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Osceola County Fair to Return to Osceola Heritage Park February

10-19, 2023

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

St. Cloud Pink Heals to Host Pinktoberfest at St. Cloud Lakefront January 21

St. Cloud Main Street to Host Downtown Ghost Tours, and a “Little Less Creepy” Walking Tours

City of Kissimmee to host Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Festival January 14 at Kissimmee’s Lakefront Park

ON DEMAND LIVESTREAMS

Daybreak LIVE with Charlie Draper of Draper Law Office December 22nd, 2022

Daybreak LIVE with Kristen Arrington, State Representative for District 46 December 16th, 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 Bri Stefek from Osceola Arts October 6th, 2022

IN & AROUND OSCEOLA

LIVE with St. Cloud’s Senior Public Information Manager Andrew Sullivan at an upcoming cold shelter

LIVE with the St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke for shop with a cop!

LIVE with Kathleen Sippio, Executive Director with the Celebration Foundation

LIVE with Robert Bass from Main Street, and Dirk Webb, President/CEO with the St. Cloud Chamber

LIVE at SeaWorld Orlando, lighting up the sky for the holidays!

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.

Osceola County Fair to Return to Osceola Heritage Park

February 10-19, 2023

The Osceola County Fair is back February 10th through the 19th, 2023 at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, and it’s sure to bigger, better, and more fun than EVER before.

Celebrating its 79th year, Osceola County’s largest event will feature amusement rides, games, exciting exhibits, livestock shows, positively delicious fair food, a demolition derby, a LIVE concert by Warner Music Nashville Country Music artist Chase Matthew on Sunday February 19th, and so much more! Tell your friends, tell your family, it’s the 79th Osceola County Fair at Osceola Heritage Park!

St. Cloud Pink Heals to Host Pinktoberfest at St. Cloud Lakefront January 21

The City of St. Cloud and Pink Heals St. Cloud Charter have teamed up once again to host Pinktoberfest on Saturday, January 21st, from 10am – 4pm at St. Cloud’s beautiful Lakefront Park.

The event helps raise awareness and funds for the St. Cloud Charter of Pink Heals, a non-profit healthcare support group that provides financial and emotional support for individuals and families battling cancer within the St. Cloud Community.

The free family event will feature raffles, vendors, a bounce house, and fun for the entire family. AND, of course, the highlight of the event, the Pink Fire Truck pull contest is back, where teams of 10 compete to pull partially-loaded pink fire truck at the St. Cloud Lakefront in the fastest time possible.

Each truck pulling team will consist of a maximum of 10 people and can raise money by hosting fundraisers, individual pledges, and corporate sponsorships. The cost of entering a truck pull team is only $200.00. To find out more about how you can participate, or to be a vendor for the event, contact Shawnta Price at 407-957-7226.

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PositivelyOsceola.com

Go” backup

The Holidays are here, and with all the fun and celebrating sometimes the Holiday festivities can lead to impaired driving – unfortunately, and sometimes – tragically. To help keep people in the community safe, AAA is once again offering its free Tow to Go program.

If you can’t get home safely, call AAA, give them the keys and they’ll give you and your car a lift – even if you’re not a member. Just call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO. AAA’s Tow to Go program will be in place from 6pm Friday December 23rd to 6am Monday January 2nd 2023.

The goal of The Auto Club Group’s Tow to Go program is to prevent injuries and deaths caused by impaired drivers. It reminds party-goers to plan ahead by choosing a designated driver, staying where they are celebrating, or arranging other safe transportation. Please remember that it’s never safe to drive impaired, so please be sure to plan ahead.

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!

PositivelyOsceola.com

AAA offering free “Tow to

plan for impaired drivers through Christmas and New Year’s holidays

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

St. Cloud Main Street to Host Downtown Ghost Tours, and a “Little Less Creepy” Walking Tours

St. Cloud has a lot of history, but did you know that it’s been said that there are ghosts lurking about the Historic Downtown area? Well, here’s your chance to find out, and to possibly meet them… if it’s true!

On January 25th from 8pm -9pm, the St. Cloud Main Street ghost tour will feature multiple stops where you’ll have an opportunity to learn about the ghosts they say haunt some of the creeeeeepy old downtown buildings, as well as the history behind them.

Looking for something a little less eerie? Take one of St. Cloud Main Street’s Historic Walking Tours. The historic walking tour begins at 5:30pm on January 25th. Just go to stcloudmainstreet.org/walking-tours for tickets and more information.

City of Kissimmee to host Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Festival January 14 at Kissimmee’s Lakefront Park

Join the City of Kissimmee in celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his ideals of unity, diversity, and goodwill on Saturday, January 14th from 12 PM – 5 PM at the City of Kissimmee’s Martin Luther King Jr Unity Celebration at Kissimmee’s Lakefront Park.

The celebration will feature live performances from some of the best gospel, R&B, and soul artists in all of Central Florida. There will be food trucks, craft vendors, the KUA Kids Power Zone, and a unity garden that will highlight the continued influence of Dr. Kings message through original works of art. This amazing City of Kissimmee event is free for the community. For more information go to kissimmee.gov/MLK

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

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. “I’ve always felt a well-educated workforce can create better opportunities. We want to make sure people have opportunities to expand and grow their wealth right here in Osceola County. A lot of the kids I grew up with and went to college didn’t come back. That brain drain had a serious impact on our community. That’s what’s so significant about our investment. We’re giving every kid an opportunity that is really going to be impactful to their future.”

Osceola Prosper 2023 was announced Wednesday — during the address and at local high schools — is similar to the $12.4 million made available to 2022 graduates – with current enrollment topping 2,000 students. For more information go to OsceolaProsper.com.

“I want to thank the Osceola County commissioners for their extraordinary vision and investment in the future by making Osceola Prosper available to the class of 2023,” said Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College. “We know that postsecondary education – whether it’s an industry certification or a college degree – makes a huge difference in the earning potential of high school graduates. Osceola Prosper will make for a brighter future, not just for students and their families, but also for the county’s economic prosperity.”

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.

By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola

Four Osceola Kowboys Sign to Play at “Power 5” Schools on National Signing Day

The opportunity to play “Big-Time” college football came to fruition for four Osceola High School players as Ja’Keem Jackson, Derrick Leblanc, John Walker and Bo Mascoe all signed scholarship football papers on Wednesday afternoon to play at “Power 5” schools next year.

“There’s no questioning about the onfield credentials of any of these athletes, they all had great seasons and great careers at Osceola,” coach Eric Pinellas said. “But that is only part of the reason that these guys are special. They are also great students, great classmates and great role models. You never had to worry about them being where they were supposed to be in the classroom, on the practice field and or during games. Moving on to the next level is the culmination of a lot of hard work these players have put in.”

Walker and Leblanc have anchored the Kowboys defensive line that was one of the toughest in the state to run against for the last three years. Both saw significant action as freshmen but have been in the starting lineup since their sophomore seasons.

Walker signs with Gus Malzahn and will play at UCF; while Leblanc inks with the Oklahoma Sooners.

Walker, 6-4, 300, finishes his Osceola career with 254 total tackles, 40 quarterback sacks, and 57 additional tackles-for-loss. He also batted down six passes and added four fumble recoveries. He was incredibly consistent, recording 16, 17, and 16 tacklesfor-losses in his final three seasons.

He committed to UCF early in the process, but was recruited hard by Florida down the stretch as the Gators tried to “flip” his commitment. “The attention was awesome and it’s always nice to be wanted, but at the end of the day, UCF is where I wanted to be,” Walker said. “During my visits I really developed a strong bond with the players and coaches and I just knew it was the right destination for me.” Walker has already enrolled in school and is practicing with the team as they are getting ready for the Dec. 28 Military Bowl game against Duke – although he will not be eligible to play in it.

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.

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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration awarded the #1 Best Theme Park Holiday Event for 2022

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration has been awarded the #1 Best Theme Park Holiday Event for 2022. Haven’t made it out to SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration yet this season? There’s plenty of time, as the celebration will continue through January 3.

See the park transformed into a winter wonderland sparkling with millions of beautiful lights, plenty of holiday cheer, musical entertainment, and shows like SeaWorld’s Winter Wonderland On Ice, O’ Wondrous Night, Sesame Street’s Christmas Parade, Christmas Reflections with the Sea of Trees, Orca Encounter, and much more!

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is sure to create unforgettable memories at a wondrous Christmas celebration you’ll only find at SeaWorld.

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

PositivelyOsceola.com

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.

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.