🌱 Local Attractions Thank Disney + Consumer Spending + Plastic Foam

Happy Saturday, neighbors! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny with a shower. High: 86 Low: 71.

Here are the top stories today in Orlando:

1. City of Orlando is creating a new Advanced Air Mobility Transportation Plan for flying cars. The planning process will happen over the next few months and comes after an announcement that Lake Nona got a new vertiport. (Bungalower)

2. Central Florida attractions are thanking Disney for bringing visitors to the area. ICON Park, Cypress Garden, and Gatorland are among the attractions that are paying homage to Disney as the theme park celebrates its 50th anniversary in Orlando. (Click Orlando)

3. Consumer spending grows: U.S. consumer spending accelerated in August despite a surge in COVID-19 cases from the Delta variant. Spending rose 0.8%, up from a previous decline in July. Inflation also has continued with prices rising 4.3% in the last year, the highest in more than three decades. (WFTV)

4. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is drafting a rule that would phase out the use of plastic foam products at stores. Fried said studies show that plastic foam is linked to health conditions including cancer, birth defects, vision and hearing loss, and more. (Florida Patch)

5. A Flagler County father whose 9-year-old child is hospitalized with COVID-19 believes that the blame lies with the local school board who voted down a mask mandate for schools. The battle over masks in Florida is ongoing. (WESH)

Today's Orlando Daily is brought to you by Ring. Joey was home alone when he collapsed on a hot day. Watch what helped save his life.

Today in Orlando:

• South Asian Film Festival at Enzian Theater. (all day)
• Downtown Orlando Pumpkin Patch. (9:00 AM)
• City of Apopka's Food Truck Wars. (12:00 PM)
• Oktoberfest at Redlight Redlight. (2:00 PM)
• Orlando City SC vs. D.C. United at Exploria Stadium. (7:30 PM)

Orlando Patch Notebook

• Downtown Orlando: "An oldie but a goodie. ⁠It's incredible to see how far we have come in the past 60 years. #DTO50 #TBT⁠" (Instagram)
• Orlando Food & Travel Guide: "We were invited to a media preview of the newest epic gourmet journey in town, #BCEpicurious, a curated progressive dining experience that features the diverse culinary specialties of @waldorforlando and @signiabonnetcreek all in one mag..." (Instagram)
• Orlando Health: "We are proud to announce the development of the Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute, a highly specialized gastrointestinal diagnostic and treatment program for patients with complex and general digestive and liver disorders. “The O..." (Facebook)
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer: "Small businesses help make Orlando more vibrant. Their success and growth deserves recognition. I’m glad I could be there recently to help Mecatos Bakery & Café owner Edwin Lurduy and his family celebrate the 1-year anniversary of their ..." (Facebook)
• City of Orlando - Government: ""I want to work at EA because it has games that I actually play." - 9-year-old Khaidyn Johnson Khaidyn doesn't just want to play video games, he sees himself creating them someday. Thanks to EA's recent installation of video game console..." (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Add your business here

Events:

• American Freedom Tour (October 8)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update! If you're feeling these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orlando Daily? You can reach me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.