Things To Do In SW Florida

Epic Universe watchers got a wee peek at one of the future theme park’s rides thanks to a preview video made in Osaka.

Universal Studios Japan announced the grand opening day for its Donkey Kong Country area within its Super Nintendo World and shared a first look at elements of its Mine-Cart Madness ride. The attraction will be available to park guests Dec. 11.

When Universal Orlando opens Epic on May 22, that park also will have Mine-Cart Madness as part of its Super Nintendo World. The coaster has pre-opening buzz for its ride system that was developed by Universal Creative. It includes an in-car leap over what appears to be a dramatic gap in the tracks.

Shigeru Miyamoto, representative director and fellow of Nintendo Co. as well as the creator of the Donkey Kong videogame, led the video tour of the area inside Universal Studios Japan. He literally dashed from location to location.

What we saw: the exterior of the Golden Temple (very yellow) and murals in the queue (even more yellow), one of which harkens into the barrels, crooked girders and ladders of the original arcade game, which debuted in 1981. read more

By Eliza Haverstock, NerdWallet

As interest rates start to soften, you may hear more buzz about student loan refinancing as a way to lower your bills.

“Essentially, what it means is you are taking the debt that you owe and you are giving it to another company. They’re going to pay off the debt that you have with the company you currently work with, and then you’re going to pay this new company,” explains Kristen Ahlenius, director of education and advice at Your Money Line, a workplace financial wellness company.

For private loan borrowers who can qualify for a better interest rate, refinancing can shrink your student loan payments with little or no downside. But student loan refinancing comes with a steep opportunity cost if you have federal student loans — even if you can get a lower rate. You’ll transfer your debt from the Education Department to a private lender, and you’ll permanently forfeit federal borrower protections.

If you’re considering student loan refinancing, here’s what to know based on your loan type — plus alternate ways to lower your payments and get student debt relief. read more

By HALELUYA HADERO, Associated Press

Amazon has launched a low-cost online storefront featuring electronics, apparel and other products priced at under $20, an effort to compete with discount retailers that have increasingly encroached on the e-commerce giant’s turf.

In a blog post on Wednesday, the company said the new Amazon Haul storefront will mostly feature products that cost less than $10 and offer free delivery on orders over $25. Amazon plans to ship the products to U.S. customers from a warehouse it operates in China, according to documentation the company provided to sellers. Amazon said Haul orders could arrive within one to two weeks.

Many of the available products on the storefront Wednesday resembled the types of items typically found on Shein and Temu, the China-founded e-commerce platforms that have grown in popularity in recent years.

Fun Spot is adding a handful of rides to its attractions in Orlando, Kissimmee and near Atlanta.

The Kissimmee location will be the new home of Up and Overboard, a 60-foot-tall inverted pendulum ride with twin gondolas and swinging motion that produces weightlessness. The ride has a colorful lighting package for effective after-dark experiences. Kissimmee is also getting Swing Around in its Kids Spot section, which caters to the attraction’s youngest guests.

Fun Spot’s Orlando location, operating near International Drive, will add the Mach Fun tower ride, which places passengers in side-by-side flight mode that flips 360 degrees. It peaks at 50 feet high.  Orlando is also getting a new tea cup kiddie ride to replace the park’s existing attraction.

Fun Spot America Atlanta, located in Fayetteville, Georgia, is installing Hook & Slice, a spinning ride themed to a giant golf ball.

“Each ride has been chosen to complement the character of the park it is headed to and will bring fresh energy to the overall guest experience,” John Arie Jr., CEO of Orlando-based Fun Spot America, said in a news release. read more

In the grimmest sign yet for stockholders in financially troubled Spirit Airlines, the South Florida-based discount carrier now says that investors would see their shares canceled under a potential debt restructuring agreement that has been under negotiation with bondholders.

If a deal with the debtholders  is reached, the airline said in a statement late Tuesday, it would be put into force “through a statutory restructuring,” but is not expected to “impair” others doing business with the airline such as “general unsecured creditors, employees, customers, vendors, suppliers, aircraft lessors or holders of secured aircraft indebtedness.”

The airline would continue to fly. But if no deal is reached with the noteholders, “the Company will consider all alternatives.” The statement did not outline them.

The airline made the declaration as it asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to be allowed to delay reporting its third quarter financial results, which are expected to show another sizable loss. The company said its operating revenues will be down year-over-year while expenses will show an increase. One factor pressuring revenues, it said, is its decision to stop charging fees to passengers for changing and canceling flights. The higher expenses are being driven by increases in aircraft rents, salaries, wages and benefits, and landing fees. read more