🌱 AAA Activates 'Tow To Go' + Disney Ends Magical Shuttle Service + Gift Ideas

Good morning, people of Orlando! It's me again, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Orlando Daily.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and nice. High: 68 Low: 49.

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Here are the top five stories today in Orlando:

1. 9 people hung signs filled with hate speech from an overpass in Port St. John Sunday in Brevard County. The signs showed the N-word and also had anti-Semitic language, leading to an outcry on social media. No members of the group were arrested or cited by authorities. (Click Orlando)

2. In the past 30 days, breakthrough COVID-19 infections have accounted for approximately 30% of all Florida cases. Emergency medicine physician Dr. Rajiv Bahl stresses that though the breakthrough number is rising, vaccinated "individuals are not getting hospitalizations." Bahl is pushing for people to get a vaccine and booster shot for the virus. (WFTV)

3. Don't drink and drive: AAA is activating it's "Tow to Go" service starting Friday, December 24th at 6 p.m. through Monday, January 3rd at 6 a.m. Those who have had too much to drink can call AAA to get their car towed to a safe place at no charge within a 10-mile radius. The number to call is 855-286-9246 and the service is free for everyone. (Fox 35 Orlando)

4. Disney will end its complimentary Magical Shuttle service at the end of 2022 and replace it with a new, paid shuttle service called The Sunshine Flyer. The shuttle bus is themed to ride like a 1920s railcar with attendants and drivers costumed in period dressing as engineers an conductors. Tickets will cost $17 per adult and $12.50 per child and must be booked at least 4 days in advance. (Orlando Weekly)

5. Are you looking for an awesome last minute gift in Florida? Patch has a number of suggestions including Naples Soap Company, books by retired journalist Craig Pittman, Ybor City cigars, locally crafted spirits, and more. (Patch Florida)

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Today in Orlando:

• Rosemont Neighborhood Center Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Site. (3:00 PM)
• A Christmas Story at Enzian Theater. (3:30 PM)
• Family Wheel at Super Awesome Cool Pottery. (4:00 PM)
• Festive Films: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas Cards at Boxi Park Lake Nona. (6:00 PM)
• UCF Knights Mens Basketball Vs. North Alabama Mens Basketball at Addition Financial Arena. (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Holiday closure hours have been updated at the Barnett Park COVID-19 vaccination and testing site in Orange County. The site will be CLOSED Friday, December 24th, Saturday, December 25th, Friday, December 31st and Saturday, January 1st. (Instagram)
• Swan boat holiday hours in downtown Orlando are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve, CLOSED Christmas Day, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on New Year's Eve. (Facebook)
• Disney World just announced that Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will reopen to guests March 31st, 2022. Guests can begin booking their stays starting December 22nd. (Twitter)
• AdventHealth has announced a 21% COVID-19 positivity rate, the largest spike they've ever seen in pandemic. (Orlando Weekly)

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You're all caught up for today! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.