Know the city | Know the industry

Month: April 2015

April 27, 2015

Ep 30 – Summer 2015 Outlook with Banks Lee

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On today’s show Banks Lee joins us to discuss the Summer 2015 Outlook. We discuss Legoland, I-Drive 360 and Uncle Lou’s odd Ebay listings. Before Banks joins us Kyle and Ken cover the Punch List with a conversation about area apartments, timeshares and reality shows staring Jackie Siegel.

Show Info

Music
Hosts
Recording Dates
  • Punch List – 4-23-2015
  • Interview – 4-25-2015

 

Show Notes

 Punch List

Apartments mentioned on today’s show

 

I-Drive

 

Other local tourism news

Main Event

Interview with Banks Lee

5 Takeaways from the interview

  1. Even Banks is getting tired of waiting for Universal to announce Kong
  2. Banks likes how SeaWorld responded to the coaster rumors and believes Universal could learn from it
  3. SeaWorld can become more than a sea life attraction if they build the next coaster properly
  4. Gator Spot at Fun Spot might be the breakout attraction this summer
  5. Locals are going to I-Drive, now the attractions there need to respond with annual passes for locals
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April 24, 2015

Ep 29 – Mid-Atlantic Fender Bender with a Big Pile of Dirt

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On today’s show we have an incredible interview with a Dawn Sabato of 7220 I-Drive (Home of CSI: The Exhibit, Consumed by Art and the new Leonardo da Vinci exhibit). She shares the latest details on the new da Vinci exhibit plus what it took to get the exhibit here all the way from Austria. She also shares her experiences with being one of the local attractions in the shadow of the Big 3.

On the Punch List today Ken and Kyle talk about the latest SWO rumors, give new details on the Sand Lake Road McDonalds that just announced a major update and give insights what they think of the latest Disney rumors. The cruise industry, scuba diving and the I-4 Ultimate Project are all included as well.

Show Info

Music

Song 1

Song  2

Song 3

Hosts

Ken

Kyle

Special Guest- Dawn Sabato

Recording Dates
  • Punch List – 4-23-2015
  • Interview – 4-21-2015

Show Notes

Punch List

DoubleTree by UOR is for sale

I-4 Ultimate Makeover

Florida is #1 in Cruise Industry

Norwegian Cruise Lines to offer free drinks on select cruises

Disney Cruise Line’s announce major new additions (Star Wars, Wreck-It Ralph, etc.)

Orlando United’s SWO restaurant rumor

OU’s SWO giga-coaster rumor

Deerfield Beach’s very odd artificial reef

Man pees in Hard Rock Hotel ice machine

Kobe Scorpion Bowl

Main Event

Interview with Dawn Sabato of EMS Exhibits (CSI: The Experience, Consumed By Art, Our Body, etc.)

5 Takeaways from the Interview
  1. All the exhibits at 7220 will be evolving and changing over the next few years
  2. EMS plans to stay in the Orlando market and is willing to change to do it
  3. Special events will play a role in 7220’s future
  4. Options for multiple ages and demographics are important in the Orlando market

Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to retail on I-Drive

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April 22, 2015

5 Questions in 5 Minutes with Denise of MouseSteps.com

We recently were able to grab a few minutes with Denise of Mouse Steps. She gave us some insights into where she sees Orlando evolving and what the future of Disney World will be. If you’re unfamiliar Mouse Steps is a one stop shop for all things Disney related. From movie reviews to walking trails at the World Mouse Steps is the perfect site. They also feature the very latest in Disney World news; including ride closures and restaurant reviews.

OTR- What should the theme be for Universal Orlando’s next resort?

D@MS- I would personally like to see character themed suites for a full resort, like the higher end Minion Suites. For anyone who hasn’t seen them, there is one room that is elegant, and then a very nicely themed bedroom for kids (or kids at heart).

OTR- What do you see as being the likely next big construction project coming to Magic Kingdom? 

D@MS- I would be surprised to see any big construction coming to the Magic Kingdom anytime soon. Between Downtown Disney (Disney Springs), Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park and hopefully a makeover at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I think Disney has a pretty full plate. I would rather see Epcot get a few new countries or attractions. The Magic Kingdom just went through several years of changing Fantasyland, so I just don’t see anything big happening now.

OTR- What will Future World be in 15 years?

D@MS- I don’t expect Future World to change that much in 15 years. It would be nice to have a makeover for Universe of Energy, and to have Wonders of Life open all year round with attractions. The Imagination pavilion could use a massive overhaul too.

OTR- What is the next step for Central Florida’s sports tourism industry

D@MS- I would like to see a major league baseball team for Orlando.

OTR- Short and sweet! I like that. And one last question here.What is one non-touristy thing that everyone who visits Orlando should see or do?

D@MS- We have a lot of semi-touristy things to do here. Lakeridge Winery in Clermont would be one. There are a ton of restaurants and some things to do in the Winter Park area. Kings Bowl on I-Drive is fun and has great food. There is always something to do here, in or out of the theme parks.

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April 14, 2015

SideChat 9 – Yo-Yos of the High Class

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Uh oh, Ken and Lissa go at it today when the discussion turns to what demographic Disney is currently targeting.  Change is coming but who will it be for? Downtown Disney, Ferrari World and Disneyland60 are brought up in this Uni vs. Disney fight. Jake tries to break up the fighting by talking CityWalk but Lissa and Ken see right through it. They continue their discussion on who Disney is going after by talking acts at Food & Wine, Legoland Hotel pricing and who really shops at Sunglass Hut. In the end in classic sitcom style everyone still loves each other and the show ends with Jay, Jake, Lissa and Ken all jumping into the air High-Fiving each other while jamming out.

Show Info

Music
Hosts
Recording Dates
  • March 28, 2015

Show Notes

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April 7, 2015

Ep 28 – Floating Cars Get Across The Pond

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First up today is a Punch List with Jay and Lissa plus we’re joined by Jake who is taking the Caption E.O. news pretty hard. After a touchy exchange between Ken and Lissa regarding Disney Jay brings up some UOR news.

Then for the Main Event today we have Part 2 of the interview with Simon and Susan of Veness Travel Media (Part 1 was posted March 16). They give their unique insights into the local British tourism trends and weigh in on all the news including Star Trek attractions, Star Wars and where SeaWorld goes from here.

Show Info

Music

Song 1

Song 2

Hosts

Special Guests

Recording Dates

  • Punch List- March 28, 2015
  • Interview with Simon and Susan- March 5, 2015

 

Show Notes

Punch List

WDW

UOR

Legoland Florida

  • Lego Friends announced as final room theme of LLF Hotel. Is it smart to focus so heavy on a gender specific brand

MAIN EVENT

Part 2 of the interview with Veness Travel Media (Part 1 is here)

5 Takeaways from the Interview

  1. Paramount is bringing an ‘American style’ park to U.K. and it will be interesting to watch how its received.
  2. Simon and Susan think gaming will be a bad mix for Orlando
  3. Tampa, Daytona and Miami have the adults covered, Simon and Susan think Orlando should be family focused
  4. SeaWorld does a great job of conservation but they could do more to focus on it
  5. 192 may have to give up on tourism as the main draw for certain segments of the road, but not the entire road.
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