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November 6, 2015

SideChat – Safety at HHN 25 with Derek Burgan, Gregory Ryan and Mr Brian

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This special SideChat Roundtable features Derek Burgan, Gregory Ryan, Mr Brian and Ken discussing safety at Halloween Horror Nights 25 at Universal Studios Orlando. The conversation includes the recent rash of media coverage, the in-park experiences for each other them and what they think should change before next year. While the topic is a serious one the conversation is kept light.

Show Notes

Recording Date- Nov 3, 2015

Music

Hosts and Guests-

 

::A Sample of HHN 25 Scare Actor Coverage by Central Florida’s Mainstream Media::

Orlando Weekly – Nov 4 – Attacks on scare actors are out of control this year; here’s a nine-step plan to make Halloween Horror Nights safer for everyone

WKMG 6 – Oct 29 – 2 arrested in Halloween Horror Nights attacks reported at Universal

Orlando Sentinel – Oct 29 – Universal ‘scare actors’ tell horror stories of abuse

WKMG 6 – Oct 27 – Halloween Horror Nights actors quit after being attacked

Behind The Thrills – Oct 26 – Is Halloween Horror Nights safe? An open letter to scareactors and fans

Theme Park Insider – Oct 26 – Harassment Claims Fuel Debate about Employee Safety at Theme Parks’ Halloween Events

Central Florida Future – Oct 26 – Student scare actors at Universal’s HHN share stories

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November 3, 2015

Ep 52 – Banks Lee Talks DHS, the future of I-Drive and HHN

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This week Banks Lee of Attractions Magazine calls in to chat about the sudden closure of 7220 I-Drive, safety at HHN, the future of DHS and more. During the FM segment Robert and Ken talk I-Drive NASCAR’s new partnership with the Orlando Magic, the new Orlando Pride soccer team and the James Beard chef who’s headed to Disney Springs.

Jake talks about Bill & Ted, a new indoor snow ski simulator center in town and Tiffany’s crazy concert at Epcot’s Food & Wine.

During the Aftershow Mr. Brian joins the show to talk the future of iFly and Pointe Orlando. What’s happening at the corner of I-Drive and Universal Blvd also comes up. And the latest details from Port Canaveral are discussed. Then Ken gives the very latest on the World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s.

Show Notes

Hosts

Recording Date: FM- 10-28-15 | Aftershow 11-2-15

Music

 

The Punch List

I-Drive

Orlando Eye closes for nearly a week

Magic, IDrive Nascar announce new partnership

iFly announces new location in between Wonder Works and Icebar. No word on what that means for the current location.

OTR’s tweets about Hawaiian Rumble

Dubai Skydive plans new indoor skydiving at I-Drive 360

Stabbing in parking lot near International Drive’s Howl at the Moon

Volcano Island mini golf owner’s odd Youtube video

World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s

Fun Spot’s Skycoaster lighting

WDW

Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless (6X James Beard award winner) confirmed to be opening new restaurant at Disney Springs.  Scott Joseph has been reporting since late 2014.

Permits show new entrance, expansion areas for DHS.

UOR

Universal theme parks have their highest attendance ever.

Safety of Scare Actors at HHN. Drunks, wild guest. What can be done to keep HHN under control?

Space Coast

Port Canaveral announces its slowing down cargo rail project

Port Canaveral terminal upgrades

Overview of Port Canaveral

Other Local Tourism

OCSC announces new details on Orlando Pride. 1500 season tickets sold, 3 new celebrity players.

10 more players announced

Tampa Bay Rays get out of Tropicana contract, can now look for new stadium home outside of Tampa Bay.

SunRail gets DOT approval for MCO leg (Still won’t open until 2020)

The Florida Aquarium starts construction on new events center.

Holy Land Experience gets more lights and mirrors

Central Florida Zoo changes expansion focus

 

Trending This Week

Indoor snow skiing coming to Winter Park

Fun Spot Kissimmee has a black out Monday. It lasted about an hour, no reports of stranded riders.

Film crew at the Sunday, Oct 25 Bill and Ted

Tiffany stopped by Epcot’s Food & Wine. Everyone is talking about her cover of Guns and Roses “Sweet Child of Mine.”

Custom Magicbands will soon be available (in a new Tomorrowland station)

Ahead of Shanghai Disneyland’s opening next year farmers in Shanghai welcomed Mickey Mouse this week with forming the famous cartoon star in a rice field.

A sinkhole opened up on the Maitland I-4 off ramp Monday swallowing the front end of a car.

Daytona International Speedway shares new aerial shots of Daytona Rising. Less than 75 days until it’s finished.

Screenshots of an AP survey asks how interested they would be in “Upgrading paper annual passes to plastic.”

Deadline gave new details, including who’s writing, the Tower of Terror feature film by Disney

 

 

 

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October 27, 2015

Ep 51- Ripley’s, Ringling and Skyplex with Jason of Orlando Fun & Food

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FM Radio content is 00:06:55 through 01:09:30. In our very first FM episode Jason of Orlando Fun & Food stops by to talk Skyplex, Ringling, plastic annual passes at Universal, and more. During the trends report Jake talks about Back To The Future Day, a baby rhino and the dismantling of The Hulk coaster.  In the after show Jay, Ken and Robert get into an in-depth debate about steel coasters in Orlando, self driving cars and what causes empty shopping malls.

Show Notes

Hosts

Ken

Brian

Robert of Mickey Updates

Jay

Events and Disney Correspondents-Lissa and Nicki

Online Trends Correspondent-Jake of Orlando Park Pass

Hotel Correspondent-Kyle

Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie

Special Guest- Jason of Orlando Fun & Food

Recording Date: 10-19-15

Song 1

Song 2

Song 3

News of The Week

iSquare helipad, updated design gets City of Orlando MPB approval 

The Coop gets MasterChef Season 1 winner Whitney Miller at Chef de Cuisine 

Water Buffalo go to DAK

OCSC announces new pro Women’s team (Orlando Pride)

USH adds more dates for HHN, will Orlando follow?

Disney Channel orders more Descendents– will we see any Descendents in the parks?

Skyplex- Will BoC approve it?

Artegon sells Cinemark land, other nearby land– Will it survive?

Ringling adds no new show in 2016, Gold tour closes (Red, Blue shows remain) 

Ripley’s BION This Week

Trends of the Week

 

Other things we referenced this week

Ripley’s attractions in Gatlinburg

Red Trolleys of St Augustine

Miracle City Mall in Titusville

Warehouse Row in Chattanooga

Baron 1898

Heathrow 5 PRT

Lymmo BRT in Downtown Orlando

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October 20, 2015

Ep 50 – The One We’ve Been Teasing

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On today’s 50th episode of Orlando Tourism Report we cover a wide-range of topics in the Punch List including a new huge ship coming to Port Canaveral, confusion in town regarding the DPAC hotel project, a plane crash that killed a co-founder of one of the region’s most controversial attractions, and the very latest in SeaWorld’s ongoing battle with the California Coastal Commission.

Then in a shortened Main Event we finally announce the thing we’ve been teasing since August. It’s true! Orlando Tourism Report will now be on FM radio.

Show Notes

Hosts

Recording Date: 10-19-15

Music

The Punch List

  1. SEAS announces its pursuing legal action against the CCC ruling
  2. SWO opens Pass Member Lounge
  3. Machine Gun America co-founder dies in South Florida plane crash
  4. 3 new retailers announced for Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores outlets
  5. Disney announces dates for the Christmas Day Parade taping (and its much earlier than expected)
  6. Epcot’s Candlelight Processional list gets filled
  7. Flying Fish closes for lengthy refurb, reimagining
  8. Fulton’s Crab House (13), Wolfgang Puck Grand Café (36) make Top 100 highest grossing restaurants in U.S. list
  9. Disney World offers new “better for you” snacks that feature minimalist character tie-ins
  10. Special events around the SW Ep VII premiere planned for DHS
  11. MCO officials meet Wednesday to discuss who will be the ‘design and engineering services architect of record’ for the $1.8 billion South Terminal (HNTB Corp, PZ Aviation Group JV, KBJ Architects). Fentress Architects is providing design consultation for the terminal.
  12. Melbourne Airport adds Orlando to name in hopes for increased traffic
  13. MCO passenger counts up 6% in August (3.2 million)
  14. Norwegian Epic (5th largest ship in the world) confirms Port Canaveral as its home port (4100 passengers)
  15. Jacksonville Maritime Museum closes due to lack of attendance and financial support
  16. Spain’s Paramount theme park in Alhama de Murica looks to be dead, despite developers denial
  17. Orlando City Soccer Club bringing Orlando City B USL team to Eastern Florida State College (Will likely announce a women’s team this week)
  18. USFL might be looking to bring a football team to Orlando
  19. Snap announces second gallery space in Downtown Orlando
  20. IAAPA Attractions Expo 2015 to feature the 2nd largest trade show floor in the event’s 97 year history, sells out of indoor floor space
  21. Orlando Eye shuts down again for technical difficulties
  22. Amazon abruptly shuts down Amazon Destinations, its hotel and reservation site. | Priceline and TripAdvisor sharing some services
  23. DPAC hotel project adds condos, increases in size
  24. 890 unit Grande Palisades resort near WDW to open in 2016
  25. Bella Collina’s condo hotel project changes names, will be suite only

Things We Loved This Week

Imagineer Cornelius Vanderbilt Wood bio on WDWInfo

St. Pete’s Dali Museum makes list of 23 amazing museum buildings to see this year

Victoria & Albert’s makes TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Travelers’ Choice Restaurants in the U.S.

Peas & Carrots are at WDW; follow along all week for a fun semi-outsider’s perspective

Marriott Island’s Dragon Point to rise again in 2017 | History of Annie the Dragon

Creative City Project (Ken thanks Beastly Kingdom for the reminder)

Events

Oct 21-25 Orlando Film Fest

Oct 24- Cows ‘n Cabs in Winter Park

Oct 30-31- Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

Nov 13-15 Winter Park Concours d’Elegance

Nov 14- Food Truck Wars stops by Artegon Marketplace

Nov 14-22 Festival of the Trees at OMA (tickets on sale now)

Nov 21- 2nd Annual Run for Wildlife 5K at BGT (Register before Oct 31 for $40, $50 afterwards)

Nov 20-22- Latin Baseball Festival at WWOS

Dec 5, 12, 19, 26 Barista Bootcamp at the 4 Seasons Orlando

Main Event

The Orlando Tourism Report is now bringing the local hospitality conversation to a new weekly show on WPRK 91.5 FM.  OTR is the only podcast devoted to all aspects of Central Florida tourism. OTR’s first show on WPRK will be on Thursday, Oct 22, 2015. This weekly show will air Thursdays from 10 to noon. This live show will feature in-studio guests, locally relevant music, and news and information related to City Beautiful’s most important industry.  Orlando Tourism Report will now be available live to the entire community on FM radio and the convenient TuneIn App.

We will continue to produce and release weekly podcasts, now moving it to every Sunday.  The podcast will feature original content with some highlights from the WPRK 91.5 FM broadcast.

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October 13, 2015

Ep 49 – The Big Blue Super Long Whale of Show With Eric Davis

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SeaWorld is the focus of today’s main event when Eric Davis stops in to talk about the recent ruling from the California Coastal Commission that might mean an end to breeding in SeaWorld’s original park. The future of the company, orcas in captivity, that bizarre social media day earlier this year and more discussed in the firework filled conversation.

During the Punch List Robert and Ken talk about the recent monorail breakdown at WDW, the abrupt closure of the CSI exhibit, new hotels proposed for 192, OSHA’s rulings on the WDW Speedway accident, and that 400 acres that’s about to go up for sale. Southern cooking, Pitbull, Ferrari World, and I-4’s newest exit ramp are all worked into the conversation.

Show Notes

Hosts

Recording Date: 10-12-15

The Punch List Music

The Main Event Music

Eric Davis Speech Song | Speech

Closing Song

Punch List

  1. Monorail breaks down at WDW
  2. CSI, 7220 abruptly shuts down
  3. Jungleland might reopen
  4. 3 Hotels proposed for Osceola Heritage Sq
  5. Legoland movie attraction
  6. OSHA fines Petty Holdings $7,000, cites them in WDW speedway death
  7. I-4 exit ramp to Disney Springs opens
  8. New Chocolate shop coming to Disney Springs
  9. Chef Art Smith opening Florida themed restaurant at Disney Springs
  10. Club Disney dance party coming to DHS
  11. Disney announces Port Canaveral as home port for 3 ships in 2017
  12. Holland Cruises announces new make your own wine program aboard cruises from Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale
  13. Pitbull named Norwegian Escape’s ‘godfather’
  14. Blackjack agreement about to expire
  15. Over 400 acres in tourist district is going up to auction
  16. More details emerge regarding the I-Drive Marriott golf course near SWO
    • Residential portion include 260 single family homes, 176 townhomes and 700 apartment homes.
    • 423 single family homes/townhomes approved on Oct 8
  17. UOR confirms Hulk refurb will be done by B&M
  18. HHN Orl expands Scareactor dining experience
  19. iSq site work begins, their Twitter becomes active

Things We Loved This Week

Not Mentioned But Still Loved-

Events

Oct 9-31- Underground Vampire Bar at DRIP

Oct 17- African Penguin Awareness Day at BGT

Oct 17- Brian Miser (The Human Fuse) will be fired from bar to bar in a cannon in downtown Orlando to promote Captain Morgan’s Cannon Blast Bar Crawl (at Wall St Plaza)

Oct 17- Orlando Creative City Project

Oct 24- Cows ‘n Cabs in Winter Park

Oct 30-31- Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

Nov 13-15 Winter Park Concours d’Elegance

Nov 14-22 Festival of the Trees at OMA (tickets on sale now)

Nov 20-22- Latin Baseball Festival at WWOS

Dec 5, 12, 19, 26 Barista Bootcamp at the 4 Seasons Orlando

 

Main Event

Behind The Thrills – CCC bans breeding at San Diego, what’s next?

SeaWorld announces new position for Matt Rearden (former VP of Business Affairs) as Sr Business Development Officer

SEAS disappeared from the Fla Dept of Education website briefly

Journey to Atlantis Texas

Blue World Project– OBJ

Awesome Ocean

Unofficial SeaWorld Podcast

SeaWorld Erin Sea McKinney

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