As the excitement builds to the official opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom on April 4, D23 is gearing up to celebrate with special screenings of “TRON: Legacy” at AMC Dine-in Disney Springs 24 on Saturday, March 18. D23, the official Disney Fan Club say that both Gold and General Members have their choice of two screenings, presented in 3D or 2D. Both screenings will feature the same pre-show presentation, and event offerings, the 3D screening will begin at 10:30 am, and the 2D screening will begin at 11:00 am. Both screenings will feature a special pre-show presentation that D23 have teased by promising that it's“sure to delight fans of TRON and Disney Parks. DETAILS D23 General Member: $30 (+$5 Processing Fee) per ticket. D23 Gold Member: $20 (+$3 Processing Fee) per ticket. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 1 p.m. ET in the provided links below. 2D Screening: Click here for tickets 3D Screening: Click here for tickets Event includes: Exclusive screening of Return to the Grid A TRON: Legacy Screening kicking off with a special pre-show presentation. Event-exclusive postcard featuring art from TRON Lightcycle / Run created by Walt Disney Imagineering. One (1) medium-sized fountain beverage at AMC Disney Springs One (1) medium-sized popcorn at AMC Disney Spring

The Tampa Bay Rays have checked into Walt Disney World Resort, where the team will spend its first two weeks of Spring Training at the resorts ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Pitchers and catchers’ first official workout is slated for tomorrow, Wednesday, February 15, with the first full squad workout set for Monday. It was back in December, 2022 that Walt Disney World announced that it had come to an agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays to host a portion of the team’s spring training at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, following damage to the Tampa Bay Rays’ facilities in Port Charlotte, Florida caused by Hurricane Ian last September. The agreement with Walt Disney World allows the team's major and minor league players to begin workouts at the ESPN complex. They will then move their major league operations to St. Petersburg, while minor league workouts and games will continue at the stadium on Disney's property. The Rays consider themselves lucky to have ended up at a location with the facility quality and field space to suit their needs during this important period. At Disney, they have access to five full fields and an extra infield, as well as plentiful pitching mounds and batting cages not dissimilar to their setup in Port Charlotte. The Rays did need to build their own weight room in a large parking tent; otherwise, Disney installed new lockers, carpeting and other amenities with an eye toward welcoming its first big league spring guests in three years. "We're so appreciative of Disney for accommodating us,” manager Kevin Cash said. “They've worked hard, and we had a lot of people within our organization work hard. It's been a very joint effort on both ends. I'm excited about it. I think we hit a wall every Spring Training, when you're competing, and the games don't mean anything, it's tough to keep the energy going. But having a transition after two weeks being here, and then the addition of being in our beds for an extra month, I think the players are gonna welcome that.” "We are thrilled to be bringing Major League Baseball back to Walt Disney World Resort," Disney Sports vice president Faron Kelley said in a news release. "We're always looking for top tier events, like the Rays' Spring Training for our guests to enjoy at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex." The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex has a long history of hosting professional baseball, having served as the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves for 20 years (1998-2019) and as a host site for the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic, featuring major league players. The Tampa Bay Rays have also previously used ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex as their home base. In 2007, they played three regular season games at The Stadium and won all three against the Texas Rangers. The following year, they swept a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays, bringing their all-time record at Walt Disney World Resort to 6-0.

The lineup of celebrities for this year's MegaCon Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center just keep on getting longer! The latest celebrities to sign on for this year's event which is happening March 30 to April 2, 2023, is Charlie Hunnam best know for his role as Jackson Teller in Sons Of Anarch and Lana Parrilla, well known for her role as The Evil Queen/Regina Mills in Once Upon a Time. Charlie Hunnam is well known for his roles as Jackson "Jax" Teller in the FX drama series Sons of Anarchy for which he was twice nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series. His has also had roles include Green Street, Undeclared, the title role in Nicholas Nickleby, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, The Lost City of Z, and in the title role of Guy Ritchie's King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Lana Parrilla is an actress well known for her role as The Evil Queen/Regina Mills in the ABC fantasy drama series, Once Upon a Time for which she has won a TV Guide Award for favorite Villain, an ALMA Award for Outstanding TV Actress- Drama and a Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress -Sci-Fi Fantasy. She also previously starred in season 5 of Spin City, Boomtown, Windfall, Swingtown, Miami Medical and as Sarah Gavin for the fourth season of 24. Keep scrolling for a full rundown on all the celebrities appearing at this year's MegaCon Orlando Best known for Shazam!, and the follow up, Shazam! Fury Of The Gods, Zachary Livi will be at this year's MegaCon Orlando. Levi has also just signed on for the true survival story Not Without Hope directed by Joe Carnahan. You can meet Levi when he comes to MegaCon Orlando, with the event running March 30 to April 2, 2023. The most powerful Jedi, Anakin Skywalker will be bringing the Force to Orlando as Star Wars legend Hayden Christensen will be appearing at this year's event. Hayden first appeared in the prequel trilogy films, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), and later reprised his role with a voice cameo in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), and as the main antagonist in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022). He will also reprise his role in the upcoming Disney+ series Ahsoka (2023). Rosario Dawson, star of amazing shows & movies like Daredevil, Clerks 3, Rent, Sin City, and Unstoppable will also be at this year's MegaCon Orlando. Dawson is also known for her role as the fan-favorite Ahsoka Tano in season 2 of The Mandalorian, and will headline her own show later this year, Star Wars: Ahsoka. Another huge name heading to this year's MegaCon Orlando is Scottish actor and Hollywood superstar James McAvoy. McAvoy is currently starring in the HBO fantasy series His Dark Materials, and will be known to many as Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men series. Also confirmed for this year's event is familiar faces from Wes Craven slasher-horror classic Scream. Neve Campbell Campbell rose to international prominence for starring as Sidney Prescott in Wes Craven's slasher filmScream (1996), which emerged as a critical and commercial success—becoming the highest grossing slasher film for over 20 years—and obtained a cult following. The success of the film spawned the Scream franchise, for which she reprised the role in the series' second (1997), third (2000), fourth (2011) and fifth(2022) installments, playing the role for 25 years. Also announced from the Scream franchise are: Jamie Kennedy Jamie came to prominence in the late 1990s for playing Randy Meeks in the Scream film series Matthew Lillard Matthew is know for his role as Stu Macher in the horror film Scream. Skeet Ulrich iSkeet played the character Billy Loomis in Scream (1996), and then he reprised his Scream role in the sequel. Star of the comedy classic movie series National Lampoon, Chevy Chase is coming on a vacation to Orlando! Chase also been a staple of Saturday Night Live, where his recurring Weekend Update segment became a highlight of the show. Chase has earned three Primetime Emmy Awards out of five nominations and two Golden Globe Award nominations. Chase has starred in some of the best loved comedies of our generation, including portraying Clark W. Griswold in five National Lampoon's Vacation films including Vacation , European Vacation, Christmas Vacation, and Vegas Vacation. He also played Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher in Fletch and its sequel Fletch Lives. He also starred in Caddyshack, Spies Like Us, Three Amigos!, and Hot Tub Time Machine. This year's MegaCon Orlando has a growing list of celebrities all coming to this year's event at the Orange County Convention Center. Charlie Hunnam is well known for his roles as Jackson "Jax" Teller in the FX drama series Sons of Anarchy for which he was twice nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series is coming! He has also had roles include Green Street, Undeclared, the title role in Nicholas Nickleby, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, The Lost City of Z, and in the title role of Guy Ritchie's King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Also announced for this year's MegaCon Orlando is Golden Globe, SAG, and Emmy nominee Christina Ricci. Ricci is currently starring in Netflix hit Wednesday, and was seen in the Amazon original series Z: The Beginning of Everything, for which she also served as a producer. she also played the title character in the television series The Lizzie Borden Chronicles, for which she earned a SAG Award nomination. She has also starred in many films including Mermaids, The Addams Family, Casper, The Smurfs 2, Speed Racer and more. Another guest is Vincent D’Onofrio, well known for his roles in both film and television. His credits include Full Metal Jacket, Men in Black, The Cell, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Jurassic World. D’Onofrio is well know for his portrayal of Kingpin across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Henry Winkler is also attending this years MegaCon, Winkler is an American actor, comedian, author, executive producer, and director, although of course he is best known for his portrayal of Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on the American television series Happy Days. Also announced is Harry Power star Matthew Lewis, best known for portraying Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Mark-Paul Gosselaar, best know to fans of Saved by the Bell as Zack Morris will also be in attendance at this years convention. Gates McFadden best known for playing Dr. Beverly Crusher in the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series and in the four subsequent films will also be attending this years MegaCon. Another big name coming to Orlando for MegaCon this year is Sean Gunn, best know for playing Kraglin Obfonteri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this role, he has been in the films Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder , the television film The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and the upcoming film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 . He also played Weasel and Calendar Man in the Warner Bros./DCEU film The Suicide Squad. Brec Bassinger has also announced for this years MegaCon! Bassinger is best know for playing the titular role in the series Stargirl from DC Universe and The CW. Legendary director Sam Raimi is also appearing at this year's MegaCon Orlando. Raimi is the man behind your fave films, known for directing the Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007) and the Evil Dead franchise (1981–present). He also directed the 1990 superhero film Darkman, the 1995 revisionist western The Quick and the Dead, the 1998 neo-noir crime-thriller A Simple Plan, the 2000 supernatural thriller film The Gift, the 2009 supernatural horror film Drag Me to Hell, and the 2013 Disney fantasy film Oz the Great and Powerful. Raimi has also produced several successful television series, including Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and its spin-off Xena: Warrior Princess. He founded the production company Renaissance Pictures in 1979 and Ghost House Pictures in 2002. His latest film, the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, was released on May 6, 2022, becoming his highest grossing film at the box office. Also announced for this years convention is a bounty of six Star Wars legends. Carl Weathers (Greef Karga), Giancarlo Esposito (Moff Gideon), Katee Sackhoff (Bo-Katan Kryze) and Emily Swallow (The Armorer) from The Mandalorian, Vivien Lyra Blair, who played young Princess Leia in Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ashley Eckstein, who played Ahsoka Tano in The Clone Wars animated series. MegaCon Orlando have also announced that the original and much loved host of Blues Clues, Steve Burns is heading to Orlando for this year's MegaCon. He is best known as the original host of the long-running children's preschool television program Blue's Clues from 1996 until 2002, for which he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2001. With tickets now on sale, Anson Mount (Captain Christopher Pike) and Ethan Peck (Spock) from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, are coming to this years MegaCon Orlando Anson Mount is an American actor known for his television roles as fictional character Cullen Bohannon in the AMC western drama series Hell on Wheels, Jim Steele on NBC series Conviction, the Marvel Comics superhero Black Bolt in Marvel's Inhumans, and Captain Christopher Pike in season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery. Ethan Peck is an American actor currently playing Spock in the second season of Star Trek: Discovery. He is the grandson of a Hollywood legend, Gregory Peck. More recently he accepted the role of Herman Ackermann on the series Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels. MEGACON Orlando is one of North America's largest largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event that attracts hundreds of thousands of people across four BIG days. Every year, MEGACON Orlando offers exciting family-friendly attractions, events, and world-renowned Celebrities! Everyone is a fan of something, and MEGACON Orlando is the place to celebrate all things pop culture. Get an autograph or a photo with your favorite guest, and then get the inside scoop about your favorite movies and TV shows at our celebrity panels! Watch professional comic artists battle it out in our popular Sketch Duels, learn from our “How To” workshops, and take photos with your favorite costumed characters! It’s also a great place to buy a unique gift (or treat yourself!) with a huge show floor for shopping madness. HIGHLIGHTS: CELEBRITY PHOTO OPS Don’t miss out on the chance of a lifetime to meet you favorite celebrity and have the moment captured by a professional photographer. This is the only way to get a beautiful 8x10 glossy photo of you with one of our guests in an intimate setting. AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS An autograph is the perfect opportunity to get that special something signed by your favorite celebrity. Be sure to check out the full schedule so you don’t miss out on any of your faves! ARTIST ALLEY Indie meets pro in this special area where you will find all your favorite pencillers, inkers and writers. This is a ”must experience" area for anyone interested in meeting rising stars and those who work the front lines of the industry! Here you’ll find it all – comics, graphic novels, limited edition prints and best of all, original art and sketches. You’ll also find crafters and makers, all with a nerdy slant to their designs and creations. COSPLAY RED CARPET Get ready for the Cosplay Red Carpet! There's no pre-registration, no competition & no stress! Walk the red carpet and show off your costume in front of adoring fans. Every participant will get a free photo taken by Jeff Jenkins Photography, MEGACON’s official Cosplay Red Carpet Photographer. OVER 400,000 SQ FT OF SHOPPING MADNESS! More than 1,000 retailers join MEGACON Orlando to make your experience an unforgettable one! Specializing in everything comics, anime, gaming, science fiction and horror, these retailers are guaranteed to have what you need. FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! Our event prides itself on having so many amazing activities and attractions that are family oriented. Spend the day with the whole family as you meet your favorite Superheroes, Princesses and voice actors. You can even enter the Cosplay Costume Contest as a family! COMMUNITY ZONE Whether you're a Whovian or Jedi, a cosplayer or crafter, the Community Zone is where you find people who share your fandom! Find out about local clubs, get up close to movie props, test your trivia, and snap photos galore with fans who are excited as you are to get together. PANELS, WORKSHOPS & SEMINAR From Celebrity Q&A’s, fan club presentations, hands-on workshops and screening rooms, there’s hundreds of hours of programming available for every fandom. The best part? It’s free with your admission ticket. Check the daily schedule to find out when and where the fun happens. COSTUMES! COSTUMES! COSTUMES! Fans dressing up in costumes (also known as cosplay) is a huge part of the show! Literally thousands of amazing costumes are available for your viewing pleasure throughout the weekend. Don’t be shy: ask for a photo with your favorite characters or come dressed up yourself. MEET LEGENDARY COMIC BOOK CREATORS Comics Legends, Professional Comic Book artists, and writers will be with us all weekend. Be sure to drop by the Artist Alley to meet them and see their amazing work! MEET YOUR FAVORITE VOICE ACTORS The actors that voice your favorite animated characters will be at our show to sign autographs, pose for photos and meet with their fans. They have developed a well-deserved reputation for being super-friendly and enthusiastic! COSPLAY PHOTO PARK Snap the best shot with the coolest background at our Photo Park. From outer space to enchanted lands, there’s a setting for everyone. COSPLAY MEET UPS Meet like-minded fans and get a picture to remember at a themed cosplay meet up. Watch for a schedule of specific fandom meet-ups closer to show time.

Great news for British visitors heading to Orlando, as a new route will soon give travellers an affordable option between London and Orlando, with fares starting from only £409 return. The same goes for Central Florida residents wanting to explore London, with one way fares starting at $187. Norse Atlantic UK have announced today, Tuesday, February 14, that they are launching a new route between London Gatwick and Orlando International Airport. At the same time, the airline announced a route between London and Fort Lauderdale. The flights to Orlando will commence on May 25, 2023 and to Fort Lauderdale on May 26, 2023. The UK based airline, who already fly between London and New York, say that they will serve more destinations to the US from London Gatwick than any other carrier this summer. The fights between London and Orlando will operate four times a week in May and June and then a daily service in the height of the summer peak season. Flights between London and Fort Lauderdale will operate three times a week in May and June and four times a week for the rest of the summer season. Norse Atlantic will exclusively operates Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the new routes. Flights are available to book now on www.flynorse.com We look forward to a busy summer ahead as we bring value fares and a fantastic service to passengers looking to travel across the Atlantic.” said Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO Norse Atlantic Airways. “It’s fantastic to see Norse Atlantic add two new Florida services from London Gatwick Airport, to complement their current New York route. This will bring different products to our transatlantic portfolio, at affordable prices. Both Orlando and Fort Lauderdale are understandably very popular destinations, especially among families, so it’s great news for passengers across London and the Southeast to have more choice ahead of the summer holidays,” said Stewart Wingate, chief executive officer, Gatwick Airport. Norse Atlantic offers two cabin choices, Economy and Premium. Passengers can choose from a simple range of fares, Light, Classic and Plus, that reflect the way that they want to travel, and which options are important to them. Light fares represent Norse’s value option while Plus fares include the maximum baggage allowance, two meal services an enhanced airport and onboard experience and increased ticket flexibility. Norse Atlantic Airways is a new airline that offers affordable fares on long-haul flights, primarily between Europe and the United States. The company was founded by CEO and major shareholder Bjørn Tore Larsen in March 2021. Norse has a fleet of 15 modern, fuel-efficient and more environmentally friendly Boeing 787 Dreamliners that serve destinations including New York, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Oslo, London, Berlin, Rome and Paris. The company's first flight took off from Oslo to New York on June 14, 2022.

Bull riding, bareback riding, team roping, barrel racing, and of course the rodeo clowns, enjoy it all at this weekend's Silver Spurs Rodeo! The 150th Silver Spurs Rodeo returns Friday, February 17 through until Sunday, February 19 at the Silver Spurs Arena at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee. The Silver Spurs Rodeo is one of Osceola County’s longest and most treasured traditions, hosted every 3rd weekend in February The rodeo features all seven traditional rodeo events: bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, and barrel racing. In between all the rodeo action, there will be an act by the rodeo clown and the famous and fast Silver Spurs Quadrille team, who perform a square dance on horseback. BUY TICKETS The Silver Spurs Rodeo is the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi and is annually ranked among the top 50 events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Taking place at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee with the Osceola County Fair, the Silver Spurs Rodeo in February draws contestants from all over the nation and many national champions to compete for $50,000 in prize money. At the rodeo check out the different riding and roping events, all of which test a cowperson's strength, character, and readiness to be bested by an overly emotional beast and a dust-covered clown. In the dangerous and exciting bull-riding event, riders attempt to ride a bucking bull for eight seconds, and tough and talented cowgirls participate in barrel-racing competitions, in which each contestant rides at full speed around large barrels, making sure to hit the electronic clock upon entering and exiting. The action continues with quadrille performances, which can best be described as square dancing on horseback. Watch couples seated atop prancing horses that weave in and out of different formations to create eye-pleasing patterns while kicking up dust, and don't miss the rodeo clown! BUY TICKETS The Silver Spurs Rodeo History The Silver Spurs Rodeo is the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi, but the Silver Spurs Rodeo history stems from a humble gathering of Osceola County ranchers. In 1941, those pioneering ranchers gathered in Tallahassee to ride in the inaugural parade for newly elected Florida Governor Spessard Holland. Their appearance gained statewide attention and sparked the notion that they should continue to gather and enjoy their common interest of horseback riding. In May of 1941, the Silver Spurs Riding Club was formed. The club was very active and quickly grew in popularity across the state. By the end of their first year, they had hosted a small informal rodeo and performed a square dance on horseback known as Quadrille in Moultrie, Georgia. They participated in the state Kiwanis Convention in Orlando and also performed in the Orange Bowl Parade in Miami. In 1942 they performed shows for the benefit of Crippled Children, the American Red Cross and the Army-Navy Relief Show. In 1943, the club members built their first rodeo arena on land donated by Henry O. Partin. That land was located on the corner of today’s Neptune Road and Kings Highway in Kissimmee. In March of 1944, the group staged a show as their contribution to the Fourth War Loan. The admission to the rodeo was the purchase of a war bond. This was the first rodeo held in the Partin pasture and drew about 1,000 people. That initial success led to the first full dress rodeo on July 4, 1944. Then in 1949, the club acquired 15 acres on Highway 192 and started work on the Silver Spurs Rodeo Arena. The first rodeo in this new location was held July 4, 1950, and, in February of 1951, the club held its first mid-winter rodeo. From that point to today, the Silver Spurs Rodeo has been thrilling the residents of Central Florida and tens of thousands of visitors each year. In 1999, the Silver Spurs Riding Club approved the demolition of the old arena and the development of a brand new state-of-the-art indoor facility. In March of 2002, demolition began on the historic arena and construction was soon started on the new multi-purpose Silver Spurs Arena. Reopened in October 2003, the new Silver Spurs Arena boasts 8,300 seats and 12 luxury skyboxes in an indoor climate-controlled environment designed to host rodeos, sporting events, concerts, and more. For more details click here.

Brevard Zoo in Melbourne have two adorable bloodhound puppies, and they want everyone to help name one of the new pups. The two female pups came to Brevard Zoo from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, where they were part of a litter of 10 that was born to the sheriff's office K-9's Daisy Mae and Blu, While 8 pups are staying with the sheriff's office, the two pus at the zoo will help provide education and awareness to Brevard Zoo visitors, where they will be a part of the Barnyard area. The duo is still acclimating to their new caretakers and the Zoo while undergoing a quarantine period – standard for any new animal resident to ensure no illnesses are introduced to the rest of the Zoo population. In the meantime, Brevard Zoo need a name for one of the pups. One is already named Cindy after a beloved Brevard County Sheriff’s Office donor. She has been lovingly nicknamed Cindy “Pawford” by her Animal Ambassador team. Now the zoo want help to choose the perfect name for the second pup The options are: Hillary Ruff Lucy Pawles Tyra Barks Sarah Jessica Barker VOTE NOW Voting is open until 5 p.m. on February 20, with all proceeds will be used to cover the cost of animal care at the Zoo. Your donation will go toward giving animal residents like the two bloodhound puppies and their Barnyard family the best possible veterinary care, fun enrichment, tailored diets and more.

Walt Disney World is where dreams come true, and with the help of a little Disney magic and a very special pair of glasses, a bride’s dream of seeing the world in color became reality during her recent Disney Fairy Tale Wedding at the Walt Disney World Resort here in Florida. Bride-to-be Kristin Robinson of Harleysville, Pennsylvania heard about specialty glasses that allow the colorblind to see the world in color. Having been colorblind all her life, Robinson jumped at the chance to wear a pair of the glasses for the first time on her wedding day in The Most Magical Place on Earth. Robinson was elated when she saw the world and her groom, Nick, illuminated in color for the first time. “This is surreal,” said Kristin minutes after seeing color for the first time. “I’ve always dreamed of this; I finally get to see the colors.” The color-reveal moment proved emotional for the entire Robinson family. The bride’s father and two brothers are also colorblind and joined her in wearing the special glasses for a heartfelt reveal where they not only saw the bride in color but were able to see the world in color for the first time, too. While color blindness affects people differently, Robinson’s deuteranopia is a common type of red-green color blindness. It prevents her from seeing colors like pink and purple and makes it difficult to see shades of red, green and brown. The team at Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons ensured that her wedding dazzled with color. Pink flower arrangements decorated the wedding pavilion. At Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, a picture-perfect view of Cinderella Castle against a vibrant blue sky provided a backdrop for the ceremony and the fairy-tale day concluded with a private reception and a glittering firework display. Robinson’s colorful wedding was nothing short of magical.

Universal Orlando Resort is set to raise its starting pay to $17 an hour for all Team Members. Karen Irwin, President and CEO of Universal Orlando has given the good news to team members in an open letter addressing Team Members online. In the letter Irwin said the wage increase would begin on June 4, 2023. Plus, in addition, many Team Members will receive an increase based on the new rates and their time with the company, which Irwin says she will share more details on, in the coming weeks. Here is the letter in full: "Dear Team Members, We have so much to look forward to in 2023 as we celebrate the exciting Mardi Gras season and gear up for the summer opening of our new Minion Land at Universal Studios Florida. You all are the spark that brings our brand and stories to life, and I could not be prouder to work alongside you. I always walk away from my time visiting with you feeling energized and inspired to continue to build upon our strong Team Member first culture. We deeply believe in our mission to provide an inclusive environment where our Team Members are proud to work and we remain committed to that focus. Therefore, we continually evaluate our compensation, perks, and benefits programs and why we are committed to engaging with and listening to you. We truly believe TSAT is more than just a survey; it is your voice that helps us build a better Universal experience. Wage increases and more benefits To that end, effective June 4, 2023, we are not only increasing our starting base rate to $17 per hour, but we are increasing many of our starting rates across the business. In addition, many Team Members will receive an increase based on the new rates and their time with the company. More details about how this individually impacts Team Members will be shared in the coming weeks. Wages are just one part of Team Member satisfaction and because of your direct feedback, we have also elevated our 401K match and tuition reimbursement programs, added compassion leave, doubled our parental leave, enhanced family planning benefits, launched the new applause recognition program, and changed Team Member comp ticket availability from block-out calendar to capacity managed based on park attendance. Enhancing our work environment We are also focused on elevating the work environment and have begun upgrading break areas, back of house restrooms, and have exciting plans for Team Member dining that we will share shortly. But it doesn’t stop there, our culture seeks to create a path forward that supports our Team Members, gives them an opportunity to grow and fosters a real sense of purpose and belonging. In just a few weeks, I will be bringing leaders together to kick off the year and talk about our priorities – one of which involves making every day EPIC in preparation for the opening of Epic Universe. I am excited to share this with you and I want to again thank you for everything you do to help us successfully deliver extraordinary Guest experiences. I am excited about our bright future!"

Get ready to party this weekend as the City of Casselberry presents its fifth annual Mardi Gras Music Festival. The Porchdogs, who have been playing spicy Louisiana Cajun and zydeco and New Orleans R&B classics since 1992, headline this year's free Mardi Gras Music Festival, which is taking place this Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Lake Concord Park. Their sound is driven by the expert squeezebox playing of Greg Taillon and the solid guitar and harmonica of Andy Burr. In Casselberry, they will be joined by David Moffitt on fiddle and Sara Burr on mandolin, rubboard and triangle. The band, which performs at 7: 30 pm, has had numerous extended performances at Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens and many fairs and festivals, including nine years of daily performances at the Florid State Fair. The group is also the only act that has performed 15 years at the Fort Lauderdale Cajun and Zydeco Festival, which was the largest festival of its kind outside of Louisiana. Besides Porchdogs, there will be the 60 Street Band performing 6 pm to 7 pm, and the famous Junkanoos will make an appearance from 7 p.m. to 7:30 pm. Junkanoo is a cultural dance and music celebration that dates back hundreds of years. It is influenced by West African drum rhythms, American blues and Caribbean sounds and some of the music instruments used is the goombay drum, cowbells, whistles and brass horns. Before the music and fun, there will be the Mardi Paw Dog Parade at 5 pm with a host of dogs dressed up to strut their stuff before judges with potential to win prizes. For more information, email events@casselberry.org or call (407) 262-7700, ext. 1507.

Exciting times ahead for Central Florida as we get ready to ride the rails soon between Orlando and Miami, with stops in Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach. As construction moves forward, and a new dawn in rail travel awaits here in Florida, Brightline have revealed a target date for when they want the new line to open! Plus further down the line, plans have been revealed, that the line from Miami to Orlando International Airport could eventually link to Tampa, via the main tourist hub in International Drive, with a new station located near the Convention Center. Known as the Sunshine Corridor, this link in conjunction with SunRail will allow connections to the station at Orange County Convention Center, a possible station near Walt Disney World Resort and onto Tampa. With the news that the 170-mile expansion connecting Orlando to South Florida stations is 90% complete, Brighline have revealed a timeline of when they expect trains to be rolling between Orlando and Miami. According to a Orlando Business Journal report, Brighline quoted within its latest repoert in January that it has set a target to start service in the second-quarter of 2023. In addition to revealing when the company expect to begin passenger service, Brightline also expect to finish its currently under construction Orlando Station as early as March. Brightline has already unveiled exciting renderings of what millions of passengers can expect when they are waiting to ride the rails at Central Florida’s latest attraction, Brightline’s Orlando Station, located at Orlando International Airport. Here is a look at what travellers can expect once inside the new Orlando Station. The guest journey begins at the main entrance, located off the airport’s expansive two-story glass atrium. Once inside the station, passengers can purchase tickets from guest services or one of several self-service kiosks. They will then check luggage before proceeding through touchless turnstiles into the security screening area. Brightline is currently the only rail system in America that screens all passengers and bags prior to boarding. “This world class train station continues our mission of transforming train travel in America,” said Patrick Goddard, president at Brightline. “We have carefully thought through each detail of this station to ensure that it exceeds the expectations of the modern traveler.” The station takes the luxury amenities Brightline is known for to new heights featuring an upscale retail experience with convenient in-station shopping and its Mary Mary Bar, serving hand-crafted cocktails and lite bites. The signature sit-down bar is positioned at the far end of the station with a stunning panoramic view overlooking the train platform where guests can leisurely watch as trains arrive and depart the platform. Located above the Mary Mary bar is an iconic, flip-flap message board that can rotate alphanumeric text and/or graphics to form a message. A nostalgic nod to historic train stations, the flip-flap will provide updated train schedules, boarding times, news of the day and other announcements complete with the flip-flap sound reminiscent of the first passenger train stations in America. The new station will provide modern and luxurious seating areas throughout the station. The station will also feature a kids section within the lounge area. There will also be a premium lounge for first class passengers. First class passengers can expect a quiet, and luxurious space to relax while waiting for a train. Passengers will access trains by escalator or elevators to the first level platform and board from one of two new track platforms. These platforms are 1,000 feet long and will accommodate a train with four coaches and two locomotives that will transport guests on the Orlando to Miami route in just over three hours. Brightline offers two classes of service, SMART and PREMIUM. Brightline’s PREMIUM service, will provide complimentary drinks and snacks in a dedicated lounge and train coach. Throughout the station, all guests will have access to free high-speed Wi-Fi, charging stations at every seat, 87 big screen televisions and a children’s play area located in the SMART lounge. The 37,350 square foot station is located in the heart of Orlando International Airport’s new 80,000 sq. ft. Terminal C and connects directly to the airport’s parking deck C, which will have more than 350 parking spaces reserved for Brightline guests. An automated people mover connects the terminal to the rest of the airport facilities including Terminal A and B in under five minutes. Brightline’s Orlando station is designed by Bigtime Design Studios, an architecture firm based out of Miami, Florida, that also designed the newly opened Brightline stations in Boca Raton and Aventura, alongside the architect of record Sonny Fornoles of Borrelli + Partner. The buildout of the station is led by Orlando-based contractor Gomez Construction Co., a minority owned business whose headquarters are based in Orlando, Florida, and employs more than 100 workers on this project. For more information about Brightline’s Orlando station, visit www.gobrightline.com/orlando.

Get ready to experience March Madness right here in Orlando! On Thursday, March 16 & Saturday, March 18, 2023, The University of Central Florida hosts the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at downtown Orlando's Amway Center which is located at 400 W Church Street. The city will host four games over two sessions on the first day, and two games in one session on the second day. Tickets are available now for single sessions and start at $45. To purchase tickets for either or both rounds of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Amway Center, visit Ticketmaster. Plus as an added bonus for fans, on Wednesday, March 15, Amway Center will host an open practice day that is free for the public to attend.

If you enjoy the wildly popular American Pickers television series then your gonna love rummaging though antiques looking for something unique, or even much more valuable above the price tag at this weekend's Antiques Extravaganza this weekend in Mount Dora! Honestly, this weekend you could discover anything and everything, including reclaimed furniture, vintage clothing, collectables, wartime artefacts, vintage signs, and so much more!! Happening from Friday, February 17 through until Sunday, February 19, the event will take place at Renningers Florida Twin Markets, 20651 US-441, Mount Dora. The Antiques Extravaganza will feature over 800 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, vintage, and more. The show is outdoors, under open air buildings, tents and includes the Indoor Antiques Center and the Street of Shops at the Antiques Center. The show opens at 8 am all three days until 5 pm. Admission to the Extravaganza Show: Three Day Pass: $15, Friday: $10, Saturday: $6, Sunday: $4. Parking at the event is free. Also on the property is the Flea and Farmers Market which will take place on the Saturday and Sunday, from 8 am to 4 pm. The Flea and Farmers Market are free admission to shop.