UNITE HERE Local 737, one of the union's representing Walt Disney World Cast Members in ongoing contract negotiations with Disney have given an update on the latest negotiations that ended in stalemate yesterday. Unions had returned to the negotiating table with Disney following an overwhelming 96% rejection of Walt Disney World’s offer to gradually raise wages to $20 over the next few years by the Service Trades Council Union, who represent more than 45,000 Walt Disney World Cast Members. Following the negotiations yesterday, unions revealed that Disney had returnred to the table with a WORSE offer than the one that Cast Members had rejected. Last night the Service Trades Council Union issued the following statement on its social media channels. "Today the 6 unions of the Service Trades Council met with Disney for the first time since 13,650 Cast Members voted to reject Disney’s contract proposal on February 2 and 3. Despite the overwhelming message sent by Cast Members, Disney refused to add even one cent to its wage proposal. Moreover, Disney’s proposal today reduced retroactive pay for thousands of workers, making today’s proposal even worse than the offer already rejected. The 6 unions will be announcing public actions soon to bring light to the plight of Cast Members struggling to survive the devastating increase in the cost of living." Now today on further reflection, UNITE HERE Local 737 issued the following statement on social media which explains in simple terms what Disney are offering and how it will affect Cast Members. "On February 15, Disney made a new contract proposal. The Union made it clear to Disney that their proposal is unacceptable. For Cooks, Dishwashers and Housekeepers who will get an initial raise of over $1, Disney proposed to reduce the retroactive pay to only $1. For example, under Disney's new proposal, a Housekeeper who will get an initial raise from $17 to $20 would not get retroactive pay calculated on the full $3 raise. Instead, Disney proposed that retroactive pay will be calculated on only $1. The Union will never accept Disney's proposed reduction of retroactive pay. We will fight until the Company proposes the full retroactive pay owed to all Cast Members. In addition, Disney failed to agree to the Union's proposed minimum of $18 in 2023. Disney did propose a $1 raise on the date the Union's members vote to accept this proposal. That would mean a minimum of $17 in 2023 for current Cast Members. QSR, Seaters, Convention Guides and Food Handlers would all get only $1 per year under Disney's new proposal: $16 retroactive to Oct. 2022 and only $17 when the Union's members vote to accept. The Union does not agree to this proposal. Both the Union and the Company continue to propose the large raises for Culinary, Stewarding and Housekeeping that we presented during the vote earlier this month. For example: - Housekeeping: Increase from $17 to $20 - Stewarding: Increase from $15 to $18 - Cook 2: $16.40 to $20 - Cook 1: $19 to $23.10 - Chef Assistant: $20 to $24.60 13,650 Union members voted "NO" to Disney's proposal and "NO" to poverty. Disney's new proposal still leaves Cast Members struggling to pay for rent, gas and groceries. We will fight until we win an $18 minimum in 2023 and full retroactive pay."

Indie folk band Fleet Foxes have announced a North America tour in support of their 2020 album, Shore. The tour commences in June, with the band hitting Hard Rock Orlando's stage for one night only on Sunday, June 25, before crossing the country through August 2023. “Our shows last summer were by far the best of our career and we can’t wait to do it again in a few months,” Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold said. “It’s an honor to bring this music to life with and for everybody and we hope to see you there. With love and gratitude.” Tickets for the Orlando date go on sale Friday, February 24, but you can sign-up for early access now! Fleet Foxes hail from Seattle, WA. Led by lead singer-songwriter Robin Pecknold, the band released their fourth critically acclaimed album Shore in the fall of 2020. Shore earned the band their second Grammy nomination (Best Alternative Music Album), and sweeping praise (MOJO five stars, Rolling Stone four stars, Pitchfork fifth consecutive Best New Music) with Rolling Stone calling the album “...the most immediately rewarding Fleet Foxes record since their brilliant 2008 debut.”

Today's the day that Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can now sign up for TRON Lightcycle / Run previews at Magic Kingdom. We are hearing of some online technical issues during the sign-up process, but this is understandable considering how many passholders are online trying to get a preview slot! Annual Passholders previews for TRON Lightcycle / Run will be taking place March 4 through 6, and from March 8 through 12. As of 9.45 am this morning, all of these dates were still available, but we imagine they will fill up quickly!

By lunchtime today, all Walt Disney World Annual Passholder Previews for TRON Lightcycle / Run previews at Magic Kingdom are gone! Annual Passholder previews are at full capacity for TRON Lightcycle / Run which are taking place March 4 through 6, and from March 8 through 12.

As winter turns to spring, our thought turn to warmer weather, spring blooms, and the Easter Bunny, and of course the return of the much loved Once Upon a Spring celebration at the luxurious Gaylord Palms here in Orlando. Right now the 64-acre resort hotel is preparing for the return of its much loved annual Once Upon a Spring celebration, which is taking place this year from March 3 through until May 14, 2023. This year's event features plenty of oversized pastel eggs, beautiful springtime flowers, activities in the new Adventure Kids’ Clubhouse, an Easter Day Buffet, a pirate escape room, themed scavenger hunt and everyone’s favorite holiday hares, Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny! Once Upon A Spring Events & Activities Here’s a look at all the wonderful special events and activities you can experience during Once Upon A Spring at Gaylord Palms Eggspress Yourself Larger-than-life Easter eggs and thousands of spring blossoms highlight the Eggspression Garden, a themed walk-through experience in the atrium. A giant Easter egg archway greets guests on the self-guided trail with plenty of springtime photo spots for that perfect picture to share with friends and family. Bountiful Easter Buffet Dining Experience On Easter Sunday, April 9, from noon - 6 p.m., Villa de Flora will host its annual Easter Buffet. The plentiful buffet features more than 10 stations, including antipasto, house-made breads, gourmet salads, chilled favorites on ice like jumbo shrimp cocktail and cold-water oysters, a chef-crafted pasta bar, soups, short ribs, citrus-brined chicken, a seafood paella station, a “knife-to-plate” station with taste-tempting dishes like leg of lamb, prime rib and smoked ham, a children’s dining station and a delicious selection of signature desserts. Cost is $75 per adult, and $35 per children ages 4 - 12, plus tax and gratuity. To check availability and make reservations, guests should visit GaylordPalmsDining.com. Meet Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny Mr. Easter Bunny will meet guests inside the resort each Saturday from March 4 - April 8 at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. On Easter Sunday, April 9, the Easter Bunny will pose for photos at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Mrs. Easter Bunny will also make special appearances on April 9, meeting guests at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Kids Get Crafty in an All-New Adventure Kids’ Clubhouse Younger guests and their families can visit the all-new Adventure Kids’ Clubhouse, where they explore the world around them and enjoy activities with the help of a special guest. This season’s special guest is The Gardener, who will help kids create the perfect springtime craft – custom-painted flowerpots. Get Hopping with a Springtime Scavenger Hunt Young guests and families can embark on a springtime search throughout the resort in the Spring-A-Long Scavenger Hunt. Exploring a 4.5-acre garden of spring flowers and seasonal pastel colors, families work together and follow clues in their activity booklet during the at-your-own-pace activity. Guests who complete the quest receive a springtime surprise to help celebrate their puzzle-solving prowess. Find Hidden Treasure in a Pirate Escape Room Experience Ahoy! Guests are invited to set sail on a springtime adventure in the Pirate’s Treasure Escape Room. Captain Hornswaggle’s wife, Emerald, has recruited guests to her crew to pillage the Captain’s quarters and claim his most valuable treasure. A series of puzzles, games and riddles reveals the treasure’s secret location, challenging guests to solve them before the Captain returns and makes them walk the plank. Watch Dive-In Movies in a Splashy Cinema Each Saturday during the celebration, overnight guests are invited to take in a Dive-In Movie on the large video wall near the zero-entry pool in Cypress Springs Water Park. Guests can enjoy the silver screen selections from the swimming pool, or from seating around the pool. More Adventure Kids Fun in a Live Stage Show Younger explorers are invited to join Seth the Sea Turtle, Ava the Alligator and Adventure Kid Sophie on Saturdays inside the Gaylord Palms atrium to discover the wonders of the spring season in an interactive, live show. These springtime shows take place at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Search for AR Animals in Mobile Game Gaylord Palms Resort transforms into a virtual animal safari for families to discover and learn about endangered animals in Wildlife Rescue, a game played at the resort that tracks animals from around the globe. The adventure, which takes place in a free app on guests’ smartphones, brings each animal to life via augmented reality and allows guests to pose for a sharable photo with their new wildlife discovery. Springtime Lights Come Alive in ‘Bloom’ When night falls at Gaylord Palms, a salute to springtime takes place in the skies above the atrium on the resort’s animated light curtains in the “Bloom” light show. Festive flowers, pastel Easter eggs and bouncing bunnies come to life in the colorful display. Guests in select main atrium-view rooms can watch the show from the comfort of their balcony. During a season known for warmer temperatures and sunshine, Gaylord Palms guests can highlight their springtime sojourn with family fun at Cypress Springs Water Park. Open year-round, the water park features waterslides for adults and children, a multi-level kids’ water playground, two swimming pools, surf simulator, hot tubs and an action river attraction. Cypress Springs Water Park is an exclusive amenity for overnight guests of Gaylord Palms Resort. In case of spring showers, guests can find all sorts of fun activities throughout the indoor garden atrium. In addition to the special events, activities and décor during the Once Upon a Spring celebration, guests can take a relaxing stroll through acres of plants, flowers, waterfalls, streams and Florida wildlife. Across the resort, guests find a world of cuisine in a variety of diverse restaurants, including gourmet steaks at Old Hickory Steakhouse, fresh, sustainable and local seafood at MOOR, classic pub favorites at Wreckers Sports Bar, and Mediterranean-inspired dishes at Villa de Flora’s buffet. Inside the atrium, a delicious selection of restaurants and dining options awaits, including gourmet steaks and an award-winning wine list at Old Hickory Steakhouse, fresh, sustainable and local seafood at MOOR, and a wide selection of Mediterranean-inspired dishes at Villa de Flora. Year-Round Family Fun During a season known for warmer temperatures and sunshine, Gaylord Palms guests can highlight their springtime sojourn with family fun at Cypress Springs Water Park. Open year-round, the water park features waterslides for adults and children, a dedicated kids’ water-themed playground, two pools and Crystal River Rapids – a new action river attraction inspired by Florida’s spring-fed rivers that takes guests through twists and turns at more than three feet per second. Cypress Springs Water Park is an exclusive amenity for overnight guests at Gaylord Palms Resort. In case of spring showers, guests can find all sorts of fun activities throughout the indoor garden atrium. Packages and Tickets Gaylord Palms is offering Welcome to More Spring packages that include guest rooms and event tickets. For tickets or room packages for Once Upon a Spring, guests may visit GaylordPalms.com

Walt Disney World is the most magical place on earth, and since the resort opened in 1971, its the Disney Cast Members who have created the magic that envelopes us all from the moment we enter the resort, Walt Disney World is not just about the rides, the castle or the hotels, its the Cast Members, they are as much an attraction as Peter Pan's Flight. Personally, many of our most magical memories are from moments spent with Cast Members, not on any ride or attraction, Cast Members are Walt Disney World! So why are being treated so poorly treated by Disney in their fight for a living wage? Walt Disney World Cast Members current contracts ended last October, and negotiations have been ongoing, with Disney returning to the negotiating table with unions yesterday, Wednesday, February 15, 2023 in the latest round of contract negotiations. Negotiations resumed following an overwhelming 96% rejection of Walt Disney World’s offer to gradually raise wages to $20 over the next few years by the Service Trades Council Union, who represent more than 45,000 Walt Disney World Cast Members, yet despite this, unbelievably Disney came back to the table with a WORSE offer than the one that Cast Members had rejected! Plus, this is happening at time when earlier this week, Universal Orlando announced it's raising its Team Members starting pay to $17 per hour, plus additional raises coming to current Team Members. In contrast, Disney’s current base rate of pay for Cast Members is $15 per hour. After yesterday's negotiations ended, the Service Trades Council Union issued the following statement on its social media channels. "Today the 6 unions of the Service Trades Council met with Disney for the first time since 13,650 Cast Members voted to reject Disney’s contract proposal on February 2 and 3. Despite the overwhelming message sent by Cast Members, Disney refused to add even one cent to its wage proposal. Moreover, Disney’s proposal today reduced retroactive pay for thousands of workers, making today’s proposal even worse than the offer already rejected. The 6 unions will be announcing public actions soon to bring light to the plight of Cast Members struggling to survive the devastating increase in the cost of living." So yet again Disney appear to be falling behind Universal, for years Disney had the better of Universal, they had better parks, better hotels, they treated their Cast Members better than many local companies did their employees, but it seems Disney is determined to allow Universal to get one up on them here in Orlando on all fronts. Universal Orlando is building new attractions, new lands, and even a new theme park, while Disney are cutting the budgets for new attractions, they have decimated the talent in Imagineering, job losses are coming to the parks too, plus don't forget the general maintenance, and cleanliness of Walt Disney World recently. And, yes it hurts us to say all this because our family are 100% Disney fans, annual pass holders, heck we been moved to Florida for Disney, but we have a bad feeling about the way things are going down here in the Orlando. Bringing Bob Iger back was a glimmer of hope, and yes cutting parking fees at resorts, easing the park pass reservations etc were helpful moves, oh and bringing back character meet and greets that we had before is great, much appreciated, but it's only moving the deckchairs around on deck while the ship really does appear to be sinking! We want new attractions, clean well maintained parks, and all the things that made Walt Disney World the greatest theme park destination in the world, and yes we want Cast Members to be as happy as us when we're in the most magical place on earth, imagine smiling all day, creating magical moments for guests, all the while worrying how you are going to pay rent, or even feed yourself properly? Cast Members are amazing, it's what sets Disney Parks apart form the competition, but Cast Members can't live on praise or thank you's, and if Disney does not start paying more money to it's Cast Members. they will leave, go to better paid jobs, yes and in may cases that means Universal! The sad thing is that in the majority of cases Cast Members do not want to leave, they love their jobs, they love Disney, they are in love with creating the Magic that makes Disney World what it is. Disney are always praising its Cast Members, saying they are the best in the world, how amazing they are, and that they are the magic, and yes its all true, so Disney start treating your CM's like you mean what you say! PLEASE! The GGO Family

We all knew that Super Nintendo World was coming to the new Epic Universe Theme park that's currently under construction here in Orlando, but now it's official! Chairman and CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts Mark Woodbury has made the announcement during the launch event at the official opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood, even acknowledging during the announcement that it is was the worst kept secret in history. While the news certainly isn't a surprise, it's still awesome to know that Super Nintendo World has been officially confirmed! Now we just have to wait until summer 2025 to enjoy all the fun that folks are having at Universal in Hollywood and Japan.

Following the rapturous reception to their new single “Ghosts Again," get ready to experience Depeche Mode LIVE at Amway Center! Today, Thursday, February 16, Depeche Mode announced a North America Tour for later this year in support of their forthcoming album, due out March 24. Produced by Live Nation, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2020 inductees will now set out on a colossal 75-date tour , their 19th tour and their first in over five years. The Memento Mori tour kicks off on Thursday, March 23 in Sacramento, CA and includes scheduled stops in Austin, Dallas, New Orleans, Miami, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Las Vegas, with the band’s debut performance at Orlando’s Amway Center on Tuesday, October 10. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 24 at 10 a.m. ET. The band previously announced a shorter run of spring tour dates in North America, as well as a summer tour in the UK and Europe. Check out the band’s updated tour schedule below. Depeche Mode 2023 Tour Dates: 03/23 – Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center 03/25 – San Jose, CA @ SAP Center 03/28 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum 03/30 – Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena 04/02 – San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center 04/05 – Chicago, IL @ United Center 04/07 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena 04/09 – Quebec City, QC @ Videotron Centre 04/12 – Montréal, QC @ Centre Bell 04/14 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden 05/16 – Amsterdam, NL @ Ziggo Dome 05/18 – Amsterdam, NL @ Ziggo Dome 05/20 – Antwerp, BE @ Sportpaleis Antwerpen 05/23 – Stockholm, SE @ Friends Arena 05/26 – Leipzig, DE @ Leipziger Festwiese 05/28 – Bratislava, SK @ Národný Futbalový Štadión 05/31 – Bordeaux, FR @ Matmut Atlantique 06/02 – Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound 06/04 – Dusseldorf, DE @ Merkur Spiel-Arena 06/06 – Dusseldorf, DE @ Merkur Spiel-Arena 06/09 – Madrid, ES @ Primavera Sound Madrid 06/11 – Bern, CH @ Stadion Wankdorf 06/14 – Dublin, IE @ Malahide Castle 06/17 – London, UK @ Twickenham Stadium 06/20 – Munich, DE @ Olympiastadion 06/22 – Lille, FR @ Stade Pierre Mauroy 06/24 – Paris, FR @ Stade de France 06/27 – Copenhagen, DK @ Parken 06/29 – Frankfurt, DE @ Deutsche Bank Park 07/01 – Frankfurt, DE @ Deutsche Bank Park 07/04 – Lyon, FR @ Groupama Stadium 07/07 – Berlin, DE @ Olympiastadion 07/09 – Berlin, DE @ Olympiastadion 07/12 – Rome, IT @ Stadio Olympico 07/14 – Milan, IT @ San Siro 07/16 – Bologna, IT @ Stadio Renato Dall’Ara 07/21 – Klagenfurt, AT @ Wörthersee Stadion 07/23 – Zagreb, HR @ Arena Zagreb 07/26 – Bucharest, RO @ Arena Națională 07/28 – Budapest, HU @ Puskás Aréna 07/30 – Prague, CZ @ Letňany Airport 08/02 – Warsaw, PL @ PGE Narodowy 08/06 – Tallinn, EE @ Tallinna Lauluväljak 08/08 – Helsinki, FI @ Kaisaniemen Puisto 08/11 – Oslo, NO @ Telenor Arena 09/21 – Mexico City, MX @ Foro Sol 09/29 – Austin, TX @ Moody Center 10/01 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center 10/04 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center 10/07 – New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center 10/10 – Orlando, FL @ Amway Center 10/12 – Miami, FL @ Miami-Dade Arena 10/19 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena 10/21 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center 10/23 – Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena 10/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center 10/28 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden 10/31 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden 11/03 – Montreal, QC @ Centre Bell 11/05 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena 11/08 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena 11/10 – Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse 11/13 – Chicago, IL @ United Center 11/16 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena 11/18 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Vivint Arena 11/21 – Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place 11/24 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena 11/26 – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena 11/28 – Portland, OR @ MODA Center 12/01 – Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena 12/03 – San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center 12/06 – San Diego, CA @ Pechanga Arena 12/10 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum 12/15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Crypto.com Arena

Disney Vacation Club members have received an email informing them that Disney Vacation Club are increasing the cost of one time use points by $3 per point. This latest cash grab, effective today, February 16, means that Disney Vacation Club member, will be paying more when they require extra points to book a particular resort that is more points than they have. When you are short on points for a particular stay, Disney Vacation Club Members can purchase one-time-use Vacation Points to complete the transaction. This latest increase in costs for Disney Vacation Club members comes after a big price increase in December last year, when Disney Vacation Club raised prices for most Disney Vacation Club resorts with a $10 per point price increase. The only resorts to escape the $10 increase was Disney's Old Key West Resort and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, which were hit with a $5 per point increase in the base price. Here is the letter informing DVC Members of the increase. Dear Disney Vacation Club Member, We’re reaching out with an important Member update regarding one-time-use (OTU) Vacation Points. Effective, February 16, 2023, the price of (OTU) Vacation Points will increase from $19 per point to $22 per point. This program gives Members the opportunity to purchase up to 24 non-deeded Vacation Points each Use Year they may need to complete a reservation for Disney Vacation Club accommodations in the 7-month booking window or Disney Collection and World Collection reservations.* For more information about how to use OTU Vacation Points to complete a booking, visit DisneyVacationClub.com or call Member Services at (800) 800-9800. We look forward to welcoming you home very soon. Sincerely, Disney Vacation Club Management *Exchange options through the Disney Collection and hotel exchanges through the World Collection require eligibility for Membership Extras

We revealed last November that Breeze Airways had announced plans to fly Orange County to Orange County from early this year. Low cost airline Breeze Airways will commence daily, non-stop service between Southern California and Central Florida from today, February 16, 2023, using A220-300 aircraft. The route will be from John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, California, to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and vice versa. Orange County to Orlando: MX602, 08:50-16:30 (4h 40m) Orlando to Orange County: MX603, 17:10-19:30 (5h 20m) So now you can fly Disney to Disney for only $69 each way! This is the first time that Orange County in California had ever had an Orlando route, in fact, Orange County has never had any routes to Florida at all! For Orlando travellers this is an exciting option as it gives a direct route to the theme parks in California, including Disneyland Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Six Flags Magic Mountain, and for SoCal locals this is a great choice to enjoy a vacation to Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando, or SeaWorld Orlando. Book at: https://www.flybreeze.com/home

A new hotel, dining and shopping area is planned for a stretch of Highway 192 in Kissimmee, that's around 25 miles from Orlando International Airport and just a short drive from Walt Disney World. The area has seen explosive growth in recent years with multiple new hotels, restaurants, and retail locations, including the massive Margaritaville Resort, Sunset Walk Entertainment District, and Island H20 Water Park which was built on the former home of the long gone Splendid China attraction. We have also recently reported that a huge new development is coming to the area, near State Road 429, the new $1-billion development called Everest Place is planned, with Phase One of construction expected to deliver a mix of retail and commercial spaces, medical offices, four resort hotels including a Nickelodeon Resort, and a luxury MYSK by Shaza Resort, plus residential units, and multi-family apartments. As first reported in the Orlando Business Journal, the latest commercial development, that includes a Hotel, Restaurants and Shopping locations, will be close to Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews and Portillo's latest location on the 192/West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. Lake Wilson Enterprises LLC purchased a 9.2-acre plot of land in August 2019 for $6 million. In Osceola County, near Funie Steed Road and Morgan Williams Road. Chris Leppert with Kimley-Horn filed a meeting request on behalf of the landowner and the property has been discussed at a development meeting with the county that happened on February 15, 2023. While not much is know yet about the new development, it continues to shine a light on an area of Kissimmee that is seeing incredible growth in recent years, and it will be interesting to see what the precise plans will bring further to the area.

As the weather starts to get just a little warmer it's time to enjoy Spring Break, but that of course means busy roads, bust beaches, and if your travelling by air, long lines at security! To help, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for spring break travellers and offering a few travel tips fro help ease our pain at the airport. The spring break travel season begins around Feb. 17 and continues through April 21. and TSA anticipates that its Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) will screen increasing numbers of passengers at airport checkpoints as travel volumes could exceed pre-pandemic levels. “In January, we experienced our first full month where travel volumes exceeded the same month in 2019. We fully expect to see an upward trend in travel volumes throughout 2023, including during the spring break period,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “We coordinate closely with airports and air carriers to prepare for the projected increase in travel volumes and we expect to meet our wait time standards of 30 minutes or less in standard lanes and 10 minutes or less in TSA PreCheck lanes. However, there may be some situations where the capacity of a checkpoint is exceeded.” TSA are recommending the following top six travel tips to help spring break travelers arrive prepared for the most efficient TSA checkpoint experience: Tip 1: Pack smart – start with an empty bag and ensure you do not have any prohibited items. Do not attempt to bring a firearm through a TSA checkpoint; doing so compromises the safety and security of other passengers and our officers in the checkpoint. Passengers who attempt to bring a firearm through a checkpoint will receive a civil penalty (fines may be as high as $15,000) and lose eligibility for TSA PreCheck. Additionally, local law enforcement will be called and because these passengers may present additional risk beyond the firearm, they may receive enhanced screening. Other prohibited items include explosives, flammables, knives, razors, replica weapons and more. To avoid delays, passengers should view TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” page and begin packing with a bag that is empty. Tip 2: Remember the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule. Passengers may bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint as long as each item is 3.4 ounces or less. Liquids over 3.4 ounces must be packed in a checked bag. Sunscreen in a container larger than 3.4 ounces is commonly available, but is not considered to be medically necessary as a carry-on item. Larger quantities of sunscreen are allowed in checked bags. Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream or paste that alarms during screening will require additional screening. Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to five liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags. For carry-on bags, passengers are limited to containers of 3.4 ounces or less that can fit comfortably in one quart-sized, clear, zip-top bag. FAA regulations prohibit travelers from consuming alcohol on an aircraft unless served by a flight attendant. Additionally, flight attendants are not permitted to serve a passenger who appears to be intoxicated. Medically necessary liquids, gels and aerosols over 3.4 ounces are allowed in reasonable quantities, but they must be declared at the checkpoint for inspection. TSA allows one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces per passenger in carry-on bags until further notice. These containers will need to be screened separately, which will add some time to the checkpoint screening experience. Tip 3: Enroll in TSA PreCheck. First trip without the parents? Get your own TSA PreCheck membership. In January 2023, 92% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes at TSA checkpoints nationwide. Traveling with the kids? Children 12 and under may join a parent/guardian with TSA PreCheck in the dedicated lanes. Most new enrollees receive a Known Traveler Number (commonly referred to as “KTN”) within five days, and membership lasts for five years. The enrollment fee for five years is $78; online renewals are $70. Don’t delay, enroll in TSA PreCheck today. Tip 4: Ask TSA before you travel. Contact TSA’s travel security experts over social media by sending a message to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger. Passengers may also send a text directly to 275-872 (“AskTSA”) on any mobile device. An automated virtual assistant is available 24/7 to answer common questions and AskTSA staff is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST daily, including holidays and weekends for more complicated questions. Travelers may also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST on weekends/holidays. An automated service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tip 5: Arrive early and carry on kindly. Spring break travelers should give themselves plenty of time to account for traffic, parking, rental car returns, airline check-in, security and making any airport purchases before boarding a flight. Avoid consuming excessive amounts of alcohol prior to boarding, as flight attendants and gate agents may deny boarding to intoxicated passengers. Passengers who engage in unruly behavior at the checkpoint or inflight may face substantial penalties and possible prosecution on criminal charges. Tip 6: Be checkpoint ready. Arrive at the checkpoint lane with a mobile or printed boarding pass and valid ID readily available. When approaching the screening area, remember to empty pockets and place the contents in a bin or carry-on bag. Those without TSA PreCheck must remove large electronics and 3-1-1 liquids from carry-ons. All travelers will be asked to remove outerwear prior to screening. Listen closely and follow instructions of the TSA officer for guidance through the screening process. TSA encourages all passengers to remain vigilant. If You See Something. Say Something®. Those traveling abroad for spring break should check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Know Before You Go page to learn about required documentation. For more information about TSA screening procedures, visit the customer service page and read the frequently asked questions or watch TSA’s travel tips videos.