September 1, 2015
Ep 43 – Kubersky’s Art Night At The Cat Cafe
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Seth Kubersky stops by to talk about his new Universal Orlando guidebook. The local art scene, the future of 192, casinos, and California theme parks are all discussed. Plus what type of shoes Seth loves to wear to theme parks and his favorite district in town to go out for a night on the town. During the Punch List we talk about all the new hotel rooms announced for the area (over 2,000 in the past week alone!), our private conversation with the Maglev company, the future of museums in St Pete and Central Florida’s new cat café that’s about to open. News from Tampa, Daytona, Port Canaveral, Skyplex, iSquare, and SeaWorld is also included.
Show Notes
Hosts
- Ken
- Brian
- Jake of Orlando Park Pass
- Special Guest- Seth Kubersky
Recording Dates: Main Event- Aug 26, 2015 | Punch List- Aug 31, 2015
Punch List
- UOR announces 400 more rooms in two new towers.
- Rosen announces 1,200-1,500 more rooms, spread across three OCCC area hotels (Shingle Creek, Centre and Plaza)
- New 365 room hotel announced for Universal Blvd (beside the Imagine Westin, across OCCC)
- Bike lanes, bus lanes discussed at I-Drive meeting
- New details on the SLR/I-Drive pedestrian bridge
- 436 Double Decker Proposal (Ken was a little off, it was proposed in 1986)
- New renderings of Skyplex released
- Maglev chat- Groundbreaking by end of year, Phase 1 is OIA to I-Drive, Phase 2 I-Drive Circulator
- iSquare announces first retail tenant…a Subway
- Falcon’s to start licensing Turtle Trek for attractions world-wide
- Brevard Zoo plans an aquarium
- The Florida Aquarium partners with Florida Museum of Photographic Arts on new exhibit
- New $75 million western and native American art museum planned for St Pete
- Escapology announces a new room
- A Cat Café planned for Clermont (near 192/27 interchange)
- Daytona Lagoon sold to United Parks, $2 Million upgrade planned
The Main Event
- Seth Kubersky
- Seth Kubersky’s Orlando Weekly articles
- Touring Plans
- The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando
- UG Beyond Disney
- UG Las Vegas
Events
Magical Dining Month– Now through Sept 30
M.C. Escher at Dali Museum now through Jan 3
The 4th Annual Great Irish Hooley – Sept 4-7 @ Raglan Road
O-Town Mac Down for GKTW – Sept 12
The Pineapple Ball – Oct 17
Next Week on OTR – Tim Grassey of WDW Theme Parks and E-Ticket Report
August 25, 2015
Ep 42 – Safari Mike Hopes For A Train But Not For a Monkey Island
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Safari Mike of Jambo Everyone/Radio Harambe stops in for a chat about the future of Animal Kingdom and the history of live animals at Walt Disney World. Ken is let down when Safari Mike tells him a monkey island in the Seven Seas Lagoon is unlikely. Jake asks about the role of the conservation message in the future of the park. Both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens are also brought up in the discussion. During the Punch List Brian, Jake and Ken talk about wine on 192, booze at a gun range, that odd leak from Universal Orlando and their favorite parts of IAAPA. Ken tells the guys about some bad news regarding the Mag-Lev train and some good news regarding Orlando International. A quick discussion on Monday’s insane stock market drop and what it means for Orlando is also included.
Show Notes
Hosts
- Ken
- Brian
- Jake of Orlando Park Pass
- Special Guest- Safari Mike of Jambo Everyone
Song One (Punch List)
Song Two (Main Event Intro)
Song Three (Closing Song)
Recording Dates: Main Event- Aug 21, 2015 | Punch List- Aug 24, 2015
The Punch List
Paul Brinkman’s analysis of how Monday’s stock market craziness affects for Central Florida businesses (And it doesn’t look good for SEAS)
- Dismaland – Banksy theme park
- Lord of the Rings park in Spain put on hold due to gov’t $ cuts
- F&F at USF
- Fantasy of Flight to reopen in 3-5 years
- Falcon’s Creative Group announces office expansion.
- Black Bear exhibit coming to the Central Florida Zoo
- Winery, vacation home, botanical gardens development at Formosa Gardens area of 192 moves forward
- Visit Orlando kicks off new campaign
- MK, DLP make list of riskiest places to use public wifi
- New renderings of Skyplex released, T-Mobile/AT&T announced as telecommunications partner
- Occupancy and nightly rates up year over year in the region
- Hotel announced for Bella Collina
- AC Hotel/Residence Inn coming across from Millenia, new office building were also announced for across the street from that project
- 2 new hotels announced for OIA, no flag announced at this time
- OIA announces Fentress (Denver, LAX) as the architect for the new South Terminal
- Mag-Lev hits a snag with the OIA
- Daytona Beach getting gun range with booze bar
Events
- Magical Dining Month– Now through Sept 30
- M.C. Escher at Dali Museum now through Jan 3
- Florida Kids and Family Expo – August 29-30
- O-Town Mac Down for GKTW – Sept 12
- The Pineapple Ball – Oct 17
Ken Recommends – Florida Matters TIA Interview
The Main Event
National Elephant Center in Fellsmere, Florida
Potter Zoo’s new moose exhibit
August 18, 2015
Ep 41 – Wars of Sabers and Wands
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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
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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
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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.