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World’s tallest slingshot, drop tower officially open at ICON Park

New attractions at ICON Park The world’s tallest slingshot and drop tower officially opened to the public on Tuesday at ICON Park in Orlando. (ICON Park/ICON Park)ORLANDO, Fla. — Are you brave enough to fly high above Central Florida? The world’s tallest slingshot and drop tower officially opened to the public on Tuesday at ICON Park in Orlando. READ: Walt Disney World announces reopening date for Typhoon LagoonThe adjacent Orlando FreeFall stands at 430 feet and can take 30 riders at a time high above ICON Park and International Drive. READ: From milestones to new roller coasters: Here are the 9 biggest theme park stories of 2021New attractions at ICON Park The world’s tallest slingshot and drop tower officially opened to the public on Tuesday at ICON Park in Orlando.

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Guests at Fun Spot repeatedly violated Orange County’s mask mandate, records show

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Fun Spot near International Drive has been put on notice three times in the past few months after strike teams found that guests weren’t always wearing masks while at the amusement park, according to records provided by Orange County. The first strike team visit occurred on Aug. 13 after a citizen complaint. Orange County has had a mask mandate in place for months to stop the spread of COVID-19. While strike teams have been visiting businesses to make sure they’re complying with that rule, the focus has been on educating rather than fining or punishing, according to the mayor. News 6 has contacted Fun Spot for comment.

Haunted Halloween drive-thru experience coming to Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. The coronavirus pandemic may have put a damper on Central Floridas usual Halloween plans, but one new upcoming attraction promises to bring frights and delights in a way that doesnt violate social distancing guidelines. A debut date and location for The Haunted Road has not yet been revealed, but organizers have said that it will be a drive-thru experience that adults and families alike can enjoy from the safety of their own car. Mariko has past experience with Broadway marketing and was the creative force who brought to life the DRIP theatrical dance and rock show experience on International Drive. Before The Haunted Road event can happen, organizers plan to soon launch a Kickstarter campaign to garner financial support from the community. The masterminds behind the drive-thru attraction are also looking to hire local performers to staff the event.

Florida reports 112 new COVID-19 related deaths, more than 10,000 new cases

As Florida inches closer to reopening schools and sees guests headed back to theme parks, the state continues to report cases of COVID-19 by the thousands. In Florida, a total of 19,334 patients have been hospitalized due to severe cases of the respiratory illness. The new statistics bring Floridas total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 301,810 since the disease was first detected in the state on March 1. The state reported 112 new resident deaths and zero new non-resident death in Florida on Wednesday, making for a cumulative total of 4,521 COVID-19 related resident deaths and 105 non-resident deaths, bringing the overall state death toll to 4,617. Previously, the theme park strongly recommended and encouraged face masks to be worn inside the park, but the use of face coverings will now be mandatory.

Legoland to require face masks as Winter Haven enacts emergency ordinance

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – If you’re planning a trip to Legoland or Winter Haven, you’ll now need to pack a face mask to help curb the spread of COVID-19. On Monday, Winter Haven commissioners unanimously voted to enact an emergency ordinance that would require “every person working, living, visiting, or doing business in the City of Winter Haven” to wear a face mask in any indoor space, other than an individual’s home, when social distancing is not possible. Since Legoland falls under Winter Haven city limits, the theme park will now require guests to wear a face mask to be in compliance with the emergency ordinance. Previously, the theme park strongly recommended and encouraged face masks to be worn inside the park, but the use of face coverings will now be mandatory. For the water park, masks are only recommended for use when they are dry,” park officials said on the theme park’s website.

Know before you go: Disney to require face masks with ear loops or ties for park entry

If youre planning a trip to Disney any time soon, youll need to bring your face mask with you and make sure its the right type. Disney officials specified Wednesday that all guests must wear face masks that fully cover their nose and mouth that are secured by loops or ties that go around the ears. You can read Disneys full face mask policy by clicking here. Officials with the theme park confirmed to News 6 Wednesday that some popular face-covering types like neck gaiters, a type of face covering that does not have loops that secure the mask to the face via ear loops or straps, will not be an acceptable form of a face mask to gain entry into the park. Other health and safety guidelines Disney has issued include park reservations, temperature screenings before stepping inside the parks, social distancing and limited park capacity.

Splitsville to reopen at Disney Springs July 10 after months-long closure due to COVID-19

ORLANDO, Fla. Whether you bumper-bowl or regularly play a 300 point game, youll be able to brush up on your bowling skills at Splitsville luxury bowling lanes at Disney Springs starting July 10 at 4 p.m. Bowling lane leaders said on Facebook the alley has taken great measures to engage and serve you safely. From social distancing to QR code & single-use menus to sanitized gaming, weve got your back.Splitsville closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 16. Disney Springs began its phased reopening on May 20 after closing for more than a month to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Cocoa Beach Pier now requires all guests to wear face masks as COVID-19 pandemic continues

COCOA BEACH, Fla. If youre planning a trip to the Cocoa Beach Pier, youll need to pack a face mask in your beach bag as the pier will now require all guests to wear one. The pier made the announcement on social media Friday as people flocked to Brevard County beaches to beat the heat and enjoy the long holiday weekend. According to an Instagram post, the pier will require all guests to wear a mask in an effort to keep guests as safe as possible. Bars will remain closed per state guidelines, but beverage service is available at our tables, pier leaders said in a post. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6s coronavirus newsletter and go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.

Crayola Experience to reopen in July

ORLANDO, Fla. The Crayola Experience is ready to burst with color come July 1. The Crayola Experience has also modified some of its activities and included additional signage in the interest of social distancing. Annual pass and valid general admission ticket expirations have been extended, and to welcome new guests, Crayola Experience Orlando is replacing its full-price admission ticket with a 2020 Unlimited Pass. The $24.99 ticket purchased this year starting July 1 will be good for unlimited visits to any Crayola Experience attraction through the end of 2020. To learn more about how the Crayola Experience is working to keep guests safe during the pandemic, click here.

Actors union asks Disney to delay opening Florida parks too

The Actors’ Equity Association said that it was unclear how Disney World could “responsibly” reopen as coronavirus cases continue to soar in the Sunshine State. Disney World’s four theme parks are slated to start opening July 11. The theme parks resort has already reopened some hotels and its restaurant-and-shopping district. Orlando’s other major theme park resorts -- Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando -- started welcoming back visitors earlier this month. The union represents about 600 actors at Disney World, out of a total workforce of 77,000 employees at the theme park resort.

Have plans to travel this summer despite the pandemic? A new study shows youre not alone

A study by auto club group AAA has found that despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of millions of Americans will hit the roads and take to the skies this summer. AAA used key economic indicators to determine total number of trips, not actual traveler totals for their study. AAA reported that air travel will be off by about 74%, while rail, cruise ship and bus travel will plummet by 86%. Were it not for the pandemic, AAA would be projecting 857 million trips during the third quarter, a 3.6% increase over last year. By this analysis, the pandemic wiped out nearly 150 million trips this summer, AAA researchers said in a news release.

Florida reports 1,212 new cases of COVID-19, 67 more deaths

In a step towards reopening that may restore jobs to thousands of Floridians, theme parks across Central Florida are inching closer to reopening, even if the momentum is incremental. As of Friday afternoon, the Florida Department of Health reported 1,212 new cases of COVID-19 since about the same time Thursday, as well as 67 new deaths related to the respiratory illness. This brings the total number of cases of COVID-19 reported in Florida since it was first detected in the state on March 1 to 54,497, as well as 2,413 deaths. According to Disney officials, face coverings will be required for all guests ages two and up and temperature screenings will be required in some locations. Universal Orlando will be the first in Central Florida to open starting June 5 after it recently received approval from the governor.

How one interactive Orlando attraction is adapting to new COVID-19 guidelines

The health and safety of our Team Members and Guests remain our priority. KARTING EXPERIENCE:Operations/PPE: Team Members will adhere to the glove and mask protocols. *Disinfectant lockers (SaniBoXX) will be utilized as an additional precaution to eliminate lingering bacteria, Team Members in proper PPE will man the lockers. Pit Road: Pre-Race: Floor Markers will be utilized in front of SMS stations to adhere to 6 ft. distancing. Team Members will bag items for the Guests, confirming finalized items prior to transferring the items to the Guest.

Heres when Disney, SeaWorld want to open their Orlando theme parks

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. Some of the biggest theme parks in Orlando could open in just a matter of weeks. On Wednesday, leaders from Walt Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando presented plans to Orange Countys Economic Recovery Task Force detailing how they plan to safely start accepting guests again after being closed for more than two months to stop the spread of COVID-19. If that happens, SeaWorld would be the first of the two to open its parks. SeaWorld Orlando president Kyle Miller said the company would like SeaWorld and Aquatica to reopen on June 11. Exactly one month later is when Disney is looking to start accepting guests again its Orlando properties, according to senior vice president of operations at Walt Disney World resort Jim MacPhee.

Disney, SeaWorld to present theme park reopening plans Wednesday

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. Leaders from Walt Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando will present their plans Wednesday to reopen their Central Florida theme parks, which have been closed for months due to the coronavirus pandemic. The virtual presentations will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday during the Orange County Economic Task Forces meeting, which will be streamed here. Details of those plans werent immediately available, but Demings said they will have some similarities to plans that have already been presented from other attractions such as Universal Orlando Resort and Gatorland. Ultimately, Demings said theme parks need to take all the steps necessary to ensure both employees and visitors stay safe. Universal was the first major theme park to get the green light and now has announced that it will begin accepting guests again in early June.

Fun Spot to reopen ahead of Memorial Day weekend

ORLANDO, Fla. Fun Spot, which has been pushing to be allowed to reopen after its extended coronavirus closure, will be allowed to do just that in time for Memorial Day weekend. During an Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force meeting on Monday, CEO John Arie, Jr. said he was hoping to be allowed to open Friday. pic.twitter.com/ZUdqoE5Yhj Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings (@OCFLMayor) May 21, 2020John Chidester, the vice president of marketing for Fun Spot America, said he expects a good turnout this weekend. For example, every other row on rides will be empty and the park will operate at 50% capacity to begin with. Shortly after Fun Spots reopening announcement, Universal Orlando sent out an alert notifying guests that its parks would soon begin operating.

Disney Springs partially reopens after coronavirus pandemic closure

ORLANDO, Fla. Disney Springs welcomed guests back Wednesday after being shut down for nearly two months due to COVID-19. Carter and his 11-year-old daughter drove from Lakeland Wednesday morning to be one of the first people at Disney Springs. [READ: 6 ways Disney Springs is working to keep you safe | Disney Springs reopening comes with a warning about risk]He said getting to the property early was the right thing to do since he did not know what to expect. Disney officials said capacity at Disney Springs will be limited and guests will have to undergo temperature checks and cover their faces. Guests are now allowed back at Disney Springs, months after it closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Whats open in Orlando: Everything you can visit amid the coronavirus pandemic

Of course, not everything is open just yet, which is why well update this story as more locations start to open their doors. Check out the list below of things open in Central Florida:Treetop Trek: The Brevard County zipline park will open Saturday, May 23 with reduced hours. Leu Gardens: Not only has this Audubon Park botanical gardens remained open, its also been free for the past few weeks. ICEBAR Orlando: Guests can cool down and grab a drink and a bite to eat at this I-Drive ice-themed attraction. WonderWorks Orlando: A pop-up on the I-Drive attraction indicates that it will be open soon, but an exact date hasnt been provided yet.

Daytona Lagoon Waterpark shares new health guidelines, no reopening date announced

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. The Daytona Lagoon Waterpark and Family Entertainment Center announced their new guest health and safety guidelines Monday as the park anticipates reopening once it is safe to do so amid the coronavirus pandemic. While many businesses are stating their focus on cleanliness and safety, Daytona Lagoons changes build on a standard that already exceeded official requirements, park officials said Monday. To prepare, park management has undergone a review of the entire operation, from individual attractions to the type of cleaning products, capacity restraints for social distancing measures to the specific location of readily available hand sanitizer.Park officials said measures taken to ensure guest health, safety and best practices upon opening would include:Limited capacities by way of social distancing measures per CDC guidelinesProviding masks to all team members with a requirement to wear them while on dutyTemperature checks and health screenings for all team members, sending home those with signs of symptomsSanitizer stations for guest use throughout the facilityAdded staff dedicated to sterilization procedures during operating hoursContinual sanitization of games and attraction high touch-pointsModifications to food and beverage procedures and offeringsSun-bathing lounge chairs and dining seating spread out for distancing measuresThe new reopening guidelines followed findings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that stated there is no evidence that coronavirus can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water. While there is an ongoing community spread of COVID-19 of the virus that causes COVID-19, it is important for individuals as well as owners and operators of these facilities to take steps to ensure health and safetyPark officials have not yet released a reopening date for the waterpark and entertainment center but said updates and further information can be found at www.daytonalagoon.com and by following Daytona Lagoon on Facebook.

Orange County mayor doesnt expect theme parks to begin opening until at least June

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. News broke Friday that theme parks across Florida can soon begin submitting their plans for reopening but locally, the Orange County mayor doesnt expect Walt Disney World, Universal Studios or any of the other major attractions to begin the phased opening process until at least June. Those plans must include a date for when theyd like to open, guidelines for keeping patrons and employees safe and an endorsement from an appropriate elected official, in this case Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. Theme parks in the Orlando area have been shuttered since mid-March due to guidelines in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. Hours after DeSantis spoke, Demings said that he hadnt received any reopening plans from Disney, Universal or SeaWorld. The mayor said theme parks could be allowed to open under the second phase of the governors reopen Florida plan, although its unclear at this point when that phase will begin.

Disney Springs to begin phased reopening May 20 after coronavirus closure

ORLANDO, Fla. Disney Springs, which has been closed for more than a month due to the coronavirus pandemic, will begin slowly reopening on May 20. The news came Thursday via a Walt Disney World blog post. On The Walt Disney World website, a COVID-19 liability disclaimer has been posted ahead of the reopening. Walt Disney WorldResort theme parks and hotels will remain closed even as the dining and shopping complex opens once again. Disney Springs closed its doors March 17, two days after Magic Kingdom and the other Disney theme parks shut down.