Howl-O-Scream Returns to Haunt Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream 2021

Fear returns in its most immersive form, as guests are invited back inside iconic haunted houses, including two ALL-NEW horror-filled houses at Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream, Tampa Bay’s BIGGEST haunt event.

Creeping closer each day, Howl-O-Scream returns to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with a hair-raising, skin-crawling celebration of ghoulish delights, including:

  • Two ALL-NEW Haunted Houses: Dark minds have been brewing new ways to terrify those brave enough to enter two all new original experiences.
  • Three Returning Houses with Reimagined Nightmares: Three fan-favorite frights will come back from the dead to consume guests with fear in new ways. 
  • Eight Scare Zones, plus three unpredictable hordes: The scares are everywhere including an unmarked zone and new terrors lurking in every corner of the park.
  • Fan-Favorite “Fiends!” returns to the Festival Field Stage: The raunchy monster dance party will return to its spacious outdoor venue for more devilish antics from Dr. Freakenstein and his gang of ghouls.
  • “The Rolling Bones” light up the stage at Dragon Fire Grill: As guests fuel up on a pre-fear feast, the live performance of this skeleton band lights up Dragon Fire Grill with epic covers of classic rock anthems.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream 2021

Tickets to Howl-O-Scream are available now, including exclusive discounts for Fun Card and Annual Pass Members at the lowest prices of the year.

Fans of fear can sign up for emails at HowlOScream.com to be the first to receive news of more dark details on new houses, experiences and more coming to Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. 

Howl-O-Scream is intended for a mature audience. This event contains intense adult content such as violence, gore, and blood. 

Howl-O-Scream 2021 is a separately ticketed nighttime event. No costumes are allowed.

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On the Go in the Parks: June 4-6, 2021

On the Go In the Parks - June 2021

Make sure you tune into Orlando’s Evening News on  WDBO with Tony Marino tonight at 6:38 pm ET to hear about what you can enjoy as you are On the Go in the Parks!

School’s out for Summer, so that means families can stay out even later as they are On the Go in the Parks this Weekend!!!

Before we talk about the returning favorites, let’s take a look at what’s new!

LEGO NINJAGO Days

LEGO NINJAGO Days at LLFR_2

LEGOLAND Florida Resort is inviting guests to “discover their inner ninja” and meet their favorite heroes from the world of NINJAGO as LEGONINJAGODays take over the theme park in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the LEGO NINJAGO brand.

This limited-time event is included with your theme park admission and features ninja-themed activities, exclusive LEGO character meet-and-greets, and delicious, kid-friendly treats all the Theme Park built for kids.

On the Go in the Parks: June 4-6, 2021

Electric Ocean at SeaWorld Orlando
On the Go in MCO SeaWorld Orlando Electric Ocean 2021 On the Go in the Parks

SeaWorld Orlando’s award-winning summer event, Electric Ocean returns May 28 with more hours of fun featuring new daytime experiences and nighttime favorites. 

Electric Ocean brings longer park hours and allows guests to voyage into an exotic underwater world filled with dazzling lights, electrifying dance music, and brilliant evening energy that sparks as the sunsets. (Cause who doesn’t love fireworks???)

There are new shows, entertainment, food, and returning favorites to enjoy! 

And with their Memorial Day sale you can save up to 50% on tickets, fun cards, and annual passes!!!

A Taste of Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

EPCOT is in full bloom as the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival fills the park with farm-fresh flavors from around the world until July 5th!

This annual celebration will be slightly different, but beautiful flowers, topiaries with character, fan-favorite entertainment, and family fun can be found around every corner.

Summer Nights at Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Summer Nights 2019

Summer Nights at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will offer guests over 100 nights of world-class coasters, electrifying entertainment throughout the park, and more extended hours than ever beginning today.

And as a special bonus on weekends and select dates, guests can look to the sky for the NEW “Spark! A Nighttime Spectacular” featuring an explosive NEW firework and special effects production, the biggest, brightest show ever!

Journey to Mythica Debuts at LEGOLAND Florida
LEGOLAND Florida Journey to Mythica

Enter an undiscovered world where LEGO creatures come to life with an all-new 4D movie, LEGO MYTHICA – JOURNEY TO MYTHICA, and an augmented reality (AR) experience at LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s Fun Town Theater.

Full of adventures and mysterious creatures all waiting to be discovered, LEGO MYTHICA is an incredible parallel universe to ours. A universe that, unbeknown to us, has been created by the power of kids’ imagination. Whenever a child takes the time and care to build a creature from LEGO bricks, it comes to life for real in MYTHICA.

Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and more by following @onthegoinmco on InstagramTwitterFacebook, and YouTube
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Howl-O-Scream Comes to SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream Halloween 2021 Logo

A visit to SeaWorld Orlando will turn frightful on select evenings this fall when the park unleashes the ALL-NEW Howl-O-Scream.  Guests will evade roaming haunts rampaging through scare zones and seek shelter indoors, only to find they have entered a house of horrors. Adventuresome guests can deepen the thrills with terrifying coaster rides in the dark, quench their thirst for fear at a fiendishly interactive bar and feel the monstrous electricity of a live show. 

The separate-ticketed event goes on sale today including exclusive discounts for Annual Pass Members, with the lowest prices of the year for what promises to be an immediate fan-favorite terrifying Halloween event taking place with 27 fright-filled nights of haunted houses, scare zones, and terrifying shows on select nights Friday, September 10 through Sunday, October 31 from 7 p.m. to as late as 2 a.m.

Howl-O-Scream joins the park’s already impressive fall line-up of events including the return of family-friendly Halloween Spooktacular which boasts daytime trick or treating for kids of all ages.  Spooky fun for the entire family with Spooktacular during the day and terrifying thrills by night with the launch of Howl-O-Scream make SeaWorld Orlando the place to be this Halloween season.

“SeaWorld Orlando fans love our extensive event line-up which includes a special event taking place every weekend of the year.  Adding Howl-O-Scream to the calendar provides the missing element of a fright-filled Halloween event that we know our guests will welcome.  With this addition, we become the only theme park in Orlando to offer both a daytime family-friendly Halloween and a nighttime horror Halloween for thrill seekers,” says SeaWorld Orlando Park President Kyle Miller. “We are very excited to announce Howl-O-Scream today and look forward to sharing all of the amazing details of the event over the next few months.”  

SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream Halloween 2021 Sirens
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Howl-O-Scream SeaWorld Orlando Elements:

Haunted HousesHear every bloodcurdling shriek. Feel every spine-tingling terror. Get ready for the haunted houses of SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream. There’s no turning back as guests brave dark passageways and round dimly lit corners, hoping they can avoid what’s lurking in the depths. The legends are true, the fear is real, and the only way out is through the fear.

Scare Zones and Roaming HauntsThere are no safe zones. There are no places to hide. The scares are everywhere, and the roaming haunts never weaken. Get ready for immersive terror at every turn during SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream. Guests should stay alert and be prepared for anything, because you never know what’s waiting up ahead (or creeping up behind you).

Frightful Shows:Even amid so much mayhem, the show must go on. Duck inside and be mesmerized by a raucous, high-energy musical dance show. Or discover who’s behind all the terror washing over the park at an outdoor show complete with special effects. Guests will also find DJs and party zones that are perfect for a dance break between frights.

Monster Coasters in the Dark and Haunting Experiences: It wouldn’t be a SeaWorld visit without a ride or two, but it wouldn’t be Howl-O-Scream without a dose of nighttime terror. Guests up to the challenge are invited to ride their favorite attractions in the dark.  Meanwhile, sinister interactive surprises await at their favorite bar haunts. Keep watching to see how this once-peaceful park transforms with fear after nightfall.       

SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream Halloween 2021 Houses
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Fans of fear can sign-up at www.HowlOScream.com/Orlando  to be the first to receive more dark details on new houses, experiences and more coming to Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando as additional gruesome details are announced.

SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream Halloween 2021 Scare
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Fans can feed their appetite for fear by following Howl-O-Scream on Facebook, Instagram at Twitter at the links below:

Howl-O-Scream is intended for a mature audience. This event contains intense adult content such as violence, gore, and blood. Howl-O-Scream 2021 is a separately-ticketed night event. No costumes are allowed.
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On the Go in MCO: Explore the Outdoors

On the Go in MCO Obie and Ashley Spring Break 2021 Tips On the Go in MCO

Don’t forget that you can catch these great parks and more on the Obie & Ashley Unfiltered Podcast!

This summer I am going to be sharing fun ways you can be On the Go in MCO to help bust boredom and break you out of your routine stops!

I’m going to start this series with a look at how you can explore the outdoors for under $10 a car load…that’s right! All of these things are either free or under $10 for the entire family!!!

On the Go in MCO: Fun Ways to Explore the Outdoors

Kelly Park/Rock Springs – Apopka, Florida
On the Go In MCO Explore the Great Outdoors

Let’s start our adventures On the Go in MCO at Kelly Park which features a free-flowing natural spring (68 degrees year-round), full-service concession, picnic pavilions, and playground. 

Tube rentals are available from vendors outside the park, but guests may bring their own pool noodles or floats that must be less than five feet in length or width. 

It’s important to notes that the waterfront closes one hour prior to park closing and that during the summer, inclement weather can affect park operations.

The park does reach capacity almost every day, so you will want to arrive before the park opens to secure your place in line. 

On the Go In MCO Explore the Great Outdoors Kelly Park Map

Park Admission Fee: $3 per vehicle for 1-2 people; $5 per vehicle for 3-8 people; and $1 for additional person/walk-ins/motorcycles/bikes. No pets and no alcohol.

Lake Apopka Wildlife Trail – Apopka, Florida
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

If you want to walk on the wild side, the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is the place to go!

The drive is a one-way, 11-mile drive meandering through the eastern portion of the Lake Apopka North Shore Park

The trail, which has an accompanying drive-through audio tour, begins at Lust Road and ends on Jones Avenue in Orange County, Florida. 

The drive takes 1–3 hours, depending on the usage and how many stops visitors choose to make along the way. 

The speed limit is 10 mph and the maximum vehicle length is 25 feet, and please not that they do not allow trailers. 

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

There are a few restrooms and picnic pavilion are available on the property, but there is no drinking water provided.

The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive entrance gate is open between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays. All vehicles must exit the drive by 5 p.m.

On the Go In MCO Explore the Great Outdoors Apopka Wildlife Drive Map

Park Admission Fee: Free

Big Tree Park – Longwood, Florida
On the Go In MCO Explore the Great Outdoors Big Tree Park

Big Tree Park is an 11-acre park that is part of the Spring Hammock Preserve, located on the beautifully shaded General Hutchison Parkway between U.S. 17-92 and State Road 427 in Longwood. 

The park is a step back in time and a popular tourist destination, and it also serves as a Trailhead for the Cross Seminole Trail. 

On the Go In MCO Explore the Great Outdoors Big Tree Park Boardwalk
On the Go In MCO Explore the Great Outdoors Big Tree Park Boardwalk

Guests can walk through a natural hydric hammock swamp and then make their way on the boardwalk to the former site of “The Senator”: an approximately 3,500-year-old National Champion Bald Cypress Tree that was lost to fire in January of 2012.

A memorial has since been developed and includes interpretive signage along the newly renovated boardwalk, a playground piece that mimics a bald cypress tree stump, and a clone of “The Senator” that was planted near the playground called “The Phoenix.” 

Big Tree Park is also home to the Senator’s sister tree, “Lady Liberty”, an approximately 2,000 year old Bald Cypress Tree.

On the Go In MCO Explore the Great Outdoors Big Tree Park Map

Park Admission Fee: Free

Kraft Azalea Garden – Winter Park, Florida 
Kraft Azalea Garden

The Kraft Azalea Garden is 5.22-acre public garden is located on the shore of Lake Maitland and is open year-round from 8 a.m. until dusk. 

Lakefront, secluded and unique, Kraft Azalea is Winter Park’s secret garden that is full of picture perfect spots like the Exedra!

Kraft Azalea Garden

This beautiful park is shaded by enormous cypress trees that add to the old Florida charm of the 13-acre property.

Park Admission: Free

De Leon Springs State Park – De Leon Springs, Florida 
On the Go In MCO Explore the Great Outdoors De Leon Springs State Park

Once called Acuera, or “Healing Waters,” by Mayaca Indians who inhabited the area, De Leon Springs is a place to cool off in clear waters, roam trails through a lush subtropical forest that features a massive old-growth bald cypress tree, and immerse oneself in a rich history.

A highlight of a visit to De Leon Springs State Park is a swim in the 72-degree spring water where depths range from 18 inches to 30 feet at the spring boil.

The swimming area is approximately 500 feet in circumference; swimming nine laps around the pool would be about a mile.  

  • No lifeguards on duty. Swim at your own risk year-round.
  • No swimming is permitted in Spring Garden Run. 
  • Pets are not allowed in the sunbathing area. 
  • The swimming area will be closed when lightning is detected within six miles. 
  • Floats and rafts are allowed in the swimming area; however, flotation devices cannot exceed 5 feet for a circle or 4 feet by 6 feet for a rectangle.

In addition to swimming, you can enjoy snorkeling, wildlife viewing, boat & kayak launches, fishing, hiking, and more at the park!

On the Go In MCO Explore the Great Outdoors De Leon Springs State Park Map

Admission Fee: $6 per vehicle: 2-8 people, $4 per vehicle: one person only, $4 per motorcycle, and $2 per person for pedestrians, bicyclists and extra passengers

You can find even more events as you are On the Go in MCO as well as theme park news and tips by following @onthegoinmco on InstagramTwitterFacebook, and YouTube!

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NINJAGO Days Return to LEGOLAND this Month

LEGO NINJAGO Days LEGOLAND Florida

For three weekends in June, LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s guests will “discover their inner ninja” and meet their favorite heroes from the world of NINJAGO as LEGO NINJAGO Days take over the theme park in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the LEGO NINJAGO brand.

This limited-time event will feature ninja-themed activities, exclusive LEGO character meet-and-greets, and delicious, kid-friendly treats all the Theme Park built for kids.

LEGO NINJAGO DAYS

LEGO NINJAGO Days runs Saturdays and Sundays, June 5-20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

LEGO NINJAGO Days LEGOLAND Florida
NEW FOR 2021! – NINJAGO Legacy Quest

To celebrate 10 years of LEGO NINJAGO, guests can take part in a limited time AR (augmented reality) experience, NINJAGO Legacy Quest, during event days. Unlock six Golden Amulet fragments and reunite them to protect the Spinjitzu legacy! Kai, Cole, Zane, Jay, Lloyd, and Nya will digitally share their individual elemental powers and lead the way as guests pose with them through AR to complete each challenge. When the quest is complete, guests will be rewarded with a mini AR video of their adventures alongside the NINJAGO team.

NEW FOR 2021! – School of Spinjitzu

Ready to hone your skills to kick, chop, spin, and balance like a ninja? Learn from the masters and show off your best ninja moves at the all-new School of Spinjitzu ninja training academy during event days. *Grownups, do not try this at home*

LEGO NINJAGO Days at LLFR_2
RETURNING EVENT FAVORITES
  • Watch ninjas demonstrate advanced abilities in mastering the elemental powers. The Dojo comes to life with kicking, spinning, and tumbling during Elemental Masters on the LEGO City Stage
  • Strike a ninja pose with characters Nya, Llyod, Zane, P.I.X.A.L. and Master Wu at socially distanced photo spots
  • Become one with the rhythmic forces of nature in Earth Beats, a live, ninja-inspired music and drumming show
  • Take part in Master Wu’s Expedition throughout Fun Town and test your ninja knowledge to receive a special reward when you complete this epic scavenger hunt
  • Show off your LEGO brick building skills by helping complete a giant Garmadon build, or taking part in the Good vs. Evil competition build
LEGOLAND LEGO NINJAGO Days 2021 Pork Belly Yakisoba
FUEL UP

In LEGO NINJAGO World, the Ninja Kitchen food truck’s menu features delectable offerings including Lloyd’s Energy Boosting Pork Belly Yakisoba and Samurai “S’Mores” Bun

Take your taste buds on a tour around the park with delicious treats including Nya’s Ultimate Candy Sushi, Kai’s Ponzu Cremini Burger and Master Wu’s Wonton Chip Nachos

LEGOLAND LEGO NINJAGO Days 2021 Ultimate Candy Sushi

All event activities are included with LEGOLAND Theme Park general admission and select Annual Passes. 

LEGOLAND has built extra fun into every month of 2021 as the theme park built for kids celebrates its tenth birthday.

The yearlong birthday celebration includes new events, attractions, and shows. Join the party at LEGOLAND.com/florida.  

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On the Go with Gail: Kraft Azalea Garden

Our adventures around Orlando took us to the Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park, and I have always seen my photographer friends post the most stunning wedding and portrait sessions here.

I wanted to go see it for myself after seeing their wonderful photos, and I am so happy that we did as it is a beautiful little gem of a park!

The Kraft Azalia Garden is a 5.22-acre public park that is located on the shore of Lake Maitland, making it so secluded and unique!

The park is full of beautiful and enormous cypress trees that provide a wonderful canopy for shade.

We visited on quite a hot Florida day, and the trees provide much relief while we walked around comfortably!

From what I have seen and heard about this place, it can get extremely busy, especially on weekends when there are more photographers and people heading over for picnics with their families.

Luckily, we went on a Monday afternoon and it was super quiet and peaceful, we even saw a group practicing, what I assume, was Tai Chi in the middle.

The views by the water were just spectacular, not only can you nosey at the gorgeous homes over the water but you can watch boaters and jet skiers going by, it was so peaceful!

My favorite area by far is the Exedra monument, it is located right by the waterfront to get those perfect idyllic photos. On the weekends, I can imagine this spot would be hard to get to, due to the professional shoots going on as its such a main feature of the park! The Exedra can also be reserved for events like wedding ceremonies at sunset, for up to 20 guests and can be reserved by calling 407-599-3334.

Don’t forget to look up when you’re here, because the views are quite stunning with the tall trees all around you. The park is actually home to a very large banyan tree. These trees are native to India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan and often planted around temples as it is considered sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists. It is quite unusual to have one here locally as it generally only grows in USDA Plant Hardiness zones 10-12 which begin in an area south of Miami…the more you know!

Some have said that this tree may be the northern-most Banyan tree in the state. It is believed that the tree was planted in Kraft Azalea Garden when int was developed in 1938. Notable nurseryman Martin Daetwyler was hired to design the garden by well-known residents George and Maud Kraft, Mayor Frederick Cady, Forney Shepard, Leonard Hackney and Mrs. C. F. Ward.

On the way in to the gardens, it is hard to miss the sounds coming from the trees right by the entrance! At this time of the year, they are absolutely covered with great egrets nesting! Breeding for these birds occurs in the spring and they congregate into colonial nesting areas known as rookeries. These dense aggregations of nests are typically found in low trees near or over water. Winter park is fortunate to have a rare urban rookery for this stately bird. Every year between late February and early June, up to 50 nesting pairs of great egrets gather at Kraft Azalea Garden to begin nesting rituals.

Apparently, the males develop large showy feathers during the nesting seasons, and the females lay two to three eggs, and both parents share feeding duties. Its such a unique opportunity to be able to be up this close to so many at one time, it was such a nice surprise on our visit!

The gardens are open year-round from 8 a.m, until dusk. If you are planning on heading over to take professional photos and portraits, you must obtain a permit ahead of time to operate inside the park. This can be done by heading to www.cityofwinterpark.org/parks.

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