Things To Do In SW Florida

Gaylord Palms will slide into new territory for this year’s “Ice” attraction. For the first time, the elaborate ice-sculpting attraction will be based on “Elf,” the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell.

“You’ll really follow Buddy’s journey from the North Pole to New York City,” said Niko Nickolaou, senior director of special events and creative for Gaylord Hotels.

Buddy is a human, played by Ferrell, raised as an elf. The Gaylord event, which runs between Nov. 15 and Jan. 4 at the Kissimmee resort, will play with proportions in some areas as seen in the film.

“You walk in, and you see this oversized Buddy as he’s the L in ‘Elf,’ and that’s a great photo op,” Nickolaou said. That design harkens back to the movie poster. Soon thereafter, in “Ice” is the classroom scene.

“There’s the ice desks, there’s Papa Elf teaching, there’s Buddy,” Nickolaou said. “That’s the first moment that is super-connective. And you’re like, ‘Wow, I’m about to experience something special.’” read more

One of the nation’s largest owners and developers of for-profit affordable housing has a 67-acre site in the ChampionsGate-Reunion area of Osceola County under contract for a combination senior and family housing development.

Minneapolis-based Dominium is eyeing the site on Goodman Road, just north of Bella Citta Boulevard and the proposed Sinclair Road extension that will link the two resort communities, according to a report in GrowthSpotter.

Dominium is seeking a land use and zoning change from Osceola County to go from Low Density Residential to High Density Residential, which would allow up to 25 dwelling units per acre. As with all Dominium communities, 100% of the units will be affordable to low-income residents earning no more than 60% of the area median income, or AMI. The total number of units is still to be determined, but it’s expected to be several hundred.

The resort area that’s just a few miles from the Disney theme parks is one of the region’s strongest apartment markets, but has little affordable housing. Disney and its development partner, the Michaels Organization, are planning to build 1,410 units of attainable workforce housing just over the county line in Horizon West. Those units would target renters earning at least 80% of the AMI. read more

Five Central Florida restaurants shut down the week of July 14-20, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Orange

Neo Asian Kitchen And Boba Tea at 6760 Eagle Watch Dr. in Orlando shut down on July 15. Inspectors found 26 violations, five of which were a high priority. Those violations included roach activity, nonfood-grade bags coming into direct contact with food and raw food not separated from ready-to-eat food. A second inspection the same day found 10 violations. The restaurant received time extensions on all high-priority violations. A follow-up inspection is required, but there is no immediate threat to the public, and the restaurant was allowed to reopen.

Seminole

Winghouse Bar + Grill at 2935 S. Orlando Dr. in Sanford shut down on July 15. Inspectors found 17 violations, five of which were a high priority. Those violations included roach activity, missing vacuum breakers and using sanitizer that wasn’t at the proper strength. A second inspection the same day found 10 violations, three of which were a high priority. Authorities offered time extensions on those violations and the restaurant met inspection standards. read more

Singer-songwriter Ciara, her NFL quarterback husband Russell Wilson and their four children visited Walt Disney World to celebrate the fourth birthday of their son, Win, recently.  The group posed with Mickey Mouse at Magic Kingdom near Cinderella Castle.

Among their stops at the theme park was the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride, which debuted this month.

On Ciara’s Instagram account, she posted video highlights from Win’s life, including his first Disney trip. Viewers can see Win driving on Tomorrowland Speedway and with family members on Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel. The music for the montage is “So This Is Love” from “Cinderella.”

As if that’s not Disney royal enough, Ciara’s birth name is Ciara Princess Harris.

Second thoughts: Penguin Trek, Mega Movie Parade, Country Bears

Ciara’s concert tour comes to at Orlando’s Kia Center on July 30. Among her hit singles are “1, 2 Step,” “Goodies” and “Ride.”  Wilson spent 10 years with the Seattle Seahawks and led them to the Super Bowl title in 2014. He played for the Denver Broncos the past two seasons and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2024 season. read more

Graffiti Junktion, a burger bar chain based in Orlando,  will be closing its Thornton Park location by the end of this week.

The restaurant has been at its current location at the corner of Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street since 2016 after moving into the space formerly occupied by Wildside BBQ Bar & Grille.

In a post on Instagram, the restaurant said its “adventure” at its Thornton Park location will end when it closes on Sunday.

“On behalf of the staff we thank everyone for over a decade of support and overwhelming love!” the post read. “We’d love to see you all one last time this week as a new chapter begins for us and the block. Let’s make sure we go out with a bang!”

No one from the restaurant could be reached for comment.

Graffiti Junktion has been a staple in Thornton Park for more than 15 years, as it first opened at the corner of Hyer Avenue and Washington St where Cavo’s stands now.

Last year, the restaurant closed its College Park location at 2401 Edgewater Drive. read more