Positively Osceola News Today, Osceola County's Leading and Trusted Source for News!

Man shot at Taco Bell in east St. Cloud just after midnight, St. Cloud Police Investigating

St. Cloud to Rock New Year’s Eve with the return of Rockin’ the Cloud, and headliner The Supervillains!

Harmony Longhorns get defensive on St. Cloud Bulldogs, win sixth straight

Universal’s Great Movie Escape is Now Open at Universal Citywalk

The Osceola Chamber to Host 19th Annual Three Kings Day Celebration at Old Town January 3

ON DEMAND LIVESTREAMS

Daybreak LIVE with Dr. Christopher Burns and Dr. Joseph D’Ambrosi from SDOC Arts October 13th, 2022

Daybreak LIVE with Bri Stefek from Osceola Arts October 6th, 2022

Osceola Matters LIVE with Brandon Arrington, Commissioner for District 3 October 12th, 2022

Daybreak LIVE with Silver Spurs Big Boss Clifton Chapman October 12th, 2022

Daybreak LIVE with Charlie Draper of Draper Law Office September 21st, 2022

IN & AROUND OSCEOLA

LIVE with City of Kissimmee’s Josef Bladek as they prepare for this Saturday’s Festival of Lights Parade

LIVE at the State of the County 2022

LIVE at the 2022 St Cloud Christmas Parade

LIVE at the St. Cloud Christmas Tree Lighting

LIVE for the Snowfall at Celebration’s Winter Wonderland

VIDEOS ON DEMAND

41st Annual Holiday Craft Market at Osceola Arts

The Osceola Arts Crafters’ Guild is inviting the community to the 41st Annual Holiday Craft Market at Osceola Arts in Kissimmee through December 18th. It’s the perfect way to find that very special and unique gift for that very special someone you care about in your life.

St. Cloud Light Up the Park

The City of St. Cloud, Florida will “Light Up the Park” on December 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Peghorn Nature Park, located at 2101 Peghorn Way in St. Cloud.

Osceola Business Referral Service

For over 20 years the Osceola Business Referral Service has been a trusted source for the community to look to for highly trusted, quality professionals for everything from custom home builders to pest control, and real estate in Osceola County. Just go to OBRS.net and you’ll find a host of businesses that are sure to exceed your expectations!

Kissimmee Valley Feed’s Customer Appreciation Day

Kissimmee Valley Feed’s Main Store in St. Cloud LOVES it’s customers, and to show that love, they are having a Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, December 10th, from 8am – 2pm. Everything in the store is on sale that day! It’s their way of saying thank you, and happy holidays.

Oliver at Osceola Arts

Next up at the Osceola Arts main stage is the Charles Dickens classic, Oliver! This must-see show will take place December 2nd through December 18th. Showtimes are Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. On Saturday, December 17th at 2pm there will be a special American Sign Language interpreted performance.

The Osceola Chamber to Host 19th Annual Three Kings Day Celebration at Old Town January 3

The Three Kings will once again visit Osceola County in early 2023 in celebration of the Three Kings Day holiday when The Osceola Chamber and its Hispanic Business Council host the 19th annual Three King’s Day Osceola at Old Town in Kissimmee on Sunday, January 8, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. .

The Osceola Chamber’s Hispanic Business Council hosted their annual press conference on Tuesday to announce the arrival of the Three Kings in Osceola County. The council’s current chair, Melissa Zayas-Moreno, led the press conference.

“It has been an honor to be the 2022 Hispanic Business Council Chair and work alongside some of the most amazing professionals in Osceola County. It has been a great year for the HBC board,” Zayas-Moreno shared. “We gave $5,000 in scholarships to Osceola students, celebrated ‘Businesses under the Stars’, and awarded two Hispanicowned businesses for their practices in community involvement.”

You can meet the Three Kings and take a photo with them on January 8 at Old Town as part of the chamber’s 19th Annual Three Kings Day Osceola event!

For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com

St. Cloud Adds Veteran Public Safety PIO, Andrew Sullivan, to Communications Team

The City of St. Cloud has expanded its communications team with the hiring of veteran PIO Andrew Sullivan as Senior Public Information Manager.

The new position within the City’s Communications department will help keep residents and business owners better informed on matters of safety.

Sullivan, who is a FEMA-accredited Master Public Information Officer and FAA-licensed drone pilot, will support the St. Cloud Police Department, St. Cloud Fire Rescue, and the City’s Emergency Management efforts.

A Florida native, Sullivan previously served as the PIO for Osceola County Fire Rescue & EMS and the Osceola County Office of Emergency Management.

Positively Osceola welcomes Andrew Sullivan and we look forward to working with him in keeping the St. Cloud community informed and safe!

Man shot at Taco Bell in east St.

Shortly after midnight, a shooting took place in the parking lot of Taco Bell, located at the corner of US192 and Narcoossee Road in St. Cloud. The shooting left one man with a non-life threatening injury to his hand. The man was transported to Orlando Health, St Cloud Hospital, for treatment.

Investigating

No arrests have been made at this time, but St. Cloud Police are currently interviewing numerous involved parties. According to St. Cloud PD it appears to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public. It remains an open and active investigation and further updates will be posted one received.

For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

PositivelyOsceola.com

Cloud just after midnight, St. Cloud Police

First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces Over $60 Million in Donations for the Florida Disaster Fund

First Lady Casey DeSantis announced on Wednesday that the Florida Disaster Fund has raised over $60 million in donations to help with recovery in communities impacted by Hurricane Ian.

“It has been heartwarming to witness individuals and organizations come together from all over the country to generously help Floridians rebuild and recover,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “The $60 million raised reflects the graciousness and incredible commitment from good people to provide relief and hope. As we continue to target funds to maximize the impact of these donations in Southwest Florida, we could not be more grateful for the outpouring of support that makes these efforts possible.”

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3uNRxoy

The Osceola Chamber’s President/CEO John Newstreet named “Chamber Executive of the Year”

Business Works Better Together… that’s the mission statement of The Osceola Chamber, and given the challenges over the last few years, that should bring solace to those in the business community. Businesses and organizations in Osceola County don’t have to go at alone with one of the best chambers in the state right in Kissimmee.

At the recent Florida Association of Chamber Professionals Annual Awards Luncheon, held this year in Ocala, The Osceola Chamber President/CEO John Newstreet was named the 2022 Chamber Executive of the Year for the state of Florida. Following an extensive application process, which included assessment of the chamber’s membership recruitment and retention, communications, and volunteer management, Mr. Newstreet was chosen by a group of fellow Chamber CEOs from around Florida.

“This award is most humbling,” said Newstreet, “My fellow Chamber executives are all high caliber individuals who selflessly work for the betterment of their members and communities, but no executive can do it alone. I am blessed to have a tremendous team dedicated to excellence and helping others, and I am fortunate to have incredible support from my volunteer leaders and private partners who guide us and enable us to reach farther and higher than we ever thought wise or possible. Thank you to Cindy Lewis, my ‘right hand,’ who makes me look good and keeps it all together. And thank you to my team for nominating me, and for your dedication to our common purpose to be ‘Champions for Business and the Osceola community.’”

The Osceola Chamber was named the FACP Chamber of the Year in 2021, 2017, and 2001. Chamber Executive Vice President Cindy Lewis and Senior Director of Business Development Robin Hughes have also previously won Chamber Professional of the Year in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com

Cloud

Get ready to rock in the new year with the City of St. Cloud’s 6th Annual Rockin’ the Cloud in downtown St. Cloud from 7 pm. to a am.

This year’s event will offer three stages of live entertainment with performances from Maiden Voyage, Harlequin, and event headliner The Supervillains!

Once again the countdown to midnight will include St. Cloud’s iconic Cloud Drop to ring in the New Year.

Tell your family – tell your friends, and get ready to rock in the new year with Rockin’ the Cloud in Downtown St. Cloud New Year’s Eve!

For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

St.

to Rock New Year’s Eve with the return of Rockin’ the Cloud, and headliner The Supervillains!

Osceola County Announces Osceola Prosper 2023, FREE tuition for graduates planning to attend Valencia College or O-Tech

The State of Osceola County is strong, prosperous and well-positioned to provide new, high-paying job opportunities to residents for generations to come, County Commissioner Brandon Arrington announced during the 10th annual State of the County address on Wednesday.

Arrington also announced that all of Osceola County’s 2023 graduating seniors will benefit from a second round of a program that provides them –free of charge — the opportunity to earn a 2-year associates degree or technical training from Valencia College or oTech. The county announced a similar program for graduating seniors in 2022.

“We continue our Commission’s commitment to our residents and we’re changing lives with this investment of more than $8 million,” Arrington said.

https://bit.ly/3HnIiD6

INJURY LAW

Draper Law:

minor

Car accidents can happen in an instant. Even though these crashes happen quickly, recovery is not always quick and easy. A car accident can cause a variety of injuries, including back injuries. Even a minor crash can cause back injuries because the back tends to absorb most of the impact in an accident.

If you have suffered a back injury, seek prompt medical treatment. These injuries can be hard to treat, and sometimes can lead to secondary medical issues, such as hypotension, osteoporosis, pressure ulcers, sleep apnea, bowel problems, urinary tract infections, sexual dysfunction, and more. Draper Law Office understands how serious a back injury can be. These injuries can be long-lasting and costly to treat. Schedule a consultation by filling out the online form or by calling their office at (407) 846.0075.

Even

car accidents can cause back injuries, don’t wait to seek medical attention

Mecum, World’s Largest Collector Car Auction Returns to Kissimmee January 4-15 with 4,000 Cars

With a projected 4,000 vehicle consignments to be offered at the annual live auction event at Osceola Heritage Park in Florida, Mecum Kissimmee 2023, the world’s largest collector car auction, will feature a broad selection of American muscle cars, classics, Corvettes, exotics, trucks, Hot Rods, customs and more to cross the auction block Jan. 4-15.

The 2023 auction lineup is building momentum right out of the gates with The Chuck Cocoma Judge & GTO Ram Air IV Collection joining the roster to kick things off with serious muscle power. The collection is led by an exceedingly rare Orbit Orange 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible and includes a total of six Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IVs from the 1969 and 1970 model years among the nine lots that make up the rare muscle-car collection.

FAMILY LAW

Draper Law: Ten Mistakes to Avoid During Your Divorce

When you are going through a divorce, it can feel like every aspect of your life from where you live to how you are going to support yourself is at risk. At a time like this it is a natural response to be afraid but, if you are not careful, that fear can lead you to make errors which could hurt your case. The good news is that you can avoid mistakes during your divorce.

Knowing what actions to avoid during divorce is critical. Draper Law Office has experience helping clients circumvent mistakes and make the right choices during divorce. Call 407.846.0075 today or go to DraperLawOffice.com to set up your free, no-obligation consultation in one of their three locations: St. Cloud, Kissimmee, and Orlando.

Florida Health Officials Issue Blue-Green Algae Bloom Alert for Lake Marian

The Florida Department of Health in Osceola County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful bluegreen algal toxins in Lake Marian, near the boat ramp. This is in response to water samples taken on 12/05/2022. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Marian. Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

• Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.

• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.

• Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.

• Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.

• Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.

• Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms. What is blue-green algae?

Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria that is common in Florida’s freshwater environments. A bloom occurs when rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors. Some environmental factors that contribute to blue-green algae blooms are sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions and excess nutrients. Blooms can appear year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall.

SPORTS

By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola

Harmony Longhorns get defensive on St. Cloud Bulldogs, win sixth straight

Frans Richardson scored a game-high 18 points and a swarming Harmony defense limited St. Cloud to just six first half points as the Longhorns rolled to a 50-21 rivalry win over the Bulldogs on Wednesday night.

The win was Harmony’s third straight win over St. Cloud and pushed the Longhorns to 6-1 on the season. St. Cloud fell to a 5-3.

Any chance of a St. Cloud win evaporated early in this one as Harmony came out in a full court press and forced 14 first half turnovers. The Bulldogs hit just 2 of 20 first half field goal attempts and trailed 15-5 after one quarter and 30-6 at the half.

“Our depth was the key to the win tonight,” Harmony coach Duke Leonardo said. “When you play two units it keeps everyone fresh and it allowed us to put a lot of pressure on their offense all night. Our goal is to always hold an opponent under 40 and when we can do that like we did tonight, I always feel pretty good about the outcome.”

About the only thing that kept the game from getting totally out of hand in the first half was the Longhorns poor performance at the free throw line – where Harmony went four for 14 from the charity stripe in the first half. “That’s really not indicative of our team, we’re usually pretty good at the line,” Leonardo said. “Not sure whether we were just tight because it was a rivalry game or whether it was just one of those nights, but it’s was certainly not typical.”

Harmony, which finished the game 6 for 17 from the free throw line (35%) came into the game shooting almost 68% from the line. Both teams were sloppy in the third quarter.

Harmony turned the ball over 10 times, including six in the first four minutes of the period, but St. Cloud was only able three for 14 in the period and turned the ball over six times. The end result was the Bulldogs were only able to close the gap by one point and trailed 36-13 after three.

St. Cloud’s City Council is looking for ways to incentivize Cathcart Construction, the company involved in the city’s downtown construction project, to complete the project as quickly as possible in order to help its downtown business community.

During the city’s Thursday night meeting Trevor Estill, owner of The Garage Bar and Thee Dog House on Pennsylvania Avenue, told Council members the delays are hurting his businesses.

”It has become absolutely dire,” Estill said. “I’ve been one of the most ardent supporters of this project. The outcome will be very beneficial to downtown and the businesses. But we are dying a slow, painful death because of all the construction delays.”

City Manager Veronica Miller said Cathcart Construction informed the city this week that the project again delayed. Cathcart was expecting the downtown project to be most complete by Dec. 2, in time for the Dec. 3 Christmas parade, but because of the impacts of the recent hurricane, along with a number of unforeseen underground conflicts, the construction company has extended the expected completion date.

St. Cloud explores ways to “speed up” construction company in its downtown construction project to help local businesses

Country Thunder to roar back to Osceola County in 2023 with Country Music Superstars

Keith Urban, Cody Johnson, & Hardy

Buckle up country music fans, Country Thunder Florida has announced that its October 2023 all-star lineup at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee will feature country music superstars Cody Johnson, HARDY, Keith Urban & so many more.

“When you have the world’s greatest country music fans show up the way they did in Florida in 2022, you owe them a follow-up of epic proportions,” says Country Thunder Music Festivals CEO, Troy Vollhoffer. “And we’re making that promise with one of the best lineups from start to finish we’ve had in years. We can’t wait to bring Cody Johnson, HARDY, and Keith Urban to the fans in Florida!”

Keith Urban has won four GRAMMY© Awards, thirteen CMAs, fifteen ACMs, three AMAs, two People’s Choice Awards and celebrated nine consecutive gold, platinum or multi-platinum albums. His concerts have become legendary – as unpredictable as they are explosive.

Margaritaville at Sea offering free 3-day cruises for military, first responders and teachers

The Margaritaville at Sea cruise line is offering a 3-day, 2-night cruise to Grand Bahama Island to all active and veteran military, first responders, law enforcement, and educators for their dedication to serving our communities at home and abroad. The cruise will sail from the Port of Palm Beach in Florida to Freeport in the Bahamas.

The Heroes Sail Free offer applies only to the registered member(s) sailing in your party. You will see the Heroes Sail Free fare discount applied during checkout after entering in all guests’ information and clicking “View pricing by Guests.” Please visit the GovX site for more details on GovX membership eligibility. The Margaritaville at Sea cruise line says they are currently experiencing significant call volume into their reservations center due to a high level of excitement for this program.

Creative Inspiration Journey School sees continued student growth amid school facility expansion

From the first day that Creative Inspiration Journey School opened its doors in the Fall of 2019, it was easy to see that it wasn’t going to be just another tuition free public charter school, it was focused on creating an environment of learning for its students unlike any other school in the St. Cloud and Osceola communities.

CIJS uses the Reggio Emilia approach to learning, which allows children to direct their own learning process according to their needs, and in a less-structured environment. This gives the students a apportunity to grow at their own pace, both as individuals – and community members.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3wbfyXv

OSCEOLA BUSINESS

R E F E R R A L S E R V I C E

Making Business better, together

Osceola County Clerk of the Court & Comptroller Kelvin

Soto Publishes “Osceola

On the Rise” County Financial Report

In January, the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office underwent some changes, as set forth by Amendment 10 in the Florida Constitution, and was reestablished as the Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Office in order to provide a checks and balances system for Osceola County government’s finances.

To help citizens better understand the county’s finances, Osceola County Clerk of the Court & County Comptroller, Kelvin Soto, Esq. has published the inaugural edition of the Osceola On The Rise Popular Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year ended 2021.

“Osceola On The Rise” is a summary of the financial information provided in the Osceola County Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) which was jointly prepared by the Comptroller’s office and the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners.

“I am proud to share with you this first ever Popular Annual Financial Report in Osceola County. As the County Comptroller, I am committed to fulfilling our constitutional duty of transparency in government and responsible stewardship of our citizen’s finances,” said Honorable Kelvin Soto, Esq. . “It is my hope that you will find Osceola On The Rise valuable, enjoyable and informative.”

Osceola On The Rise provides information about the Osceola County community like statistics and demographic information, directories of parks, recreation facilities, libraries, emergency services, public services and annual events, Clerk and County accomplishments, and an overview of the County’s financial well-being.

To view or download the “Osceola On The Rise” publication just click here. Print copies are available by request. Contact communications@osceolaclerk.org.

HEALTH

Orlando Health hospitals awarded top grades for patient safety

Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC), Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital and Orlando Health South Lake Hospital have received “A” grades for patient safety by The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit organization committed to driving quality, safety and transparency in the U.S. health system. For Orlando Health South Lake, this is its 9th consecutive “A” grade from Leapfrog.

“Our clinical teams work extremely hard to achieve and maintain outstanding quality of care across the entire Orlando Health system,” said George Ralls, MD, chief medical officer, Orlando Health. “We have implemented quality and safety clinical practices across our system that protect our patients from harm and ensure the best possible outcomes. Our focus on quality and commitment to excellence has resulted in awards and recognition by other national, well-respected organizations.”

The American Heart Association recently recognized six Orlando Health hospitals for consistently following the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of stroke. In addition, U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, ranked five Orlando Health clinical programs amongst the top 50 in the US, including a number one ranking for Neonatology in the state of Florida in 2022. Additionally, six Orlando Health hospitals were recognized as 2022-2023 High Performing hospitals in a total of twelve categories. And Orlando Health recently received 24 Beacon Awards for Excellence in nursing care from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses – more than any other healthcare system in Florida – recognizing high-quality patient care and a healthy work environment.

“Earning top recognitions for quality and safety is a continual journey,” adds Dr. Ralls. “Every achievement is a reflection of our mission to improve the health and quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve”

For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! PositivelyOsceola.com

HEALTH

Ashlee Wright MDA, RD, LD/N Orlando Health Outpatient Registered Dietitian

5 Tips for a Healthy, and Satisfying, Holiday Season From Orlando Health

It can be tough to resist your aunt’s special stuffing or mom’s once-ayear Bûche de Noël when you’re trying to avoid packing on the pounds over the holidays. The truth is: You don’t have to. You just need to be smart and intentional about what you eat.

The following tips will help you enjoy the holidays – and not feel regret come New Year’s Day.

Try These Strategies

1. Don’t abandon hard-earned good habits just because it’s the holiday season.

Even if you’re doing OK maintaining other parts of your healthy routine, like exercising and getting good sleep, food and alcohol — ever-present at this time — can create special challenges. But many holiday traditions — shopping, wrapping, decorating, caroling — don’t necessarily involve food. Make a list of celebratory activities that don’t revolve around eating, then enlist your family and friends to brainstorm even more personal, meaningful favorites.

2. Don’t skip breakfast — do skip treats you can get 365 days a year. (We see you, M&Ms.)

You can make mashed potatoes any day. But your aunt’s stuffing? That’s special‚ so enjoy it — but skip that store-bought roll. Yes, mindful eating can be hard to practice in a busy season, but the holidays roll around every year — odds are good this won’t be your last piece of pumpkin pie ever. Sugar cravings are real, for sure, and also totally normal. Rather than struggling to eliminate those feelings, try to manage them and find balance in your diet. Give yourself a “cookie budget” — or whatever it is that you really want — and then use it wisely on things that are truly special to you. Ordering pizza on a crazy night? Add a salad. A more balanced diet will help you stay mindful because you’ll get better nutritional value from what you are eating. Just slowing down and making more conscious decisions can cut the calories quickly. But don’t overthink it — if all else fails, eat a vegetable.

POSITIVELY DELICIOUS

Florida Shrimp Sandwich with Avocado, Positively

Delicious!

Shrimp, not just any shrimp… Florida Shrimp, and add in some fresh avocado and without question. It’s positively delicious!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound medium-sized Florida shrimp, peeled

• 1 large Florida avocado, peeled and seed removed

• 1 small red onion, sliced thin

• ½ cup rice vinegar

• Seafood seasoning

• 4 slices whole-wheat bread

• Olive oil for cooking

• 1 lemon, juiced

• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, stripped off the stem and chopped fine

• 6 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped fine

• Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

PREPARATION

In a small bowl combine the thin-sliced red onion and vinegar; let this mixture marinate for about 10 minutes. Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Season the water with 2 tablespoons of your favorite seafood boil seasoning. Make a bath of ice water in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Place peeled shrimp into the seasoned boiling water. Cook shrimp for 2 minutes, or until cooked throughout. Remove shrimp from the hot water and place them in the ice water bath, allowing shrimp to cool. Place the bread on a cookie sheet; lightly drizzle with olive oil and a dash of seafood seasoning. Place the bread under the broiler to toast (being careful not to let them burn). Remove the shrimp from the ice bath to a bowl. Add 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp seafood seasoning, juice of ½ lemon, fresh thyme, and half the garlic; stir to coat.

For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

Universal’s Great Movie Escape is Now Open at Universal Citywalk

Universal’s Great Movie Escape is now officially open at Universal CityWalk – bringing an entirely new level of escape room experience to Universal Orlando Resort.

Created by the same masterminds behind some of the destination’s most exciting and innovative entertainment, Universal’s Great Movie Escape is comprised of two distinct, cinematic escape adventures inspired by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s iconic Jurassic World and Back to the Future films – each boasting eight immersive environments that feature state-of-theart challenges, detailed sets and captivating storylines that allow guests to step into blockbuster films like never before.

Universal’s award-winning entertainment team partnered closely with escape room industry experts and the visionary Jurassic World and Back to the Future filmmakers to create this innovative experience that goes beyond the typical escape room. One of the unique features of Universal’s Great Movie Escape is the variety of challenges guests must work together to complete, with each one specifically crafted so that the experience is enjoyable for novices and escape room aficionados alike. The activities within both adventures are:

• randomized – so the solution can vary with each visit

• story-driven – as guests must complete tasks as part of an immersive original story

• customizable depending on party size – ensuring everyone gets to participate

• adjustable based on skill level and complexity – so there’s always a challenge to solve

The adventure begins as soon as guests enter the art deco, theater-inspired venue, where they’ll immediately be swept into one of many experiences.

PositivelyOsceola.com

IN THE

- THEME PARK

Universal Orlando announces new Minions Land, complete with

attraction

and Minion Cafe’

Universal Orlando announces new Minions Land, complete with attraction and Minion Cafe’ If you’ve visited Universal Studios Orlando in 2022, you likely noticed that the Shrek 4D attraction closed, and that construction walls decorated with yellow Minion images were placed around the building. On Thursday morning Universal announced that there will be more Minions-based attractions moving in, including one called the “Villain-Con Minion Blast.”

Once open in the former Shrek 4-D building in the summer of 2023, Blast will be an interactive blaster game on a “motion-based pathway.” The new attraction will join the existing Despicable Me Minion Mayhem area, which debuted in 2012, and the newly announced Minion Cafe which will form Minion Land in the theme park.

IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

Seaworld’s Christmas Celebration Kicks off and runs through January 3

The holiday season is on the way, and no one does it better than SeaWorld Orlando. Gather your family and join all your festive friends at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, select dates through Jan. 3, 2023.

Watch as SeaWorld Orlando is transformed into a winter wonderland sparkling with over 3 million beautiful lights.

Create unforgettable holiday memories at SeaWorld’s wondrous Christmas celebration with Rudolph and his friends, SeaWorld’s award winning Celebration on Ice, SeaWorld’s Sesame Street Christmas Celebration, the “Sounds of the Season” Performance Series, and so much more. SeaWorld has it all for the holidays.

And of course, delicious holiday treats and shopping of every kind. It’s SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration!

For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!

PositivelyOsceola.com