The city of Orlando is asking for a master plan for the 60-acre parcel planned to be the new Florida home, the first new activity involving the site in months.
As first reported by the Orlando Business Journal, the city asked for a master plan covering the area owned by a Disney subsidiary in the Lake Nona community of Orlando. That could mean work is expected to begin soon on the new Disney campus for the division responsible for creating its theme parks.
Imagineering’s shift from California to Florida has been rumored to be in flux thanks to politics and a change in leadership at Disney. Imagineers asked the company last March to cancel the move due to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law. While the change was subsequently delayed to 2026, Disney insisted that the company’s ongoing feud with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over Disney’s opposition to the law was not the reason.
The move was initiated under Bob Chapek, who was fired as Disney’s CEO in November to make way for the returning Bob Iger. Iger said in an employee town hall that same month that he hadn’t made any decision on the Lake Nona plan.
SeaWorld Orlando celebrates Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend
Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando will host the Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend event this weekend, Jan. 21 and 22.
The scheduled festivities — all of which are included with park admission — include special appearances from rarely-seen Sesame Street characters such as Baby Bear, Honker and Dinger. Guests can also take part in more character photo opportunities and a hands-on activity called ““Oscar’s Trash Art,” where SeaWorld said they can turn “everyday materials that may seem like trash into beautiful works of art.”
In the weeks following the Kids’ Weekend, the land will hold two birthday events for Sesame Street characters. On Jan. 24, it’s the birthday party for Julia, the first Sesame Street character with autism, which will include a “special storytime and photo opportunities,” according to a SeaWorld press release. From Jan. 28 to Feb. 3, Elmo’s birthday will be celebrated, which will also include a storytime event featuring Elmo along with what SeaWorld called a “family-friendly DJ dance party.”