Purr-adise found 🦁🐯

While “theme parks” may be in the title of this newsletter, it’s my duty to give you the scoop on hidden attraction gems.

Hello friends, it’s Haley.

One such place that has a lot of charm and heart is Central Florida Animal Reserve, a sanctuary dedicated to caring for lions, tigers, leopards and cougars.

Our News 6 Insider team paid a visit to the sanctuary, which has been around for 30 years. If you’re a cat lover, Central Florida Animal Reserve looks like it’s worth a weekend day trip.

Universal Orlando

Epic access expanded 💫

Although it’s not the news some fans want to hear, Universal Orlando’s 2026 tickets will include multi-day travel and park-hopping to Epic Universe.

This could hint that an annual pass featuring Epic Universe might be coming next.

If you want to experience Epic for the first time or the 10th time in the new year, you’ve got some options.

SeaWorld Orlando

Dive into the festive spirit 🎅

I’m beginning to talk a lot about Christmas and holiday celebrations at Central Florida’s theme parks.

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration will return with all the favorites, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the Sea of Trees and ice skating. There will also be a revamped Santa experience.

For more information, including dates, click here.

Legoland Florida

Fa-la-la-Lego 🎄

While opinions differ on real versus fake Christmas trees, a three-story LEGO brick tree is something we can all appreciate.

The 2025 Holidays at Legoland will run on select dates in December, including a New Year’s Eve bash.

There will be plenty of minifigures to meet, and favorite LEGO displays will get a holiday makeover.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

We’re going to the Boone! 🌕

A stroll through the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a highlight of any visit — and it will be especially lively when Benson Boone performs there next month.

The pop star will take the stage as part of the free Visa Live concert series.

Get this, tickets aren’t being sold. Instead, fans will have to enter to win.

Walt Disney World

Arts dates and details 🎨

When Disney announces dates for the Festival of the Arts, that’s my signal that the year is winding down.

I can’t complain, though, it is my favorite of the EPCOT annual festivals.

The 2026 edition will run 39 days, which I say isn’t enough.

Stars, stripes and Soarin’ 🦅

Walt Disney World is filled with attractions, lands and traditions that celebrate American heritage.

After all, Walt Disney was a true patriot, so it’s no surprise that Disney World has special plans for America’s semiquincentennial.

″Disney Celebrating America” kicks off on Veterans Day, and the highlight, Soarin’ Across America, flies in next summer.

International Drive

Orlando’s Upside Down 🧇

“Stranger Things” hype is here, and a new Sandbox VR experience will take you to Hawkins and beyond.

During Stranger Things: Catalyst, players will take on the role of Eleven and encounter all the familiar horrors of the Upside Down.

I suggest checking out the teaser video included in this web story to get a sense of what’s at stake.

That was a solid mix of theme park news.

As always, keep me in the loop through my email or reach out to me on X or Instagram.

- Haley