Things To Do In SW Florida

A Walt Disney World cast member was injured blocking the massive boulder prop from hitting the audience Tuesday at the Indiana Jones attraction at Hollywood Studios.

Disney confirmed the employee was recovering and the iconic feature of the boulder scene in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular would be changed.

“We’re focused on supporting our cast member, who is recovering,” according to a Disney spokesperson. “Safety is at the heart of what we do, and that element of the show will be modified as our safety team completes a review of what happened.”

The incident was captured by several audience members who posted the video on social media.

NEW: During Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios today, a 400-pound boulder prop dislodged from its track. A Cast Member was injured stopping it before it reached the audience. Disney says the Cast Member received immediate care and is recovering. pic.twitter.com/TxbWYV25OX

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) December 31, 2025 read more

By MATT OTT, AP Business Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage fell to its lowest level of 2025 this week, an encouraging sign for prospective home buyers.

Related Articles

• 
  Sean Hannity is selling his Florida mansion — for twice what he paid a year ago

• 
  The word for Orlando’s real estate market in 2025? Big

• 
  Life after Winter the dolphin in Clearwater, an Aquarium tale

• 
  Ask a real estate pro: Sage advice regarding themes from your 2025 questions

• 
  Some Warren Buffett wisdom on his last day leading Berkshire Hathaway

The average long-term mortgage rate dipped to 6.15% from 6.18% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Wednesday. That’s the lowest average long-term rate since October 3, 2024 when it dipped to 6.12% before shooting back up. One year ago, the rate averaged 6.91%.

Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, fell this week to 5.44% from 5.50% the previous week. A year ago it averaged 6.13%, Freddie Mac said. read more

If all goes according to the 2026 plan, Orlando-area theme parks and attractions will welcome updated animatronics, a new roller coaster, more Muppet mania, revived rides and a slew of sloths.

Yes, sloths. But slow down a second.

At Walt Disney World, expect multiple rounds of introductions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including the opening of the Magic of Disney Animation area in the former Star Wars: Launch Bay building. It spotlights aspects of the company’s animation efforts using a short film, come-to-life portraits, sketching, photo ops, character greetings and an indoor play area inspired by Mary Blair art, called “Drawn to Wonderland.”

Nearby, “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” joins the lineup in summer, as does the revamped Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, featuring the Muppets and new settings.

The park’s Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run gets an update centered on “The Mandalorian and Grogu” film as of May 22 (the flick’s opening day). The new mission includes a choice of destinations (Death Star wreckage among them) and an enhanced engineer position that communicates with Grogu. read more

By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer

Wall Street closed out another banner year for stocks Wednesday with a downbeat finish that extended the market’s recent losing streak to a fourth day.

Related Articles

• 
  Sean Hannity is selling his Florida mansion — for twice what he paid a year ago

• 
  The word for Orlando’s real estate market in 2025? Big

• 
  Life after Winter the dolphin in Clearwater, an Aquarium tale

• 
  Ask a real estate pro: Sage advice regarding themes from your 2025 questions

• 
  Some Warren Buffett wisdom on his last day leading Berkshire Hathaway

The S&P 500 gave up 0.7%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.6% and the Nasdaq composite closed 0.8% lower. Trading volume was very thin ahead of the New Year’s Day holiday, when markets will be closed, as most big investors have already closed out their positions for the year.

Even with their mini post-Christmas pullback, the major U.S. stock indexes finished with strong gains for the year.

The S&P 500, which set 39 record highs in 2025, closed 16.4% higher for the year, it’s third straight double-digit annual gain. The Nasdaq gained 20.4% and the Dow finished 13% higher. read more

By MATT OTT, Associated Press Business Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week with layoffs remaining low despite a weakening labor market.

Related Articles

• 
  Eatonville council wants last-minute changes to Hungerford land deal

• 
  Health inspectors shut down Orlando restaurant after finding 228 flying insects

• 
  Meta buys Singapore startup Manus in latest move to advance its artificial intelligence efforts

• 
  December interest rate cut was a close call for some Fed officials, minutes show

• 
  Idaho company recalls nearly 3,000 pounds of ground beef for E. coli risk

U.S. applications for jobless claims for the week ending Dec. 27 fell by 16,000 to 199,000 from the previous week’s 215,000, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. Analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet forecast 208,000 new applications.

Unemployment benefit filings are often distorted during holiday-shortened weeks. The shorter week can cause some who have lost jobs to delay filing claims. read more