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Author: KLStorey

Ep 101 – Joshua Wallack gives us a sky high update and then talks politics

Joshua Wallack stops by the studio to give us an update on all of his projects. Lots of brand new details on Hogan’s Beach Shop, the Hollywood Plaza entertainment complex, and what’s next for the Skyplex project. We get new details on the funding behind Skyplex and why rooftop hotel was cut from the plans.

Ed calls in from Star Wars Celebration and gives us a trip report from the new dinner theater event at Sapphire Falls.

It’s a great episode for those who love I-Drive!

Hosts

Special Guest- Joshua Wallack

Recording Date- April 14, 2017 on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park (10AM-Noon)

Important Links

Corresponding Orlando Weekly article

Mango’s Orlando

Skyplex Orlando

Miami Herald story referenced

Atlantic City’s polercoaster

Hogan’s Beach Shop Orlando

Hollywood Plaza specs

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Ep 100 – Rick Singh and the Coffin Simulator

On this episode we have local haunt expect Benjamin O’Conner of Old Town’s new Mortem Manor. He talks about what it takes to do Florida’s only year round haunt. He also shares details on the new coffin simulator at the attraction.

We also have Rick Singh, Orange County Property Appraiser, call in to address a recent AP article about his fight against local theme parks. He shares tons of great insights and calls Orange County the birthplace of fake news.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter and tweet at us using #OldTownOTR to win tickets to Mortem Manor and the coffin simulator. Contest runs through 11AM, Friday April 21, 2017.

This is an episode not to be missed!

Hosts

Special Guest- Benjamin O’Conner of Mortem Manor

Recording Date- March 24, 2017 on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park (10AM-Noon)

Important Links

AP article about theme parks vs Rick Singh

Old Town

Mortem Manor

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Ep 99 – The Seth Kubersky Dinner Show

Seth Kubersky stops by the studio and tells stories of his years working in the local dinner theater scene. He talks about how those early years in local dinner theaters helped shape his views of Orlando today.

Then in the second hour we talk about the latest news including new details on OPD’s new headquarters, the Panda Express on I-Drive closing, and a nighttime show at USJ.

Hosts

Special Guest- Seth Kubersky

Recording Date- March 10, 2017 on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park (10AM-Noon)

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Ep 98 – @JLBNerdy Visits Orlando & Ken Tries to Talk Nintendo

One of OTR’s oldest and most dedicated fans stops by the studio as part of a grand non-Disney weekend she planned with Ken. News involves confirmation of two rumors from the previous week’s show and Ken gives exclusive new details on what Nintendo at UOR will look like.

Hosts

Special Guest- Jenny (@JLBNerdy)

Recording Date- March 10, 2017 on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park (10AM-Noon)

Punch List

 

Osceola leaders: Smart sensors, resorts and training programs to generate more jobs

Omni Orlando Resort execs foresee big payoff from expansion set to open in May

GOAA’s Kruppenbacher, Villages’ Lester among Scott’s picks for constitution panel

Omni Orlando Resort execs foresee big payoff from expansion set to open in May

Orlando airport contractors helped fund board member’s campaign

La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil Will Host Its Final Disney Springs Performance This December

Taste of the Nation Becomes Taste! Central Florida and Sets a 2017 Date

Caribbean Carnaval Coming to Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Bike Week set to roll into Daytona Beach

Florida Mall unveiling high-tech children’s ‘Play Park’ in spring

Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge names firm to design new building

Creative City Project renames annual event

Amendments governing heights of airport-adjacent developments to change

Give Kids The World gets Intergalactic makeover and pays tribute to Founder

Miami’s SkyRise unveils crown jewel attraction with Skyway observation pods @SkyRiseMiami

Mayor Buddy Dyer unveils giant WrestleMania title belt at Lake Eola

Brightline installs new CEO, reveals 2.5-year delay on Orlando leg

Regal Pointe Orlando debuts 4D movie technology today

House gives tentative approval to abolishing incentives

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Ep 97 – Nick Ilasi Talks Disney & Callers talk Fallon

Nick Ilasi (@DadonDisney) stops by the studio to talk about his Florida Plunge story, what excites him the most in the next few years at WDW, and how he began podcasting. Callers join the show to talk about Fallon and SeaWorld’s Food & Wine Fest. And during the news the guys discuss the latest rumors coming out of Disney Springs.

Hosts

Special Guest- Nick (@DadOnDisney)

Recording Date- March 3, 2017 on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park (10AM-Noon)

Punch List

Disney

  1. Cars 3 Extended Look Debuts at Daytona 500 (Will we see a Florida version of Cars Land themed to Daytona Beach? PLEASE!!!)
  2. RUMOR: Cirque Du Soleil – La Nouba Coming to an End at Disney Springs (is a West End remodel about to happen?)
  3. Second Fort Wilderness Food Truck Coming to Disney

(On the local food truck front, there has been a major backlog for truck build-outs as one of the main food truck builders has a supposed mystery client who has rush ordered 10 highly themed food trucks.  The new trucks will be ready by mid-summer)

  1. RUMOR: 10-Story Tower, Waterfront Dining, and More Changes Coming to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
  2. Miss Adventure Falls opening at TL on March 12
  3. ‘Avatar’ merchandise available at Disney World

SeaWorld

  1. SeaWorld attendance, revenue dip in fourth quarter(When will we see positive numbers coming out of SEAS?)
  2. Blue Horizons is confirmed to be ending, more educational show starting next month
  3. Busch Gardens new president faces headwinds in amusement park industry
  4. New Book Chronicles Busch Gardens Tampa History

Universal

  1. Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon opens at USF and the reviews aren’t good
  1. (OW) Universal is testing a room service droid at Cabana Bay Beach Resort

I-Drive/Tourist District

  1. O’Connor Capital updates 69-acre retail center plans on Daryl Carter Pkwy
  2. Gaylord Palms Resort finishes water park improvements
  3. Large hotels planned for construction will break Orlando’s current growth plan (Sentinel seems to indicate that iSq is still happening)
  4. 100-plus permits for local commercial projects pulled in past 3 weeks
  5. Osceola’s W192 Development Authority ups grant money to $3M in 2018 budge
  6. DeBartolo Development to build new apartments in Reunion Resort (Is the coalesce between the tourist and non-tourist distinctions finally coming to an end?)

Beyond the tourist district

  1. Drive Shack leases Lake Nona land, awaits permits to break ground on golf facility
  2. Orange County tourist tax collection up in January
  3. Groundbreaking Ceremony for the 1,700 Seat Acoustical Hall Set for Next Week
  4. Orlando Museum of Art acquires more art for their collection
  5. First of Four New Trains at Orlando International Airport is Installed and Running
  6. (OW) Art31 sets Maitland aglow for the month of March
  7. Spooky Empire Mid-Season Convention announces Malcolm McDowell, Dee Snyder, and other ‘retro’ guests

Beyond Orlando

  1. 44 Florida hotels land Forbes Travel Guide ratings
  2. Tourists to the U.S. Set a New Spending Record Last Year ($247.1 billion international travelers spent in the U.S. last year is a 0.4 percent increase from the $246.2 billion they spent in 2015)
  3. Hard Rock Hotel Malta Announced for 2020
  4. Downtown Miami Site for 1700-room Convention Center Hotel Expected to Close in Weeks, Per Report (1700-room hotel with 600,000 square feet of convention space)
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