,000 (↑ 21%) Mexico: 432,000 (↑ 10%) Colombia: 302,000 (↑ 5%) Contributing to this significant international growth were a variety of factors, including new direct airlift in nearly all of Orlando’s top international markets, giving visitors more opportunities to get to Orlando easily and affordably, along with a more streamlined visa process in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. Visit Orlando expanded on its robust “Unbelievably Real” marketing campaign efforts, including a widespread “Winter Doesn’t Exist” campaign in key international markets during the colder months, further driving awareness and increasing desire for visitors to explore Orlando’s unique offerings. Visit Orlando shared 2023 international visitation figures this week as part of U.S. Travel Association’s IPW, known as the “Super Bowl of the travel industry,” attracting travel buyers and media from more than 60 countries. Overall visitation numbers will be unveiled in late May, including domestic leisure and group business figures. Gotta Go Orlando is committed to offering locals and visitors the best coverage of things to do in Orlando, and Central Florida, including the latest entertainment news, live music, theater, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, events, culture, and more. For the latest entertainment news and things to do in Orlando, and throughout Central Florida, join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Never miss any Orlando news! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter. Got a story to tell? Contact us here. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.

The popular Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive is to close it's doors to guests this summer. The Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive, located at 8001 International Dr, Orlando is set to close, with 167 employees set to be terminated as a result. The hotel which features 613 rooms, 2 heated outdoor pools, 3 on site restaurants, a tropical garden, and 60,000 square feet of meeting space has made the announcement in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing with the Florida Department of Commerce. Wyndham Orlando Resorts has confirmed the closure, with the location which is operated by Davidson Hotel Company LLC (d/b/a Davidson Hospitality Group) ceasing operations this summer. Terminations will begin on June 29, 2024, and is expected to continue over a two-week period, until the resort closes its doors. Davidson Hospitality Group who have operated the hotel since early 2023, also currently operates several resorts in Florida under Davidson Resorts, including Margaritaville Resort Orlando in Kissimmee. While no future plans have been revealed for what is to happen to the resort, reports indicate that the resort could make way for apartments. Unicorp owns the resort and 39 acres along the International Drive corridor including ICON Park, which has recently revealed plans for two future hotels within ICON Park. For more informatioIn, reach out to the hotel via the Wyndham Orlando Resort website, or call (407) 351-2420. Gotta Go Orlando is committed to offering locals and visitors the best coverage of things to do in Orlando, and Central Florida, including the latest entertainment news, live music, theater, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, events, culture, and more. For the latest entertainment news and things to do in Orlando, and throughout Central Florida, join us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Never miss any Orlando news! Sign up to the Gotta Go Orlando Newsletter. Got a story to tell? Contact us here. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.