Ocean cleanup crew 🦈🧹

There’s watching Shark Week — and then there’s living it at SeaWorld Orlando’s legendary Shark Encounter.

Hiya, friends. It’s Haley.

Brett Kieslich has spent 22 years as part of SeaWorld’s animal care team — more than half of it alongside sharks. During my behind-the-scenes visit, he told me about how sharks are the ocean’s most vital cleanup crew, keeping marine ecosystems healthy and balanced.

Inside the park’s massive 700,000-gallon tank, Kieslich introduced me to Dutch and Dillon, SeaWorld Orlando’s resident hammerhead sharks. The dynamic duo requires some extra attention and dedicated feeding time.

An unexpected encounter was spotting a vintage warning sign backstage that shark fans will immediately recognize from “Jaws 3″ which was filmed at SeaWorld. The grammar enthusiast in me can’t unsee the typo in the text.

Click here to see my video recap of the encounter as well as more shark highlights at the theme park.

Discovery Cove

Shark snorkel 🥽

Across the street from SeaWorld at Discovery Cove, there’s a one-of-a-kind shark experience.

The News 6 Daytrippers checked out the Shark Interaction Program, where participants wade into a shallow-water habitat alongside more than 20 sharks for a trainer-led experience focused on marine education and conservation.

I dove into the habitat two years ago. This one is an easy must-do for any shark fan.

Walt Disney World

Turtle power 🐢

Sea turtle season is here, and Disney is bringing the “shell”-ebration to Vero Beach.

Tour de Turtles — an annual conservation “migration marathon” hosted by Sea Turtle Conservancy — is back, with scientists safely attaching satellite trackers to nesting sea turtles before sending them off into the Atlantic so you can follow their journey online.

Disney has been part of this event for years. In fact, two years ago, their sponsored turtle, Ebb, became the first Disney turtle ever to take the gold.

The News 6 Insiders spotlighted Tour de Turtles this week. Click here to watch the interview.

MLP 🥒

Pickleball has gotten so popular, it now has its own major league — and this weekend, the pros are bringing the action to Disney World for one of the season’s biggest tournaments.

Hear from the Orlando Squeeze, the host team bringing pro pickleball to Disney.

The woods await 🎭

With Broadway roots and a Disney Legend title to her name, Jodi Benson knows a thing or two about bringing iconic characters to life.

The voice of Ariel will star as the Witch in Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” this weekend at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando — watch her interview by clicking here and get ticket information.

Universal Orlando

All aboard (ay, ay, ay) 🦇

The Halloween Horror Nights haunted house lineup is complete, and the Prince of Darkness himself is the final addition.

Universal Orlando is sending fans on a 45-year journey through Ozzy Osbourne’s legendary solo career — Crazy Train and all.

Passholder perks return 🌍

Universal Orlando Resort’s Passholder Appreciation Days is back with weeks of exclusive discounts, freebies and special experiences for Annual and Seasonal Passholders.

Click here to see everything Universal Orlando has in store for passholders this summer.

That’s a wrap for July! Fall events are just around the corner.

As always, keep me in the loop through my email or reach out to me on X or Instagram.

See you next week!

- Haley