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Paddlefish Rooftop Beer Dinner Coming to Disney Springs

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Paddlefish in Disney Springs is gearing up for an extraordinary culinary journey you won’t want to miss! The renowned seafood restaurant is hosting a special Rooftop Beer Dinner on Tuesday, February 27, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm EST. The event promises an unforgettable evening of exquisite surf n’ turf cuisine paired with an exceptional selection of craft beers.

Related: Basin Now Open in Disney Springs After Refurbishment

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Executive Chef Steven Richard has crafted a four-course menu that perfectly complements the flavors of the selected brews from Lost Coast Brewery and Stone Brewing. The dinner kicks off with a welcome drink and a delightful Lobster Corn Dog appetizer, paired with Stone Blond Ale. This unique starter sets the tone for an evening of culinary exploration.

As the courses unfold, guests will savor a Stuffed Clam with Andouille and Grilled Lemon, paired with Stone Salt & Lime, followed by a Sea Scallop with Parmigiano, Mushroom, and Truffle Essence, complemented by Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat. The main course, Two Little Pigs – Kurobuta Tenderloin & Belly with Miso, Parsnip, and Spicy Bok Choy, is paired with Stone Delicious IPA, offering a harmonious blend of flavors.

The dinner concludes on a sweet note with a decadent Chocolate Bread Pudding, served with Stout Caramel and paired with Lost Coast Peanut Butter & Chocolate Stout. This dessert is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth while providing a perfect ending to the meal.

Related: Celebrate Soulfully All Month Long at Disney Springs

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Tickets for the Paddlefish Rooftop Beer Dinner are priced at $96.00 plus tax, with gratuity not included. This exclusive event offers not only a chance to indulge in a meticulously curated menu but also the opportunity to enjoy some of the best views in Orlando from Paddlefish’s rooftop.

Don’t miss out on this unique dining experience that combines the flavors of the coast with the craftsmanship of renowned breweries. Reserve your spot for an unforgettable night at Paddlefish in Disney Springs and elevate your taste buds to new heights.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.


Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!

Aerial Overview of Epic Universe Construction for February

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photo credit: bioreconstruct

Last month was a HUGE month for Epic Universe, as Universal Orlando released a ton of new details about the park, including confirmation of the themed lands that the park will contain as well as a digital overview of the Celestial Park area. Construction is continuing at a furious pace as we move towards the park opening next year, and we have updates on the construction progress ready to share with you thanks to aerial photos by X user bioreconstruct.

Related: First Look at Universal Orlando’s Helios Grand Hotel in Epic Universe

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photo credit: bioreconstruct

Work on Super Nintendo World continues to move at an impressive pace, including on the Donkey Kong coaster. You can see an area of the track above where the coaster will appear to ‘jump’ the track.

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photo credit: bioreconstruct

Exterior Details in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic are starting to make this area really come to life. The area’s buildings, designed to resemble 1920s Paris, are being painted. The area will contain the 1920’s France from the Fantastic Beasts films and the 1990’s Ministry of Magic that was prominent in several Harry Potter films.

We are getting a great look at the details in these buildings now that the scaffolding is being removed.

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photo credit: bioreconstruct

Work in the Dark Universe area is also moving along at an impressive pace. This land will pay homage to all of the classic Universal monsters, and will include immersive details including the manor in the photo above.

A land dedicated to the classic Universal monsters would not be complete without a village-and the scaffolding on the village in the land is slowly being removed, giving us a glimpse into how that area will look once complete.

Related: Universal Releases Details on Themed Lands Coming to Epic Universe

The Curse of the Werewolf is one of the attractions that guests will encounter in the Dark Universe section of Epic Universe. The coaster has been undergoing testing recently, as captured in the image above.

Are you as excited as us for the opening of Epic Universe? Leave us a comment to let us know!


Ready to book your next epic vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Universal Orlando vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Universal destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Universal vacation package through me!

Disney Files Permit for Demolition of NBA Experience in Disney Springs

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Disney Files Permit for Demolition of NBA Experience in Disney Springs

Disney has submitted a permit for the NBA Experience, the long-closed venue at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World. The permit, labeled “General construction/Demo,” has been assigned to Adena, a contractor with a history of working on major Disney World projects, such as the recent World Celebration Gardens at EPCOT and TORN Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom.

Related – Basin Now Open in Disney Springs After Refurbishment

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The exact nature of the construction work is unclear, and it remains to be seen if it is tied to a new tenant. Potential demolition activities may involve removing the large basketball mural covering the building or modifying the customized interior space designed for the NBA Experience.

While Disney has actively sought new tenants for the venue, no official announcement has been made regarding a replacement. The NBA Experience has been temporarily repurposed as a popup location for Meta Quest and later served as office space for the Summer House on the Lake opening.

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The NBA Experience shut down along with the rest of Walt Disney World during the peak of the pandemic and did not reopen. Disney confirmed in August 2021 that the NBA Experience would remain permanently closed.

Publix Releases 8 Limited-Time Ice Cream Flavors

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Publix Releases 8 Limited-Time Ice Cream Flavors

Publix ice cream consistently delights shoppers’ cravings for delicious frozen treats made with premium quality ingredients. The year-round flavors are carefully crafted to satisfy the sweet tooths of many, and the limited-time flavors only enhance that joy.

With the new year, Publix is excited to bring back seven favorites and introduce a brand new flavor — Vanilla Shortbread Cookie. Shoppers can now find eight limited-time flavors at Publix stores.

Related – Starbucks Launches Winter Menu with New Beverages

Limited-time flavors available now — in a larger size too!

One major change this year: Publix’s limited-time flavors are now only available in half-gallon sizes instead of quart-size cartons. This means shoppers not only get these delicious limited-time flavors, but they get more to enjoy too.

  • Bananas Foster: Banana flavored ice cream with a brown sugar rum flavored swirl. 
  • Black Swamp Raspberry Cheesecake: Raspberry cheesecake-flavored ice cream swirled with Mackinac chocolatey graham crust and raspberry-filled chocolatey cups sprinkled throughout.   
  • Irish Crème Salted Caramel: Irish crème-flavored ice cream with a rich caramel sea salt swirl and caramel truffles. 
  • New Orleans Caramel Praline: Brown sugar ice cream with swirls of thick caramel and crunchy praline pecans.  
  • Nuts About Pistachio: Pistachio ice cream loaded with pieces of real pistachios.  
  • Peanut Butter Pie: Peanut butter cheesecake-flavored ice cream with swirls of Mackinac peanut butter cookie ribbons and chocolate-flavored pieces.  
  • Strawberry Shortcake: Butter crème-flavored ice cream swirled with ribbons of chunky strawberry-flavored sauce and layered with squares of soft shortcake. 
  • Vanilla Shortbread Cookie: Vanilla ice cream with ground vanilla beans, vanilla anglaise custard swirls and shortbread squares throughout.  
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Additional limited-time flavors are on the way

Our limited-edition ice cream flavors excite our customers throughout the year, and many Publix fans look forward to each season’s newest batch of flavors. Look for the next round of limited-time flavors arriving in stores this summer!

Dollywood Gearing up for an Exciting 2024 Season

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Dollywood Gearing up for an Exciting 2024 Season

Dollywood is gearing up for an exciting 2024 season, with new attractions and guest-friendly amenities. Media members recently received a sneak peek at The Dolly Parton Experience, set to open later this spring, and various off-season construction projects aimed at enhancing the comfort of Dollywood guests.

Related – Dollywood’s Heartsong Lodge Named One Of National Geographic’s “Hotels We Love For 2024”

After a successful 2023 season, which saw the addition of the acclaimed Big Bear Mountain coaster and the opening of Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, the park is set to continue its growth. The Dollywood Company is introducing the multi-faceted Dolly Parton Experience in May, accompanied by new guest-friendly amenities. Additionally, the park’s operating calendar for 2024 will include 23 more operational days, totaling 357 operating hours.

The Dollywood theme park’s 2024 calendar expands to 281 operational days, reflecting a commitment to enhancing the guest experience. Compared to the 2022 season, 21 additional operating days were added to the 2023 calendar. The park kicks off the season with Season Passholder Day on Friday, March 8, followed by the first day of operation for the general public on Saturday, March 9.

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All these developments, including new attractions and extended operating days, are driven by a dedicated focus on providing an exceptional experience for Dollywood guests. The park aims to build on its success, offering more opportunities for visitors to enjoy the magic and excitement throughout the upcoming season.

“Our Dollywood Parks & Resorts properties have truly become among the top vacation destinations in the entire country,” said Eugene Naughton, President of The Dollywood Company. “We’ve earned several great honors this past year, including being #27 on Forbes’ list of Best Customer Service in the entire country. Recognition like that comes because of the effort we place each day on ensuring the guest experience for every person who visits us is the best it can possibly be. We really believe the only way to do that is by asking guests for their honest opinions and listening fully to their responses. Several of the projects we outlined here today—including the new restroom facility in the ticket plaza, as well as the more efficient ticketing system—are just two more ways we’ve taken that feedback and are acting on it.”

The Dolly Parton Experience provides guests an opportunity to learn more about the park’s Dreamer-in-Chief through curated exhibits, interactive experiences and live entertainment. Attractions like this—as well as last year’s Big Bear Mountain and HeartSong Lodge & Resort additions—are integral in the company’s half-billion dollar, 10-year expansion plan announced by Dolly and Naughton in 2021. Naughton says the expansion strategy should allow Dollywood Parks & Resorts to remain among America’s top theme park destinations.

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“We really do offer something different here,” he explained. “The hearts of our hosts go far beyond the everyday tasks they complete at excellence each day. Our hosts make a true connection with our guests, making them feel like they’re part of the family. It’s been that way since the park opened. Now, our strategy of adding more attractions and resorts—five total resorts and an outdoor resort—lets us grow our infrastructure and offerings in a way that allows Dollywood Parks & Resorts to regularly be considered among the top destinations in the country. Include the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains right at our doorstep, and it really is easy to see why so many families are now making us their theme park of choice.” 

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During the tour, media had an opportunity to sample culinary highlights of the upcoming season and learn more about a significant reinvestment at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, the original award-winning resort property in Dollywood’s portfolio. The investment project includes a number of fresh touches and enhancements designed to allow it to maintain its position as one of the top theme park resorts in the world.

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Dollywood’s 2024 season begins with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival, which features three new shows celebrating Dolly’s iconic career. Her remarkable story is told in “From the Heart—The Life and Music of Dolly Parton.” The new show takes place in Celebrity Theater.

For those who just cannot contain their love of Dolly, “Sing-a-long with Dolly” invites guests to belt out the lyrics to some of her most-loved songs. This fun and interactive new show takes place at the Back Porch Theater. Finally, “Trio, Again featuring Three Times A Lady” honors the iconic “Trio” album released by Dolly, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt in 1987. The Three Times A Lady trio, made up of singer/songwriters Lauren Mascitti, Kenney Scott and Hannah Blaylock, presents this timeless show for Dollywood guests at the Showstreet Palace Theater. The I Will Always Love You Music Festival takes place March 9-April 14.

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Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival presented by Covenant Health (April 19-June 9) blooms bright with vivid larger-than-life flower sculptures. Park guests enjoy this immersive atmosphere as they make their way through more than half-a-million blooms during this stunning festival. In addition, Dollywood’s culinary team showcases their world-class abilities with a menu full of delicacies that highlight the tastes of spring in the Smokies.

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Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 15-Sept. 1) is everyone’s favorite summer tradition, and once again includes Dollywood’s Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show every night. Another favorite, the “Gazillion Bubble Show,” returns to mesmerize guests in Celebrity Theater.

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A family tradition for many, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 9-Oct. 28) opens two weeks earlier this season, providing guests more time to celebrate the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented singers including Suzy Bogguss and Rhonda Vincent, and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which previously has been named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate displays that are fun for every member of the family. Creative culinary items, accomplished artisans, and fall fun in the Smokies make this a picture-perfect time to enjoy Dollywood.

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The industry’s Best Theme Park Christmas event—Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 1- Jan. 5)— also opens earlier this year and concludes the park’s 2024 season with six million lights, festive holiday shows, and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year.

With so much more in ’24, guests should consider a season pass to ensure they can experience all of the fun! The Gold Pass represents a tremendous value for guests. Those who purchase now receive a Bring-A-Friend Free ticket and free general parking, as well as discounts on dining, merchandise and lodging. Diamond (Diamond Passes are sold out) and Gold passholders also receive access to special “Golden Events”—exclusive events and activities just for them. (Only the named passholder can receive the perks associated with each pass type.)

Gold and Diamond passholders also can take advantage of another great perk: daily “Golden Hours.” During the first hour of every operating day, Gold and Diamond Season Passes operate just like TimeSaver Passes, allowing the named passholder expedited boarding on Dollywood’s world-class rides and attractions including Big Bear Mountain.

Silver Season Passes also are available and include a Bring-a-Friend Free ticket and a discount on Dollywood lodging. Select blackout dates apply to adult and senior Silver Season Passes and Silver Bring-a-Friend Free tickets. Child Silver Season Passes do not have blackout dates.

Season pass prices increase after March 17. For more information about Dollywood’s 2024 season or season passes, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.

Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney Resort Cast Members Celebrate Year of the Dragon

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Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney Resort Cast Members Celebrate Year of the Dragon

It’s the Year of the Dragon and Disney shared a look at how Cast Members at Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney are celebrating. We got a special look at two unique Disney cast member celebrations that are actually beyond the parks.

Related – Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel

At Shanghai Disney Resort, frontline night shift cast members gathered for a warm meal together backstage in celebration of the Laba Festival. In fact, this is just the third year of the tradition at the resort and has become one the cast look forward to each year!

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The Laba Festival celebrates the end of the year and is a prelude to Chinese New Year, typically about three weeks prior. Families come together to eat Eight Treasure Congee (Bā bǎo zhōu) made of eight ingredients — rice, millet, red dates, lotus seeds, nuts, dried fruits, and beans — as they wish for good health, luck and prosperity for the upcoming year.

Not only were the cast able to celebrate this special day together, it was also the perfect opportunity to thank those who work overnight for their hard work. Warm and sweet Laba porridge, delicious chicken rolls and special gifts were on the menu as an appreciation for all they do!

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“I was so surprised to receive warm Laba congee at work on the night of Laba Festival! I was able to eat with my fellow cast members and get to know each other better, sharing Spring Festival plans and wishes for the new year,” said Dai, a Food and Beverage cast member.

The fun didn’t stop there! More than 50 VoluntEARS from Shanghai Disney Resort continued to spread the festival spirit, packing and delivering more than 6,000 gift bags to local children’s hospitals and participating in Spring Festival traditions with those in elderly homes.

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In Hong Kong, cast members took the celebration from park right into the heart of the city, bringing the magic and characters to downtown! As this is THE celebration in Hong Kong to celebrate the new year, there were just 40 spots for cast to join and landing one could be a sign of good luck.

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“If I am fortunate enough to join the parade, it would also mean that I am destined for good luck throughout the year,” shared Addy – F&B Business and Operation Integration Manager.

This year’s float design, “Momentous Year of the Dragon Celebration,” takes inspiration from the parks stunning nighttime spectacular, “Momentous,” and the recently reimagined Castle of Magical Dreams. Not only is it a new year, the show also celebrates family and the precious moments we have with one another. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the year ahead!

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From initial design to completion, the float took about three months and even features a remastered, Chinese New Year version of the show’s song “Love the Memory,” shared Barry, Art Director from Entertainment.

“We have integrated all the essential elements into the floats, symbolizing the spirit of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and captivating our guests with the allure of Disneyland,” said Entertainment Show Director, RM. “Even those who have never visited the park before will undoubtedly feel the Disney magic when they encounter our float and witness our performance.”

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Whether bringing the magic to each other backstage or into the city, you can be sure the cast members will be there celebrating!

New Dole Whip Coming to EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival

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New Dole Whip Coming to EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is coming soon! One item we are excited to try is the new Dole Whip coming to Refreshment Outpost.

Related – FULL Outdoor Kitchen Menus Revealed for the 2024 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival

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The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival will run from February 28 through May 27. This year there are nearly 20 Outdoor Kitchens and over 60 new items to indulge in! One of those new items is a Seasonal Fruit Parfait with mango Dole Whip.

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The Seasonal Fruit Parfait with sweet chili sauce and DOLE Whip Mango will be available at Refreshment Outpost. It is a plant based item and will be part of the Garden Graze Food Stroll.

Is this a Dole Whip treat you’d like to try?

Ready to plan your visit to the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival? Contact me today to start planning! I’m a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are FREE, and I’d love to help you plan a magical and stress-free vacation.

Disney World Park Hours Extends Theme Park Hours in Early March 2024

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Guests visit an action-packed carnival as part of their journey aboard Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, opening March 4, 2020, in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The first ride-through attraction in Disney history featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse brings guests into the vibrant world of “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)
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Exciting news for visitors planning a trip to Walt Disney World in early March 2024! The resort has announced extended theme park hours for Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the week of March 3-9, 2024.

Related: ‘NHL Big City Greens Classic’ returns with Penguins vs Bruins on March 9th

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Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, visitors can start their adventure an hour early at 8 a.m. each day from March 3 through 9. The park was previously scheduled to close at 6 p.m. every day, but it will now stay open until 7 p.m. on March 3, 4, and 8, and until 10 p.m. on March 9.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also adjusting its schedule. The park will open a half hour earlier at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 8, and Saturday, March 9, with early entry beginning at 8 a.m. The closing time remains unchanged at 9 p.m.

Related: Top 6 Disney Festivals to Experience in 2024

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Magic Kingdom is now slated to open an hour earlier at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 8, and Saturday, March 9. Additionally, Magic Kingdom will close later at 11 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, and from March 7 through 9. On March 4, 5, and 6, the park will close at 10 p.m.

These extended hours offer guests more time to explore the magic of Walt Disney World’s theme parks and make the most of their vacation. Be sure to check the official Disney World website or app for the latest park hours and information before your visit.


Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!

Aerial Photos of Construction at DreamWorks Land in Universal Orlando

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Photo Credit: bioreconstruct

Progress on the all-new DreamWorks Land, coming soon to Universal Studios Florida, is continuing at an impressive pace. The land is slated to open later this year, and is being installed in the former KidZone location of Universal Studios Florida. We have some aerial photos of the progress to share with you thanks to X user bioreconstruct.

Related: Shrek’s Swamp Goes Vertical in New DreamWorks Area at Universal Orlando

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We are starting to see some final touches being placed on the buildings that will call DreamWorks land home, such as the details on the top of this building that include a weather vein that features a cat and fishbone (likely a nod to Puss in Boots).

Additional buildings and elements continue to pop up in the land, such as the red/black structure in the Tweet above.

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Photo credit: bioreconstruct

A fabric awning has been placed above the Troller Coaster, which appears to be a re-theme of the former Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster.

Another angle shows an additional themed element that was added to the coaster.

With that web seemingly belonging to this spider (if you are not familiar with the Trolls movies, the monster spider is a popular character from the film).

Related: New DreamWorks Themed Land Coming to Universal Studios Florida in 2024

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Photo credit: bioreconstruct

Shreks house is located just behind the ET ride, and directly next to Shreks house will be a large play area.

DreamWorks Land is slated to open in 2024, but a specific opening date has not yet been announced.


Ready to book your next epic vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Universal Orlando vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Universal destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Universal vacation package through me!

‘NHL Big City Greens Classic’ returns with Penguins vs Bruins on March 9th

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Hockey Fans: get ready for an exciting blend of hockey and animation as ESPN, Disney Branded Television, and the National Hockey League (NHL®) team up once again to bring fans the second “NHL Big City Greens Classic.” This unique event will feature a live, animated NHL game telecast of the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins on March 9 at 3 p.m. ET.

Related: ESPN & Disney Channel To Produce First-Ever LIVE Animated NHL Game Broadcast With ‘Big City Greens Classic’

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The alternate presentation of the Penguins-Bruins game will bring to life the action on the ice using real-time virtually recreated animation. The players and teams will be modeled after characters from Disney Channel’s hit animated series “Big City Greens.” Fans can catch the live, animated telecast on ESPN+, Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney+, while the traditional telecast will be available on ABC and ESPN+.

This year’s animated telecast will feature advanced tracking technology to recreate the action with more dynamic player and character movement. Fans can look forward to detailed limb and stick movement and mannerisms, thanks to a blend of NHL EDGE positional data and Hawk-Eye Innovations optical tracking.

Related: Disney Receives Record-Breaking 94 Children’s & Family Emmy Award Nominations

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The presentation will also feature voice talent from “Big City Greens,” including creator and executive producer Chris Houghton (Cricket), Marieve Herington (Tilly), Zeno Robinson (Remy), Artemis Pebdani (Gramma), and Shane Houghton (various characters). During the two intermissions, fans can enjoy an animated skills competition between the “Big City Greens” characters.

The real-time animation for the “NHL Big City Greens Classic” is produced in association with ESPN Edge Innovation Center and NHL EDGE Innovation partner Beyond Sports. Fans outside the U.S. can catch the event on Disney+ in select countries. Don’t miss this exciting blend of hockey and animation on March 9!

Author Note: Chip is a Pens fan. Everyone who has talked to Chip for at least 10 seconds is aware of this. The author is not. The above Let’s Go Pens photo was placed to appease Chip. Please direct your thoughts on the photo, or the Pens in general, directly to Chip.


Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!

Wekiva Paint Out returns from Feb. 26 to March 2

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From February 26 to March 2, 2024, Central Florida will witness the beauty of the Wekiva River transformed into stunning artwork during the 18th annual Wekiva Paint Out. This event brings world-class artists to Wekiva Island and Wekiwa Springs State Park for a week of painting en plein air, capturing the breathtaking surroundings to benefit local organizations dedicated to protecting the river for future generations.

Related: Wekiva Island to Host Craft Beer Festival on Jan. 27th, 2024

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Visitors can watch artists at work in various locations, from the boardwalk at Wekiva Island to the trails at Wekiwa Springs and even on the river in canoes. Completed works will be displayed in the gallery at Wekiva Island, and guests have the opportunity to purchase pieces directly from the artists.

Throughout the week, visitors can also attend several special events:

  • Live Auction: Bid on art pieces in a traditional auction on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.
  • Evening Nocturne Painting and Pasta Bar: Enjoy a night of painting and pasta on Friday, March 1 from 5 to 9 p.m.
  • Quick Draw Competition: Amateurs can paint alongside the pros on Saturday, March 2 from noon to 2 p.m.
  • The All-Inclusive Gala: Celebrate the week of art with a special meal, drinks, live music, and more on Saturday, March 2 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Related: Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens welcomes Wekiva Island

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Proceeds from the Wekiva Paint Out benefit Keep Seminole Beautiful and the Wekiva Wilderness Trust. The event is sponsored by several local businesses and organizations, and there are opportunities for businesses to become sponsors and for individuals to become patrons.

Wekiva Island has been hosting the Wekiva Paint Out since 2009, supporting its mission of art, education, and sustainability. For more information about the Wekiva Paint Out and to see the week’s schedule, visit Wekiva Paint Out. To learn more about Wekiva Island, visit Wekiva Island.

New Orange Bird & Spike Gift Cards Coming to 2024 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival

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Exciting news for visitors to the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival! This year, the festival is introducing specially designed mini festival-themed Disney Gift Cards, featuring Orange Bird and Spike the Bee. These convenient wrist-worn cards are perfect for easy payment as you explore all the festival has to offer.

Related: FULL Outdoor Kitchen Menus Revealed for the 2024 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival

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Simply load your mini festival gift card with as little as $15 and wear it on your wrist for quick and easy scanning when purchasing food, merchandise, and more. You can use credit cards, cash, and MagicBands to activate your gift card.

You can find these adorable mini festival gift cards at any festival kiosk throughout the park, as well as at the following locations:

  • Port of Entry
  • Creations Shop
  • World Traveler at International Gateway
  • Gateway Gifts

If you need to reload your Disney Gift Card, you can do so at any merchandise location owned and operated by Disney, including those listed above.

Related: Secrets Behind Tiana Topiary Coming to Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival

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Don’t miss out on this convenient and stylish way to enjoy the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival. Grab your Orange Bird or Spike gift card and get ready to experience all the festival favorites with ease!


Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!