THEME PARKS

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is well underway at Walt Disney World.

Horticulture teams at Walt Disney World have their hands full ahead of the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival.

The all-new Peppa Pig Theme Park will open as a certified autism center, leaders announced Tuesday at the IAAPA Expo at the Orange County Convention Center.

Walt Disney World has shared details on its blog about some of the delicious food and drinks at its resort hotels for the holiday season.

As most might know, October marked 50 years since Disney World opened its doors.

As Walt Disney World continues to celebrate the World’s Most Magical Celebration for its 50th anniversary, things are about to get even more festive for the holiday season.

A 6-year-old Colorado girl who died in a fall from a theme park ride this month wasn’t wearing the seat belts, and operators of the vertical drop ride didn’t properly check the restraints before allowing it to begin, according to a report from state investigators.

An investigation is underway after a 6-year-old girl on vacation with her family died at an amusement park in the western Colorado town of Glenwood Springs.

Halloween Horror Nights opened for its 30th year to some terrifying screams Friday night at Universal Orlando Resort.

Walt Disney World shared more details Friday about the all-new nighttime show coming to Magic Kingdom for the 50th anniversary celebration.

Walt Disney World has announced a number of new entertainment experiences returning to the resort next month.

Walt Disney World gave new details Monday about its upcoming holiday celebrations.

Firework spectaculars are returning to Walt Disney World.

Research and development of the coaster has also been years in the making, but overall construction took a little more than two years.

Local theme parks and water parks are struggling to get their young workforce back on the job as they gear up for the summer busy season, but they’re facing some setbacks.

Stitch juice, jungle juice, POG juice -- the names go on and on. Rumor has it, there is a popcorn stand in Animal Kingdom called Mahindi that even serves up a Jungle Juice Slushy. Combine 21 ounces passion fruit juice, 21 ounces guava juice and 14 ounces orange juice (pulp-free). If following a recipe isn’t your forte, Welch’s Guava Pineapple juice is the closest thing to POG juice in a carton. Whether you make it, buy it, or order it, be sure to have yourself a glass of POG juice the next time you sit down for breakfast.

SAN ANTONIO – Military veterans and their families can receive free admission to SeaWorld San Antonio throughout the summer. SeaWorld announced that starting Wednesday, veterans and retirees can redeem free tickets for themselves and up to three guests through Nov. 11 via www.wavesofhonor.com. The offer is valid at SeaWorld San Antonio, as well as SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Upon reopening, the offer will be valid at SeaWorld San Diego and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Waves of Honor already offers active duty military free admission for members and three guests, SeaWorld stated in a news release.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Walt Disney World is set to once again open its gates to the Magic Kingdom following a lengthy closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. But with most families staying inside and not traveling, how crowded will the theme parks really be when they reopen? Park Capacity Capacity at 25% Magic Kingdom 57,000 people 14,250 people Epcot 34,093 people 8,523 people Hollywood Studios 30,843 people 7,710 people Animal Kingdom 37,671 people 9,417 peopleA park at 25% capacity would mean very minimal wait times. As we can all imagine, visiting a Disney theme park when it reopens will be a new experience for all -- no matter how many times you’ve visited. The Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom parks will open first July 11, with Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopening July 15.

It’s transformation central at Disney Parks in the U.S., as Disney officially announced that it has big plans for Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. MORE: Petition calls for Disney Parks to change theme of Splash MountainIf you haven’t heard of the film, you’re not alone. If you’re unfamiliar with Splash Mountain, here’s a little background. Splash Mountain follows happy-go-lucky Br’er Rabbit as he looks for his “laughing place.” All the while, Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox are in hot pursuit of Br’er Rabbit. “Many adults and children ride this attraction because it brings back childhood memories,” the “Keep Splash Mountain” petition said.

This meant that families were unable to experience the magic or thrill of the Disney theme parks, however, that didn’t stop families and friends from making the best of a bad situation. Since the closures, Disney fans from around the globe have been posting videos of their DIY Disney attractions. From nighttime fireworks to swashbuckling pirates, it's clear that when Disney fans are bored, something good is sure to come out of it. Once Upon a TimeWho needs to go back to the parks when you can have this at home? Pirates of the CaribbeanWhen will they ever learn that the dog is never going to give them the key?

Disney cast members have officially been away from their jobs for about two months now -- and some are taking their skills and talents to social media to give those bored at home a taste of the Disney magic everyone has been missing. Walt Disney World furloughed its approximately 43,000 workers in April after the theme park closed in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Only about 200 workers remain on the job performing “essential duties" during the closure, officials said. For the cast members not working, the only way they have been able to “make magic” is from inside their own homes. If you’re missing your favorite attractions, you might want to check out how these Disney fans created their favorite rides at home.

SAN ANTONIO – Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is putting a new system in place when they reopen to ensure proper social distancing. According to a press release, the new guest reservation system is the new process that will allow parks to manage daily attendance levels and avoid overcrowding in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control recommendations. Fiesta Texas donates food, toilet paper to food bank and hospitalThe day before your visit you will get an email confirming your reservation. The reservation process is not open yet but will be activated once park reopening dates are announced. Six Flags Fiesta Texas and other Six Flags parks were closed in March as COVID-19 cases began to increase.

But one Central Florida pilot was given the opportunity to fly over the happiest place on earth and give us the view we’ve been waiting on. Disney parks have a temporary flight restriction that limits pilots from flying within 3,000 feet of any of the parks. But with Disney parks in the U.S. closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, some pilots have been granted permission by local air traffic control to fly over the deserted theme parks. “I hope this will bring some joy to everyone currently in quarantine and missing the beloved parks.”Seeing an empty Disney World has become a common sight to most of us during quarantine. [MORE: Helicopter pilot shares breathtaking view of Disneyland during coronavirus closure]Walt Disney World has been closed since March 15 after rising concerns about spreading COVID-19.

Eat Christmas cookies until you feel like you’re going to burst, see a special Christmas parade roll down Main Street U.S.A. -- and did we mention there will be tons of cookies? Visit Disney’s website for more info. Insider tip: Want to catch the Christmas parade but avoid paying for a special ticket? Some resorts also will have special holiday presentations, such as a walk-through gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian. Other festivities include the Sea of Trees, which is a show filled with synchronized Christmas trees shimmering and twinkling set to holiday music.