In this edition of the Orlando Media Newsletter, see where you can view Orlando’s newest mural representing everything that makes the destination unique, discover fun ways to celebrate Mom this Mother’s Day and learn where in Orlando you can recognize Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May through food, arts and cultural events, and more.  

For additional information or interview requests, contact: media@visitorlando.com.  

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Trending Orlando Topics 

  • New Mural by Local Artist Debuts – Orlando has a knack for helping visitors and locals achieve that perfect Instagram photo. Adding to the countless murals in the Mills 50 District, the world-renowned sculptures at the Lake Nona Sculpture Garden and beyond, Orlando welcomed yet another Insta-worthy backdrop last week. A new mural honoring so much of what makes Orlando “Unbelievably Real” debuted on April 7 at the corner of Orange Avenue and Pine Street in Downtown Orlando. 

  • Celebrate Mother’s Day in Orlando – Featuring unique dining, theme park events and outdoor experiences for treating Mom like royalty, Orlando boasts countless ways to honor Mom this Mother’s Day. 

  • Eateries across the destination will serve Mother’s Day brunch and dinner specials, including Hamilton’s Kitchen, Taverna Opa and Tapa Toro. 

  • Treat Mom to food and fun at two popular theme park events: EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort and Viva La Música at SeaWorld Orlando. 

  • Flowers and natural beauty pair perfectly with Mother’s Day, and you can see both at public parks and unique outdoor attractions throughout Orlando at little to no cost. Favorites include Harry P. Leu Gardens (offering free admission for moms), Lake Eola Park (with its weekly farmers market on Sunday) and West Orange Trail (perfect for a bike ride to historic downtown Winter Garden).  

  • Recognize Asian Pacific American Culture in Orlando – Orlando's strong Asian-Pacific cultural influence offers countless ways to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May.  

  • Orlando is home to a vibrant Vietnamese community. When refugees fleeing the Vietnam War settled in Orlando during the 1970s, they built businesses, homes, churches and families, particularly in the downtown area, becoming an integral part of our community in the process. Today, second-, third- and fourth-generation Vietnamese Americans help shape Central Florida. Vietnamese influence is particularly evident in downtown Orlando’s multicultural Mills 50 dining and entertainment district, which features numerous Vietnamese restaurants, retailers and service-providers. 

  • Mills 50 is a vibrant cultural hub with local eateries including Sticky Rice, Tori Tori, Ming’s Bistro, Nha Trang Subs, Chuan Lu Garden, Z Asian, Royaltea, Shin Jung and more. The cuisine across the city represents the Chinese, Asian-Indian, Korean, Filipino, Japanese, Indonesian, Thai, Laotian, Pakistani, Vietnamese and many other communities that make Orlando the diverse and eclectic city that it is.  

  • While people of Vietnamese descent make up the largest portion of Orlando’s AAPI population, many other cultures and countries are represented, including sizable Chinese, Asian-Indian, Filipino and Korean communities, plus smaller groups representing Thailand, Laos, Japan, Indonesia and Pakistan, among others. Accordingly, Orlando is home to a wide range of authentic Asian-owned eateries and other businesses, not just in the Mills 50 district but all over town.  

  • For Asian bakeries, Vietnamese sandwich shops, Korean BBQ and Japanese vegan spots, guests can also visit Winter Park, West Orlando and Downtown Orlando-area Districts.  

  • The Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida is set to host its Asian Cultural Festival Celebration that showcases a variety of Asian-American cultures and serve as a fundraising event for the Asian Student Achiever’s Scholastic Awards.  

  • Information on upcoming celebrations, art exhibits and cultural performances can be found here. 
     

What’s New and Upcoming Around Orlando

  • The Alfond Inn in Winter Park will open a new wing – adding 71 new guest rooms, The Spa at The Alfond Inn, a new café, and additional events space – in August just in time for the hotel’s 10th anniversary. 

  • Croc Rock – a new interactive experience at Gatorland – challenges visitors to climb the 32-foot rock, cross a swing bridge and ride a 150-ft zipline.  

  • Dezerland Park Orlando opened two new family-friendly attractions, Virtual Reality Arena and Laser Tag Maze, as well as an all-you-can-eat cereal experience, MILK The House of Cereal. 

  • Orlando Fringe will launch “The Collective,” an 18-month incubator program for Central Florida-based artists. The program will aid emerging artists and organizations produce full-run productions at the Fringe ArtSpace venue year-round.  


Did You Know? 

Orlando ranked among the safest cities in the world for female solo travelers, according to travel metasearch website WayAway.