Epic Universe, Universal Orlando’s newest theme park, will officially open Thursday to the public, after weeks of technical previews among passholders and other guests.

Wild Adventures Theme Park is hiring 300 new team members for the summer season.

Florida has some of the longest lines in the country, according to a new list from the travel website "Hawaiian Islands.”

Jawlene, named after Dolly Parton’s popular song “Jolene,” was rescued in September in Sanford after photos of the injured animal circulated on social media.

If you have ever dreamed of staying inside Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom, now is your chance.

Universal Orlando Resort has filed paperwork and pledged 13 acres for a commuter rail station that could link the seventh busiest airport in the U.S. with the heart of the tourism district in one of the top travel destinations in the world.

Walt Disney World will cost you more in 2023. Prices on most tickets, including single-day, multi-day and annual passes will go up on December 8. The company had just hiked up ticket prices in February. This is the second time in a calendar year that going to Disney parks cost you more.

As Tropical Storm Nicole heads toward Florida, Walt Disney World announced it would implement phased closures of its parks.

Anyone under 18, without a parent or guardian, must leave CityWalk at 9 p.m.

The event allows guests to stroll across six different continents and sample delicious food and drinks, see live entertainment and purchase colorful merchandise.

Walt Disney World is preparing to open its highly anticipated new attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Walt Disney World shared new renderings of the new experiences and locations coming to EPCOT.

Disney says next-generation MagicBand+ will debut this summer.

Meta Quest Virtual Reality Experience featuring ILMxLAB’s Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge Coming to Disney Springs

Legoland Florida Resort is officially designated as a certified autism center, making it the first theme park resort to receive this certification.

The separately ticketed event is scheduled to begin Aug. 12 and run through Halloween night at Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park.

Is anyone planning a trip to Universal or considering a vacation to this hotspot?

Here are some insider tips to help you do more during your next visit to a Disney theme park.

Walt Disney World is preparing to celebrate Earth Day at its Animal Kingdom theme park.

From the costumes to the level of detail, "Star Wars": Galaxy's Edge will prove to be Disney's most immersive land yet.

Put your knowledge of World Showcase to the test with our quiz.

The resort is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary celebration, and now is the perfect time to celebrate the season and upcoming Easter holiday. If you plan on visiting, we have uncovered a number of fun activities for families to experience while out exploring the theme parks and nearby resort hotels.

Walt Disney World announced May 27 as the opening date for the long-awaited “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.”

It’s perhaps one of the last things that guests at Walt Disney World have been waiting to see return: an up-close moment, picture or autograph with Mickey Mouse and other popular characters.

After 20-something years, I am now able to tell you how to get to Sesame Street -- and let me tell you, it's not just for kids.

Walt Disney World released a new photo earlier this week that shows a piece of the queue for the all-new attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

With 18 hotels and 23,000 hotel rooms, families swarm to Florida to enjoy the heat and take in the magic of Disney. Looking to spend more money in the parks and less on a hotel? Let us show you the...

Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Orlando’s premier fall event, is set to return this year for a record-breaking 43 nights.

Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Wish, is promising to be one of the company’s most magical ships ever built.

Walt Disney World has announced its Minnie Van transportation service will be returning to the resort this summer.

We'll bet you never thought the words "Disney" and "cheap" could go in the same sentence. Well, guess again.

So you have a fear of roller coasters, but you don't want to miss out on the fun when you visit a theme park. We've got your back.

It’s the hotel experience that will transport you into a galaxy far, far away.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is well underway at Walt Disney World.

Horticulture teams at Walt Disney World have their hands full ahead of the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival.

The all-new Peppa Pig Theme Park will open as a certified autism center, leaders announced Tuesday at the IAAPA Expo at the Orange County Convention Center.

Walt Disney World has shared details on its blog about some of the delicious food and drinks at its resort hotels for the holiday season.

As most might know, October marked 50 years since Disney World opened its doors.

As Walt Disney World continues to celebrate the World’s Most Magical Celebration for its 50th anniversary, things are about to get even more festive for the holiday season.

There were 6,000 employees who opened the Magic Kingdom at Disney World to the public for the first time on Oct. 1, 1971. Three who still work there share their experiences.

Halloween Horror Nights opened for its 30th year to some terrifying screams Friday night at Universal Orlando Resort.

Walt Disney World shared more details Friday about the all-new nighttime show coming to Magic Kingdom for the 50th anniversary celebration.

Walt Disney World has announced a number of new entertainment experiences returning to the resort next month.

Walt Disney World gave new details Monday about its upcoming holiday celebrations.

Disney plans to restart fireworks shows at its parks in Florida and California in the latest move by the company to ease up on pandemic restrictions implemented last year.

Firework spectaculars are returning to Walt Disney World.

Research and development of the coaster has also been years in the making, but overall construction took a little more than two years.

Walt Disney World could approach full capacity by the end of the year, Walt Disney Company CEO Robert Chapek said during the JPMorgan 49th Annual Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference on Monday.

Universal Orlando announced June 10 as the opening date for its anticipated new attraction, The Jurassic World: Velocicoaster.

A Louisiana man who said he spent $15,000 on a Disney World vacation learned to his misfortune that the “the most magical place on Earth” has very real rules to maintain public health during the coronavirus pandemic.

ORLANDO, Fla. – If you’ve been waiting to visit a Central Florida theme park amid the coronavirus pandemic, SeaWorld’s new ticket deal might be the ticket you’ve been waiting on. SeaWorld Orlando announced a new 2021 Fun Card where park visitors can visit for the rest of 2020 and all of 2021 for the price of $109.99, WKMG reports. There’s also a fun card for Aquatica priced at $79.99 or both theme parks for $164.98. “Just because summer is wrapping up, doesn’t mean the fun stops at SeaWorld and Aquatica. SeaWorld and Aquatica officials recently announced the parks will now be open seven days a week.

Stitch juice, jungle juice, POG juice -- the names go on and on. Rumor has it, there is a popcorn stand in Animal Kingdom called Mahindi that even serves up a Jungle Juice Slushy. Combine 21 ounces passion fruit juice, 21 ounces guava juice and 14 ounces orange juice (pulp-free). If following a recipe isn’t your forte, Welch’s Guava Pineapple juice is the closest thing to POG juice in a carton. Whether you make it, buy it, or order it, be sure to have yourself a glass of POG juice the next time you sit down for breakfast.

All rights reserved)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The most magical place on Earth will scale back hours starting Sept. 8. Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are closing an hour earlier. Epcot is closing two hours earlier. Animal Kingdom will open an hour later and close an hour earlier. The Walt Disney Co. has lost nearly $9 billion since April.

Disney World has an overall workforce of 77,000 employees, the nation's largest single-site labor force. Florida has had a surging coronavirus caseload recently, and other Disney parks around the globe have run into coronavirus-related roadblocks. Leaders of the Disney World workers' unions describe the virus-related safety measures Disney has taken as exemplary." Singing their praises seems so strange," said Julee Jerkovich, an official with a United Food & Commercial Workers union, which represents Disney merchandise and banquet workers. Local 362, which represents Disney World park greeters, attractions workers and custodians.

ORLANDO, Fla. Add Halloween Horror Nights to the list of events that wont happen this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Universal Orlando announced Friday that it has canceled Halloween Horror Nights to focusing exclusively on operating its theme parks for its daytime guests. Universal Studios Florida, Universals Islands of Adventure and Universals Volcano Bay were all closed in mid-March to stop the spread of COVID-19. BREAKING: Universal Orlando has canceled this year's Halloween Horror Nights due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This year would have marked Halloween Horror Nights 30th anniversary.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Walt Disney World is set to once again open its gates to the Magic Kingdom following a lengthy closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. But with most families staying inside and not traveling, how crowded will the theme parks really be when they reopen? Park Capacity Capacity at 25% Magic Kingdom 57,000 people 14,250 people Epcot 34,093 people 8,523 people Hollywood Studios 30,843 people 7,710 people Animal Kingdom 37,671 people 9,417 peopleA park at 25% capacity would mean very minimal wait times. As we can all imagine, visiting a Disney theme park when it reopens will be a new experience for all -- no matter how many times you’ve visited. The Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom parks will open first July 11, with Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopening July 15.

It’s transformation central at Disney Parks in the U.S., as Disney officially announced that it has big plans for Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. MORE: Petition calls for Disney Parks to change theme of Splash MountainIf you haven’t heard of the film, you’re not alone. If you’re unfamiliar with Splash Mountain, here’s a little background. Splash Mountain follows happy-go-lucky Br’er Rabbit as he looks for his “laughing place.” All the while, Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox are in hot pursuit of Br’er Rabbit. “Many adults and children ride this attraction because it brings back childhood memories,” the “Keep Splash Mountain” petition said.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)ORLANDO, Fla. Disney World is reopening its gates, ending a multi-month closure of the park which left the Walt Disney Company reeling. The Disney theme park, which employs some 70,000 people, plans to begin a phased reopening on July 11 for its Magic Kingdom parks and July 15 for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, the company said on Wednesday. Walt Disney World as well as Disneys Disneyland resort in Anaheim, California, closed in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. Legoland Florida Resort will officially reopen on June 1, the park announced on Friday. The Resort will initially open with adjusted operating hours. New health & safety measures have been rolled out to help keep guests safe. The park recommends and encourages guests to bring and wear masks for everyones safety. For more information, click here.

This meant that families were unable to experience the magic or thrill of the Disney theme parks, however, that didn’t stop families and friends from making the best of a bad situation. Since the closures, Disney fans from around the globe have been posting videos of their DIY Disney attractions. From nighttime fireworks to swashbuckling pirates, it's clear that when Disney fans are bored, something good is sure to come out of it. Once Upon a TimeWho needs to go back to the parks when you can have this at home? Pirates of the CaribbeanWhen will they ever learn that the dog is never going to give them the key?

ORLANDO, Fla. The Orange County Economic Recovery task force approved Universal Orlandos plans to reopen theme parks to staff beginning June 1 and to guests on June 5, WKMG reports. Upon opening, guests would be subject to mandatory temperature checks stationed at all park entrances. Team Members and guests would be required to wear masks at all times while at the park, and masks would be provided if guests did not bring one. Universal Orlando closed all three of its parks on March 15 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. CityWalk reopened last week with modified hours of operation from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. with face mask requirements in place.

Disney cast members have officially been away from their jobs for about two months now -- and some are taking their skills and talents to social media to give those bored at home a taste of the Disney magic everyone has been missing. Walt Disney World furloughed its approximately 43,000 workers in April after the theme park closed in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Only about 200 workers remain on the job performing “essential duties" during the closure, officials said. For the cast members not working, the only way they have been able to “make magic” is from inside their own homes. If you’re missing your favorite attractions, you might want to check out how these Disney fans created their favorite rides at home.

But one Central Florida pilot was given the opportunity to fly over the happiest place on earth and give us the view we’ve been waiting on. Disney parks have a temporary flight restriction that limits pilots from flying within 3,000 feet of any of the parks. But with Disney parks in the U.S. closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, some pilots have been granted permission by local air traffic control to fly over the deserted theme parks. “I hope this will bring some joy to everyone currently in quarantine and missing the beloved parks.”Seeing an empty Disney World has become a common sight to most of us during quarantine. [MORE: Helicopter pilot shares breathtaking view of Disneyland during coronavirus closure]Walt Disney World has been closed since March 15 after rising concerns about spreading COVID-19.

Eat Christmas cookies until you feel like you’re going to burst, see a special Christmas parade roll down Main Street U.S.A. -- and did we mention there will be tons of cookies? Visit Disney’s website for more info. Insider tip: Want to catch the Christmas parade but avoid paying for a special ticket? Some resorts also will have special holiday presentations, such as a walk-through gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian. Other festivities include the Sea of Trees, which is a show filled with synchronized Christmas trees shimmering and twinkling set to holiday music.

ORLANDO, Fla. – SeaWorld Orlando and its ride developers showed off the ride vehicle for its newest roller-coaster, Ice Breaker, at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions this week. The ride will give chills to its riders as it breaks the ice at SeaWorld Orlando in spring 2020. Ice Breaker will be located near the parks other attraction, Wild Arctic. The two-person ride vehicle is painted an icy blue color, with hints of broken ice chunk fragments throughout. The ride track is bright orange, with ice blue supports.

Editor's note: Our theme park expert, writer Tom Metevia, recently visited Universal Studios Orlando Resort for the first time, so we asked him to share some insight. Universal has its version of a FastPass called Universal Express. Universal Studios has two separate theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. I already knew that Universal Studios used a lot of simulators; however, I didn't really know what that meant. Use the virtual line if it's offered.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Halloween Horror Nights kicks off at Universal Orlando Resort on Sept. 6 and runs for 41 days until Nov. 2. In preparation of the annual scare event, Universal announced it will post 2,000 jobs to help run 10 haunted houses, five scare zones, live entertainment and other spectacles. The part-time and full-time jobs include attendants, food service and security starting at $12 per hour. Applications can be submitted to https://www.universalorlandojobs.com/. This year's Halloween Horror Nights will also include a new tundra themed house called Yeti: Terror of the Yukon​.

Walt Disney World has raised the price of its annual passes, as seen on the theme park's website. The price increase comes a little more than two months prior to the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on Aug. 29. The Florida resident Platinum Pass went up 25% but it has no blackout dates including Christmas Day. Other popular Florida resident passes include the Gold Pass which went up 15% and the Silver Pass which went up 8%. Florida resident passes:Platinum Plus Pass: $999, up from $849Platinum Pass: $899, up from $749Gold Pass: $699, up from $609Silver Pass: $519, up from $479Select Pass: $439, up from $439Weekday Select Pass: $349, up from $319Epcot After 4 Pass: $309, up from $289Waterparks Pass: $139, up from $130Waterparks After 2 Pass: $89, up from $79Out of state passes:Platinum Plus Pass: $1219, up from $994, 19% increasePlatinum Pass: $1119, up from $894, 20% increaseThe last price increase to Disney World passes was in October.

I moved my FP for FoTLK to 3 p.m. Want to meet there, then head to Poly after and watch HEA tonight?" Some Walt Disney World, or WDW, guests are unlike any other people you will ever encounter. They share a common interest, their love of Disney, but also share the ability to speak a second language. While this language isn't taught in schools, it can be learned over time with frequent visits to the parks. We'll show you some of the different abbreviations that are used by Cast Members (CM) and parkgoers alike.

When you visit a Disney theme park, you are greeted with magic and wonder. But many lines have become a thing of the past for most guests, thanks to the FastPass+. Guests staying at a Disney Resort are able to make their FastPass reservations 60 days prior to arriving. In order to make these FastPass selections, you will need either your smartphone with the My Disney Experience app on it or you will have to visit the FP+ kiosks located in each park. Those are the basics, now let's take a look at some important things to remember when making your FastPass selections.

The trend had to start somewhere and it began with the Purple Wall. The wall's Instagram account now has more than 19,000 followers. The account allows users to send in their Purple Wall photos with a chance to be featured. You have a choice of design as well -- will you choose the original plain purple wall or the geometric design that was recently added? Located inside the Harambe Marketplace at Animal Kingdom, look for this wall on the park-side of a cast-members-only exit.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Forget simply visiting Cinderella's castle or the new Star Wars land at Walt Disney World on your next trip, now you can take the experience one step further. New strollers modeled after Cinderella's castle and the Millenium Falcon can now be used at the popular resort to completely immerse your children in the Disney magic. Fantasy Strollers, which is not affiliated with Disney, designed the new Carriage and Spaceship strollers that are delivered to the park you're visiting on the day of your trip. The strollers include custom tags for your children, fairytale rims, lanterns in some carriages and, best of all, they can be made into a bed. The strollers are rented for eight hours and cost as little as $130 each session, or more if you order the surprise package.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – "We Go On" may be the theme song of one Walt Disney World's most popular fireworks shows, but alas, the show will not go on. Disney announced the Illuminations show at Epcot will come to an end in 2019, to be replaced by a new show by the company's Live Entertainment team. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth debuted in the park's World Showcase Lagoon back in October 1999 and has thrilled millions of fans as the perfect "end-of-day" showstopper. But all things must come to an end, and with Epcot ready to unveil new attractions to the park, such as a Guardians of the Galaxy rollercoaster and a ride based on the hit movie Ratatouille, it was time for a refresh.

Plastic straws by the numbers Source: National Park ServiceThe Walt Disney Company announced Thursday they will eliminate single-use plastic straws and plastic stirrers at all owned and operated locations across the globe by mid-2019. RELATED: San Marco BBQ joint switching from plastic to paper“Eliminating plastic straws and other plastic items are meaningful steps in our long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products. “These new global efforts help reduce our environmental footprint, and advance our long-term sustainability goals.”The move comes after Starbucks announced they would not be using plastic straws at any of its 28,000 stores worldwide by 2020. The Walt Disney Company says they will see a reduction of more than 175 million straws and 13 million stirrers annually. For more information, click here.

“That’s how it is everywhere,” said Williams, referring to the stacks of plastic bins, banks of x-ray machines, and more than a dozen walk-though metal detectors that now greet most visitors arriving at Universal Orlando. Universal Orlando Resort is now the first theme park operator in Central Florida to screen most bags with X-ray machines while also requiring visitors to pass through metal detectors. Frequent visitors first started noticing the X-rays and metal detectors appearing in the transportation hub outside CityWalk in late June. At Walt Disney World theme parks, security officers inspect bags by hand. At SeaWorld, visitors' bags are inspected manually.