A family-owned business that's been serving up pastelitos in Miami since 1972 are making their way North to Orlando! Vicky Bakery is a Miami institution, a popular Cuban bakery and cafe with over 20 locations across South Florida, will soon be baking up a storm here in Orlando, with their specialty Cuban pastries that are made with a family recipe that has been passed down from abuelito to abuelo. The new Orlando locations will be 4556 S Semoran Boulevard, and 1455 West Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park, where you will discover everything from cakes to cafecitos, to sandwiches and pastelitos. Vicky Bakery is hoping to have the new Orlando locations up and running at some point this Summer. For 50 years, Vicky Bakery’s Cuban roots and steadfast commitment to tradition have allowed the brand to stand out against the competition, passing along the love, time, and traditions that went into making pastries originally in 1972. Discover the family behind Vicky Bakery Antonio and Gelasia Cao fell in love over 50 years ago while working at Cuba’s most renowned bakery at the time, La Vencedora. The couple married and migrated to Miami as political exiles, and soon had enough money saved up to buy a small bakery in Hialeah. In 1972, Antonio and Gelasia opened Vicky Bakery. "I started making pastries here the way I made them in Cuba, and they’ve been incredibly successful," Antonio said. "To this day, we haven’t changed the recipe, and to this day it continues to be one of the better pastries that my clients say they have eaten." Vicky Bakery has remained a family business, Antonio and Gelasia’s children have expanded the bakery’s reach to over 20 different locations in South Florida, with plans to continue expanding. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida. You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, don't forget to subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

Winter Park has attracted yet another high profile brand name, with the exciting news that a Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Marlin Bar is bringing a slice of paradise to Winter Park Village at 510 Orlando Avenue, Winter Park. Expected to open before the end of this year, the Winter Park location of Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar will be the sixth in Florida. Guests can expect a scratch kitchen, signature cocktails, live music, and warm island vibes, plus a deep selection of Tommy Bahama legendary apparel and accessories. Expect a menu featuring salads and bowls, sandwiches, cheeseburger sliders, tacos, desserts and various cocktails. “Florida is a big part of our heritage and the essence of Tommy Bahama, we’re excited to expand our Marlin Bar concept here” said Doug Wood, CEO of Tommy Bahama. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida. You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, don't forget to subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

Gourmet self-serve salad bar chain Salad Station is looking to put down roots in Central Florida, and is taking its concept right up I-4 into Orlando. Salad Station has expanded and grown its pay-by-the-pound salad concept to 28 locations across five states, and the franchise led company is now looking for multi-unit operators to spearhead it's expansion across Central Florida. The self-serve salad bar offers 100+ items to choose from, with a hot bar, homemade soups, dressings, and more, meaning you can customize your meal exactly how you want and pay by the pound. In an interview with QSR, Co-Founder and CEO of Salad Station, Scott Henderson commented that “The active-outdoor lifestyle of the Orlando area is in need of the fast, delicious, farm-fresh ingredients Salad Station has to offer. Our brand delivers a unique customer experience that busy, health-conscious Orlando residents do not currently have as an option." If you are interested in partnering with Salad Station you should contact them now, as the company is seeking experienced Orlando business owners with an interest in expanding their current portfolio through a multi-unit partnership with Salad Station and who align with the family-focused culture of the brand. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida. You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, don't forget to subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

It's been a cold day here in Orlando with temperatures hovering around the mid 60's, and the unwelcome cold temperatures have forced the closure today of SeaWorld Orlando's Aquatica, and Universal's Volcano Bay water parks, while also delaying the reopening of Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World. All three water parks were scheduled to reopen tomorrow, Monday March 20, but now with lingering low temperatures of mid 60's expected again tomorrow, the water parks will not now reopen until Tuesday, March 21, when temperatures are forecast to rise to the mid 70's. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida. You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, don't forget to subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

Get ready for a trip down the rabbit hole here in Orlando. Take a fall up into High-T, where you will indulge in delightful potions, immerse yourself in elevated and interactive experiences and get lost in a wonderful wonderland... A brand new and immersive cocktail bar experience is coming to Downtown Orlando later this Spring, and Disney fans are going to love High-T. High-T wihich is described as a High Tea Room and Nighttime SpeakEasy, will pay homage to the classic children's story, Alice In Wonderland, with the company behind the project, Bar None Creations promising that the highly themed bar will blow our senses away! When guests walk into the new High-T, they will be walking straight into the imagination of storyteller Lewis Carol, with the immersive experience offering a variety of differently themed rooms, including the Red Queen’s Piano Lounge, Absolems VIP lounge, and Balcony Birdcages, which overlook Church Street. We can expect cocktails just as wonderfully strange as the story of Alice In Wonderland itself with the menu is broken into chapters, and as you move on from chapter to chapter, everything will get a little stranger! High-T will be located at 23 W Church Street, and is expected to open in early May this year, with reservations currently being accepting for an anticipated opening date of May 2. High-T is one of many downtown Orlando bars and clubs created by Bar None Creations, including Cocktails & Screams, at 39 West Pine Street, and 1-Up Orlando which opened last year in the same building that High-T will be located, with 1-Up on the ground floor, and High-T above. In an interview with The Orlando Business Journal, James Morrone, co-owner of Elevated Bar Management said “Alice in Wonderland was always something we had on the back burner. We were waiting for a space that would fulfill all of the desires we had with an outdoor element. This location has two outdoor elements — the balcony overlooking Church Street and the rooftop deck." He continued “Many of the cocktails at this location will take you out of your comfort zone with many different ingredients you wouldn’t normally find in cocktails. Our menu is broken into chapters just like the story of Alice, and as you move on from chapter to chapter, everything gets a little stranger.” “Our goal is to bring high-end entertainment experiences to downtown Orlando, bringing people to downtown who normally would not come this way,” Morrone said. Reportedly, High T will open in three phases throughout 2023, with the ultimate aim to obtain a Michelin Star. The first phase is set to include high-end craft cocktails and entertainment, with the second phase seeing the operating hours moved to earlier in the day, offering afternoon tea and pastries. The third and final phase will include opening the rooftop deck with croquet and a life-size chessboard, which is when High T also will begin to offer small-plate meals. For more information on High-T and the bars that have been created by Bar None creations, check out their website. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida. You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, don't forget to subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

It's a cold start to the day here in Orlando this morning with the temperature currently in the low 50's, and with temps not expected to reach more than 66F, Walt Disney World made the wize decision to delay reopening Typhoon Lagoon following wither maintenance until tomorrow, Monday, March 20, BUT that won't be happening, as the Florida weather is again refusing to play ball! With the weather still expected to remain cold tomorrow, with highs of 67F, Typhoon Lagoon has had its operating hours removed from the Walt Disney World website and app. Typhoon Lagoon, now has a reopening date of Tuesday, March 21, which seems likely to happen as temperatures will rise to the mid 70's on Tuesday. As a reminder, Blizzard Beach will be closed starting March 19 with no reopening date known at this time, possibly leaving Typhoon Lagoon as the only water park open at Walt Disney World throughout Spring and Summer at least. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida. You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, don't forget to subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

The U.K.'s favourite Saturday Night TV Show is returning to Orlando for a live broadcast this April for the finale of their 2023 season. ITV's Saturday Night Takeaway with Ant and Dec will be broadcasting live from Universal Orlando's CityWalk on Saturday, April 8, 2023 and UK passport holders in Orlando at the time are being invited to apply for free tickets to the be in the audience during the broadcast. The offers is available now on The Applause Store's website. To officially register your interest and be in for a chance of getting some free audience tickets, request now and our dedicated USA ApplauseStore Saturday Night Takeaway team could be dropping you an Official SNT Audience Attendance Form to be completed within the next couple of weeks. Please note: This is NOT for a 'Place on the Plane' ticket and is ONLY open to people who will already be in Orlando, Florida on or around Saturday, April 8th 2023 as no travel, accommodation, park tickets and/or parking ticket costs/expenses will be covered. In the build up to the season finale, the show is giving over 200 tickets away to the public for a flight to Orlando with British Airways, as well as the flights winners of the tickets will receive 6 nights accommodations at Endless Summer Resort Surfside Inn and Suites at Universal Orlando Resort, as well as tickets for the parks, and $2000 per person to spend on dining and shopping at Universal CityWalk! The winners flight will fly out from London Heathrow to Orlando International Airport in the days leading up to the Orlando broadcast, with the ticket winners from throughout the shows season in attendance at the live show in Orlando! This is not the first time that the show has ran this competition and broadcast live from Orlando, pre-pandemic the show has been broadcast live from Orlando several times, alternating between Universal Orlando Resort at CityWalk and on Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World. The show was last broadcast from Orlando five years ago. The popular presenters of the show, Anthony "Ant" McPartlin and Declan "Dec" Donnelly are the most successful TV presenters in the UK, and are actually in the Guinness Book Of Records for "the most National Television Awards won consecutively for Best Presenter" The award was presented in January 2019, and has since been broken 3 times by Ant and Dec themselves after they won the same award 3 years consecutively as of 13 October 2022, bringing the new record to 21. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida. You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, don't forget to subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

Brevard Zoo in Melbourne been voted the number three Zoo in North America by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice awards, and in addition their kayaking experiences were voted the number seven zoo exhibits as well. A panel of experts worked with 10Best’s editorial team to choose the nominees for each category and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Home to more than 900 animals, the AZA-accredited Brevard Zoo takes the zoo-going experience to adventurous new levels. Guests can zip-line through the jungles of South America or kayak through the African savanna or a restored Florida wetland. The zoo's kayaking experiences were voted the number seven zoo exhibits in the country! Brevard Zoo is the only one in the United States to offer a guided kayaking tour around an animal exhibit. Family members ages five and up can enjoy a guided trip on the Nyami Nyami River in the Brevard Zoo’s Expedition Africa exhibit, floating past giraffes, ostriches, impalas, lemurs, zebras and more. Take a self-guided kayak tour through the restored Wetlands area in the Wild Florida exhibit for a more adventurous trip. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida. You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, don't forget to subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

Orlando's rollercoaster spring weather is about to take a plunge yet again with temperatures dropping into the 50's by tomorrow morning, Sunday, March 19. The high will only reach 63F. Due to the expected low temperatures Seaworld's Aquatica Water Park is closed tomorrow, and scheduled to reopen Monday, March 20. Universal Orlando's Volcano Bay is also to remain closed tomorrow, and over at Walt Disney World the reopening of Typhoon Lagoon which has been closed for winter maintenance has been delayed until Monday. As of right now, temperatures are set to rise on Monday but could remain below 70F which could see the water parks delay opening until Tuesday when temperatures should rise to the mid 70's. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida. You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, don't forget to subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

The start to this weekend was pretty great, with temperatures into the 80's but don't let that fool you, Orlando's spring roller coaster weather is about to go over the top again, plunging us into the low 60's come Sunday! Due to the expected cold temperatures, Universal Orlando have decided to close Volcano Bay on Sunday. As of right now the water park is set to reopen Monday, but with temperatures expected to stay just below 70F we could see the park remaining closed on Monday too, before temps should rise to the mid 70's on Tuesday. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida. You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, don't forget to subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

Back in early 2021, the City of Orlando went public on its intentions to transform Downtown's Lake Eola. On behalf of the city, GAI’s Community Solutions Group (CSG) completed a Master Plan for the renovation of Lake Eola Park. The project consisted of a thorough review of existing park facilities and activities within the iconic Lake Eola Park. Analysis included the park’s uses within the context of the changing needs of downtown Orlando’s urban population, the role of Lake Eola Park within the larger region over the next 50 years, as well as comparisons to other iconic parks throughout the U.S. The result was a highly detailed Conceptual Development Plan that covered all aspects for significant improvements to Lake Eola Park. The city held a series of community and stakeholder engagement opportunities, including a citywide survey, to gather input on the park’s future. Fast forward to now, and on Thursday, March 16, the City of Orlando Appearance Review Board met to discuss the multi million dollar master plan that would transform every aspect of Lake Eola Park. A major aspect of the project would include huge upgrades to the Walt Disney Amphitheater that would see the Amphitheater expand capacity from 1,000 seats to 1,750, with the addition of covered canopies for the seating area, and a canopy over the Amphitheater. The entry plaza at Washington Street would also be expanded with a major landscaping project that would forever change the park, including interactive water features, splash pads and more. Also, with an eye on the many events that take place throughout the year at the park, more event space would be created. The plan also includes provisions for new and expanded restrooms by the amphitheater and by the playground on the east side of the park, with room for a concession stand, plus enhanced security and lighting, together stormwater upgrades and natural filtration measures put in place to keep the lake clean. The Lake Eola swan boat dock would be relocated to the southeast corner of the park, together with an expanded pier. The parks playground area would be completely redeveloped, as would the grill area. If the master plan is given the go ahead, the overall cost for the projects would be in the region of $31 million. Moving forward, another meeting has been set by the Orlando Appearance Review Board for April 20, where the Lake Eola Masterplan will be discussed further. As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida. You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, don't forget to subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.

TIME Magazine has named its World's Greatest Places for 2023 and it features many iconic destinations from around the world including Barcelona, The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, the French Polynesian Islands, Brisbane in Australia, Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, and the much closer to home, Tampa! The magazine describe Tampa as "a city eager to earn permanent status on travelers’ lists of sunny, accessible escapes worthy of a weekend stay, as a cutting-edge, multi-billion-dollar landmark development project redefines its downtown." TIME highlighted the Water Street project which includes the city’s first true five-star hotel, The Tampa EDITION (there are currently only five in the US, including one in Miami), with Michelin-starred chef John Fraser at the helm. Backed by Bill Gates and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, the project has already seen the Verge, its main pedestrian promenade, mushroom with restaurants like Boulon Brasserie, with spectacular interiors by a Montreal designer and ridiculously good escargot, and The Pearl, a stylish oyster bar across the street, as well as lifestyle hotels and residences including ROOST Apartment Hotel. The neighborhood was recently named the world’s first WELL-certified City District, too, thanks to its focus on sustainability and livability, and rentable electric scooters make it easy to zip around downtown. The development is at the crux of a downtown renaissance that’s seen Tampa finally take full advantage of what’s been here all along–water, water, everywhere, between the Hillsborough River and Tampa Bay. TIME also commented that Tampa was an entrepreneur- and millennial-magnet, with bleisure a way of life at spots like Sparkman Wharf, where top chefs proffer light bites and cocktails from within shipping containers astride a busy shipping canal, and Armature Works, a chic food hall inside a restored trolley warehouse along the 2.6-mile Tampa Riverwalk. Here is the complete list of Time's World's Greatest Places 2023 Dominica Barcelona Torres del Paine National Park in Chile Ladakh, India Churchill, Manitoba Aarhus, Denmark Roatán, Honduras Aqaba, Jordan Kyoto Musanze, Rwanda Luang Prabang. Laos Sylt, Germany Willamette Valley, Oregon Budapest Mayurbhanj, India Yosemite National Park in California Giza and Saqqara, Egypt Medellín, Columbia Isan, Thailand Freetown Peninsula, Sierra Leone Naples, Italy Kangaroo Island, Australia Vienna Bozeman, Mont Mexico City Dakar, Senegal Jeju Island, South Korea Berat, Albania Pantanal, Brazil Rabat, Morocco Loango National Park, Gabon Phuket, Thailand Dijon, France Tampa, Florida Rio Grande, P.R. Tucson, Ariz. Washington D.C. Vancouver Pantelleria, Italy St. Moritz, Switzerland Timisoara, Romania Brisbane, Australia Guadalajara, Mexico Ollantaytambo, Peru Nagoya, Japan Chyulu Hills, Kenya The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia Jerusalem Sharjah, UAE Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesisa As always, keep checking back with us here at Gotta Go Orlando as we continue to bring you the latest news and information from around Orlando and Central Florida. You can also discover our latest news, views, and more on our socials, follow Gotta Go Orlando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, don't forget to subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel for all the latest from Orlando's Theme Parks, Attractions and more. Please note: Some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn money if you purchase products or services via our site.