Let's talk about the Madrigal family, as Walt Disney World have unveiled a bright and colorful "Encanto" bus in celebration of Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month. We love seeing the Disney Transportation Buses with the all over wraps featuring beloved Disney Characters and movies, and we can't wait to see the latest design out on the roads at Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World shared a photo of the makeover, featuring everyones Encanto favorites including Mirabel, Antonio, and Isabela. The bus wrap features a vibrant purple background, with members of the Madrigal family including Mirabel, Luisa, Camilo and Isabela. Be on the lookout for this beautiful bus during your next Disney visit, we sure will be! The caption that accompanied the photo said: We may not talk about Bruno, but we’re definitely talking about our new “Encanto” bus wrap! The film celebrates the vibrancy of Hispanic and Latin cultures, and our Cast Members were among the first to see the new wrap before it officially joins our Walt Disney World fleet this Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month. Be sure to look for these wraps on your next drive around Walt Disney World!

Back in June, Walt Disney World announced that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT will be receiving a holiday overlay this year, well today at New York Comic Con, it was announced that the ride is actually going to have a custom Holiday song. The song will be inspired by holiday classics but with new lyrics just for the ride. No details yet on what song will be included in the holiday overlay, but Disney says, "Guests will blast off to the tune of an awesome holiday single, bringing joy to Xandar and Terra, too." As well as revealing details on the overlay for the attraction, Disney has shared a first look at the festive logo for the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind holiday remix overlay! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, has a randomly rotating soundtrack of several different classic ’70s and ’80s songs, and we can assume hat the track picked is going to be a holiday classic from that time period. The holiday season will officially kick off at Walt Disney World on November 11, so the Cosmic Rewind holiday soundtrack will probably launch on that day.

The end is in sight for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations at Walt Disney World. With less than 6 months until the Walt Disney World Resort's 50th Anniversary officially ends on the 31st of March, 2023, the resort has begun to advertise the end of the anniversary on both its website, and in its marketing materials for travel agencies. On the Walt Disney World website's 50th Anniversary page, Disney has added that it’s the last chance to see the Beacons of Magic, Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade, and limited-time merchandise offerings before they go away at the end of the celebration. (and appear in the Character Warehouse Stores no doubt!) With the 50th celebrations ending on March 31, 2023, could we see Tron open before the end of the celebrations considering Tron was supposed to b the headliner new attraction to celebrate the 50th...

Oh baby it's cold outside, well not really it is Florida after all.... BUT we do have real snow thanks to Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park. The coolest attraction in Florida has announced that it will open for its third winter season on the10th of November, and will remain open through until March next year. Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park features a wide variety of winter activities, including an arctic igloo and an alpine village that can’t be found anywhere else in Florida, and yes, it really is real snow! The main attraction at Alpine Ridge is the impressive 60-foot tall, 400-foot-long snow tubing hill, where you can ride single, tandem or in a 10-person snow tube. Plus, the attraction has so much more, including a 10,000-square-foot indoor snow play area and a 400-foot-long snow tubing hill, and an outdoor ice skating area. You can enjoy playing with real snow, make snow angels or have a snowball fight inside the Arctic Igloo. Snowcat Ridge also has an Alpine Village, which offers food, drinks, beer and wine along with a gift shop. The winter wonderland is located in Dade City, which is in Pasco County here in Central Florida. You can discover full details can be found on their official website here. Right now Snowcat Ridge currently have tickets on sale, with 10% off through October 14 with promo code Bringthesnow2022 at checkout. Tickets are available here.

Walt Disney World has introduced the latest member of the springbok herd at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and the calf is a real cutie! They shared the news on the Disney's Animals, Science and Environment Facebook page. Here's the announcement: Born near the end of September, this cute calf travelled to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park last week to spend some time with our animal care Cast Members like Dr. Jen (in blue) and hospital keeper Jen (in green), who offered careful attention and kept her fed every four hours. Even under special circumstances, our team didn’t skip a beat in providing excellent care. Springbok are a hoofstock species of slender antelope that can be found in the central and western parts of southern Africa. You can spot springbok at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and while riding Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We look forward to meeting the new recruit at the Animal Kingdom lodge soon!

High school students from across the Southeast and beyond have descended on Walt Disney World Resort for the largest-ever HBCU Week featuring a college fair, a parade of high-stepping marching bands, a battle of the bands and a live ESPN broadcast. A record number of over 5,000 high school students and close to 50 Historically Black Colleges and University representatives will take part in this weekend event, October 7 - 9, 2022, when more than $10 million in scholarships are expected to be awarded, which would be another event record. Since 2017, more than 3,500 on-the-spot admissions have been offered, along with more than $23 million in scholarships. This is the first time in its five-year history that the HBCU Week Foundation is hosting its annual event at Walt Disney World Resort, which is expanding the foundation’s ability to stage new and more high-profile activities for its attendees. As a result, this year there will be a parade of HBCU bands down Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park; a battle of the bands at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex along with the college fair; a live broadcast of ESPN’s First Take show featuring HBCU Week ambassador Stephen A. Smith and show host Molly Qerim; and several Lunch and Learn seminars for students to gain educational and career insights. Delaware State, Bethune Cookman, North Carolina A&T, Winston-Salem State and Alcorn University will participate in the parade at Magic Kingdom and compete in the Battle of the Bands. “We are pleased to share in the mission to highlight the rich history and cultural significance of HBCUs, creating educational and, ultimately, career opportunities for students,” said HBCU Week Founder and CEO Ashley Christopher. “Hosting this national event at Walt Disney World Resort helps amplify the mission of HBCU Week, attracting more parents and students throughout the country to our events and helps make an even greater impact in fostering opportunities for thousands of students.” Disney’s involvement in HBCU Week is part of a relationship between HBCU Week Foundation and Disney on the Yard, an initiative focused on deepening Disney’s engagement with HBCUs. By working more closely with HBCUs, Disney aims to continue building a long-term pipeline of Black employee talent through the development of student internships, mentorship opportunities, career and employee spotlights, scholarships and more. “This event is an ideal collaboration in that it highlights Disney’s commitment to supporting HBCUs and the mission of HBCU Week,” said Avis Lewis, Vice President Human Resources, Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Parks International. “We are pleased with the immense momentum we are seeing already, with unprecedented attendance at the college fair and a host of exciting events planned. We look forward to seeing students and parents from all over the Southeast enjoying this event and all the magic of Disney while they are here.” Disney theme park admission and reservations are required for entry to Magic Kingdom Park for the HBCU Week band parade. Tickets are also required for the Battle of the Bands at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. There is no admission charge for all other HBCU events.

Central Florida's Give Kids The World have announced that they will again be producing Night of a Million Lights this Christmas. Earlier this year, the nonprofit organization said they would be unable to hold the event 2022, as the village was fully reopening after the Covid-19 outbreak. However Give Kids The World have now secured a new venue allowing A Million Lights to go ahead! Give Kids the World is an entire family friendly resort who host children with life-threatening illnesses and their families who are visiting the Central Florida theme parks. Night of a Million Lights began in 2020 as a way to fundraise for the village while it was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Covid-19 situation improved, the village operated at half-capacity in 2021, allowing them to host the event for a second year, but now that they have returned to full capacity, there is no on-site space to host the Night of a Million Lights. It was thought the event would not be happening this year, but from November 11, 2022 through January 1, 2023, Island H2O Water Park in Kissimmee, will be transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland featuring millions of lights, luminous displays, festive family activities and live entertainment for a one-of-a-kind, fully immersive holiday experience. Nightly entertainment will include performances by Dueling Pianos Jingle and Jangle and the strolling a cappella group Santa’s Dancing Reindeer, with DJ Jack Frost Ice Block Party leading an interactive holiday hits dance party. The Emmy Award-winning RWS Entertainment Group will once again partner with Give Kids The World and Island H2O Water Park to produce the event. Tickets are on sale now. Guests can enjoy a stroll throughout the property to view the lights; watch an all-new dancing lights show on a five-story waterslide; visit an interactive children’s holiday activities space; interact with strolling performers; explore themed lightscapes; and create priceless holiday memories during visits with Santa…all for a wonderful cause. Proceeds from Night of a Million Lights at Island H2O will once again benefit Give Kids The World Village, an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort that provides critically ill children and their families from around the world with magical week-long wish vacations at no cost. Discounts are available for groups of 25 or more, as well as Island H2O Water Park season pass holders. VIP experiences, sponsorships and volunteer opportunities are also available. “It has been a privilege to welcome in the public for a glimpse into our storybook Village during the holidays the past two years. However, in order to preserve the life-changing experience we provide to wish families as increased numbers of guests are able to visit, we have made the decision to move Night of a Million Lights off-site – and truly appreciate Island H2O Water Park’s generosity, hospitality and support,” said Give Kids The World President & CEO Pamela Landwirth. “We look forward to joining with Island H2O, sponsors, volunteers and community members to celebrate the season of joy and giving while making an immeasurable impact on the families we serve.” “It’s an honor to help Give Kids The World deliver happiness and hope to critically ill children and their families by hosting Central Florida’s most popular new holiday tradition at Island H2O Water Park,” said Island H2O General Manager Jim Kunau. “We invite the entire community to join us at Night of a Million Lights at Island H2O for 52 nights of family fun, live performances, delicious food and holiday cheer, while helping to make wishes come true for families in our community and around the world.” Island H2O Water Park is located at 3230 Inspiration Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34747.

For the little kids, and the even bigger kids, the Orlando Toy Con takes place this weekend, Saturday 8, and Sunday 9 October, 2022. Whether your a fan of Hot Wheels, Barbie, G.I. Joe, Star Wars or Marvel, your sure to find something at this fun event here in Orlando. The family friendly show moves to a new location this year, the easy to find Wyndham Orlando Resort, on International Drive. At the show you can meet wrestling legends, and Hall of Famers, The Million Dollar Man: Ted Dibiase, and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake! Orlando Toy Con is jam-packed with thousands of current and vintage hard-to-find toys, comics, artwork, and more. Movie memorabilia, transformers, superheroes, character toys, anime, posters, action figures, dolls, vintage Disney, books & magazines, die-cast, toy soldiers, Barbie, GI Joe, Star Wars, Lego, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, PEZ, and so MUCH MORE!! Show Times: Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday: 9am-4pm Tickets & Pricing: Saturday: $15 Sunday: $10 Kids Under 12: Free You can purchase tickets at the venue when you arrive.

Tickets to the 2023 Disney After Hours events at Walt Disney World are available now to the general public after being on pre sale to resort guests since October 4, 2022. Disney After Hours returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom in January 2023 after being paused due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Disney After Hours allows guests to experience a unique and exclusive time in the theme parks after they have closed to regular guests for the day. Benefits of Disney After Hours include little to no wait times for rides, and free ice cream and popcorn! The Disney After Hours events are scheduled to kick off January 4, 2023 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and January 9 , 2023 at Magic Kingdom Park. Disney After Hours, are late-night, separately ticketed events that let you enjoy a Walt Disney World theme park for three additional hours after regular park hours, with treats such as ice cream, popcorn and select beverages included. The number of tickets for these events is limited, which means lower wait times for attractions. At Magic Kingdom Park, this means you can enjoy more than 20 popular attractions such as Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios you can pilot the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, ride through a zany cartoon adventure in Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, shrink to the size of a toy in Toy Story Land and more. With Disney After Hours tickets, you can enter the park where the event is taking place as early as 7 p.m. giving you the opportunity to get a jump on the fun! Disney After Hours admission is a separately priced ticket not included with regular daytime park admission. Event tickets for Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios can be purchased by all guests starting October 7, 2022, with prices ranging from $129 to $159 (plus tax). Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can begin purchasing Disney After Hours tickets as early as October 4, with tickets on sale now. The advance-purchase window is available to Guests of Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels as well as Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Vacation Club members and Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can also purchase specially priced tickets for select dates. Disney After Hours events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are scheduled for select nights, January 4 through April 19, 2023. Disney After Hours events at Magic Kingdom Park are scheduled for select nights, January 9 through March 27, 2023. For a full list of events, dates and times, and to purchase tickets, visit the Disney After Hours page of DisneyWorld.com.

We just love spooky season here in Orlando, no more so than because we get to enjoy Halloween Horror Nights right here on our doorstep, we really can't get enough of HHN, especially as Universal is home to the classic Universal Monsters! The great news this year is that the dining venues at all eight Universal Orlando hotels are offering three classic cocktails dedicated to the scary Universal Monsters, and these drinks are sure to get you into the Halloween spirits. The horrendously wonderful concoctions are: The Mummy (Vodka, Blueberry Red Bull and Lemon Juice) The Wolf Man (Whiskey, Raspberry Bols and Pineapple Juice) Dracula (Tequila, Bloody Mary Mix, Olives and Celery) If your over 21, then these drinks really are the bloody perfect choice for HHN fun, before or after the Universal Monsters Legends Collide haunted house at Halloween Horror Nights! Thanks to Universal Orlando Resort for sharing the details!

When Hurricane Ian began threatening to tear through Florida, Walt Disney World Resort began their well planned hurricane preparations. One of the first decisions was to temporally close Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, along with Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. Now, as clean up work has continued long after the storm has passed through the area, it seems that Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is complete, and the resort will reopen today, Friday, October 7, 2022.. A notice has been posted on the Walt Disney World website informing guests of the change.

As the holiday season gets ever closer, it's time to start your engines and get ready to race on over to Daytona International Speedway, as the popular holiday lights extravaganza, Magic Of Lights returns to the World Center of Racing. Running every evening from November 18th, 2022 until January 1st, 2023, you will enjoy this magical holiday drive-through tradition featuring over one million lights at the iconic Daytona International Speedway. Magic of Lights sees Daytona International Speedway transformed into a holiday wonderland, all viewed within the comfort and safety of your vehicle. Magic of Lights is a unique experience that will include a drive behind the Ticket and Tours building, through the state-of-the-art motorsports facility and conclude in the Midway display area right outside of the facility. For more information, check out the Daytona International Speedway website.