Beyond Disney: The Best New Restaurants in Orlando Right Now
Tracy Grady, the restaurant's general manager, presented the black-walnut box with an actor's flourish. Through the glass lid, I studied the 11 pairs of luxurious chopsticks, in designs ranging from jet black to geometric white and blue blossoms; one had handles shaped vaguely like chicken drumsticks.
Maybe it was because I was in Orlando, at the highly accomplished Ômo by Jônt in tony Winter Park, but I couldn't help comparing the chopstick presentation to the wands in the Harry Potter lands at Universal's nearby theme parks. Both venues understand the value of theatrics.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNBC
27 minutes ago
- CNBC
Why Disney and Universal are investing billions into their theme parks
The Walt Disney Company and Universal, two of the biggest names in theme parks, are both undertaking historic expansions to their experiences businesses. Universal Orlando Resort in May opened the gates to Epic Universe, its fourth theme park at its flagship resort. Epic cost an estimated $7 billion to build, according to numbers provided by the University of Central Florida. Brian Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Universal parent company Comcast, called it the "single-largest investment Comcast NBCUniversal has made in its theme park business". "It's so different than anything else that we've ever built, but certainly I think it's different than anything anyone's ever built," said Karen Irwin, Universal Orlando President and COO. Epic's opening coincides with an expansion of Universal Orlando's resort portfolio, adding three Loews hotels to bring its total to 11 operated on the property. Universal is betting that the addition of Epic will turn the resort into a full-week destination, a distinction that is normally reserved for its crosstown neighbor, Walt Disney World. Not to be upstaged, Disney is working on a historic undertaking of its own. In 2023, Disney announced plans to invest $60 billion in its experiences segment, which includes theme parks, cruise ships and consumer products. Of that investment, $30 billion will go to its domestic theme parks, Disney World and Disneyland. "We've got a lion's share of that investment coming to us," said Michael Hundgen, portfolio executive creative producer with Walt Disney Imagineering. "It's about finding what strikes the best creative intent in the most value oriented way possible." These investments come at a time when both Disney and Comcast are paring down or spinning off their linear TV segments, an arena that has seen volatility in recent years. By comparison, theme parks have been consistent revenue drivers for the companies in the post-COVID tourism bounce. However, the timing of these openings and expansions could prove challenging for both theme parks. Epic's opening summer coincides with fears of a travel slowdown due to economic volatility. "If you're uncertain how the economy is going to develop, then you're going to try to be more cautious in your spending," said Jorge Ridderstaat, associate professor at UCF's Rosen College of Hospitality Management.
Gizmodo
a day ago
- Gizmodo
LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle at Black Friday Price, Amazon Clearing Shelves Before Summer Starts
The most popular LEGO licence is Harry Potter (followed closely by Star Wars) and it is a line whose sets rarely receive significant markdowns on the official LEGO site. So when there is any kind of price drop, especially on popular sets like the Hogwarts Castle and Grounds, it's a big deal with collectors and fans. Amazon has become the go-to place for grabbing these rare deals, and right now, the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts castle is priced at an all-time low of $144 from its $169 list price. This is a highly unusual opportunity (as official retailers almost never offer such discounts) and Amazon's stock is selling out fast even in the middle of summer. If you're a Harry Potter enthusiast or looking for the perfect gift for a LEGO-loving adult, now is the moment to act before the deal disappears. See at Amazon Why You Should Consider Buying It? The LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds (76419) is a nicely crafted display model designed specifically for adult builders. With 2,660 pieces, this set offers an immersive building experience that brings the magic of the Wizarding World into your home. In contrast to other massive Hogwarts structures, this one is a more humble and modest micro-scale version. It takes up much less room than the massive micro-scale Hogwarts Castle (71043), so it is ideal for collectors who want a highly detailed centerpiece without overwhelming their shelves. The intentional design and small footprint of the set have made it a favorite among adult fans who appreciate both the challenge and display value. The model includes all of the most recognizable locations from within the Harry Potter universe: Main Tower, Astronomy Tower, Great Hall, Boathouse, courtyards, greenhouses, pathways, and bridges, as well as the jagged terrain and the Black Lake. Inside the castle, you'll find recognizable rooms such as the Chamber of Secrets, the Chamber of the Winged Keys, the Potions Room, and the Chessboard Room. The inclusion of these detailed interiors allows you to relive memorable scenes from the films and books, which make the set a true celebration of Harry Potter lore. You will also love the gold-colored mini-figure of the Hogwarts builder which can be situated next to the 'Hogwarts Castle' nameplate or across from the corner of the baseplate, completing the magical centerpiece. The box itself is a perfect blend of display and collectible, something to be observed from all angles. This LEGO Hogwarts Castle is a must-have for any Harry Potter – and LEGO fan. This sale won't last long, make sure you grab yours before it runs out of stock. See at Amazon
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
This crime thriller starring Daniel Craig and Tom Hardy just arrived on Paramount Plus — and it's a must-watch
Looking through all the new shows and movies on Paramount Plus this month, a name jumped out at me: "Layer Cake." Now, that title might not be familiar to you. The 2004 crime thriller made a whopping $11.8 million at the box office. But it features a lot of names you're probably familiar with. It stars Daniel Craig, pre-James Bond, as a cocaine dealer who hates violence and just wants out of the game. One of his associates? A young Tom Hardy. There's also Michael Gambon, who you probably know best as Albus Dumbledore from the third through eighth "Harry Potter" films, but in this movie is a ruthless crime lord. And it's all directed by Matthew Vaughn, doing his best Guy Ritchie impression before he'd go on to make "Kick-Ass" and "Kingsman: The Secret Service." So if you're looking for something to watch after the epic "MobLand" finale or just need a great movie to watch this weekend, here's why you need to check out "Layer Cake on Paramount Plus. As I already mentioned, "Layer Cake" stars Daniel Craig as XXXX, a successful cocaine dealer who wants out of the coke business and to retire to a quite life. There's just one problem: his boss. XXXX works for Jimmy Price (Kenneth Cranham), who needs some things done before our lead can enjoy some peace and quiet. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. First, Jimmy needs our otherwise unnamed protagonist to find Charlie (Nathalie Lunghi), a drug-addicted runaway with a connected father. He also needs a drug deal completed with the Duke (Jamie Foreman), who is offering up $1 million in ecstasy tablets to Jimmy. Of course, none of this goes to plan, and now XXXX is having to navigate the layers of London's criminal underworld to get the job done and get out. Daniel Craig has many iconic performances under his belt at this point. The handsome and deadly James Bond, the brilliant detective Benoit Blanc and a dancing diva in Taika Waititi's Belvedere vodka advertisement, just to name a few. But his performance in "Layer Cake" might be my favorite of them all. It's a perfect blend of wit and being cool under pressure. In many ways, it's similar to the performance he'd later give in 2006 in "Casino Royale." His performance in "Layer Cake" is sometimes even cited as why he was cast as James Bond in 2005, though others say EON Productions had their eyes on Craig as early as 1996. Still, the performance in "Layer Cake" is slightly more grounded than the one Craig gives in his first Bond movie, and not quite as bleak as the one he gives in "Quantum of Solace." It lacks the cockiness of Bond, while still making sure the audience knows Craig is the smartest man in the room. Yes, others in this movie are well worth watching — Gambon is particularly excellent, and Hardy, Sienna Miller, Colm Meany and George Harris are plenty good — but it's still Craig who steals the movie from the beginning and never lets go. "Layer Cake" is also, simply put, a great crime thriller. If you like Guy Ritchie movies or Matthew Vaughn's other work, then you'll easily find yourself enjoying it. And it has a killer soundtrack that's almost worth the price of admission on its own. There's no reason not to check it out now that it's available to stream on Paramount Plus. Stream "Layer Cake" now on Paramount Plus Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
