More than 120 restaurants are participating in this year's Magical Dining restaurant event, sponsored annually by Visit Orlando. That's more than has ever participated before. Restaurants from the tourism corridor are joining eateries from downtown Orlando, nearby Winter Park and other dining hubs throughout Central Florida to bring $35 three- or four-course, prix fixe menus to locals and visitors alike.
In past years, the event was called "Magical Dining Month" and ran throughout September. This year, it spans two months (Aug. 23 to Sept. 30) and is simply known as Magical Dining.
President and CEO of Visit Orlando George Aguel sat down with me to discuss the evolution of the 14-year-old Magical Dining event, the return on investment a destination sees from such promotions and why this year's event is a milestone for Central Florida's dining scene.
"Orlando's reputation as a dining destination has evolved over the years, and our options now include menus from local James Beard Foundation Award nominees and celebrity chefs alike," Aguel said. Celebrity chef restaurant participating in this year's event include Jose Andres' Jaleo, which recently opened at Disney Springs; Todd English's BlueZoo; and the new Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill.
When asked about the success and growth of the event over the last decade and a half, Aguel said that it's "so successful because it exposes visitors to new experiences in a destination they already love."
He said that as soon as the menus are released to the public, participating restaurants start seeing reservations. From a tourism standpoint, Aguel said that it encourages a broader spend; entices visitors to experience areas of Orlando they may not have visited before, like downtown; and helps generate revenue during the September off-season.
If a guest prefers to stay in the tourism corridor (International Drive, Universal Orlando Resort, or the Lake Buena Vista area) to dine, the options are "highly experiential, meaning the entertainment and ambience is often just as memorable as the food," Aguel said. He also mentions the diversity of the tourism corridor's dining options. "The International Drive and nearby 'Restaurant Row' area [on Sand Lake Road] includes Irish, Indian, Ethiopian, Asian, Brazilian, Colombian and Peruvian options."
Aguel touted the event as a way to add "authenticity" to a visitor's Orlando experience. The "locally owned restaurants and distinct personalities of these neighborhood districts can make a vacation here even more memorable," he said. "You get to enjoy the creativity and hospitality of our local residents."
I asked Aguel what travel advisors should ask their clients when starting to sift through the 125 restaurant options available for this year's Magical Dining. "Proximity, preferred cuisine and dietary restrictions are a good start," he said. Most of the neighborhoods outside the tourism corridor are about a 20-to-30-minute drive. If someone has a rental car or a budget for ride-share and is interested in exploring more of Orlando's neighborhoods, they could visit the downtown area or charming Winter Park for dinner.
The website, MagicalDining.com, breaks down options by location, and visitors can preview the full menus and make reservations right on the site. Reservations are recommended but not required, and guests should ask for the Magical Dining menu on arrival at the restaurant.