What's Happening in Central Florida
Halloween season is in full swing across every theme park, EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival runs through November, a buyer-friendly real estate market with supply pushing toward 5 months, and the Amendment 3 property tax vote is three weeks away. This is what it means to live in Central Florida right now.
🎃 Coming Up: October-November 2026
Halloween season has taken over Central Florida. Here is what is happening through the end of fall.
🎬 Haunted Houses
Halloween Horror Nights: Universal's Biggest Scare Event Wraps November 1
Universal's legendary Halloween Horror Nights continues on select nights through November 1. Multiple haunted houses, outdoor scare zones, and live entertainment transform Universal Studios Florida after dark. Separately ticketed. Not recommended for young children.
Get Tickets →
🚸 School Zone Cameras
Speed Cameras Are Coming to Orlando School Zones — Here's What to Know
The City of Orlando's school-zone speed camera program began its warning period on October 5 across 20 schools, with real enforcement starting November 30. Orange County is rolling out its own program in 12 schools this year, with roughly 32 more locations planned over the next two years and a target of full enforcement by January 2027. Violations carry a $100 civil penalty mailed to the registered vehicle owner, with no license points. If you're driving through a school zone on the way to a showing, slow down now, since enforcement is only weeks away.
City of Orlando Info →👻 Still Running: Halloween & Food Festival Season
These fall favorites are already underway and run through the end of October and into November.
🍷 Food Festival
EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival: 25+ Global Marketplaces
One of Central Florida's most beloved annual events returns starting August 27 and runs through November 21. More than 25 international marketplace kiosks serve tapas-sized regional specialties with wine and beer pairings from around the world. Live concerts at the America Gardens Theatre, culinary demos, and new dishes every year. Included with EPCOT park admission.
EPCOT Info →
🎃 Halloween
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: After-Dark Magic Kingdom
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns on select nights through October 31 at Magic Kingdom. Exclusive rides with shorter wait times, trick-or-treating throughout the park, the Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show, and special character meet-and-greets. Separate ticket required. Book early, popular dates sell out.
Disney Info →
🎃 Family Halloween
SeaWorld Spooktacular: Family-Friendly Halloween Weekends Through November 1
SeaWorld Spooktacular is back starting August 29, running weekends through November 1. A family-friendly Halloween celebration with themed shows, trick-or-treating, spooky character encounters, and special Halloween-themed food. Included with park admission — no separate ticket required. Perfect for younger kids who want the Halloween vibe without the scare factor.
Event Info →
👻 Adults/Teens
SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream: Haunted Houses, Scare Zones, and Live Entertainment
SeaWorld's adult Halloween event runs select nights September 11 through October 31. Multiple haunted houses, outdoor scare zones throughout the park, live Halloween entertainment, and a completely transformed atmosphere after dark. Separately ticketed — this is not included with standard park admission. Best for teens and adults looking for genuine Halloween scares.
Get Tickets →
🎄 Holiday Season
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Returns November 8
Disney's holiday after-hours party kicks off select nights starting November 8 and runs through December 22 at Magic Kingdom. Expect snow falling on Main Street, the Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, holiday fireworks, cookies and cocoa stations, and extended character meet-and-greets. Tickets run $189 to $229 depending on the date and popular nights sell out, so book early if you're hosting out-of-town family this winter.
Get Tickets →
🎢 Now Open
Universal's Epic Universe: Five Worlds, Still Drawing Record Crowds
Epic Universe opened in May 2025 and is now in its first full year of operation, still drawing record crowds well into fall. Five fully immersive worlds including Super Nintendo World, Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe anchor the park. Book tickets well in advance, especially with Halloween Horror Nights crowds in town. Weekday visits are your best bet for shorter waits.
Plan Your Visit →
📋 New Law
New Florida Laws July 1: Insurance Rate Cuts, Tax Refunds, and HOA Reforms
Big wins for Florida homeowners and buyers: Citizens Insurance cut rates an average of 8.8% (multiperil) and 5.5% (wind-only). Homeowners can claim up to a $500 sales tax refund on impact-resistant windows and doors installed through June 2029. Save Our Homes portability expanded to 3 years. HOAs can no longer require a building permit before reviewing your improvement applications. A protected series LLC structure also became available for real estate investors. Full list via ClickOrlando.
See All New Laws →
🏛️ Tax Laws
Two New Florida Property Tax Laws Every Homeowner Needs to Know Right Now
SB 4F (signed, in effect now): Limits county and city tax millage rates to the rolled-back rate each year unless a 2/3 board vote approves an increase. Your TRIM notice already reflects this limit. Amendment 3 (NOT yet law — November 3 ballot): Would raise the homestead exemption in phases from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%. A judge ordered the ballot summary rewritten in August after ruling it read like a political slogan; the state released revised language on August 13. It still needs 60% voter approval, and school district taxes are excluded. This has NOT taken effect — it must pass the ballot first.
Read Full Analysis →
Food & Dining
Eola Food Hall: Downtown Orlando's Most Exciting New Dining Destination
Fifteen thousand square feet of culinary creativity steps from Lake Eola. Ten vendors, a wine room speakeasy, fine dining, and panoramic views of the water. Whether you're grabbing lunch before an open house or planning a date night, this is the spot right now.
Explore →
Local News
Lake Nona West Is Coming: Target, Nordstrom Rack, Total Wine and Much More
The massive 405,000+ square foot Lake Nona West center opens in November 2026, bringing Target, Nordstrom Rack, Total Wine, Barnes and Noble, Sprouts, and a full AdventHealth campus to the southern side of Lake Nona. Property values in the area are already responding.
Read More →
🏠 Market Update
Central Florida Market Update: Supply Climbs to 4.9 Months — This Is a Buyer's Market Now
The Central Florida market has shifted further toward buyers. ORRA's most recent report puts the median sale price at $400,676 (down from $410,494 the prior month), with months of supply up to 4.9 from 4.4. Active inventory sits at roughly 12,144 homes, and the average home is taking about 64 days to sell. Zillow's home value index shows the average Orlando home around $371,120, down about 1.4% year-over-year. Mortgage rates remain elevated, with Freddie Mac's 30-year average near 7.3% as of early October. Buyers have more room to negotiate than they have in years.
Get Your Home Value →
🐊 Only in Florida
Gatorland: Florida's Most Iconic Wildlife Park Is Always in Season
Thousands of alligators, exotic birds, zip lines over gator pools, and wildlife shows that you just cannot find anywhere else. It is genuinely and authentically Florida. Way less crowded than the theme parks, way more memorable for out-of-town guests. Under $30 admission.
Plan Your Visit →Orlando's 5 Growth Corridors Reshaping Central Florida
From master-planned agrihoods to 26,000-acre mega-communities, here is where Central Florida is growing — and what it means for property values, commutes, and where to buy right now.
Everbee: Pedestrian-Friendly Community at 417/528 Corridor
Located at the SR-417/528 interchange in southeast Orange County, Everbee is a walkable, connectivity-focused master-planned community with pedestrian mews and new construction starting from the low $400s. Excellent MCO access makes it popular with frequent flyers and healthcare workers.
The Grow: Orlando's $2B Agrihood Near UCF
A $2 billion farm-to-table master-planned community near UCF with 2,100+ homes by Pulte, broke ground February 2026. Working farms, community gardens, trails, and a walkable village center are integrated into the plan. One of the most unique residential concepts in Central Florida's history.
Sunbridge: Tavistock's 26,000-Acre Mega-Community Southeast of Lake Nona
Tavistock Development's 26,000-acre master-planned community southeast of Lake Nona is one of the largest land developments in Florida history — planned for up to 35,000 homes long-term. Early phases are active now. Buyers looking for the "next Lake Nona" are watching this one closely.
Wellness Way: Southern Lake County's Fastest-Growing Corridor
The Wellness Way corridor in southern Lake County is gaining serious momentum as land-constrained Orange County buyers look west. More affordable price points, new roads, and proximity to the Turnpike and 429 make it an increasingly attractive alternative to Clermont or Winter Garden.
Ovation at Horizon West: The Final Village, Near Disney's West Side
Ovation is the southernmost planned village in the Horizon West master plan, positioned near Disney's west side. As the last major undeveloped section of one of Central Florida's most popular planned communities, early buyers here are betting on appreciation as infrastructure builds out around them.
Downtown Walkability Projects: Magnolia Ave & Church Street Transformations
Magnolia Avenue converted to a two-way street starting February 2026, improving neighborhood connectivity near Thornton Park. Church Street is getting a full festival street transformation — a curbless roadway for pedestrians, events, and outdoor dining — with construction completing winter 2026. Downtown Orlando is investing in walkability like never before.
Theme Park Deals & Insider Tips
Walt Disney World
Florida residents enjoy exclusive seasonal discounts at Walt Disney World. Check disneyworld.com/floridaresident for current pricing. Fall means Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (through October 31) and EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival (through November 21), both with separate or included admission depending on the event.
Pro Tip: Book early. Florida resident rates and special offers sell out quickly. Not a Florida resident? Standard tickets run $109-$159/day.
Universal Orlando
Universal offers 3-Park and 4-Park annual passes from $399. Epic Universe is now fully operational, and Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights through November 1. Book advance reservations, especially for Horror Nights weekends.
Pro Tip: Epic Universe is in its first full year and fall brings Horror Nights crowds on top of it. Book weekday visits for shorter wait times and the best experience.
Lesser-Known Orlando Attractions Worth Your Time
Gatorland
Florida's most iconic and unique wildlife park. Thousands of gators, exotic birds, zip lines over gator pools, and wildlife shows. Less crowded than theme parks, more authentically "Florida." Under $30 admission.
ICON Park
Free to enter the park itself. Pay-per-ride for the massive Orlando Eye observation wheel, immersive museum exhibits, thrill rides, and restaurants. A hidden gem on International Drive that locals love.
Wild Florida
Airboat rides through the real Florida wilderness: swamps, wildlife, nature. Just 30 minutes from Disney. An authentic Central Florida experience you won't get anywhere else.
Orlando Developments & Local News
This city never sits still. Here's what's shaping Central Florida right now.
Westcourt: Downtown Orlando's $1B+ Mixed-Use Entertainment District
Westcourt is breaking ground in 2026 adjacent to the Kia Center, a massive mixed-use district bringing a hotel, office towers, retail, and residential to the heart of downtown Orlando. A 24/7 entertainment district that's already driving up surrounding property values.
See full development analysis →
Church Street Festival Street: Downtown Orlando's New Entertainment Spine
Orange Avenue to I-4 is actively under construction as the City of Orlando transforms Church Street into a pedestrian festival corridor. Outdoor performance venues, expanded dining and nightlife, public art installations, and enhanced streetscaping. Expected completion: late 2026.
See full development analysis →
Lake Nona West: 405,000 Sq Ft of Retail, Dining & AdventHealth Campus
The 380-acre Dowden Central CDD is approved and moving toward a November 2026 opening. Lake Nona West brings Target, Nordstrom Rack, Total Wine, Sprouts, and a full AdventHealth hospital campus, instantly becoming Central Florida's most comprehensive new lifestyle center.
See full development analysis →Orlando's Hottest Spots Right Now
Restaurants, bars, and experiences that locals actually go to.
Eola Food Hall
10 culinary concepts, a speakeasy, and panoramic Lake Eola views. Downtown Orlando's most anticipated dining destination of 2026.
Still Lounge at Pointe Orlando
An elevated cocktail lounge blending premium spirits and hip-hop energy, curated by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Pointe Orlando's newest crown jewel.
Maxine's on Shine
The city's most beloved neighborhood brunch spot in Colonialtown. Fried green tomatoes, crab cakes, and weekend crowds that prove it lives up to the hype.
Pomelo by Hung Huynh
Top Chef Season 3 winner Hung Huynh brought Southeast Asian live-fire flavors to Orlando's Mills 50 district this spring, and it has quickly become one of the most talked-about restaurants of the year.
The Glass Knife on Park Avenue
The beloved Winter Park dessert institution just opened its second location on Park Avenue. Breakfast, brunch, coffee, and pastries in a stunning setting.
Eastwood Restaurant
3,300 sq ft of wood-burning grill culture. Meats, fish, and vegetables kissed by fire. One of Orlando's most talked-about new dining concepts.
There Has Never Been a Better Time to Be in Central Florida
Everything you've read on this page is why people are moving here. Strong growth, world-class lifestyle, diverse communities, and incredible real estate opportunity. Let's find your place in it.
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