I am really excited to share that the popular Garden Rocks Concert Series is returning to the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival this March!
New this year, internationally recognized artists will bring the groove to the America Gardens Theater stage Friday-Monday, while local Orlando bands step into the spotlight Tuesday-Thursday.
The series features something for everyone – from returning favorites like The Guess Who, Rick Springfield and Simple Plan to Latin hitmakers Melina León and Claudia Leitte, Christian music superstar TobyMac and groovin’ legends Kool & The Gang.
2022 Garden Rocks Concert Series Line-Up
March 4-5 – The Guess Who
March 6-7 – Rick Springfield
March 11-12 – Melina Leon – NEW to Garden Rocks
March 18-19 – Mike DelGuidice, currently on tour with Billy Joel – NEW
March 20-21 – Kool & The Gang – NEW to Garden Rocks
March 25-28 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
April 1-2 – The Spinners
April 3-4 – The Pointer Sisters
April 8-9 – Blue October – NEW to Garden Rocks
April 15-16 – Tommy DeCarlo, singer of the band Boston – NEW
April 17-18 – Don Felder, Formerly of The Eagles
April 22-23 – STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
April 24-25 – Claudia Leitte – NEW
April 29-30 – Berlin
May 1-2 – TobyMac
May 6-7 – Blood, Sweat & Tears
May 8-9 – The Commodores – NEW to Garden Rocks
May 13-14 – Ambrosia with Peter Beckett – NEW
May 20-21 – A Flock Of Seagulls
May 22-23 – Collin Raye – NEW
May 27-28 – Thelma Houston – NEW
May 29-30 – Little River Band
June 3-6 – Simple Plan
June 10-13 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
June 17-20 – Plain White T’s
Beginning January 19th, guests can secure their spot at the show by booking a Garden Rocks Dining Package available Friday-Monday. Find out more by visiting FreshEPCOT.com
Please remember that in order to experience the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, guests must have both valid admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date.
“Dragons & Fairies” debuting at Harry P. Leu Gardens from January 28 through March 6, 2022. A moving story centering around an adolescent fairy and her dragon friend unfolds as live actors in beautiful costumes take audiences on a ¾ mile theatrical journey.
Along the way, large-scale lighting installations, lots of surprises, and nine animatronic dragons await.
Presented by Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies and the creators of “Dazzling Nights”, “Down the Rabbit Hole” and the annual IMMERSE festival in Orlando comes to another fantastical, family-friendly journey that will inspire audiences with wonder, awe, friendship, and adventure.
“‘Dragons & Fairies’ is a journey, unlike anything audiences, have seen before,” says Creative City Project Executive Director Cole NeSmith. “It has been our goal to continually create safe, memorable, inspiring, spectacular events for audiences of all ages amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Following the massive success of ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ earlier this year, we are excited to now transform Leu Gardens from the winter wonderland it is now with ‘Dazzling Nights’ to a fantastical world of adventure with ‘Dragons & Fairies’, which we promise to be an immersive, theatrical experience not to be missed.”
Dragons & Fairies at Leu Gardens
LOCATION: Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803
DATES: January 28 – March 6, 2022 (Wednesday through Sunday)
TICKETS: Tickets are $22 per person on Wednesday and Thursday and $25 per person Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Purchase at www.dragonsorlando.com.
The Orlando SlingShot and Orlando FreeFall are now open at ICON Park, making the entertainment complex the “Land of the Giants” with three world’s tallest attractions.
“The SlingShot Group now has three world-record-setting attractions at ICON Park – The Orlando StarFlyer, SlingShot and FreeFall,” said Ritchie Armstrong, owner. “We’re extremely excited to welcome guests from all over the world and give them the thrill of a lifetime!”
The Orlando SlingShot at ICON Park stands at 300 feet, making it the world’s tallest slingshot. The two-tower attraction launches two riders out of an “exploding volcano” approximately 450 feet straight up into the sky, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph.
The Orlando FreeFall™ at ICON Park stands at 430 feet, making it the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower.
Thirty riders at a time can embrace the beautiful sites of ICON Park and I-Drive as the ride vehicle rotates around the gigantic tower and rises high into the skyline.
Once the ride vehicle reaches the top, it’ll tilt forward 30 degrees and face the ground before free-falling nearly 400 feet at speeds reaching over 75 mph.
“ICON Park is devoted to creating unforgettable experiences for our guests. The world’s tallest slingshot and drop tower make great additions to our world-class line-up,” said Chris Jaskiewicz, ICON Park president and CEO. “Between The SlingShot Group’s three towering attractions and The Wheel, the tallest observation wheel on the East Coast, ICON Park truly is the ‘Land of the Giants’.
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!
2022 will be an amazing year On the Go in the Parks as new thrills, immersive experiences, interactive technology, beautiful venues, and out-of-this-world fun joins the return of fan favorites.
On the Go in the Parks: New in 2022
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary celebration will continue in 2022, with new and returning experiences coming to all of the theme parks and beyond.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, EPCOT’s first “other-world” showcase pavilion opening in the summer, will feature a new storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom will debut the all-new “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond,” which will be a reimagined stage show set in the timeline of the Finding Dory film.
A new quick-service restaurant, Connections Café and Eatery, debuting in the World Celebration neighborhood of EPCOT as part of the park’s ongoing transformation.
Walt Disney World’s immersive Star Wars-themed hotel, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, will open on March 1, 2022, inviting guests aboard the starship Halcyon for an all-inclusive experience that puts them into the immersive world of Star Wars.
MagicBand+ will be available for purchase beginning this year, retaining existing MagicBand features, like park and guest room entry, retail, dining, and Disney PhotoPass, while adding new functionality to interact with experiences in the parks and beyond.
“Fantasmic!” will be returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2022 with an all-new sequence featuring live performers, stunts, special effects, and more!
At the Magic Kingdom Park, your favorite Disney friends will continue to make their return with enhanced experiences!
“Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” will return to the Cinderella Castle Forecourt stage with favorite scenes from the previous version of the show plus a new opening and a new finale with Mickey Mouse and all his friends in their 50th Anniversary EARidescent fashions. The show will also include an all-new, original song entitled “Where the Magic Feels Like Home.”
The streets of the Magic Kingdom will once again be filled with beloved Disney characters and stories with the return of the Disney “Festival of Fantasy” Parade and the addition of a vibrant cavalcade.
SeaWorld Orlando Parks & Entertainment
Ice Breaker, SeaWorld Orlando’s first launch coaster, will open on February 18, 2022, with family-friendly thrills, including four backward and forward launches that culminate in a reverse launch with a 93-foot-tall spike with a 100-degree angle, the steepest vertical drop in Florida.
At Aquatica Orlando, Reef Plunge will zoom into Spring with a vibrant array of marine life, Commerson’s dolphins, leopard sharks, and a variety of other cold-water fish.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island Water Park
Iron Gwazi, North America’s tallest, fastest, and steepest hybrid coaster in the world, will open in March 2022, taking thrills to new heights, plunging from a 206-foot-tall peak into a 91-degree drop, a dozen airtime moments, and three inversions while reaching top speeds of 76 miles per hour.
Rapids Racer at Adventure Island water park is an experience built for two as riders race through nearly 600 feet of slide, complete with low walls to encounter your opponents throughout this side-by-side experience and the world’s first dueling saucers.
Wahoo Remix will be Adventure Island’s first waterslide to feature synchronized light and sound elements, delivering an all-new, high-energy, family raft ride experience with ultimate party vibes. Enclosed tunnels that were once dark will now glow and groove as riders zoom through over 600 feet of fun.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort
The world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park will open on February 24, 2022, at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort. This all-new standalone park will be filled with multiple rides, interactive attractions, fun live shows, themed playscapes, and water play areas for even the youngest fans.
Pirate River Quest, LEGOLAND Florida Resort will launch a family-friendly treasure hunt adventure through the legendary Cypress Gardens to discover the secrets protecting its canals as this all-new story unfolds brick by brick.
Beyond the Theme Parks
Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has opened in the heart of downtown Orlando, and what makes this facility so special is that it achieves an N1 sound rating – the lowest level at which humans can detect sound.
The Orlando Slingshot and Orlando Free Fall – two world-record-setting attractions – opened in early January at ICON Park on International Drive. The Orlando Slingshot, the world’s tallest slingshot, stands at 300 feet, launching riders at speeds up to 100 mph. The Orlando Free Fall at ICON Park stands at 430 feet, making it the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower.
At Kennedy Space Center Visitor, the 50,000 square-foot, multi-level Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex will open in March 2022, featuring a showcase of NASA and commercial spacecraft hardware with immersive displays, as well as a “journey” through space, unique launch viewing opportunities, and more.
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!
Inside Look Weekends at SeaWorld Orlando take visitors behind the scenes giving them a look at what it takes to provide daily animal care from the people who do it every day.
Inside Look Weekends happen, January 8–16, plus Monday, January 17, and is included with park admission.
SeaWorld Orlando Inside Look Weekends January 2022
Experiences & Tours
1 – New! Inside Marine Mammal Care
Ever wonder how you prepare a feast for a pod of dolphins and care for them throughout the day? Step behind the scenes and get a glimpse of what it takes at SeaWorld, from feeding at the fish house to a poolside experience at Dolphin Cove led by our animal care specialists. Experience available between 11a.m. – 12:30p.m. & 2p.m. – 4:30p.m.
2 – Returning! Inside SeaWorld Rescue Center
Visit the home base of the SeaWorld Rescue Team to meet and hear from the dedicated filtration experts, animal care personnel, lab technicians, and veterinarians who work around the clock to deliver life-saving care to animals in need.
3 – Returning! Inside Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin
Venture beyond the ice and snow of SeaWorld’s penguin habitat and learn what goes into caring for these beloved birds who hail from some of the coldest environments in the world. Enjoy Inside Look-exclusive views and learn from our animal care specialists how we feed and care for an entire colony of penguins.
4 – Returning! Inside Pacific Point Preserve
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the home of our California sea lions and harbor seals. Hear stories and gain insights from the animal care specialists who care for them every day and learn what it takes to maintain a thriving sea lion social group. This location is not ADA accessible.
5 – Returning! Inside Shark Encounter
Get a topside view at Shark Encounter and unlock the mysteries of caring for the sharks and sawfish in SeaWorld’s 700,000-gallon shark habitat. Visit the medical pool and learn how we give annual physicals. See the moving walkway that temporarily divides the exhibit for cleaning and discover how we feed our sharks. This location is not ADA accessible.
6 – Returning! Inside Orca Encounter
See more and learn more with exclusive backstage access at Orca Encounter. Meet and hear from the dedicated animal care specialists who safeguard the health and well-being of our killer whales. See where hundreds of pounds of fish are prepared each day, check out our larger-than-life whale toys, and visit our medical pool and system of habitat pools to better understand the dynamics of caring for SeaWorld’s largest residents. Experience available between 12p.m. – 2p.m. & 3p.m. – 6p.m.
7 – Returning! Inside Wild Arctic
Step behind the scenes into the maze of back hallways that provide service access to the beluga whales and harbor seals that call Wild Arctic home. Plus, meet the team members who spend their days caring for these incredible animals.
You can find even more Inside Look Weekends fun, check out their official website!
Don’t forget you can keep up with event news and more by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
Let the Good Times Roll with Busch Gardens Mardi Gras, select dates from January 8 through March 6.
Get jazzed up with Mardi Gras-style live music and New Orleans-inspired entertainment. Catch some festival beads from strolling performers throughout the day, and get caught up in the fun as you dance through spacious walkways. Feast like kings and queens on classic Cajun cuisine as Busch Gardens brings the “Big Easy” to Tampa Bay.
Busch Gardens Mardi Gras 2022
LIVE MUSIC, PARADE AND BEADS
MARDI GRAS PARADE – The Bird Gardens come to life as entertainers, stilt walkers and musicians bring the Mardi Gras spirit to Tampa Bay during this lively parade.
BEAD GARDEN – What’s Mardi Gras without beads? Stop by the Bead Garden for an opportunity to catch beads with your party. Select times during event hours. Limited quantity of beads available.
BRASS BAND – Enjoy Bourbon street beats and jazz classics as the Brass Band gets the party started in the Bird Gardens.
LIVE LOCAL MUSIC – Immerse yourself in the music of New Orleans as local musical groups bring zest to this flavorful event. See the daily schedule for showtimes.
Tastes of Mardi Gras
Tempt your taste buds with a signature shrimp po’ boy, hearty jambalaya and gumbo, or specialty sweets like iconic beignets. Handcrafted cocktail classics like Hurricanes join new signature drinks for a perfect pairing with the park’s carefully crafted culinary offering. Try them all with a Mardi Gras Sampler Lanyard!
XCURSIONS
Mardi Gras Cupcakes (2 or 4 Packs)
Rum Tastings
Artisan Crafts
SWEET BEIGNETS
Beignets: Traditional Powdered SugarWoodford Reserve Chocolate DrizzleBanana Foster
Smoked Bourbon Peach Sour Cocktail: Woodford Reserve, Peach Sour, Club Soda
JACKSON SQUARE
NEW! IMPOSSIBLE™ Dirty Rice: Spices of New Orleans, Green Onions, IMPOSSIBLE™ Meat
REIMAGINED! Shrimp & Grits: Cajun Garlic Shrimp, Smoked Cheddar, Tasso Ham, Stone Ground Grits
Creole-Style Jambalaya: Chicken, Andouille Sausage, Tomatoes, Green Onions
REIMAGINED! Bourbon Street Cream and Cookie: Choice of Ice Cream, Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Drizzle
BAYOU BEVERAGE
(GARDEN GATE CAFE)Draft Beer
Frozen Cocktails: Strawberry Daiquri, Piña Colada, Tampa ViceGold Coin Mojito, and Green Fairy Margarita
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!
We recently visited Wild Florida located in Kenansville, if you haven’t been yet there is so much to do! You can do airboat rides, there’s a gator park, animal encounters, and a drive-thru safari park!
This time we just did the drive-thru safari park, but I know we will be back to do the rest soon!
At only a 45 minute drive away from Orlando, this is an attraction you don’t want to miss. They have over 100 native and exotic animals roaming freely.
As soon as you enter the drive-thru you start seeing animals right away, not only are they roaming around the 85 acres of untouched scenic landscapes, but the way it is set up gets you upfront and personal with the animals. We even saw the car in front of us had an emu come right up to their vehicle and stick their head inside! You are not permitted to feed them but I’m sure they get curious and want to take a look!
They have animals from as far away as the African Savanna to the deciduous forests of North America. They do state that your vehicle has to have a top, no convertibles (could get awkward when an emu decides to call shotgun and ride with your family!). No motorcycles either, assuming you are too exposed and the noise could frighten the animals.
You will have the opportunity to get up close to many animals such as giraffes, zebra, eland antelope, scimitar oryx, American bison, mouflon sheep, and many more! It’s a two-mile path through the safari, and there are places to hug the path a little if you wanted to pull to the side and let people by, while you admire the animals and take some epic photos! It really does feel amazing to be that close to these animals.
I loved how they had little feeding areas scattered around the route to encourage the animals to graze close to the safari path so we could see them better. It was even nice to see them resting so close to us!
After you have driven the route you can come back anytime during that day to drive it again as many times as you like before they close, which is great because you get the opportunity to see animals you may not have seen that close the first time. You can also head over to the giraffe encounter after, this is where you can pay extra to actually feed the giraffes up close. We didn’t do it this time but it looks like an amazing experience for the family! They even offer a painting with a giraffe package which sounds amazing!
Included in your drive-thru safari ticket is admission to their Gator Park. Here you can view more than 200 additional animals, as well as enjoy a variety of educational animal shows. You can also meet Crusher, their biggest American alligator (weighing just over 1,000 pounds). You can also watch a demonstration with some of their residents during their Exotic Animal Show.
They also have airboat rides and special animal encounters. You can pick from meeting a sloth, porcupine, tamandua, lemur, and more! They have unique swamp delicacies served at their Chomp House Grill so you really can make a whole day of visiting here!
Since 2010, their goal has been to provide an unforgettable Everglades experience that promotes a connection with animals while inspiring education and conservation. There really is something for everyone here, we can’t wait to go back and experience more. You can visit their website http://wildfloridairboats.com to purchase tickets in advance, and check out the VIP Tours and Florida resident tickets/annual pass options. Or you can call 407-957-3135.
They are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m to 6 p.m and closed on Sundays.
Want to be On the Go with Gail more? Follow her @gailyw on Instagram and find posts like her visit to the Apopka Wildlife Drive here!
When you think of being On the Go in MCO I’m sure that animals aren’t the first thing that pop into your head, but this holiday season animal lovers will find that there are a ton of ways to celebrate the season with their favorite animals!
This holiday season Gatorland, the Alligator Capital of the World, will host the Holiday Ho, Ho Ho-Down event weekends through December 19th.
During the holiday shindig guests will enjoy Family Friendly Holiday Fun, included in the regular price of admission.
Ho Ho Ho-Down highlights include holiday displays, interactive characters, and the most Floridian holiday photo opportunities you’ll ever find!
Throughout the attraction, you can meet a variety of characters including Gator Claus, on his…unique sleigh, merry elves, and the infamous Krampus Croc!
This holiday season SEA LIFE Orlando at ICON PARK is inviting you to Deck the Seas daily until December 31, 2021, with unique experiences below the surface.
What’s better than listening to a holiday story?
Listening to a holiday story with Scuba Claus underwater surrounded by spectacular sea creatures!
Ready for some interactive fun?
Pick up your Deck the Seas Scavenger Hunt guide on your way inside the attraction and begin your adventure to find six cold water sea creatures located throughout the aquarium!
Ready for even more fun?
Before you leave SEA LIFE Orlando, make sure to leave a special holiday card for your favorite sea creature! Drop it in the mailbox on your way out so their creatures can get all their cards in time for the holidays.
The SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration festivities are filled with more cheer than ever until January 2, 2021!
For 2021 SeaWorld Orlando has been transformed into a winter wonderland with more than 3 million sparkling lights to welcome a new holiday entertainment and fireworks finale while returning favorites will bring a smile to your heart!
Join STAN the T-Rex and his fossil friends in DinoDigs at the Orlando Science Center as they show off their twinkling talent in a festive display of music and light.
Each family-friendly show will begin every half hour and runs for four minutes, concluding with a wintry surprise.
While you are there, make sure to check out their newest exhibit Design Zone!
You can celebrate holidays from around the world without leaving EPCOT daily until December 30, 2021, during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays!
The event, included with theme park admission, is a yuletide wonderland that will immerse you in the wondrous sights, sounds, and flavors celebrated by cultures near and far.
The highlight of each night is the Candlelight Processional where a celebrity narrator tells the story of Christmas, recounting the biblical tale of a savior born in Bethlehem.
Woven into the production are stirring songs of hope and joy performed by the orchestra and massed choir. I promise you it will give you goosebumps!!!
The Holidays at LEGOLAND Florida presented by Hallmark Channel is the jolliest event of the year!
This year’s celebration features new seasonal entertainment, exclusive character meet-and-greets, a spectacular 30-foot-tall LEGO tree, and more!
There is no better time to add a little LEGO magic to your family vacation and build memories to last a lifetime — plus, it’s all included in general admission.
The holidays are epic at the Universal Orlando Resort as they fill 51 days and nights with bigger and louder holiday traditions and characters daily through January 2, 2022.
Guests can once again experience nonstop holiday cheer as they join the celebration of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, meet the maven of mischief himself, The Grinch, during Grinchmas, and experience the larger-than-life return of Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.
Make sure you keep an eye out for pop-up holiday surprise performances around Universal Studios Florida!!!
The best holiday gift of all? It’s all included with theme park admission.
The SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration festivities on select days until January 2, 2021!
For 2021 SeaWorld Orlando has been transformed into a winter wonderland with more than 3 million sparkling lights to welcome a new holiday entertainment and fireworks finale while returning favorites will bring a smile to your heart!
New to this year’s celebration:
Each Christmas Celebration night, SeaWorld Orlando celebrates the season during Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountains Finale, featuring soaring fountains, dazzling lights, and festive fireworks, choreographed to joyous holiday musical favorites.
Join Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover, and Zoe as they help Elmo find his Christmas wish!
See a variety of talented acts take to the Nautilus Theater stage to bring the spirit of the season to life during the Sounds of the Season Concert Series on through January 2, 2022.
Most SeaWorld Christmas Celebration activities are included with your theme park admission.
This year during Christmas at Gaylord Palms, guests can explore acres of twinkling lights and decorations and more than 12 hours of exciting holiday activities, shows, and events until January 2, 2022.
‘Mission: Save Christmas featuring Elf’ is the marquee attraction, and if you are a fan of the films you are going to want to experience this interactive wonderland and help Santa power up the Kringle 3000!
Also new this year are the ‘Cirque: Spirit of Christmas’ and ‘Shine’ shows in the resort’s iconic atrium.
This holiday season Disney Very Merriest After Hours event will fill the Magic Kingdom with special characters, entertainment, fireworks, and more on select nights until December 21, 2021
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is ringing in the holiday season with Christmas Town daily until January 2, 2022.
This year’s celebration is the biggest and brightest yet with millions of twinkling holiday lights throughout the park’s 335 acres, spectacular fireworks, and a brand-new experience with Santa that will create merry memories for guests of all ages.
Included in park admission, the award-winning holiday event features all-new activities for the whole family as well as returning favorites!
Give Kids the World Village, located in Kissimmee, is a truly magical place, and during the Night of a Million Lights Holiday Light Spectacular, the 89-acre nonprofit resort is an enchanting and joyful winter wonderland from Friday, November 12, 2021, through Sunday, January 2, 2022!
Guests can explore a sparkling tree trail; view larger-than-life holiday displays; take photos at one-of-a-kind step-in frames and backdrops; and enjoy a guided storytelling tour of 100 magnificently lit villas from the comfort of a tram, included in the price of the ticket.
Tickets are on sale now at www.gktw.org/lights, enabling guests to immerse themselves in an exquisitely decorated fairytale neighborhood that wish families call home during their stays.
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and more by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
They say never meet your heroes, but today the Universal Orlando Resort announced a new holiday meet and greet!
Universal Orlando Resort will debut an adorable, original character, Earl the Squirrel, inspired by the actual tale of a mischievous squirrel who scurried into the theme park’s holiday décor years ago.
Standing six feet tall and sporting a festive “I Love Acorns” holiday sweater, the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Earl will be available for meet and greets on select days beginning Saturday, December 11 in Universal Studios Florida.
Earl’s origin began more than a decade ago when Universal Orlando’s Entertainment team discovered a squirrel nestled in the branches of its iconic Christmas tree. Surprisingly, the squirrel had an affinity for blue Christmas lights, often stealing strands and bringing them back to his nest. Over the years, Universal has paid homage to this remarkable incident by placing a lifelike squirrel in the Christmas tree for guests to discover and creating merchandise inspired by its fuzzy friend.
And now, guests can encounter Earl the Squirrel as an actual walkaround character this holiday season. Earl will be available for meet and greets on select days from December 11 through January 2 at Universal Studios Florida. While in the theme park, guests can also enjoy a new assortment of Earl the Squirrel merchandise within a dedicated room in this year’s Holiday Tribute Store – Earl the Squirrel’s Christmas Curios Museum & Emporium.
In addition to celebrating the holidays with Earl, guests can rip open a holiday gift of nonstop awesome where they can join the celebration of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, meet the maven of mischief himself, the Grinch, during Grinchmas, and experience the larger-than-life return of Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s now through January 2. For more information about the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/holidays.
This holiday season Gatorland, the Alligator Capital of the World, will host the Holiday Ho, Ho Ho-Down event weekends through December 19th.
During the holiday shindig guests will enjoy Family Friendly Holiday Fun, included in the regular price of admission.
Ho Ho Ho-Down highlights include holiday displays, interactive characters, and the most Floridian holiday photo opportunities you’ll ever find!
Throughout the attraction, you can meet a variety of characters including Gator Claus, on his…unique sleigh, merry elves, and the infamous Krampus Croc!
The fun doesn’t stop there, there because there is a bevy of specialty festive food items available for purchase.
Need to do some holiday shopping? Make sure to visit the craft vendors and award-winning Gatorland gift shop to find that perfect holiday gift for anyone on your list!
And of course, don’t forget to visit all the alligators, animals, and awesomeness that a day at Gatorland has to offer!
All this fun and excitement is included with your regular park admission, and right now Florida residents can save a ton!!!
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and more by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
The Wheel at ICON Park holds special memories for people all over the world, from proposals to gender reveals to family reunions. It’s always featured the best view, but now it has the perfect soundtrack to match.
Each of The Wheel’s 30 capsules includes a Bluetooth feature that allows guests to connect their phones to the capsule sound system featuring Bose speakers.
To optimize this element, ICON is partnering with iHeartRadio.As part of the partnership, iHeartRadio has created the “ICON Park Radio” custom playlist that guests can enjoy while riding The Wheel.
Special seasonal themes will also be available during various holidays throughout the year.
Prior to boarding their capsule on The Wheel, guests will walk past a new Lyric Wall designed by ICON and iHeartRadio. This beautiful photo spot features lyrics of songs that represent The Wheel, flying, and the sky.
“ICON Park is excited to partner with iHeartRadio as we enhance our guests’ experience,” said Chris Jaskiewicz, president and CEO of ICON Park. “In addition to having a perfect view of Orlando on The Wheel, guests will also have the right music for their mood. This will make special moments even more memorable.”
ICON Park is at the center of the Orlando Entertainment District. With free parking and conveniently located near I-4, Universal Boulevard, and the Beachline, this premiere entertainment complex is easy to access for any Central Florida resident or Orlando tourist
You can celebrate holidays from around the world without leaving EPCOT daily until December 30, 2021, during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays!
The event, included with theme park admission, is a yuletide wonderland that will immerse you in the wondrous sights, sounds, and flavors celebrated by cultures near and far.
The highlight of each night is the Candlelight Processional where a celebrity narrator tells the story of Christmas, recounting the biblical tale of a savior born in Bethlehem.
Woven into the production are stirring songs of hope and joy performed by the orchestra and massed choir. I promise you it will give you goosebumps!!!
This weekend’s narrator is Disney Legend Jodi Benson!
The Holidays at LEGOLAND Florida presented by Hallmark Channel is the jolliest event of the year!
This year’s celebration features new seasonal entertainment, exclusive character meet-and-greets, a spectacular 30-foot-tall LEGO tree, and more!
There is no better time to add a little LEGO magic to your family vacation and build memories to last a lifetime — plus, it’s all included in general admission.
The holidays are epic at the Universal Orlando Resort as they fill 51 days and nights with bigger and louder holiday traditions and characters daily through January 2, 2022.
Guests can once again experience nonstop holiday cheer as they join the celebration of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, meet the maven of mischief himself, The Grinch, during Grinchmas, and experience the larger-than-life return of Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.
Make sure you keep an eye out for pop-up holiday surprise performances around Universal Studios Florida!!!
The best holiday gift of all? It’s all included with theme park admission.
The SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration festivities on select days until January 2, 2021!
For 2021 SeaWorld Orlando has been transformed into a winter wonderland with more than 3 million sparkling lights to welcome a new holiday entertainment and fireworks finale while returning favorites will bring a smile to your heart!
New to this year’s celebration:
Each Christmas Celebration night, SeaWorld Orlando celebrates the season during Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountains Finale, featuring soaring fountains, dazzling lights, and festive fireworks, choreographed to joyous holiday musical favorites.
Join Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover, and Zoe as they help Elmo find his Christmas wish!
See a variety of talented acts take to the Nautilus Theater stage to bring the spirit of the season to life during the Sounds of the Season Concert Series on through January 2, 2022.
Most SeaWorld Christmas Celebration activities are included with your theme park admission.
This year during Christmas at Gaylord Palms, guests can explore acres of twinkling lights and decorations and more than 12 hours of exciting holiday activities, shows, and events until January 2, 2022.
‘Mission: Save Christmas featuring Elf’ is the marquee attraction, and if you are a fan of the films you are going to want to experience this interactive wonderland and help Santa power up the Kringle 3000!
Also new this year are the ‘Cirque: Spirit of Christmas’ and ‘Shine’ shows in the resort’s iconic atrium.
This holiday season Disney Very Merriest After Hours event will fill the Magic Kingdom with special characters, entertainment, fireworks, and more on select nights until December 21, 2021
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is ringing in the holiday season with Christmas Town daily until January 2, 2022.
This year’s celebration is the biggest and brightest yet with millions of twinkling holiday lights throughout the park’s 335 acres, spectacular fireworks, and a brand-new experience with Santa that will create merry memories for guests of all ages.
Included in park admission, the award-winning holiday event features all-new activities for the whole family as well as returning favorites!
Give Kids the World Village, located in Kissimmee, is a truly magical place, and during the Night of a Million Lights Holiday Light Spectacular, the 89-acre nonprofit resort is an enchanting and joyful winter wonderland from Friday, November 12, 2021, through Sunday, January 2, 2022!
Guests can explore a sparkling tree trail; view larger-than-life holiday displays; take photos at one-of-a-kind step-in frames and backdrops; and enjoy a guided storytelling tour of 100 magnificently lit villas from the comfort of a tram, included in the price of the ticket.
Tickets are on sale now at www.gktw.org/lights, enabling guests to immerse themselves in an exquisitely decorated fairytale neighborhood that wish families call home during their stays.
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and more by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
This holiday season SEA LIFE Orlando at ICON PARK is inviting you to Deck the Seas daily from November 26 to December 31, 2021.
You have heard of Santa Claus, but have you heard of Scuba Claus?
Thursdays at 1:00 pm guests can gather around and listen to the story of Fishmas as told by Scuba Claus!
What’s better than listening to a holiday story? Listening to a holiday story with Scuba Claus underwater surrounded by spectacular sea creatures!
Ready for some interactive fun?
Pick up your Deck the Seas Scavenger Hunt guide on your way inside the attraction and begin your adventure to find six cold water sea creatures located throughout the aquarium!
You’ll have a lot of fun learning about our cold water sea creatures, and once you find them all make sure to turn in your guide for a special prize!
Ready for even more fun?
Before you leave SEA LIFE Orlando, make sure to leave a special holiday card for your favorite sea creature! Drop it in the mailbox on your way out so their creatures can get all their cards in time for the holidays.
Don’t forget to take time to enjoy the holiday decorations throughout the attraction and see if you can find all the decorations we’ve put into our tanks.
Sea creatures need holiday cheer, too!
SEA LIFE Orlando is open daily from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm at ICON Park!
Want to find even more holiday fun around the City Beautiful? Follow @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
This year during Christmas at Gaylord Palms, guests can explore acres of twinkling lights and decorations and more than 12 hours of exciting holiday activities, shows, and events until January 2, 2022.
‘Mission: Save Christmas featuring Elf’ is the marquee attraction, and if you are a fan of the films you are going to want to experience this interactive wonderland and help Santa power up the Kringle 3000!
Also new this year are the ‘Cirque: Spirit of Christmas’ and ‘Shine’ shows in the resort’s iconic atrium.
The holidays are epic at the Universal Orlando Resort as they fill 51 days and nights with bigger and louder holiday traditions and characters daily through January 2, 2022.
Guests can once again experience nonstop holiday cheer as they join the celebration of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, meet the maven of mischief himself, The Grinch, during Grinchmas, and experience the larger-than-life return of Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.
Make sure you keep an eye out for pop-up holiday surprise performances around Universal Studios Florida!!!
The best holiday gift of all? It’s all included with theme park admission.
The SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration festivities on select days until January 2, 2021!
For 2021 SeaWorld Orlando has been transformed into a winter wonderland with more than 3 million sparkling lights to welcome a new holiday entertainment and fireworks finale while returning favorites will bring a smile to your heart!
New to this year’s celebration:
Each Christmas Celebration night, SeaWorld Orlando celebrates the season during Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountains Finale, featuring soaring fountains, dazzling lights, and festive fireworks, choreographed to joyous holiday musical favorites.
Join Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover, and Zoe as they help Elmo find his Christmas wish!
See a variety of talented acts take to the Nautilus Theater stage to bring the spirit of the season to life during the Sounds of the Season Concert Series on through January 2, 2022.
Most SeaWorld Christmas Celebration activities are included with your theme park admission.
This holiday season Disney Very Merriest After Hours event will fill the Magic Kingdom with special characters, entertainment, fireworks, and more on select nights until December 21, 2021
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is ringing in the holiday season with Christmas Town daily until January 2, 2022.
This year’s celebration is the biggest and brightest yet with millions of twinkling holiday lights throughout the park’s 335 acres, spectacular fireworks, and a brand-new experience with Santa that will create merry memories for guests of all ages.
Included in park admission, the award-winning holiday event features all-new activities for the whole family as well as returning favorites!
Give Kids the World Village, located in Kissimmee, is a truly magical place, and during the Night of a Million Lights Holiday Light Spectacular, the 89-acre nonprofit resort is an enchanting and joyful winter wonderland from Friday, November 12, 2021, through Sunday, January 2, 2022!
Guests can explore a sparkling tree trail; view larger-than-life holiday displays; take photos at one-of-a-kind step-in frames and backdrops; and enjoy a guided storytelling tour of 100 magnificently lit villas from the comfort of a tram, included in the price of the ticket.
Tickets are on sale now at www.gktw.org/lights, enabling guests to immerse themselves in an exquisitely decorated fairytale neighborhood that wish families call home during their stays.
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and more by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
