Busch Gardens Tampa Bay have announced a jam packed line-up of events for 2023. This year Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has a never-ending line up of fun and entertainment including the return of the parks every popular one-of-a-kind seasonal festivities, a world-class line-up of concerts, and the return of Summer Nights, featuring new shows, an updated ice-skating show and more. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2023 Events & Dates Mardi Gras January 14 – March 5 (select dates) Inspired by the vibrant colours and delectable flavours of New Orleans’ biggest celebration, Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will transport guests to a festive realm of bayou inspired fanfare featuring Cajun inspired culinary delights, a lively parade with new festive characters, multicoloured beads, an authentic brass band playing live and spirited entertainment offerings for the entire family. Mardi Gras is included with daily park admission. Real Music Series January 17 – February 26 (weekly, Tuesdays-Sundays) Busch Gardens’ longest running concert series returns with All-New acts! The Stanleyville Theater will host fantastic live performances including artistic renditions of some of the best-known classic rock, rhythm & blues, and pop bands. Real Music Series is included with daily park admission. Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends January 27 – February 12; April 28 – May 21 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends at Busch Gardens is the place for kids and parents to join in on the fun in 2023. Now including Fridays, families have an additional option to meet and greet their favourite furry friends at the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area for story time, interactive dance parties, arts & crafts and much more. New limited-time festivities happen each weekend of the event, all included with park admission. Food & Wine Festival March 10 – May 21 (select dates) Each weekend from March 10 through May 21, the Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival offers delectable dishes to pair with wines, craft brews and cocktails. While indulging in the event’s vibrant culinary delights, guests will also enjoy some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. The event and all concerts are included with daily park admission. Cinco de Mayo May 5 – 7 (Friday – Sunday) Guests can enjoy tasty Mexican cuisine, authentic music and festive entertainment while celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Busch Gardens. Included with daily park admission. Viva la Música May 5 – 21 (Friday, May 5; Saturdays and Sundays) Busch Gardens Tampa Bay hosts a celebration of Hispanic music food and culture from May 5 – 21. Every Saturday and Sunday, plus Cinco de Mayo, guests can dance to live musical performances from award-winning Latin artists, authentic cuisine and more. Viva la Música is included with daily park admission. Summer Nights May 26 – Aug. 6 (daily) The thrills continue after dark at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay where summery fun mixes with Florida’s top thrilling attractions and a festive ambiance. The vibrancy of Summer Nights is powered by electrifying entertainment including new shows, an updated ice-skating show and more, available throughout the park from opening and extended way past sunset, with fireworks on select nights. Summer Nights is included with daily park admission. 4th of July Celebration June 30 – July 4 (Friday – Tuesday) Celebrate the Independence of the United States at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The event features a synchronised fireworks spectacular set to an emotive soundtrack, entertainment and more. Included with daily park admission. Bier Fest July 21 – Sept. 4 (Friday – Sunday plus Labor Day) Bier Fest offers the ultimate jaw-dropping combo, a delectable blend of food and favourite craft beers from around the world as well as local favourites. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from July 28 through Sept. 4, and Labor Day. Bier Fest is included with daily park admission. Howl-O-Scream Sept. 8 – Oct. 31 (select nights) Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is transformed into a nightmare of inescapable fear for Howl-O-Scream 2023. Spine-chilling scares and haunted houses, devious creatures lurking in every dark corner and pulse-pounding rides in the absence of daylight returns on select nights from Sept. 8 through Oct. 31. Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed event. Busch Gardens Spooktacular Sept. 8 – Oct. 31 (Fridays – Sundays plus October 30-31) At Busch Gardens Spooktacular, guests will step into a whimsical world of enchantment full of not-so-spooky Halloween fun. This family-friendly event features a costume parade, story time and trick-or-treating. Spooktacular is included with daily park admission. Christmas Town Nov. 13 – Jan. 7, 2024 (daily) A celebration of Yuletide traditions, Christmas Town is the holiday winter wonderland for guests to enjoy millions of lights, heart-warming treats, festive entertainment and the perfect set for a family photo. Christmas Town is included with daily park admission.

Take the family to a galaxy far, far away at Brevard Zoo’s Going Galactic Weekend! Everyone can enjoy an out of this world day trip to Brevard Zoo’s Going Galactic Weekend, taking place on January 13 – 16, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk into the Nyami Nyami River Lodge and be transported to scenes out of this special universe, grab photos with space characters throughout the Zoo, take part in arts and crafts, and enjoy out-of-this-world animal enrichment. All activities are included with regular Zoo admission. Explore the world of animals at Brevard Zoo, an internationally accredited facility home to giraffe, rhinos, big cats and hundreds of colorful birds!

Set a course for Tampa, and be prepared for great fun and high adventure at the 2023 Tampa Gasparilla Pirate Fest, a must do event! Land, ho! Set sail for Tampa, invasions are welcome in Tampa Bay! The 2023 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest returns to Tampa on Saturday, January 28, bringing the spirit of pirates past and glittering treasures for visitors and locals to plunder. The memorable day will feature the 106th Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of the Pirates presented by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, plus Pirate Fest,featuring stages with live entertainment pre and post parade in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The Invasion Named for pirate Jose Gaspar, who terrorized the coastal waters of West Florida during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Tampa's annual Gasparilla celebration begins with the Gasparilla Invasion. Over 750 swashbucklers invade Tampa Bay aboard the majestic pirate ship "Jose Gasparilla," kicking off a full schedule of pirate-themed events. “Land, ho! Set sail for Tampa!” Shouts the legendary pirate Jose Gaspar as his band of buccaneers sail across the Hillsborough Bay and return to the City of Tampa. The Invasion Route At 11:30 am, the only fully-rigged pirate ship in the world, the Jose Gasparilla, emerges at the south end of Hillsborough Bay followed by hundreds if not thousands of boats. The vibrant Gasparilla Flotilla then makes its way across Hillsborough Bay and into Seddon Channel (between Davis Island & Harbour Island) and the Gasparilla Invasion has begun! In this annual re-enactment of Tampa’s historic pirate invasion, the Gasparilla Flotilla – led by the Jose Gasparilla filled to the crow’s nest with swashbuckling pirates – creates a spectacular sight. When the Jose Gasparilla docks at the Tampa Convention Center at 1pm, the Mayor of Tampa surrenders the Key to the City to the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. With the Key to the City in hand, the Krewe celebrates their victory in a Parade of Pirates down Bayshore Boulevard. The Parade Of Pirates To celebrate their capture of the City of Tampa, the Captain and his Krewe share their wealth of glittering beads, treasures and doubloons with a lively, enthusiastic crowd all along the 4.5 mile parade route. “Make way, mateys!” shout Tampa’s original buccaneers as they wind their way down historic Bayshore Blvd. and into downtown Tampa – amidst colorful costumes and festive music. The Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates will boast over 140 units – including more than 103 elaborate floats, 5 marching bands, over 50 distinct Krewes and, of course, those infamous YMKG pirates! Parade Route The parade begins at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Blvd. It continues along Bayshore Blvd. to Brorein St., turns east on Brorein St., then north on Ashley Dr.. The parade ends at Cass St. & Ashley Dr. Gasparilla Pirate Fest An expanded Pirate Fest in 2023 will feature stages along the Riverwalk in downtown Tampa. Pirate Fest will feature stages with live entertainment pre and post parade in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (Ashley and Twiggs), and MacDill Park (Ashley and Whiting).

The guest rooms at Disney’s Beach Club Villas are being completely refurbished beginning January 7, 2023. Beginning January 7, Guest rooms at Disney’s Beach Club Villas will be refurbished and will receive new furniture and an updated look. During this time, guests may see and hear construction work around the Beach Club Villas throughout the day (typically from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.) as crews work hard to bring these refreshed rooms to life. Walt Disney World does not anticipate needing to close any of the resort's amenities as part of this refurbishment. This refurbishment is expected to be completed in early April.

Tampa Bay's most flavorful music festival returns this spring to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. A world of taste awaits at the annual Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival with a delicious menu and drinks as dynamic and unique as the park's thrilling roller coaster collection. Plus Every year, the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival brings together the best in pop, rock, Latin, country, contemporary and classic music on select dates during the event with all concerts are free with park admission. This year's initial line up has just been revealed and it included a star studded line up already, including Flo Rida, Maddie & Tae, Dustin Lynch, and Kansas, with many more artists to be revealed in the coming months. This year's Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival takes place from March 10 through until May 21, with concerts usually taking place on weekends throughout the event. 2023 Concert Lineup Kansas Saturday, March 11, 2023 With a legendary career spanning nearly five decades, KANSAS has firmly established itself as one of America’s iconic classic rock bands. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. KANSAS will be performing a set of KANSAS Classics. Fans will hear KANSAS Classics such as 'Carry On Wayward Son,' 'Dust in the Wind,' 'Point of Know Return, 'Fight Fire with Fire,' deep cuts, and much more. Maddie & Tae Sunday, March 12, 2023 Maddie & Tae first broke out in 2013 with their brilliant counter to bro-country smash hit, “Girl In A Country Song,” which took Country radio by storm, skyrocketing to the top of the charts and quickly going PLATINUM. The duo became only the third female duo in 70 years to top the Country Airplay charts, also earning trophies from the Country Music Academy and Radio Disney Music Awards along with multiple ACM, CMA and CMT Award nominations. The celebrated duo has toured with country music’s hottest stars including Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, and Brad Paisley (just to name a few), and have received widespread praise from Associated Press, Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, The Tennessean, The Washington Post, Glamour and others. Recently drawing praise for their No. 1 debuting “The Way It Feels” album release, Rolling Stone wrote their new music is “anchored around their stellar vocal pairings and some of the tightest harmonies on Music Row.” Together as longtime friends and music collaborators, Maddie and Tae co-wrote 14 of the album’s 15 tracks including the Platinum-certified No. 1 country radio hit, “Die From A Broken Heart,” which Esquire calls “their finest moment yet.” Dustin Lynch Sunday, March 19, 2023 Since his PLATINUM breakout “Cowboys and Angels” in 2012, Lynch’s headlined packed venues and toured with Country’s biggest names like Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley, and Kane Brown next spring. Recently releasing slow burner “Wood On The Fire” and expanding the PARTY MODE TOUR into the fall, Lynch’s fifth studio album, BLUE IN THE SKY, features PLATINUM, six-week #1 “Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter),” nearly Top 15 neon-buzzed single “Party Mode,” and “Fish In The Sea.” Rodney Atkins Saturday, March 25, 2023 Rodney Atkins, one of Country Music’s biggest stars, has reached such heights as being named the Top New Male Vocalist at the ACM Awards, and seeing his single "Watching You" become the Number One Song of the Decade, according to Country Aircheck, and earn the songwriter a BMI “Million-Air” Award. The RIAA Platinum-selling artist’s current solo studio album, Caught Up in the Country, reveals an artist who is confident enough to know that making your best music can require patience and experimentation. The results are his most daring collection so far, touching on emotions and sounds which continue to expand his range—from the twangy celebration of the album’s title track (featuring the roof-raising vocals of The Fisk Jubilee Singers) to the slow-burn cover of Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up.” With six Number One singles, eight Top 5 singles, and 1.4 billion career on-demand streams under his belt, Atkins continues to be recognized as one of the most powerful voices in Country Music. Atkins was the second most-played male artist of the decade overall. He has also sold over 11.4 million units and earned ten career Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum RIAA certifications to date, including his latest Gold-certified single, “Caught Up In The Country (feat. The Fisk Jubilee Singers),” which also set the record for longest-running single (at the time) in Billboard Country Airplay history at 57 weeks. Atkins has performed on NBC’s TODAY Show, GMA’s Strahan & Sara, and FOX & Friends. Flo Rida Sunday, March 26, 2023 Flo Rida is an American R&B singer, rapper, and composer from Miami, FL. His single "Low" from his debut album Mail On Sunday reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Flo Rida went on to release four more albums; R.O.O.T.S. (2009), Only One Flow (Part One) (2010), Wild Ones (2012) and My House (2015). From these albums, he had several songs reach the Billboard Hot 100 including "Whistle" which was number one in 20 countries in 2012. Mackenzie Porter Sunday, April 2, 2023 Canada native, Nashville-based MacKenzie Porter is rising to international acclaim with her radiant Country style. She recently scored a Six-week #1 with Dustin Lynch collaboration “Thinking ‘Bout You,” earning her first #1 at U.S. Country radio while releasing brand-new songs “Coming Soon To A Bar Near You,” “Pickup,” “Unlonely Me” and “Heaven Heard Me” via Big Loud Records. Her "mesmerizing vocals and hook-driven songs" (Billboard) off her Joey-Moi produced album DRINKIN’ SONGS: THE COLLECTION sparked headline-worthy accolades, including debuting on the Grand Ole Opry, four 2021 CCMA Awards nominations, and 2021 JUNO Awards nomination for Country Album of the Year. Making her mark, Porter became the first female artist to have three consecutive #1 singles at Canadian Country radio in 22 years with “About You,” “These Days” and “Seeing Other People” in early 2020, following Shania Twain in 1998. Porter also earned her first crossover Top 10 at Canadian Pop radio – a first since 2003 for a Canadian Country artist – with "These Days (Remix)," and joined CMT’s elite Next Women of Country class of 2021. The Pandora 2021 Country Artist to Watch will join Walker Hayes’ FANCY LIKE TOUR in 2022. She has previously shared the stage with Jordan Davis, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Chris Lane, Blake Shelton, Dallas Smith, and co-starred in the Netflix series, Travelers. The Fab Four Sunday, April 9, 2023 The Emmy Award Winning Fab Four is elevated far above every other Beatles Tribute due to their precise attention to detail. With uncanny, note-for-note live renditions of Beatles' classics such as "Can't Buy Me Love," "Yesterday," "A Day In The Life," "Twist And Shout," "Here Comes The Sun," and "Hey Jude", the Fab Four will make you think you are watching the real thing. Their incredible stage performances include three costume changes representing every era of the Beatles ever-changing career, and this loving tribute to the Beatles has amazed audiences in countries around the world, including Japan, Australia, France, Hong Kong, The United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico and Brazil. 38 Special Saturday, April 15, 2023 After more than four decades, 38 SPECIAL continues to bring their signature blast of Southern Rock to over 100 cities a year. At each and every show, thousands of audience members are amazed by the explosive power of the band's performance. Their many Gold and Platinum album awards stand in testament to the endurance of a legendary powerhouse. With sales in excess of 20 million, most associate the band with their arena-rock pop smashes, “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin’ Into the Night,” “Caught Up in You,” “Fantasy Girl,” “If I’d Been the One,” “Back Where You Belong,” “Chain Lightnin’,” “Second Chance,” and more – Timeless hits that remain a staple at radio, immediately recognizable from the first opening chord, and paving the way to their present-day touring regimen. Guitarist/vocalist DON BARNES says it's all about maintaining that intensity in their live shows. “We never wanted to be one of those bands that had maybe gotten a little soft or complacent over the years. We're a team, and it's always been kind of an unspoken rule that we don’t slack up, we stack up. We go out there every night to win.” Completing the team is bassist BARRY DUNAWAY, drummer GARY MOFFATT and keyboardist/vocalist BOBBY CAPPS. The most recent addition to the band is legendary virtuoso guitarist and vocalist JERRY RIGGS. For 38 Special onstage, it is a celebration of camaraderie and brotherhood, a precision unit bringing the dedication and honesty to a long history of classic songs, as well as surprisingly fresh new material. Hoobastank Saturday, April 29, 2023 On November 20th, 2021, Hoobastank celebrated 20 years of their self-titled release, Hoobastank. The 2001 album launched the career of the band to mainstream success with huge singles including “Crawling In The Dark”, “Running Away” and “Remember Me” - all of which have since been certified RIAA platinum. Almost two decades later, the band is still clocking in at over 7M monthly listeners on Spotify and "Crawling In The Dark" has surpassed the 100M streaming mark across DSPs. The band’s 2003 follow up studio album The Reason took them to even greater heights and solidified Hoobastank as a household name. The title track “The Reason” went 4x platinum and racked up quiet a few #1 chart positions along the way, while the album went 2x platinum. “ The Reason” has over 2.5 Billion streams/views which has helped lead the way to the bands catalog surpassing the 3 billion mark across the different streaming platforms. The band looks forward to continuing their success in the years to come while also celebrating what they have accomplished so far. They just completed their 2022 Tried N True Tour and will continue to hit the road in 2023. The Como La Flor Band Friday, May 5, 2023 THE COMO LA FLOR BAND was founded in 2011 in the small town of Holtville, California. After 8 years, THE COMO LA FLOR BAND has become the most respected and trendsetter Selena tribute band in the nation. THE COMO LA FLOR BAND replicates the look, sound and feel of the Tex-Mex queen. The eight band members have developed an amazing on-stage chemistry. These veteran musicians pride themselves on giving their audience an incredible high-energy, qualitative stage show from start to finish. Our lead vocalist has an amazing singing voice flawlessly matching Selena Quintanilla's vocal range and on-stage movements, exactly. Dedicated to the loyal fans, the band has worked hard and with the utmost humbleness and respect to bring the Selena experience with so much detail. Our singer's visual demeanor is uncanny to the Tex-Mex Queen. THE COMO LA FLOR BAND brings to you the last concert Selena performed in Houston, Texas, and also highlights the early Selena years. El Gran Combo Sunday, May 7, 2023 El Gran Combo is a is an Award-winning Puerto Rican salsa orchestra that is currently celebrating its 60th Anniversary and still going strong. Under the direction of its Founder/leader Rafael Ithier, the group also known as “La Universidad de La Salsa” (“The University of Salsa”) is an international sensation, playing for audiences around the world. The veteran group was recently nominated for a Grammy for its album “En Cuarentena”, and also released its latest production, “De Trulla Con El Combo”, its first Christmas album in more than 35 years. Both released on the RIMAS imprint. More Concerts Coming Soon Concerts every Sat and Sun from March 10 - May 11 Check back soon for the full 2023 concert line up!!

Culinary works of art are on the way! Uncover all the delicious delights taking center stage at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts this year Yes, it might only be January but the first festival of the year is coning soon to EPCOT! The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts returns to Walt Disney World from January 13 through February 20, 2023, celebrating the creation and beauty of cuisines, music, and, of course, art. This year, the Walt Disney World chefs and mixologists have crafted works of art for everyone to indulge in. With nearly 15 Food Studios, there are plenty of returning favorites, like the classic Wild Mushroom Risotto, as well as new treats premiering on the foodie stage, like the Hummingbird Cake from The Artist’s Table. As you eat your way around the World Showcase, be sure to pick up a Festival Passport to take part in the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, a returning food stroll featuring culinary delights. With each bite, collect stamps by purchasing five of these decadent dishes to redeem a special prize from Deco Delights to enjoy. The Eats & Treats Guide To EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Pop Eats (Near Port of Entry) Food Items: Tomato Soup with grilled cheese Tomato Soup with pimento cheese, bacon, and fried green tomato grilled cheese (New) Almond Frangipane Cake layered with raspberry jam and Belgian chocolate (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine Item) Beverages: Brooklyn Brewery Pulp Art Hazy IPA Bleu Spectrum: Blanc de Bleu Cuveé Mousseux with boba pearls The Deconstructed Dish (Near Port of Entry) Food Items: Deconstructed BLT: Pork belly, soft-poached egg, onion bread pudding, watercress espuma, and tomato jam Deconstructed French Onion Soup: Beef broth ravioli, gruyère cream, onion bread pudding, and onion textures Deconstructed Key Lime Pie: Flexible Key lime curd, “Key lime” mousse, graham cracker cake, and meringues (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine Item) Beverages: Deconstructed Apple Pie à la Mode: Apple-cinnamon gelato, cinnamon apple cider, apple pie filling, and streusel (Non-alcoholic) Wicked Weed Brewing Blank Canvas Belgian Blonde Witbier Deco Delights (Near Port of Entry) Food Items: Dulce Chocolate Mousse with chocolate crémeux and dark chocolate truffle Decadent Valrhona Chocolate with dark chocolate mousse, chocolate brownie, and cassis mousse Orange Mousse with Lemon Cake and Raspberry Meringues (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine Item) Beverages: 3 Daughters Brewing Strawberry Blonde Nitro 81Bay Brewing Co. Vanilla Porter Playalinda Brewing Co. Milk Stout Espresso Martini featuring Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka (New) Neapolitan Beer Flight The Craftsman’s Courtyard (Near Creations Shop) Food Items: Beef Wellington: Mushroom duxelles, prosciutto, and puff pastry with red wine demi-glace and baby vegetables Cast Iron-roasted P.E.I. Mussels with sautéed tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs Beverages: BrewDog Jet Black Heart Nitro Oatmeal Stout (New) Cold Fashion Coffee Cocktail Refreshment Outpost Food Items: Plant-based Bratwurst with spicy turmeric aïoli, coffee barbecue jackfruit, and slaw (Plant-based item) Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie Soft-serve Waffle Cone: DOLE Whip, salted-caramel soft-serve, or swirl Beverages: Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. Berries & Cream Sour Berliner (New) Left Hand Brewing Co. Wook Bait IPA (New) Central 28 Beer Company Wall Art Brown Ale Pastoral Palate (Germany) Food Items: Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with parsnip purée, broccolini, baby tomatoes, and aged balsamic Wild Boar Cassoulet with duck confit, ham hock, and wild boar sausage Black Forest Cake: Chocolate Mousse with morello cherries and Chantilly cream (New) Beverages: 3 Daughters Brewing Rosé Hard Cider 81Bay Brewing Co. Rosé Blonde Ale Frozen Rosé A Play on Rosé Flight Marietta Old Vine Rosé The Artist’s Table (The American Adventure) Food Items: Three-Meat Meatloaf with “Peas and Carrots”: Green pea pudding, carrot ketchup, shaved carrot salad, and snap peas (New) Duck and Dumplings: Smoked duck breast, ricotta dumplings, petite vegetables, and duck jus (New) Hummingbird Cake: Banana cake with pineapple, coconut, pecans, and cream cheese frosting with banana sorbet (New) Beverages: Sipping Chocolate Flight: White, milk, and dark chocolates (Non-alcoholic) Boulevard Brewing Co. Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale (New) Parish Brewing Co. South Coast Session Amber Ale (New) Brewery Ommegang Three Philosophers Belgian Quad (New) Lange Estate Winery Pinot Noir Symphony in Chocolate Flight: Mozart Chocolate Liqueurs paired with sipping chocolates Beer Flight Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina (Morocco) Food Items: Carrots Three Ways: Chermoula-spiced grilled carrots, pickled carrots, and carrot ginger purée (Plant-based item) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) House-made Crispy Almond Phyllo Pockets with white chocolate pomegranate and milk chocolate orange Beverages: Chai Tea Mint Sparkler featuring Twinings Chai Tea with Sprite (Non-alcoholic) Stem Ciders Flockstar Hard Cider Blake’s Hard Cider Co. Mule de Pomme: Pomegranate, ginger, and lime hard cider 3 Daughters Brewing Chai Hard Cider Chai Tea Mint Mimosa featuring Twinings Chai Tea with Key lime sparkling wine and mint Cider Flight Vibrante & Vívido: Encanto Cocina (Between Morocco & France) Food Items: Chorizo and Potato Empanada with turmeric aïoli and annatto aïoli (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine Item) Spicy Ajiaco Soup with guajillo and árbol chili-spiced chicken, potato, avocado, corn, and crème fraîche (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) Passion Fruit Mousse with dragon fruit jam (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) Beverages: Coconut and Passion Fruit Smoothie (Non-alcoholic) Frozen Piña Colada Passion Fruit Daiquiri Refreshment Port (Near Canada) Food Items: Gnocchi Poutine with red wine-braised beef, cheese curds, basil, and burrata Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie Soft-serve Waffle Cone: DOLE Whip Strawberry, DOLE Whip Lemon, or swirl Beverages: Blood Orange Cosmo: Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka with blood orange, cranberry, and lime Boulevard Brewing Co. Quirk Blueberry Lemon & Lavender Hard Seltzer (New) Moderne (Near Test Track) Food Items: Compressed Watermelon Tataki with pickled watermelon rind, yuzu pearls, watermelon foam, and wasabi (New) (Plant-based Item) Angry Crab: Whole crispy soft-shell crab with green papaya salad, mango-sriracha fluid gel, and coconut-lime foam with pomegranate and mango crush pearls (New) Pan-seared Scallops with vanilla-butternut squash purée, brown butter cauliflower purée, and lime foam (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine Item) The Tropics: Lilikoi mousse, guava cake, coconut crémeux, compressed pineapple, and mango gel (New) Beverages: Watermelon Mary featuring Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka (New) J. Lohr Riesling (New) Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food, and Little Sparks of Magic Food Items: Fruit Pizza: Watermelon, compressed cantaloupe, berries, and berry balsamic (New) (Plant-based Item) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) Pop’t Art: Sugar Cookie with blueberry filling (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine Item) Rainbow Cake with freeze-dried SKITTLES bite sized candies Figment Premium Popcorn Bucket with rainbow popcorn (Limit 2 per person) Beverages: Grape Smoothie with freeze-dried SKITTLES bite sized candies (Non-alcoholic) (New) 3 Daughters Brewing Black Cherry Hard Cider (New) 3 Daughters Brewing Blood Orange Hard Cider (New) 3 Daughters Brewing Passion Fruit Hard Cider (New) Rainbow Cider Flight (New) 81Bay Brewing Co. Green with Envy Blonde Ale (New) 81Bay Brewing Co. Blue Butterfly Lager (New) Urban Artifact The Gadget Raspberry & Blackberry Midwest Fruit Tart (New) Rainbow Beer Flight (New) Connections Café Food Item: Figment Liege Waffle (New) Connections Eatery Beverage: Dusk ‘Til Dawn: Three Olives Blueberry Vodka, lemonade, and orange juice with cotton candy. El Artista Hambriento (Mexico) Food Items: Carne Asada: Chipotle-marinated beef sirloin, sweet potato purée, and crispy-fried onions (New) Huarache de Champiñones: Guajillo chile and corn masa huarache with pinto beans, oyster mushrooms, Nopales, queso fresco, and pea tendrils (New) Flan de Coco: Coconut flan, guava sauce, and whipped cream (New) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) Beverages: Mexican Craft Beer: Cielito Lindo Artisanal Mexican Craft Beer Bombon Margarita “Marshmallow”: Ilegal Mezcal Reposado, marshmallow cordial, lime juice, agave nectar and a hint of coffee and elderflower served with a toasted marshmallow (New) Las Californias: Tromba Blanco Tequila, strawberry-lime purée, and Las Californias Citrus Mexican Gin (New) Goshiki (Japan) Food Items: Rainbow Katsu Sando: Pork cutlet sandwich with tangy tonkatsu sauce and cabbage in rainbow sweet bread (New) Sushi Donut: Donut-shaped sushi featuring salmon, tuna, shrimp, cucumber, and sesame seed over a decorated plate of wasabi aïoli, sriracha aïoli, and eel sauce Ichigo Daifuku: Mixed berry mochi, sweet azuki bean paste, and mascarpone (New) Beverages: Sui Sui Watercolor Lager (New) Masu Sake in a traditional personalized wooden cup Purple Yuzu Sake Lemonade: Sake cocktail infused with butterfly pea flower and yuzu lemonade (New) The Painted Panda (China) Food Items: General Tso’s Chicken Shumai Char Siu Pork Bun Beverages: “Panda” Bubble Milk Tea with black tea, milk, chocolate, and tapioca boba pearls (Non-alcoholic) Lucky Foo Pale Ale Silk Road Hard Lemonade with Smirnoff Vodka, lavender-coconut syrup, and lemonade (New) Sea Butterfly: Butterfly Pea Flower-infused cocktail with Smirnoff Vodka, light rum, lychee syrup, and magic boba pearls L’Arte di Mangiare (Italy) Food Items: Mozzarella Fritta: Flash-fried breaded fresh mozzarella with artist palette condiments (New) Ravioli ai Funghi, Perle Tartufate: Wild mushroom-stuffed pasta with truffle butter and truffle pearls (New) Budino al Cioccolato: Chocolate pudding with colorful chocolate décor (New) Beverages: Peroni Pilsner Chianti Prosecco Italian Sangria Red or White Italian Margarita with tequila and limoncello Amaretto Bellini: DISARONNO Originale Liqueur, white peach purée, and prosecco Funnel Cake Mocha Funnel Cake: Mini Funnel Cake with cappuccino ice cream topped with chocolate whipped cream and M&M’S chocolate candies (New) Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company World Discovery (Near Mission: SPACE) Amber Frost: An artistic blend of frozen lemon ice, a splash of Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, blood orange, and orange popping boba pearls (New) (Alcoholic version available with Grey Goose Vodka) Near Canada Magenta Frost: An artistic blend of frozen lemon ice, a splash of Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, dragon fruit, and dragon fruit popping boba pearls (New) (Alcoholic version available with Grey Goose Vodka) Showcase Plaza (Near Disney Traders) Jade Frost: An artistic blend of frozen lemon ice, a splash of Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, green apple, and green apple popping boba pearls (New) (Alcoholic version available with Grey Goose Vodka) The American Adventure Cerulean Frost: An artistic blend of frozen lemon ice, a splash of Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, blue raspberry, and blueberry popping boba pearls 6.39 (New) (Alcoholic version available with Grey Goose Vodka)

MegaCon Orlando returns in March 2023 for four, fun filled days of crazy, fan culture, with the first big name celebrities announced already! Join tens of thousands of fans between March 30 and April 2, 2023 at MegaCon Orlando for four fun filled days of events, attractions and celebrities at the Orange County Convention Center. Experience the ultimate playground for Comics, Sci-Fi, Horror, Anime, and Gaming. With tickets now on sale, organisers have announced the first celebrity guests coming to this years MegaCon Orlando - Anson Mount (Captain Christopher Pike) and Ethan Peck (Spock) from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Anson Mount is an American actor known for his television roles as fictional character Cullen Bohannon in the AMC western drama series Hell on Wheels, Jim Steele on NBC series Conviction, the Marvel Comics superhero Black Bolt in Marvel's Inhumans, and Captain Christopher Pike in season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery. Ethan Peck is an American actor currently playing Spock in the second season of Star Trek: Discovery. He is the grandson of a Hollywood legend, Gregory Peck. More recently he accepted the role of Herman Ackermann on the series Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels. MEGACON Orlando is one of North America's largest largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event that attracts hundreds of thousands of people across four BIG days. Every year, MEGACON Orlando offers exciting family-friendly attractions, events, and world-renowned Celebrities! Everyone is a fan of something, and MEGACON Orlando is the place to celebrate all things pop culture. Get an autograph or a photo with your favorite guest, and then get the inside scoop about your favorite movies and TV shows at our celebrity panels! Watch professional comic artists battle it out in our popular Sketch Duels, learn from our “How To” workshops, and take photos with your favorite costumed characters! It’s also a great place to buy a unique gift (or treat yourself!) with a huge show floor for shopping madness. HIGHLIGHTS: CELEBRITY PHOTO OPS Don’t miss out on the chance of a lifetime to meet you favorite celebrity and have the moment captured by a professional photographer. This is the only way to get a beautiful 8x10 glossy photo of you with one of our guests in an intimate setting. AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS An autograph is the perfect opportunity to get that special something signed by your favorite celebrity. Be sure to check out the full schedule so you don’t miss out on any of your faves! ARTIST ALLEY Indie meets pro in this special area where you will find all your favorite pencillers, inkers and writers. This is a ”must experience" area for anyone interested in meeting rising stars and those who work the front lines of the industry! Here you’ll find it all – comics, graphic novels, limited edition prints and best of all, original art and sketches. You’ll also find crafters and makers, all with a nerdy slant to their designs and creations. COSPLAY RED CARPET Get ready for the Cosplay Red Carpet! There's no pre-registration, no competition & no stress! Walk the red carpet and show off your costume in front of adoring fans. Every participant will get a free photo taken by Jeff Jenkins Photography, MEGACON’s official Cosplay Red Carpet Photographer. OVER 400,000 SQ FT OF SHOPPING MADNESS! More than 1,000 retailers join MEGACON Orlando to make your experience an unforgettable one! Specializing in everything comics, anime, gaming, science fiction and horror, these retailers are guaranteed to have what you need. FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! Our event prides itself on having so many amazing activities and attractions that are family oriented. Spend the day with the whole family as you meet your favorite Superheroes, Princesses and voice actors. You can even enter the Cosplay Costume Contest as a family! COMMUNITY ZONE Whether you're a Whovian or Jedi, a cosplayer or crafter, the Community Zone is where you find people who share your fandom! Find out about local clubs, get up close to movie props, test your trivia, and snap photos galore with fans who are excited as you are to get together. PANELS, WORKSHOPS & SEMINAR From Celebrity Q&A’s, fan club presentations, hands-on workshops and screening rooms, there’s hundreds of hours of programming available for every fandom. The best part? It’s free with your admission ticket. Check the daily schedule to find out when and where the fun happens. COSTUMES! COSTUMES! COSTUMES! Fans dressing up in costumes (also known as cosplay) is a huge part of the show! Literally thousands of amazing costumes are available for your viewing pleasure throughout the weekend. Don’t be shy: ask for a photo with your favorite characters or come dressed up yourself. MEET LEGENDARY COMIC BOOK CREATORS Comics Legends, Professional Comic Book artists, and writers will be with us all weekend. Be sure to drop by the Artist Alley to meet them and see their amazing work! MEET YOUR FAVORITE VOICE ACTORS The actors that voice your favorite animated characters will be at our show to sign autographs, pose for photos and meet with their fans. They have developed a well-deserved reputation for being super-friendly and enthusiastic! COSPLAY PHOTO PARK Snap the best shot with the coolest background at our Photo Park. From outer space to enchanted lands, there’s a setting for everyone. COSPLAY MEET UPS Meet like-minded fans and get a picture to remember at a themed cosplay meet up. Watch for a schedule of specific fandom meet-ups closer to show time.

With shiny new attraction Tron about to take center stage at Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom, original healing attraction - Space Mountain is looking dirty, and needing some attention! The word on Main Street is that the exterior of Space Mountain at Walt Disney World will be repainted before the media descend on Magic Kingdom for the official opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run. Already, crews are working behind the scenes to prepare for the white wash! While its great news that pace Mountain is getting some much needed love, a re-track of the attraction itself would be even better!! Oh well, we can hope!!

The infamous Figment Popcorn Bucket that caused multi hour lines at last year's EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is making a return in 2023. Walt Disney World have revealed on its TikTok account that the Figment popcorn bucket is returning to the resort for the 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. The crazy popular bucket was released during last year’s Festival of the Arts, leading to a seven-hour line on the day it was released. The jacket went on to sell out multiple times during the festival with Disney having to release the bucket via mobile order to stop the long lines of guests desperate to get their hands on a Figment popcorn bucket! Hopefully this year, Figment will be available on mobile order from day one.

Walt Disney World have announced a refurbishment at not one but two pools at Saratoga Springs. If you are staying at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa soon, then you are going to have a limited choice of pools during your stay. Walt Disney World have revealed that Treehouse Villas Leisure Pool, High Rock Spring Pool and On the Rocks Pool Bar will closing for refurbishment in early January through until the end of March 2023. Alternative pools, the Grandstand Pool, Paddock Pool, and Congress Park Pool will remain open and available to guests throughout both refurbishments. A shuttle will be available daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. to transport guests to the Grandstand Pool.

The Sunshine State is once again the lightning capital of the United States, with Central Florida in the heart of the action. Vaisala, the company that owns the National Lightning Data Network, has issued its report on lightning strikes in 2022, and Florida has once again retained its title as lightning capital of the United States when it comes to strikes per square mile. The report tallies cloud-to-cloud, and cloud-to-ground lightning strikes across the nation, using their National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN), using their Global Lightning Detection Network (GLD360). Both instruments can detect lightning strikes 24/7, every day of the year. While Texas was once again the state with the most lightning strikes due to its large size and prime geographic location for frequent, severe thunderstorms, Florida still comes out on top as the lightning capital of the US for density of lightning strikes. When Lightning is tracked by density, Florida becomes the clear winner with 285 lightning strikes per square mile in 2022. Louisiana came in second at 221 strikes per square mile, with Mississippi in third place at 206 strikes. The actual location in Florida that is crowned lightning capital of the United State is Four Corners right here in Central Florida. Four Corners is only 10-15 minutes west of Walt Disney World, located near the borders of Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Polk counties. Four Corners had the greatest lightning density in the country in 2022, registering over 1,200 lightning strikes per square mile!

All the details you need to receive the BRAND NEW Disney Dining Promo Card with a value up to $750 for your next stay at Walt Disney World. From today, Walt Disney World guests will be eligible for a Disney Dining Promo Card with the purchase of select vacation packages. The gift card will be included with a hotel and ticket package of at least 4 nights. The value of the gift card will vary based on room type and dates booked, and will be worth up to $750 maximum for the length of the stay. The Disney Dining Promo Card will be available for arrivals between June 25 and September 14, 2023. Check below for all the details you need to know! 2023 Disney Dining Promo Card Giveaway Details Package Requirements: 4 day minimum ticket, 4 night minimum required Booking Begins: 1/5/2023 Arrival Window: 6/25/2023 – 9/14/2023 Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and Disney Deluxe Resorts Guests can receive $150 per room, per night for packages with arrival dates from July 1 to July 10, 2023, and August 1 to September 14, 2023. They can receive $125 per room, per night for packages with arrival dates from June 25 to June 30, 2023, and July 11 to July 31, 2023. Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Disney’s Old Key West Resort Disney’s Riviera Resort Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney’s Beach Club Resort Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Disney’s Contemporary Resort Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Disney Moderate Resort Hotels Guests can receive $100 per room, per night for packages with arrival dates from July 1 to July 10, 2023, and August 1 to September 14, 2023. They can receive $75 per room, per night for packages with arrival dates from June 25 to June 30, 2023, and July 11 to July 31, 2023. The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside Disney Value Resort Hotels Guests can receive $50 per room, per night for packages with arrival dates from July 1 to July 10, 2023, and August 1 to September 14, 2023. They can receive $35 per room, per night for packages with arrival dates from June 25 to June 30, 2023, and July 11 to July 31, 2023. Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort Disney’s All-Star Music Resort Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Disney’s Pop Century Resort Where to Use It Use your digital Disney Dining Promo Card to purchase meals, snacks, treats and beverages at select participating dining locations during your Walt Disney World vacation. Enjoy a tasty bite on the go from quick-service venues, food carts, kiosks and more. Or, sit down to a leisurely meal at a table-service restaurant (advance reservations are highly recommended). Learn more about dining at Walt Disney World Resort. Before you dine or purchase food and beverage items, be sure to check that the location accepts the digital Disney Dining Promo Card. Participating Locations View a list of Walt Disney World dining locations. Most of these locations accept the digital Disney Dining Promo Card; however, exclusions apply—please see below for details. Excluded Locations Locations that are unable to accept the Disney Dining Promo Card include, but are not limited to: Merchandise locations and candy kitchens Dining locations at Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Hotel Dining locations at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort Dining locations at Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels Dining locations at Walt Disney World Official Hotels at Bonnet Creek Dining locations at Walt Disney World Gateway Hotels Receiving Your Card The digital Disney Dining Promo Card will be sent to you via email when you check in at your Disney Resort hotel. How to Use Your Card Simply present your digital Disney Dining Promo Card email or a printed copy of the email when purchasing food and beverages at participating locations. Additionally, you can save your card to your mobile device wallet to use at select locations. You can use the card’s value as you like. Purchase food and beverages throughout your stay—or spend the entire value in one day. It’s up to you! Use It for Qualifying Mobile Orders Order ahead and save time at select dining locations that offer mobile ordering—a feature of the My Disney Experience app. You can use your digital Disney Dining Promo Card just like a gift card when paying for your order. Check Your Balance It’s easy to check the balance on your card! Here are 3 easy ways to do it: Visit Disney Gift Card to check online Call (877) 650-4327 Ask a participating food-and-beverage location to check for you Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Make Advance Dining Reservations Advance reservations are highly recommended for table-service restaurants. Learn when advance reservations can be made. Important Information The digital Disney Dining Promo Card is redeemable at select participating food and beverage locations within the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and other Disney Resorts located in the United States. Please refer to the expiration date found on your promotional gift card to understand when it must be used by. The digital Disney Dining Promo Card may only be used at participating food-and-beverage locations; it cannot be applied to charges on a Resort hotel folio. Issued by, and represents a legal obligation solely of, Disney Gift Card Services, Inc. Lost, damaged or stolen cards may be replaced only if original proof-of-purchase receipt and complete card number are provided. View terms and conditions.