The Venetian Chop House

New features include ‘Chef’s Creation’ Specials and Favorites Tool

Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining returns to celebrate 16 “sweet” years of showcasing some of Orlando’s best cuisine while supporting local restaurants and charities. From Aug. 27 – Oct. 3, more than 80 of Orlando’s fine dining restaurants will offer a $37 three-course, prix-fixe dinner menu. Menus for most participating restaurants are now live at MagicalDining.com so diners can plan ahead, make reservations and explore exclusive hotel offers as part of the new Magical Nights program enhancement. Additional menus will be added in the coming weeks.  

“Now in its 16th year, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining continues to evolve with new features to make it easier for diners to research restaurant options, share plans and recommendations with others and even create a weekend getaway,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO for Visit Orlando. “Magical Dining is an important program for our community because of both the money raised for charitable organizations and the support it provides to our local restaurants, who are still working hard to recover from a challenging year.” 

I am so excited for Behind The Attraction, a new series which starts airing on Disney + on July 21. The new show comes from the pop culture powerhouse The Nacelle Company and Brian Volk Weiss, the creator/producer of the Netflix hits Down To Earth with Zac Efron, The Movies That Made Us, and The Toys That Made Us.

The new 10-part series gives an exclusive peek behind the curtain of the most beloved attractions and destinations at Disney Parks and Resorts around the world, from Jungle Cruise to “it’s a small world” to the Haunted Mansion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The series delves into Disney Parks’ rich, amazing history using archival and never-before-seen footage and photographs to unveil how the attractions came to be and how they’ve been refined over the years as new ideas surface and technology evolves. July 21 on Disney+ five episodes will launch and five additional episodes are coming later this year.  

Summertime is always thrilling at SeaWorld as guests flock to the park to enjoy up-close animal encounters, ride thrilling coasters and enjoy fan-favorite events like Electric Ocean. This year, there is another reason to celebrate! 

Photo: SeaWorld Entertainment

Beginning Nov. 12, festive entertainment, whimsical décor, seasonal food and drinks, special merchandise and more will all be a part of the 2021 holiday season across Walt Disney World Resort. Here is a first look at the merrymaking to come this year as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honoring the resort’s 50th anniversary.

(David Roark, photographer)

Magic Kingdom Park

• Main Street, U.S.A., will be decked for the holidays with seasonal décor.
• In the evening, special holiday projections will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle, alternating periodically throughout the night with the castle’s transformation into a Beacon of Magic as part of the park’s 50thanniversary celebration.*
• “Disney Very Merriest After Hours,” a new specially ticketed event, begins Nov. 8 and continues on select nights through the holiday season. The four-hour experience with feature “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,” Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and décor, treats included and much more. The event will be open to a limited number of guests after regular park operating hours, with lower wait times on more than 20 available attractions. Tickets will go on sale in August, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Disney Resort hotels.