The Orlando Real - The Orlando Real's Blog | Page #5

By Jessica Hristov

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate than to have a delicious dessert! Disney always goes above and beyond around every holiday, especially when it comes to treats! Here are a few exclusive Valentine’s Day snacks you can find around Walt Disney World Resort this year.

Disney Springs

Valentine Red Velvet Cone

This year, you can find our first treat, the sweet Valentine Red Velvet Cone, at Swirls on the Water. It’s a delicious blend of strawberry dole whip, chocolate soft serve ice cream, heart sprinkles, and a chocolate-covered Mickey-shaped cookie. Keeping up with the theme of Valentine’s Day, it is served in a red cone. You can try it today for $6.49!

ROSA REGALE DOLE WHIP…

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By Holley Long

Build-your-own pizza restaurants seem to pop up everywhere these days, but there’s at least one with an immersive environment you might not expect.

The Restaurant 

The Pizza Press, founded in 2012, aims to make everyone enjoy a newsworthy experience while dining. The restaurant’s theme is inspired by 1920s American journalism, when someone selling a newspaper was a common sight on every street corner. 

The restaurant decor feels reminiscent of the Industrial Revolution, with exposed brick and a simple black and white color scheme throughout. Old articles and photographs showcasing the newspaper business deck out the walls, so visitors get a dose of history alongside their piece of pie. 

The Menu 

While browsing the…

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By Yasmene Warren

Home in Belle Isle sells after 16 days on the market at $339K.

The Home

This three bedroom, two bathroom single family home has nearly a century to its age as it was built in 1925. In 2014, it was completely reconstructed and remodeled into a free flowing open floor plan. This one-story home has a two car garage and its interior is complete with high ceilings, solid wood cabinetry, stone counters and a mix of carpet in the bedrooms, tile and vinyl flooring throughout the house.

The spacious backyard is complete with a deck and fire pit, and it also has a double gate, which is perfect for fitting boats and other utility vehicles! Additionally, this specific location couldn’t be better as it’s five minutes from Downtown…

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By Jessica LaVigne

With Mardi Gras just beginning this past Saturday, February 4th, there is so much to enjoy on select days until April 16th! From popular entertainers to food and drinks from around the world, let's dive into all that there is to offer this year at Universal's Mardi Gras.

Specialty Food & Drinks

I don’t know about you, but with any theme park festival or event I gravitate straight towards the food. This year’s Mardi Gras is extra special because the theme is “International Flavors of Carnaval”, featuring small plates from around the world!

There are over 20 food stations including Belgium, France, India, Spain, and (of course) New Orleans. We were able to try quite a few of these offerings, and everything was absolutely…

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By Kismet Kohn

Every third Thursday of the month, the city of Sanford holds an art and jazz night for the Orlando community. This event is fun for friends, family, and couples and offers delicious food, drinks, and entertainment! The next one is coming up next Thursday, February 16th.

Where is it?

The Art and Jazz night is located in the heart of Downtown Sanford. The streets are lined with beautiful brick buildings housing incredible restaurants and stores. The brick roads lead you to the Central Florida Zoo and the RiverWalk, which are just a few minutes away!

Sanford is a growing community conveniently located within a short drive from the highways that could take you anywhere from the beach to Disney in an hour. The city of Sanford is…

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By Holley Long

Many cities and towns in Central Florida are steeped in a rich history, and Winter Garden is no exception. The Winter Garden Heritage and Music Festival is a great time to learn that history, while also listening to local bands and enjoying special entertainment - coming up this weekend on February 11th! 

What is it?

The Winter Garden Heritage and Music Festival is an annual event that’s put on each year by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. It’s free to attend, and there are festivities held all day that are meant to entice people of all ages. 

Along with educational opportunities and shows, the festival has food vendors, a kids’ zone, and, of course, the city’s weekly Saturday farmer’s market. 

The Fall Heritage…

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By Yasmene Warren

Look out Orlando! There’s a new place to wine and dine in town, and it’s certainly going to give all the other spots in the Milk District a run for their money: It’s Otto’s High Dive.

What is it?

Located on East Robinson Street in Orlando’s Milk District is Otto’s High Dive, a Cuban-inspired neighborhood rum bar and restaurant. This location is a fairly new addition to Orlando’s restaurants as it had its grand opening in December of 2022.

Although it hasn’t been around that long, it has been a huge hit among restaurant goers and bar lovers alike. Otto’s High Dive operates Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Food

Otto’s High Dive’s menu is filled with unique dishes…

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By Jessica Hristov

One of Walt Disney World’s most highly anticipated rides, TRON: Lightcycle Run, finally has an opening date! The long-awaited ride will be opening April 4, 2023 to all park guests! First announced in 2017, it feels like we have been waiting forever for this ride to be completed. As the opening date rapidly approaches, and special previews begin, we are learning new info almost daily about Magic Kingdom’s newest ride. Here is everything you need to know about TRON: Lightcycle Run. 

Racing Through The Grid

The TRON Coaster is based off the TRON movie franchise, including the 2010 Disney movie “TRON: Legacy”. Perhaps you’ve seen footage on YouTube of the TRON Coaster in Shanghai Disneyland, or maybe you were even lucky enough…

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By Kismet Kohn

Home in Celebration sells after 38 days on the market at $1,377,050.

The Home

This charming Devonshire Coastal model was built in 1997 by David Weekley Homes. It includes 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms and comes with a beautiful view of the golf course, in addition to the pond in the backyard. The entrance to the house is inviting with dual French doors, with the great room ready to greet you with an eat-in kitchen perfect for hosting! Over the garage is a one-bedroom apartment with the same beautiful views that the house has. Many aspects of the house have recently been upgraded, including lighting, ceiling fans, the screened-in patio and pool enclosure, and a leak defense system.

Sold

This home sold for…

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By Yasmene Warren

Nix the old, stereotypical Disney-themed gift shops that don’t do a good job at defining Florida to its core. Freehand Goods at East End Market has made it its mission to show everyone what the Sunshine State is really all about!

What is Freehand Goods?

Freehand Goods is a gift shop located inside the back of Winter Park’s East End Market on Corrine Drive. Established in 2016, this shop prides itself on being completely local as all the goods are custom made in house by hand. Each product has fun and unique Florida-themed designs that this shop says you can’t find anywhere else.

Freehand Goods also has both an in-person shop and an online store, so you can stop by or shop for its products on the go!

The Goods

Freehand…

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