Orlando Tourism Report

February 24, 2016

Ep 63 – Cuba and the Ratón

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With breaking news from the Department of Transportation Cuba is the lead story today. Cost cutting at Disney World also takes a big part of the show. Details on new rides across SEAS parks is also discussed. The show is a short one but there’s still plenty to discuss. Please note that the show was recorded before the leadership shakeup at SEAS and before the Disneyland 60^th Special where we learned new Star Wars land details.

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: 2/17/2016

Music– Song One | Song Two | Song Three

Adventures By Disney announces new U.S. tours including non-Disney Florida ones (Cape Canaveral, airboat tours, etc.)
Cutbacks across WDW and DL as Shanghai costs soar (characters at Epcot, operating hours, etc.)
Club Villain returns to DHS with higher cost tickets
SEAS unveils ride vehicles for Mako, gives more details on the new ride
New SWSD rides announced
Cobra’s Curse details announced
Dept of Transportation announces approval of up to 110 daily flights from U.S. to Cuba
Disney extends Star Wars fireworks at DHS

February 18, 2016

Ep 62 – February News Roundup

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As violence rings out across Central Florida we stop to ask what more needs to be done to keep tourist safe. We then talk about the Anthem of the Seas and its storm damage. A new 34-story tall guitar, fish tanks at Rainforest Café and street view at Magic Kingdom are discussed. Legoland, Brevard Zoo and Epcot all come up as well. Today’s show is a 2 hour roundup of the recent news.

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: 2/10/16

Song One

Punch List

News of violence fills the tourist district. 2 dead at Florida Mall, 2 dead in mass shooting at nightclub on Universal Blvd (with another mass shooting in a Tampa strip club)

Storm with 100+ mile an hour winds hit Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, after wild night at sea the rest of the itineraries are cancelled and the ship sails home early, RV gives all aboard a full refund and 50% off a future cruise.

Seminoles propose $1.8 Billion in new development for their casinos including a 34 story guitar shaped tower in Hollywood, Florida.

Google Street View spotted walking around Magic Kingdom

Cheerleading confirmed for WWOS, is this the end of Indiana Jones Stunt Show?

Circle of Life movie abruptly closes for lengthy rehab at Epcot. Will it return?

DAK’s Rainforest Café fish tanks closed for rehab, will the local Rainforest Cafés become fish-less like the Mall of America location recently did?

Brevard Zoo to offer 2 new behind the scenes tour

Legoland files plans for new development across the street from current resort

4 Points on I-Drive to gets new owner, $4M update

Sports complex beside Artegon asks for 6 month extension on permits

Wallack’s Hollywood Garage requests to add to more floors, 200 more spaces

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

Club Disney closing at DHS

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

Wahlburgers announce opening date (Feb 9) of DT Orlando location, Mark, Paul and Donnieto be at grand opening Feb 18

Medical marijuana on 2016 ballot in Florida. Will it impact tourism?

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 4^th Q and Year End results release date (Thurs, Feb 25), Conference call at 9AM that same day. What are your expectations?

Hotel rumors heat up at SEAS

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.