A look back at the year that was

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN, and we’re not sure anyone had more fun in the past 12 months than we did. Looking back, we reimagined Orlando Family from the ground up and brought our readers some amazing stories in the process—from interviews with national celebrities and community stars, to in-depth reports on issues that matter to Greater Orlandoans. Here, we look back at the biggest local events of 2016, as well as our best-of lists from the past year. There’s no denying we’re getting better with age, and we look forward to facing 2017’s opportunities and challenges with you and your family.

Year in Review Timeline 2016
A look back at the news that moved Greater Orlando in 2016

Disney Springs

➾IN FALL 2015, the entertainment destination formerly known as Downtown Disney began to morph into Disney Springs. Though new features were still being added as of this issue, the revamped Springs now boasts four distinct neighborhoods: The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and Town Center. And thanks to new garages and a dedicated offramp, it’s easier than ever to visit.

➾THE ORLANDO MAGIC’S AARON GORDON turned heads at the 2016 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest in February by incorporating team mascot Stuff the Magic Dragon—who rode a hoverboard no less—into many of his dunks. Though the dynamic duo ultimately came in second to Zach LaVine, the competition was so close that LaVine felt the award should have been shared.

➾ORLANDO FAMILY MAGAZINE took its first steps toward its current look and feel with our April issue, which ushered in our ongoing commitment to bringing readers captivating, original editorial content that’s specifically geared to the Greater Orlando community.

➾IN LATE APRIL, the facility formerly known as the Citrus Bowl became Camping World Stadium. The rechristening came via an eight-year naming-rights agreement with the Kentucky-based Camping World, which sells recreational vehicles.

“…I always go to Florida over Christmas because we have a lot of Central Florida Christmas traditions. We like to put hay in the back of a U-Haul truck and drive around singing carols on Christmas Eve.”
—Actress and Florida native Cheryl Hines, “Hines Sight,” September 2016

➾APRIL ALSO SAW the debut of the Walt Disney World Solar Facility, which was created in conjunction with Duke Energy. Shaped like Mickey Mouse’s head and located near Epcot, the 20-acre solar farm can generate enough energy to power approximately 820 homes.

➾THE INVICTUS GAMES—an international sporting event for wounded, ill and injured servicemen and women—came to Orlando in May. Spearheaded by England’s Prince Harry, the televised games took place over five days at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.

➾SANFORD BURNHAM unexpectedly announced in May that it was pulling out of its Prebys Medical Discovery Institute at Lake Nona, with the original plan calling for the University of Florida to take over operations. However, the deal received scant support from local and state officials and fell apart in October, leaving the facility’s future uncertain.

➾ALSO IN MAY, the University of Central Florida unveiled new uniforms for its football program. Created by Nike Football Senior Graphic Designer Josh Iverson, the uniforms include four different white, gold, anthracite and pewter helmets, jerseys and pants that can be mixed into 64 different combinations.

“I’m going to Disney in November with my family! I missed out on celebrating a lot of family birthdays and milestones this year, so we’re all going to Disney so I can catch up and celebrate them all at once.”
—Olympic medalist and Oviedo High School graduate Jenny Barringer Simpson, “Racing Into History,” October 2016

➾NEWSCASTER BOB OSPAHL, who spent nearly 40 years as a reporter and longtime anchor for WFTV, retired at the end of May. During his tenure, he reported on both space-shuttle disasters, the wildfires of 1998, and the multiple hurricanes of 2004, among other big stories. Opsahl was succeeded at the anchor desk by Greg Warmoth.

➾JUNE WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE DARKEST MONTHS in Orlando history, with singer Christina Grimmie being killed by a stalker at The Plaza Live just two days before 49 victims lost their lives at the Pulse nightclub shooting. The latter event did bring out Orlando’s best side, though, with the community pulling together in the wake of the tragedy.

➾ALSO IN JUNE, a 2-year-old boy died after an alligator pulled him into a lagoon near a Walt Disney World hotel. The parents, Matt and Melissa Graves, chose not to sue over the incident, and Disney provided the family with ongoing support after the tragic event. Disney also posted signs warning guests about alligators in its resort waterways.

➾AS THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION HEATED UP, Greater Orlando felt the brunt of it, with more televised campaign ads running locally than in any other U.S. market. Ad buys exceeded $8 million by late August, and our neighbors in the Tampa-St. Pete area came in second overall.

“I try to take care of my children first, before anything else that I do, but I have a lot of help with that. You take as much help as you can get and go to sleep whenever anyone is not looking.”
—Multitalented comedian Tina Fey, “The Midas Touch,” December 2016

➾IN EARLY OCTOBER, Hurricane Matthew struck fear in the hearts of Greater Orlando residents as it rampaged up Florida’s east coast— only to veer away at the last minute, leaving us relatively unscathed. Other areas in Florida and elsewhere didn’t get so lucky, with the storm causing extensive damage throughout the southeast.

➾THE FINAL STEEL BEAM in Orlando City Soccer Club’s new stadium was placed in October. The facility, which is being self-financed by the team and is located near Camping World Stadium, is on track to open ahead of Orlando City’s 2017 season, and it will also host the Orlando City Pride.

➾OCTOBER ALSO SAW the Orlando Predators announce that they were suspending operations, ending the Arena Football League (AFL) franchise’s quarter-century of history. Citing a reduced number of AFL teams and pending disagreements with the league, the team also said that everyone who paid for 2017 tickets would be refunded.

➾ON DECEMBER 2, Buddy Dyer became Orlando’s longest-serving mayor, marking his 4,989th day in service since first taking office in 2003. During Dyer’s tenure, Orlando has gained the Amway Center, the Orlando City Soccer Club, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and SunRail, among other quality-of-life improvements.

➾ALSO IN DECEMBER, and after months of negotiations, Pulse nightclub owner Barbara Poma decided against selling the property to the city for $2.25 million. The city had wanted to build a lasting Pulse memorial on the land, which was valued at $1.7 million, but Poma ultimately decided to hold onto the property and hopes to turn it into a memorial on her own.