Epic Universe Ride Guide: New park rides ranked from tame to super scary

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 5/17 11:15P Dewayne Bevil

Dragons, wizards, classic monsters and videogame legends all live in Epic Universe. Their five themed worlds have a big theme-park element in common: Rides. At Epic, the attractions range from calm...

Peeking into the portals (and just beyond) of Epic Universe

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 5/17 11:10P Dewayne Bevil

One distinguishing look of Epic Universe is its portals, the physical gateways that lead into its themed worlds. They are rounded walk-through chutes topped by spires with symbols corresponding to the...

Epic Universe: Frequently asked questions (plus answers)

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 5/17 11:05P Dewayne Bevil

Where is Epic Universe located? Universal Orlando’s new theme park is about 2.5 miles southeast of its original parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure . The property is east of Kirkman Road and north of Universal Boulevard,...

Power-Up Bands get games going in Super Nintendo World

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 5/17 11:03P Dewayne Bevil

A new-to-Orlando aspect of Epic Universe theme park is the arrival of Power-Up Bands , brightly colored wristbands that boost the interactivity in Super Nintendo World . When users wear them and...

Epic Universe timeline: From dragons to butterbeer, here’s how theme park evolved

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 5/17 11:00P Dewayne Bevil

Universal’s Epic Universe is a theme park years in the making. Its timeline is filled with rumors, roller coasters, dragons, pandemic and a swig of butterbeer. Here’s how it unfolded. • 1998:...

Countdown: Epic Universe theme park by the numbers

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 5/17 10:45P Dewayne Bevil

Facts and figures from the ground up of Orlando s newest theme park, Epic Universe. 2 Live stage shows 2.7 The distance, in miles (as the dragon flies), between the iconic lighthouse of Islands of...

Pictures: Black Bear hunt protestors take to the streets.

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 5/17 9:51A Willie J. Allen Jr.

Animal Rights Foundation of Florida rally peacefully protesting against the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s proposal to hunt the Florida black bear in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, May...

Woman walking along State Road 50 fatally struck by Lynx bus in Orlando

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 5/17 6:11A Elainie Barraza

A 67-year-old pedestrian was killed Friday night when she was hit by a Lynx bus traveling along State Road 50 in Orlando, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. The 2023 bus driven by a 40-year-old Orlando man was traveling westbound on SR50, also...

Panera Bread facility in Orlando to close in July, a loss of 114 jobs

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 5/17 2:00A Silas Morgan

A Panera Bread fresh dough facility in Orlando will close in July, resulting in all 114 employees losing their jobs. The company s facility on Parkline Boulevard will close on July 25, according to an email the company sent to Orlando Mayor Buddy...

Shootings prompt Kissimmee, Orlando to look at booze sales, downtown safety

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 5/17 1:00A Natalia Jaramillo, Ryan Gillespi

An early morning argument at a downtown Kissimmee bar and restaurant last week spilled into the street and then ended with gunfire. The shooting left two people injured and quickly reignited...

Florida’s 2026 governor race: Would third-party candidates lock in another Republican victory?

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 5/17 1:00A Anthony Man

Two wealthy political figures think they’ve identified the formula to end a three-decade streak of Republican victories in elections for governor, and give Florida something different. The...

Side-by-side big box stores coming to Hills of Minneola town center

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 5/17 1:00A James Wilkins

Two side-by-side big box retail stores are set as anchor locations within the Hills of Minneola’s planned town center, Minneola Marketplace. With over 340,000 square feet of retail space combined, the...

Plant Doctor: How long do daylilies produce buds and when can plants be divided?

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 5/16 11:00P Tom MacCubbin

Question : We have recently started planting daylilies, and as the name suggests, the blooms only last a day. How long do the plants keep producing new buds and when can they be divided? Answer : Fortunately your plant is likely loaded with more...

Falcon’s Beyond Global acquires Oceaneering division

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 5/16 5:41A Dewayne Bevil

Falcon’s Beyond Global , an attractions and experiences developer, has completed the purchase of Oceaneering Entertainment Systems , a designer of ride systems. Both businesses are based in Orlando and have been in operation for more than two...

Orange County officials investigating fatal hit-and-run of 76-year-old man

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 5/16 4:08A Garfield Hylton

The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a suspect after a hit-and-run crash in Orange County. Authorities said the incident happened Thursday, around 10:15 p.m., according to NWS Melbourne. An unidentified vehicle was traveling west on W....