Nostalgia is really having a moment at Universal Orlando Resort. <\/p>\n
Greetings, it\u2019s Haley. Voice of In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops. <\/p>\n
The Universal Legacy Store at CityWalk is serving up retro merchandise and photo ops<\/a> celebrating classics like \u201cE.T.\u201d, \u201cJaws\u201d, and \u201cBack to the Future\u201d. <\/p>\n Some surprise sections made me smile, like the \u201cHappy Gilmore\u201d and \u201cThe Birds\u201d merch. <\/p>\n Happy Gilmore merchandise (Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.))<\/p>\n The nostalgia doesn\u2019t stop there at the Legacy Store. <\/p>\n Starting later this month, the resort is rolling out Spielberg exhibits<\/a>, parade floats, character meet-and-greets, outdoor film screenings, and more.<\/p>\n SeaWorld Orlando<\/a> & Busch Gardens Tampa Bay<\/a><\/p>\n Saluting heroes \ud83e\udee1<\/p>\n Cheetah Hunt at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (left) and Mako at SeaWorld Orlando (right) (WKMG)<\/p>\n SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay are rolling out the red, white, and blue this May \u2014 offering free one-day park admission to U.S. military veterans and up to three guests in honor of Military Appreciation Month. <\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re a veteran or active-duty<\/a>, these parks have been saying \u201cthank you for your service\u201d in the best way possible for more than 25 years.<\/p>\n Legoland Florida<\/a><\/p>\n My LEGO space \ud83d\udc7e<\/p>\n To mark the debut of Galacticoaster, the Parks\u2019 first indoor, space-themed family coaster, the Resorts sent real guest reactions from the ride soaring more than 100,000 feet above Earth, reaching the edge of space. (Merlin Entertainments)<\/p>\n I\u2019ve enjoyed enlightening people on Legoland Florida\u2019s new indoor space coaster, and now, it appears my reaction is out of this world. <\/p>\n To celebrate National Space Day on Friday, Legoland Florida loaded my real ride footage into a custom LEGO spacecraft and blasted it more than 100,000 feet above Earth via high-altitude balloon.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reactions from families riding Galacticoaster have been absolutely stellar,\u201d said Julie Estrada, Director of Communications North America, Merlin Entertainments. \u201cSo, we thought, in honor of National Space Day, why not send those reactions beyond the earth and into the stratosphere? Few people can boast they\u2019ve taken a coaster ride beyond the earth\u2019s atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n You can watch that fun clip and read my original report on Galacticoaster by clicking here<\/a>. <\/p>\n McBrick ticket \ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f<\/p>\n Legoland Florida (Legoland Florida)<\/p>\n Legoland Florida Resort is looking to make summer family vacations more affordable.<\/p>\n McDonald\u2019s and Coca-Cola have teamed up with Legoland Florida to bring families a buy-one-get-one ticket deal that\u2019s almost as sweet as Granny\u2019s Apple Fries. <\/p>\n Check the back of your receipt after any qualifying purchase, because a free child hopper ticket is waiting<\/a>.<\/p>\n International Drive<\/a><\/p>\n Big blue debut \ud83c\udfa8<\/p>\n Blue Man Group (Blue Man Group)<\/p>\n After months of build-up, Blue Man Group\u2019s big return to Orlando is here.<\/p>\n In case you missed it, I recently spoke with a Blue Man Group team captain about the trio\u2019s new custom-built entertainment space.<\/p>\n At last check, tickets were still available<\/a> for kick-off weekend shows. <\/p>\n Walt Disney World<\/a><\/p>\n Earliest boos ever \ud83d\udc7b<\/p>\n Villains at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Disney Parks Blog)<\/p>\n The first reactions as to when Mickey\u2019s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party starts have become a favorite thing.<\/p>\n This year, the first Friday in August will have the first party. One of the new additions that caught my eye are more characters will be surprising guests along the trick-or-treat trails.<\/p>\n Interacting with Disney characters while you\u2019re dressed up in character is the highlight of the event<\/a>. <\/p>\n The mountain is calling \u26f0\ufe0f<\/p>\n Big Thunder Mountain Railroad sits on the edge of Frontierland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, the most widely visited theme park in the world (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n You can expect a full reaction wrap on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in next week\u2019s newsletter, but the ride deserves an early spotlight.<\/p>\n This week, a Walt Disney Imagineer previewed what guests can expect<\/a> when the attraction reopens on Sunday. The Imagineer teased details that longtime fans will want to keep their eyes open for.<\/p>\n That was a wealth of content to kick off May. <\/p>\n As always, keep me in the loop through my email<\/a> or reach out to me on X<\/a> or Instagram<\/a>. <\/p>\n – Haley<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.<\/p>\n