Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando is turning 20 this August, and the entertainment center is gearing up for a month-long celebration, including events, bowling specials, giveaways, and more.
August Specials
Every weekday in August, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., children 15 and under can bowl two free games (registration required).
Mondays through Thursdays, Boardwalk Bowl will offer $2 bowling games from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and $20.02 lanes per hour in honor of its opening year.
Giveaways will be held each weekend throughout the month with prizes such as arcade cards, bowling games, and food.
Party on the Boardwalk
The celebration’s highlight will be Party on the Boardwalk, a large, indoor carnival.
On Saturday, August 27, and Sunday, August 28, guests can enjoy live music throughout the venue, $2 bowling games, bounce houses, carnival games, and food. Kids will love the face painter, balloon artist, and magician.
At 1 p.m. each day of the event, Boardwalk Bowl guests can visit a special meet and greet with live mermaids and have their picture taken.
National Bowling Day
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, the entertainment center offers two-for-one bowling games in honor of National Bowling Day.
College Knights Kick-Off Party
To start the school year off right, Boardwalk Bowl is hosting its annual College Knights Kick-Off Party on Thursday, August 25, from 9 p.m. to midnight. College students can enjoy bowling games, shoe rentals, and domestic drafts for just $2 each.
To learn more about Boardwalk Bowl and its anniversary, visit their website.
All aboard! Something exciting is coming down the tracks at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
The Zoo announced today that it has a new train and that attraction will open in Fall 2022. The community mainstay is currently working to make updates and improvements to the tracks and crossings and is working with state and other independent inspectors for approvals on the attraction.
“The upcoming launch of our new train is one of the biggest announcements I have the honor of making this year,” said Richard E. Glover, Jr., the Zoo’s CEO. “Our train was always a favorite for kids and adults alike, and we’re excited to bring a new train for the community to enjoy.”
The streamliner carries guests on a loop around the Zoo’s property, through some natural Florida landscapes, across realistic railroad crossings and into the train depot near the Zoo’s entrance. The Zoo’s train, called The Champion, was built last year and is a one-quarter scale model of its namesake, an Atlantic Coast Line Railroad streamliner that started providing daily service from New York to Miami in 1939.
Glover said the Central Florida Zoo is able to offer the new train attraction to the public thanks to support it received from several outstanding sponsors, including Wharton-Smith Inc. and VyStar Credit Union.
“We could not be more thankful for their support,” Glover said. “We couldn’t have made this happen without them.”
More details about the train, including an opening date, pricing, and ticketing information, will be available soon.
For more information about the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, visit www.centralfloridazoo.org.
Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course opened on October 1, 1971, the same day as Magic Kingdom Theme Park.
In the 50 years since its opening, the course has undergone renovations and redesigns to enhance conditions and playability to update the designs to today’s game.
The Arnold Palmer Golf Management has been reimaging the finishing stretch of the course and has shared new information about the upcoming changes.
Designed and overseen by Ken Baker, who has extensive international design experience and is currently the head of golf course design at One Club Limited, these course updates will be completed by the end of the year.
Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course Reimaginining
Hole 14 – Currently a par 5, will become a par 4, with a new green location
Hole 15 – Currently a par 3, will shift location and become a long par 5, dogleg to the right
Hole 16 – Will shift location and remain a par 4, but will now become a dogleg to the left
Hole 17 – Currently a par 4, will become a par 3, with new tee box locations
To accommodate the shifting hole locations, players will find several new fairways and greenside bunkers were engineered.
Suited to test each player’s level, a selection of new teeing grounds will also be a part of the reimagining.
The changes to the holes will retain the par 72 traditional nature of the golf course.
These changes are just the beginning of the other enhancements to the golf experience at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, which will result in reconstructing all 18 greens at Disney’s MagnoliaGolf Course greens.
Recently two PGA Tour stars, 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia and 2019 US Open champion Gary Woodland, got a sneak peek at the redesign, and both walked away impressed.
“It will be amazing. The 15th (becoming) a big par 5; 16 is a long par 4 and they’ve brought in the water perfectly,” said Woodland. “You’re going to have four closing holes down the stretch that will test every aspect of your game. It’ll be a great finish here at Magnolia.”
Added Garcia: “It’s a fun course to play. When (golfers) finish their rounds, they can’t wait to come back and I think that’s something the Magnolia course will have.”
While Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course is now closed for play, you can still enjoy teeing up at Disney’s Palm Golf Course and Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.
You can find information about “The Happiest Place on TURF,” including available tee times, limited edition Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary golf merchandise, instruction, and more at https://www.golfwdw.com.
Star Command, do you copy? Lightyear experiences mission log commences – now!
To celebrate the official release of Lightyear you can find merchandise, food offerings, and more at the Walt Disney World Resort and beyond.
Lightyear Collectibles and Games
If you can’t hit the parks, shopDisney is the place to go for all things “Lightyear.”
Starting off with the hero himself, on shopDisney, and coming soon to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, you will find the Laser Blade Buzz Lightyear Talking Action Figure! Featuring lights, motion, and more than 30 sounds, this action figure brings the excitement of the film wherever you go.
Beep, boop! Buzz’s adorable, robotic companion, Sox, has been transformed into a cuddly plush. Complete with poseable features, this plush can also be found on shopDisney.
Inspired by IVAN, Buzz’s autopilot computer system, the Lightyear Belt Bag will assist you on all your missions while making you look super out-of-this-world.
But wait – there’s even more merchandise to complete your mission. Also available on shopDisney are Buzz’s ultimate foe, Zurg, and Buzz’s XL-15 rocket ship thanks to our licensed retail partners, Mattel and LEGO (make sure to stop by the LEGO Store at Disney Springs to also find the XL-15 rocket ship).
And of course, who can forget Buzz’s friend, Izzy Hawthorne, found in FUNKO Pop form on Amazon!
Speaking of friends: You’ll absolutely fall in love with our new friends and fellow heroes, Izzy and Mo, featured in the Disney Pixar Lightyear Core Figure Assortment by Mattel. Draw inspiration for imaginative play by following the 3-part video series where the action figures participate in out-of-this-world Space Ranger Training activities.
Want to experience all the action firsthand? Walt Disney Games has got you covered! The much-anticipated mobile game Disney Mirrorverse is launching on June 23, just as Zurg crushes his way into the new, divergent universe!
Massive and imposing, Zurg is amplified to formidable levels within the Mirrorverse. Complete the second stage of Chapter 2 in the Mirrorverse story to play the exciting in-game event “Fractured Infinity.”
The event features Zurg as a fearsome foe for your Mirrorverse Guardians and is available for a limited time from June 23 through July 31.
Prepare to enter new worlds with evolved Disney and Pixar characters like you’ve never seen them before when Disney Mirrorverse launches on mobile on June 23 – don’t miss it!
Are you ready for the mission, Space Ranger?
Follow Captain Lightyear through his blockiest intergalactic adventure, telling the tale of his origin. Play the Minecraft “Lightyear” DLC to take on five galactic missions, use nifty gadgets, and drive awesome vehicles.
Team up with friends and go deeper into space than ever before! Launch into the Lightyear Item Event featuring Captain Lightyear and Sox now until June 19th in Disney Emoji Blitz!
If curling up with a good book is more your style, hang on to your helmets! Our friends over at publishing have a whole library full of amazing “Lightyear”-themed books, including the classic telling of the tale, “Lightyear a Little Golden Book,” and “The Art of Lightyear” which provides a behind-the-scenes look at art from the film.
Swirl Into Space with Yummy Treats
Swirls on the Water at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World Resort is where you’ll find exactly that with the Buzz Lightyear Star Commander Cone!
Purple cheesecake soft-serve, adorned with chocolate wings and space sprinkles, this treat will take your tastebuds on a journey.
But hurry on over as the cone is only available till June 30, 2022.
Watch “Lightyear,” Out in Theaters Now
Are you ready to go explore the great beyond with Buzz Lightyear – the hero that inspired the toy?
A legendary F-104 Starfighter flyby kicked off the grand opening of Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex yesterday.
Confetti and sparks flew as Jerry Jacobs, Jr., CEO, Delaware North, Janet Petro, director, Kennedy Space Center, and Therrin Protze, COO, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, pushed a ceremonial red button to officially welcome guests and invite them to a first glimpse inside the new, 50,000-square-foot attraction.
With a focus on the present and future of collaborative space exploration, guests to Gateway can experience the interstellar travel of tomorrow while celebrating everything happening right now within the space program. Through immersive education, atmospheric effects, and a motion theater experience, guests see, hear, and feel what it’s like to travel in space. It features a showcase of NASA and commercial spacecraft hardware as well as the spaceport of the future, Spaceport KSC.
“Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex is a bold new attraction where guests will personally experience NASA’s next giant leap and beyond, highlighting all the excitement within the space industry,” said Protze.
Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex Highlights include:
In addition to offering a “nose-to-nose” view of the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, Gateway’s second floor features a 30-foot, floor-to-ceiling Robotic Space Explorers Interactive Wall touchscreen display where guests can learn about 40 different satellites and probes in space. A HoloTube presentation station teaches about the high-powered James Webb Space Telescope through holographic imagery, video, and animation via a touchscreen kiosk.
At Spaceport KSC, guests are transported to an airport of the future, hearing the atmospheric airport chatter and seeing distant views of active launches and landings through galactic spaceport windows.
The main concourse showcases destination, departure, and arrival information. Guests then board “spaceships” – in the form of a two-story, motion theater – for one of four journeys: Cosmic Wonders, Daring Explorers, Red Planet, or Uncharted Worlds. Each distinct destination allows for the possibility of a different experience with each visit.
The Walt Disney Archives returns to D23 Expo 2022 presented by Visa with an all-new exhibit, Walt Disney Archives presents Step in Time, a celebration of the nearly 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company.
As part of the kick-off to Disney100, this chronological exhibition showcases Walt Disney Archives’ historical assets like never before with immersive, themed environments from animated shorts, films, and film premieres, as well as television productions and Disney Parks favorites, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Mary Poppins, Tron, and Walt Disney World Resort’s Haunted Mansion.
The exhibition will provide fans an opportunity to experience some of the most iconic Disney moments over the course of September 9, 10, and 11 at the Anaheim Convention Center during the D23 Expo 2022 hosted by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.
A timeline in the center of the exhibit will showcase the breadth of extraordinary Disney events over the past century and will act as a guide for visitors as they journey through the 12,000-square-foot experience. Guests will have the chance to literally “Step in Time,” into various immersive areas around the perimeter of the space, showcasing rare historical objects as never before, in recreations of the settings from which they originated.
The gallery space will be divided into nine highly themed areas, providing fans the opportunity to capture photos and become part of Disney’s rich history themselves. From captaining the boat in Steamboat Willie, walking the blue carpet at the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and visiting with the carousel horses from Mary Poppins, to being serenaded by Breathless Mahoney at Club Ritz (Dick Tracy), visiting Flynn’s Arcade (Tron), and coming face-to-face with the bride in the attic of the Haunted Mansion, fans will have the opportunity to relive moments from 100 Years of Wonder, all while making new memories to last a lifetime.
The popular Walt Disney Archives Stage returns, hosting more than a dozen panels and presentations throughout the weekend. Notables such as Disney Legend Bill Farmer, Walt Disney Archives director Becky Cline, author and historian Graham Allan, Walt Disney Imagineering global ambassador Bob Weis, Imagineers from the Illusioneering Lab, and historian and artist Stacia Martin will offer a unique peek “behind the magic.” Fans will enjoy exploring many of Disney’s worlds, including the impressive 50-year legacy of the Main Street Electrical Parad , a look back at the 1980s and 1990s edition of the Mickey Mouse Club, and the first half-century of the Walt Disney World Resort.
Walt Disney – Personal, travel bag, Gulfstream N732G logo printed on both sides. “Walt Disney
Productions'”
1964
Earlier this year, it was announced that Walt Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream I airplane will be on display at D23 Expo. To accompany the return of this piece of Disney history, which is having its exterior restored and will be available for guests to see in the Arena of the Anaheim Convention Center, the Walt Disney Archives has curated an all-new exhibit featuring specially selected items that represent the history of the aircraft. Included will be a customized instrument panel originally located near Walt’s favorite onboard seat (enabling him to monitor flight conditions), a telephone handset (which gave Walt a direct line of communication to the pilot in the cockpit), and a flight bag adorned with an image of Mickey Mouse sitting on the tail of the famed plane.
Plus, join the Archives team and special guests on the 1,250-seat Backlot stage on Saturday, September 10, at 10 a.m. for a look at the creation of the upcoming Disney100: The Exhibition, which opens next February at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
A limited number of single-day tickets for Sunday of D23 Expo 2022 are available for $99 for one-day adult admission and $79 for children ages 3–12. Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $89 for a one-day adult admission. Single-day Saturday tickets and three-day passes are sold out. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2022, visit D23Expo.com.
The “Fab Five” are back for more adventure and fun during LEGO Friends Weekends at LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park weekends this June.
But this year the LEGO Friends especially need your help!!!
Oh no! Dr. Alvah has plans to shut down Heartlake City by cutting off the power to every single ride and attraction. Help Stephanie, Andrea, Olivia, Emma, and Mia stop them before it’s too late! By taking part in the Heart Squad’s fun activities and meet & greets, gain valuable information needed to crack the secret code and stop the villains’ evil plan!
LEGO Friends Weekends are included with daily tickets, Awesome, Awesomer, and Awesomest Annual Passes!
LEGO Friends Weekends at LEGOLAND Florida
June 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26 from 10 am to 6 pm
Come meet the Fab Five. Whether you are sporty like Stephanie or an artist like Emma come meet all the LEGO Friends and discover your own talents!
What better way to spend the day than doing fun activities with your family and friends. From getting your body moving with Stephanie’s Step-A-Thon to joining Andrea on set at Heartlake Music Studio all while figuring out the code to stop an evil villain from shutting down the park. With all this excitement we can hardly wait!
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
Now in its 25th year, Red Hot & Boom returns to Cranes Roost Park on Sunday, July 3, 2022. The City of Altamonte Springs and XL106.7 partner to host one of the largest Independence Day celebrations in Florida with a full lineup of artists and fireworks.
This legendary event attracts more than 150,000 spectators each year. Guests will enjoy family-friendly, free performances on the iconic floating stage starting at 4 p.m.*, including:
Em Beihold
Sofia Carson
JVKE (pronounced JAKE)
Leah Kate
Emmy Meli
Alyssa Raghu
The Walters
Nicky Youre
*Performances are subject to change without notice.
For the silver anniversary year, a 25-minute firework display will launch over Cranes Roost Lake highlighting the 25th annual celebration with popular and patriotic music as more than 13,000 bursts illuminate the night sky at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting, followed by the closing musical act.
“Red Hot & Boom is back with amazing live music from national and regional stars and the City’s famous fireworks show, one of the largest and well-known in Florida. For 25 years, the City of Altamonte Springs has hosted our most popular event to celebrate our nation’s independence. Here, friends and neighbors from across Central Florida can join together in the spirit of patriotism and kinship,” said City Manager Frank Martz. “Altamonte Springs is centrally located at a regional crossroad, so we are a natural place for people to come together at Cranes Roost Park to celebrate the very best of our country!”
The event is rain or shine, admission is free and food and beverages are available for purchase. No coolers, glass, personal fireworks or pets are permitted.
It is easy to get caught up in being On the Go in MCO, but taking a step back as a family and giving back to our community is a fantastic way to spend time together.
While there are many ways that families can come together to make our City MORE Beautiful, I wanted to share three ways that my family has chosen to be involved in our community!
We never want to think about anything happening to our children, but the three Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida homes in our area are always at the ready to provide a home away from home for families with children receiving treatment at hospitals and medical facilities in Orlando.
One easy and impactful way to help these families is to participate in the Share-a-Meal volunteer opportunity!
Here are the current guidelines for our Share-A-Meal Program:
Each meal provider must purchase and provide all necessary food ingredients and disposable to-go containers or heavy-duty paper plates.
The current meal count is 25 to 30 individuals.
All groups are required to be five individuals or fewer.
The shift time for the program is from 4 pm-6 pm.
All volunteers are required to wear a mask while inside the house at all times and gloves during meal preparation.
After the meal is prepared, meal provider groups are asked to assist the house staff by plating or boxing the meals for our families. Due to House guidelines, buffet/family-style meals cannot be offered.
I once hosted a Share-a-Meal “Taco Tuesday,” and it was awesome! I was able to work with staff members to include fun touches and decorations for the pick-up area.
What may seem like “just a simple meal” can make all the difference in the world for families with seriously ill children.
In 2021, Second Harvest Food Bank relied on more than 39,000 volunteers whose hours totaled 111,420 through a variety of volunteer opportunities to help our neighbors in need.
There are a variety of ways that families can help beyond the typical donations, which are always appreciated!
Second Harvest Food Bank has three facilities that are always in need of volunteers to help with picking, daily food sorting, assisting feeding partners with the loading of food, and light warehouse tasks (sweeping, organizing, order pulling, and file sorting).
Volunteers have to be at least ten years old with a chaperone who is 18 years or older in order to help out in the facility, 16 years old without a chaperone, but they do also host a “Family Night” or a “Family Day” for families with children ages 5-9 years old.
Become a Virtual Volunteer
Fight hunger without even changing out of your pajamas! Start a Virtual Food Drive and help provide meals to your neighbors in need.
Second Harvest Food Bank’s Ambassador Program aims to engage energetic and committed community volunteers in the mission and work of the Food Bank by serving as Hunger Champions in our community.
Are you interested in learning more about Second Harvest Food Bank volunteer opportunities? Sign up here to receive their Volunteer Voice in your inbox each month.
Rated Four Stars by Charity Navigator, Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida, that provides week-long, cost-free wish vacations to critically ill children and their families from around the world who want to visit Central Florida.
A stay at the Village is much more than a vacation. During one transformative week, wish families to laugh, play, and create priceless memories together away from hospital visits and medical procedures. It’s a magical week of “YES” where wish kids can experience the simple joys of childhood and where families can recapture some of the precious moments that may have been missed due to illness.
Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has welcomed more than 177,000 families from all 50 states and 76 countries.
The Village is made possible by the support of generous donors and community partners and thousands of passionate volunteers – who donate their time and talent to making wishes come true.
Volunteering On-Site
Families with children over the age of 10 can apply to complete volunteer shifts at the Give Kids the World Village campus.
During these shifts, families will help with a variety of tasks throughout the Village.
Did you know that you can shop for products you love and support Give Kids The World? Could there be an easier way to help support Give Kids the World Village? Nope.
DIS Con 2022 is a one-of-a-kind expo celebrating all facets of the wonderful world of Disney – from Disney, Marvel, and Pixar animation to film, television, theme parks, music, and memorabilia benefitting Give Kids the World Village.
The event will take place on Friday, September 30, and Saturday, October 1, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (1000 W. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830)
While you may be concerned that volunteering at Give Kids the World Village could be difficult, I can PROMISE that you will remain inspired and devoted to helping this wonderful organization.
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in MCO and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens’ popular all-ages event, Family Sunset at the Zoo, is back, offering everyone a chance to enjoy the community institution in a whole new light.
The event takes place every fourth Friday from May to September. The Zoo reopens at 5 p.m. and comes alive with all sorts of fun until the sun goes down. Family Sunset features music at the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground, inflatable games, and some of your favorite animals along the shaded boardwalks.
Dates for Family Sunset are as follows:
May 27 – 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
June 24 – 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
July 22 – 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
August 26 – 5p.m. – 8 p.m.
September 23 – 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The last admission is at 7:30 p.m. for each event. Tickets are $6 per person when purchased online and $8 per person when purchased on-site. The event is separate from daytime admission and is not included for Annual Passholders.
Guests can also bundle and save with the Family 4-Pack for $40, which includes four tickets, four hot dogs, and four regular fountain drinks to fuel the whole family for fun.
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Morimoto Asia, as the Disney Springs restaurant hosts its Luau, featuring all the excitement, delicious foods, and festivities of a traditional Hawaiian party.
Guests will find themselves immersed in Asian-Pacific culture, experiencing a Hawaiian-inspired buffet, featuring a poke and sushi bar, a hotline to include Kahuku Food Truck’s Famous Garlic Shrimp, Morimoto Style Peking Duck, and a whole Kalua roasted pig, in addition to an assortment of desserts, such as pineapple upside-down cake and butter mochi.
A variety of specially curated Hawaiian-inspired cocktails will also be available for an upcharge. While guests enjoy their lunch, they will experience a series of captivating performances by a live band, Hula dancers, and a strolling Ukulele player — all prepared to serenade mothers on this special occasion.
I’ve talked about Southern Hill Farms before, but they have a bushel of fun events for the entire family this Mother’s Day!
Mother’s Day weekend kicks off on Saturday, May 7th, with live music by the one and only Jeff Whitfield from 11 am to 3 pm, event food trucks, and Kids Zone fun.
Then on Sunday, May 8th, Mom can unwind with Yoga on the Farm from 7 – 8 am, tickets are required and can be found at http://ow.ly/thr750IY3A6.
There will also be live music from Are Friends Electric from 10 am to 3 pm, seven food trucks, beer, wine, and Kids Zone fun.
Right now blueberries, peaches, vegetables, Sunflowers, and Zinnias are available to pick on the one hundred twenty acre farm.
Mothers will also receive one pound of complimentary u-pick blueberries on Saturday and Sunday only (5/7 + 5/8). Just make sure to mention the discount at check-out to receive the free pound, a minimum of two u-pick pounds are required to redeem this offer.
The 2022 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival is blooming with fresh cuisine, beautiful gardens, whimsical topiaries of familiar characters, and flourishing entertainment daily through July 4, 2022.
The Garden Rocks Concert Series takes place at the American Gardens Theatre at 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm, and 8:00 pm. This weekend’s performers are:
May 6 & 7 – Blood, Sweat & Tears
May 8 – The Commodores – NEW to Garden Rocks!
As a reminder, to enjoy the 2022 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival parkgoers must have both valid theme park admission and a park pass reservation.
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in MCO and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
I am BIG fan of The Dis, and DIS Con 2022 is your chance to see some great Disney talent, do some shopping, and spread magic as the event benefits Give Kids the World!!!
Today is World Wish Day, and it’s the perfect day to talk about DIS Con 2022, a one-of-a-kind expo celebrating all facets of the wonderful world of Disney – from Disney, Marvel and Pixar animation to film, television, theme parks, music, and memorabilia.
The event will take place on Friday, September 30, and Saturday, October 1, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (1000 W. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830)
Tickets are on sale now, and the event benefits Give Kids The World Village, an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides critically ill children and their families from around the world with magical weeklong, cost-free wish vacations at no cost.
“Children with critical illnesses face countless appointments, treatments and hospital stays, and they are often told “no” due to the limitations of their illness. Give Kids The World offers wish children and their families a week of “yes” where they can forget their worries, experience joy, and spend priceless time together creating unforgettable memories,” says Give Kids The World President and CEO Pamela Landwirth. “We are grateful to our tremendous partners at Walt Disney World® and to the many sponsors, donors and participants who are making DIS Con possible for the benefit of the precious families we serve.”
Proceeds will be generated by ticket sales; sponsorships; a vendor hall; and a charity auction on both days offering guests the chance to bid on hundreds of autographed items, Disney memorabilia, and collectibles – including rare and vintage items and original Disney artwork.
Photo: Give Kids the World
DIS Con 2022 Highlights
Aladdin 30th Anniversary Reunion featuring Linda Larkin and Jonathan Freeman
Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak
Phineas & Ferb Panel with Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, Dan Povenmire, Dee Bradley Baker, Vincent Martella, and Jaret Reddick
Walt Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter
Screenwriter, producer, and director John August
Bear in the Big Blue House Panel with Noel MacNeal, Vicki Eibner, Tyler Bunch, Peter Linz, and James Kroupa
Tom Nabbe, the original Tom Sawyer at Disneyland®
Show writer Brian Collins
American artist Shag
Special guest Mark Daniel, host of Inside Disney Parks
Available at an additional cost, the After Hours Party at EPCOT sponsored by Yogibo will take place from 10:30 pm to 12:30 am on October 1 and includes admission to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure; exclusive entertainment in the France, Morocco, and United Kingdom Pavilions; rare character meet and greets; and enhanced dessert offerings. Yogibo is a worldwide lifestyle retailer of next-generation furniture and gift accessories.
To purchase tickets, inquire about sponsorship or vendor hall opportunities, or make a donation to the charity auction, visit www.gktw.org/discon/.
I am SOOOOO excited to share that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is returning to the Magic Kingdom Park!!!!
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2022
This fall, ghosts, and ghouls of all ages are invited to don their favorite costumes and celebrate all things haunted during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Taking place on 37 select nights starting August 12 through October 31, 2022, this special event haunts Magic Kingdom Park after normal park operating hours from 7 p.m. to midnight.
As a part of this limited-capacity event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party attendees will encounter event-exclusive entertainment, notorious Disney villains, frightfully delicious menu items, and more!
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Highlights
The Headless Horseman will ride his ghostly steed down Main Street, U.S.A. as a prelude to “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade,” which features floats filled with Disney Characters dressed in their Halloween best, Disney villains and the Haunted Mansion graveyard diggers.
What’s Halloween without candy? During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, guests can go trick-or-treating for M&M’S, SKITTLES, SNICKERS, and other Halloween favorites at locations throughout Magic Kingdom Park. And new this year, guests will also receive a reusable trick-or-treat bag featuring a keepsake 50th Anniversary celebration and Halloween design.
Join the Sanderson Sisters during the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show at Cinderella Castle as they call upon their frightening colleagues to conjure the ultimate “Hocus Pocus” Party Potion.
Photos: Walt Disney World
Celebrate the season alongside favorite Disney characters as they take over the park for their favorite party of the year.
Overlays themed for the occasion will return to several popular Magic Kingdom attractions: Space Mountain, Mad Tea Party, Pirates of the Caribbean and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.
The Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington, will host “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular.” This can’t-miss nighttime extravaganza features projections, special effects and lighting mixed with fireworks, music and Disney characters.
Discover sweet and savory menu items inspired by fall flavors and the Halloween season.
Ali Nasser, photographer
NEW! In honor of the 50th Anniversary celebration, we’re adding even more fun to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year in the form of event-exclusive step-in photo opportunities. And in addition to the reusable trick-or-treating tote bag, guests will also receive a Halloween-themed 50thAnniversary celebration commemorative print.
I’m excited to share more about this year’s specially ticketed, after-hours Halloween celebration!!!
Let’s start our Halfway to Halloween announcements with Disney Cruise Line as they have just announced that Halloween on the High Seas will return with more sailings than ever before and new one-of-a-kind experiences for families in September and October 2022.
Guest-favorite entertainment and activities, including trick-or-treating, spooky parties, elaborate décor, and themed food and beverage items, will await guests on these limited-time voyages as each ship transforms into a ghoulish wonderland.
Halfway to Halloween: Disney Cruise Line Announcements
Disney Cruise Line
First-of-its-Kind Character Meet and Greet
Disney Cruise Line guests will be the first to experience an all-new character meet and greet opportunity across the fleet during Halloween on the High Seas sailings. While all of the Disney characters onboard will adorn Halloween costumes as part of the festivities, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and Clarabelle Cow will debut a never-before-seen look as they dress up as their favorite Halloween sisters, the Sandersons from the movie “Hocus Pocus.”
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Wish Debuts All-New Magical Pumpkin Tree
During its inaugural season of Halloween cruises this fall, the Disney Wish, the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, will introduce a unique twist on a Halloween on the High Seas hallmark.
The centerpiece of every ship during Halloween sailings is the signature magical Pumpkin Tree towering over the atrium lobby, each with sprouting Jack-O-Lanterns and flickering lights.
Aboard the Disney Wish, guests will witness the debut of an all-new Pumpkin Tree in the “Cinderella”-inspired Grand Hall. Featuring lighter bark, graceful branches and a mystical face, this enchanted tree that grew perfect gourds with the help of a Wishing Star at night produced the perfect pumpkin that became the coach that carried Cinderella to the Prince’s Ball.
Disney Cruise Line
Other Special Experiences on Halloween on the High Seas Sailings
Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party: Beloved Disney characters in Halloween attire will join guests for a fun-filled costume party.
Halloween Isn’t Just For Kids: Adult-exclusive venues across the fleet will become a ghoulish setting for costume contests and a Villainous Takeover on the dance floor.
Spooky Movies: To get guests into the spirit of the season, Halloween-themed movies will be shown on Funnel Vision by the family pool and in staterooms.
Ghoulish Delights: Guests will enjoy special themed food and beverage items.
More spooky fun includes mask-making and a ghostly takeover of ship announcements.
Halloween on the High Seas voyages will be offered aboard select sailings in September and October. Departing from ports in Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida, San Diego, and New York City, each cruise will take families to fascinating destinations including the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, and Mexico. All sailings from Port Canaveral and Miami will include a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise outfitted for family fun and relaxation and brimming with special Disney touches.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent.
All of your favorite princess characters are coming to Downtown Orlando’s natural refuge, the Carl T Langford Park, on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 from 11 AM – 12:30 PM.
Give your child a wonderful experience full of playing games, telling stories, fairy makeovers, singing, dancing, and more! Enjoy a beautiful day out with the family, and take as many photos and videos as you want with your child’s favorite characters.
While you are visiting this dog-friendly park, you can indulge in sweet treats provided separately by Repicci’s Italian Ice and explore a maze of paved trails, an observation deck, and a lovely playground set amongst ancient shady oak trees.
Professional princesses are provided by Vaudeville Entertainment LLC, who specializes in live entertainment for private events and is excited to be hosting its first-ever public Princesses in the Park!
“I want to create an opportunity for kids to have an engaging and immersive experience playing games and telling stories with their favorite princesses, without having to stand in hot hour-long lines for just 30 seconds of general cookie-cutter interactions. Plus, on a personal note, nothing feels better than when you are all dressed up and a kid sees you for the first time. They light up like it’s Christmas morning, and you’re instantly best friends,” said Roxanne LeBlanc, a founding performer at Vaudeville Entertainment LLC
