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Central Florida attraction Wild Florida has given an update on its operations as they recover from the impacts from Hurricane Ian. The attractions Gator Park, Chomp House Grill and Airboat Tours will not be running through October 8, 2022. However, you can still take a wild ride through their wonderful Drive-Thru Safari Park and feed some of the tallest residents of Wild Florida at the Giraffe Feeding Platform! For updates and information you should check out Wild Florida's website where you can contact the attractions reservation team regarding any reservations that may be affected.

Walt Disney World have opened reservations for the refurbished Kona Cafe at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Disney are getting ready to re-open Kona Cafe on November 1 2022, with reservations now open for November 1 2022 and beyond. Kona will be offering breakfast from 7:30am to 11am, lunch from 11:30am to 2pm, and dinner from 5pm to 10pm. Kona Cafe offers family-friendly American fare, prepared with hints of the South Seas.

As the holiday season gets ever closer, Universal Orlando Resort is looking to hire more than 2,500 new team members across the entire resort. The hiring spree at the resort comes as Universal are busy gearing up for Universal Orlando’s Holidays Celebration which returns on November 12, and will run through Jan. 1, 2023. Highlights of this year’s festivities will include the return of Universal’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios Florida, and Grinchmas at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and more. Positions are available across the resort, at Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Volcano Bay and Universal City Walk in different areas, including merchandise, security, call center, attractions and more. The company is also hiring for opportunities within the resort’s food and beverage team, with entry-level positions and management roles available. The resort also has opening career opportunities for entertainment, IT, human resources, marketing and sales and more. Universal Orlando Resort said they offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages for team members with a starting base pay for hourly workers of $15. Employee perks include free park admission, discounts and complimentary guest passes. Interested candidates should apply online at universalorlandojobs.com. Universal says eligible candidates will be contacted for an interview.

The heartbreaking impacts of Hurricane Ian are far-reaching, and sadly still being felt here in Florida by so many. Lives have been lost, lives have been devastated. Even now in Central Florida, flooding is a huge issue, with Seminole and Osceola particularly badly affected by floodwaters that are continuing to rise. Thankfully there are many organizations and charities that are working to aid people who have been so adversely affected by the storm. We have compiled a list of some standout initiatives and organizations that are worth helping as they help those here in Florida that desperately need our help. Here are organizations directly involved in helping those affected by Hurricane Ian throughout Florida: Florida Disaster Fund The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. You can make a donation via this link or by texting DISASTER to 20222. You can also look for volunteer opportunities. American Red Cross You can either make a monetary donation or donate blood to help Florida residents affected by Hurricane Ian. Make a monetary donation here, call 800-RED-CROSS, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. FEMA FEMA is providing emergency services, debris removal, and other assistance to those affected by Hurricane Ian. You can donate here. Feeding Florida Feeding Florida is working with food banks in its local networks to provide food and supplies to communities affected y the hurricane. You can donate directly to their organization or click Here to find a specific food bank in their network. The Humane Society The Humane Society is hard at work helping animals that were impacted by the storm and in need of rescue. Donations are the best way to help them so they can rent temporary shelter space, provide temporary homes for animals in need, or purchase/rent rescue vehicles and boats. Click HERE for more information on how to donate. Help those in need here in Central Florida. Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida has partnered with 500 local food assistance programs as part of an emergency response to help the hardest-hit areas of the hurricane. Volunteers are sorting and packing disaster relief boxes as of this weekend and they have launched a series of mobile food distribution hubs as well. Click HERE for more information. Central Florida Jobs and Justice & Orange County Classroom Teachers Association have joined forces to host a food drive. They are collecting canned goods, bread, water, flashlights, toiletries, and first aid kits that you can drop off at the OCCTA offices at 1020 Webster Avenue from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Cast Member Pantry If you want to help out Cast Members at this time or anytime throughout the year, you can donate to Cast Member Pantry. This organization makes sure no Cast Member goes hungry and you can donate or volunteer here.

The return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to Walt Disney World this year, is proving popular as the first three nights of the after hours event are now completely sold out. November 8th, 10th, and 11th, 2022 are now sold out, tickets are still available for the remainder of the events run, with various dates between November 14th to December 22nd, 2022, with tickets priced between $149 and $199 depending on the date. This years Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will include Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Christmas attraction overlays include the Jingle Cruise, Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and Mad Tea Party which will all receive a special holiday makeover. “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” takes place on the Rockettower Plaza Stage. In honor of the 50th Anniversary celebration, with guests also receiving a special 50th Anniversary commemorative keepsake, themed for the holidays. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will take place from 7pm to midnight, with entry available as early as 4pm. For full details on this year's Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party check out the details here.

The Walt Disney World Resort have just announced that select guest rooms located in the Trinidad area of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort will soon receive a brand-new look and feel. The Pirates-themed rooms at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort will soon walk the plank, and make way for what Walt Disney World are calling, a subtle nod to a new under the sea theme. As part of the make over, these refurbished rooms will accommodate more Guests and feature updated finishings that cannot be found anywhere else at the resort. The refurbished rooms are set to reopen sometime in 2023, with Walt Disney World confirming that the resorts Pirate Rooms will be retired in December 2022. The last time that the 384 rooms in Trinidad South were refurbished was when they were converted to the Pirates Rooms in 2009.

October sees three exciting events taking place in the Orange County Convention Center on International Drive. Plus, whether your a local, or a visitor to Orlando, and you've never been inside the Orange County Convention Centre, it's worth a visit to see this enormous convention center for yourself! The Orlando Home and Garden Expo Looking to tackle home improvement projects? Then from October 5th thorough the 10th October, The Orlando Home and Garden Expo is the place to go! This convention has everything you need for your projects in one place and its free to attend! At the show you’ll find builders, remodelers, contractors, building supplies, new gadgets, home tech, the latest in kitchen and bath, interior design ideas, and so much more to help you build the home you’ve always wanted. Highlights also include an Art, Gift, & Gourmet Marketplace, where you will find items for your home, as well as things to eat, give, share, and enjoy! Discover the latest gadgets for your home. Plus, meet local artisans and discover items you won’t find in stores. The show will also offer a free Plant Diagnosis Clinic, and stop by the HUGE Bass Pro Great Outdoor Showcase featuring Camping, Archery and Fly Fishing supplies and demos! Their will also be onsite pet adoptions all weekend, including dogs and cats! Plus, there will be plenty of fun activities for everyone in the family including live animal shows by Gatorland and Critter Encounters. Special guests include The Amazing Veranica & her Furry Friends – as seen on America’s Got Talent, plus meet Detective Jon M. Robert, Burglary and Personal Protection Expert and Star of Miami Swat Get more details about the experiences and exhibitors at this show here. Bridal and Wedding Expo Are you newly engaged?Then The Florida Bridal & Wedding Expo, taking place on October 9th, at the Orange County Convention Center between 12.30pm and 5pm is a must. All bride-to-be dream about their big day, and this massive bridal show brings you everything you need to make that dream a reality. The Florida Bridal & Wedding Expo is a unique, interactive event, with food to taste, dresses to see, flowers to enjoy, music to dance to, and tons of fun to be had. Enjoy face-to-face time with professionals in all aspects of wedding day prep, including, catering, entertainment, dance lessons, photographers, venues, bakers, decor and lighting, jewelry, videography, accessories, tuxedos, planning, invitations, and more! The show also features spectacular bridal fashion shows, and live DJ and band demos take place throughout the day, with cash prizes and giveaways. Bring your friends and family and enjoy a day filled with laughter, ideas, and inspiration at the Bridal & Wedding Expo! Get full details here on this must visit bridal event. Spooky Empire Spooky Empire is Florida's premier horror convention, and delivers the best sights, sounds and screams to Halloween lovers right here in Orlando, with fans attending from all over the world. October’s event, taking place on the weekend of October 21st - 23rd, is bigger and more monstrous than before. Meet and mingle with your favorite horror movie and TV stars, buy any collectible you can imagine, see new and up and coming films as well as your old favorites, take part in one of the largest Zombie Walks ever, get tattooed by some of the best artists from around the world, and of course party ‘til your heart’s content at this non-stop weekend of horrors with plenty to satiate even the most diehard aficionados of the spooky season! Enjoy celebrity guests offering Q&A's, forums, music, meet and greet opportunities, and autographs. The exhibition hall is jam-packed with countless booths of over 200 vendors from across the country offering art, music, home decor, costumes, and more. Plus enjoy costume contests, a tattoo festival featuring over 50 artists, live entertainment and music, and so much more! It’s a weekend of non-stop horrors. Get all the details about Spooky Empire here.

This October until the 30th, your little ones can come face-to-fin with a real mermaid during a limited time event at SeaLife Orlando Aquarium! Watch in wonder as the mermaids swim amongst stingrays, sea turtles, and tropical fish, plus meet and snap a photo with a mermaid on land, and create memories that will last a lifetime! SeaLife Orlando's Magical Mermaid experience take place on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday from October 7th to October 31st. You can catch he mermaids underwater swimming with dozens of sea creatures from 11:30am to1pm, 2pm to 4pm, and from 5pm to 6:30pm. The mermaids will be available to meet up close in a magical meet & greet experience from 11:30am to 6:30pm. You'll discover SeaLife Orlando within ICON Park on International Drive, underneath The Wheel! Catch all the details here.

Guests with an upcoming stay at any Walt Disney World Resort hotel, or select Annual Passholders, can purchase new pre-arrival exclusive MagicBands themed to the lands of Magic Kingdom. Each pre-arrival MagicBand is sold separately with a special pre-arrival price of $25, this includes the pre-arrival discount. To upgrade your Magic Band, use the My Disney Experience app or DisneyWorld.com. Here is the amazing new, must have designs: MAIN STREET U.S.A. The Main Street U.S.A. design draws it's inspiration form the magical Cinderella's Castle that draws your attention from anywhere on Main Street! FANTASYLAND This design is inspired by Fantasyland, home to the bright and colourful buildings that adorn this Magic Band. TOMORROWLAND Inspired by Tomorrowland, and the lands popular attractions Space Mountain and Astro Orbiter. ADVENTURELAND This Magic Band takes its inspiration from Adventureland, and the popular attractions Jungle Cruise and the Enchanted Tiki Room. LIBERTY SQUARE This new design is inspired by Liberty Square, and it's popular attractions The Haunted Mansion and The Hall of Presidents. FRONTIERLAND Inspired by Frontierland, this Magic Band is themed to the attractions Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain.

Orlando's Come Out With Pride Festival, returns on October 15, 2022, celebrating LGBTQ+ pride and support at downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park. Aligned with National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11) and October’s National Gay and Lesbian History Month, the festival is also partnered with more than a week of official related events from October 9 – 16, and it’s fun for everyone regardless of age, gender identity, race, ability or sexual orientation , and everyone is invited to the party. Orlando’s Come Out With Pride Festival is a volunteer-led organization that makes a positive impact in Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community through special events, grants and scholarship programs. Now in its 18th year, the festival welcomes everyone from Central Florida and beyond to come together for a beautiful, fun celebration of unity and acceptance. This year’s theme is “A Place for Us” , reflecting the LGBTQ+ community’s united stance against the current challenging climate. Kicking off at noon and running till 9:30 p.m. Festival Highlights this year include: THE MOST COLORFUL PARADE PRESENTED BY WINN-DIXIE Come Out With Pride Festival’s centerpiece is The Most Colorful Parade, featuring more than 100 groups strolling a 1-mile route through downtown Orlando. In 2022, it will be led by Grand Marshals Michael James Scott (American actor), Doug Baaser (posthumous grand marshal), Shea Culliff (community leader), and Will Larkins (student leader and activist), plus Debbie Simmons Award recipient Sister Ann Kendrick. It’s scheduled to start at 4 p.m. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT For the first time ever, Orlando’s Come Out With Pride Festival will feature three stages of entertainment, including musicians, DJs, dancing and much more. They include: The Diva Stage: Hosted by the legendary Angelica Sanchez, this stage will showcase drag and diva performances from some of Orlando’s most popular LGBTQ+ establishments and groups. Expect performances from Southern Nights, Savoy Orlando, Creature Feature, Off the Record, Central Florida Ballroom, The House of San Miguel, the Les Vixens, an All-Gaga Ball starring Mr. Ms. Adrien, and RuPaul’s Drag Race headliners Lady Camden and Yvie Oddly. The Dance Stage: Dance your heart out with high-energy DJs (including DJ Scott Robert, DJ T Don and headliner DJ Citizen Jane), club-style lighting, and tons of fun surprises and activations. The Local Stage: Part of the festival’s new Hyper Local Zone, this stage will feature Orlando-based organizations, bands, musicians and other talents, such as Cesar de la Rosa and Push Love, Free Daps, Billy Mick, Winnie’s Rock Cauldron, and more. THE GRAND FINALE This year’s grand finale will feature a performance starring Broadway's Michael James Scott (best known as the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin) and a special fireworks display over Lake Eola. MORE FESTIVAL FEATURES Boasting something for everyone, the day-long celebration will offer a plethora of experiences, which will also include: Pride Marketplace: Presented by Marriott Vacations Worldwide, over 200 vendors take over Robinson Street from end to end, showing their support for our community while showcasing their products and services. Three Food Courts With 40+ Vendors: Enjoy everything Central Florida’s diverse culinary scene has to offer, from food trucks to local restaurant stalls and all your favorite festival foods. Local Bars & Bartenders: Familiar faces from everyone’s favorite local bars will have their mixology skills on display. Rainbow Ranch Family Zone: Presented by TD Bank and activated by the Central Florida Community Arts, this zone will feature arts and crafts, performances, and a reading by author Rob Sanders. Youth Pride Zone (New!): Stay tuned for details about this fresh feature, presented by NBC Sports. Sober Pride: Presented by Pineapple Healthcare, this area will have a mocktail bar, a photo booth van and some surprise experiences. For more details check out the events official website OFFICIAL COME OUT WITH PRIDE FESTIVAL 2022 EVENTS Featuring a range of activities, Come Out With Pride Festival’s schedule of official events runs from Oct. 9 – 16, 2022. Read on for the festivities you won’t want to miss. 5TH ANNUAL DRAG RACE 5K (OCT. 9, 2022) Come together with hundreds of runners from all over Central Florida for the Drag Race 5k. You will have the chance to sign up with your team to compete for prizes, enjoy an event podcast during the run, get moving with your friends, and support LGBTQ+ youth. AN EVENING WITH THE ORLANDO GAY CHORUS ENSEMBLES (OCT. 9, 2022) Kick off Orlando’s Come Out With Pride week with the sweet serenade of the small group ensembles of the Orlando Gay Chorus (OGC). Hosted by Timucua Arts Foundation south of downtown Orlando, this concert will feature the four OGC ensembles: OUTLOUD!, Nothin’ But Treble, Spectrum and Ménage, with each bringing their own style and talents. MEET THE FILMMAKER: JEANNETTE (OCT. 10, 2022) Held at the Enzian Theater in Maitland, just north of Winter Park and downtown Orlando, this special Meet the Filmmaker event includes a screening of the documentary film Jeannette, which follows Pulse survivor Jeannette Feliciano in the aftermath of the tragedy. It will also feature an extended, in-person Q&A with Feliciano and Jeannette director Maris Curran. LGBTQIA+ SURVIVOR VIGIL (OCT. 11, 2022) This free event will start at 7 p.m. at City Hall in downtown Orlando. PRIDE SHOWCASE AT SAVOY ORLANDO (OCT. 12, 2022) Hosted by Chantel Reshae, and starring Tia, Blue and Heather, the Pride Showcase will take place at popular LGBTQ+ venue Savoy, part of Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village Main Street. WATERMARK PRESENTS: MOVIES OUT LOUD (OCT. 13, 2022) Starting at 7 p.m. at Savoy Orlando, this screening will feature movies relevant to the LGBTQ+ community. Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando (Courtesy Come Out With Pride) WE SHALL OVERCOME: CELEBRATE LGBTQ+ DIVERSITY (OCT. 13, 2022) All are welcome to We Shall Overcome, which will honor LGBTQ+ people of color who have been trailblazers for human rights. Featuring dance, song, word and ASL, the evening will also include special guest stars and testimonials from community members, plus art displays from artists of color. It takes place at the Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park, and admission is free. PHISH PHEST REUNION PARTY — BRINGING BACK THE LESBIAN HAPPY HOUR (OCT. 14, 2022) Head to The Hammered Lamb in Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village Main Street for this event, which runs from 5 – 8 p.m. with drink specials and DJs. THE MILKY WAY BAR + BITES CRAWL — PRIDE EDITION (OCT. 14, 2022) Starting at Southern Craft at 6 p.m., The Milky Way Bar + Bites Crawl will include stops at more than a dozen bars and restaurants in Orlando’s Milk District. PRIDE SHABBAT (OCT. 14, 2022) Led by Rabbi David Kay, this year’s Pride Shabbat services will take place at 1010 West in downtown Orlando’s Church Street District. Complimentary valet parking is available. COME OUT WITH PRIDE OFFICIAL KICK-OFF PARTY (OCT. 14, 2022) Sponsored by Tito’s Vodka, Come Out With Pride Festival’s official kick-off will be hosted by Savoy Orlando. RAINBOW HOUSE ‘COME OUT WITH PRIDE, ORLANDO’ OFFICIAL SATURDAY NIGHT EVENT (OCT. 15, 2022) After the Come Out With Pride Festival’s fireworks finale, keep the celebration going at downtown’s Ace Cafe Orlando with the Rainbow House Official Saturday Night Event. Official Pride Recovery Brunch at The Hammered Lamb in Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village Main Street OFFICIAL PRIDE RECOVERY BRUNCH (OCT. 16, 2022) From 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., enjoy some of the best bloody Marys in Orlando and a bounty of brunch bites at The Hammered Lamb in Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village Main Street. UNCUT CABARET (OCT. 16, 2022) Join in the fun and frivolity of Orlando Gay Chorus’ 14th annual Uncut Cabaret, this year with a Hallo-weenie twist. It’s guaranteed to be an adults-only, naughty, rip-roaring night of fun and games at the Renaissance Theatre in Orlando’s North Orange district near downtown. HAPPINESS TEA DANCE (OCT. 16, 2022) Featuring music by MORABITO and James Anthony, this event will kick off at 3:30 p.m. at The Veranda in downtown Orlando’s Thornton Park neighborhood.

Ultra Beauty have recently announced a brand new Disney Park Collection, yes, you read that right, a beauty collection dedicated to the Disney Parks! The truly magical Disney Ulta Beauty Collection is adorable, available this month, the collection includes everything you need to complete your Walt Disney World makeup, including eyeshadow palettes, lip glosses, blender sponge, makeup brushes, blushes, nail polishes and more! Everything for a truly magical look, the collection will be available both in the parks, and online. The collection includes an eyeshadow and lip set inspired by each Walt Disney World theme park, these eyeshadow palettes are $28 each, with each parks set representing the icon of the park. The color tones in each set seem to match the themes of the park, with Animal Kingdom being represented by earthy tones and Magic Kingdom featuring more princess-like tones of pink, gold, and purple. You can also have a Face Palette with shades like Tinkerbell, Mission: Space, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Fantasmic! And for blending or application of liquid makeup, the collection includes a Makeup Sponge Set for $16 that comes with 4 sponges, The blender sponges feature the park icons on them, and with a color that matches the aesthetic of each park. Their is also a Makeup Brush Set for $25 which has 6 brush types and sizes included in the set. The collection has an adorable Nail Vault for $20 that includes 11 mini nail polishes! And there is even a Plush Spa Headband for $10 which will keep your hair out of your face while applying your new makeup!

Now's your chance to get dressed up as your favourite Star Wars characters, enjoy role-play aboard the Halcyon, and get paid too! Your dream job could be waiting for you right now at Walt Disney World, as the company have posted auditions for many of the character roles aboard the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser immersive hotel experience. The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opened in March to great reviews for the character interactions, and now you too could be enjoying interacting with the Halcyon’s Captain, idol Keevan, in fact you could even be playing the Captain, as this role is available too! How exciting, here’s a look at the roles that are available and the description for each character: ACTORS RIYOLA KEEVAN Seeking a female identifying mature, commanding actor with strong improvisational abilities to portray the Halcyon’s Captain. She is a worldly Pantoran with a rich, diverse history and dedication to her vocation. She is a strong and charismatic leader who has served as a well-respected ship commander for some time and demands the attention and focus of every room she walks into. SAJA Seeking male or female identifying actors who are warm and engaging athletic actors with improvisational abilities to serve as Saber Trainers. Patient and well-composed instructors, Saber Trainers serve as expert wielders of the lightsaber and he/she/they take cruisers through a physical demonstration. Prior sword/saber experience a plus as the role requires the ability to confidently brandish a lightsaber. SAMMIE Seeking a male-identifying, friendly and engaging actor with strong improvisational abilities to portray the mechanic. A youthful human with big dreams, his enthusiasm sometimes outpaces his capabilities, and, as a result, he tries to present a braggadocios front to mask the vulnerability of being far from home. ACTORS WITH MUSICAL ABILITIES GAYA: Seeking Diverse female identifying actor/vocalist with strong improvisational abilities to portray our Galactic Superstar. Character portrayed is a Twi’lek who commands respect and flame-roses at her feet. Operating in a legally-dubious world of galactic intrigue while fighting for her race’s integrity and freedom, she is also a phenomenally soulful singer who demands focus in every conversation and performance alike. Her vocal range is preferably that of a Mezzo Soprano and her musical style is a hybrid of neo-soul, jazzy, funk, colored by her extensive travel and experiences. BIPOC candidates strongly encouraged to submit for this role. Vocal range F3 -Eb5. SANDRO Seeking a male-identifying, youthful and friendly actor/guitarist/singer with strong improvisational acting abilities to portray The First-Time Cruiser. Character portrayed is a Togrutan who aspires to be more than the “alien next door”. This hopeless romantic is a friendly and earnest musician who happily serenades his fellow guests as he aspires to impress the Galactic Superstar. He is a solid rhythm guitarist with a happy go lucky, easy going musical style. A struggling singer/songwriter looking for his big break. Vocal range low C to high A; Low tenor/high baritone. ACTORS WITH STUNT/COMBAT ABILITIES: REY (5’6”-5’8”) Seeking a dynamic and athletic actor with an athletic, slender build and strong improvisational abilities to portray Rey. Rey is a survivor, toughened by her life as a scavenger on the harsh desert planet of Jakku. Despite dismissing herself as a “no one”, she learns that her life is being shaped by the mysterious power of the force. Actors with prior experience or knowledge in stage combat, Wushu, martial arts or hand-to-hand are encouraged to attend. KYLO REN (6’0”-6’2”) Seeking a dynamic and athletic actor with improvisational abilities to portray Kylo Ren, a menacing Force-sensitive warrior, Kylo is driven by his connection to the dark side to achieve his ultimate goal of galactic domination. Actors with prior experience or knowledge in stage combat, Wushu, martial arts or hand-to-hand are encouraged to attend. If you are interested head on over to the Disney Careers website for details: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/auditions