Disney has announced registration dates for the upcomingDisney Vacation Club, Moonlight Magic event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Moonlight Magic is an exclusive event for Disney Vacation Club members, and is not open to the general public. Members with a Disney Resort hotel reservation on the event date can register online for Disney’s Hollywood Studios events beginning April 20, 2022. Event registration opens to all Members on May 10, 2022 (pending availability). Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be held on: May 24, 2022 June 16, 2022 July 14, 2022

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has revealed a rendering of a brand new park entrance coming later this year. It's one of several enhancements coming to the Central Florida theme park this year. Busch Gardens revealed the exciting news on the Busch Gardens Tampa website, stating that the new park entrance is going to be one of the largest investments the company has ever made in park experiences. Busch Gardens has been refreshing the park recently, including the opening of the world’s fastest and steepest hybrid coaster, Iron Gwazi, plus in the last few months they have refreshed the looks of Cheetah Hunt, Montu, the Moroccan Village, and Pantopia. The theme park also announced an all-new event with Summer Celebration, plus exciting shows with the return of Cirque Electric, live entertainment in Pantopia Theater and much more. Plus, for the kiddos, the return of Sesame Street Kids Weekends starts on April 30th, and exclusively for Pass Members, a new exclusive lounge located on the top floor of the Serengeti Overlook will be opening soon.

All four Walt Disney World theme parks will see longer hours than originally scheduled for mid-to-late April 2022. The most recent changes impact dates April 17 through April 23, 2022. At Disney's Animal Kingdom, the opening moves from 9am to 7:30am, and the park close moves from 7pm to 8:30pm. Disney's Hollywood Studios moves it's opening from 9am to 8am. At EPCOT, the 10am opening moves up to 8:30a.m. Finally, at Magic Kingdom, the park close moves from 9pm to 11pm.

Shaquille O’Neal’s chicken sandwich restaurant has partnered with Florida’s Panhandle Restaurant Group to expand their fast casual concept here in the Sunshine State. The restaurant group has signed a commitment deal to open 40 Big Chicken locations in Florida. The first four Big Chicken locations will land in PRG’s home turf of Bay County, Florida, but with Shaquille O’Neal having roots here in Central Florida, it can't be long before we see Big Chicken arriving in Central Florida surely! Panhandle Restaurant Group was founded by Amy and Chris McMillan, and operates multiple franchise brands, including Sonic, Rib Crib BBQ, and PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans. Big Chicken is known for their inventive chicken sandwiches and homestyle sides with a strong influence by Shaq himself and NBA nostalgia. Offerings include the Shaq Attack crispy chicken sandwich with jalapeno slaw and spicy bbq sauce, and the Charles Barkley topped with mac and cheese. Their menu also offers tasty “Sidekicks” like Dirty Fries, Cheez-It Crusted Mac & Cheese, and BIG milkshakes. You can find Big Chicken locations in Glendale, CA and Las Vegas, NV, plus a Ghost Kitchen operation in Rochester, NY. Their franchise is branching out, with big plans to spread across Florida and beyond. The brand has even hit the seas, partnering with two Carnival Cruise Line ships. Panhandle Restaurant Group will fast track growth in Florida, securing real estate for Big Chicken, with restaurant roll out expected in 2023.

Narcoossee's at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort will be closing June 18 2022 for a lengthy refurbishment. Reservations will continue to be available at Narcoossee's through June 17 2022, and to add more dining capacity to the resort, while Narcoossee's is closed, Citricos will be available 7 days a week beginning June 26. There is no word from Disney on what changes will be made to the closing Narcoossees, but the table service restaurant will not reopen until later in 2022 with added enhancements. The refurbishment of Narcoossee's comes alongside Disney making numerous enhancements to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, which includes a new Disney Vacation Club area of the Resort which is currently under development.

It’s possible that we may have to wait longer than we thought to trek up the forbidden mountain on Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom! The attraction has been closed since January 4 this year, and was expected to reopen mid-April, with the Walt Disney World webpage for the attraction stating that the attraction would be closed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom through mid-April. Now Disney have removed the reopening timeframe from their website, leaving the timeframe open-ended, and everyone guessing just when the attractio will reopen!

According to a social media post by 'The Piano Lady' Carol Stein, The EPCOT World Showcase performer will be moving from the United Kingdom Pavilion to the American Adventure Rotunda to debut a new musical presentation this Sunday, April 10th. Stein played her last set at the United Kingdom Pavilion yesterday. Walt Disney World have not provided any information about the new act, but it is expected that the Voices of Liberty will continue to perform in the American Adventure Rotunda.

Kermit the Frog, has turned Spaceship Earth “green” for Earth Month at Walt Disney World. “It’s not easy being green” Kermit the Frog has sung for years now. However, today Kermit reminded everyone that “it’s a lot easier being green if we all work together.” In a promotional video released by the Disney Parks social media accounts, Kermit hits a button to turn Spaceship Earth “green” to promote DisneyPlanetPossible.

If you're looking for a cool paw-ty, the Museum of Illusions Orlando are throwing a paw-ty and every pup is invited to the ultimutt doggy experience! Everything is cooler with your dog, and the Museum of Illusions is opening its doors for its Puppy Paw-ty on April 23 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The one-day-only event is the third time the museum invited furry friends since its opening in early 2021. Guests will enjoy the interactive and immersive museum and while their dogs can pose and participate in mind-bending photos. During the event, pet owners and their four-legged friends can explore and enjoy the museum’s 50 hands and paws-on exhibits together, posing for illusion filled photos in areas such as the Infinity Room, where guests can “multiply” themselves; the Ames Room, where they can be tall as a tree or as tiny as an ant; the Color Room filled with colorful shadows; and the Reversed Room where owners and their pets appear to be turned on their heads. In addition to the event, Museum of Illusions Orlando is offering visitors the chance to “round up” their ticket price with a donation to Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, throughout the month of April. All donations will be applied to the charity’s wish lists. Marc Gregory Tipton, sales and marketing manager, said, “Calling all dogs of Instagram (and their owners). You won’t want to miss this event. We are excited for our third Puppy Paw-ty at the museum. It’s such a fun and different experience for dog owners, and we love seeing the adorable pups in our illusions!” Tickets are on sale now for $30. One ticket admits one person and one dog. Advance registration is required. All guests will receive a free return ticket to come back and visit the museum without their canine best friend.

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its 2022-2023 30th Anniversary Season, including six concerts on the Classics Series and five concerts on the Pops Series, all to be held in the newly completed and acoustically perfect Steinmetz Hall. For the first time ever, the Classics Series will be offered in pairs, including a Saturday evening and a Sunday matinee performance for each concert. The 2022-2023 Season will also include the Focus Series and Symphony Storytime Series at The Plaza Live in Orlando’s Milk District. Returning will be five Summer Serenades concerts in the Summer of 2022, featuring programs curated by the participating Philharmonic musicians. The popular three-night Resonate Festival will return in February 2023 and will feature 2022-2023 Season Artist-in-Residence Anthony McGill. The Philharmonic will feature a diverse and exciting lineup of guest artists and conductors for the 2022-2023 Season. On the podium for his eighth Season with the Philharmonic, Music Director Eric Jacobsen will conduct seven programs in the season, as well as the full Resonate Festival. Soloists featured on the Classics Series include Violinist Adele Anthony, Pianist Inon Barnatan, and the Philharmonic’s own Concertmaster Rimma Bergeron-Langlois. Returning in the 2022-2023 Season are Pianist Orli Shaham, Cellist Jan Vogler, and Superstar Pianist Yuja Wang, one of the top Classical soloists in the world. Artist-in-Residence Anthony McGill, said to have “…played with his trademark brilliance, penetrating sound and rich character. That the ovation was so enthusiastic was no surprise.” by The New York Times, will perform on 6 performances in the Resonate Festival in February 2023, including three major concertos for clarinet as well as chamber music works. The Pops Series will boast a new production of the audience favorite Home for the Holidays in November, “Something Wonderful: The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein”, Chris Thile in Concert with Music Director Eric Jacobsen, “Spies, Lies, & Treble Clefs”, and finish out in May 2023 with “Let’s Misbehave – The Songs of Cole Porter”. The Focus Series will begin in October with a celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage with Flutist Nestor Torres joined by Conductor and Violinist Guillermo Figueroa. The Focus Series will feature numerous Philharmonic Musicians in a variety of roles, including as conductors, soloists, and concert curators. These programs will include Holiday Brass & Percussion conducted by OPO trumpeter Lyman Brodie in December; Concertmaster Rimma Bergeron-Langlois featured on Mozart’s Violin Concert No. 5 in February; and a program featuring three OPO soloists under conductor Mauricio Céspedes Rivero in March. The Focus Series will conclude in April 2023 under the baton of Music Director Eric Jacobsen with Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins as the featured soloist. The Symphony Storytime Series for young children features fun, family-friendly programs including a Halloween Fall program, an all-new Holly Jolly Sounds of the Season, the Louis Armstrong tribute Just a Lucky So and So, and Peter Rabbit, all at The Plaza Live. Subscription renewals for current subscribers will be sent to them in the coming weeks and new subscriptions for the 2022-2023 Season will go on sale later this Spring. For more information, check out the OPO website. To book, contact the Box Office at 407.770.0071 or boxoffice@orlandophil.org.

Sip, savor and support the mission of Orlando Science Center at the 10th Annual Science of Wine presented by Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits on April 23, 2022. Uncork your inner sommelier and scientist at one of Orlando’s most memorable food and wine events. Join Orlando Science Center in celebrating 10 years with signature cocktails from 30 participating restaurants, more than 150 wines to sample, entertainment, and more, all included with your ticket! Science of Wine benefits Orlando Science Center, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire science learning for life. Your attendance at the event helps to support STEM education and accessibility. 🍷 Learn more at www.osc.org/wine *Must be 21 or older to attend. EVENT EXPERIENCES • Celebrate 10 years with signature cocktails from 30 participating restaurants. • Discover the science behind the food and wine experience with engaging demonstrations and activities • Sample from more than 150 of the finest wines from around the world thanks to Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits • Bid on a silent auction, enjoy live entertainment, more! For more information, please visit www.osc.org/wine COST Members: $100 General admission: $125 Early Bird Ticket Price through April 10: $110

Walt Disney World has revealed that the standard operating hours for Typhoon Lagoon Water Park will be longer this summer than usual. Typhoon Lagoon typically has been open from 10am to 5pm, now starting June 12th, the Disney water park will be open from 10am to 7pm, offering guests an opportunity to take advantage of more fun in the sun!