May 2018 - Orlando Tourism Report

May 31, 2018

Ep 140 – Madame Tussaud’s Orlando talks Justice League

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Todd Andrus, Merlin’s Head of Marketing for its’ Orlando attractions, joins Ken, Ed, and Jake in the studio to discuss Madame Tussaud’s Orlando museum’s new Justice League attraction. The conversation includes details on the development of the new exhibit, the history of the attraction, and what we can expect next for Merlin in the Orlando market.

Then in Hour 2, Jake shares exclusive new details regarding updates happening at both the former Artegon mall and WonderWorks. Ken discusses the Hyperloop that might soon be connecting Orlando to Tampa. Then the guys talk about all the recent Universal rumors, including Star Trek, James Bond, and the most recent news regarding Nintendo. A new stage show rumored for DHS, updates at The Crayola Experience, and many other news items are discussed as well.

Recording Date- May 25, 2018 in Studio B at WPRK in Winter Park, FL

Important Links

Madame Tussaud’s Orlando

ICON Orlando 360

POV of the boat ride at Madame Tussaud’s Singapore that Ken seems obsessed with

Madame Tussaud’s Ghostbuster attraction

NEWS

New details on Artegon’s replacement

The Crayola Experience gets a new exhibit

Hyperloop between Orlando and Tampa might be in the works

Mickey and the Magician stage show might be coming to WDW

James Bond might be heading to Universal Orlando

Star Trek land might be heading to Universal Orlando

May 24, 2018

Ep 139- Monarchs and Movies

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Full Sail’s Jacob Kaplan and Casey Tanous stop by to discuss the school’s role in launching The Monarch Initiative. This new program is filling Central Florida with beautiful murals and plants to help bring awareness to the plight of pollinators. National Geographic has taken note of how Audubon Park has taken a lead in the program. The conversation includes deep dives into the role of eco-tourism and how local businesses contribute to the area’s general wellbeing.

Then Orlando Film Commissioner Sheena Fowler calls in to discuss the area’s film industry. The conversation includes mentions of the new ‘Deal or No Deal’ filmings set to take place at Universal Orlando, the role local governments had in getting Tomorrowland to film here, and why Georgia and Louisiana are now better known for their film industry than Florida.

Recording Date: May 18, 2018 in Studio B at the WPRK Studios in Winter Park, FL

Important Links

The Monarch Initiative

Orlando Film Commission

Full Sail University

News

I-Drive 360 is now ICON Orlando 360

American Dream Miami megamall is approved

I-Drive’s megamall isn’t dead

New 1,200 room hotel heading to Universal Boulevard

U.S. Special Olympics coming to Orlando in 2022

Gambling Amendment gets hit by a lawsuit

Disney denies AR windows on monorails

Burger bar Hopdoddy’s heading to Pointe Orlando

Redefine Gallery partners with Ripley’s

May 8, 2018

Ep 138 – The Queen of Medieval Times

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We’re joined in studio by one of the Medieval Times queens and a show designer. They share their behind the scenes stories from over the years at Medieval Times, including the incredible work that went into the latest show. This new show is one of the company’s most ambitious and most historic.

Hour Two is filled with news including an update to the Florida Mall story we talked about a few weeks back. We also touch on the latest news from WDW including Dan Cockerell’s retirement and the end of Night of Joy.

Recording Date- April 27, 2018 in Studio B at WPRK Winter Park, FL