Orlando Sentinel

PODCAST: Impact of Disneyland dragon fire, BBot security robot rolls into town and Icon Park debuts retro game (Ep. 187)

Orlando Sentinel Podcasts — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 13:34:16 +0000

On this episode of Theme Park Rangers, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the fire that damaged the Maleficent dragon at Disneyland and its impact on Disney World shows.

Gatorland: Florida Man Challenge part of Gatorpalooza event

Dewayne Bevil — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 08:24:00 +0000

Gatorland plans Gatorpalooza event for May, including Florida Man Challenge

Disney World: Another way to see Ariel (and her legs) is coming up

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 21:44:02 +0000

Disney World to host new meet-and-greets with Ariel in conjunction with new live-action "Little Mermaid" movie

‘On a roll,’ Universal’s theme parks set earnings record

Katie Rice — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:59:01 +0000

Universal parent company Comcast’s executives are hopeful this year’s sizeable theme park investment will pay off as the division set an earnings record last quarter and the company’s international theme parks “roar” back from COVID restrictions.

Poo! Exhibit to exit Orlando Science Center

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 13:29:18 +0000

The pieces of the Poozeum exhibit, featuring fossilized feces, are leaving Orlando Science Center.

Our guide to theme park people-watching

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 09:30:00 +0000

There is prime people-watching to be had at Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld theme parks

Disney sues DeSantis, alleging ‘government retaliation’ in Reedy Creek feud

Skyler Swisher, Steven Lemongello — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 21:14:25 +0000

Disney accuses DeSantis of running a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” in the feud over the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Icon Park: Wheel’s onboard game introduces retro Florida feel

Dewayne Bevil — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 19:59:15 +0000

Wheel at Icon Park brings back onboard game, this time called Great Florida Road Trip with retro feel, faux cameras

Theme Park Rangers Radar: Overlooked at Animal Kingdom plus wardrobe words from ambassadors

Dewayne Bevil — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 16:01:58 +0000

Theme Park Rangers Radar looks for overlooked animals at Disney World, learns about WDW ambassadors' clothing.

Port Canaveral revamps budget projection with record passenger counts

Richard Tribou — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 14:43:59 +0000

The crowds have been coming to the cruise lines at a higher rate than planned at Port Canaveral, and officials have reprojected what was already set to be record numbers to a total that’s more than double what it saw before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robocop BBot will ‘walk’ the beat at Orange County Convention Center

Katie Rice — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 12:03:36 +0000

The robot’s debut next month does not signal the AI takeover just yet, convention center leaders say.

Hollywood Studios: Reimagined Pixar Place returns with Incredibles, Edna Mode in May

Dewayne Bevil — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:29:39 +0000

Disney reopening Pixar Place, an 'Incredibles' meet-and-greet at Hollywood Studios in May.

Florida Senate panel OKs Disney World monorail inspections

Skyler Swisher — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 17:38:30 +0000

Disney World’s monorail system is poised to get state oversight as Gov. Ron DeSantis battles the theme park giant.

Lawmakers unveil plan to inspect Disney World monorails

Jeffrey Schweers — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 22:45:48 +0000

Lawmakers will take up an amendment requiring the Florida Department of Transportation to inspect Disney World's monorails.

Universal’s theme park plans unaffected by CEO’s exit, company says

Katie Rice — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 21:27:42 +0000

NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell’s departure from Comcast on Sunday for “inappropriate conduct” will not affect the company’s ongoing and upcoming theme park projects.

SeaWorld: Viva la Musica concerts set

Dewayne Bevil — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 17:06:14 +0000

SeaWorld Orlando's Viva la Musica concert lineup include Melina Leon, Jon Secada, Grupo Mania, Rey Ruiz

Fun Spot: Mine Blower coaster getting rail upgrade

Dewayne Bevil — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 15:56:02 +0000

Mine Blower roller coaster making rail upgrades with RMC at Fun Spot park in Kissimmee.

Disney World’s ‘Fantasmic’ continues despite dragon fire at Disneyland show

Dewayne Bevil — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 14:29:08 +0000

"Fantasmic" show continues at Disney's Hollywood Studios despite Maleficent fire during Disneyland show.

Disneyland dragon bursts into flames during ‘Fantasmic’ show

Associated Press — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 10:26:58 +0000

Spectators at Disneyland’s popular “Fantasmic” show got a shock this weekend when the feature’s fire-breathing animatronic dragon suddenly burst into flames.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th birthday, Earth Day

Dewayne Bevil — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 18:45:28 +0000

Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park celebrated its 25th birthday, which doubles as Earth Day, on Saturday.

Why is Ron DeSantis so determined to keep taking on Disney?

Steven Lemongello, Skyler Swisher — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 17:56:34 +0000

DeSantis’ war with Disney has some fellow Republicans questioning why he’s spending so much time battling Florida’s biggest name in tourism.

Star sighting: Geena Davis at Magic Kingdom

Dewayne Bevil — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 15:00:58 +0000

Star sighting: Actress Geena Davis checks out Tron ride at Magic Kingdom during Disney World visit

New I-Drive attraction to immerse visitors in world of Lonely Dog

Dewayne Bevil — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 13:27:36 +0000

Lonely Dog attraction, based on paintings from New Zealnd, to open on Orlando's International Drive.

Moody tells Disney its records could be open to the public in Florida

Skyler Swisher — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 21:37:33 +0000

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody advised Disney that some of its records could be subject to public records law

PODCAST: Poseidon’s Fury at Islands of Adventure closing and Disney’s Animal Kingdom turns 25 (Ep. 186)

Orlando Sentinel Podcasts — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 18:39:11 +0000

The Theme Park Rangers say goodbye to Poseidon’s Fury at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and celebrate Animal Kingdom’s birthday.

Disney World to open first affordable housing units in 2026

Katie Rice — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 18:15:48 +0000

The development west of Disney World will open with 100 more units than previously announced, for a total of about 1,400 income-capped apartments.

Disney announces Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates for 2023

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 15:44:05 +0000

Disney World says Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will begin Aug. 11. Tickets go on sale in May.

SeaWorld dives into international waters with Abu Dhabi park

Katie Rice — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0000

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will be different that any other attraction the Orlando-based company offers, a top company executive says.

Disney deal: 2 water park days for price of 1

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 07:45:00 +0000

Disney World deal includes 2-day ticket for Typhoon Lagoon water park for the price of a 1-day ticket.

Disney to unleash Round 2 of 7,000 total layoffs Monday, reports say

Katie Rice — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 21:32:38 +0000

About 15% of The Walt Disney Co.’s entertainment staff could be cut next week as the company begins a second round of layoffs.

Disney’s Reedy Creek deal violated state law, attorneys for DeSantis board say

Skyler Swisher — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 21:25:20 +0000

Attroneys for the new DeSantis board say the disputed Disney-Reedy Creek agreements violated state law.

‘Mickey’s Freedom’ act urges Disney World to move to North Carolina

Steven Lemongello — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 20:59:13 +0000

North Carolina Democrats want to take advantage of the bad blood between Disney and the state by enticing Walt Disney World to relocate to the Tarheel State.

Bills to kill Disney-Reedy Creek deal move to Senate, House floors

Jeffrey Schweers — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 17:56:07 +0000

Proposals to void Disney’s last-minute development agreement with Reedy Creek are their way to the House and Senate floors.

Disney World annual passes: What to know as new sales resume Thursday

Dewayne Bevil — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 13:15:11 +0000

Walt Disney World begins selling annual passes to new customers Thursday after months of being on "pause."

Theme Park Rangers Radar: Poseidon bows out, Disney anniversary juggling and a look at what’s next

Dewayne Bevil — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 09:30:00 +0000

Theme Park Rangers Radar waves goodbye to Poseidon’s Fury and the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Plus: What's next.

Lawmaker files plan to undo Reedy Creek deal; Trump says Disney ‘destroyed’ DeSantis

Skyler Swisher — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 21:26:00 +0000

Gov. Ron DeSantis drew fire from former President Donald Trump and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for his battle with Disney.

Baby Florida panthers relocate to Gatorland

Dewayne Bevil — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 13:11:30 +0000

New to Gatorland: Two brother-sister baby Florida panthers. Their names are Yuma and Sakari.

25 very specific things to like about Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Dewayne Bevil — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 09:43:00 +0000

Disney's Animal Kingdom turns 25: A look at the theme park's likable traits.

DeSantis says lawmakers will reassert control of Reedy Creek, jokes about building prison

Skyler Swisher, Steven Lemongello — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 22:31:18 +0000

Gov. Ron DeSantis vowed Monday that the Florida Legislature will soon reassert control over Disney World’s Reedy Creek

DeSantis wants the state to regulate Disney rides. Here’s what that could mean.

Katie Rice — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 22:30:04 +0000

A proposal to strip Disney World of its ability to self-inspect its rides could also alter its participation in a deal that allows these companies to self-report injuries.

Royal Caribbean details nightlife options on massive Icon of the Seas

Richard Tribou — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 19:06:03 +0000

The biggest cruise ship in the world is going to be serving up a few new drinks at a few new venues on board as Royal Caribbean released details on some of the bars coming to Icon of the Seas when it debuts out of Miami in January.

Reedy Creek finds ‘no records exist’ for Moody’s probe into Disney agreements

Skyler Swisher — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 21:33:08 +0000

Attorney General Ashley Moody came up empty on a public records request about agreements the Reedy Creek Improvement District’s board made with Disney.

Disney CEO Iger makes Time 100 ‘most influential people’ list

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 22:01:47 +0000

Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger has been named to the Time 100 “most influential people” list of 2023.

PODCAST: Disney annual pass sales return and Star Tours ride to get new characters, scenes (Ep. 185)

Orlando Sentinel Podcasts — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 18:21:22 +0000

Walt Disney World will start selling three levels of its annual passes to it theme parks again as of April 20.

At a glance: Park reservations rules change soon for Disney passholders

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 09:30:00 +0000

Disney World passholders will soon have more leeway with theme park reservations.

Disney shares more Tiana ride tidbits

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 04:12:00 +0000

Disney unveils additional details for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Splash Mountain's replacement. There will be animatronics, music and the smell of beignets

Disney sets dates for Epcot food and wine fest

Dewayne Bevil — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:39:19 +0000

Disney sets the dates for the 2023 edition of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. It starts July 27.

MSC Cruises lines up new ships for Port Canaveral while massive World America bound for Miami

Richard Tribou — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 17:44:00 +0000

MSC Cruises has been sailing from Port Canaveral for less than two years, but it’s set to bring in its third vessel in a new class this month.

SeaWorld: Ne-Yo, Martina McBride set for final Seven Seas concerts

Dewayne Bevil — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 13:46:09 +0000

SeaWorld Orlando adds Ne-Yo and Martina McBride concerts for Seven Seas Food Festival. They'll be event's last 2 singers of 2023.

DeSantis’ Disney World board to consider resolution asserting control

Skyler Swisher, Katie Rice — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 21:03:53 +0000

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ tourism oversight board is looking to exert its authority over development in Disney World’s special district.

Island H2O water park sets Glow Foam Party for adults

Dewayne Bevil — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 17:35:03 +0000

Island H2O Live Water Park plans Glow Foam Party for April 29 at the Kissimmee attraction.

Universal: End is near for Poseidon’s Fury

Dewayne Bevil — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:49:53 +0000

Confirmed: Universal is closing Poseidon's Fury show at Islands of Adventure as of May 9.

‘Jeopardy’ asks ‘Who is Walt Disney?’ — Orlando man knew and won

Dewayne Bevil — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 00:50:48 +0000

Walt Disney is the answer (er, question) in Final Jeopardy, and it helps makes an Orlando man the winner

Icon Park: New Play Pass includes entry to multiple attractions

Dewayne Bevil — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:31:37 +0000

Icon Park's new Play Pass includes admission to Wheel, Madame Tussauds, Sea Life, Museum of Illusions, more.

Disney: New locales, characters coming to Star Tour rides

Dewayne Bevil — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 13:22:06 +0000

Disney adding scenes and characters to Star Tours attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2024.

Bahamas cruise capacity to swell with Nassau revamp, new Disney, Royal Caribbean and Carnival destinations

Richard Tribou — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

The Bahamas have lined up capacity to take in thousands more cruise passengers in the coming years with the planned development of private destinations for Disney, Carnival and Royal Caribbean as well as a soon-to-open overhaul of the port of Nassau.

DeSantis: I’ll kill Reedy Creek deal, consider hotel tax, tolls for Disney World

Steven Lemongello, Skyler Swisher — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 19:54:50 +0000

Gov. DeSantis says he will void the Reedy Creek deal that stripped the new board of its power and consider new hotel taxes and tolls on Disney World.

Star sighting: Bucs linebacker Shaquil Barrett at Legoland Florida

Dewayne Bevil — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 13:38:10 +0000

Picture it: Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Shaquil Barrett becomes first Buc on new Pirate River Quest boat ride at Legoland Florida theme park.

PODCAST: 12 Disney theme parks. 12 days. Every ride. (Ep. 184)

Orlando Sentinel Podcasts — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 13:14:23 +0000

“It was equal parts travel logistics, physical endurance and Disney stuff,” says Nathan Firesheets about his Disney Global Ride Challenge.

Disney names chief brand officer as company faces scrutiny over politics, content

Katie Rice — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 19:13:09 +0000

As it faces criticism from conservatives, the Walt Disney Company has appointed its first chief brand officer.

Orlando Science Center plans $12 admission day

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 17:40:24 +0000

Orlando Science Center has discounted on $12 Day, set for April 16.

Ticket offer: SeaWorld + Busch Gardens for $99.99

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:09:29 +0000

Two-day, two-park tickets for SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay selling for $99.99.

Port Canaveral seeks solutions to broker smooth cruise and space relationship

Richard Tribou — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 15:39:17 +0000

It’s actually good one of the world’s largest cruise ships strayed into the safety zone and delayed a SpaceX rocket launch, Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray says.

Disney to resume new annual-pass sales this month

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Walt Disney World will again start selling annual passes to its theme parks on April 20.

Universal, ride builder settle lawsuit over millions owed for Jimmy Fallon ride

Katie Rice — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 20:47:40 +0000

Universal Orlando and a company that helped make its “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon” ride have settled a lawsuit.

Theme Park Rangers Radar: Disney Springs Art Walk, Cinderella Castle change, name that Tron tune

Dewayne Bevil — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 16:44:02 +0000

Theme Park Rangers Radar takes a Disney Springs Art Walk, looks at Cinderella Castle change, hears a Tron ride musical moment

Legoland: Annual-pass discounts now available

Dewayne Bevil — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 09:46:00 +0000

Legoland Florida annual passes, hotel stays available at a discount

Disney: Long-awaited Tron ride officially rolls into Magic Kingdom

Dewayne Bevil — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 18:42:57 +0000

Walt Disney World's much-awaited Tron Lightcycle / Run roller coaster officially opened at Magic Kingdom Tuesday.

Gatorland: Closer look at Croc Rock, baby goats and a rescue alligator named Winchester

Dewayne Bevil — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 09:31:00 +0000

Gatorland introduces rock-climbing wall, Winchester the rescue alligator, three baby goats and future crocodile spot.

Iger vows $17B Disney World expansion, calls DeSantis ‘anti-business’

Katie Rice — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 20:27:21 +0000

Disney plans to invest $17 billion in Walt Disney World over the next 10 years and create 13,000 new jobs, CEO Bob Iger says.

DeSantis asks for probe of Disney-Reedy Creek agreements

Skyler Swisher — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 20:16:24 +0000

Gov. Ron DeSantis asked Florida’s chief inspector general on Monday to look into agreements the Reedy Creek Improvement District made with Disney.

Four states join U.S. suit against JetBlue buyout of Spirit

David Lyons — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 17:48:35 +0000

JetBlue Airways' bid to take over Miramar-based Spirit Airlines has drawn more opposition as California, Maryland, New Jersey and North Carolina joined a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit to stop the transaction.

Osceola Airbnb hosts earned $64 million in 2022, company says

Trevor Fraser — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 17:42:17 +0000

A report from Airbnb found that hosts in Osceola County with a single listing earned an average of $14,700 last year.

Disney: New Tron ride’s timing melds moves and music

Dewayne Bevil — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 08:54:00 +0000

Disney World: Getting the new Tron roller coaster online is a matter of timing.

Around the (Disney) world in 12 days? How fan says he rode every Disney ride globally

Katie Rice — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Nathan Firesheets says he visited every Disney theme park worldwide and rode every operating ride in just 12 days.

Moody seeks Disney-Reedy Creek records; DeSantis says, ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet’

Skyler Swisher — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 20:33:04 +0000

Gov. Ron DeSantis vows to keep fighting for control of Disney's Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Norwegian Cruise Line sued over teenager’s go-cart injury

Rafael Olmeda — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 22:45:38 +0000

The family of an injured teenager filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming she was critically injured while riding on a go-cart attraction on a Norwegian Cruise Line vessel while she and her family were sailing in the western Caribbean.

A ‘journey to freedom’: Lolita the orca will be released back into home waters after decades in captivity

Bill Kearney — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 22:23:16 +0000

Lolita, the 57-year-old orca who’s been held in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium on Virginia Key since the 1970s, is expected to be returned to her home waters in the Puget Sound, where she will live out the remainder of her days.

Untangling DeSantis-Disney legal dispute could take years

Skyler Swisher — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 20:43:49 +0000

The potential legal battle between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney over Reedy Creek could take years and cost millions.

Disney Cruise Line hits construction milestone for new ship Disney Treasure

Richard Tribou — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 19:12:58 +0000

Disney Treasure, the sister ship to Disney Wish is set to take shape after the traditional keel-laying shipyard ceremony to begin the marathon of construction in the works before its arrival in 2024.

Fun Spot goes even more huge with new roller coaster at Atlanta park

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:30:00 +0000

Fun Spot owner John Arie Jr. is enthused about his huge, new roller coaster coming to Atlanta park.

‘We are changing the future:’ Disney World workers approve contract for $18 minimum wage

Katie Rice — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 00:59:16 +0000

Disney’s lowest-paid full-time workers will earn at least $18 an hour this year under a contract union members overwhelmingly approved Wednesday.

House bill would make counties pay for Visit Florida

Jim Turner — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 17:10:46 +0000

House leaders want to cut off state funding for the Visit Florida tourism-marketing agency, with money instead drawn from the 62 county tourist-development councils.

Disney Cruise Line to send new ship to Singapore

Richard Tribou — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 13:40:16 +0000

Disney Cruise Line is setting up shop in Southeast Asia with a new cruise ship set to debut in 2025.

Cruise lines’ new leaders have net-zero challenge on their mind

Richard Tribou — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 17:41:03 +0000

The powers that be for the big cruise lines have been handing off the reins since steering their companies through the pandemic with new CEOs in place, but while still chasing prepandemic profits, a future with net-zero emissions by 2050 remains a specter that doesn’t have an obvious solution, yet.

Gatorland’s new Croc Rock course: Climb a wall, navigate a bridge, zip down a zip line

Dewayne Bevil — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 16:13:11 +0000

Gatorland opens Croc Rock, a three-pronged adventure with rock climbing, a swinging bridge and zip line.

10Best poll: Voters give nods to top theme parks, roller coasters, other attractions

Dewayne Bevil — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 12:46:56 +0000

Orlando's theme parks and attractions dominate the nominations of 10Best travel website's reader poll.

Cruise, port leaders at Seatrade conference in South Florida see fortunes rising post COVID-19

David Lyons — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 21:44:09 +0000

Where do the world’s big cruise lines, a major cog in South Florida’s tourism industry, go from here? Answers emerged quickly at the annual four-day Seatrade Cruise Global conference at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center

Disney to begin first of 3 layoff rounds this week, CEO says

Katie Rice — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 18:21:58 +0000

Disney is starting the first of three waves of layoffs this week as part of its plan to cut 7,000 jobs across the company.

Crayola Experience: Big crayon giveaway starts Friday

Dewayne Bevil — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 15:07:18 +0000

Crayola Experience attractions start free crayon campaign on Friday aka National Crayon Day.

First look: ‘All Systems Are Go’ (with the ‘Peanuts’ gang) at Kennedy Space Center

Dewayne Bevil — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 20:09:33 +0000

“All Systems Are Go” is a new stage show with big puppets, 'Peanuts' characters at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

A year after Tyre Sampson’s death, father vows to keep teen’s memory alive

Katie Rice — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 18:57:41 +0000

“Justice for Tyre will always be the case. His legacy is more important than anything,'' said the father of the teen who died on the Orlando Free Fall drop ride.

Engaging robots could be roaming Disney parks in near future

Katie Rice — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 15:16:54 +0000

Theme park experts say advanced robotics technologies help bring popular film and TV characters to life in convincing ways.

PODCAST: Disney unveils robotic rabbit and Tron enters soft opening phase at Magic Kingdom (Ep. 183)

Orlando Sentinel Podcasts — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 13:10:22 +0000

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Katie Rice and Dewayne Bevil discuss the robot, modeled after the character Judy Hopps from Disney’s 2016 animated film “Zootopia,” and when it might show up at theme parks.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Flamingo fortunes may be found on baseball diamond

Dewayne Bevil — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 11:29:18 +0000

A flamingo success story at Disney's Animal Kingdom involves the birds and the bees ... and baseball?

Disney Cruise Line hands new Lighthouse Point sailings mostly to Fort Lauderdale

Richard Tribou — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 09:30:00 +0000

Disney Cruise Line is pushing customers mostly to its second Florida home in Fort Lauderdale next summer if they want to try out the new Bahamas private destination Lighthouse Point.

Disney World, unions reach tentative deal for $18 an hour wage

Katie Rice — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 22:03:59 +0000

Disney World and the unions representing its workers have reached a tentative agreement to boost the resort’s minimum wage from $15 to $18 an hour by year's end.

Norwegian Cruise Line lands ‘Beetlejuice’ to headline new ship

Richard Tribou — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:52:48 +0000

Norwegian Cruise Line has landed another fan favorite to headline its newest ship’s theatrical offerings when the Broadway version of “Beetlejuice” comes to Norwegian Viva this year.

Universal: Halloween Horror Nights dates set, tickets on sale

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:47:58 +0000

Universal announces dates for Halloween Horror Nights 2023 edition. Single tickets are on sale for event, which starts Sept. 1.

Universal: Visible progress on new Minion attraction

Dewayne Bevil — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 11:56:00 +0000

Universal Studios continues construction work for Villain-Con Minion Blast, a “Despicable Me” attraction opening this summer.