Space Coast Daily TGIF Show – Highlights Live Shows, BPS Graduation Ceremonies and Obloy Family Ranch in Merritt Island

By Space Coast Daily // July 26, 2020

hosted by Giles Malone

ABOVE VIDEO: Space Coast Daily TGIF Show – Highlights Live Shows, BPS Graduation Ceremonies and Obloy Family Ranch in Merritt Island.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Space Coast Daily’s TGIF Show is back for another week, the only show on the Space Coast that highlights upcoming events and entertainment for the weekend and upcoming week.

Universal Orlando is Back and Here Are 12 Space Coast Daily Tips to Experience It All

1. The Universal Orlando Resort App is Your New Best Friend

It helps navigate around the crowds, trim down time waiting in queues, minimize physical interactions, and so much more! Here are the top features:

Virtual Line experience for attractions
Mobile food and drink ordering for select restaurants
Interactive park map
Virtual wallet where you can purchase and house your park tickets, Express passes, and also set up your TapuTapu for your visit to Volcano Bay
Wait time alerts that you can set for when the times drop

Download it for FREE from the App Store and Google Play.

2. Dodge Crowds with the Virtual Line Experience

Want to avoid crowds AND get a place in line faster on your favorite rides? The Virtual Line experience is the answer and it’s now available for even more attractions than before. You can access it via the app under “Virtual Line Experience” in the menu or per attraction on the interactive map. You then select your “Return Time”, show up, and ride. It’s that easy!

3. Order Your Food Ahead of Time with Mobile Order

If you haven’t tried mobile order, prepare to have your theme park life changed. When your stomach is rumbling, jump on the app and select “Order Food and Drinks” from the menu.

4. Make a Game Plan Beforehand

This is always one of my top recommendations for coming to the parks. Do your research and create a must-do list with all of the attractions, shops, shows, etc. you definitely want to do.

5. Get a More Personalized Experience With Social Distancing

It makes the rides and show elements even more special. Not having people right next to you in the queue actually allows for better conversations as you wait. The spaced seating on the ride vehicle makes it feel like you have the ride to ourselves. And having more space around character meet and greets allows for no unexpected-guest photobombs in the background.

6. Take a Break in the U-Rest Areas

In addition to planning out what you want to do, make sure to slot in time to take breaks. There are new U-Rest areas sprinkled throughout our destination, where you can recharge with a drink or snack with your face covering off. You can find them in the following locations:

Universal CityWalk
- Down by the waterfront in front of Hard Rock
Universal Studios Florida
- Fear Factor Live Theater
- Central Park by the lagoon
Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- Port of Entry Landing by the waterfront
- The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad Stunt Show Theater in Lost Continent (the show is no longer available)

7. Take All the Photos!

Missed the parks much? Capture it all and share it with friends and family.

8. Early Park Admission = More Time and Fewer Crowds

Here’s what it is: if you stay at one of Universal’s hotels, you get exclusive access to the parks one hour before normal guest park hours with little to no crowds. Plus, when staying at the hotels, you don’t have to go through the check-in process at the entrance of CityWalk. You get a special wristband that shows you already had your temperature check and can go directly to the parks.

9. Your Bae This Summer is Volcano Bay

You don’t have to wear a mask while you’re in the pools, slides, or eating/drinking. However, they should be worn when not doing these activities.

10. New Guidelines Aren’t the Only Things That Are New

The parks may have been closed for a couple of months, but Team Members have been hard at work creating new experiences for you to come back to. There are new “Love is Universal” and anniversary merchandise to snatch up (have you seen the themed face masks!?); there’s a new anniversary Voodoo Doughnut; and even new entertainment attractions with The Bourne Stuntacular and the new Raptor Encounter (the baby raptor Sierra is the cutest)

11. Here’s What to Bring

A face covering with a light and breathable fabric. This isn’t just my recommendation, it’s a requirement when visiting the parks, CityWalk, and hotels. Major kudos to those with fun themes and designs. You’ll look awesome as you’re rocking out on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (yes, they’re required to be worn on rides, too). The good news is if you forgot your face covering, you can ask a Team Member for a replacement.
Your own personal hand sanitizer on a keychain. There are hand sanitizer stations when you first enter through CityWalk, when you’re about to board a ride, and at restaurant entrances.
This has always remained true, but bring water to stay hydrated! I find myself being especially thirsty when wearing my face covering, so make sure to bring a water bottle with you.
Bring a small bag or carry a lanyard for your belongings. You’re still going to need to put items in lockers for certain attractions that require them. Team Members pulse the locker queues for social distancing and regularly clean them, but try to only bring the essentials if you want to minimize using them and save time.

Obloy Family Ranch

ABOVE VIDEO: Obloy Family Ranch.

Obloy Family Ranch is located on a historic property in Merritt Island, Florida.

The property dates back to the 1890s when it operated as a navel orange grove and later transitioned to become one of Florida’s first gator ranches.

In 2015, the Obloy family purchased the ranch and helped transform the property into a wildlife sanctuary and farm, adding horseback riding trails, restoring and restocking freshwater ponds, and adding a new event venue, the Barn Stall Winery & Wedding Barn.

LEARN ABOUT WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

We focus on wildlife preservation and value education on conservation, culture, and history.

The gator pens remain so we can educate our visitors on the aquaculture that takes place in this region & through our efforts, the old gator ranch located here has become a wildlife sanctuary.

ENJOY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Enjoy our wide variety of recreational activities that includes checking out the ranch’s original fish farm. In our country store, guests can purchase fresh fish from our ponds and eggs from our chickens!

Horseback Trail Rides
Pony Rides
Monster Truck Rides
Rides on our very own Jungle Train
Fishing in Fully-Stocked Ponds

MEET OUR FAMILY- THE RESCUE ANIMALS

We love our animals! They are the best, friendliest and the most unique bunch of furry, scaly, and feathery friends we could ask for. Through a lot of tender-loving care given to these animals, they are healthy and capable of giving love while living a stress-free life on the ranch.

Bring the whole family out and meet them yourselves!

FULL-SERVICE RANCH

Along with our petting farm, wildlife sanctuary, and adventures, we also offer accommodations in our Private Cabins as well as a new 3000 sq. ft. wooden barn, the Barn Stall Winery & Wedding Barn.

We also offer: