Things To Do In SW Florida

Walt Disney World’s newest attraction features playful animatronics, a snappy soundtrack, a dramatic finale and the strong possibility of getting wet. Those are the basics of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom theme park, the ride currently in previews before its official debut on June 28.

Those traits were also present in Splash Mountain, the log ride that Disney has morphed into an attraction based on characters from the 2009 film “The Princess and the Frog.”

“For so many years, people were sending me messages — like I had some power — asking me when this was going to happen, and I couldn’t say anything. All I could do was hope with them,” said Anika Noni Rose, the actress who gave voice to Tiana in the film.

“So to finally be at this place, to be able to unveil this, which we’ve been hoping for for so long, it is really wonderful,” she said. “It keeps Tiana and her legacy alive in a really different way.”

Members of the media tried out the ride Monday. Disney World cast members have also been offered previews, and annual passholders will board soon ahead of the official opening date. read more

By Kimberly Palmer | NerdWallet

While the term “emergency fund” is used widely in the personal finance world to refer to short-term savings, some financial experts say the term isn’t helpful for everyone — and may even be harmful.

“I’ve never liked the term,” says Pamela Capalad, certified financial planner and co-founder of See Change, a financial coaching program for creators of color. She prefers to use descriptions like “the yes box,” “a savings cushion” or even a “rainy day fund” — anything that doesn’t have the word “emergency” in it.

Capalad says the term “emergency savings” evokes fear in people and suggests you’re just waiting for something terrible. “Saving is already so hard for people to do, and the fact that you’re saving for something bad to happen instead of something good to look forward to is not something that motivates people to save,” she explains.

Still, others in the industry remain fans. “I personally find the term helpful,” says Jason Ewas, senior policy manager at the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. The public widely recognizes and gravitates toward that term, he says, adding that “emergencies happen to everyone.” read more

Katie Kelton | (TNS) Bankrate.com

Nora, a barista in Colorado Springs, Colorado, began earning more money when the coffee shop where she works switched from a no-tip to a tip model. But it came with some emotional baggage.

“You almost get emotionally attached to the tips,” she says. “You’re so dependent on it, it creates a level of anxiety.”

Even if the transaction was friendly, Nora says it’s off-putting when the customer doesn’t tip. In conversation with Nora, who requested not to share her last name in order to speak freely where she works, it was clear that tipping is about more than just dollars and cents.

Baristas aren’t the only people with mixed feelings about tipping. According to a new Bankrate survey on tipping culture, 59% of Americans view tipping negatively, down from 66% in 2023. This includes people who feel businesses should pay employees better, are annoyed about pre-entered tip screens or would be willing to pay higher prices to be done with tipping.

In addition, 35% of Americans believe tipping culture has gotten out of control. Below, we’ll explore what two people — a barista and a former server — had to say. read more

Alex Brown | (TNS) Stateline.org

In the coming years, climate change could force Americans from their homes, not just by raising sea levels, worsening wildfires and causing floods — but also by putting insurance coverage out of reach.

In places including California, Florida and Louisiana, some homeowners are finding it nearly impossible to find an insurance company that will cover their property. Others have seen their premiums climb so high that they can no longer pay. Experts say the trend is spreading throughout the country as natural disasters increase.

Most mortgage lenders require homeowners to maintain insurance. Without access to coverage, millions of Americans could find themselves forced to reconsider where they live. Consumer advocates say long-overdue conversations about development in areas prone to natural disasters are being driven by property insurers, not governments.

“Insurance companies have basically become our land-use officials,” said Doug Heller, director of insurance with the Consumer Federation of America, a research and advocacy nonprofit. “In 2023, the industry suddenly seemed to wake up and say, ‘There’s climate change, forget all those times we’ve nodded our head yes and told you that you can live there.’” read more

Side-by-side lots on Park Ave in Winter Park will soon be side-by-side construction sites.

Plans were just submitted under the name “1190 North Park Avenue Land Trust” to the city’s Planning and Zoning Department for an 11,983-square-foot house at 1190 N Park Ave, according to a report in GrowthSpotter.

Public records show the owners are Mark and Chloe Daley who bought the nearly 2-acre lot late last year for $6.85 million.

With added porches and garages, the proposed home is a bit bigger than the one going up next door at 1180 N. Park Ave which is 12,825-square-feet of living space.

The city’s Planning and Zoning Board approved plans for that home at their May 7 meeting. According to the City, the next step is to proceed through the standard permitting process and then construction can begin.

Next door, Geoffrey Moen Architects is designing the two-story at 1190 N Park Ave with 7,391-square-feet on the first floor and an additional 4,592-square-feet on the second floor. A grand staircase off the foyer leads to the second floor, but there’s also a second staircase off the kitchen and an elevator. read more