February 6, 2016
Ep 61 – Drug Paraphernalia Springs and Japanese Jaws
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Today Mr. Brian gives a trip report from Universal Studios Japan where he relives Jaws, Back to the Future, Backdraft and more. Comparisons and insights on USJ versus our local Universal resort here in Orlando fill the conversation. During the Punch List Ken talks about affordable housing and the future of Osceola County. Jim shares some interesting news from Disney Springs and Ken wonders if people will want to go to Disney to buy knockoff bongs.
Show Notes
Hosts
- Ken Storey
- Robert of Mickey Updates
- Brian of Orlando Park Pass
- Jim of Wild Gravity Travels
- Andy of Theme Parks and Travels
- Online Trends Correspondent-Jake of Orlando Park Pass
- Hotel Correspondent-Kyle
- Show Researcher – Jay
- Show Historian – Kevin Yee
- Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie
Date of Recording: 2/4/16
Music– Jesse Cutler’s Music of Winter Park Album | Interview
Punch List
OCSC announces Lake Nona training facility. Is Lake Nona becoming a sports mecca?
Save Pleasure Island’s Disney Springs Update
Fulton’s Crab House lays off 214 employees as it goes thru a 6-month rehab
3,396 acres in Osceola County to be rezoned as Tourist Commercial
SDL, USH to have demand based pricing
Aquatica phasing out Commerson Dolphins
Educational class based on The Profit coming to UOR
-Other news not covered on the show-
Christian theme park planned for San Diego. Will it affect Holy Land Experience?
Holy Land announces free day- Feb 24
Daytona International Speedway officially opens Daytona Rising expansion
Great Wolf Lodge officially buys 50 acres they previously announce for the Orlando location
TopGolf confirms Orlando location on Universal Blvd
2 select service hotels, adult dayclub pool planned for near SWO
Passenger numbers up double digits in November at MCO (12.79 overall with 3.25 mill | Domestic = 12% with 2.85 mill | International = 17.1% with 402,177 )
Palm Holdings announces renovation, expansion plans for The Inn at Calypso Cay in Kissimmee
Westgate to break ground on new sales center at WG Lakes in February
Medical marijuana on 2016 ballot in Florida. Will it impact tourism?
Other Important Links
Mr Brian’s USJ Trip Part 1 | Part 2
February 4, 2016
Ep 60 – Malls, Monster Trucks and 4D Movies
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We have current news then we thaw out one of winter break episodes. During the news, Andy and Ken talk Disney, Fun Spot and SeaWorld. Jim tells about the recent media event at Legoland.
Then Mr. Entertainment stops by to give trip reports from Royal Rumble and Monster Jam. The Main Event includes an interview from last month with Mark of Orlando Mall Guide. Malls, the Orlando Magic, Miami and who laughs at Mark’s jokes are all brought up.
The show also features music inspired by Winter Park, from the brand new album by Jesse Cutler.
Show Notes
Hosts
- Ken Storey
- Robertof Mickey Updates
- Brianof Orlando Park Pass
- Jimof Wild Gravity Travels
- Andyof Theme Parks and Travels
- Online Trends Correspondent-Jake of Orlando Park Pass
- Hotel Correspondent-Kyle
- Show Researcher – Jay
- Show Historian – Kevin Yee
- Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie
- Special Guests- Mr Entertainment | Orlando Mall Guide Mark
Date of Recording: News- 1/27/16, 1/28/16 | Mr. Entertainment- 1/28/16 | OMG Mark- 1/7/16
Music– Jesse Cutler’s Music of Winter Park Album | Interview
Punch List
Star Wars land details to be reveled during Feb 21 ABC special hosted by Harrison Ford
Seashore Sweets closing/moving, Flying Fish expanding. Will the food improve as well?
WWOS expanding. 286,000 sq ft multi-story bldg and a new parking lot.
Big Thunder Mtn has 4 month refurb starting April 4. Is the new DL ending coming to MK?
WDWInfo (The DIS) asks “Is Magic Kindgom’s Skipper Canteen taking on water?”
Crescent Solarium at Beach Club to offer Afternoon Tea
Two former WDW tech employees file federal lawsuit over outsourcing. Disney stated in outsourcing firms stated in visa applications that American jobs wouldn’t be affected.
WaPo had an article on the history of no-fly zones at WDW and how they may affect drones there.
SEAS announces 4th Q and Year End results release date (Thurs, Feb 25), Conference call at 9AM that same day. What are your expectations?
January 23, 2016
Ep 59 – Brian Goes Global
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Brian returns from Asia with a trip report from Thailand and Tokyo Disney Sea. Jim stops in to talk about all of the news coming out of SEAS lately. Kevin Yee discusses the layout of the Tokyo Disney resort. The news includes the latest closures from DHS, tram news from UOR and Coke moving into Disney Springs. Ken gives reviews of Otronicon 2016 and Ringling’s last visit to the Amway Center before they retire the elephants.
Show Notes
Hosts
- Ken Storey
- Robert of Mickey Updates
- Mr. Brian of Orlando Park Pass
- Jim of Wild Gravity Travels
- Andy of Theme Parks and Travels
- Online Trends Correspondent-Jake of Orlando Park Pass
- Hotel Correspondent-Kyle
- Show Researcher – Jay
- Show Historian – Kevin Yee
- Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie
- Special Guest- Seth Kubersky
Date of Recording: Jan 20 , 2015
Punch List
DHS actually pulls off a Villain themed event
DHS next typhoon of closures hit, could the Earful Tower be moved to Disney Springs?
Habit Heroes closes at Innoventions (all that’s left is Sum, storm struck House and colortopia)
Rumor – Joy, Sadness coming to Epcot
World of Coke coming to Disney Springs
SEAS Update with Jim
SWO begins removing fast rising floors in orca tanks
SWO- Wild Days media event, Mako topping off, Manatee exhibit refurb, Wild Artic reopened (god no!) and all around updates
SEAS begins rolling out new focus on upcharge events (blog post on BGT interactions | trademarks for SWSA interactions )
BGT- Cobra’s Curse elevator lift is going up, rumors of 2018 coaster,
Lowry Park – Baby zebra
Weekend Adventure nature block (including SEAS tv shows) tops syndicated ratings for Dec 28- Jan 3 week (Judge Judy was #2)
Local News
Willie the Adarvark at DAK, now at the Planet Watch
The Delaney boutique hotel announced for Downtown South (ORMC)
Universal confirms VB tram from parking garage
Roboasis behind walls. Any news there?
BJ theater is gone, Twister is see-thru. Hello Kitty coming along. Kong- queue.
Ringling -> return of Legends. Last time of elephants in Amway.
Bruce Vaughn out, Bob Weis in at WDI
Other Important Links
Kevin Yee’s Top Tips for Visiting Tokyo Disney Resort
Mr Brian’s Thailand Video Trip Report
January 19, 2016
Ep 58 – Seth Goes Off (Property)
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Today we have a backlogged episode from the holidays when Seth Kubersky stopped by to talk about his latest Unofficial Guide Series book; Beyond Disney. In this guide Seth and Bob Sehlinger cover all of the great attractions that you would miss if you just stayed on Disney property. The conversation covers security at Disney World, the entertainment at Holy Land Experience, the awe-inspiring displays of Kennedy Space Center and more. Seth gives some history of his time in Central Florida and rabbit trails include chats about Artegon, the future of I-Drive and what makes a good roadside attraction.
Show Notes
Hosts
- Ken Storey
- Robert of Mickey Updates
- Mr. Brian of Orlando Park Pass
- Jim of Wild Gravity Travels
- Andy of Theme Parks and Travels
- Online Trends Correspondent-Jake of Orlando Park Pass
- Hotel Correspondent-Kyle
- Show Researcher – Jay
- Show Historian – Kevin Yee
- Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie
- Special Guest- Seth Kubersky
Date of Recording: Dec 17, 2015
Links for this episode
Live Active Cultures on Orlando Weekly
January 16, 2016
Ep 57 – Derek Burgan Goes All Out(let)
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On today’s show we discuss Fun Spot’s new long-range plan then Derek Burgan stops by to talk about the latest from the Disney outlets. He also talks about dinner theatres, Disney bloggers and Cabana Bay parking.
Show Notes
Hosts
- Ken Storey
- Robert of Mickey Updates
- Mr. Brian of Orlando Park Pass
- Jim of Wild Gravity Travels
- Andy of Theme Parks and Travels
- Online Trends Correspondent-Jake of Orlando Park Pass
- Hotel Correspondent-Kyle
- Show Researcher – Jay
- Show Historian – Kevin Yee
- Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie
- Special Guest- Derek Burgan
Date of Recording: Jan 13, 2016
Punch List
Tree
Feld announces earlier than expected plan to retire elephants (this May)
Fun Spot announces HUGE new expansion, Falcon’s Creative overseeing long-term growth plan
Height balloons spotted at Fantasia Gardens
Pizza Planet to close, will it become a Muppets restaurant?
Are projection mapping, flame throwers coming to DHS fireworks?
Disney files paperwork with FAA for drones at Epcot
DVC announces new perks for 25th Anniversary, including a lounge in the old ImageWorks
New lounge coming to DAK (pre-2000s Kungaloosh possibly available for insiders at Jock’s)
Frontier Airlines expands at MCO
WestJet adds MCO to Vancouver service
Nude Nite Orlando to be hosted at Artegon
New Splash pad announced for Florida Aquarium
MOSI presents downtown proposal to City Council
Miami-Dade announces interest in ferry service to Cuba with terminal in downtown, F&F 8 may film in Cuba