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Welcome, World Travelers! The Magic of Disney Animation Returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Welcome, World Travelers! The Magic of Disney Animation Returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

by James Coulter

When Disney’s Hollywood Studios originally opened as Disney’s MGM Studios on May 1, 1989, it was more than a theme park. It served as a real working movie studio where Disney filmed many of its shows and movies, including animated films.

From opening day until July 12, 2015, The Magic of Disney Animation was a walking tour that allowed guests to learn about animation and even watch as real animators worked on upcoming Disney animated films.

Some of its productions included work for movies such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, and Brother Bear.

Aside from the animation studio walking tour, the attraction also included “Back to Neverland”, a pre-show that discussed the various stages of animation for feature-length films.

The pre-show was hosted by veteran newscaster Walter Cronkite and starred actor Robin Williams, who was transformed into an animated character in the form of one of the Lost Boys from Peter Pan.

(Fun fact: Two years later, Williams would play the lead role of Peter Pan in the 1991 live-action movie Hook, directed by Steven Spielberg.)

The Magic of Disney Animation closed its doors on July 12, 2015, to be replaced by the Star Wars Launch Bay, which served as the meet-and-greet area for Star Wars characters.

However, the area will soon return to its roots, as it was announced last month that the Star Wars Launch Bay will close and be replaced with a new version of The Magic of Disney Animation.

The attraction’s facade will be redesigned to resemble Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, which will include Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat topping the building.

Disney Parks Blog gives the details of the new take on an old attraction:

“Our story in this newly reimagined space begins as the animators have temporarily stepped away… but the building is still buzzing with activity as the characters have come to life and they’re ready to play!

Inside, you will interact with and explore silly takes on the iconic Disney Animation headquarters, including the many different studio departments. Only this time, some of our favorite pals have taken over to create the fun adventures.

The playful and interactive moments will be around every corner. You’ll see portraits come to life before your eyes just like they did in “Once Upon A Studio;” you’ll find inspiration with a short film (with a twist, of course); and you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch.”

To help promote the new attraction, a poster was created featuring several of Disney’s iconic animated characters from movies like Snow White, Frozen, and Moana.

Also included are some obscure characters like Koda from Brother Bear (the last film to be animated at the old Magic of Disney Animation attraction) and even the animated Lost Boy version of Robin Williams from the old attraction’s pre-show.

Star Wars Launch Bay, along with the surrounding Animation Courtyard area, will close on Sept. 25, 2025, with The Magic of Disney Animation planning to open sometime next year in 2026.

In Loving Memory of Roy Gayton Johnson

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In Loving Memory of Roy Gayton Johnson

Roy Gayton Johnson

JUNE 26, 1943 – AUGUST 12, 2025

Roy Gayton Johnson, age 82, of Eagle Lake, Florida entered into rest on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. He was born on June 26, 1943 in Cochran, Georgia.

After to moving to Florida, Gayton spent his career working in the mine industry in Fort Meade until his retirement. 

He is survived by his sons Timothy Johnson (Sarah) and Roy Johnson; sisters Laurine Fletcher, Merie Fletcher, Vicki Holt (Kermit), and Linda Bishop, as well as his grandchildren. 

A graveside service for Roy was held August 18, 2025 at Auburndale Memorial Park, 1889 W Derby Ave, Auburndale, FL 33823.

A Bewitching Ladies Night Out in Downtown Winter Haven

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A Bewitching Ladies Night Out in Downtown Winter Haven

Get ready for a spellbinding evening with Main Street Winter Haven on Thursday, September 25th, as they host A Bewitching Ladies Night! Participating downtown businesses will stay open late for an enchanting evening of shopping, sipping, and socializing under the fall night sky.

Call your girlfriends—or gather your coven—and dress as your favorite witch (costumes encouraged, but not required) for this festive fall celebration!

Tickets are $10 and include:

  • A complimentary glass of bubbly at check-in (21+ only)
  • A wristband
  • A swag bag with event map

Check-in begins at 5:30 PM at the corner of Central Ave and 4th Street NW.

Come ready for a magical night in Downtown Winter Haven—you won’t want to miss it!

County Commission Approves Two Agreements for Technical and Software Hosting Services for Next Generation 9-1-1

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County Commission Approves Two Agreements for Technical and Software Hosting Services for Next Generation 9-1-1

County Commission Approves Two Agreements for Technical and Software Hosting Services for Next Generation 9-1-1

by James Coulter

 

To help keep up with the nationwide trend of transitioning 911 services from analog to digital, county commissioners have approved two agreements for technical and software hosting services for Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1).

 

At their regular meeting on Tues. Aug 19, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted unanimously to approve two agreements with a company specializing in public safety solutions, specifically with NG9-1-1.

 

The first agreement will be for technical services to help the county “assess, develop, and correct National Emergency Number Association (NENA) required NG9-1-1 boundary layers, and Polk County E-9-1-1 GIS datasets, for conformance with the NG9-1-1 GIS Data Model,” wrote Brad Howard, Sr. Procurement Analyst.

 

The second agreement is a Software as a Service (SaaS) subscription agreement, which, as Howard explains, will help provide “the VEP cloud-native solution to validate, edit, and provision public safety GIS data following NG9-1-1 standards and GIS industry best practices.”

 

The first agreement will have a five-year cost of $381,731, with a one-time cost of $264,425 for implementation services. The second agreement will have a five-year cost of $438,972, with a one-time cost of $7,000 for implementation services.

 

According to 911.gov, NG9-1-1-1 is “an IP-based emergency call system designed to replace the current analog 911 infrastructure.”

 

On May 17, 2023, the County, along with eight neighboring counties, approved the Florida 911 Region 4 Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) Project Memorandum of Understanding to help with the transition from analog to digital 911 emergency services.

 

For this memorandum, DataMark Technologies Validate-Edit-Provision (VEP) software was selected, as Howard explained, “to consume, maintain, and distribute NG-9-1-1 geospatial data.”

 

According to its website, DataMark Technologies is “committed to enhancing safety and security for schools and communities nationwide.”

 

“With a deep understanding of public safety and incident response, we are dedicated to helping you create safer communities and ensure the well-being of those you serve,” its website states.

County Commission Approves Changing Future Land Use Subdistrict of 178-Acre Property near Thornhill Road to Facilitate Polk Parkway

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County Commission Approves Changing Future Land Use Subdistrict of 178-Acre Property near Thornhill Road to Facilitate Polk Parkway

County Commission Approves Changing Future Land Use Subdistrict of 178-Acre Property near Thornhill Road to Facilitate Polk Parkway

BOCC Discusses Changing Future Land Use

by James Coulter

 

To help reflect the changing character of Thornhill Road, especially due to the construction of the Polk Parkway, county commissioners approved a Future Land Use subdistrict change of a 178-acre property.

 

At their regular meeting on Tues. Aug. 19, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted 3-2 to approve changing the future land use subdistrict of a 178-acre property from Residential-Low-1 (RL-1) to Residential-Low-4 (RL-4). Commissioners Troutman, Wilson & Braswell voted in favor and commissioners Scott & Santiago voted against.

 

The subject property is located south of Thornhill Road, east of Lake Hancock, and north of the City of Bartow. The Central Polk Parkway, a proposed extension from State Road 570B to US 17, is expected to cut through the site with a bridge crossing over Thornhill Road.

 

The subdistrict change was requested by the property owners, who claimed “the retaining walls used for the Central Polk Parkway’s proposed bridge over Thornhill Road will affect the ability to develop the property,” according to the county staff report.

 

“Although the type of bridge should not be the determining factor in deciding the appropriateness of a land use, staff acknowledges the applicant’s statement that the proposed bridge over Thornhill Road will change the character of the area,” the staff report explained.

 

Commissioner Bill Braswell compared the proposed bridge to a “mountain” that would divide the property almost into “two different communities” where it would almost be impossible to “see the other side.”

 

Many residents took to the podium during public comments to voice their concerns about the property change, especially with the construction of the proposed bridge.

 

One resident, Mike Harrison, expressed concerns about potential traffic issues. He mentioned how traveling along Thornhill Road to State Road 40 took at least 27 minutes in the morning due to congestion.

 

Another resident, Daniel Dentz, worried that the number of accidents could potentially increase along the road. Having lived there for nearly 30 years, he claims to hear ambulances routinely racing down the road due to accidents along it.

 

“Our way of life is being sold out,” he said. “The more you let them develop that area and more units, the more density and the worse it will be. If I wanted to live in Tampa, I would move there, and I don’t want to live there. If you all had to live out there, you would not vote for this.”

Welcome, World Travelers! The Muppets Are Taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Next Year

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Welcome, World Travelers! The Muppets Are Taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Next Year

Welcome, World Travelers! The Muppets Are Taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Next Year

by James Coulter

 

Unless you’ve been living under a Fraggle Rock for the past year, you probably heard the bad news that the time had finally come for the Muppets to set the curtains and dim the lights. After a nearly 30-year run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, their attraction, Muppetvision 3D, officially closed its doors on June 8, 2025.

 

However, while the Muppets have moved out of Muppets Courtyard to make way for the new Monsters Inc. themed land, the good news is that they will be moving across the park to their new home at another attraction: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

 

For more than 25 years, Aerosmith has highlighted the indoor high-speed launch coaster. However, the rock band has sinceexited stage left to make way for a new act: the Muppets’ Electric Mayhem band. As such, the attraction will be renamed to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets.

 

Disney Parks Blog details the ride’s new story:

 

“With the help from our friends at Muppet Labs and a very fast limousine, we’ll take a twisting, turning, and screamingly fun road trip across Hollywood to reach the concert in time. The iconic scenery and landmarks of Tinseltown will feature a Muppet twist.

 

And throughout the journey, you’ll hear the Electric Mayhem playing some of the most iconic, rockin’ hits in your ears to keep the music and adrenaline pumping. I’m sure G Force Records will release a concert setlist soon.”

 

New concept art shows the giant ruby-red guitar in the attraction’s courtyard receiving a rainbow-colored paint job to match the more colorful aesthetic of the attraction’s new musical gig.

 

Likewise, the pre-show area will have Animal and the other Electric Mayhem band members hosting a recording session inthe sound booth with Muppet penguins serving as audio technicians. The pre-show will also include appearances by none other than Kermit the Frog himself, along with the Muppets’ go-to go-for, Scooter.

 

Speaking of whom, as part of the attraction’s backstory, Scooter’s real estate tycoon uncle, real estate tycoon and owner of the Muppet Theatre, J.P. Grosse, will be the one who had purchased G-Force Records from the ride’s former occupants.

 

This inside joke will not be the first time that the characters of a new attraction purchased the ride building from the characters of the old attraction. At the Magic Kingdom, the Winnie the Pooh ride includes a portrait of Mr. Toad handing the deed to Toad Hall over to Owl, an inside joke about how Pooh’s ride replaced Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

 

However, fans of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will still have plenty of time to enjoy it in its current form. The attraction will continue to run throughout the remainder of the year until Dec. 31, 2025. After which, it will close and be rethemed to the Muppets with an opening date slated for some time in 2026.

In Loving Memory of Leslie Ann Webster

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In Loving Memory of Leslie Ann Webster

Leslie Ann Webster

October 10th, 1943 – August 10th, 2025

Leslie Ann Webster  passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025, after a long and courageous journey with Parkinson’s Disease. She was born on October 10, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, and spent her early years on Long Island before her family moved to Florida in the 1950s.

At just seventeen, Leslie married and began her most cherished role — raising her three sons: Scott James Webster (deceased), Randy Alan Webster, and Todd Mitchell Webster. Life brought its challenges, but Leslie met them with grit, determination, and an unwavering love for her family. As a devoted single mother, she worked tirelessly — first spending fifteen years in the food service industry, moving from waitress to manager, and later beginning a second career of equal length in the mortgage finance field.

Leslie’s true gift was her heart. She was a fun-loving, compassionate, and deeply caring soul who had an extraordinary ability to listen and make people feel seen. Family and friends were the center of her world, and her warmth left an imprint on everyone she met. She was a devoted mother and a proud, loving grandmother to her five grandchildren: Tyler, Tanner, Hannah, Katrina, and Jaden.

As the eldest of ten siblings, Leslie had a special place in her family’s story. She nurtured close bonds with her brothers and sisters — Pamela Dolber, Wendy Dolber, Kelly Finnegan, Bambi Levine, Melissa Grappone, Lon Dolber, Merik Dolber, and Mary Gagne — as well as many nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends who will forever cherish her love and laughter.

Even as Parkinson’s presented daily challenges, Leslie’s humor, warmth, and resilience never faded. Her life was a testament to strength, compassion, and the power of connection. She turned personal loss into purpose, becoming a passionate advocate for AIDS research after the passing of her beloved son Scott to AIDS. For many years, she participated in the AIDS Walk Atlanta, carrying his memory with pride and championing a cause close to her heart.

Her legacy is one of love, perseverance, and dedication — a light that will continue to shine through those she touched.

Those interested in sending flowers, please send them to:

Oak Ridge Funeral Care 2425 Havendale Blvd Winter Haven, FL 33881 Ph: (863) 967-5090

Mark Your Calendar! Purge Your Pills & Shred Your Stuff October 25

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Mark Your Calendar! Purge Your Pills & Shred Your Stuff October 25

Join the Winter Haven Police Department for a Prescription Pill Take-Back and FREE Shredding Event on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the front parking area of the department.

Location: 125 N Lake Silver Dr

Safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications—no questions asked—and protect your personal information by shredding sensitive documents on-site.

This event promotes public safety and identity theft prevention. Don’t miss this opportunity to clean out your medicine cabinet and paperwork pile. It’s quick, secure, and free! Spread the word and help keep our community safe and clutter-free.

Welcome, World Travelers! The Muppets Are Taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Next Year

Staff Reporter
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0
Welcome, World Travelers! The Muppets Are Taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Next Year

by James Coulter

Unless you’ve been living under a Fraggle Rock for the past year, you probably heard the bad news that the time had finally come for the Muppets to set the curtains and dim the lights. After a nearly 30-year run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, their attraction, Muppetvision 3D, officially closed its doors on June 8, 2025.

However, while the Muppets have moved out of Muppets Courtyard to make way for the new Monsters Inc. themed land, the good news is that they will be moving across the park to their new home at another attraction: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

For more than 25 years, Aerosmith has highlighted the indoor high-speed launch coaster. However, the rock band has since exited stage left to make way for a new act: the Muppets’ Electric Mayhem band. As such, the attraction will be renamed to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets.

Disney Parks Blog details the ride’s new story:

“With the help from our friends at Muppet Labs and a very fast limousine, we’ll take a twisting, turning, and screamingly fun road trip across Hollywood to reach the concert in time. The iconic scenery and landmarks of Tinseltown will feature a Muppet twist.

And throughout the journey, you’ll hear the Electric Mayhem playing some of the most iconic, rockin’ hits in your ears to keep the music and adrenaline pumping. I’m sure G Force Records will release a concert setlist soon.”

New concept art shows the giant ruby-red guitar in the attraction’s courtyard receiving a rainbow-colored paint job to match the more colorful aesthetic of the attraction’s new musical gig.

Likewise, the pre-show area will have Animal and the other Electric Mayhem band members hosting a recording session in the sound booth with Muppet penguins serving as audio technicians. The pre-show will also include appearances by none other than Kermit the Frog himself, along with the Muppets’ go-to go-for, Scooter.

Speaking of whom, as part of the attraction’s backstory, Scooter’s real estate tycoon uncle, real estate tycoon and owner of the Muppet Theatre, J.P. Grosse, will be the one who had purchased G-Force Records from the ride’s former occupants.

This inside joke will not be the first time that the characters of a new attraction purchased the ride building from the characters of the old attraction. At the Magic Kingdom, the Winnie the Pooh ride includes a portrait of Mr. Toad handing the deed to Toad Hall over to Owl, an inside joke about how Pooh’s ride replaced Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

However, fans of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will still have plenty of time to enjoy it in its current form. The attraction will continue to run throughout the remainder of the year until Dec. 31, 2025. After which, it will close and be rethemed to the Muppets with an opening date slated for some time in 2026.

Resident Says He’s Singled Out in Golf Cart Citations; City Eyes Rule Changes

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Resident Says He’s Singled Out in Golf Cart Citations; City Eyes Rule Changes

By Anita Todd

HAINES CITY – At the Aug. 7 City Commission meeting, Bates Road resident Leon Daniels told commissioners he believes he is being singled out by the Haines City Police Department. Daniels said he recently received three violations for driving his golf cart, while other residents cruise by without issue.

Daniels said he has used a golf cart on city roads for about 10 years without a problem. But after buying a new cart, he said enforcement suddenly became an issue, an expensive one.

He received two citations, one for $114 and another for $164, as well as a court summons.

“The police officer did an illegal search looking for the serial number of the cart,” Daniels said. “He also asked me for my license and registration.”

Daniels said he believed golf carts were allowed on any street with a speed limit of 35 mph or under. However, Mayor and City Commissioner Morris West explained that an older resolution specifically designates which roads golf carts may use.

In response to a public records request, the Daily Ridge obtained Resolution No. 11-965, dated April 21, 2011. It authorizes golf cart use on the following roads:

  • Commerce Avenue west of U.S. Highway 27

  • Nilsen Street between Commerce Avenue and Johnson Avenue

  • Southern Dunes Boulevard east of U.S. Highway 27

  • Blue Heron Boulevard west of the Walmart north parking lot entrance

  • Glen Este Boulevard west of U.S. Highway 27

  • The City right-of-way behind S&S Tire to its dead end at Sonic*

    The resolution also states: “Under no circumstances shall any golf cart cross U.S. Highway 27, drive on sidewalks, or otherwise be in violation of Section 316.212, Florida Statutes.”

“It’s a pretty old ordinance that needs to be brought up to today’s standard,” West said. “We need to address it sooner rather than later.”

Daniels said he thought the law required signage on roads that permitted golf carts, but that requirement is not included in Florida statutes.

According to the statute, “Golf carts may be operated only on the specifically designated city roads designated by resolution of the city commission of the City of Haines City in accordance with Florida Statutes. Furthermore, golf carts may not cross a county or state road except at locations which have been specifically designated and posted for such by Polk County.”

Daniels said he simply wants to enjoy his cart responsibly.

“I am not harming a soul. I just want to ride with my grandchildren,” he said.

  • S&S Tire is now Aspen Dental and Sonic is now Zaxby’s.
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