Things To Do In SW Florida

Santa Claus may have gone into hibernation this week, but holiday cheer extends through the end of the year and beyond at many theme parks and attractions. Here’s a last call holiday list with a few major 2026 end dates, too. They are arranged chronologically for your clip-and-save convenience (Kids, ask your nana or maybe Mrs. Claus).

• Candlelight Processional and the rest of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays conclude Dec. 30. The final celebrity narrator of the year is Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”), who appears Monday and Tuesday evenings. (Santa Goofy remains at Odyssey through Dec. 30, too). More info: disneyworld.com/candlelight

• Holidays at Legoland Florida end Dec. 31. Elements include a gigantic Lego Christmas tree, Lego Holiday minifigure crew and other entertainment. More info: legoland.com/florida

• Universal Orlando’s holiday celebration concludes Jan. 4. That includes the holiday parade in the streets of Universal Studios, Grinchmas activities at Islands of Adventure, and the Hogwarts projection show in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. More info: universalorlando.com/holidays read more

By DAMIAN J. TROISE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slipped in quiet trading on Wall Street Monday to kick off another holiday-shortened week.

The losses have little impact on the broader annual gains for major indexes as they close out their final days of the year. There are two trading days left before the year ends. Markets in the U.S. will be closed Thursday for New Year’s Day.

The S&P 500 fell 24.20 points, or 0.3%, to 6,905.74. The benchmark index is still up more than 17% for the year and it remains on track for its eighth monthly gain in a row.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 249.04 points, or 0.5%, to 48,461.93. The Nasdaq composite fell 118.75 points, or 0.5%, to 23,474.35.

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Brightline seeks to raise $100 million as analysts warn of possible default read more

Financially troubled Brightline, the high speed railroad between South Florida and Orlando, is pursuing ways to raise $100 million for operations as analysts hoist red flags about the company’s financial straits.

Revenues and ridership are showing improvement, according to Brightline’s monthly financial report for November, and an Orlando Sentinel special report Sunday showed its notoriously high “trespasser death rate” has fallen. But the financial results are still not good enough to keep pace with the company’s burdensome cash needs to cover debts and day-to-day operations, according to ratings agencies that have downgraded the company’s bonds during the year.

“We think that switching riders from alternate modes, automotive in particular, is more challenging than originally forecast,” S&P Global Ratings said in its most recent note on Brightline’s financial state this month. “Fares that have been drastically discounted to encourage new riders have proven particularly sticky, and we believe that [the rail line’s] projected growth in ticket revenue into 2026 is unlikely to materialize.” read more

What is Orlando’s biggest theme park story of 2025, and why is it Epic Universe?

There’s little debate. The theme-park capital of the world gained its first major park in more than 25 years, thanks to a major expansion of — and $8 billion investment by — Universal Orlando.

Epic methodically dribbled out details about its lands, rides, previews, ticket sales and trio of hotels. It played host to international media and a star-studded build-up – complete with “celestial carpet” – to its May 22 debut.

Early reviews were mostly positive, lauding the immersive nature of Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. The latter’s signature ride, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, drew praise for its mesmerizing queue design and high-tech ride experience. But the resulting long waits, even with capped attendance for the park, prompted complaints.

Online reviews of Epic Universe visits were divided into a “not enough to do” crowd and an opposing “you can’t do it all in one day with Express Pass” contingent. read more