August 18, 2015
Ep 41 – Wars of Sabers and Wands
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
On today’s show Griffin of Epcod joins Ken, Jay, Jake and Richie to discuss all the WDW related announcements from D23. Booze in Magic Kingdom, Super Heroes in Epcot, live actors in Rivers of Light, and Slinky Dog vs Barnstormer are discussed. Then Richie and Ken go at each other when Richie calls Star Wars Land the ‘Potter Swatter’ we’ve been talking about.
During the Punch List Lissa and Ken discuss the new Jimmy Buffet town being built on 192, another list that Orlando is #1 on, lots of good food, and the horrific crime that recently took place on a Carnival Cruise ship. Cruising to Cuba, a set of new twin 75 story tall towers in Tampa and bicycle ride that makes you work to escape it are also brought up.
Show Notes
Hosts
Song One (Punch List)
Song Two (Main Event Intro)
Song Three (Closing Song)
Recording Dates: Main Event- Aug 16, 2015 | Punch List- Aug 17, 2015
The Punch List
MargaritaVillage coming to Kissimmee
New artwork added to Chef Mickey’s
German’s model railroad gets extensive refurbishment.
Orlando #1 convention destination in the nation. Chicago dropped to #3, Vegas sits still at #2
USWN Soccer Team vs Brazil on Oct 25 at the Citrus Bowl
La Modeleine coming to Florida Mall and Millenia area
Johnny Rivers (former Exec Chef of WDW) teams up with Petrakis (Cask & Larder, Ravenous Pig) for proposal for new café at MCO
Executive Chef of the Alfond Inn invited to the James Beard House in NY
Sanford’s Limo Cycle creates cycling escape game
Daytona Rising 85% complete. $400 Million, 101,000 seat grandstand, 40 escalators. 4.5 months to go. Construction began July 8, 2013. Jan 30-31 Rolex 24 will be first event in the finish facility.
Carnival announces plans for cruises to Cuba. Fathom brand (a social impact focused cruise brand) 710 passenger ship. Would be the first U.S. based cruise ship operator to sail to Cuba. Plans call for every other week beginning in May 2016.
Carnival Valor crew member arrested in Brevard County for sexually assaulting an underage boy (13-16) on a cruise.
Port of Tampa Bay announces new plans that include a 75 story tall tower and new cruise terminals
BGT announces new partnership with Blair Witch Executive producer Robin Cowie for HOS
Florida Kids and Family Expo – August 29-30
O-Town Mac Down for GKTW – Sept 12
The Main Event
Here’s the D23 Announcements for each WDW park:
MK- Skipper Canteen
Epcot- Frozen Ever After, Innoventions West Closure, Soarin’ Around the World, Super Hero HQ
DAK- Rivers of Light, Pandora, Night Safari
August 11, 2015
Ep 40 – No Flakka’n Around With BriMan of Orlando United
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Today we are joined by BriMan of Orlando United for a discussion on the past, present and future of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando. Miami’s new megamall, Mango’s and Columbian burgers are brought up in this fun chat. During the punch list we talk about those shocking Q2 results from SEAS, updates to Magic Kingdom, Zagat’s latest Orlando rankings and a new museum opening in town devoted to pencils. In the pre-Punch List chat Ken reviews Taste of the Nation 2015 while Lissa tells of some bad service she recently received at DHS. Ken admits to disliking Kickstarter while Jay admits to not listening to the show.
Show Info
Hosts
- Ken
- Lissa
- Jay
- Jake of Orlando Park Pass
- Nikki of Lasting Impressions
- Special Guests- BriMan of Orlando United
Song 1 (Punch List)
Song 2 (Main Event and Show Closing)
Song 3 (Main Event Closing)
Recording Dates- Punch List- Aug 9, 2015 | The Main Event- Aug 5, 2015
The Punch List
Taste of the Nation- SeaWorld | Universal
SEAS Q2 numbers (84.5% drop in profit) Joel Manby announces news on Nov 6 (International expansion details are expected then)
The Guardian reports new details on the Russian belugas that NOAA blocked The Georgia Aquariuam getting. Some of those would be headed to SeaWorld too.
Duffy Meet and Greet closing at Epcot
New homes announced for Golden Oak. Prices start at $5 Million.
Zagat releases Best of Orlando restaurant list. Cress beats V&A, Capa at 4 Seasons ‘noteworthy’ but not on ranked list.
New restaurant announced for downtown by what Scott Joseph calls a ‘Dream Team’
Casey Anthony celebrated there after her ‘victory’
New friendly match announced for Citrus Bowl. Richard at OBJ asked ‘Can Orlando be Mexico’s favorite soccer city?’
OIA area Holiday Inn sells for $14 Million. JHM Hotels bought it.
Leogland Florida’s Legoland Dollars now listed on Travelex Currency Exchange Boards. The first time any theme park has had its internal currency listed on an outside exchange
Dixon opens new pencil museum in Lake Mary (free but reservations required)
The Main Event
Ken is hiding in this questionable ATL IG post
Upcoming Events and Closing Remarks
The 21st Annual Harvest Grape Stomp is Aug 15 at Lake Ridge Winery
Florida Kids and Family Expo – August 29-30
O-Town Mac Down for GKTW – Sept 12
Walt Disney’s hometown launches a Kickstarter to build a replica of its Autopia (based on one Walt gave them in 1966) in the middle of the town.
Fulton’s Crabhouse at Disney Springs offering kids cooking classes
August 4, 2015
Ep 39 – John Frost Talks Orlando
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
John Frost of The Disney Blog stops by to talk Disney, Marvel and the future of Orlando’s theme parks. Living wage initiatives, SeaWorld, Gatorland and, yes, even casinos are all brought up in the conversation. During The Punch List Lissa and Ken get into it over parking at Disney World. Mr Brian weighs in on the new interactive shots bar coming to downtown Orlando and asks ‘are food trucks still a trend?’ LGBTQ rights in Osceola County are discussed ahead of an important vote there. Old Town announces a redo. Plus we recommend some upcoming events around the region.
Show Notes
Hosts
- Ken
- Lissa
- Brian
- Special Guest- John Frost of The Disney Blog
Song One (Punch List)
Song Two (Main Event)
Song Three (Closing)
Recording- The Main Event July 30, 2015 | The Punch List Aug 3, 2015
The Punch List
OCSC unveils new stadium. 25,500 capacity, fan plaza next door, canopy covering every seat, $155 Million fully privately funded.
New renderings and details for iSquare megamall.
Skyscraper changes ride manufacture: S&S out, Intamin in.
Old Town gets $10 Million in improvements.
Osceola County looks to add sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression to protection from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.
Orlando celebrates being a Paper Town and proves they didn’t read John Green Day’s book (now a movie!)
Lissa was correct. Some scenes were filmed in Orlando.
Busch Gardens shuts down because of the rain
Gatorland hatches 19 Nile Crocodiles. First time in 2 years.
World’s 5th largest cruise ship – Norwegian Epic – to sail from Cape Canaveral in November 2016
Swan & Dolphin gets into the food truck game
WDW gets new Director, Parks Arrival Experience, Program Management and Park Support. Valeria Bunting was the GM of Port Orleans and has worked previously at both MK and DAK.
DTD maps now list it as ‘Transforming into Disney Springs’ and districts are using new names finally. Save PI pointed out The Tunnels are being worked on.
Figment comic Series 2 heads to Epcot
The Main Event
Summary of rumors for SW at DHS in 2016
400 acres near the OCCC being sold
Disney and More article referencing possible SWO buyout
Florida Resident Deals at Gatorland
This Week Around Orlando
Main Street Restaurant Week $5 – $30 prix fixe meals at 49 local restaurants
Mango’s hosting job fair August 7, 8
Taste of the Nation is Aug 8. GO!!
Florida Kids and Family Expo – August 29-30
The 21st Annual Harvest Grape Stomp is Aug 15 at Lake Ridge Winery
He Says, She Says. A Disney talking podcast. Follow along on Twitter @DisneyTalking
Next week we have BriMan from Orlando United joining us to talk HHN 25. OU Radio had Robert Niles on last week.
July 28, 2015
Ep 38 – Living the Florida Life with Dani of This Florida Life/Bay Lake Society
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Dani of This Florida Life joins us today for our Main Event. She gives an industry insider perspective on the hospitality bubble and what it means for the future of Orlando. Plus she talks Bay Lake Society and much more. Richie stops by for The Punch List where we cover the recent rape at Downtown Disney, the new peer-reviewed study on captive killer whales, Ripley’s expansion plans to Africa, and recent construction announcements around Orlando.
Macau casino giant Galaxy Entertainment is buying 5% in SBM to diversify into other markets, Macau performance under expectations. Galaxy Ent shares are down 46% due to Macau’s performance. Hong Kong hotel occupancy rates down for the 9th straight month. China’s economy is off. Japan’s shrank last quarter, “a soft patch.” Does all of this point to a bubble in Orlando? Dani weighs in during the Main Event.
Show Notes
Hosts
Special Guest – Dani of This Florida Life
- Song One (Punch List intro)
- Song Two (Main Event intro and outro)
- Song Three (Closing)
Recording Dates: Punch List- July 26, 2015 | The Main Event- July 21, 2015
The Punch List
Ken Recommends- Resort Loop episode with Len Testa
HKDL’s Golden Mickeys show had its final performance this past weekend. How long till MK gets a show like this? Earvengers talked about this a few weeks ago.
Fantasmic testing reserved seats, rows and sections.
Iconic Daytona Speedway sign is removed
Orlando ranks 10th for fastest growing hotel market 4.5% growth in Orlando.
- Davidson County, Tenn., which includes the Nashville metropolitan area, with 6.7 percent growth. Hillsborough County came in second overall with 6.12 percent growth. Employment in Orange County, FL reached 49,724 in 2014, up from 47,583 recorded for the previous year.
New peer reviewed study on Killer Whales released in the Journal of Mammalogy by the Oxford University Press. It found no difference in life expectancy between SEAS whales and wild populations. And found wild calf survival rates of Southern Resident killer whales to be significantly less that SEAS (79.9% vs 96.6%).
New apartments announced for the SWO area. Part of the Marriott Grande Pines Golf Club redo. $40 Million, 282 units
Orange County proposes mixed use development on 28 acres beside Aquatica.
$7.2 Billion in real estate sales across Orlando in the last 12 months.
Joshua Wallack may help pay for SLR/I-Drive ped bridge
Orlando HQ’d Ripley’s returns to Africa for the first time since 1933 when Robert Ripley visited. New 12 city traveling show stops by shopping malls in South Africa.
Last week we talked about the Tripadvisor Top 25 Theme Parks. E-Ticket Report did an excellent rundown of all 25 parks and gave insights into the American parks on the list.
The Main Event
Ken Recommends- Dani’s Trader Sam’s article on Touring Plans
Dani Recommends- The Boathouse
Dani Recommends- When visiting Orlando take a ride on SunRail on the day you visit Florida Mall
Dani Recommends- Park Ave in Winter Park
Dani Recommends- Downtown Sanford
Dani Recommends- Wekiva Island
Closing Remarks
Next week I’ll joining a new podcast. He Says, She Says. A Disney talking podcast. Follow along on Twitter @DisneyTalking
Speaking of podcasts check out The Park Blogger had a great show with Lite’em and Hyde this past week. WDW Today did an excellent job with their offsite episode last week, I give them a thumbs up for that but wish they had focused more on I-Drive, Park Ave and maybe even some places like downtown Sanford.
Happy birthday to space flight at Cape Canaveral. 65 years ago this past week.
Next week we’ll have John Frost of The Disney Blog joining us!