July 20, 2018
Ep 144 – A Record Breaking Gift Shop, the new buses about to be all over Orlando, and Ed has two foodie reviews
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New offerings announced for Hollywood Studios, a blogging legend calls it quits, and a Florida theme park guest gets shot while in the park. Plus two big foodie trip reports and all the latest news from Orlando.
Recording Date: July 6, 2018 at WPRK Studios in Winter Park, FL
Important Links
- Deb Wills retires after 22 yrs of AllEars (WDW Information Guide)
- Busch Gardens Tampa park goer struck by celebratory gunfire, police say
- Terralina Crafted Italian Opens at Disney Springs Thursday, June 28th
- Disney names Matt Simon as the new Vice President, Disney Springs
- The Mirror de los Muertos is Now Working at Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion
- Disney To Rollout New Style For Magical Express Service
- Port Canaveral to Explore Upgrading Disney Cruise Line Termina
- Disney wins tax trial over Yacht and Beach Club Resort’s value
- Orange County tourism tax collections hit $21.5M in May
- Orlando airport adds new flights to Central America
- Wyndham Hotels reveals dual-branded property plan in Orlando
- Rosen rebrands I-Drive inn, plans 1,300+ more local hotel rooms
- SeaWorld Donates 131 Electric Scooters To Goodwill
- 130,000-plus SeaWorld customers could get refunds in $11.5 million settlement of lawsuit
- SeaWorld HR director Jack Roddy leaves company
- SeaWorld Orlando Begins Using Dynamic Pricing for Parking Fees on Busy Days
- Universal Orlando announces Urban Pantry food hall at Aventura Hotel
- World’s largest Space Shop reopens at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
- Zoo Miami receives $100k from Carnival
- Gatorland boosts reward for rare white alligator missing after ‘Swamp Brothers’ fire
- New stores, renovations, ice rink coming to Leesburg mall
- The Hangover Bar Experience now open at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
- San Antonio Zoo aiming to adopt Toys R Us mascot, Geoffrey
June 22, 2018
Ep 143 – Orlando Comedy Festival with Matt Gervia
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Matt Gervia comes on the show to talk about this weekend’s Orlando Comedy Festival. 90 mins of laughter, stories of how comedy theater is used in local theme parks, and some interesting insights into his work at local attractions such as Fun Spot, Crayola Experience, and 360’s 7D Theater.
Ken also gives a review of Jurassic World: Lost Kingdom in the 4DX format and talks about some new legal action now being taken after last week’s horrific roller coaster accident in Daytona Beach.
Ed says hi.
The Orlando Comedy Festival takes place June 23, 2018. Workshops begin at 10 AM, performances begin at 5 PM. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office.
Recording Date: June 22, 2018 at WPRK Studios in Winter Park, FL
Important Links
June 15, 2018
Ep 142 – DJ Elliot talks Star Wars mixes and movie star cars
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First hour is filled with DJ Elliot, known for his Star Wars mixes that can be heard throughout WDW and at area conventions, talking about his career as a geeky culture DJ, his wild car collection (that even Universal uses!), and the changes he’s seen over the years in Orlando’s tourism industry.
Then in the second hour Ken and Ed discuss all the week’s news, including big changes heading to Busch Gardens, Bernie Sanders taking on Disney, and the wild Indiana Jones adventure that might be in the works.
Recording Date- June 8, 2018 at WPRK Studios in Winter Park, FL
News and Links
Tishman buys 3 more area hotels
Coronado Springs removes statues
Richard Gerth at Grand Flo passes away, had been a GF staple since 1991, John Stamos tweeted it https://twitter.com/JohnStamos/status/1004889799977623552?s=19
Walt Disney World Switching to Digital Rider Switch Pass (or Baby Swap) at Attractions to Combat Fraud
Disney gives apology letters to guest at DHS
Bernie Sanders vs Disney bonuses
HHN details (10 even with F&F), HOS details (no zombie laser tag)
June 15, 2018
Ep 141 – Eric Oh’s Big Orlando Trip
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Eric Oh drops by the studio during his vacation in Orlando. We chat with him about his vacation, some of the unique things in Central Florida he’s experiencing for the first time, and get his hot takes on all the big news stories of the week.
Recording Date- June 1, 2018 at WPRK Studios in Winter Park, FL
News and Links
- Disney agrees to pay some Disneyland cast members $15 an hour by 2020 ahead of California’s change to the rate in 2022
- Labor Unions in Vegas prepare to strike
- Animal Kingdom testing out new color-coordinated stroller parking system
- Hard Rock Tampa, already one of the largest casino floors in the world, announces $750 million expansion that includes an events center, retail corridor, and a new 15-story tower
- Eustis looking to bring watercraft rentals to lakefront
- Planet Hollywood resort to be built in St. Maarten
- Pirates Dinner Adventure to debut revamped show after hurricane, fire damage fixed
- Live Shooter Hoax at Walt Disney World Resort Lands Arizona YouTuber in Jail
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg retains “World’s Most Beautiful Park” status
- Shanghai Disney Resort to launch their first marathon event this fall
- Disney looks to be moving forward with the long-rumored River Country DVC hotel
- Oscar’s Wacky Taxi family friendly wooden coaster opens at Sesame Place
- Home-sharing platform for gay men misterb&b to start paying Orange County taxes
- Dynamic Attractions announces new 5-year partnership with an Asian theme park developer, multiple groundbreaking rides to be designed at their Orlando design center
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
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