Universal Orlando, Disney and shopping top local Uber rides

Theme parks and shopping centers were the top destinations for Uber customers catching a ride in Orlando in 2019.

Universal Orlando was the No. 1 destination, followed by Disney Springs, Magic Kingdom, Orlando International Premium Outlets and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, according to Uber.

Airports were not included in the top five destinations, and the company did not release specific trip totals.

“Shopping is one of the top activities for visitors when they travel to the market, so we are thrilled that Orlando International Premium Outlets is considered one of Uber’s top destinations of 2019,” Outlets general manager Don Dooley said in an emailed statement. “Uber is a great amenity that provides ease of access in and out of the center to the volume of excited shoppers we welcome from all over the world year-round.”

Disney has designated pickup and drop off spots for ride-share services as well as onsite staging areas for drivers, a spokesman wrote in an email.

Uber added a $4 fee for pickups at Universal in October, with plans to build a lounge in the parking garage there for people waiting on rides and to add signs and ground personnel.

The company also released the top food products people had delivered through Uber Eats in the city. Wings topped that list, followed by tacos, French fries, chicken tenders and pad Thai.

A pilot program that allows Uber Eats customers to order essentials such as milk and personal hygiene products from Circle K stores also launched in Orlando and other Florida cities in 2019.

Steamed buns are getting a new spot on the menu in the SoDo neighborhood.

Bao’s Castle is moving into a 1,600-square-foot space at 45 W. Crystal Lake St., Orlando. Owner Danny Ngo, who manages his parents’ nearby Sodo Sushi Bar and Grill, said he is aiming to open the new restaurant by the end of February.

Ngo described bao as “Asian tacos,” saying the steamed buns will be filled with ingredients such as pork belly, spicy fried chicken and soft-shell crab.

He added there will be about eight to 10 bao options on the menu, along with specialty bowls and desserts.

A brick-oven pizzeria is opening near Orlando International Airport.

Your Pie is set to open at 6889 Eagle Watch Drive in Orlando on Jan. 13. The restaurant offers customizable, personal pizzas as well as salads and paninis. Vegan, vegetarian and glutenfree pizzas are also on the menu.

The restaurant chain was founded in 2008 by Drew French and started franchising in 2010.

There are more than 70 Your Pie restaurants. The Orlando restaurant is owned by Timothée and Augusto Valentin.

Sapporo Ramen remained Orlando’s “go-to destination” for Japanese noodles on its last day in business.