October 9, 2015
Ep 48 – GREAT SCOTT!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Singles now outnumber married adults in the US. Today we talk with a single guy who just spent a week on vacation in Orlando. How does being alone affect how you tour the parks? Plus his impressions on WDW, UOR, HHN and Orlando in general. During the Punch List we cover OMA’s big announcement, WDW ticket prices, New Smyrna Beach’s new paid parking plan, dog days at Legoland, Parliament House’s big finical mess and more. We also talk about Watch Me Eat’s latest review of a Chinese buffet and the latest food news from around the region.
Show Notes
Hosts
- Ken
- Brian
- Jay
- Events and Disney Correspondents-Lissaand Nicki
- Online Trends Correspondent-Jake of Orlando Park Pass
- Hotel Correspondent-Kyle
- Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie
- Guest – Great Traveling Scotty
Recording Dates: Main Event- 10-6-15 | Punch List- 10-5-15
Music – The Punch List Music | The Main Event Music | Closing Song
Punch List
- OMA announces plans to move, build new iconic home in DT Orlando
- Prices go up at WDW, DL
- Rafiki to meet guest at WDW
- DVC Thanksgiving Feast at the Contemporary
- The Good Dinosaur replacing Walt Disney biopic at DHS
- SeaWorld announces new position for Matt Rearden (former VP of Business Affairs) as Sr Business Development Officer
- Parkview Resort proposal deferred to fix inadequate outbound queueing
- New Smyrna to start charging out of towners to park
- Carnival announces onboard wi-fi
- Cell phone discounts on DCL
- Orange Air cancels Orlando Sanford to Cancun flights
- Legoland Florida Water park Dog Day Nov 8 for Humane Society fundraiser
- Parliament House told to repay debts immediately or get new loan. If not it goes to auction Nov 1st
- Chef Norman Van Aken to open new restaurant in Mt Dora
- Watch Me Eat reviews the NY China Buffet in LBV
Events
Oct 9 – Jake’s Beer Fest at Royal Pacific
Oct 9-31- Underground Vampire Bar at DRIP
Oct 31-31- Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic
Nov 13-15 Winter Park Concours d’Elegance
Nov 20-22- Latin Baseball Festival at WWOS
Dec 5, 12, 19, 26 Barista Bootcamp at the 4 Seasons Orlando
Main Event
September 29, 2015
Ep 47 – Look Who’s Talking
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
On today’s show we go way off topic when Robert from Mickey Updates joins us. It’s a packed show with hot takes, new insights and plenty of news regarding local tourism. During The Punch List Jay, Jake, Brian and Ken talk about the huge news coming out of Port Canaveral, what the tragedy in Seattle means for the future of duck tours, the odd move for Night of Joy, plus what a petition might’ve just helped bring back to WDW. It’s a big show but stick around for a big announcement at the end.
Show Notes
Hosts
- Ken
- Brian
- Jay
- Events and Disney Correspondents-Lissaand Nicki
- Online Trends Correspondent-Jake of Orlando Park Pass
- Hotel Correspondent-Kyle
- Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie
- Guest – Robert of Mickey Updates
Recording Dates: Main Event- 9-27-15 | Punch List- 9-28-15
Music
The Punch List
- Port Canaveral- CEO resigns, entertainment district moves ahead
- Side Reference to Boehner’s resignation- Dan Webster seems interested in the job
- Ride The Ducks accident in Seattle. Is enough being done to ensure tourists are safe? How long did it take to get parasailing regulations here?
- Disney Dining Buddy shuts down, DIS Dining Agent shifts website to ‘coming soon.’ John Kivus on Ropedrop.net asks- Is this the end of third party dining reservation sites?
- Night of Joy moves to Wide World of Sports
- Downtown Disney is now Disney Springs. Neverland Tunnels.
- Epcot’s Food & Wine gets gift card bracelets. Why not Magicbands? Why two options?
- Flik returns to DAK (but only during a character meal)
- Peco Bill’s goes Mexican.
- Season of the Force dates go out on the AP site (honest accident or on purpose leak?)
- Dania Beach’s Hurricane gets a demo date (Spring 2016)
- TopGolf plans new attraction on Universal Blvd (property owned by Orlando Equity Partners)
- OCCC unveils 20 year growth plan
- Expedia announces retail centers in Kissimmee, Orlando
- Hilton investigating possible credit card breach at numerous US properties
- TWDC announces new independent director on the board
-News We Skipped-
- Georgia Aquarium loses bid to import belugas
- SunRail Southern leg gets full funding, now the focus is on the OIA connector
- Comcast buys 51% of USJ, Richard Bilbao thinks it could mean more/better investment in Orlando
Recommendations
- UCF’s Knight Library was rated the #1 college bar in the nation
- Fort Lauderdale’s Mai-Kai Tiki Bar named #1 tiki bar in the world
- The Paris Review’s exposé on Mick Jagger’s 1965 summer at a hotel in Clearwater where he wrote Satisfaction. Via Orlando Weekly.
- Passport to Dream’s Contemporary Resort posts following the resort from 1971-today.
The Main Event
- Nile Ethiopian Restaurant
- Great Escape Room
- Pixels at the Parks tours Mangos
- Perkins at Skyscraper at Skyplex
- George and the Dragon attack
- Bill Kitchen thrill rides (US Thrill Rides)
- Proposed Silver Screen Resort at UOR
- Ramada Michotel on Sandy Lake
- Ken thinks the Wet ‘N Wild resort being like the Lowes Hollywood
- Orl Park Pass- Shanghai Disneyland article
September 22, 2015
Ep 46 – That Seven Year Saving The Island Itch
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Today King Bob of the Save Pleasure Island blog stops by to talk Disney Springs, the 7th anniversary of the closure of Pleasure Island and the future of night life in Central Florida. The interview takes place on location at Disney Springs and part walking tour, part history lesson and part look at the future.
During the Punch List the crew talks about Blizzard Beach, Disney canning cover bands, Pop Century’s odd new menu, local celebrity sightings, downtown hotel towers, local roadside attractions and much more.
The show is flipped from the regular model with an extended Punch List and shorter Main Event but today’s show has even more news in it than usual.
Show Notes
Hosts
- Ken
- Brian
- Jay
- Events and Disney Correspondents-Lissaand Nicki
- Online Trends Correspondent-Jake of Orlando Park Pass
- Hotel Correspondent-Kyle
- Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie
Recording Dates- Punch List: 9-21-2015 | Main Event: 9-18-2015 at Disney Springs
The Punch List
- Issues at Blizzard Beach
- Mulch sweat and shears leaving
- WDW adds lots of EMHs in December, are EMHs here to stay?
- Peter Pan closed for quick update. When will we get Anaheim’s updates
- Disney firefighters union
- Brunch at Narcoossee’s
- Pop Century gets crazy new menu
- Jock Lindsey opens, Disney on Dad’s coaster tweet
- SIN cancelled at HOB
- Mike of Mike & Molly opening pizza joint in Hunters Creek
- Ken Recommends- A TMZ Orlando
September 15, 2015
Ep 45 – Cali VIPs
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Today we have a full house as all but two of the regular hosts join us in a Punch List full of rabbit trails and additions. We talk about a giant observation that’s not in Orlando, a Soarin’ ride that’s not at Epcot, something that is closing at Magic Kingdom which the theme park community all seems ok with, a future where Orlando might not be the top tourist destination, and how to properly build a good drainage ditch.
During the Main Event we go high-end when Jake gives a trip report from Discovery Cove and his VIP tours at Disneyland, UOR and USH. He also mentions some from his visit to San Francisco’s Walt Disney Family Museum, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and more.
Show Notes
Hosts
- Ken
- Brian
- 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
Recording Date: Punch List: 9-13-15 | Main Event: 9-14-15
The Punch List
Disneyland announces new $300 breakfast that allows you to eat on the Jungle Cruise’s African veldt and captain a Jungle Cruise boat.
WDW announces new dessert party that will take place on one of 7 Seas Lagoon’s double-decker ferry boats. Its only $99.
Now along with Magicbands Disney will ship you luggage tags when you book a hotel room at WDW
China shuts down 153 factories so that Shanghai Disneyland can have blue skies
September 8, 2015
Ep 44 – Tim Grassey’s Great Big Beautiful WDW Rumor Round-Up
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Today we skip the news and instead bring the longest interview we’ve ever done with over an hour and half of uninterrupted Tim Grassey goodness. The show covers almost every single rumor currently circling Walt Disney World with a few new ones as well. Tim gives details on why Joe Rohde says he doubts Giant Pandas will ever come to DAK, why Tim thinks Osborne Lights might be moving to DTD and how accurate these Frontierland rumors are. Some Universal comparisons are brought into the conversation and at the end of the interview Ken asks ‘What? No love for Ferris Wheels or alligators?’ Not today Ken, not today.
Show Notes
Hosts
- Ken
- Brian
- Jay
- Events and Disney Correspondent- Lissa
- Online Trends Correspondent- Jake of Orlando Park Pass
- Hotel Correspondent- Kyle
- Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie
- Special Guest- Tim Grassey of WDW Theme Parks
Recording Date: 9-1-2015
Music- Main Event Intro
The Punch List
While we skip The Punch List on today’s episode here a few of the bigger tourism stories from the past week.
Wet n Wild sues to stop drainage into the man-made lake
Artegon Cinemark getting $3 Million upgrade
Smart City fined $750,000 for blocking Wi-Fi signals (Smart City is the telecom provider of OCCC)
World’s largest arcade game being built-in OSC during Maker Faire Orlando
Pearl Seas Cruise Line announces cruise from Port of Palm Beach to Cuba
Florida Ports Council Elects New Chairman
Space Coast Office of Tourism to step up promotions next year
Former Miami Detective says now is the time to legalize prostitution
Pitbull partners with Visit Florida as our state’s newest brand ambassador
St. Augustine celebrates 450th Anniversary with new distillery
Jungle Cruise Sunrise Safari Breakfast at DL
Now along with Magicbands Disney will ship you luggage tags when you book a hotel room at WDW
Robot butlers hired at Aloft hotels
DreamWorks leaves Disney distribution deal, is DW headed to UOR?
Events
Magical Dining Month– Now through Sept 30
M.C. Escher at Dali Museum now through Jan 3
O-Town Mac Down for GKTW – Sept 12
The Pineapple Ball – Oct 17
Cast of Willy Wonka coming to Spooky Empire – Oct 30- Nov 1
The Main Event
Tim Grassey Recommends- Keys to the Kingdom Tour
Gregory of UUOP’s question
Joe Rohde’s Instagram post regarding Dinorama