The Orlando Real | Page #2

By Yasmene Warren

Winter Park has yet another tasty spot to grab some grub from, and it’s got a real “homey” vibe to it — and we’re not just talking about it being a converted garage — it’s The Porch!

What is The Porch?

We know what a porch is, but The Porch is a sports bar that has been converted from a garage into a hot bar and restaurant. It’s located in Winter Park on North Orange Avenue near Hannibal Square.

You can do as the restaurant’s website says and “Eat! Drink! Stay Awhile” between 11:00 AM and 2:00 AM on select days. On select nights, they also have special events alongside a happy hour that lasts for a majority of the day! 

Food and Drinks

You’ll definitely want to come hungry when you’re visiting The…

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By Jessica LaVigne

We’ve covered a lot of different areas around Central Florida, but some have been asking - what’s the difference between East and West Orlando? Let’s dive in!

What’s Considered East and West?

The heart of Orlando is located downtown, with the West and East on each side of this. East Orlando is located from 417 all the way up to where it meets 408. This includes Oviedo, Winter Springs, Alafaya, and Waterford Lakes, with some also considering Winter Park to be part of this area. West Orlando includes areas such as Dr Phillips, Bay Hill, Windermere, Winter Garden, Horizon West, and (what we would also consider on the West side) Clermont.

Things To Do

East Orlando

If you live over on the East side of Orlando, you…

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By Kismet Kohn

If you’re looking for a fun weekend activity or want to plan a team-building exercise, Escapology is the perfect place to put those thinking skills to the test! 

Escape Rooms

Escapology offers about nine different escape rooms to choose from, each containing a different level of difficulty and theme. The themes Escapology offers currently are Narco, Scooby-Doo, Murder on the Orient Express, Star Trek, 7 Deadly Sins, Lost City, Mansion Murder, Under Pressure, and Antidote. Every couple of months the Escape Room themes will change on a rotating schedule so you can go back if you’ve solved all of the escape rooms they offered!

Events

The escape rooms can hold up to around ten people, making them the perfect size…

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By Holley Long

Are you ready for Summer yet? After closing for Orlando’s “cold” season, water parks are reopening across the city, including one with an interesting twist. 

Island H2O 

Island H2O opened for its 2023 season on March 10. The water park offers a unique time for guests with its social media theme and interactive features. With the H2O Water Park app, you can check out wait times, earn points to use for discounts, and choose the music that streams across the park. 

Island H2O encourages guests to post about their day at the water park, making it easy by having some attractions capture videos during the experience. By syncing a park-provided wristband to the app, you can tap in at each attraction and later view your photos and…

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By Yasmene Warren

The sun is coming back out, and that means the need to feed on something cold and sweet is stronger than ever. Luckily, there are loads of places to get ice cream at in Orlando. However, this one stands out a little more than the others; it’s Sampaguita Ice Cream.

What is Sampaguita Ice Cream?

Sampaguita is an ice cream parlor in Orlando located on East Colonial Drive just outside of downtown. This place makes Filipino-inspired ice creams and explores “the richness of Filipino culture, family traditions, and self-identity.”

Sampaguita has been soft opening with limited hours since January and is currently open Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11…

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By Holley Long

Horizon West home sells after less than a week on the market at $820,000.

The Home

Built in 2016, this 4,000+ square foot single family home is located in the Summerlake Community, offering 5 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. The open floor plan combines the kitchen and family room, with a cozy breakfast nook overlooking the fenced backyard and trees. Upstairs is a spacious loft, as well as the owner’s suite, complete with a bathroom with a separate tub and shower and a large walk-in closet. 

The home also offers a nicely shaded front porch with a view of the neighborhood pond, and a two-car garage that includes an electric car charger. 

Sold

This home sold for $820,000 after only 4 days on the market! Since…

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By Jessica LaVigne

What better way to start your day than with a gourmet cupcake from one of the best bakeries in Orlando? From cupcakes to ice cream, SmallCakes is the best place for fresh baked goodies and treats, and they live by the slogan “maybe a cupcake will help!”

The Cupcakery’s Rise to Fame

SmallCakes was founded by Jeff Martin in 2008, and according to their website their mission is “to use creative flavors, quality ingredients, and friendly service to provide the finest cupcake experience worthy of returning and recommending.”

The cupcakery started gaining nation-wide recognition after being featured on “Cupcake Wars” in seasons one, two, and seven, as well as on a list of one of Whoopi’s Favorite Desserts on “The View”.…

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By Kismet Kohn

Oviedo is located in East Orlando, officially incorporated as a city in 1925. This area offers affordable housing and luxury options, as well as great entertainment and dining options, all within a 20-30 minute drive.

Where is it?

Oviedo is conveniently located within thirty minutes of every major city in or near Orlando. Downtown Orlando is only a twenty-minute drive since all of the major highways have entrances in Oviedo. Although this area is in East Orlando, the theme parks are only about 30-40 minutes on average. If traffic allows, sometimes you can make it to the beach in under an hour!

Pricing and History

Oviedo homes include a wide range for all budgets, and can be as low as the high $100’s for a manufactured…

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By Holley Long

It may technically still be winter, but let’s face it—Orlando felt the stirrings of Spring weeks ago, and we are now fully engulfed in the season. We’re enjoying the warmer weather, and we’re also enjoying the return of an annual event at a Disney World park. 

That’s right: EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival is finally here! 

General Info

The Flower and Garden Festival is a springtime event at the Disney park, filled with Disney character topiaries, luscious gardens, and delicious flavors. Running from March 1 to July 5, it’s one of EPCOT’s longest festivals. Don’t worry about an additional cost to attend—as long as you have a valid park admission, you’re good to go. 

Outdoor Kitchens 

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By Yasmene Warren

Are you tired anxiously waiting for your 21st birthday so you can order your first cocktail at a bar? Or maybe you love going out for drinks but can’t hold your liquor. Whatever the case may be, once again, Orlando has the perfect place for you: The BANDBOX.

All About The BANDBOX - Orlando

The BANDBOX is located on North Orange Avenue in Orlando and is the city’s first-ever spirit-free speakeasy tasting lounge and bottle shop. This speakeasy is, as its website describes, “an escape to a 1920s Art Deco-inspired speakeasy where you can dodge the Buttons and skip the Hooch with a robust menu of non-alcoholic craft cocktails, beer & wine along with elixirs, tonics, shrubs and CBD beverages for a night you won’t have to forget.”

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