August 10, 2018
Ep 147 – Ozark Meth heads, Ripleys, and SeaWorld’s Big Blue World
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Rumors say SeaWorld is about to go all in with its San Antonio park. Ripley’s looks to be in a not so good place after the accident in Branson. And Feld’s newest venture might be a ray of hope for America’s dying malls.
Recording Date – July 27, 2018 at the WPRK studios in Winter Park, FL
Important Links
Behind The Thrills’s article regarding SeaWorld San Antonio
Zhonghong troubles might mean bad things for SeaWorld
The future of Epcot’s Illuminations
Falcon’s Creative Group launches new podcast series, ‘Experience Imagination’
I-Drive Aquatic Center renamed for hotelier Harris Rosen, credited with saving it
Castaway Cay Named Best Private Island Again by Cruise Critic Readers
Walt Disney World Set to Launch Minnie Van Transportation Service to Port Canaveral
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex raises ticket prices
The opening of Caribbean’s first adventure theme park increases tourism potential for Trinidad
Japan Legalizes Casino Gambling in a Boon to Resort Developers, approves 3 casino resorts to start out
Branson’s amusement park shuts down, tweets out that “No, we didn’t have meth heads working for us.”
Cirque du Soleil acquires VStar, makers of ‘Paw Patrol Live!’
August 2, 2018
Ep 146 – Alicia Stella talks Universal’s Future
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Alicia Stella, known for her site, Orlando Park Stop, and for her regular column on Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast, joins Ken and Ed in the studio to discuss the future of Universal Orlando. Land by land, park by park her and Ken discuss every rumored change to the resort. Lots of focus is given on the rumored new park and what we can expect in 2019 for Universal Studios Florida. Ken knights up to defend Alicia’s recent posts, which some, such as Jim Hill, have criticized for giving too much detail on projects yet to be fully announced by Universal.
Recording Date: July 20, 2018 at WPRK Studios in Winter Park, FL
July 27, 2018
Ep 145 – Jake’s epic trip to Columbia, Tokyo, and San Diego
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After traversing three continents Jake is back is the studio with trip reports from Tokyo DisneySea, Disney’s California Adventure, SeaWorld San Diego, Bedrock, and a Columbian casino. Then the second hour we dive into the weird and wacky news of Florida including an armless man who stabbed a tourist in Miami, a blind man in a Minion suit getting attacked by a Youtuber in Daytona Beach, and one Florida town’s loss of a major tourist draw after AAA gave them a good review. $200 million wedding proposals, local tax money headed to Monster Jam, and a blogger battle of the Universe round out the news on this unexpected episode.
Recording Date: July 6, 2018 at WPRK Studios in Winter Park, FL
The Punch List
- An armless man stabs a Chicago tourist in Miami Beach
- A blind man in a Minion suit gets attacked in Daytona Beach
- Waldo loses its claim to fame after 22 years
- Problem With Air Conditioning Shuts Down Almost Every Attraction At Disney’s Hollywood Studios | Disney’s Hollywood Studios Experiencing Power Outage
- Disney To Rollout New Style For Magical Express Service
- Go Behind the Themes with Give Kids the World Village at Fun Spot America
- Historic Cape Launch Towers Imploded, Making Way For Private Space Company
- Fly me to the moon … for a proposal? Firm offers launches from Kennedy for lovebirds
- More construction at PortMiami: MSC getting its own terminal
- Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood tops off guitar-shaped hotel
- Orange OK’s bed-tax cash to bring Monster Jam World Finals, help fund Arnold Palmer tournament
- Alain Littaye (Disney and More) vs Tom Corless (WDWNT) – GOTG Xandar theme
- Universal files patent for Pac-Man bumper cars
- Legoland: Pirate ship returns to park’s water ski show
- Topgolf swings for new location in Lake Mary
- Tampa Bay Rays reveal design for proposed new stadium in Ybor City, Tampa
- Daytona Beach roller coaster derailed because of excessive speed, says investigation
- Cirque du Soleil acquires VStar, makers of ‘Paw Patrol Live!’
- Yalaha Bootlegging wins Gold for blueberry moonshine
- Taste! Central Florida reveals this year’s restaurant lineup
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