Orlando Parenting Nov/Dec 2025 Magazine

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

2025

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR AND EDITOR

Zoë Joiner

DIGITAL AND PRINT EDITOR

Dani Meyering

CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND EDITORIAL MANAGER

Laura Byrne

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Dani Meyering

Laura Byrne

Zoë Joiner

Hailea Boykin

Anu Varma Panchal

Andrea Colby

Erica Edwards

Steve Powell

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Ralf Gonzalez

Nicole Spooner MpactOrlando.com

LAYOUT & DESIGN

Jennifer Dufek

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dani Meyering

Laura Byrne

Zoë Joiner

Gaylord Palms

LEGOLAND Florida

SeaWorld Orlando

Walt Disney World

Toy Insider

Orange County Library System

City of Orlando

Museum of Ice Cream City of Altamonte Springs

BOOKKEEPING

James Anderson

DISTRIBUTION

TGS Media Distribution tgsmedia.com

ORLANDO

PARENTING MAGAZINE

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Orlando Parenting is published six times per year and is distributed throughout the Orlando and Central Florida area. Orlando Parenting is not responsible for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or incorrect information (or the consequences related thereto) contained within the magazine or online; readers should not rely on any information contained in the magazine and they should always consult with an appropriate professional for guidance. Orlando Parenting accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information or materials provided by Orlando Parenting. Some content published by Orlando Parenting is sponsored or paid for advertising content, and some individuals quoted or cited in articles have paid for advertising or sponsorships; this content or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Orlando Parenting.

Articles

8 // COVER STORY: Christmas at Gaylord Palms: An INSIDE LOOK at Florida’s COOLEST holiday celebration…literally!

11 // Holidays at LEGOLAND Florida Resort: What to expect at this year’s bricktastic event, from epic photo ops to a New Year’s Eve celebration built just for kids

12 // Snow, Ice and Marvelous Lights: Orlando’s BEST holiday events

15 // EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays: Our favorite Holiday Storytellers share holiday traditions from around the world

18 // 2025 Holiday Gift Guide: The Toy Insider is sharing this season’s must-have gifts for kids

21 // From Cart to Kitchen: Feast without the fuss with Kroger Delivery

22 // Yes, You CAN Dig for Dinosaur Bones with the Kids: Join us as we head to the Hell Creek Formation in South Dakota in search of dinosaur fossils

29 // The Holidays Light Up the Library : Festive fun events at Orange County Library System

35 // Flu Myth Busters: A pediatrician shares the not-so-scary facts about the flu vaccine

37 // Sky High Celebrations: Our friends with the OrlandoDateNightGuide.com dish on the best rooftop views in town to ring in the New Year

2025-2026 EDUCATION GUIDE

ABOUT THE COVER:

Somehow, some way, Gaylord Palms has managed to carve more festive fun into this year’s lineup of So. Much. Christmas, including ICE!, special shows, and hands-on experiences. See page 8.

Every Issue

5 // Noteworthy: What’s NEW and Good in Orlando

7 // Top Picks: Family Events in November and December

14 // Action at the Attractions: The latest news from our local theme parks

17 // The Play List: Disney’s Winter Summerland and winter city playgrounds

31 // Kids to Know: Annika Franklin, Orlando’s own performing arts star

33 // Moms to Know: Meet Caroline Schumacher, CEO of Give Kids the World Village

38 // What’s Trending on Orlando-Parenting.com: See what’s trending now on Orlando-Parenting.com

NOTEWORTHY

Lake Fairview Park Reopens with Big Upgrades for Families

A longtime Orlando favorite since the 1960s, Lake Fairview Park has officially reopened with a fresh new look. Families can now enjoy a brand-new playground, expanded lakefront, and two sand volleyball courts perfect for active afternoons. The park also added a scenic boardwalk, improved boat docks, two pavilions, and modern restrooms. Located on Lee Road.

Mote SEA Now Open in Sarasota

Perfect for a Holiday break road trip, the all-new 146,000-square-foot Mote Science and Education Aquarium (SEA) is now open to explore! The innovative facility features three state-of-the-art STEM Teaching Labs and a chance for guests of all ages to engage with the ocean and experience a window into Mote's globally-significant marine science research and conservation initiatives. mote.org

Altamonte Springs 12u All-Stars Shine as World Series Runner-Up

The Altamonte Baseball Academy 12U team captured the U.S. Championship and advanced to the Cal Ripken World Series final. Though they fell to Japan, the squad’s historic run put Altamonte Springs youth baseball on the world stage.

Orlando Science Center Opens Year-Round

Sensory Room

In partnership with AdventHealth for Children and KultureCity, families can make use of a year-round Sensory Room at the Orlando Science Center. This quiet space on the fourth floor offers calming, hands-on sensory experiences. Anyone can utilize this space, and it is especially helpful for those with sensory needs.

Museum of Ice Cream Coming to Pointe Orlando

The popular interactive attraction known for its colorful, treat-filled exhibits has announced plans to open at Pointe Orlando. Guests can expect immersive rooms, playful installations, and plenty of sweet photoworthy moments. The Orlando location will join other major cities like New York and Miami, bringing a new destination for families and visitors.

photo by Dani Meyering

Top Picks

Our favorite family-friendly events in the Orlando area this November & December

3RD ANNUAL MAKER FAIRE ORLANDO

NOV. 8-9, FROM 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. Central Florida Fairgrounds & Expositions Park

Immerse yourself in Maker culture featuring all things STEAM, science, electronics, tools, and much more – including things you’ve never seen! Tickets include Robot Ruckus combat with competitors from around the U.S., plus robots on display from the BattleBots TV show; makerfaireorlando.com

POMP,

SNOW & CIRQUEUMSTANCE

NOV. 14 THROUGH JAN. 4, 2026

Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee

A brand-new cirque-style holiday spectacular debuts as part of Christmas at Gaylord Palms. Featuring 19 international performers, more than 50 dazzling costumes, acrobatics, aerial stunts, and magical storytelling; Tickets $17-$40. christmasatgaylordpalms.com

ASIAN LANTERN FESTIVAL: INTO THE WILD

SELECT NIGHTS NOV. 14 THROUGH JAN. 18, 2026, FROM 6 TO 10 P.M. Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford

Celebrate the culture, art, and beauty of traditional lantern festivals at this dazzling after-hours holiday event. Stroll a 3/4 mile trail filled with more than 30 handcrafted illuminated sculptures depicting plants, animals, and cultural figures; centralfloridazoo.org/lanterns

DOG MAN THE MUSICAL

SATURDAY, NOV. 15, AT 11 A.M. & 3 P.M.

Dr. Phillips Center’s Steinmetz Hall

Based on the worldwide bestselling series by Dav Pilkey, Dog Man The Musical comes to life in a hilarious, heartwarming production that follows the chronicles of Dog Man, who, with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. Perfect for ages 6 and up, it’s a must-see family event; drphillipscenter.org

DISNEY’S MOANA LIVE-TO-FILM CONCERT

TUESDAY, NOV. 25, AT 7 P.M. Dr. Phillips Center Walt Disney Theater

Fans of the beloved films will love watching the original full-length version on the big screen, accompanied by live performances of top Hollywood studio musicians. With Polynesian rhythm masters and vocalists on stage to help bring the movie to life, it’s a show you won’t want to miss; drphillipscenter.org

ORLANDO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

DEC. 6-14, FROM 10 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M. 3505 E. Landstreet, Orlando

Immerse yourself in a day of fantasy and fun at the Orlando Renaissance Festival featuring dozens of thrilling performances, artisan vendors, delicious food and drink, and adventure; orlandorenaissancefestival.com

FREE FAMILY FUN DAY AT MENNELLO MUSEUM

SUNDAY, DEC. 14, FROM 12-4:30 P.M. 900 E. Princeton St., Orlando

Enjoy free admission to the museum, plus guided tours and a family art-project every second Sunday at the Mennello Museum. December’s project is all about bees and pollination; mennellomuseum.org/events/free-family-funday

HOLIDAY MILK MART

SUNDAY, DEC. 21, FROM 12-6 P.M. Milk District, 2426 E. Robinson St., Orlando

The Milk District’s beloved Holiday Market takes over the streets and parking lots for an afternoon of festive shopping and fun. Browse dozens of local vendors, enjoy food and drinks, and soak up the neighborhood’s lively holiday spirit; FREE; milkmartorlando.com

2THEXTREME!

NOW THROUGH JAN. 5, 2026

Orlando Science Center

Don’t miss 2TheXtreme! at OSC, where you can learn all about the power of math as it relates to real-life thrills. Create your own virtual skateboard and learn about angles while racing down the mountain on a virtual snowboard. You can even learn the mathematics behind rhythm, pitch, and frequency. From kickflips to photo shoots, skyscrapers to snowboards, math makes it possible; osc.org

JAN. 2-4, 2026, VARIOUS SHOWTIMES Benchmark International Arena

Step inside The Greatest Party On Earth! The 150+ year-old beloved circus is back and reimagined for a new generation. This larger-than-life production bursts back into Tampa for the launch of the National U.S. tour featuring two hours of high-energy, family fun with over 65 world-class performers and beats that get you out of your seat! ticketmaster.com CIRCUS IN TAMPA!

Asian Lantern Festival

Maker Faire

Orlando Renaissance

Christmas at Gaylord Palms: An Inside Look at Florida’s COOLEST Holiday Celebration … Literally

“CHRISTMAS

AT GAYLORD PALMS”

will be celebrated Nov. 14, 2025 through Jan. 7, 2026.

One of our favorite holiday events in Florida is literally one of the coolest things you'll experience this year in the Sunshine State. ICE! at Gaylord Palms is turning down the thermostat to a wintry 9 degrees Fahrenheit and bringing a favorite holiday movie to life through ice, and we’re giving you an INSIDE LOOK at what to expect. We’re even answering the question…how’d they do that?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ Makes a Bright Debut

in ICE!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ is making its debut at the Kissimmee property with a redesigned show. So even if you’ve seen the show based on the 1964 classic film at other Gaylord properties, this new show features reconfigured scenes and new interactive elements that let you become part of the attraction, making it an entirely new experience.

But the old favorite characters remain! Rudolph and Hermey the Elf will be joined by other favorites, including Yukon Cornelius, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, and, of course, Santa Claus.

NEW Experiences at ICE!

• Crawl-Through Ice Tunnel: For the first time ever, kids can crawl through a small ice tunnel and pop up right inside a scene from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Hermey the elf is featured in this charming new scene that’s full of color, whimsy, and holiday cheer.

• Interactive Floor: This year, kids can play and stroll on an interactive floor covering specific spaces, adding a playful layer of discovery to the experience.

• Bumble’s Hidden Slide: Kids will love finding Bumble the snow monster’s surprise slide tucked within the icy landscape. It’s a frosty thrill just for them!

There’s Snow Much More to Do!

Build a gingerbread house, watch a Cirque holiday show, go sledding, throw some snowballs, and make chocolate snowflakes. You can do all this and more!

The Activities:

Visit the Snow Factory: Climb Snow Flow Mountain and speed down on real ice in an inner tube. Then head over to Snowball Build & Blast, where you can toss real snowballs at targets!

Naughty or Nice Escape Room: Jack Frost has added new names to Santa’s Naughty List. See if you can sneak into Santa’s office and solve a series of puzzles so Jack will remove the names from the Naughty List.

Gingerbread Decorating Corner: Decorate your own gingerbread house or cookies and then snap a photo with Nutmeg the Gingerbread Cookie!

Jack Frost Chocolate Factory: This is an all-new experience where you and the kids can make your own pair of chocolate snowflakes and decorate with edible glitter and colorful sprinkles.

Elf Training Academy: One of Santa’s top toymakers helps you create your own special keepsake to take home!

A Very Beary Christmas: Visit the Build-A-Bear Workshop and make your own furry friend.

Reindeer Games Scavenger Hunt: Look for the clues hidden in Gaylord Palms. If you complete the quest, you’ll receive a special holiday prize.

The Entertainment:

NEW! “POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance”: This new cirque spectacle is based on the book series and TV show of the same name. It follows three best friends to their whimsical world at a secret university, and they’ll leave you in awe with their gravitydefying circus feats, all set to an original musical score.

Here We Glow A-Caroling Light Show: Gaylord Palms’ atrium comes to life with a giant LED light curtains and a 60-foot-tall Christmas tree.

Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions: Join the jolliest hostess in the Alpine Village for a sing-a-long and storytelling of the Christmas tale while you enjoy Santa’s favorite treat…milk and cookies!

How’d They Do That?

Meet Santa: Santa will be meeting with the kids in Alpine Village through Christmas Eve — since it’s a big night and he has a big job to do!

Wintertime Animal Encounters: You can get up close to Florida’s famous animals and learn how they adapt to the colder temperatures during the winter months. (complimentary for overnight guests)

Know Before You Go:

• The best way to experience “Christmas at Gaylord” is to purchase a ticket bundle in advance to take advantage of discounts and secure your spot. The All-In Christmas Experience, which includes everything, is the Best Value, saving you up to 40% on all activities.

• Eligible overnight guests receive a “Chill Pass,” offering front-of-line access to ICE!. Attraction tickets are required and sold separately.

• Parkas are provided in all sizes, including infants. However, you must wear closed-toed shoes. It’s recommended to dress warmly, so bring warm hats and gloves.

Only in Florida can you be sliding down a waterslide in one moment (the Gaylord Palms has an epic Cypress Springs Water Park, btw) and then donning a heavy-duty parka in the next as you walk through a 9-degree display of ice!

While many places here in Florida claim to be a “winter wonderland” this time of year, ICE! is probably the closest you’ll get to an actual winter wonderland, and here’s how they make it all happen:

A state-of-the-art chilling system made up of seven air handlers keeps the 20,000 square-foot space at 9 degrees!

Why 9 degrees? It’s the perfect temperature to keep the ice pristine all season long.

The real magic happens with the arrival of 40 ice artisans from Harbin, China. It takes them six weeks to carve the 6,700 blocks of ice, each weighing 300 pounds!

Gaylord Hotels works with chemists across the country to develop the perfect color mix to keep the ice bold and bright.

Gaylord Hotels began coloring and freezing ice in July to get ready for the holidays!

Holidays with a Bricktastic Twist at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort

by Erica Edwards

There’s simply no better place to celebrate the holiday season than at LEGOLAND Florida Resort during Holidays at LEGOLAND®. Coming down the chimney, along with the Minifigure in the bright red suit, is a host of holly-jolly happenings, including festive LEGO® decor and sparkling lights, a GIGANTIC LEGO Christmas Tree, and seasonal shows and activities full of holiday cheer! Bring your LEGO brick list, put on your jingle bells, and get ready for the most bricktastic holiday season, on select dates, December 6-31.

Rock Around a GIANT LEGO® Christmas Tree

Looking for the perfect picture spot for your holiday card? Well, you’re in luck. LEGOLAND Florida Resort has a LEGO Christmas Tree that is over 30 feet tall! Made up of more than 360,000 LEGO & LEGO® DUPLO® bricks, this amazingly festive LEGO model is sure to take your breath away. This massively merry build took a team of Master Model Builders over 2,800 hours to construct. WOW! Along with the LEGO Christmas Tree, there are many cheerful LEGO models spread across the Park for LEGO brick lovers to discover.

Get Wrapped up in Bricktastic Festivities!

Get swept away in the joy of the holiday season with tons of festive shows and activities, including the Festival of Flurries, a high-energy, snow-filled celebration with the coolest guy in town, LEGO® Snowman. Still need to send your wish list to LEGO Santa? Stop by the Holiday Village Postal Service to send your special letters directly to the North Pole. Unwrap even more tree-rific shows and activities across the Park to get you in a jolly mood.

Take Elfies with a Cheerful LEGO® Minifigure Crew

LEGO® Santa is coming to Fun Town! Celebrate the season with LEGO® Santa and his cheery LEGO Holiday Minifigure crew, including LEGO® Holiday Elf Ivy, LEGO® Nutcracker, and more throughout the Park.

#BuildToGive

LEGOLAND Florida Resort is inviting all guests to join a special holiday mission to bring the power of play to children in need. For each LEGO heart built in the Build to Give Workshop at the Park and shared on social media with a photo in front of the festive backdrop using #BuildToGive, a LEGO set will be donated to a child who could use a little extra joy this season. What a fun way to make the holidays brighter for kids who need it most!

New Year’s Eve for the Whole Family

On December 31, experience a New Year’s celebration built specifically with your little ones in mind, Kids’ New Year’s Eve at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Dance at a DJ dance party and enjoy a jaw-dropping fireworks display with special viewing glasses that transform fireworks into LEGO bricks! Plus, countdown to 2026 with a special Brick-drop, all without missing bedtime.

A Sweet Stay

This event is included in general park admission and LEGOLAND Florida Resort Annual Passes. However, for the ultimate holiday experience, it is highly recommended to extend your visit by staying overnight in one of LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s themed hotels. LEGOLAND’s vacation packages are designed to ensure your family will have the best time ever!

Snow, Ice, and Marvelous Lights

Orlando’s Best Holiday Events

We’re making a list, and checking it twice, because no one does holiday sparkle quite like Orlando!

Celebrate the Holidays at Theme Parks & Attractions

Spend the holidays where magic is made every day!

CHRISTMAS AT SEAWORLD ORLANDO

SELECT DATES

NOV. 7 - JAN. 5, 2026

Dive into a sea of twinkling lights, visit Santa and Rudolph, and cheer for the “Winter Wonderland on Ice” show that sparkles brighter than tinsel. End the night with fireworks over a shimmering Sea of Trees.

WHAT’S NEW: A reimagined Mrs. Claus’ Magic Kitchen, a refreshed Santa experience, and the return of Clyde & Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas.

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

HOLIDAYS AT LEGOLAND ® FLORIDA RESORT, WINTER HAVEN

DEC. 6, 13, 20, 24-31

Jingle all the way to LEGOLAND Florida Resort® for a brick-tacular celebration filled with giant LEGO holiday displays, meet-and-greets with LEGO Santa, and fireworks that’ll have everyone shouting “hoho-whoa!”

WHAT’S NEW: Festive photo ops and new LEGO builds.

NOV. 14 - JAN. 5, 2026 (DATES VARY BY PARK)

Cue the snow on Main Street! From Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays and Disney Springs’ Christmas Tree Stroll, it’s pure pixie-dust perfection. And even without the Grand Floridian gingerbread house this year, the Disney resorts still deck the halls in dazzling style.

WHAT’S NEW: Disney Jollywood Nights returns with retro-Hollywood glam and new characters.

PRO TIP: Disney Springs and resort decorations are free to visit; use Disney Springs bus transport to skip parking hassles, or make a dining reservation.

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT

NOV. 21 - DEC. 31

Who-ville comes to life at Grinchmas, while the Macy’s Holiday Parade floats through the streets with all the festive fanfare. Add cocoa, carols, and character cheer—your heart might just grow three sizes. And you can also immerse yourself in Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. All three locations, including the new The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Ministry of Magic at Universal Epic Universe, will dazzle with magical splendor.

WHAT’S NEW: Since Epic Universe is new, this will be the first time we'll see it light up for the holiday season. We can't wait!

Play in SNOW & ICE in Central Florida

Let it snow, let it snow … Florida-style!

ICE! AT GAYLORD PALMS, KISSIMMEE

NOV. 14 - JAN. 7, 2026

Step into a frosty fairytale where two million pounds of ice are hand-carved into a glittering wonderland. This year’s theme? Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Bundle up, brave the 9-degree chill, and slide into the season’s coolest tradition.

Flip to page 8 for an inside look at how this icy magic comes to life!

NOW SNOWING, TOWN OF CELEBRATION

NIGHTLY, NOV. 29 - DEC. 31

It’s a snow-globe come to life! Stroll through the charming town square as snowflakes flutter nightly, go ice skating, or hop aboard a horsedrawn carriage for the ultimate sleigh-bell evening.

WEKIVA ISLAND WINTER WONDERLAND, LONGWOOD

MOST NIGHTS DEC. 1-25

A riverside retreat dressed in twinkle lights and nightly flurries. Visit Santa’s North Pole Workshop, sip cocoa by the water, and enjoy a Christmas gathering that’s totally Florida.

SEAWORLD ICE SKATING, ORLANDO

SELECT DATES NOV. 7 - JAN. 5, 2026

Lace up your skates and twirl under a Florida sky. Glide, giggle, and sparkle on real ice at Bayside Stadium!

Go See Sparkling Holiday Lights

Sparkle season is here. Orlando’s local displays shine bright

DAZZLING NIGHTS AT LEU GARDENS, ORLANDO

NOV. 28–JAN. 4, 2026

Stroll through tunnels of light, twinkling walkways, and enchanted displays that make every selfie sparkle.

OH, WHAT FUN! AT LAKE NONA TOWN CENTER, ORLANDO

SELECT NIGHTS DEC. 5–21

Celebrate the season with dazzling acrobatics, snow-filled skies, and festive Family Fun Days. Stroll the Holiday Market, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy live entertainment, specialty drinks, and sweet treats. Don’t miss the Evergreen Tree Trail and merry photo ops! It's full of holiday cheer and community spirit!

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT CRANES ROOST PARK, ALTAMONTE SPRINGS

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND–EARLY JANUARY

A lakeside glow-up complete with dancing lights, and festive tunes. It’s pure local joy.

Celebrate the Festival of Lights

Light the menorah, spin the dreidel, and share the glow.

CHANUKAH CELEBRATION

SUNDAY, DEC. 21

Reiter Park, Longwood

Music, menorahs, and family fun in the park.

LAKE NONA HANUKKAH CELEBRATION

SUNDAY, DEC. 21

Lake Nona Town Center

Festivities include live entertainment, crafts, and joyful community spirit.

Be Enchanted by an Unforgettable Holiday Show

Cue the curtain, it’s showtime!

A CHRISTMAS NUTCRACKER TALE

NOV. 21-22, MULTIPLE SHOWTIMES

Steinmetz Hall in Dr. Phillips Center

Central Florida Ballet’s “pyrotechnic Nutcracker” lights up with dazzling visual effects, soaring choreography, and a spectacular twist on the holiday classic.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

NOV. 29, SHOWTIMES AT 2:30 P.M. & 7:30 P.M.

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra at Steinmetz Hall in Dr. Phillips Center

Join the Orlando Philharmonic for a festive concert of holiday classics and Hollywood film favorites with live vocals.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA: THE GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS EVE

SATURDAY, DEC. 13, AT 7:30 P.M.

Kia Center, Orlando

An electrifying holiday rock concert experience, blending classical orchestration with rock, theatrical effects, and a festive storyline — The Ghosts of Christmas delivers seasonal favorites and original compositions in a high-energy performance.

Experience the MAGIC of Give Kids The World

In Kissimmee, the sweetest magic happens at Give Kids The World Village, where dreams come true for critically ill children and their families. This season, enjoy Ice Cream for Breakfast with Santa (Dec. 6–7) and Holiday Nights at the Village (Dec. 20–21), two events that light up hearts.

PRO TIP: Allow ample time for traveling to the Village and for parking, as it is in the busy attractions area of Kissimmee.

Flip to page 33 to learn more about this joyful nonprofit.

WANT MORE?

Action at the Attractions

by Dani Meyering

New SEAWORLD Ride: SEAQuest — Legends of The Deep

SeaWorld Orlando just announced “SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep”, a first-of-its-kind suspended family dark ride set to open in 2026. While details are still limited, the addition continues the park’s streak of innovative attractions designed to excite families and thrill-seekers alike.

NEW IN 2026

LEGOLAND Florida Names Space Coaster “GALACTICOASTER”

LEGOLAND Florida will launch its first-ever indoor roller coaster, themed to outer space adventures. This new ride will be named “Galacticoaster.” Keep an eye on the stars for an opening date sometime in 2026.

Zootopia “Better Zoogether” Opening at Animal Kingdom on November 7

Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcomes guests to its newest attraction, Zootopia “Better Zoogether,” where citizens from every biome in Zootopia will come together for fur-ocious fun in honor of Zoogether Day. From lively performances throughout the city to an epic musical finale, families can leap, laugh, and let loose with Judy, Nick, and friends.

Wicked: For Good Experience Arrives at Universal Studios

The Wicked Experience store and photo opportunity walk-through has been changed, for good. Fans can journey deeper into the magical world of Oz, including an all-new refreshed overlay with new film props, photo ops, merchandise and surprises inspired by the sequel to the blockbuster phenomenon, Wicked.

New Menu at Bar Helios

Universal Orlando’s rooftop hotspot, Bar Helios has unveiled a refreshed menu, blending inventive cocktails with bold new flavors. The update enhances this unique lounge that overlooks Epic Universe for date nights and special occasions. Bar Helios is located at Grand Helios Hotel, overlooking Epic Universe. No theme park ticket is required; just a $75 minimum spend at Bar Helios to validate self-parking.

All-New Habitat Coming to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced its most significant expansion in more than a decade, debuting in 2026 with first access for annual pass members. While details on the specific animals remain under wraps, the park promises a groundbreaking new habitat experience.

GIFTING INSPO: EPIC UNIVERSE, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

Ultimate Plasma Blast Toothless and Blast & Roar Toothless Mask

BEST FOR: ages 4+

Fans of the movies will love making their own Toothless fly with this realistic and impressive 25-inch wingspan, which flaps when moved up and down. He can also roar and emit glowing plasma. For the ultimate in imaginative play, the dragon costume mask features lights, sounds and mist that you can refill; each are $29.99 at major retailers.

Flip to page 18 for even more of this season's hottest toys.

Zootopia

photo by Laura Byrne

photo by Dani Meyering

EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays: Celebrating Traditions From Around the World

EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays will be celebrated daily from Nov. 28-Dec. 30.

The event is included with park admission.

by Laura Byne

We all have our own holiday traditions and celebrations — and that’s what makes EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays so unique. It's not just a celebration of one holiday — it’s a showcase of the many ways cultures and countries around the world celebrate during this time of year. One of our favorite things about the event is the Holiday Storytellers. We're sharing some of our favorites who help bring these traditions to life and open our kids' eyes to this great big world we call home.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY STORYTELLERS

Mischievous Magical Barn Santa: Norway Pavilion

Kids will love this charming and funny experience with Storyteller Sigrid and the mischievous Barn Elf! Just like here, the holidays are a time for gratitude in Norway, for all living things, including farm animals and plants. Kids in the Norwegian countryside give thanks to their barn elf Fjøsnissen, who guards the farm, by leaving him a steaming bowl of porridge in the hayloft. If they happen to forget to leave this special treat, their “Barn Santa’ might create a bit of mischief!

Daruma Storyteller: Japan Pavilion

The Holiday Storyteller in the Japan pavilion recounts the New Year tradition of the Daruma Doll, a round, white-eyed goodluck charm that symbolizes patience and persistence through the ups and downs of life. We love the message the Storyteller says it represents, “Get knocked down 7 times, get up 8.” It’s a reminder always to get back up, no matter what.

La Befana: Italy Pavilion

The La Befana Storyteller takes the stage in the Italy pavilion to share her story, and she’s so fun to watch. We learned that kids in Italy wait anxiously on the eve of the Epiphany for a visit from her — a good witch who, just like Santa, crawls down the chimney to leave handmade gifts and treats in their socks.

MORE THINGS TO DO WITH THE KIDDOS AT THE FESTIVAL OF THE HOLIDAYS:

Holiday Kitchens: Sip and taste flavors from around the world.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt: Find Olaf hiding throughout the World Showcase for a prize.

Candlelight Processional: Listen to celebrity narrators as they tell the story of Christmas with the help of a mass choir, 50-piece orchestra, and Voices of Liberty.

Joyful! A Celebration of the Season: Listen to the sounds of Christmas and Kwanzaa through R&B, Gospel, and holiday songs.

And of course…meet Santa! He’s making a stop at EPCOT to meet the kids and hear all of their holiday wishes at the Odyssey Pavilion, so don’t miss it!

Hanukkah Storyteller: Between the Morocco and France Pavilions

We loved listening to the songs and stories by the Storyteller, Zachary, who has just returned from traveling the world to learn about the different ways people celebrate Hanukkah. While there are many unique Hanukkah traditions, they all center on the miraculous story of the Maccabees and their victory over their enemies. When they crafted a new menorah while cleansing their vandalized temple, they only had enough oil to burn for one night; but the flame burned for eight days… long enough to cleanse the temple and get more oil.

Hanukkah will be celebrated Dec. 14-22 this year.

WHAT TO EAT HERE: Part of the Hanukkah tradition is eating foods cooked in oil to remember the oil that kept the candles burning, like latkes — fried potatoes — which are delicious! You'll find them at the L'Chaim! Holiday Kitchen.

Father Christmas: United Kingdom Pavilion

Santa has another name in the United Kingdom—kids there call him Father Christmas! The Father Christmas Storyteller makes his entrance singing Christmas Carols that originated in the United Kingdom, like “Here We Come A-wassailing”, “Deck the Halls”, and “The Twelve Days of Christmas”! He even retells the lore behind popular holiday traditions, like the mistletoe and the first Christmas Card, which was sent in England in 1843.

MORE STORYTELLERS TO EXPERIENCE:

Las Posadas Celebration: Mexico Pavilion

Père Noël: France Pavilion

Chinese Lion Dancer: China Pavilion

Canadian Holiday Voyageurs: Canada Pavilion

Mini Golf at Disney’s Winter Summerland

by Dani Meyering

As a young Disney cast member, I loved slipping away to Winter Summerland Miniature Golf — a hidden gem filled with both frosty and tropical Christmas cheer. Now, with a family of my own, we’ve made it a seasonal tradition to visit the snowy and beachy scenes, even making our own “Christmas in July” celebration during the summer.

Our son insists he loves both courses equally – and I agree! It’s hard to pick a favorite with such fun music playing on both courses. Choose from the Winter course, with its snow gags and traditional holiday songs, or the Summer course, with its sandy Santa surprises and festive soundtrack with a tropical twist.

Holiday Fun All Year Long

The best time to visit might be late fall, when the Florida air cools and the holiday spirit is everywhere. But this is year-round magic that doesn’t require a theme park ticket. As you play through either course, take your time. Appreciate all the decorations, details, and puns. Also, keep an eye out for water effects at one or two of the holes.

For me, Winter Summerland is a place where old memories meet new ones. From cast member nights years ago to playing alongside my son now, it’s proof that Disney magic comes in small doses, too, like a perfectly placed putt under twinkling lights.

Which Course to Choose: Winter Vs. Summer?

WINTER COURSE

• Snow-covered décor, ice caves, and frosty holiday jokes

• Playful snowmen (watch out — some squirt water!)

• Cozy Christmas soundtrack with a North Pole feel

SUMMER COURSE

• Palm trees decked with ornaments and tropical holiday scenes

• Sandcastles, surfboards, and Santa on “vacation”

• Bright, beachy colors and island-inspired décor

Chapin Station

Neighborhood Park

Winter Garden

Multiple playgrounds, shade, courts, and trail access.

Trailhead Park Playground

Winter Haven

Classic play equipment with shade and a splash pad for warm weather.

Phelps Park

Winter Park

A neighborhood park with whimsical wooden playgrounds, courts, and pavilions.

Sam Smith Memorial Park

Winter Springs

A shaded playground, lake trail, and picnic pavilions.

daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Mini golf at Winter Summerland is about $19 for adults and $12 for kids (ages 3–9), with discounts for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members. Play one course and you can usually add the other for a discounted rate.

2025 Holiday Gift Guide from The Toy Insider

by Zoë Joiner

The team at The Toy Insider has what is arguably the coolest job ever: to play with and test thousands of toys each year, narrowing down a list of favorites to help parents like you find the perfect gift.

We recently caught up with The Toy Insider’s Chief Toy Officer, Laurie Schacht, a mom of three who lives part-time in Southwest Florida- for her top tips when it comes to shopping and of course, a few of her top picks from the 20th annual Holiday Gift Guide!

OPM: Laurie, is there an advantage to getting started early with holiday shopping?

LS: So, tariffs have impacted our industry. And it just keeps going up and down. Everyone's confused, and that includes me. Here's what I do know for sure: prices will be higher. One of the reasons we tell parents to buy now, if you see what you're looking for is the things that were already in this country or already being shipped to this country before everything hit, they're about the same price. Two months from now, the prices are going to be higher. Some of them are a dollar or two, and you'll hardly feel it.

Some of the larger high-ticket items, instead of being $99 now, might be $119 or $120.

Budget extra for those splurge items, but remember that there's plenty of toys you can buy under $20. We're always very proud of our 12 Under 20 List.

OPM: How does your team figure out the best of the best each season?

LS: We look at a lot of things. The integrity of the toy, is it new? We look at play value. And when we're testing internally, we play with everything, because even as grown-ups, we have a lot of fun. All of our editors-in-chief have been with us for a super long time. They're part of this industry. We recognize what a great toy is.

Our editorial team is at every single trade show, talking to every single manufacturer. They know every single trend that's going on — the viral moments that are happening on TikTok and other social media platforms.

Alright — let’s dive into the top picks!

Simmer & Stir Stovetop Play Set

BEST FOR: ages 3+

The latest from Melissa and Doug, this cooking set uses Water WOW! technology to bring food to life in a new way. Kids can “cook” with water or pretend olive oil; includes color-changing vegetables, proteins and sauces; $19.99 at major retailers.

FROM THE HOT 20 LIST

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn 4-in-1 Activity Table & Easel

BEST FOR: ages 6 months to 3 years

With great bang-for-your-buck appeal, this activity table seriously has everything to grow with baby, from sitting to standing to creating. There’s even an easel. Smart Stages content includes 135+ sounds, phrases and songs that teach numbers, colors and shapes, with classic busy activities like a flip book, bead bar and spinner; $64.79 at major retailers.

Little Live Pets Ouchies “Cooper”

BEST FOR: ages 5+

Bluey Supermarket Playset

BEST FOR: ages 3 to 4 years

Attention shoppers: Bluey and Bingo are hitting the grocery aisles in Bluey’s Supermarket Playset, inspired by the “Kids” episode. The supersized playset features an intercom that plays 24 sounds and phrases plus a kid-powered escalator that gives shoppers a “lift” to the second floor; $49.99 at major retailers.

Furreal Maggie the Feed & Follow Cow

BEST FOR: ages 4+

Maggie is a super sweet calf, featuring over 50 different combinations of sound and motion reactions, and will follow a bottle when led.

Cooper hurt his paw and needs to be nursed back to health before he heals. This poor pup limps, whimpers and comes complete with a cast that kids can color. $59.99

PLAY-DOH Barbie Designer Fashion Show

BEST FOR: ages 5+

This playset includes a Barbie doll and runway, plus an all-new kind of PLAY-DOH, perfect to create custom DOH-ified fashions. Complete with special fashion-making tools, the Designer Fashion Show includes a ruffle maker and faux fur roller, plus PLAYDOH Pattern Sheets with chic designs that look just like fabric. Kids can even mold a Barbie doll’s hair and complete the look with fun fashion accessories like bows and shoes; $34.99 at major retailers.

Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG): Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box

BEST FOR: ages 6+

Mega Evolution Pokémon ex – including Mega Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex – have transcended their limits to become even more powerful! The anticipated return of these Pokémon introduces new artwork in a set that includes everything that both seasoned players and casual collectors need to play and collect the Pokémon TCG; $49.99 at major retailers.

LEGO TECHNIC Ferrari FXX K 42212

BEST FOR: ages 10+

This LEGO build is seriously cool – kids can build a realistic model version of the Ferrari FXX K with authentic features including its butterfly doors and V12 engine with moving pistons; $64.99 at the LEGO Shop and major retailers.

LITE-BRITE Colorpop Collection

BEST FOR: ages 6+

A long-time favorite gets a fresh set of brandnew scenes to light up your holidays, including Stitch, Hello Kitty, Elf on a Shelf and more; $21.99 on Amazon.

Tamagotchi Paradise

BEST FOR: ages 6+

Bring Tamagotchi Paradise with you everywhere to enjoy mini-games and watch the Tamagotchi Planet grow into Paradise. We love how the new version allows for characters across generations, and that you can dock two devices together to connect and play with a friend. $44.99 on Amazon

Care Bears Digital Pet

Choose from Grumpy Bear, Cheer Bear, Funshine Bear, Good Luck Bear and Share Bear, from Thumbsup.com’s more budget-friendly version that you can clip to your keys, bag or backpack. $26 at thumbsup.com

FROM THE STEM 10 LIST

CHOMPSAW (CHOMPSHOP)

BEST FOR: ages 3+

Put the kids to work with their very own, kidsafe power tool (we promise!) made for cutting cardboard. Cut straight lines, complex curves, plus slots and tabs for building 3D shapes. Kids will love transforming ordinary cardboard into fantastic forts, DIY costumes and more; $249 at chompshop.com.

MAGNA-Tiles Travel Set Deluxe 55-Piece Set (MAGNA-Tiles)

BEST FOR: ages 3+

These microMAGS are adorable and now come in a convenient travel case, perfect for car rides, restaurants, vacations and more; $39.99 at major retailers.

3Doodler Candy (WOBBLEWORKS, INC.)

BEST FOR: ages 8+

The all-new version of 3Doodler’s 3D pen lets you eat your art with 3Doodler Candy, where you can design real, colorful candy creations with sugar-free, gluten-free candy capsules. It’s the perfect gift for little bakers to decorate cookies, cupcakes, cakes and more; $59.99 at Target, Kohl’s, Barnes & Noble.

My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon (Thames & Kosmos)

BEST FOR: ages 8+ with help; 12+ “I got this!”

This robot utilizes a color sensor, infrared sensor and RGB LEDs that allow kids to use colored action cards to program the robot to respond to gestures, change colors and automatically fire and retract its tongue! $54.95 at major retailers.

FROM CART TO KITCHEN: Feast Without the Fuss with Kroger Delivery

by Andrea Colby

The holidays appear out of nowhere. Between shopping, cooking, and cleaning, it’s easy to be exhausted before the fun even begins. This year, I used Kroger Delivery to maximize my time, and it completely changed my holiday prep.

Friends raved about it, so I opened my laptop, clicked through my list and filled my cart with everything needed for holiday entertaining. Added bonus? Built-in coupons to save while I shopped. I had time to start cleaning and cooking before a friendly Kroger Delivery driver arrived as scheduled, delivering everything from turkey and fresh vegetables to the Cracker Barrel cheese and Blue Buffalo food for the furry family.

For Thanksgiving, our Sweet Potato Tian steals the show. And nothing beats charcuterie boards loaded with the bold flavors of Cracker Barrel cheeses for holiday gatherings.

To save time, stress less and savor the holiday season, let Kroger Delivery handle the holiday hustle.

Meal Inspiration

Sweet Potato Tian Recipe

This beautiful side dish may just become the star of your Thanksgiving spread.

INGREDIENTS

5 large sweet potatoes (approximately 4 pounds), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds

1 tub (5.5 ounces) Private Selection™ Premium Butter with Honey & Cinnamon

1 orange, zested and juiced

1 tablespoon Private Selection Pure Grade A Amber Color Rich Taste Maple Syrup

1 teaspoon Private Selection Sea Salt

Divided 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Chopped fresh thyme

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 2-quart round or oval baking dish.

Serves: 6

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total: 1 hour 45 minutes

Difficulty: Medium

Step 2: Arrange sweet potato slices upright in prepared baking dish. Pack slices tightly, using smaller or partial slices to fill gaps.

Step 3: In small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Remove from heat. Add 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 tablespoon orange zest, maple syrup and 1/2 teaspoon salt; whisk until smooth.

Holiday Charcuterie Board

Serve your guests something quite special.

Serves: 16

Prep: 10 minutes

Difficulty: Medium

INGREDIENTS

1 pkg. (8 oz.) CRACKER BARREL Extra Sharp Yellow Cheddar Cheese

1 pkg. (7 oz.) CRACKER BARREL Sharp White Cheddar Cracker Cuts

3 pkg. (2 oz.) CRACKER BARREL Cheddar Jack Cubes 1/2 orange, sliced

1 cup green grapes 10 flatbread crackers

10 fig or raisin cracker crisps 10 slices salami

1/3 cup mixed nuts

1/3 cup assorted olives

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds 1/4 cup honey

5 figs, cut in half

DIRECTIONS

Step 4: Pour butter mixture over sweet potatoes. Season with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cover baking dish tightly with foil.

Step 5: Bake until potatoes are almost cooked through and tender, about 1 hour. Remove foil and increase heat to 400°F. Bake, uncovered, until edges are slightly crisp and golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Step 6: Garnish with thyme and serve warm, refrigerating any leftovers.

Arrange all ingredients on a wooden board or serving platter.

YES, YOU AND THE KIDS CAN GO DIG FOR DINOSAURS…

And you can do it alongside the paleontologist who discovered Big John, the world’s largest triceratops, the dinosaur on display at Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa.

by Laura Byrne

Something pretty incredible happens when you swipe away the last bits of prehistoric dirt and become the first living thing in 66 million years to lay eyes on a prehistoric creature's fossilized bone. It’s humbling because it’s tangible proof that we weren’t the first living things to dominate our planet, and it’s proof of how delicate life really is.

Walter Stein, the paleontologist who discovered Big John, the triceratops, and owner of PaleoAdventures fossil digs in South Dakota, tells us it’s the reason why paleontology is so important: to understand life here on earth and even our future as a species. It’s also a really cool way to get kids excited about STEAM, since paleontology needs every component of STEAM to function.

We first met Stein two years ago during the unveiling of the Big John exhibit at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa. When I found out he also runs PaleoAdventures dinosaur dig tours in addition to the new Dinosaurs of the Hell Creek Museum in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, I knew we were about to add a new adventure to our list.

Our good friend, Grayson Kamm, who is on the board of the Glazer Children’s Museum, and his wife, Cathy, decided to embark on this unique adventure with us to find out what it’s like to be a paleontologist. So we all flew our kids out to South Dakota over the summer, where we got to set foot in an area Big John once roamed millions of years ago.

We learned that paleontology is hard work, and while there was no guarantee we’d find anything, everyone in our group did manage to make some discoveries, including lots of triceratops spitter teeth, fish scales, bits of turtle shell, and yes … even dinosaur bones.

We couldn’t keep the scientifically significant finds, but our names will be attached to each piece, and we have the option to purchase commercially significant bones once they are studied. But we did get to bring home a lot of cool finds.

Before we left for Florida, we caught up with Stein once again to talk about the importance of encouraging the study of paleontology and what he’s working on next.

OPM: It’s pretty crazy to think that back during Big John’s time, where we are standing now, in South Dakota, it was a lot like Florida!

WS: The Hell Creek formation was along a warm subtropical coastline. It was dotted with swamps, rivers and estuaries. It would have had a similar climate to North Florida, Texas, the coast of the Carolinas and the coast of Georgia. The dinosaurs migrated up and down those river systems.

OPM: It really is incredible, as we look around your museum, that even though you and your team have found numerous dinosaur fossils, fossilization is still incredibly rare.

WS: Oh, absolutely. Yeah, fossilization is a very rare process. To get a fossil, it has to be buried fast. In the Hell Creek Formation, it was those rivers and monsoonal-type events that would create flooding events that would trigger the burial of their skeletons.

OPM: One thing that was eye-opening for us was how hard it is to do this work and how much time it takes to recover these fossils. And how delicate they are.

WS: It’s one of those experiences you don't really appreciate until you get out there. All the scientific documentation that goes in, the mapping, the logging, the photographing, the GPS-ing, the stratigraphy, and the geology work. A lot of people are surprised at that.

And a lot of the stuff that we're finding is scientifically significant. Some of them are very rare pieces. Something like this, that was found by by one of your diggers — this is a Thescelosaurus femur. It's not 100% complete. We're going to have to do some lab work on this. It's going to take some time to prepare this and clean it up, but overall, I think it's going to look very nice. And that was once the right leg from a Thescelosaurus neglectus, a dinosaur that was kind of like the deer of the Cretaceous. These were probably quite common back in the day. Big John would have had lots of these running around him when the triceratops herds were going through. (*See image on upper right corner of next page.)

Laura ByrneandWalte r S t ie n

B ig John

The Kamm and Byrne families at the PaleoAdventures dig site in the Hell Creek Formation in South Dakota.

OPM: That's amazing. Why is it so important that we inspire the next generation of paleontologists?

WS: Paleontology is a wonderful way to get kids involved in all kinds of scientific disciplines, from engineering to mathematics. So that alone is a reason to study it.

The second reason I would say is that these animals were extraordinarily successful. For over 160 million years, they dominated the surface of the planet, and they were wiped out in the blink of an eye, literally overnight. And that process of extinction, in order to understand that, you really have to dig into paleontology. If we want to preserve our own species and all the other animals that are around us today, we have to understand the processes of evolution, of extinction, how changing ecosystems and environments affect populations, and, really, the only way to do that is by looking at the long term.

The wonderful thing about paleontology is that we can look at Triceratops over 2 million years and see how the changing of that environment, the changing of interactions with other animals coming in, migrating in, how that affects that population.

OPM: And for kids who are interested in paleontology, what's your advice? We think bringing their kids out here to dig with you is a must-do!

WS: Oh, of course, you gotta come out here and visit us. But really, the best advice I would say is never give up. There are only about 3,000 professional academic paleontologist jobs in the United States and Canada, so it's a very hard field to get into. It doesn’t pay very well. A lot of museums know that people love it, and they realize that you can get a lot of volunteers out there. But if it's really in your heart that that's what you want to do, never give up. Some other bits of advice: Take lots of art classes. Art is very important. Creative writing is very important for paleontology, mathematics and statistics.

Learning how to do fossil prep, for example, takes an artist's skill. You have to have patience, you have to understand how to sculpt the missing pieces.

OPM: Yeah, patience is key! One thing that really struck me, especially with my own kids, is that they live in a world of instant gratification. And this is something that is teaching them perseverance and patience, because this isn’t instant gratification. They have to work for it.

WS: No, this is definitely hard work. Fossils don't just pop out of the ground in one piece. Many times, it requires a lot of work to put them back together again. There's a giant jigsaw puzzle, and you're not even sure if you have all the pieces to that puzzle. So it's not instinct gratification. It is a ton of work. But the reward is that by the end of it, you have saved and preserved something that is completely unique.

OPM: Speaking of preserving something, you've got a few dinosaurs that are almost ready for display.

WS: We're currently working on one partial Tyrannosaurus Rex called Leonard. We have five partial Triceratops skeletons. One is called Miss Rene. This was named for John Ryder and Rene Weiner. They were a married couple. John passed away, unfortunately, so Big John is named after him, but his wife, Rene, is still around; she's still out digging, hanging out with us. The Miss Rene Triceratops skeleton is about 40% complete, and we're going to try to put that one together this year.

OPM: Do you think there's more to find, or are you ready to start constructing Miss Rene?

WS: We're ready to start constructing. I'm going to go back out and dig around a little bit more and make sure we’ve got everything. But yeah, we're hoping that we'll be able to composite a whole skeleton together. And when you come back here in a couple more years, Miss Rene is going to be right there in the middle of the museum, inspiring the next generation of paleontologists, or we might put her up for auction and help pay for this new museum.

PLANNING YOUR DINOSAUR DIG TRIP:

Book Your Dig: Check out paleoadventures.com, where 2026 summer tour dates will be posted in early 2026. Dates book up fast, even though Stein doubled tour capacity this year.

Getting There: There is no direct flight to Rapid City Regional Airport from MCO so you will need to connect from a larger airport like Denver. When we landed in Rapid City, we rented 4x4 vehicles for the 55-minute drive to Belle Fourche, SD.

Where to Stay: You meet daily at the Dinosaurs of Hell Creek Museum in Belle Fourche before driving out to the dig site. We stayed in nearby Spearfish. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was going on at the same time, so many hotels were booked.

Other Things to Do: I was surprised at the number of attractions in this part of South Dakota. We made a stop at Mount Rushmore, which is surrounded by other family-friendly attractions like Bear Country and Black Hills Reptile Gardens

The Wild West town of Deadwood is a must-visit, where you can also pan for gold at the Broken Boot Gold Mine. For a unique photo, stop by the Geographic Center of the Nation monument at the Tri-State Museum and Visitor’s Center in Belle Fourche!

Other unique attractions to visit in Rapid City when you land or wait for your flight home: Storybook Island and Dinosaur Park, a free roadside attraction since 1936! Devil’s Tower National Monument is also about an hour away.

*The Thescelosaurus neglectus find! Collier Kamm with our guide William Stein, Walter's son.

your guide to ORLANDO AREA SCHOOLS

Children's Lighthouse

220 Windermere Rd., Winter Garden 34787

407-993-2564; childrenslighthouse. com/wintergarden

Discover Winter Garden's Premier Early Learning School Children's Lighthouse leads the way in values-based early childhood education - providing care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children.

Total Enrollment: 200+

Class Size: 12 average

Grades Offered: Infants-PreK Tuition Range: Varies by age

Cranium Academy

Multiple Locations

407-255-2171; 407-294-6950; craniumacademy.com

Cranium Academy provides a dynamic environment where children from 1 year to 8th grade can thrive and develop a love for learning. Our Project-Based Learning approach builds critical thinking, creativity and real-world skills. Students enjoy enriching activities like Art, Music, Gardening, Spanish, and P.E. for well-rounded development. Our experienced educators deliver high-quality instruction and care. Cranium Academy is where learning comes to life and every child is supported on their path to success.

Total Enrollment: 300

Class Size: 15

Grades Offered: 1 Year-grade 8

Tuition Range: $9,120-$17,880

Foundation Academy

Multiple Locations

407-877-2744; foundationacademy.net

Foundation Academy partners with families and the church to build a firm foundation for life through Christ-centered education. We perceive child education as a life-long process that needs the right foundation set in place so that children can thrive beyond any circumstance or adversity as they grow. The Foundation Academy education is a lifetime experience, comprised of four pillars: Faith, Academics, Fine Arts, and Athletics.

Total Enrollment: 1,550

Class Size: 17

Grades Offered: PreK-grade 12

Tuition Range: $10,000-$15,000

Kiddie Academy of Winter Garden

15806 Shaddock Drive, Winter Garden 34787

407-863-2147; kiddieacademy.com/wintergarden

We are an educational childcare facility, where children of all ages can learn through play! Giving children the opportunity to learn through intuitive learning through exploration. We teach in several different languages and provide care for children 6 weeks to 5 years of age. We offer many programs including before and after care, summer camp and Winter Camps!

Total Enrollment: 410

Class Size: 12-20

Grades Offered: Infants-age 12

Tuition Range: Free

Preparing Children for KINDERGARTEN

OUR MISSION:

To provide every child with equal access to HIGH QUALITY early learning programs by supporting those who help children grow and develop.

E L C O C . O R G

your guide to ORLANDO AREA SCHOOLS

Orlando Science Center

777 E. Princeton Street, Orlando 32803

407-514-2166; sc.org/learn/preschool/

At OSC’s Preschool, children benefit from a developmentally appropriate learning space that includes hands-on activities, skill-building centers, and diverse, content-rich STEM experiences. Using the whole child approach and incorporating project-based learning and inquiry methods, children learn to apply subject matter to real-world problems relevant to their age and community. Our Staff is trained in effective questioning and facilitation to guide children through scientific inquiry and the engineering design process.

Total Enrollment: 73

Class Size: 4-20

Grades Offered: Preschool and VPK

Tuition Range: Weekly rates; discounts for members

Park Maitland School

Multiple Locations

407-647-0102; parkmaitland.com

Our mission is to support the development of students with active and creative minds, a sense of their place in the world, and a passion for lifelong learning and service. We focus on the development of each student - social, emotional, physical, and intellectual - in a nurturing, engaging, and respectful environment that supports high expectations and individual differences with an academically challenging curriculum.

Total Enrollment: 1,000+ across three campuses

Class Size: 15

Grades Offered: 12 Months-grade 8

Tuition Range: $22,000

Trinity Child Development Center

420 Ruth Lane, Orlando 32801 407-849-3680 ext. 200; trinitydowntown.com

Trinity CDC provides a nurturing educational environment for infants up to PreK-5. Through our cozy infant/toddler settings and our home-like preschool atmosphere, we wrap our students in the loving arms of Jesus Christ. Our secure five-acre campus features a state-of-the-art Child Development Center, sports field, full-size gym, playgrounds, and a historic setting for our chapel worship. Here you will experience Gold Seal quality care and education recognized by the National Lutheran School Accreditation.

Total Enrollment: 376

Class Size: 16-20

Grades Offered: Infants-PreK5

Tuition Range: $250-$310/week

YMCA of Central Florida

Multiple Locations

407-896-9220; ymcacf.org/programs/school

As one of the nation’s largest nonprofit childcare providers, the YMCA offers trusted educational programs that grow with your child. Our Early Learning Centers provide high-quality care and school readiness, while our Before & After School programs at public schools create safe, enriching spaces beyond the classroom. For homeschool families, we provide Homeschool P.E. classes at many Y locations. Wherever your family is on the learning journey, the Y is here to help every child reach their full potential.

Total Enrollment: Varies

Class Size: Varies

Grades Offered: Infants-grade 8

Tuition Range: Varies

friends.ocls.org

Exciting Events Light Up the Library This November & December!

by Steve Powell, Library Director/CEO, Orange County Library System

For many, the holiday season is a time to focus on giving, reflect on gratitude, and appreciate the most wonderful parts of the year that have passed.

This year, I’m especially thankful for the staff of Orange County Library System, who dedicate each day to enriching lives through lifelong learning and providing meaningful programs and services to our community, both in our branches and across the county through outreach events. I’m also grateful for the support of our community partners, whose collaboration helps us expand our reach and bring vital resources to diverse audiences in Orange County.

We have a wonderful and close partnership with the Friends of the Orange County Library System, a volunteer group that recognizes the importance of great libraries in building great communities and that contributes toward ensuring we continue to have exceptional and innovative offerings. Friends of the Library make it possible for the Orange County Library System to improve the quality and scope of its services by supporting literacy programs, staff scholarships, and much more.

FESTIVE FUN AT THE LIBRARY

OCLS is excited to partner with the Orange County Mayor’s Holiday Toy Drive for the third year. If you’d like to give back to the children and youth in our community this season, consider making a donation through December 8 at drop-offs across the county, including at all 15 OCLS locations or at ocfl.net/toydrive.

This December, your library has sweet ways to get into the holiday spirit. Enjoy Gingerbread Build-offs at South Creek on Saturday, December 13, at 2:30 and Chickasaw on Saturday, December 20, at 3:30 p.m. Teach your little one basic cooking skills during Little Chef: Gingerbread House at South Creek on Thursday, December 18, at 10:30 a.m. and later that day, build a Milk Carton Gingerbread House at Winter Garden at 3:30 p.m.

If you want to introduce your little ones to time-treasured holiday performances but aren’t sure they’re ready for the whole show, try a live performance of excerpts from the classic ballet The Nutcracker, presented by the Central Florida Ballet at Orlando Public Library on Sunday, December 7, at 2 p.m. Or, share the origins of a modern favorite with Atlantic Coast Theatre Presents: The Snow Queen at Orlando Public Library on Saturday, December 20, at 3 p.m. Hans Christian Andersen's tale of mystery and adventure comes to the stage in this musical holiday adaptation.

As we move through this season of gratitude and giving, I hope you will reflect on how vital libraries are to the heart of a thriving community and share that thought with a friend.

Orange County Library System is more than a place to check out books; it’s a hub for connection, learning and support for all ages and backgrounds. The collective efforts of our dedicated staff, generous volunteers and strong community partners make it all possible. Libraries like ours truly are one of our greatest community treasures, and I’m proud to celebrate all we do.

For more information and a complete list of our events and programs, please visit ocls.org.

Orange County Mayor's Holiday Toy Drive

Gingerbread Build-offs

The Nutcracker, presented by the Central Florida Ballet

Annika Franklin Kids to Know:

by Dani Meyering

Some kids have a spark that is meant to shine on stage. For Annika Franklin, that spark led from singing as a toddler in Orlando to performing under the bright lights of Broadway, and even being a part of Wicked (2024 film). Now back home in Central Florida, Annika continues to inspire other young dreamers who see themselves on stage one day.

OPM: What first drew you to the performing arts, and how did you get started with the AdventHealth School of the Arts at the Dr. Phillips Center?

AF: I always loved to sing from the time I was a baby. My love for the performing arts really began when my parents enrolled me in a class at the AdventHealth School of the Arts at the Dr. Phillips Center. At the end of the session, I performed with my classmates and, ironically, was asked to sing “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.”

OPM: What did you learn from your experience there?

AF: I will always have so much love for the AdventHealth School of the Arts. It was there that I learned how to perform in front of a live audience and gained the tools to perform with confidence and pride. The faculty and staff were so caring, loving, and encouraging. They always brought out the best in me.

OPM: What was it like to perform in The Lion King on Broadway?

AF: To make my Broadway debut and perform as Young Nala in The Lion King at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City was a dream come true. I spent 15 months performing in NYC alongside some of the greatest actors, dancers, and musicians in the theater world. I met so many amazing people, took away so many life lessons, and gained a second family in the time I was there.

OPM: And while in New York, you had another amazing opportunity. Tell us about that.

AF: Yes! While I was in New York, I was asked to be part of the children’s ensemble for Wicked (2024 film). I felt so honored to sing alongside other talented kids and to meet and work with Stephen Schwartz, the composer for Wicked on Broadway. It was such an incredible experience.

OPM: Were there any moments or lessons that really stood out during your time on Broadway?

AF: The biggest lessons I learned, both on stage and behind the scenes, were to work hard, never give up, and be patient. When I first auditioned for The Lion King, I made it to the final callbacks but didn’t get the role. I kept practicing and training, and when they called me back to re-audition the next year, I booked it! Working hard and never giving up really does pay off.

OPM: How did you balance performing with school and everyday life?

AF: That was probably the hardest part. I’ve always been a good student and didn’t want to sacrifice my grades while doing the show. I worked really hard in school in the mornings before rehearsals or late at night after a show to make sure I turned in my homework and was ready for exams. I only had one day off a week, and it fell on a Monday, which was still a school day, so I never really had a true day off. But I loved every minute of it and wouldn’t have changed a thing.

OPM: Are you currently involved in any local productions or training programs?

AF: Right now, I’m taking a break from local theater productions as I transition back to regular life in Florida. I’m still taking lessons and have a few singing performances coming up. I plan to get more involved locally next year.

OPM: What advice would you give to other young performers who look up to you?

AF: Work hard, train hard, always be true to yourself, and most importantly, never give up. All the NOs will eventually lead to the perfect YES.

Live your best life with the confidence you can. A healthy peace of mind could be as simple as pausing for a checkup, flu shot or health screening at Orlando Health Physician Associates. With convenient same, next day and after-hours appointments for current patients, confidence can be right around the corner. Schedule an appointment at one of our 50+ Central Florida locations at OrlandoHealth.com/Checkup

Caroline Schumacher

CEO of Give Kids The World Village Moms to Know

by Dani Meyering

When Caroline Schumacher talks about Give Kids The World Village, her eyes light up with the same energy she had the very first time she stepped on property. She still remembers the exact date: May 6, 1998. Then a Disney College Program student, Caroline was encouraged to volunteer at the Village. Her story resonated with me as well. During my own college years, I volunteered at Give Kids The World, a truly special place. Caroline’s journey from that first volunteer shift to her current role as CEO is filled with lessons in service, family, and leadership.

OPM: What first inspired you to volunteer at Give Kids The World Village?

CS: I was in the Disney College Program in 1998, and one of my mentors encouraged me to volunteer. My very first shift was “Parents’ Night Out.” I rode the carousel and played games with the kids while their parents had dinner. At the end of the night, the parents were so emotional, telling us they hadn’t had the chance to just be adults in years. That was the moment I realized this work was life-changing.

OPM: Can you share your journey from volunteer to CEO?

CS: Honestly, I never set out to work in the nonprofit sector. My background was in communications, but that early experience opened my eyes. I came back to the Village as Director of Volunteer Services. Each role taught me something new, and eventually I stepped into leadership.

OPM: As a mom, how do you manage family life alongside leading a nonprofit?

CS: I don’t love the word “balance” — I think of it as integration. Different seasons of life dictated how my husband and I handled things. When our kids were little, we sometimes worked opposite shifts. Later, when I became a VP, we kept daycare close to the Village so I could easily be there for our daughter. We’ve always been open with our kids that service is part of our family’s lifestyle.

OPM: How has motherhood shaped your leadership style?

CS: It gave me empathy. I remember being the only mom on staff with a baby, and it was hard. That made me more mindful of supporting my team members who are raising children or caring for family. At the same time, I try to help my team avoid compassion fatigue. We’re creating once-in-a-lifetime moments, and it’s easy to put immense pressure on ourselves. I want to make sure our culture is caring and sustainable.

OPM: Give Kids The World was founded by Henri Landwirth. How do you carry forward his legacy while also making your mark?

CS: Henri was a Holocaust survivor and dealt with the loss of his family. He wanted families to have a place where illness and stress could be set aside, even just for a week. It’s not just a vacation. It’s hundreds of people coming together to care for one family. My role is to be a good steward of that mission, ensuring the Village remains strong and sustainable for decades to come.

OPM: What has been one of your most memorable moments at the Village?

CS: Hasbro makes sure every Wish family gets a Give Kids The World edition of Candy Land. It always makes me smile that everyone knows Candy Land, but not everyone knows the Village. That’s something I want to change.

OPM: How can Central Florida families get involved?

CS: There are so many ways. Families can volunteer together at the Village — kids as young as eight can join if they’re with a parent. We also have our Gingerbread Run each November, our “Adopt a Tree” fundraiser during the holidays, and donation drives for toys and candy. Every bit helps us create joy for these families.

OPM: What advice would you give to other moms?

CS: Forgive yourself. You can’t do it all, and it’s never going to be 50/50. I integrate my life together instead of trying to keep work and family separate. That’s what makes it possible.

VOLUNTEER AS A FAMILY AT GKTW

VILLAGE SHIFTS: Kids as young as 8 can serve alongside a parent.

GINGERBREAD RUN 5K: Evening holiday race through the Village each November.

ADOPT A TREE: Decorate a holiday tree to support wish families.

DRIVES & DONATIONS: Toys, souvenirs, and candy are always needed.

SPREAD THE WORD: Share the mission so more families learn how to help.

Caroline with her family at GKTW

Not-so-scary Facts About the Flu Vaccine

by Anu Varma Panchal

FOR

At your last doctor visit, your physician might have suggested that you get your flu shot. “Nah!” Many of us think. We don’t need it! They’re ineffective! Unnecessary! They prevent my kids from developing natural immunity!

Dr. Marcy Solomon Baker, pediatric medical director for BayCare Medical Group, says otherwise. She’d like you to know this: Last year in the United States, there were 253 pediatric flu deaths, about half of them in perfectly healthy children with no underlying conditions. That’s 253 too many children to die from a vaccinepreventable disease.

“Nobody’s against natural immunity, but you’ve got to make it through,” says Baker, who reminds parents that taking care of sick children who are missing school when you yourself are severely ill with the flu is no picnic. “Is not getting a flu shot for your child worth the risk? To me, it’s not. I can’t imagine being a parent whose pediatrician recommends a flu vaccine, and I say no, and god forbid, my child dies of the flu. That’s the worst thing I can imagine.”

If you still have doubts, get the facts from your pediatrician or the American Academy of Pediatrics — not from social media or by crowdsourcing. As the year draws to a close, Baker continues her one-person crusade to get families vaccinated. “The flu shot is safe. It is not new. And the benefits far outweigh the risks.”

THE NITTY-GRITTY ON FLU SHOTS THIS SEASON, WE SAT DOWN

WITH

BAKER, WHO BUSTS THESE COMMON MYTHS ABOUT THE FLU VACCINE:

I’ve survived the flu already. I don’t need another vaccine.

You as an adult may have been all right, but two of the highest risk categories are children under 2, and then children under 5, as well as everyone at any age with underlying health conditions (such as asthma). At least vaccinating children under 5 can protect your most vulnerable family members. If the adults are also vaccinated, you lower the chances of one of you bringing it home to infect small kids or elderly relatives. The whole household becomes healthier and safer.

The flu shot is ineffective because I took it, and I got the flu anyway.

Here’s how the flu vaccine is developed. There are several different types or strains of influenza. Every year, different versions are prevalent. To decide which ones are most likely to hit us in an upcoming season, scientists in the northern hemisphere study flu incidence in the southern hemisphere, where the flu circulates first. Then they make their best guess as to the likelihood of those same strains being prevalent here, and they make a vaccine combining those strains. Therefore, efficacy might vary, but what doesn’t change is that the flu vaccine has consistently been proven to prevent sickness from becoming so severe that hospitalization is required. So yes, if you get the vaccine, you might get the flu anyway, but you’ll recover faster and it’s unlikely that you’ll have to go to the hospital.

I took the flu vaccine, and I got the flu from it!

This is impossible because the flu shot is not a live vaccine. It CANNOT give you the flu. At the most, a small minority of people become a little achy and feverish. The most common side effect is a sore arm. However, if you get your flu shot at the peak of flu season, remember that you are surrounded by the disease, and that your shot takes two weeks to become fully affective. You can get the shot and get the flu that same day. That’s why Baker recommends getting it at the end of October, well before flu season fully kicks in — but now isn’t too late.

The flu vaccine hurts, and it’s a pain to schedule.

You can now take a flu mist instead of a shot, and the mist is equally recommended by doctors. As well as your doctor, many pharmacies also administer flu vaccines. You can also get a prescription from your doctor for the flu mist, pick it up from a pharmacy and go home and administer it yourself.

The flu vaccine is another medical expense that I cannot afford.

Most private insurance companies fully cover flu vaccines, and if yours does not or you don’t have insurance, you can get a $10 flu vaccine from your pediatrician through a government program called Vaccines For Children.

istockphoto-2168547392

Sky-High Celebrations: Where to Ring in 2026 with a View in Orlando

by Hailea Boykin

There is no shortage of magic in Orlando. Boasting breathtaking skyline views (or theme park fireworks), these are our Top Picks for rooftop celebrations worthy of ringing in your New Year — all with delectable menus and a wow factor to spare.

Disney + Resort Area

Illume at JW Marriott Bonnet Creek

14900 Chelonia Parkway, Orlando facebook.com/illumeJWBonnetCreek

Celebrate Bōnenkai, meaning “Forget the Previous Year” in Japanese, and welcome 2026 in style at Illume, where your ticket includes a dazzling 180-degree fireworks display, a 3D LED Dancefloor, and tons more.

Menu: Contemporary Asian cuisine, featuring dishes such as Caramel Miso Pork Belly, Seafood Udon, and Maki, Nigiri, and Sashimi.

Ceiba at Conrad Orlando

1500 Eastbeach Way, Orlando CeibaOrlando.com

For an evening of elegance, celebrate New Year’s at Ceiba to enjoy colorful panoramic rooftop views of Evermore Bay. This ticketed event includes lavish buffets (including a dessert spread), and a stunning fireworks display.

Menu: Dine on Mexican dishes, including Sopes De Chorizo, Taco De Pescado, Pork Belly Carnitas, and other delicious regional plates.

Capa at Four Seasons

10100 Dream Tree Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista CapaSteakhouse.com

Ring in the new year with your sweetheart at this stunning Michelinstarred rooftop steakhouse. Capa is the height of rooftop New Year’s Eve celebrations, featuring nightly fireworks and views of Disney in the distance, lakeside, and the Tranquilo Golf Club.

Menu: Capa’s menu features prime meats, fresh seafood, small plates, tapas, and more.

Toledo at Coronado Springs

1001 W. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista DisneyWorld.disney.go.com/dining

Welcome 2026 with the vibrancy of Spain at Toledo, where you can dine on charcutería and cheeses, charred octopus, or paella for two at this tapas kitchen that boasts magical views of Walt Disney World and fireworks nearby.

Menu: Featuring flavors inspired by Spain in small plates, entrees, and desserts.

Downtown Orlando + Beyond

AC Sky Bar

333 S. Garland Ave., Orlando

ACSkyBar.com

AC Sky Bar is one of Orlando’s award-winning rooftop bars, and you’ll see why once you get to the top. There are no bad views here, so pick a seat and enjoy a house cocktail like the Passion Play or El Fantasma for this years’ Casino Royale-themed New Year’s party.

Menu: Small and large plates, flatbreads, salads, and desserts.

Bar 17 at Aventura Universal Hotel

6725 Adventure Way, Orlando

LoewsHotels.com/Universals-Aventura-Hotel

Ring in the new year atop the Universal Aventura Hotel as you sip on custom-crafted cocktails like the Lychee Dream. NYE event tickets include buffet stations, two hours of open bar, plus party favors. We love their non-alcoholic bar options, too.

Menu: A Korean-inspired menu full of small plates and sharables.

Bar Helios at Universal Helios Grand Hotel

8505 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando

LoewsHotels.com/Helios-Grand-Hotel

One of the newest rooftop bars in Orlando, you can find breathtaking evening views of Universal Orlando’s new theme park, Epic Universe. Bring some “wow” into the evening with their Seafood Tower or Tableside 32 oz. Tomahawk Experience. Reservations are recommended.

Menu: Mainly small bites with grazing items, plus fresh oysters, confit pork belly, and dessert.

AC Sky Bar

HOW TO VOLUNTEER AS A FAMILY

Volunteering as a family is a great way to get everyone involved, not only during the holidays but year-round. Lucky for us, plenty of local organizations make it very easy for you and the kids to volunteer together, especially as the Holidays approach.

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

PERFECT FOR:

All Ages

OPPORTUNITIES:

Assembling hygiene kits, cooking meals (on-site), and volunteering on location.

ADULT SUPERVISION

REQUIRED: Yes, for all ages under 18.

rmhccf.org

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK

PERFECT FOR:

Ages 10 and up

OPPORTUNITIES:

Sorting donations, organizing a community Food & Fund Drive.

ADULT SUPERVISION

REQUIRED: Chaperone 18+ required for ages 10-15. Ages 1617 may volunteer independently. feedhopenow.org

GIVE KIDS THE WORLD VILLAGE

PERFECT FOR:

Ages 8 and up

OPPORTUNITIES: Entertainment attendants, food service, guest services, show assistants, and more

ADULT SUPERVISION

REQUIRED: Kids ages 8+ can volunteer with an adult. Ages 16+ may volunteer on their own. gktw.org

PET ALLIANCE OF GREATER ORLANDO

PERFECT FOR:

Ages 13 and up

OPPORTUNITIES:

Help shelter dogs play and get exercise, socialize with the cats in the Cat Condo, or be a Kitty Cuddler. Kids under 13 can host supply drives at home.

ADULT SUPERVISION

REQUIRED: A parent or legal guardian 18+ is required for all volunteers 13+.

petallianceorlando.org

Orlando-Parenting.com

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Thanksgiving To-Go:

Take advantage of the many restaurants that offer Thanksgiving options for home.

Winter Break Ideas:

Our favorite easy ways to have fun together while school is out.

FREE Holiday Events:

Celebrate the season without spending a dime.

School Application Guide:

We’ve compiled key dates and information for selecting the right school.

You can cut your own Christmas tree just outside of Orlando!

Santa's Christmas Tree Forest in Eustis is a real working 17-acre tree farm where you can pick and saw your very own tree to decorate. Find out all the details: orlandodatenightguide.com/christmas-tree-santas-farm-25304/

Our Favorite Aquariums and Zoos:

Celebrate World Wildlife Conservation Day on Dec. 4 by visiting a local aquarium or zoo. You can learn about the work these organizations are doing to protect wildlife in Florida and around the world... and meet some incredible animals, of course!

Follow along with us for inside looks of fun things to do with the kids in Orlando, behind-the-scenes, sneak peeks and more.

TRAVEL RE-IMAGINED AT MCO

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is welcoming the future of travel!

The vision is set. The plans are in place, and work is underway to transform the future of travel at Florida’s busiest airport, Orlando International.

From new high-tech gate-link trams to virtual reality wayfinding and AI-driven enhancements that create stress-free experiences, MCO is building a better travel future focused on the foundational pillars of Customer Experience, our Community, the Infrastructure, and People. Parking is being reimagined with 8,000 new spaces on the way. From enhanced reserved parking to an AIsupported parking guidance system, available spaces will be identified by color-coded lights.

The new GateLink System project kicks off in December to make your future trips from security to your gate faster and more convenient.

The $5.9 billion Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) not only reinvents MCO but the entire travel journey, broadening your horizons with service to exciting destinations, including Madrid, Paris, Munich, and more than 170 other unforgettable places around the world.

Québec City

Lima,

Salisbury,