Happy Friday, everyone!

It’s Landon – and I’m back with another theme park newsletter coming into your inbox. 👨‍💻 With the Christmas season in overdrive right now, I wanted to spotlight some of my favorite things to do with family and friends this time of year. I thought this week I would spotlight some of the fun at Disney Springs. Not only is this spot an excellent place for picking up that perfect 🎁 for someone, but it’s also packed with some delicious food, drinks, desserts and a fun FREE activity.

If you couldn’t tell by the picture at the top – I’m talking about the Christmas Tree Stroll. 🎄This is one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season. Now through Dec. 30, guests visiting Disney Springs can pick up a free Christmas Tree Stroll map from one of five participating locations and search for a handful of highly decorated trees, from the “Haunted Mansion” and “The Princess and the Frog” to a newly created tree featuring the characters from Disney Animation film, “Wish.” 💫

The best part of this? Once you find all the trees and return the map – you get a special surprise.

Also worth noting, those of you who have a MagicBand+, Disney said some of the trees will even interact with you.

After searching high and low for the trees – you’re bound to whip up an appetite!

One of my favorite things during the holiday season – a Holiday Turkey sandwich from Earl of Sandwich. This hot, savory and delicious sandwich has turkey, cornbread stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce and mayo – all in one!! It’s so popular, Earl of Sandwich keeps it around almost all year. 😊🙏 I thank them for that.

Down for something sweet now? My friends over at Planet Hollywood have the most obnoxious – and yet, DELICIOUS milkshake you can feast your eyes on. Introducing the “Frosty the Snowman Shake.” ⛄️This thing is GINORMOUS!! What’s inside? Mint chocolate chip ice cream, red and green candy, candy canes, sprinkles, and holiday mints all topped with whipped cream and a marshmallow snowman on top. You won’t regret it. Chicken Guy also has a delicious Holiday Cookie Shake too. And speaking of cookies, Gideons Bakehouse has brought back their special holiday cookies you can snag now.

Well – I think that should get you into some sort of holiday spirit this week, no? All right, let’s dive into some of the other headlines this week.

Incredible debut 🎆

Let’s launch things off at EPCOT this week – literally. Earlier this week, crowds gathered around World Showcase Lagoon for the debut of the new nighttime spectacular, “Luminous: The Symphony of Us.”

Debuting on the same day as Walt Disney’s birthday, the new show features fireworks, lasers and incredible music. 🎶 Following in the footsteps of Harmonious and EPCOT Forever, Luminous: The Symphony of Us, comprises movements representing common themes of human experience. From romance to loss, the show touches on many things – and at times, it’s almost guaranteed to make you cry. 🥹

Unlike other shows, Luminous features no projections, so it’s up to you to interpret what is happening on the lagoon stage. Quick tip for you, watch the show on the America side of the lagoon. Turns out, Spaceship earth has a role in the show that you don’t want to miss. 📸 You can see some of the show’s highlights by clicking here.

Anyone see the new show yet? Thoughts? 💭 Let me know by emailing me at lmcreynolds@wkmg.com.

New additions 🤩

That was not the only big news at EPCOT this week. I was there bright and early for the dedication of the brand-new Walt the Dreamer statue and World Celebration Gardens. The Voices of Liberty helped during the dedication that also featured a firework finale in front of Spaceship Earth.

World Celebration Gardens 🪴 are now open to the public and offer people places to gather, interact and relax while at the park. I will say, this area looks incredible both day and night. When night falls, it transforms with beautiful lighting around the planters and seating areas. This opening was one of the final pieces in the historic transformation of EPCOT. CommuniCore Hall and CommiCore Plaza, a multi-use facility and outdoor event space will open to the public sometime next year.

The new area joins other new additions including Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.

“Immersive” new experience

🌊 Aquatica dropped some new attraction news on us this week. Beginning next year, guests will be able to enjoy a new “immersive” water slide experience.

You and a friend will get to enjoy twists and turns down the all-new slide, “Tassie’s Underwater Twist.”

So, what makes this thing so unique and cool? The water park said it will feel as though you’re twisting and turning through Australia’s Shark 🦈 Bay seagrass meadow. How will they do that? The park said they will be using video displays, projections and a captivating musical score. As you spin around the ride’s large bowl element you will see it all before splashing into the water below. The ride is scheduled to open in the spring.

Checking In? 🧳

Heading over to the 🏗️ construction of Universal’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, we now have the names and opening dates for two upcoming hotels.

In a cosmic fusion of imagination and relaxation, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort will invite guests to explore the unknown universe inspired by galaxies spiraling ever outward. 🪐🧑‍🚀 The stellar escapes, situated just steps from Epic Universe, will serve as a launchpad for both extraordinary adventures and tranquil retreats in 2025! Anyone else excited to see these hotels completed?! Just me? 🙋‍♂️

What the Walrus?! 😮

How much do you know about a walrus? Well, I couldn’t tell you much until this week. I visited SeaWorld Orlando for Walrus Appreciation Week.

Inside the park’s Wild Arctic habitat, guests will find 41-year-old Garfield, 20-year-old Kaboodle, their adorable calf, 4-year-old Kora, and 1995′s rescued walrus, Aurora. All four animal ambassadors call SeaWorld Orlando home and have been educating guests and raising awareness.

What makes them so cool? These walruses are four of just 13 currently in zoo or aquarium facilities in the U.S. Having them in the hands of SeaWorld Orlando’s animal ambassadors provides them with excellent around-the-clock care and gives you the opportunity to see these creatures up-close and in our own backyard here in Central Florida.

Next time you’re at SeaWorld, be sure and stop by their habitat. Give this pod some love. ❤️

Adorable/rare addition 🐊

Let’s head over to Gatorland now.

The park made a pretty incredible announcement this week. The park announced the birth of a Leucistic alligator, the first ever born in human care. 🌎🐊

The reptiles are the rarest genetic variation in the American alligator. Leaders said they differ from albino alligators, which have pink eyes and a complete loss of pigment. Leucism in alligators causes white coloration, but they often have patches or splotches of normal coloration on their skin. Without the darker skin pigmentation, they can’t have direct sunlight for long periods of time because they sunburn easily. The Leucistic gator is a female, while her brother is normal colored.

The park needs your help naming these adorable additions! You can post name suggestions on the park’s social media, through Facebook, YouTube or Instagram. I’ve already been told that the names “Salt” and “Pepper” are off the list, so think again.

Well, that will do it from me this week!

I don’t know about you but I have a few more Christmas gifts to buy this weekend! I better get to working on that this weekend! I’ll talk to you all again next week. 👋

-Landon