Florida
Central Florida theme parks bring wave of new thrills in 2024
ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida’s iconic theme parks are gearing up for an extraordinary year as they prepare to unveil an exciting lineup of new experiences and attractions.
In 2024, visitors to Central Florida will see everything from new roller coasters to family attractions that will entice any thrill seeker’s bucket list.
See the list of attractions at each of the theme parks below:
Starting off at Walt Disney World, the resort is set to debut the all-new “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” at Magic Kingdom in late 2024.
This immersive experience will transport guests into the beloved story of Princess Tiana, offering a unique blend of new technology, storytelling and adventure.
Disney said Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to continue the story following the hit 2009 film, “The Princess and the Frog.” Guests will follow Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen and Louis the alligator through the bayou as they prepare for a Mardi Gras celebration. Walt Disney Imagineering has shared some of the research they have done to make sure the attraction is authentic as possible to the city and people of New Orleans and the surrounding Louisiana area. From the music guests will hear inside to the small animal critters along the ride track.
Also at Magic Kingdom, a refreshed rendition of the beloved “Country Bears Musical Jamboree” is set to captivate audiences with its timeless tunes and lively animatronic characters sometime this year. Disney said on its blog that the new songs and act will pay homage to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Over at EPCOT, the much-anticipated “CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza” in World Celebration promises a futuristic and interactive experience, redefining the park’s commitment to innovation. The new additions will open alongside World Celebration gardens and Dreamers Point, which opened to the public in early December.
Meanwhile, “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” is set to make waves at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the fall of 2024, immersing guests in Ariel’s enchanting underwater world. Disney’s Hollywood Studios will also feature new adventures and characters in the iconic “Star Tours” attraction.
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando is set to introduce “Dreamworks Land” at Universal Studios Florida, bringing beloved characters from Dreamworks Animation to life in a vibrant and engaging environment. The new children’s area is currently under construction in the former KidZone area of the park.
Fans are also eagerly awaiting potential updates on the highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park, promising new realms of thrills and wonder.
See a previous story about Epic Universe in the video below.
SeaWorld Orlando & Aquatica
SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica are making a splash with the introduction of the “Penguin Trek” roller coaster and “Tassie’s Underwater Twist” slide in spring 2024. These exhilarating attractions promise to offer a unique blend of speed and aquatic excitement just in time for the spring break crowds.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is set to rise to new heights with the “Phoenix Rising” roller coaster, offering an adrenaline-pumping experience for thrill-seekers in spring 2024.
Legoland Florida Resort
Legoland Florida Resort is set to captivate younger visitors with the “Build and Race” experience, encouraging creativity and exploration in a dynamic and playful environment.
Additionally, the SEA LIFE Florida Resort, opening in fall 2024, will offer guests an all-new underwater adventure for marine enthusiasts.
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Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
Florida
Florida-Tulane free livestream: How to watch Gasparilla Bowl, TV, schedule
The Florida Gators play against the Tulane Green Wave in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. The matchup will begin at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN 2. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
The Gators enter this matchup with a 7-5 record, and they have played well recently. The team has won three consecutive games, including two victories against ranked opponents.
In their most recent game, the Gators defeated Florida State 31-11. During the victory, Florida accrued 368 total yards. The team rushed for 235 yards and averaged more than six yards per carry.
The Florida defense also played well against Florida State, forcing five turnovers.
The Green Wave enter this matchup with a 9-4 record, but they have lost back-to-back games. In their most recent game, the Green Wave lost 35-14 against Army.
During the loss, Tulane struggled defensively. The team allowed 335 rushing yards and conceded nearly six yards per carry.
Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
Florida
How to Watch: Louisville Cardinals at Florida State Seminoles
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A week removed from falling to Kentucky in the Battle of the Bluegrass, the Louisville men’s basketball program is back in action, traveling to Florida State for their first road game in ACC play.
While the Cardinals might have lost to their most hated rival in their last time out, they certainly gave the Wildcats a run for their money. Despite having only eight healthy scholarship players, Louisville kept within striking distance of Kentucky for the majority of the game before ultimately falling 93-85 in Rupp Arena.
As for the Seminoles, year 23 under head coach Leonard Hamilton is off to a solid start. While FSU is currently six games over .500 and heading into their matchup with Louisville on a two-game win streak, they’re 0-3 against teams ranked in KenPom’s top-100, including an 84-74 overtime loss at NC State.
This will be the 54th all-time meeting between Louisville and Florida State, with the Cardinals owning a 35-18 advantage. UofL won 101-92 back on Feb. 3, 2024 in the last matchup, snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Seminoles.
(Photo of Terrence Edwards Jr.: Jordan Prather – Imagn Images)
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Florida
More South Florida school zones will be getting speed cameras – how it's been going
If you don’t look carefully, you could easily miss the cameras set up outside schools. They, however, are watching you, and if you’re going at least 10 miles over the speed limit, you will receive a $100 surprise in the mail.
“If you don’t want to get one of those violations just stay within the speed limit, very simple,” said Village of Pinecrest Police Chief Jason Cohen.
Pinecrest and South Miami were the first cities in South Florida to take advantage of a new state law allowing automated cameras to catch speeders in school zones. Since their systems went online in October, they’ve sent out about 7,400 citations in South Miami and about 5,800 in Pinecrest.
“It’s too early to say from the data on the overall impact it’s going to have around the schools, but we believe it’s going to change peoples’ driving patterns, that they’re going to be cognizant that they’re near a school and they’re going to automatically slow down, that’s the goal,” Cohen said.
Diane Gilmore has been a security monitor for decades at Palmetto Senior High School. She said she sees speeders fly past the school all the time as students are trying to cross the street, and she’s glad the cameras have been installed.
“I think they did a good idea because a lot of times, they be going across the street, these cars don’t respect us at all, they come fast and I say it ain’t careful, somebody gonna end up getting killed,” Gilmore said.
Students spilling out of school seem to appreciate the cameras.
“I think it’s good, ‘cause it controls the drivers so the drivers don’t speed and especially in a school zone,” said Nicholas Henriquez, a senior at Palmetto who drives to school.
Not everyone agrees. Christian Gutierrez picks up a student regularly and he’s not impressed with the cameras’ impact.
“Even speedbumps, I feel like, stops speeding,” Gutierrez said. “More than the cameras, yeah, for sure.”
The school zone cameras operate only on school days, starting a half hour before school starts and ending a half hour after school ends, no matter what the speed limit is during those hours. The police departments make $39 for each citation issued.
“But I think it’s important to highlight that the funds coming in have to be used for public safety,” Chief Cohen said. “Anything that can help make our city safer, especially around the children and the schools, we looked at it as a win.”
Soon, police departments in Miami Gardens, West Miami, Davie and Plantation will be starting up their own school zone camera systems. Miami-Dade Police have also installed cameras outside eleven schools with many more to follow. Cohen predicts almost all South Florida police departments will join the trend.
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