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Low cost airline, Breeze Airways have announced yet another new non-stop destination from Orlando International Airport. The airline said its eighth non-stop destination from Orlando will be Charleston, West Virginia. It’s the second Charleston serviced by Breeze from Orlando, with service already running to Charleston, South Carolina. Breeze also serves Akron-Canton, Ohio; Bentonville-Fayetteville, Arkansas; Huntsville, Alabama; Orange County, California; Providence, Rhode Island; and Tulsa, Oklahoma nonstop from Orlando, as well as one-stop service to New Orleans, Louisana and Provo, Utah. Breeze was launched in 2021 by JetBlue founder and former CEO David Neeleman with a mission to fill a key gap in America's air-travel offerings: efficient, affordable, direct flights between secondary airports, bypassing hubs for shorter travel times. It was recently named one of the best domestic airlines in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure. Breeze offers travelers the option of three price levels, "Nice," "Nicer," and "Nicest," the latter of which includes a first-class seat on the airline's Airbus A220 aircraft. "As we look to fill the gaps left by larger carriers in midsized markets, Charleston/Yeager is a great fit for Breeze's business model," said David Neeleman, Breeze Airways' Founder and CEO. "With our new 'Charleston to Charleston' service, we'll connect the West Virginia and South Carolina cities for the very first time, and our new nonstop to Orlandois also adding another currently unserved destination from CRW. We know the Almost Heaven community will enjoy Breeze's affordability, flexibility, and our family friendly policies including free family seating." Breeze has grown rapidly since its founding, now with 145 nonstop routes between 36 cities in 22 states nationally. The airline has ordered 80 brand new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with options for 40 more. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

Big Cat Rescue, the Hillsborough County sanctuary that became internationally famous as part of Netflix’s “Tiger King” documentary series is closing down! Carole Baskin and her husband have revealed this week that they are closing down their Big Cat Rescue and merging their cat population with another rescue in Arkansas. Carole who became the center of a global phenomenal thanks to her infamous battles with Tiger King Joe Exotic, has announced that Big Cat Rescue will send the majority of the big cats in its care to an Arkansas refuge. Only a few will live out their days at Big Cat Rescue, which will eventually be sold. Big Cat Rescue, owned by Carole Baskin, has entered into an agreement with Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs. “For thirty years, the mission of Big Cat Rescue has been expressed as having three prongs: To give the best life we could to the cats in our care, to stop the abuse, and to avoid extinction of big cats in the wild,” the release said. “For those same thirty years, we have always said that our goal was to ‘put ourselves out of business,’ meaning that there would be no big cats in need of rescue and no need for the sanctuary to exist.” The release pointed to a new federal law banning the private ownership of big cats and the practice of cub petting as part of the reason behind the move to the Natural State. “What this means, importantly, is that over the next decade, almost all of this privately held population of cats will pass away,” he wrote. “Within a few years after that, they will all be gone and there will be no more cats living in miserable conditions in backyards.” Carol's husband commented on the operating costs of the Big Cat Rescue. He said that they have 41 cats and it costs about $36,000 per cat, and as the Baskins get older, they did not see it as financially sound to keep operating until the last cat passed away. “It is hard to imagine funding levels holding up well enough to cover the overhead as the number of cats dwindled,” the release said. “So, we would incur substantial losses. Even if funding levels did hold up, it would be difficult in good conscience to spend that much per captive cat when the funds are so needed for projects to keep the cats from going extinct in the wild, the third prong of our mission. Big Cat Rescue and Carole came into the national spotlight in 2020 when “Tiger King” first went public. Since then, both have been in the spotlight, which allowed them to highlight their efforts and work on the Big Cat Public Safety Act. The new home for Baskins big cats, Turpentine Creek sits on 450 rural acres and is about seven times the size of Big Cat Rescue. One tiger and five bobcats will remain at Big Cat Rescue for the rest of their lives. When those cats passed, the Baskins said they would sell the Tampa area property. Construction on the new enclosures at Turpentine Creek has begun and is expected to take six months, with some of Baskin's big cats moving as soon as July 2023 As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

Walt Disney World’s largest union collective, the Service Trades Council Union (STCU) who represent over 45,000 Walt Disney World Cast Members, announced on March 23 that they had reached a tentative agreement with Disney on a new contract for Walt Disney World Cast Members. The agreement with Disney increases Cast Members pay to $18 per hour by the end of this year. Fast forward to today, Wednesday. March 29, 2023, and Cast Members have voted YES to accept the deal, with the hourly increases now set to go into effect immediately, with retroactive pay backdated to October 2022. The vote was 97% YES, with more than 12,500 Cast Members casting a vote. On hearing the news, Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle issued the following statement after the vote passed: Our cast members have always been at the heart of the Walt Disney World experience, and we are thrilled that, with the support of the union, they have overwhelmingly approved this new five-year agreement that significantly increases wages, alongside our leading benefits program that includes affordable medical coverage and more. Frontline employees also have access to 100 percent paid tuition for higher education through the Disney Aspire program. For Cast Members that currently earn $15 per hour, retroactive pay to October 2022 will be at $16 per hour. The rate will immediately increase to $17 per hour when the deal is ratified. Rate will then increase again to $18 per hour in December. According to the union, Walt Disney World Cast Members that are making the minimum wage currently, this contract provides over 36% general wage increases over the life of the agreement. Every Cast Member will receive a raise of between $5.50 and $8.60 by the end of the contract which runs through October 2026, with the first $3 coming this year. In addition to the pay increase, the deal also includes 8 weeks of paid Child Bonding Leave, a benefit that is not included in the current contract. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida. You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, don't forget to subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

Celebrate Women’s History Month at Walt Disney World Resort in a vibrant way! A new piece of art was created by Nneka Jones, an innovative artist who hopes to inspire women with her artwork during Women’s History Month and beyond is now on display at Disney Springs. Her piece, entitled “Create Your Spotlight” and pictured below, represents the story of how she has grown throughout her career into a confident, strong woman. Nneka Jones’ work joins that of other female artists like Nani Chacon, Leah Abucayan and Stacey Aoyama, which is also displayed at the Disney Springs Art Walk: A Canvas of Expression. While the pieces themselves are amazing, knowing the stories behind the art always seems to add more to the experience. Showcasing talented artists from all around the globe, the Disney Springs Art Walk gives artists a platform to highlight their individual spirits and diverse roots, and to communicate with guests in a unique way through their art. Stay tuned as Disney Springs will soon welcome other talented artists to the Art Walk to paint pieces in celebration of Earth Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

It has become apparent today that the new Central Florida Tourism District's board are none too happy with Walt Disney World right now. Why you may ask? Well, news has emerged that in the final days of Disney having control over the Reedy Creek improvement District’s board before Florida Gov. Ron Desantis forced the company to relinquish control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Disney executives and their attorneys were determined to stave off any inflicting damage from the new DeSantis appointed Central Florida Tourism District and his power grab for control of Disney's long time self governing district. Back in February when Gov. DeSantis signed HB9, the bill that effectively gave power to his self appointed board, he announced “Today, the corporate kingdom finally comes to an end.” Fat forward to today, and it appears that the corporate kingdom still has its magic, and has managed to find a way to strip the authority of the incoming new board! On February. 8, 2023, as the Florida House was passing legislation to give DeSantis his new power, Reedy Creek’s board members signed a development agreement with Disney that allowed the company maximum developmental power over its territory for the next 30 years. According to the new board members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight board, and their attorneys, Disney is allowed the maximum possible density and building heights inside Walt Disney World. Other property owners will need Disney’s permission to expand within the district, and they and Reedy Creek leaders will need to seek Disney’s approval if they made any aesthetic changes to their properties within the district. The district is also not allowed to permit advertisements of any companies that compete with ones that operate within Reedy Creek, board members said. “We lose control over everything other than to maintain the roads and maintain the infrastructure,” one board member said. It appears that board members only discovered the agreement after their appointments! Both they and their newly appointed attorneys called the agreement null and void. Particular focus was paid to one section that board members said locked in development rights of a particular parcel until 21 years after the death of the youngest current descendant of King Charles, or until Disney abandons the resort. Board members have hired multiple politically-connected law firms to represent them and analyze the agreement, and discussed bringing on as many as four different firms to battle the mighty Disney corporation as they desperately attempt to nullify the agreement. The new board are claiming that they will take the case to the United States Supreme Court if necessary, although backtracking on this, some board members said they hoped Disney executives and attorneys would be willing to reach a compromise before any legal action was taken... Disney have since issued a statement: “All agreements signed between Disney and the District were appropriate, and were discussed and approved in open, noticed public forums in compliance with Florida’s Government in the Sunshine law.” From this statement is looks like Disney will fight this all the way, and a battle in the courts seem to be inevitable, but for sure Disney appear to have found a way to shaft Gov. Desantis and his newly appointed board, so for now the corporate kingdom has NOT come to an end! As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

We are fortunate here in Central Florida to have some of the best rides and attractions in the world, and to be honest it can be hard to pick a favorite, but USA Today 10Best Awards have tried their best and in the case of best "non roller coaster ride" in the country they have chosen 12 rides here in Central Florida out of 20 nation-wide nominees, so not too bad!! As everyone knows, theme park thrills and chills don't always come in the form of a roller coaster. Sometimes the most memorable and immersive ride experiences take the form of dark rides, 3D simulators, log flumes or drop towers. The 10Best panel of theme park gurus have chosen 20 of their favorites as nominees for Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride, and now it's your turn to vote your favorite to glory. You can vote once per day until voting ends on Monday, April 24 at noon ET. The 10 winning rides, determined by your vote, will be announced on Friday, May 5. BEST NON-ROLLER COASTER RIDE NOMINEES Vote for The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride Universal's Islands of Adventure Riders on this classic adventure at Universal's Islands of Adventure meet “Spidey” firsthand and in 3D on a simulator ride that encompasses 1.5 acres and climaxes in a 400-foot free fall. High-definition animation, high-tech 3D glasses and state-of-the-art audio and lighting effects mean vivid, crystal clear graphics and sensory overload. Participants feel as though they are actually slinging webs, careening above streets, scaling skyscrapers and plummeting down, down, down alongside Spider-Man. Vote for Avatar Flight of Passage Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride Disney's Animal Kingdom Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney's Animal Kingdom takes guests on a high-flying journey through the magical landscapes of Pandora atop a winged mountain banshee. The 3D experience has quickly become one of the top-rated attractions in Walt Disney World since its debut in 2017. Vote for Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride Universal Studios Florida Gringotts Bank lies beneath the massive fire-breathing dragon in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Mere mortals can at last visit this fantasy landmark and take a thrilling 3D ride through its cavernous passageways and dangerous vaults. The conveyance is a roller coaster, but the special effects make it a hybrid thrill ride with highly detailed sets, motion-based cars and evil villains. Vote for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride Universal's Islands Of Adventure The enchanting world of wizards and magic introduced by "Harry Potter" books and films comes to life as guests pass through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry before soaring on enchanted benches with Harry and friends above the school grounds. The dark, motion-based ride visits all of the iconic venues at the Hogwarts campus while facing mythical and magical creatures that spit, swat and spook. Vote for MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride Universal Studios Florida MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack at Universal Studios Florida is like a video game on wheels! True to the blockbuster movie, it has riders acting as secret agents to stymie an invasion of extraterrestrial creatures. Each six-seat vehicle has its own laser gun for annihilating some 120 species of aliens. Game consoles keep track of individual scores so that riders can compete against each other. Vote for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride Disney's Hollywood Studios Take a seat behind the controls of the Millennium Falcon and blast into hyperspace in this thrill-filled dark ride that simulates a smuggling trip that would make Han Solo and Chewbacca proud. Each member of the ride crew gets a specific role to fulfill – pilot, engineer, gunner – in order to complete a successful mission. "This original immersive Star Wars ride encourages role-playing and virtual gaming skills; it's super fun," says expert Kyle McCarthy. Vote for Pirate River Quest Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride LEGOLAND Florida This 20-minute river adventure is framed as a quest to retrieve a treasure trove from a band of thieving monkeys, aided by LEGO character guides. A pirate ship attack, squirting flamingos, dangling spiders and, of course, those mischievous monkeys add to the fun on this ride that includes a journey on a cypress-fringed lake. Vote for Remy's Ratatouille Adventure Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride EPCOT Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is a trackless dark ride where you "spin and twirl your way with tiny Remy the rat as he explores his French kitchen and tries to hide from evil chefs," says expert Kyle McCarthy. The high-energy adventure includes several 4D elements and climaxes with a chase through the dining room at Gusteau’s famous Paris restaurant. Vote for Soarin' Around the World Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride Epcot & Disney's California Adventure A virtual adventure extravaganza, this attraction allows visitors to enjoy a hang gliding simulation. It takes guests high above iconic sights around the world, including the Swiss Alps, Sydney Harbour, the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower and more. The 80-foot IMAX projection dome is the closest sensory experience – including the sense of smell – there is to the reality of gliding 40 feet in the air. Vote for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride Disney's Hollywood Studios & Disneyland This thrill ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios invites parkgoers to join the epic battle against the First Order. The massive attraction combines elements of a trackless dark ride, motion simulator, walk-through attraction and drop ride system, and the exciting experience lasts 18 minutes. Vote for Test Track Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride EPCOT Feel the need for speed? The cars on this EPCOT ride zoom along a test track at speeds of up to 65 mph – the final proving ground for an attraction that lets drivers design their own concept car and then take it for a spin. Your custom Chevy ride will get put through its paces, with the track featuring banked turns, long straightaways and sections with rough road and bad weather. Vote for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride Disney's Hollywood Studios Based on the eponymous Rod Serling TV series of the 1960s, this attraction recalls an episode where famed Hollywood stars disappear at the Hollywood Tower Hotel in 1939. Modern-day guests tour the creepy hotel and ride the service elevator into the “fifth dimension” and total darkness. The fright factor mounts on the way to the 13th floor, where a free fall and an unexpected change of direction ensue and terrify. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

Do you love Indian Food? Well you gotta try a new locally owned restaurant now open in downtown offering fast, fresh and modern Indian cuisine. Mayor Buddy Dyer, Regina Hill District 5 Commissioner and Tony Ortiz District 2 Commissioner helped celebrate the grand opening of Urban Turban, a new locally-owned, fast-modern Indian dining concept, on Pine Street. Owner Hardik Shah and his family celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony, before revealing the latest addition to downtown Orlando's dining scene. Shah is already the owner of the popular Curry Mantra, a fine-dining Indian restaurant on I-Drive. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

Ian Russell and Juliana Peña have cut the ribbon on their new brick and mortar Smoke & Donuts restaurant located in the Milk District. Smoke & Donuts was born when Ian wanted to take a risk and start a BBQ pop-up and Juliana wanted the same, but with donuts. After going back and forth about which to pursue, the couple said to themselves, “Why not do both?” Now, after years of serving at pop-ups and running a food truck, Ian and Juliana are both seeing their dreams come to life. The new restaurant features one of the largest smokers in Orlando. In addition to serving all of the current favorite menu items, including boards of pulled chicken, chopped USDA Prime brisket and brown butter-braised turkey breast, the eatery also offers a newly expanded menu that will include more side dishes and vegetarian options. There is also a full bar at the location, offering specialty cocktails crafted to perfectly pair with your favorite Smoke & Donuts dish. Have you tried them yet? Don't miss out on all the salty and sweet goodness at 601 North Primrose Avenue. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

USA Today 10Best Awards are looking for your votes to crown the winner of the Best Theme Park Entertainment, and of course right here in Central Florida we have so many to choose from! 13 lucky nominees out of 20 are from Central FloridaTheme Parks, and rightly so!! America's best theme parks have more to offer than thrill rides and roller coasters. They also provide various entertainment opportunities to enjoy between rides or at the end of a great park day. From shows to fireworks displays, these entertainment options were chosen by a panel of theme park experts as the best in the U.S., and now we're asking you to vote for your favorite. Vote once per day until voting ends on Monday, April 24 at noon ET. The 10 winners as determined by your votes will be announced on 10Best.com on Friday, May 5. BEST THEME PARK ENTERTAINMENT NOMINEES Vote for Animal Care Center Best Theme Park Entertainment Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Don't come to Busch Gardens' Animal Care Center expecting big thrills, but do expect to learn a lot about the work that goes into the zoological side of this Tampa Bay theme park, home to more than 200 species of animals. A behind-the-scenes tour can be paired with "scheduled 'shows' to watch vets and animal handlers at work taking care of this park's large collection of animals," says expert Kyle McCarthy. "It's fascinating." Vote for The Bourne Stuntacular Best Theme Park Entertainment Universal Studios Florida This stunt show at Universal Studios Florida takes guests into the world of Jason Bourne as he dangles from a helicopter in Dubai, rushes across the rooftops of Tangier and races by motorcycle through Virginia. Vote for Brickbeard's Watersport Stunt Show Best Theme Park Entertainment LEGOLAND Florida Brickbeard's Watersport Stunt Show "takes you on a swashbuckling adventure with pirates as they perform incredible water stunts over Lake Eloise," says expert Nikky J. "This is a [throwback] to the early days of ski shows at the Florida theme parks and brings back so many memories of the days I used to visit this park when it was Cypress Gardens." That's right, LEGOLAND Florida has preserved and incorporated Florida's onetime top tourist attraction with the Brickbeard water show, featuring the iconic water-ski pyramid and ski-jumping stunts as well as updated thrills like wakeboarding and flyboarding. Vote for Dapper Dans Best Theme Park Entertainment Magic Kingdom Not every Disney experience requires lining up to claim a seat on a ride or in a theater. The Dapper Dans are a wandering barbershop quartet who make periodic appearances in the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland to sing, tap dance and deliver a dose of vaudeville humor. The brightly dressed group performs standards like "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and Disney tunes like "Zip-A-Dee Doo Dah." Vote for Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle Best Theme Park Entertainment Islands of Adventure & Universal Studios Hollywood After the sun goes down over the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Hollywood, Lord Voldemort, the Death Eaters, Dementors and other creatures of the dark rise to cloak the walls of Hogwarts Castle. The spectacle, seen only on select dates, includes a score by John Williams. Vote for Fantasmic! Best Theme Park Entertainment Disney's Hollywood Studios & Disneyland Watch Mickey's dream play out over the Sunset Boulevard or Rivers of America, depending on the park. As his imagination starts to grow, the show focuses on a battle between good and evil as characters appear as visions on the water and in real life. This nighttime show features special effects such as music, lasers, high-resolution digital film sequences and pyrotechnics. Vote for Festival of the Lion King Best Theme Park Entertainment Disney's Animal Kingdom Celebrate the lion cub, Simba, who would be king with songs from "The Lion King." In addition to acrobatics, stilt walkers, singing and dancing by the performers, guest participation involves making various animal sounds on cue. The enclosed theater inside Disney's Animal Kingdom is air-conditioned and multiple shows run throughout the day. Vote for Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond! Best Theme Park Entertainment Disney's Animal Kingdom Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond! "comes to life with puppets, singers and dancers in a delightful backdrop of lights, sounds and effects that take you underwater," says expert Kyle McCarthy. The live stage show includes popular songs such as “In the Big Blue World” and “Go with the Flow," and it includes a reunion of the inhabitants of Dr. P. Sherman's fish tank as well as a high-energy journey under the sea. Vote for For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Best Theme Park Entertainment Disney's Hollywood Studios "Go ahead and sing out loud with the hit songs from 'Frozen' – everyone else is doing it," says expert Kyle McCarthy of this wildly popular show at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The show opens with a history lesson from the Royal Historians of Arendelle before melting audiences, with Anna, Elsa and Kristoff leading the crowd in a singalong aided by karaoke-like lyrics projected on large video screens. Vote for Happily Ever After Best Theme Park Entertainment Magic Kingdom For all of the rides, shows, dining and character encounters in the Magic Kingdom, there's still one tradition that thrills nearly every park visitor: the nightly fireworks show. The Happily Ever After display at dusk mixes pyrotechnics with music, lights, lasers and special effects up and down Main Street U.S.A. and projected on Cinderella's Castle, with the sky show visible throughout the park. Vote for Muppet Vision 3D Best Theme Park Entertainment Disney's Hollywood Studios Muppet Vision 3D is a combination film and live show presented in a replica of the Muppet Theater (keep an eye out for the curmudgeonly duo Statler and Waldorf). With appearances by Kermit, Miss Piggy, Beaker and many other favorite characters, the show invites guests to "cuddle up with your favorite Muppets in this 3D tour of the new Muppets lab," says expert Kyle McCarthy. Vote for Peppa Pig's Treasure Hunt Adventure Best Theme Park Entertainment Peppa Pig Theme Park A show designed for young minds and short attention spans – and featuring outdoor seating on comfy beanbag chairs – Peppa Pig's Treasure Hunt Adventure will entertain fans of the "Peppa Pig" series during a 10-minute live-action performance that engages the audience in a treasure hunt using clues and maps. Vote for Turn It Up! Remix Best Theme Park Entertainment Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Turn it Up! Remix, an award-winning ice show in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's Moroccan Palace Theater, presents original favorites and all-new skating performances set to music. Dazzling video and projection elements round out the amazing show. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

The Smashing Pumpkins have announced a 26-date North American THE WORLD IS A VAMPIRE TOUR, and will feature special guests Interpol, Stone Temple Pilots and Rival Sons as support on various dates, as well as some of the world’s biggest champions from the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), who will be competing in most cities. Produced by Live Nation, the tour is set to start on Friday, July 28 at The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, and includes a stop at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre with special guests Interpol and Rival Sons on Sunday, August 20! Tickets are available on Presale now, Code: OPENER, with general tickets available Friday, March 29 at 10am. “I grew up in a world where I needed to know bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Cure existed, it meant there was a place for people like me to hang out and belong. That’s what The World Is A Vampire is about. Bringing back that sense of community. If you don’t fit in, you belong here. It’s about having a shared experience and respecting others, but ultimately having fun. A true alternative festival, where all the self-proclaimed weirdos and outsiders of the world can get together and have a party” – Billy Corgan Along with news of their upcoming tour, the band released their brand-new single Spellbinding which received its radio debut this morning during a very special live appearance on The Howard Stern Show, revealing details of their upcoming tour and the release date for their highly anticipated third and final act of ATUM, which is set for release on May 5. Act 3 will come with a special edition boxset featuring all 33 album tracks plus 10 additional unreleased songs. ATUM features 33-tracks in 3 acts and is the sequel to 1995’s Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and 2000’s Machina/Machine of God. ATUM was written and produced by Corgan over the past 4 years. 22 tracks have been released to date, with Beguiled continuing to climb at both Active Rock (peaked at #6) and Alternative Radio Charts (#12). When The Smashing Pumpkins first emerged out of Chicago in 1988, the world had never heard a band quite like them. They spun together rock, pop, shoe-gaze, metal, goth, psychedelia, and electronic into a kaleidoscope of saccharine melodies, fuzzy distortion, bombastic orchestration, incendiary fretwork, eloquent songcraft, and unshakable hooks. Upon their formation, their sound was different, iconoclastic, and wholly new—and it still is today. As a result, they’ve sold over 30 million albums worldwide and collected two GRAMMY® Awards, two MTV VMAs, and an American Music Award. Their catalog is highlighted by the platinum Gish [1991], the quadruple-platinum Siamese Dream [1993], diamond-certified Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness [1995], platinum Adore [1998], and gold Machina/The Machines of God [2000]. In 2018, they embarked on one of their most successful tours ever, the Shiny and Oh So Bright Tour, followed by SHINY AND OH SO BRIGHT, VOL. 1 / LP: NO PAST. NO FUTURE. NO SUN. Meanwhile, 2020 saw the release of the band’s eleventh full-length and latest double album, CYR. As prolific as ever, The Smashing Pumpkins are currently working on new music. More details to come. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

Brevard Zoo in Melbourne have welcomed their first two Perdido Key beach mice babies this year, and they are the cutest!! The two male beach mice were born to mom, Malaika, and dad, Gifford, with the pups both healthy and doing well! Brevard Zoo is one of two Florida zoos carefully breeding these tiny, critically endangered mice that play a big part in coastal dune ecosystems in Florida and Alabama. Brevard Zoo has had this conservation breeding program in place since 2007. Perdido Key beach mice help spread the seeds of dune-stabilizing plants as well as aerate the soil to encourage the plant growth. This keeps the plants in place – preventing severe erosion. Coastal development, feral cats, rising sea levels and hurricanes all threaten this species. Ahead of 2004’s Hurricane Ivan, wildlife biologists removed 12 mice from Perdido Key State Park in order to protect the species, kicking off conservation breeding for this species. The zoo's two beach mice pups will stay there unless they’re paired with female mice at another facility or sent back to their natural range to help those populations. This breeding season, Brevard Zoo paired 12 individuals for breeding based on recommendations from a geneticist. This ensures a genetically diverse beach mouse population in human care. Oh and the zoo continue to monitor their other pairs for babies as well! Brevard Zoo thanks Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation, whose generosity makes this critical conservation breeding program possible. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

Orlando Fringe have announced the launch of "The Collective" - an exciting incubator program at Fringe ArtSpace on Church Street for creatives local to Central Florida. The Collective is a 18-month deep dive program for emerging arts companies/organizations to grow to the next level and produce full-run productions at the Fringe ArtSpace year-round performing arts venue. These productions will become the showcase productions and core artistic product for the Fringe ArtSpace season beginning Spring 2024. In those 18 months, they will attend group sessions with other Collective members and produce two full-run productions at Fringe ArtSpace. Each recipient will receive $20,000 to produce their shows and attend sessions, as well as over $35,000 in in-kind services sponsored by the Downtown Development Board. Orlando Fringe will conduct a round of in-person interviews with finalist candidates and select three companies/organizations for this inaugural cohort announced in May. "Orlando Fringe believes in amplifying voices and uplifting our artistic community," says Orlando Fringe Artistic and Marketing Director Desiree Montes. "We are positioned in the Central Florida arts community as the beginning pipeline for many organizations to create, experiment and grow at our annual Orlando Fringe Festival each May. Now, as we begin to transition into our second season with a year-round space, we are looking for organizations with a strong desire to grow and work alongside other arts organizations as we elevate the artistic landscape in Central Florida. This is an incredibly exciting next chapter for Fringe ArtSpace." Apply for The Collective Incubator Program at Fringe ArtSpace now! What else is happening at Artspace? Visit www.fringeartspace.org for more info! As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.