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Great news for Orlando ice cream fans! Walt Disney World is getting ready to welcome its newest scoop shop as Salt & Straw have announced it's much anticipated opening is gonna be April 20 at Disney Springs. We had revealed that Salt & Straw had taken down construction walls around the ice cream shop earlier this week, and that the store was getting ready for an imminent opening. The Portland based family-run ice cream company is known for its innovative, taste-provoking flavors that take fans on a never-ending flavor adventure. This is the company’s second time partnering with Disney, as it already has a location at Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort in California. This will be the first Central Florida location for Salt & Straw, and we can’t wait for it to open, see ya'll there on the 20th!

Great news for ice cream fans in Orlando as a brand new scoop shop from Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream will be opening soon in The Winter Park Village, a shopping center that is seeing major developments, with several new tenets debuting soon. The ice cream brand is opening it's new scoop store at 510 N Orlando Avenue. No timeframe is available for the new store opening, so ww will just have to wait our time to try fresh Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream. Right now the companies ice cream is available in retail locations, including Publix and Fresh Market.

Salt & Straw, Disney Springs soon to open, family run boutique ice parlor is nearing completing with construction walls now down around the location. Originally slated to open in June 2021, the company later announced that the store would be opening in March, but with that date now past, the company could be pushing for an Easter opening this weekend! Construction walls are all down, with only signage to be added to the outside. Inside the ice cream parlor is completed with staff training underway, This will be the first Central Florida location for Salt & Straw, and we can’t wait for it to open!

Great news for coffee fans as the popular Foxtail Coffee Co. is expanding its flagship location in Winter Park, taking over three more establishments to create a massive coffee complex that's expected to open as soon as August. According to the Orlando Business Journal, the busy location at 1282 N. Orange Ave. will expand from 3,800 square feet to 10,000 square feet. To create this new space, Foxtail will take up the former space of The Bear & Peacock Brewery, which relocated downtown. This larger store include food from Swine & Sons, desserts from Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream and drinks by cocktail bar, The Courtesy. Local company Foxtail has grown from Winter Park to include locations across the sunshine state. Founders Alex Tchekmeian and Iain Yeakle recently built a similar space in Milkhouse Orlando, that debuted in October. It includes a Foxtail, Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream, full liquor bar and more.

Current Disney College Program participants at Walt Disney World now have the opportunity to move to the soon to relaunch Minnie Van Service. This summer, the Minnie Van Service will return to Walt Disney World Resort. As Minnie Van Service ride associates, Cast Members can create magic by providing exceptional guest service and safely transporting guests around Walt Disney World Resort, Port Canaveral, and various local airport locations. This role provides Cast Members a $14/hour pay rate plus tips, and it's the only role that allows College Program participants to be tipped. Interested College Program Participants should be willing to extended their current program through October 2022 or later. To perform this role, Cast Members must be at least 21 years old with a valid United States driver’s license, and they must have possessed a driver’s license for a minimum of five years (since April 2017).

It's been just over a month since the brand new Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opened to a fanfare of publicity, now Walt Disney World have decided to discontinue the bus service to Disney Springs on check-in day. When the new themed resort opened, Walt Disney World offered a complimentary bus service to Disney Springs for Galactic Starcruiser guests who arrived at check-in early and were looking for something to do before their check-in. The service has been little used by guests within the first month of operations, and has been quickly cut.

Walt Disney World has opened Annual Passholder previews for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction at EPCOT. Registration Link: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/verify/ Preview dates are: May 8 May 9 May 10 May 15 May 16 May 18 May 19 May 20 May 21 UPDATE! Annual Passholder previews for Walt Disney World's upcoming 'Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind' rollercoaster have quickly reached capacity. Registration opened earlier today at 9am, when registration also opened for Disney Vacation Club Members. The passholder previews reached capacity at 10:35am, with the website now displaying "Event Full."

Exciting news as Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition located on International Drive here in Orlando, has added new artifacts recovered from the ship’s wreckage. The Titanic made her maiden voyage on April 10, 1912, and sank after a collision with an iceberg a few days later on April 15. Over time, more than 200 artifacts have been recovered from the wreck site. Four of them have recently been added in the Orlando attraction’s collection. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition New Artifacts: A bronze cherub that was once a part of the aft grand staircase. A two-piece clarinet that was discovered in a suitcase. A fuse panel with switches that closed the ship’s water-tight doors. A leather suitcase found at the site. First Class dining room dinnerware. A warning gong. Company CEO Jessica Sanders commented “We are so excited to share these personal and historical artifacts to help guests of all ages connect with the story of Titanic and her passengers, keeping them in our memories and carrying on their legacies,” As well as adding new pieces to the attractions collection, the I-Drive attraction is hosting a two-day speakers’ series on April 14 and 15, 2022. Visitors can see the newly installed items, and gain new insights into the ship’s tragic tale by visiting one session, or all four sessions, with Titanic experts and historians. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is open Sundays to Thursdays from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit TitanicOrlando.com.

Gatorpalooza, Gatorland’s annual fun filled event featuring live music, craft vendors, artisans, games, and overall down-home family fun returns to the park for two days in May. Join Gatorland for a weekend of alligators, animals, and “awesomeness” along with specialty foods, vendors, music, and games. “We are so excited to host our Gatorpalooza festival again, and roll out Gatorland’s unique style of fun and excitement during this special weekend event,” said Mark McHugh, president and CEO of Gatorland. “No other attractions says ‘Florida’ like Gatorland, and our very own second annual Florida Man Challenge takes it over the top!" On Saturday, May 15, the wild weekend gets even wilder and crazier as the park’s Florida Man Challenge triathlon-style event’s competitors race through a muddy swamp swarming with gators. This is a not to be missed event! “It’s the kind of sporting event that makes the rest of the U.S. shake their heads and say, ‘Only in Florida’ while everyone in Florida just shakes their head and says, ‘Only at Gatorland.’” The gator-fest that is Gatorpalooza is included with park admission! Florida residents can enjoy a half-off discount on daily admissions, at $16.60 plus tax, per adult (with proof of residency), during the entire month of May, including during the Gatorplooza weekend. Seniors ages 60 and up pay $15.99 plus tax. Tickets for children ages three-12 are $11.50 plus tax, for a savings of $11.49. Ages two and under are free. For more information visit Gatorland.com.

With Earth Day coming up on April 22, Walt Disney World Resort is serving up delicious limited-edition delights inspired by the world around us. As we celebrate our beautiful Earth this month, Disney chefs and mixologists have put their creativity to the plate and cup with some truly wild treats. These delicious goodies feature some of the world’s most beautiful creatures while embracing the environments they come from. Walt Disney World Resort Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Pizzafari and Flame Tree Barbecue (available on Mobile Order through April 28) Flamingo Cupcake: Strawberry cake filled with strawberry compote and crowned with guava frosting, strawberry crisp pearls, and white-chocolate wings Dawa Bar Lion’s Fury: Jungle juice, Red Stag Bourbon Whiskey, Fireball Whiskey Floater, and a fiery glow cube (available through April 28) Tiger Tail Pale Ale: Celebrating Florida’s tiger swallowtail butterfly, this pale ale features notes of passionfruit, strawberry, and grapefruit (available through April 28) Dino Diner (available through April 28) Sea Turtle: Frozen blue raspberry and frozen lemonade with a wave of blue cotton candy on top Isle of Java (available through April 28) Red Crowned Cane: Frozen Coke with frozen cherry and a crown of cotton candy Restaurantosaurus Lounge Crave the Wave: Refreshing vodka, blue curaçao, lemonade, and a lemon wheel (available through April 28) Tiger Tail Pale Ale: Celebrating Florida’s tiger swallowtail butterfly, this pale ale features notes of passionfruit, strawberry, and grapefruit (available through April 28) Creature Comforts and Restaurantosaurus (available on Mobile Order through April 28) Honey Bee Cupcake: Orange cake, honey Bavarian filling, honey frosting, and a white chocolate honeycomb Terra Treats (available through April 28) Loggerhead: Sprite and Granny Smith apple syrup over ice with a gummy worm, sugar lime rim, and souvenir glow cube (non-alcoholic) Satu’li Canteen (available on Mobile Order through April 28) Kiwi Margarita: Kiwi Monin syrup with lime juice, sour mix, and Tcorazon Tequila Blanco Thirsty River Bar Yeti Sunset: Jack Daniels whiskey, strawberry monin, and lychee lemonade (available through April 28) Tiger Tail Pale Ale: Celebrating Florida’s tiger swallowtail butterfly, this pale ale features notes of passionfruit, strawberry, and grapefruit (available through April 28) Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge The Mara (available on April 22) Plant (Based) in Boot: Chocolate Spice Cake with Coconut Ganache in a Chocolate Boot (Plant-based) (New) Disney’s BoardWalk Inn BoardWalk Bakery (available on Mobile Order from April 18 through 22) Garden Cupcake: Lemon cupcake with a lemon curd filling topped with vanilla buttercream and white chocolate ladybug (New)

The Grand Orlando Resort at Celebration has announced a $35 million renovation that is expected to be completed in 2023, including refreshed guest rooms and suites, outdoor pool areas, new restaurant, and an on-site conference center. The refurbishment comes as it was announced the 718-room property, located just 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World, has been purchased by Tishman Hotel Corporation, who are the owners of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort and the new Walt Disney World Swan Reserve at Walt Disney World. Previously under the Wyndham brand, the newly renovated resort will be branded as a Delta by Marriott, known for modern guest rooms, flexible spaces, and smart service. The resort remains open during the renovation, with construction contained to one of the hotel’s six towers at a time, to avoid interruptions to the guest experience. The lobby and two of the six towers have already been completed. Positioned on a 20-acre landscape, the renovated property will appeal to both leisure and business travelers. Leisure guests will enjoy three swimming pools – complete with a waterfall and slide – two tennis courts, on-site laundry facilities, and four restaurants. “We are excited to partner with the proven management team at StepStone and the leading and trusted Marriott brand to present a refreshed offering in Orlando,” said Robert Snyder, president of Tishman Hotel Corporation. “This is an ideal opportunity to capture guests who enjoy the proximity of the outer perimeter of Walt Disney World, with easy access to I-4 and the other Orlando attractions, including the convention center.” “As Orlando continues to be one of the nation’s leading destinations for leisure and meetings guests, we are confident the property’s convenient location, diverse facilities, new modern design, amenities and renovated product will have strong appeal to both travel segments,” said Blair Wills, president and CEO of StepStone Hospitality. “We are excited to expand our portfolio with a property offering so much appeal and in partnership with two highly recognized hospitality entities, Tishman and Marriott.” Orlando-based Tishman Hotel Company is a division of New York-based Tishman Hotel, Realty and Construction Company, and owns the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort and the new Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. Rhode Island-based StepStone Hospitality manages a diverse portfolio of major hotel brands across the nation.

The excitement keeps on building for the grand opening of the all-new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster. The brand new attraction is less than two months away, and the Walt Disney World Resort has unveiled additional information about this highly-anticipated EPCOT attraction. Walt Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley shared the details on Instagram. "Today, we were able to reveal to our EPCOT Cast the new costumes that our Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Cast Members will be wearing as they invite us to experience the Wonders of Xandar. Like all our experiences, our Cast have a role in our story." "In this experience our Cast will be emissaries of Xandar as members of the Nova Corps, helping Guests along their adventure through the attraction. The costumes pull from style, color and iconography we have only gotten glimpses of within the Nova Corps and the world of Xandar. Now we get to step into this world for the very first time." "This is yet another milestone in our journey that is leading to May 27th as we are thrilled to be opening this attraction for our Guests soon!"