u/Gallogator1

I would like to purchase a package with half Mardi Gras and half French onion. Can they combine the two flavors? Is this allowed in the Publix Deli if they are the same price this week (12.99)?

I do realize I can buy one of each package but I am single and don’t want to have to freeze a bunch of wings.

As reported by Sarah Kinbar in the Orlando Sentinel 8/19

Plans for Mattel’s first toy-themed indoor water park have expanded since the project was announced last year, adding height, acreage, parking, and a separate entertainment and support building to the proposed attraction near Walt Disney World.

New development plans for Mattel Wonder filed with Orange County show a 94,975-square-foot indoor water park that could reach 99 feet high, compared with the 60-foot-tall building shown in the original concept. But it has still not been disclosed how Mattel’s slate of eye-catching brands will feature in Central Florida’s first under-roof aquatic playland.
The project team requested county approval for a maximum building height of 100 feet. The team includes Orlando-based themed entertainment design firm Martin Aquatic, civil engineer Kimley-Horn and Associates, Project Luong Architects, and landscape architect LandDesign.

The attraction is planned at 15301 State Road 535, immediately south of Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores and near the Orange-Osceola county line. The development site has increased from approximately 11 acres to 13.48 acres.

Mattel and Martin Aquatic announced the venture in November as one of five planned Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks. The parks are intended to bring Mattel brands such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, Thomas & Friends, and Uno to life through water attractions and themed environments.

Martin Aquatic President and Creative Director Josh Martin told GrowthSpotter that while he isn’t in a position to speak to individual elements while the design is still being finalized, he’s excited about the ways the project is unfolding.

“As with any project of this scale, the design has continued to evolve as we work collaboratively with Mattel and its designers through all the elements on this Orlando flagship project alongside our partners,” he said. “The updates reflected in the latest submittal are the product of that process, refining the guest experience, improving how the spaces relate to one another, and making sure that what ultimately gets built is the strongest version of this project.”

The updated plans introduce a 45,718-square-foot building labeled “FEC/IWP support” alongside the indoor water park. The new structure also could reach 99 feet, according to the plans.

The park would feature a curved, translucent roof designed to bring natural light into the building. Canada-based OpenAire, which specializes in retractable-roof structures, had been selected for the project when the initial plans were revealed.

Architectural renderings provide the most detailed look yet at the attraction’s exterior. A large network of enclosed slides would extend outside the southern and eastern sides of the water park before returning to the building. The plans also identify a separate wave tower near the southeastern portion of the site.

The amount of retail space planned for the attraction has decreased from 11,400 square feet to 6,622 square feet.
The updated plan provides 876 parking spaces, up from 752 in the January concept. It also includes a designated rideshare and passenger drop-off area near the entertainment and support building.

The plans estimate the attraction would employ 200 people.

The project would have vehicle connections with the adjoining outlet center property and an entrance near Polynesian Isle Boulevard. Fencing and controlled-access gates would separate portions of the water park complex from the surrounding development.

The vacant property was previously proposed for a roughly 110,000-square-foot second phase of Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, but that development never moved forward.

The latest plans remain conceptual and could change as the project moves through Orange County’s review process.

I am a frequent Publix shopper and buy my fruit off the shelf. This article encourages shoppers to take a piece of fruit to a Publix produce clerk and ask them to slice it with the expectation they will pay the fruit price, not the cut food price per pound. I think it is going to encourage people to try this “hack.”

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Excerpts:

The customer-service perk isn’t widely advertised, but Publix confirmed it may be available upon request.

Some Publix stores will cut whole produce — like watermelon and cabbage — for customers on request, allowing shoppers to skip the mess of preparing large fruits like watermelon at home.

Customers pay the same price by weight as they would for the whole fruit, avoiding the premium typically charged for pre-cut fruit.

Because the service depends on store procedures and the type of request, availability may vary by location and is not guaranteed.

“As a customer convenience, our produce departments may cut certain items upon request when it can be done in accordance with store procedures,” Maria Brous, Publix’s director of communications, told Food & Wine. “Requests are evaluated based on the item and the nature of the service being requested, and ones that involve more extensive preparation may be directed to comparable fresh-cut products already available for purchase or priced consistent with our prepared cut-fruit offerings.”

I have noticed several political signs placed along I-4 East bound (South of JYP) and near the exits that have been erected on government land. The ones I noticed this election cycle are big on wooden stakes and have American flags waving on each end. These can’t be cheap.

In Florida, it is illegal to place political campaign signs on public rights-of-way (such as roads, medians, and sidewalks) under Section 106.1435(3) and Chapter 479.11(8) of the Florida Statutes. These laws are strictly enforced by the Florida Department of Transportation and local law enforcement.

However in this case no one has touched these signs. All political offices come with responsibility and this particular office will impact children.

So does someone deserve my vote if already they are bending the rules? This is not my first election but driving around I see these signs over and over. It’s like I am looking for them now and deciding ok that’s in a business and acceptable but most are not.

I know the DOT has better things to do than drive around and police political signs.

FYI - July 20, today, is the last day to register to vote in the August Orange County election.

Also if you have a new Driver’s license since July 2024 make sure your voter registration is updated with the new drivers license number. You can do this online.

Spam is BOGO at Publix this week and I’ve been wanting to make some Spam fried rice or musubi for sometime.

I checked r/cannedspam for recipes and plan to buy a couple deals.

Rank your favorite flavors. Do you see any unique flavors at your Publix? Is the Korean BBQ spicy? I’m can’t tolerate chili oil or sriracha flavors.

Just so this doesn’t turn into who has it cheaper. Publix price is 4.79 plus BOGO. Walmart 4.14 and Target’s new low price is 4.39. Aldi Brookdale brand is 2.25

Here’s what I see at my Central Florida store.

-Spam Classic

-Hello Kitty Lower Sodium (limited time tin)

-Spam Lite

-Spam Bacon

-Spam Turkey

-Spam Korean BBQ

-Spam Maple (listed as available in Publix app but did not see at one store yesterday)

I have 2 tickets that I won through a contest through a streaming subscription. I like 5sos but suspect I am too old for this concert.

I have the digital tickets through Ticketmaster and can transfer them. Section 105 row 7. I cannot resell them through Ticketmaster because they were complimentary.

I am looking to get $60 a ticket and face value is $125.

DM if interested