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🏃‍♂️💨 That wasn’t so bad …

(Landon McReynolds, WKMG)

Happy Friday, everyone!

Landon here, with another theme park email sliding into your inbox. Well, I’m happy to report that I survived 26.2 miles during the 2024 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.

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What I thought would be a relatively easy sprint 🤣 from park-to-park turned out to be a little more challenging vs. the year prior.

Around mile 20 I was questioning why I was doing the race all together but overall, it was not that bad. Early in the race, participants, including myself, were hit by some pesky rain showers – but it didn’t last too long. The day before, the half marathon race was actually modified due to the threat of severe storms. ⛈️ Instead of running the full 13.1 miles, participants only ran just over 7 miles. RunDisney said they made the change to keep people and cast members safe during the race. I saw some people taking to social media talking about how they went back home or resort hotel to run the remaining miles.

This weekend, runDisney is taking its races out to the west coast at Disneyland. This weekend, the “Happiest Place on Earth” will host a 5K, 10K and half-marathon race, marking the return of the race weekend in seven years!! For anyone doing the Coast-to-Coast race challenge this weekend – I wish you the best of luck! The next big race weekend at Walt Disney World will be the runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, beginning Feb. 22. 👸

Runners on your mark … get set … GO! 👟


Taking center stage 🎨

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Get ready to go on a culinary journey at Walt Disney World! Beginning today, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is returning for guests to experience. The festival allows guests to see marvelous works of art by a handful of featured artists🖌️, try an assortment of delicious food and drinks, purchase colorful merchandise and see live performances from Disney’s biggest Broadway shows.

Tonight, for the first time in forever, guests can hear Caissie Levy and Patti Murin from Disney’s hit Broadway musical “Frozen” will take the stage during the Disney on Broadway Concert Series! 🎭

There will also be a handful of family activities that you can participate in including the Expression Section, Animation Academy and Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt. The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is free to enjoy with park admission. The event runs through Feb. 19.


Bear with us 🐻

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I have a couple other stories from Walt Disney World this week. Let’s head over to Magic Kingdom for a second. One of my favorite attractions/shows now has a closing date – so bear with me. 🐻🐻

This week, Disney announced that the Country Bear Jamboree will officially close later this month so Imagineers can add new songs and act to the beloved attraction. Disney first announced the updates during the Destination D23 last year. Imagineers said the new act and songs will pay tribute to the Opry-style shows you will see in Nashville.

Disney did not give a reopening date but said it will be this summer – so y’all come back now, ya here!


A BIG return 🕒

(Disney)

The other big story at Walt Disney World this week was the return of ALL-DAY park hopping!

Gone are the days of waiting till 2 p.m. to venture from one park to another. As part of its efforts to make the experience better, Disney is allowing its guests with park hopper options to hop from one park to the other with ease. All you must do is make a reservation and visit one theme park before heading to the other.

In addition to the park hopping, Disney shared details about its all-new “good-to-go” days for its annual passholders. 😃

Yesterday, “good-to-go” days began showing up on the reservation calendar for passholders in the My Disney Experience app. These days, circled in green, will show the parks where NO reservation is required. Disney said these days will update periodically days or weeks in advance, so keep an eye on the calendar.

Magic Kingdom still requires a reservation on all weekends.


“Exciting new experience” 🥳

(WKMG)

Some sad news to report at Universal Orlando. Just as I sent out the newsletter last week, I got word that the Universal Legacy Store at CityWalk would be closing.

This store opened in 2021 and allowed guests to shop for some awesome merchandise alongside old props and materials used in some of the park’s older attractions.

Since its closure on Sunday, Universal has put up construction walls and the “Legacy” portion of the store sign has been turned off. When I asked what was coming next, Universal said the closure is to make way for an “exciting new experience.” 🤔 I have my thoughts about what that is ... but I’ll hold off till I know more.


Family fun 🤩

(Busch Gardens Tampa Bay)

Finally, this week, I wanted to take you to Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Orlando. Both theme parks have some exciting events that you may want to check out.

At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, they’re kicking off their bead-tastic Mardi Gras event. Get ready to chow down on some New Orleans Cajun-style food and drinks 😋 while taking in live music and a parade. This year, the event will feature a crepe station that will be serving up some popular favorites! The Mardi Gras festival is happening at same time as the park’s “Real Music” concert series, taking place at the Stanleyville Theater.

(SeaWorld)

Meantime, over at SeaWorld Orlando – the park is welcoming back its popular “Inside Look” Weekend. 🦈

This one is one of my personal favorites! During select times of the day, guests can get behind-the-scenes access to some of SeaWorld’s exciting animal habitats like Shark Encounter, Manta Aquarium and Wild Arctic. 🐬 The weekend event is free to enjoy with park admission. In addition to the exclusive experiences, SeaWorld Orlando presents special presentations and animal care specialist talks during select times throughout the day.

“Inside Look” Weekends is happening this weekend and next.


That will do it from me this week!

I hope you have an incredible weekend and I will talk to you all again next week.

-Landon 👋


About the Authors
Brenda Argueta headshot

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.

Daniel Dahm headshot

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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