Amazing news! Walt Disney World is reportedly getting ready to bring back character meet and greets without any physical distancing as soon as mid-April! Yes, we will soon be able to hug characters again!! An official announcement is expected today, 31 March, 2022, but sources indicate guests will once again be able to hug characters sometime after Easter weekend (April 17). The official Disney Parks TikTok account has released a short video, starring everyone's pal Mickey Mouse, indicating that non-distanced character meet and greets will be returning to Disney Parks very soon!!! The video shows Mickey Mouse inviting us all for a hug. The caption says, “The moment we’ve been waiting for.”

We are so excited for the soon to open Connections Café and Eatery at EPCOT, and Walt Disney World have released more details on what to expect when it opens its doors to hungry patrons. Disney are promising a unique experience, embracing the cultures from around the world and bringing them to you in true EPCOT fashion, and quite honestly, we are impressed with the first look at the menu this new location which will officially be opening spring 2022! Connections Eatery is a new fast-casual quick-service restaurant. What makes it unique is it gets its inspiration from the delicious cuisines from across the globe. As part of World Celebration, where we embrace coming together and enjoying the magic of possibility, the purpose of Connections Eatery is to show us how food has the power to bring us together if we open our minds (and our stomachs)! Once inside, you can get a glimpse of the chefs in action as you watch desserts get their finishing touches and witness pizza makers work their magic crafting pizza dough. Now it’s time to get to the fun part … what you can snack on once this spot opens. I don’t know about you, but I am very excited to try each and every one of these dishes and beverages that have been expertly crafted by the culinary masterminds at EPCOT. Without further ado, here is a preview of the menu for the highly anticipated Connections Eatery! Now, let’s break down these mouthwatering options. Worldwide sandwich selections offer choices for everyone. From the French Bistro Burger with caramelized onions, bacon, and brie to the Southwestern Burger featuring a roasted chipotle-corn salsa and guacamole spread – yum! You can’t go wrong with the Vietnamese-inspired Banh Mi Burger or the Greek-inspired Mediterranean Burger. You’ll want to try each dish. For a lighter option, consider one of the salads inspired by French and Chinese cuisines. First up, the Niçoise-style Salad is packed with potatoes, white and green beans, and olives drizzled with a delicious Dijon vinaigrette. For an Asian flare, get the General Tso Chicken Salad featuring ingredients like broccoli slaw, red bell pepper, mandarin oranges, and crispy wontons. If you’re anything like me, you love pizza, and likely your mouth is watering just thinking about one of the four pizzas available. If you want a more classic option, the Meatball Pizza is the pie for you. The Curry Spice Pizza topped with carrots, potato, peas, and lime “yogurt” puts a new plant-based twist on the classic pizza. And don’t forget about the little ones. With items like the Grilled Chicken Bao or classics like the Chicken Nuggets Basket or Cheeseburger, they’ll be asking to go back to Connections Eatery again and again! Now onto the highly anticipated part of any dining experience … dessert! This spot will feature an option that is both beautiful and delicious –the Liege Waffle. This treat will make you and your taste buds very happy as these treats are made with brioche yeast dough stuffed with pearl sugar and finished with some tasty toppings. If you love yourself some shakes, these two options will blow you away. First, we’ve got a Mango-Coconut Milk Shake topped off with a pomegranate molasses drizzle for a nice, refreshing beverage. For a more dessert feel, the Apple Pie Gelato Shake will give you that sweet fix you crave. Whether you’re interested in an adult beverage or a non-alcoholic one, you have options. The Watermelon-Mint Agua Fresca is alcohol-free so the whole family can enjoy it together! For those over 21, there are multiple wines and draft beers available, along with the Cucumber and Thai Basil Cooler, a specialty cocktail filled with freshness and flavor. We really can't wait to try out this brand new quick serve location, see you at the Connections Café and Eatery very soon!

The Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration continues with new commemorative merchandise launching this spring. Each collection honors the history of Disney’s Florida theme parks through trendy new clothing items, accessories and souvenir pieces. 50th Anniversary celebration merchandise is available throughout the Walt Disney World Resort including Disney Springs. Select items will be carried at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, Disneyland Resort and on shopDisney.com. EARidescent Shimmer Collection A modern take on the iconic Walt Disney World Resort landmark, the latest color story features the same distinct blue and gold tones found on the turrets of Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom Park. The EARidescent Shimmer Collection will include sparkling statement pieces such as a Minnie Mouse headband, a Loungefly backpack and more. And coming to parks later this spring will be the popular Spirit Jersey. Disney Vault Balloon Collection Longtime visitors of The Most Magical Place on Earth may recognize the design inspiration behind the Disney Vault Balloon Collection. Bold and colorful, the Mickey Mouse balloon print was once used to decorate shopping bags at retail locations across Disney World. Back in 1971, guests filled these vintage balloon-print bags with everything from Mickey Mouse ear hats and sweatshirts to character plush toys and packaged treats. The collection includes a variety of fashionable accessories including a bucket hat, Spirit Jersey and Loungefly backpack. Celebration Collection The Celebration Collection, which first launched at the start of the 50th Anniversary celebration, will expand to include brand new commemorative merchandise for the whole family inclusive of a new dress by Dress Shop, Dooney and Bourke handbags, and youth apparel! Plus, you’ll find Goofy, Donald and Daisy plush in their decked out celebration outfits! Disney Vault Orange Bird Collection debuting later this spring! The Disney Vault Orange Bird Collection perfectly captures the groovy vibes of the 1970s through a line of retro pieces that are sure to brighten your day. The collection, debuting later this spring, pays tribute to Orange Bird, a beloved Disney character that has come to symbolize Florida and its legacy in the citrus industry. From a denim jacket and flower power dress by Dress Shop to a character crossbody bag, the Disney Vault Orange Bird Collection has something for everyone. Stay tuned here at gottagoorlando.com for exciting updates about The World’s Most Magical Celebration as the festivities continue!

The Plaza Live is one of Orlando oldest theaters. It was transformed from a cinema, to a theatre space, and finally a music venue. The Plaza Live is home to two music halls: the main hall, and a second room for smaller shows. The Plaza Live is also home to The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Constructed in 1963 as the city’s first 2-screen movie theater, the historic Plaza LIVE is one of Orlando’s premiere live concert venue offering a wide range of concerts, comedians, and cultural events. The seated balcony and wide, open floor provide flexible accommodations for a variety of seated and GA standing events. Reserved seating capacity is 903, GA standing room only capacity is 1250. With high-ceilings and un-obstructed sightlines there is not a bad seat in the house. THE LATEST PLAZA LIVE CONCERTS & EVENTS Every year, The Plaza Live attracts some of the biggest name in music and comedy to it's historic stage. For more details, and to book tickets go to the The Plaza Live website. AEG Presents EPIK HIGH Is Here: North America Tour 2022 March 28, 2022 AEG Presents Life Is A Merry-Go-Round THE ZOMBIES Featuring Colin Blunstone & Rod Argent April 1, 2022 AEG Presents Scott Pilgrim vs. The World The Game Soundtrack: The Tour. ANAMANAGUCHI April 2, 2022 AEG Presents I Have To Do This Show CRANKGAMEPLAYS PRESENTS: April 6, 2022 AEG Presents Good To See You 2022 HENRY ROLLINS April 7, 2022 AEG Presents Cell-0 Tour APOCALYPTICA Lacuna Coil April 8, 2022 AEG Presents with The Paul Green Rock Academy JON ANDERSON April 14, 202 AEG Presents Don’t Burn This Country DAVE RUBIN April 18, 2022 AEG Presents THE BAND CAMINO with Special Guests flor and Hastings April 19, 2022 AEG Presents GENESIS REVISITED TOUR 2022 STEVE HACKETT April 20, 2022 AEG Presents Souvenir OMD 40 YEARS - GREATEST HITS OMD April 22, 2022 AEG Presents COLIN HAY April 23, 2022 ROMEO & JULIET April 24, 2022 AEG Presents THE PINEAPPLE THIEF Featuring Gavin Harrison April 29, 2022 AEG Presents The Thankful Tour BETH HART April 30, 2022 AEG Presents ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN May 3, 2022 AEG Presents TouRX 2022 World Tour ROLE MODEL May 4, 2022 AEG Presents Careless Love Forever World Tour MADELEINE PEYROUX & PAULA COLE May 5, 2022 AEG Presents The Brand New Tour GIVE THEM LALA LIVE: May 6, 2022 AEG Presents Here I Come Tour GUS JOHNSON May 7, 2022 AEG Presents Sad Boi Winter Summer Tour 2022 DEAN LEWIS May 9, 2022 AEG Presents TOMMY EMMANUEL May 12, 2022 AEG Presents HELL / HEAVEN TOUR KESHI with special guest rei brown May 13, 2022 AEG Presents FIVE FOR FIGHTING WITH STRING QUARTET May 14, 2022 AEG PRESENTSGOGOL BORDELLO Amigo The Devil May 15, 2022 AEG Presents LEONID & FRIENDS May 20, 2022 AEG Presents BENDELACREME IS...READY TO BE COMMITTED May 21, 2022 AEG Presents Wolves Tour 2022 CANDLEBOX with Hold On Hollywood May 22, 2022 AEG Presents BIKINI KILL May 29, 2022 Murray & Peter Present “Life, Love & Lashes Tour” ALYSSA EDWARDS June 1, 2022 AEG Presents YNGWIE MALMSTEEN June 3, 2022 AEG Presents SYMPHONY X Haken Trope June 8, 2022 AEG Presents FADE INTO A DREAM TOUR LÉON Catie Turner June 21, 2022 AEG Presents PURITY RING Dawn Richard July 8, 2022 MISS GLAMOROUS NEWCOMER 2022 July 11, 2022 MISS GLAMOROUS PLUSH PAGEANT 2022 July 12, 2022 AEG Presents TED NUGENT July 19, 2022 AEG Presents DAMIEN ESCOBAR August 24, 2022 AEG Presents PERTURBATOR & HEALTH Street Sects August 31, 2022 AEG Presents Gwingle Gwongle Tour REMI WOLF Orion Sun October 1, 2022 AEG Presents Inviolate Tour STEVE VAI October 20, 2022 AEG Presents WASP Armored Saint November 26, 2022 AEG Presents BIG BAND OF BROTHERS featuring Jaimoe and starring Sammy Miller and The Congregation with special guests Lamar Williams Jr and Drew Smithers January 28, 2023 AEG Presents LIFE AND MUSIC OF GEORGE MICHAEL March 2, 2023 AEG Presents RISE OF THE MACHINE 2022 STATIC-X with Fear Factory Mushroomhead Dope Raven Black March 15, 2023 We will be bringing you the latest from The Plaza Live right here on gottagoorlando.com

Addition Financial Arena is located on the campus of the University of Central Florida, in Orlando. It's one of the largest universities in the nation. The arena boasts 10,000 seats, 18 luxury suites, two loge boxes, and club seating with lounge access. Offering a diverse lineup of shows, including world-famous entertainers, beloved family shows, and special events, Addition Financial Arena is considered one of the top college venues in the country. Addition Financial Arena is also the home to UCF men’s and women’s basketball. Addition Financial Arena has hosted concerts by high-profile musicians such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Elton John, Drake and more. THE LATEST ADDITION FINANCIAL ARENA CONCERTS & EVENTS This year sees an amazing choice of headliners all bringing their arena tours to Addition Financial Arena. For more details, and to book tickets go to the official website. Star 94.5 Presents The Full Circle Tour with KEM and Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds Hosted by Sherri Shepherd April 10th, 2022 Making a grand and long-awaited return to the road, Three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated multiplatinum 21st century R&B icon KEM will embark on “The Full Circle Tour”, presented by Star 94.5, with none other than 12-time GRAMMY® Award-winning legend Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds at Addition Financial Arena on Sunday, April 10th at 7:30pm. “The Full Circle Tour” promises to be KEM’s biggest, most dynamic North American tour to date, and three-time EMMY® Award-winning actress, comedian, author, host, and television personality Sherri Shepherd joins as the evening’s host. The Harlem Globetrotters April 23rd, 2022 The World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their newly reimagined Spread Game Tour back to Addition Financial Arena on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 2:00PM. The Spread Game Tour is a basketball event like no other. Ankle-breaking moves, jaw-dropping swag, and rim-rattling dunks are only some of the thrills you can expect from this fully modernized show. Part streetball from the players who defined it, part interactive family entertainment, the tour shows off the best of the Globetrotters in a dazzling exhibition of talent and game. This tour introduces new premium fan experiences with unprecedented access and interaction, including celebrity court passes, meet and greets with players. For over 95 years, the Harlem Globetrotters organization has been committed to spreading joy through their artful athleticism and unparalleled basketball skill. The Globetrotters have always been global ambassadors of goodwill. The reimagined team is even more committed to bringing their voice to social justice conversations while inviting communities all over the U.S. to come together and recognize the power of our commonalities and celebrate our differences. The Globetrotters’ mission, to spread game and bring family entertainment to the world, continues to drive them today. AJR The OK ORCHESTRA Tour May 3rd, 2022 AJR is bringing "The OK ORCHESTRA Tour" to Addition Financial Arena on May 3, 2022 at 7:30pm. AJR recently released their fourth-full length album ‘OK ORCHESTRA’. It debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Alternative and Rock Albums charts, marking their second consecutive album to debut at the top spot on both charts. It also claimed the #10 spot on the Billboard 200. The band has also been nominated for two 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards, including Alternative Rock Artist of the Year and Alternative Rock Song of the Year for “BANG!”. AJR’s current single, “Way Less Sad”, has already been added to over 200 radio stations across the U.S. It just cracked the top 30 at Top 40 radio and top 20 at Adult Pop and just reached the top 10 at Alternative radio. It has amassed more than 25 million streams worldwide and has been featured on Spotify’s “The New ALT” and “Just Good Music”, Amazon Music’s “Hot Singles”, Pandora’s “Today’s Hits”, and Apple Music’s “A-List Pop” and “Alt Pop” playlists. John Mulaney From Scratch May 12th, 2022 John Mulaney is a two-time Emmy and WGA award-winning writer, actor, and comedian. In 2018, he traveled the United States with sold out Kid Gorgeous tour, which was later released as a Netflix stand-up special and won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Variety Special; In 2015, he released The Comeback Kid, also a Netflix original, which The AV Club called the “best hour of his career;” In 2012, his Comedy Central special New In Town had Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly hailing him as “one of the best stand-up comics alive.” Starting March 2022, he’ll be touring with his newest hour John Mulaney: From Scratch. Solidifying himself as a fan favorite, John Mulaney has been invited to host Saturday Night Live five times. He began writing for SNL in 2008 and created memorable characters such as ‘Stefon’ with Bill Hader and appeared as a “Weekend Update” correspondent. He has written for IFC’s Documentary Now! and Netflix’s Big Mouth, on which he voices the character of Andrew. John will star in the new reboot of Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers on Disney Plus this Spring opposite Andy Samberg. He’s also starred on Broadway in the runaway hit written and performed alongside Nick Kroll in Oh, Hello On Broadway. The duo have since release a Netflix special of the same name, as well as Oh, Hello: The P’dcast, based off their characters Gil Faizon and George St. Geegland. In December 2019, the critically acclaimed and Emmy nominated musical variety special John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch debuted on Netflix. It was recently announced that festivities will continue with a pair of holiday themed Sack Lunch Bunch specials coming to Comedy Central in the near future. Arijit Singh May 14th, 2022 Immerse your senses in the most enthralling voice of India - Arijit Singh. Witness him perform live on a special stage, for a scintillating evening. This live experience is designed tastefully to entertain every member and give them a chance to sway to their favorite soulful tracks. CHEER Live Special Appearance by Monica Aldama June 16th, 2022 CHEER LIVE 2022 Tour will break new ground in a first of its kind live performance touring across North America featuring athletes from the Emmy Award-winning Netflix docuseries CHEER. Presented by Rebel Athletic, the tour makes a stop at Addition Financial Arena on Thursday, June 16th at 7:30pm. Bringing together fan favorites from the two most successful rival cheer programs in the country, Navarro College and Trinity Valley Community College, CHEER LIVE will feature 14x National Champion coach and best-selling author, Monica Aldama alongside cheer stars such as Gabi Butler and Morgan Simianer. The full cast features Maddy Brum, Angel Rice, Dee Joseph, James Thomas, Jeron Hazelwood, Gillian Rupert, Cassadee Dunlap, and more to be announced. The premiere athletes all make mat for an electrifying exhibition of never-before-seen stunts and stage performances that are sure to have fans on the edge of their seats. Without the restraints of score cards, judges, and time limits, CHEER LIVE will transform the nail-biting sport of competitive cheerleading into a first of its kind premiere athletic event staged with the epic production value of a live concert. “I’m so excited to cheer again and to have the feeling of performing and going on tour,” says Morgan Simianer. “We are all coming together without the competitions and pressure — It’s going to be so fun! I want all of the cheerleaders to see this and think, that can be me one day.” “The world has fallen in love with the stars of Cheer and we were convinced that their careers as Cheerleaders should not come to an end after Daytona. CHEER LIVE will change the way the sport is viewed forever, allowing younger & aspiring cheerleaders to envision a future of cheerleading beyond the mat. These world class cheer stars are going to blow minds when they go FULL OUT this summer on the CHEER LIVE TOUR…” added tour creator and producer Jared Paul, Founder of Faculty Productions. Season two of the Emmy Award-winning docuseries CHEER is now streaming only on Netflix. CHEER LIVE is created by Monica Aldama and Andy Cosferent. Big Time Rush with special guest Dixie D'Amelio July 23rd, 2022 Big Time Rush became an overnight sensation in November 2009 when the scripted TV show of the same name launched on Nickelodeon. The show focused on the Hollywood adventures of four hockey players from Minnesota after they were selected to form a boy band. The show was a huge success and later, Carlos, Kendall, James, and Logan came to life as a band off the screen releasing three full length albums and performing across the globe. As the show concluded in July 2013 and after four years of recording music and touring as a band, they went their separate ways but remained close friends through the years. After 7 years, in an effort to bring joy to their fans during quarantine around the world, the members of Big Time Rush decided to appear together as a group to send a message of love and togetherness. This was soon followed by a socially distant performance of an acoustic version of their smash hit, "Worldwide". These appearances resulted in hysteria amongst their fans and in the media, followed by BTR receiving 10+ million streams in 2020 alone. Four seasons of the TV show were added to Netflix in March 2021 and have appeared in the Net?ix "Top 10" trending titles. The band finished off 2021 with a performance at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in Philadelphia as well as 2 sold out shows in Chicago and NYC, capping it off with the release of their first single in 8 years, “Call It Like I See It”, on Dec. 13th. Stay tuned for big things to come because Big Time Rush is back. Dixie D'Amelio is an American singer and social media personality known for her videos on the social media platform TikTok. Dixie is the elder sister of Charli D’Amelio, who holds the title of most followers on TikTok. Dixie has over 50 million followers on TikTok and hosts a talk show on YouTube called "The Early Late Night Show." In 2020, she signed a record deal with HitCo Entertainment and began releasing singles. On June 26, 2020, D'Amelio released her first single, "Be Happy,” accumulating more than 86.1 million streams on Spotify. Paw Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure July 30 & 31, 2022 Nickelodeon and Vstar Entertainment Group present PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” an action-packed, music-filled production. The PAW Patrol is back and on a roll in person and LIVE on stage! Ryder and your favorite pups have been working hard to get back on the road and they are ready to roll to Orlando. In this production, the heroic pups from the top-rated animated preschool series PAW Patrol, produced by Spin Master Entertainment and airing on Nickelodeon, embark on a pirate-themed adventure to uncover hidden treasure. Do not miss this PAWsome opportunity to see the whole pack in this live touring stage performance. In PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” Mayor Goodway is getting everything shipshape for a big Pirate Day celebration in Adventure Bay. When Cap’n Turbot falls into a dark and mysterious cavern, it’s PAW Patrol to the rescue! Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky and Zuma save Cap'n Turbot and discover a secret pirate treasure map that leads them on an epic adventure. Things get ruff when Mayor Humdinger wants to find the treasure first for Foggy Bottom. The pups need all paws on deck for this pirate adventure, including help from the newest pup who’s all ears…Tracker! Using their heroic rescue skills, problem solving and teamwork, the pups set sail to save the day. No job is too big, no pirate pup is too small! PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure is the perfect way for families to create lifelong memories and provides kids the opportunity to experience in-person theater. Since its debut in the Fall of 2016, PAW Patrol Live! has been seen by over 4.3 million people, providing fans in over 40 countries with an unforgettable Broadway-style production. The performance is an interactive live stage show, encouraging audiences to learn pirate catchphrases, dance the pirate boogie and help the pups follow the treasure map and solve picture puzzles throughout their mission! We will be bringing you the latest from the Addition Financial Arena, right here on gottagoorlando.com

Great news as another live show is returning to Walt Disney World. Rehearsals have now begun for “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!”, a new show that replaces “Finding Nemo: The Musical” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney have said the new show will feature new story material, as well as fan favorite songs such as “In the Big Blue World” and “Go with the Flow.” More details on the show, and exactly when it's returning should be made available by Walt Disney World soon!

More great foodie news for Orlando as California hot dog institution Cupid's is opening its first East Coast location in Orlando, and wiener fans can get their very first taste this week! Cupid's Hot Dogs' first location outside of California is located at 1515 Lee Road, and trust u, you can't miss it, just look for the big red heart! The new restaurant will now be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m To celebrate the opening, Cupid’s is offering a special deal for the first 30 days of business where guests can make any meal a combo with fries and drink for $1. A combo is normally a $3.75 upcharge. Cupid’s first opened in California’s San Fernando Valley in 1946 and has stayed largely the same since then, according to Kelly Walsh, who co-owns the business with her sister. The pair is the third generation of their family to run Cupid’s Hot Dogs. “I think we’ve stayed true to our original menu,” Kelly Walsh said. “We’ve added very few things — like a veggie dog, Chicago toppings — so we just wanted to keep it as simple as our grandparents started it, very minimal changes.” The restaurant mostly sells all-beef Vienna hotdogs. Cupid's has done so since the mid-40s. Their rate of expansion has been rather slow, with just five locations in total. The family-owned restaurant clearly subscribes to a "don't fix what ain't broke" mentality, leaving their menu much the same as it was in the '40s.

Fantastic news from Walt Disney World, more than two years since its last performance, the iconic, and much loved Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is returning to Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort this summer, and we cannot wait! The announcement was made on the official Disney Parks TikTok, which included a preview of one of the new backdrops for the show. Reservations will be available online starting May 26 for showtimes beginning June 23. The iconic stage show has been a fixture of Walt Disney World since 1974. The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is two hours full of Wild West dancing, singing and zany vaudeville comedy. In between the skits, guests chow down on buckets of all-you-can-eat fried chicken, smoked BBQ pork ribs, tossed green salad, baked beans, fresh-baked cornbread, and strawberry shortcake. Disney have indicated that some changes will be made as part of the Disney companie’s across-the-board updates to their theme parks to be more culturally sensitive.

For those about to rock we salute you! Get ready for a rocking hot spring and an even hotter summer in Central Florida, as some of the biggest names in music are hitting the road to Downtown Orlando's Camping World Stadium. 2022 Concerts at Downtown Orlando’s Camping World Stadium This year sees a who's who of headliners hitting the stage at Camping World Stadium, here's your guide to Camping World Stadium’s incredible 2022 concert season! Paul McCartney: Got Back Tour May 28, 2022 There are a few genuine legendary musicians, and Sir Paul McCartney is one of the biggest! Beatle McCartney will be performing his biggest hits this year at Camping World Stadium, including fan-favorites from his time with the Fab Four and Wings, as well as his impressive solo career. Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe: The Stadium Tour June 19, 2022 Get ready to rock with Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe on their 2022 Stadium Tour This unmissable night will also feature Poison plus Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, this is a star-studded lineup that's gonna rock Orlando! Bad Bunny: World’s Hottest Tour August 5, 2022 Spotify have declared Bad Bunny the most listened-to recording artist in the world for a second consecutive year, and Latin entertainer Bad Bunny is bringing his first-ever stadium tour to Orlando on August 5 and it's gonna be the hottest night ever! Red Hot Chili Peppers September 15, 2022 Get ready Orlando, Red Hot Chili Peppers are coming to Central Florida, and you gotta get excited as longtime guitarist John Frusciante returns! Expect them to play career-spanning hits as well as new music from their forthcoming 12th studio album. They will also be joined by extra special guests The Strokes and Thundercat. For more details and to book tickets, go to the Camping World Stadium website.

The Walt Disney World Resort recently started rolling out a new, interactive television system with a more personalized and easy-to-use experience that welcomes Guests to the room, offering access to complimentary Disney content, provides connectivity to streaming subscription content, and more. This interactive television system is been slowly introduced at hotels throughout Walt Disney World, and is now becoming available at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and The Villas over the coming weeks. This new, interactive television system personalizes the in-room TV experience by welcoming Guests upon arrival. Guests can also enjoy streaming in their room with complimentary Disney content and connectivity for their personal device to stream their subscribed content (Disney+, Hulu, etc.). Standard channels, park hours, resort amenities, and information are also available. Smart phones, tablets and laptops are supported to stream to the TV. Only content from Chromecast-enabled apps (mirroring is not supported) can be sent to the TV. Guest credentials and Connect My Device pairings will be cleared upon each check-out. Guests will use their personal devices to log into any subscription services, so information is not stored in the system.

Welcome to the biggest bash this side of the bayou! Every spring, the fun and excitement of the Big Easy makes its way to Universal Orlando Resort for an authentic celebration that completely transforms Universal Studios Florida into a family-friendly version of the famed New Orleans street party. Universal Orlando will be partying hard until April 24, with a louder, wilder and spicier Mardi Gras celebration than ever before. Guests can check out a colorful, out of this world parade, see live entertainment and star-studded concerts, visit the incredibly-themed Mardi Gras Tribute Store, enjoy food and drinks from around the world and catch a whole lot of beads. Check out our 2022 guide below on this year's Mardi Gras celebrations at Universal Orlando. Mardi Gras 2022 Universal Orlando Resort's Mardi Gras 2022 runs daily through Sunday, April 24, 2022. Don't let your feet fail you as you enjoy all the crowd-favorite components of Mardi Gras including the colorfully costumed performers and authentic New Orleans bands, the Mardi Gras parade, and the weekly headliner concerts. Oh and remember, the best part about tIniversal's big Mardi Gras party – it’s completely free! As long as you have a ticket to to the theme park on a Mardi Gras event date, you have access to everything! Universal Orlando Planet Mardi Gras Parade This year's MARDI GRAS PARADE returns to the streets of Universal Studios Florida with a brand new theme... Planet Mardi Gras! This new version of the parade features six new and wonderfully detailed floats that fuse Mardi Gras elements including rockets, comets, martians and so much more! The six new floats join fan favorites including the Mardi Gras Jester, and the King Gator float! The parade starts and ends from the gates adjacent to Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show. Parade Start Times 7:15 p.m. - March 7 - 11 7:30 p.m. - March 14 - 17, 21 - 24, 28 - 31 and April 3 - 7, 9 - 24 7:45 p.m. - March 12, 13, 18 - 20, 25 - 27 There is no Mardi Gras parade on April 1, 2 or 8 Mardi Gras Float Riding at Universal Orlando Guests have the opportunity to ride atop and toss out beads from the Mardi Gras floats. Reservations will be accepted in the park via the virtual line experience on the parks app. Universal said a limited number of spots are available per night. Universal Orlando Concerts Music is a big part of Universal Prlando's Mardi Gras traditions, and at Music Plaza Stage in Universal Studios Florida, guests can attend concerts on select nights during the Mardi Gras season. These concerts are included with park admission and begin at 8:30. Remaining Headliners For Mardi Gras 2022 March 12 – Lee Brice 13 – Becky G 18 – Khalid 19 – Seal 20 – Gavin DeGraw 25 – The Revivalists 26 – Jimmie Allen 27 – Jason Derulo April No announcements have yet been made for concerts in April. Daytime Entertainment As you enjoy your Mardi Gras Drinks and eats, you should check out all the fun and entertainment along the way. You gotta head over to the French Quarter Courtyard in the New York section of the park to see jazz bands performing. You should also snap a picture or three with the wonderful and incredibly talented Mardi Gras Performers. Universal Orlando has also brought back the ever popular Krewe Crawl for this years event. For $10, you can make your way around Universal Studios Florida visiting 12 locations to discover planet themed mask in gift shops. Once you find a mask, ask a team member for a redemption stamp on your map. When all of the masks have been found, guests will get the ultimate piece of Mardi Gras treasure... a Krewe Crawl mask! Food and Drinks No party is complete without food and drinks, and guests will find all of the New Orleans bites and sips at specialty-themed tents and bars across Universal Studios. New Orleans: Planet Mardi Gras Four food and drink kiosks (located in Gramercy Park, near Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon) King Cake: Traditional King Cake with cinnamon swirl icing and colored sanding sugar. *Item may be boxed up so you can take it home! Beignets: Sweet fried pastry with powdered sugar. Mardi Gras Marshmallow Pie: Fresh made marshmallow, graham cracker cookies, chocolate, Mardi Gras sprinkles. Cajun Twisted Frank. Muffuletta: Mortadella, salami, ham, mozzarella and provolone cheese, olive relish on a toasted sesame seed bun. Chicken & Andouille Sausage Jambalaya: Mixed rice with andouille sausage, chicken, shrimp, peppers, tomatoes, finished with a spiced crawfish. Shrimp Gumbo with rice: New Orleans-style gumbo with gulf shrimp, bacon, andouille sausage, okra and bell peppers, served over white rice. Cajun Twisted Tater. Cajun Twisted Frank with Chorizo Queso: Flash-fried ribbon potato, thinly sliced, skewered and stuffed with a Nathan’s Famous foot-long hot dog. Category 5 Punch: Myers’s Dark Rum, Cruzan Aged Dark Rum, passion fruit purée, orange and lime juice, grenadine, agave nectar. A New Twist on Taters: Old Forester Bourbon, Gran Gala Orange Liqueur, brown sugar sweet potato syrup, Mexican chocolate bitters, lemon juice. Piña Verde: Bacardi Superior Rum, Chartreuse green liqueur, Coco López Cream of Coconut, pineapple and lime juice, fresh mint. Abita Purple Haze. North Coast Brewing Co. Pranqster. Crawfish & Shrimp Boil Food stand next to Mel’s Drive-In Crawfish & Shrimp Boil: Mixed bag of crawfish, shrimp, andouille sausage, red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob. Crawfish Boil: Mixed bag of crawfish, andouille sausage, red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob. Beignets: Sweet fried pastry with powdered sugar. Mardi Gras Marshmallow Pie: Fresh made marshmallow, graham cracker cookies, chocolate, Mardi Gras sprinkles. Category 5 Punch: Myers’s Dark Rum, Cruzan Aged Dark Rum, passion fruit purée, orange and lime juice, grenadine, agave nectar. Piña Verde: Bacardi Superior Rum, Chartreuse green liqueur, Coco López Cream of Coconut, pineapple and lime juice, fresh mint. Abita Purple Haze. North Coast Brewing Co. Pranqster. Italy Located at Louie’s Italian Restaurant, gelato window Tomato Basil Arancini: Fried risotto filled with tomato basil mascarpone with a spicy arrabiata sauce. Meatball Garlic Bread Pressed Slider: Italian meatballs topped with mozzarella cheese stuffed between two slices of Texas Garlic Toast. Orange Dream Spiked Float: New Amsterdam Vodka, Gran Gala Orange Liqueur, vanilla gelato and Orange Fanta. Vanilla-Amaretto Rum Gelato Float: Cruzan Aged Dark Rum, Disaronno Amaretto, vanilla gelato and Coca-Cola. Triple-Raspberry Gelato Float: 360 Red Raspberry Vodka, raspberry purée, raspberry gelato and Sprite. Vietti Moscato: Sweet sparkling white wine. Querceto Chianti: Dry red wine. Truffle Hunter Barbaresco. Bloody Mary Bar Located next to Transformers: The Ride Traditional Bloody Mary, spiked with New Amsterdam Vodka, your choice of traditional mild or wild version with Louisiana hot sauce and Sriracha hot chili sauce. Floribbean: Cape Canaveral Located next to Lombard’s Seafood and Grille Sweet Corn Johnny Cake: Pulled jerk jackfruit, blood orange creama, avocado, yellow mole sauce. Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche: Poached shrimp, marinated radish, blood orange sorbet. Buttermilk Strawberry Shortcakes: Marinated strawberries, basil mascarpone cream, orange blossom honey on a buttermilk biscuit. Buttermilk Lemon Blueberry Shortcakes: Blueberry compote, basil mascarpone cream, orange blossom honey on a buttermilk biscuit. Conch Fritters: Flash fried conch served with grilled pineapple and a pineapple remoulade. Cape Guayaba: New Amsterdam vodka, guava and lime juice, agave nectar, fresh mint. Goombay Smash: Cruzan Aged Dark Rum, Ron Q Coco Rum, Grand Marnier, Coco López Cream of Coconut, pineapple, orange and lime juice. Tampa Bay Old Elephant Foot IPA. Swamp Head Wild Night: Honey cream ale. Mohua Sauvignon Blanc: Dry white wine. Fusion: Machine Planet Located next to MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack Creole Crab Beignets: Cajun brown sugar dusted beignets, stuffed with creamy crab dip and scallions. Ube Ice Cream Bubble Waffle: Purple sweet potato ice cream in a matcha green tea bubble waffle, topped with marshmallows, toasted coconut, strawberry Pocky sticks and popping candies. Mardi Gras Bubble Waffle: Ube and matcha swirl soft-serve ice cream in a Belgian bubble waffle, topped with Mardi Gras sprinkles and sweet corn Pocky sticks. Carrot Cake Concoction: Frozen carrot cake slush topper with purple ube ice cream. Junk Barge Fuel: Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Kahlúa, Monin Caramel, Mexican chocolate bitters, agave nectar, iced coffee. Duclaw Sweet Baby Java: Espresso bean infused chocolate peanut butter porter. Fonseca Ruby Port: Sweet red fortified wine. Fonseca Tawny Port: Sweet dark fortified wine. Croft Pink Port: Sweet rosé fortified wine. India: Floral Planet Located near Woody Woodpecker’s KidZon Vegetable Vindaloo: Romanesco cauliflower florets and sweet potatoes, braised in a hot and sour broth, served with basmati rice. Chana Masala: Spiced chickpea curry, served with tomato and onion salad, basmati rice, naan bread. Vegan Golden Chai Chocolate Blondies: Chai-spiced vegan dessert bar with dark and white vegan chocolates. Potato, Pea and Carrot Samosas: Served with green chutney. Emerald Mojito: Bacardi Superior Rum, agave nectar, lime juice, tropical green tea, fresh mint. Gaea Smash: New Amsterdam Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, sparkling mineral water, fresh purple opal basil. Allagash White: Belgian-Style witbier. New Belgium Dominga Mimosa Sour: Wood-aged, orange-flavored sour wheat ale. Raventós I Blanc Cava: Dry sparkling white wine. Southeast Asia: Volcano Planet Located near Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone Papas Bravas: Crispy roasted potatoes, salsa bravas, garlic aioli, parsley. Savory Sopaipilla: Roasted butternut squash, pumpkin seeds, pebre salsa, cilantro. Shrimp Laksa: Shrimp, tofu, chicken, hard boiled eggs, Asian noodles in a spicy coconut curry broth. Rou Jia Mo: Braised pork, Thai chili peppers, mustard greens, cilantro in a soft griddled bun. Cosmic Mangonada: Frozen purple mango slush layered with Tajín seasoning and Chamoy sauce (non-alcoholic). Cosmic Cornucopia: New Amsterdam Gin, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Owen’s Cucumber, Lime and Mint Craft Mixer, honeydew melon balls. Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze: Hazy IPA. Stiegl Radler Zitrone: Lemon Radler. Sauvion Vouvray: Slightly sweet white wine. Central America: Comet Cruisin’ Located at KidZone Pizza Company in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone Choripan with French fries: Grilled chorizo, garlic mayo, chimichurri, tomato and onion curtido, split-top roll. Salchipapas: Chorizo, chipotle ketchup, dijonnaise, tomato and onion curtido, crinkle cut fries. Guava Comet Margarita: El Jimador Blanco Tequila, guava, white grapefruit and lime juice, agave nectar. Ommegang Neon Rainbows: Hazy IPA. Finca Resalso Ribera Del Duero: Dry red wine. Finca Nueva Rioja Crianza: Dry red wine. Carro Yecla: Dry red blend. Brazil Located at Café La Bamba patio Pulled Chicken Coxinha: Crispy pulled chicken teardrop fritters. Romeo & Juliet Coxinha: Guava and cheese-filled pastry bites Beef Coxinha: Tender beef filled crispy rissole. Strawberry Caipirinha Punch: Leblon Cachaça, agave nectar, strawberry purée, lime juice. Pineapple Caipirinha Punch: Leblon Cachaça, agave nectar, pineapple and lime juice. Guests can save on food and drinks by purchasing a Universal Orlando food and beverage card. Get $75 worth of food and drinks for just $65, or get $150 in food and drinks for $120. Cards are available for purchase at food kiosks around the event. Tribute Store The Mardi Gras Tribute Store is back with the theme “Float Factory Warehouse.” The stunning store is located in Universal Studios’ New York-themed area of the park, which is between The Race through New York starring Jimmy Fallon and Revenge of the Mummy attractions. Guests will venture through four highly-themed rooms designed to visually depict the creative process of bringing a parade float to life. The tribute store is the perfect place to purchase Mardi Gras merchandise such as beads, masks and T-shirts.

The upcoming Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando has been added to the list of Walt Disney World Resort area hotels with early entry access. Early Entry is for guests staying at qualifying resorts that allows entry into the Walt Disney World theme parks 30 minutes before they open. The benefit is available at every theme park, every day of the week throughout the 18-month 50th Anniversary Celebration. Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando on Hotel Plaza Boulevard is near Disney Springs. The hotel is scheduled to open this fall, and is accepting reservations for October 27th and beyond. This will be the company’s largest when complete, and the second Drury property in the Orlando area. In 2017, Drury Hotels acquired the former 325-room Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort and submitted plans to renovate the Best Western property and add a 14-story tower. The initial 264 rooms will open this fall. Once complete, the Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista will include 604 rooms by spring 2023. The new Disney Springs resort is already designated an Official Walt Disney World Hotel. The Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista will feature a resort style-pool with whirlpool, kids’ splash zone with water cannons, lounge chairs, cooling umbrellas, and plenty of seating around the 20,000-square-foot pool deck. The pool features views of Black Lake as well as poolside dining at the Lakeside Bar & Grill. Other dining options include will The Kitchen + Bar fast casual experience. The 5:30 Kickback reception offers a rotating menu of free dinnertime snacks and complementary beer, wine, mixed drinks and soft drinks. Here’s the full list of Early Entry eligible hotels: 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 The Campsites 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 The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort 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 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 – Jambo House Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Disney’s Beach Club Villas Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Disney’s Old Key West Resort Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows Disney’s Riviera Resort Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World® Resort B Resort & Spa Lake Buena Vista DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Holiday Inn Orlando Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Four Seasons Resort Orlando Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Waldorf Astoria Orlando Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista