Entertainment
Grande Lakes Orlando Transforms into a Winter Wonderland with New Ice Rink and Holiday Magic
Last Updated on October 20, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Orlando’s premier luxury resort destination debuts exciting new experiences alongside beloved seasonal traditions for the 2025 festive season
When you think of Florida in winter, ice skating might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But Grande Lakes Orlando is changing that narrative this holiday season with the debut of Orlando’s only resort ice rink, part of an expanded lineup of festive experiences that promise to make this 500-acre luxury destination the ultimate winter escape.
A Sparkling New Addition: Orlando’s Only Resort Ice Rink
Beginning November 27 and running through January 3, guests can lace up their skates and glide across a brand-new outdoor ice rink set beneath the Florida winter sky on The Ritz-Carlton’s Da Vinci Lawn. Open nightly from 5-9 pm, this picturesque rink offers something truly unique—the chance to ice skate in the Sunshine State while surrounded by the natural beauty of the Florida Everglades headwaters.
But the magic doesn’t stop when you step off the ice. Adjacent to the rink, glowing fire pits create the perfect spot to warm up and indulge in seasonal comfort food. From 5-7 pm and 8-10 pm, guests can savor baked brie, roasted apple and pumpkin salad, or hearty chili topped with gourmet fixings—the ideal way to cap off an evening of skating under the stars.
The Return of Fan Favorites
While the ice rink is making its debut, several beloved traditions are making their triumphant return to Grande Lakes Orlando this season.
Winter Wonderland Market
The resort’s charming European-inspired village returns on select dates (December 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27) from 4-8 pm. Guests can wander through quaint cottages showcasing local artisan crafts, holiday delicacies, and seasonal beverages—all while experiencing hourly snowfall that transforms the Florida resort into a true winter wonderland.
Santa’s Teddy Bear Tea
In the Lobby Lounge, families can enjoy an enchanting afternoon featuring a lavish tea selection, thoughtfully curated sweets, live entertainment, and a special visit from Santa Claus himself.
Gingerbread School
For those who love hands-on creativity, the resort’s expert pastry chefs lead guests through crafting their own edible gingerbread masterpieces—a delicious way to create lasting holiday memories.
Magic Show: Holiday Edition
Acclaimed magician and America’s Got Talent finalist Drew Thomas returns with his award-winning colleagues to present an extraordinary holiday magic show. Expect mind-bending tricks, large-scale illusions, and plenty of humor in this electrifying performance (dates to be announced).
Elevated Holiday Experiences
Grande Lakes Orlando goes beyond the basics with several premium offerings designed to make the season truly special:
- Holiday Cocktail Tour: Sample artfully curated festive spirits and handcrafted libations throughout the resort
- Merry & Bright Tree Delight: Have a sparkling Christmas tree delivered directly to your guest room
- Fireworks & Fizz: Ring in the New Year in The Ritz-Carlton Lobby Lounge with live music, martinis, Dom Perignon, and a seafood tower
- Ritz Kids Night Out Bash: Ages 4-12 can enjoy face painting, s’mores, games, and more
- New Year’s Eve Firework Cabanas: The ultimate al fresco celebration with champagne, caviar, and prime fireworks viewing
Beyond the Holidays
Of course, the festive programming is just the beginning. Grande Lakes Orlando’s year-round amenities ensure there’s something for everyone, including sparkling pools, a dedicated waterpark, a 40,000-square-foot award-winning spa, 12 restaurants and bars, a championship golf course, and expansive outdoor sports facilities—all set within the natural beauty of the Florida Everglades headwaters.
Special Holiday Packages
To make planning easier, the resort offers two attractive packages:
Festive Escape Package: Includes a $100 resort credit per night, valet parking, and four one-hour ice skating tickets per stay.
Grande Escape Package: Provides up to a $100 daily resort credit and complimentary parking—savings of more than $230.
The Bottom Line
Grande Lakes Orlando is proving that you don’t need snow to create authentic winter magic. By combining innovative new experiences like Orlando’s only resort ice rink with beloved returning traditions, the resort has crafted a holiday destination that appeals to families, couples, and groups of all ages. Whether you’re gliding across the ice, sipping cocoa by the fire pits, or exploring the Winter Wonderland Market, this Florida resort offers a festive escape unlike any other.
For more information and reservations, visit www.grandelakes.com.
Grande Lakes Orlando is anchored by The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, offering 500 acres of luxury accommodations and world-class amenities in the heart of Central Florida.
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Cineverse Partners With VA Media to Expand YouTube Monetization Strategy
Cineverse has announced a strategic partnership with VA Media to accelerate growth and digital monetization across its expanding portfolio of fandom-focused YouTube channels.
The agreement will bring a YouTube-first strategy to Cineverse’s channel network, including longform and shortform content planning, channel optimization, financial modeling, and broader monetization support. The partnership will begin with Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, which Cineverse identified as its top revenue-generating YouTube channel.
Cineverse said its owned or operated YouTube channels currently account for more than 10 million subscribers and over 200 million video views. The company’s digital portfolio spans genres including horror, anime, romance, indie film, Asian cinema, and other fandom-driven categories.
VA Media, which specializes in YouTube strategy and social video monetization, will work with Cineverse to improve discoverability, strengthen channel performance, and unlock new revenue opportunities across YouTube and adjacent platforms.
The partnership reflects the growing role of YouTube as a core distribution and monetization channel for premium entertainment content.
For more information, visit Cineverse.
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McDonald’s is blending fast food, fandom and Korean-inspired flavors in a new collaboration with Netflix tied to the hit film KPop Demon Hunters. Beginning March 31, the chain will roll out two limited-time adult meals inspired by the movie’s rival groups, HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys, along with collectible photocards and app-based fan experiences. The promotion will be available at participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide.
McDonald’s KPop Demon Hunters meals
The campaign introduces two themed meals built around the film’s central rivalry. The Saja Boys Breakfast Meal includes a Spicy Saja McMuffin, hash browns and a small soft drink, while the HUNTR/X Meal features a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium soft drink, Ramyeon McShaker Fries, Hunter Sauce and Demon Sauce. McDonald’s said the menu was inspired in part by flavors from its South Korea restaurants, aiming to connect fans to the movie through food as well as pop culture.
The promotion also includes collectible card packs with each meal. Customers will receive a photocard featuring either HUNTR/X or the Saja Boys, plus a Derpy access card that can be scanned and entered in the McDonald’s app by April 26 to unlock early access to exclusive content and a special reveal tied to the “Battle for the Fans.” A new Derpy McFlurry, made with vanilla soft serve, berry popping pearls and wild berry sauce, will also be sold separately during the promotion.
McDonald’s and Netflix both described the collaboration as a way to bring fans deeper into the world of KPop Demon Hunters through menu items and interactive experiences. For STM Daily News readers in the food and drink section, the release highlights how major brands are increasingly turning entertainment partnerships into immersive dining promotions that combine limited-time flavors, collectible merchandise and digital engagement.
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Entertainment
One More Christmas Begins Production as Great American Media Unveils 2026 Holiday Original
Great American Media has announced One More Christmas, a new original holiday film starring Candace Cameron Bure and Jonathan Scarfe, now in production for Great American Christmas 2026. The film adds another early title to the network’s seasonal lineup as it heads into its sixth year of Christmas programming built around faith, family, hope, and redemption.
In the film, Bure plays Anna, a woman who has been divorced from James Campbell, played by Scarfe, for five years. The former couple reunites over Christmas after their daughter invites the family to a Smoky Mountain cabin to meet her serious boyfriend. What starts as an uneasy holiday gathering shifts when a major ice storm traps Anna and James together, forcing them to revisit the past and consider whether their story is really over.
Why It Stands Out
The setup gives One More Christmas a built-in second-chance romance angle, but the family dynamic may be what gives it the most emotional pull. Great American Media is clearly leaning into the kind of heartfelt, values-driven storytelling its audience expects, while continuing to build Candace Cameron Bure’s presence across its holiday slate.
Bure is also serving as an executive producer on the film. Great American Media said she will star in two original movies for the 2026 season and executive produce another holiday feature still to be announced. Bill Abbott, President and CEO of Great American Media, said Bure continues to help define the tone and quality of the network’s Christmas programming.
Creative Team
One More Christmas is executive produced by Candace Cameron Bure, Jeffery Brooks, Ford Englerth, and Tim Owens for CandyRock Entertainment, with Eric Jarboe and Holly Hines executive producing for Happy Accidents. The screenplay is written by Taylor Kalupa and Masey McLain.
CandyRock Entertainment, Bure’s joint venture with Ford Englerth and Jeffery Brooks, has produced and distributed more than 40 television and film projects focused on family-friendly entertainment.
What to Watch For
As Great American Media continues to expand its holiday lineup, One More Christmas looks positioned as one of the network’s early attention-grabbers for 2026. Between Bure’s ongoing creative role, Scarfe’s addition, and the familiar mix of Christmas setting and emotional reconciliation, the film fits squarely within the network’s brand while giving viewers a story built around family tension, weather-forced closeness, and possible renewal.
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