Lifestyle

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens to reopen Wednesday, October 26

Published

7 months ago

October 24, 2022

SANFORD, Fla. — Nearly a month after closing for Hurricane Ian, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is ready to welcome guests.

The Zoo will resume normal operations at 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 26.

The Zoo closed Sept. 28 in preparation for Hurricane Ian and remained closed afterward for cleanup. The St. Johns River and Lake Monroe flooding followed, rendering the Zoo’s only entrance road impassable.

While the Zoo’s Animal Care team kept all of the animal residents safe throughout the closure, those circumstances prevented the Seminole County attraction from reopening quickly after the storm.

“A month ago, we never imagined we’d be in this situation,” said Zoo CEO Richard E. Glover, Jr. “I am incredibly thankful for our team and community for all they’ve done to help us get to this point, and we can’t wait to see our guests again. A special thanks goes out to Seminole County, SunRail, and Wharton-Smith, Inc. for their help during this time. Even so, there’s a long road ahead of us before we can say we’ve fully recovered from the effects of this devastating storm.”

While damages for the Zoo are still being tallied, Glover estimates damages and the cost to operate the Zoo throughout its four-week closure will exceed $800,000. The Wayne M. Densch Discovery Center, the Zoo’s main meeting building, suffered flooding damage and will remain closed likely for a month or more. The bear exhibit and boardwalk will also remain closed for cleanup and repairs temporarily. Nearly all other exhibits and attractions will be open.

Glover emphasized that all of the Zoo’s animal residents remained safe throughout the storm and its aftermath—and that they’re eager to see friendly guest faces again.

The Zoo will welcome guests back for its first weekend in a big way with Zoo Boo Bash, presented by Orlando Health, on Oct. 29 and 30.

Those who wish to donate to help with recovery efforts can visit www.centralfloridazoo.org/get-involved/hurricane-ian/.

For more information about the Central Florida Zoo, visit www.centralfloridazoo.org.

Lifestyle

ICON Park to host 5th annual Sip n’ Savor

Published

2 months ago

April 7, 2023

Willie David

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 7, 2023) – Get the ultimate taste of spring at ICON Park’s 5^th annual Sip n’ Savor.

From noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, guests can join the big outdoor party in the heart of the Orlando Entertainment District with live entertainment, dishes from ICON Park’s famous restaurants and a variety of craft brews, wines, hard seltzers and even moonshine.

With an affordable ticket for adults and children, combined with free parking and discounts to attractions on the day of the celebration, this event is part of ICON Park’s continued commitment to providing meaningful value to local families and visitors alike.

The Sip n’ Savor pass offers access to a private party on The Lawn and includes:

Complimentary beer tastings
Complimentary wine tastings
Samples of hard seltzers, craft beers and moonshine
Tasty bites from 11 restaurants ranging in international cuisine from Spain and Mexico to Southern comfort and North Carolina BBQ
Brother Jimmy’s
Tapa Toro
Uncle Julio’s Orlando
Tin Roof
Blake Shelton’s Ole Red
Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips
Sloppy Joe’s Orlando
Sugar Factory
Buffalo Wild Wings
Shake Shack
The Wheelhouse Market Food Hall
Major discounts on attractions at ICON Park to continue the fun, including 50 percent off tickets to The Wheel

A portion of proceeds from the Sip n’ Savor event will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, as it creates a “home away from home” for families whose children are hospitalized in Orlando.

Passes purchased in advance are just $39 for adults and $9.99 for children ages 3 to 12. Guests must be 21+ to consume alcohol.

Lifestyle

Spring Break 2023 Traffic To Jump By Nearly A Million Passengers At Orlando International Airport

Published

3 months ago

March 3, 2023

FNN NEWS

ORLANDO, FL.- The busiest travel time of the entire year is now at Orlando International Airport (MCO), Spring Break 2023. Starting tomorrow, March 4th MCO is expecting approximately 7.3 million passengers during the 46-day travel period that runs until April 18th. This represents an anticipated 13 percent increase over last year or nearly 1 million more travelers.

Based on pre-spring break traffic numbers, MCO is prepared at any point during this window to set an all-time daily record for the number of passengers at Orlando International during a 24-hour period.

The current daily travel record at MCO is 90,804 departures set in March 2019, just prior to the start of the pandemic. However, recently records have been falling and four of the top ten busiest days in airport history were set in February of this year. The second busiest day ever at MCO was set last weekend with 89,863 departures.

Adding to the increase in traffic is the addition of service from Lynx, Breeze, Avelo, Southwest and Spirit Airlines at MCO.

	Predicted Top Ten Busiest Spring Break Travel Days 2023*
1.	Saturday, March 25	172,929
2.	Saturday, March 18	172,833
3.	Saturday, April 1	172,449
4.	Saturday, March 11	171,959
5.	Saturday, April 8	169,398
6.	Sunday, April 2	165,683
7.	Sunday, March 19	165,654
8	Sunday, March 26	165,049
9.	Sunday, March 12	164,953
10.	Easter Sunday, April 9	163,289

Top 5 Spring Break Travel Tips:
1. Travelers should allow plenty of time to park, check baggage and go through security processing.
2. Pack as lightly as possible.
3. Do NOT pack firearms or weapons in your carry-on luggage.
4. Print or download your boarding pass prior to arriving at the airport.
5. Pack your patience.

Lifestyle

Dezerland Action Park Orlando to host FAMILYFEST THIS WEEKEND

Published

4 months ago

January 23, 2023

FNN NEWS

ORLANDO, Fla. – Looking for an action-packed weekend? Check out FAMILYFEST which, comes to Dezerland Action Park Orlando this weekend! Did we mention it’s FREE?

Jan. 28th. from 12 to 6 p.m., guests can enjoy a wide variety of vendors and attractions including Dezerland’s glow-in-the-dark mini golf, go-karts, and trampoline park.

Plus, if visitors get their FamilyFest passport fully stamped by each vendor, they can redeem the passport for up to $80 in BOGOS that can be used at some of Dezerland’s attractions.

This is an event you won’t want to miss. Attached is the press release with further information. We’d love to be included in any things to do roundups or event coverage. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.