Know the city | Know the industry

5 Questions in 5 Minutes with Denise of MouseSteps.com

We recently were able to grab a few minutes with Denise of Mouse Steps. She gave us some insights into where she sees Orlando evolving and what the future of Disney World will be. If you’re unfamiliar Mouse Steps is a one stop shop for all things Disney related. From movie reviews to walking trails at the World Mouse Steps is the perfect site. They also feature the very latest in Disney World news; including ride closures and restaurant reviews.

OTR- What should the theme be for Universal Orlando’s next resort?

D@MS- I would personally like to see character themed suites for a full resort, like the higher end Minion Suites. For anyone who hasn’t seen them, there is one room that is elegant, and then a very nicely themed bedroom for kids (or kids at heart).

OTR- What do you see as being the likely next big construction project coming to Magic Kingdom? 

D@MS- I would be surprised to see any big construction coming to the Magic Kingdom anytime soon. Between Downtown Disney (Disney Springs), Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park and hopefully a makeover at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I think Disney has a pretty full plate. I would rather see Epcot get a few new countries or attractions. The Magic Kingdom just went through several years of changing Fantasyland, so I just don’t see anything big happening now.

OTR- What will Future World be in 15 years?

D@MS- I don’t expect Future World to change that much in 15 years. It would be nice to have a makeover for Universe of Energy, and to have Wonders of Life open all year round with attractions. The Imagination pavilion could use a massive overhaul too.

OTR- What is the next step for Central Florida’s sports tourism industry

D@MS- I would like to see a major league baseball team for Orlando.

OTR- Short and sweet! I like that. And one last question here.What is one non-touristy thing that everyone who visits Orlando should see or do?

D@MS- We have a lot of semi-touristy things to do here. Lakeridge Winery in Clermont would be one. There are a ton of restaurants and some things to do in the Winter Park area. Kings Bowl on I-Drive is fun and has great food. There is always something to do here, in or out of the theme parks.

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SideChat 9 – Yo-Yos of the High Class

Uh oh, Ken and Lissa go at it today when the discussion turns to what demographic Disney is currently targeting.  Change is coming but who will it be for? Downtown Disney, Ferrari World and Disneyland60 are brought up in this Uni vs. Disney fight. Jake tries to break up the fighting by talking CityWalk but Lissa and Ken see right through it. They continue their discussion on who Disney is going after by talking acts at Food & Wine, Legoland Hotel pricing and who really shops at Sunglass Hut. In the end in classic sitcom style everyone still loves each other and the show ends with Jay, Jake, Lissa and Ken all jumping into the air High-Fiving each other while jamming out.

Show Info

Music
Hosts
Recording Dates
  • March 28, 2015

Show Notes

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Ep 28 – Floating Cars Get Across The Pond

First up today is a Punch List with Jay and Lissa plus we’re joined by Jake who is taking the Caption E.O. news pretty hard. After a touchy exchange between Ken and Lissa regarding Disney Jay brings up some UOR news.

Then for the Main Event today we have Part 2 of the interview with Simon and Susan of Veness Travel Media (Part 1 was posted March 16). They give their unique insights into the local British tourism trends and weigh in on all the news including Star Trek attractions, Star Wars and where SeaWorld goes from here.

Show Info

Music

Song 1

Song 2

Hosts

Special Guests

Recording Dates

  • Punch List- March 28, 2015
  • Interview with Simon and Susan- March 5, 2015

 

Show Notes

Punch List

WDW

UOR

Legoland Florida

  • Lego Friends announced as final room theme of LLF Hotel. Is it smart to focus so heavy on a gender specific brand

MAIN EVENT

Part 2 of the interview with Veness Travel Media (Part 1 is here)

5 Takeaways from the Interview

  1. Paramount is bringing an ‘American style’ park to U.K. and it will be interesting to watch how its received.
  2. Simon and Susan think gaming will be a bad mix for Orlando
  3. Tampa, Daytona and Miami have the adults covered, Simon and Susan think Orlando should be family focused
  4. SeaWorld does a great job of conservation but they could do more to focus on it
  5. 192 may have to give up on tourism as the main draw for certain segments of the road, but not the entire road.
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OTR Ep 27 – Skeletons and Presidents

On today’s extra long episode Ken and Kyle start off with huge news coming out of SeaWorld. Then Lissa joins in for rest of the Punch List. The wave of recent hotel announcements is covered along, yet more announced for Skyplex, the new bus-only lanes coming to I-Drive, and the latest on Miami’s megamall.

Then Mark Brisson, Executive Director of Skeletons: Animals Unveiled, calls in for a discussion on I-Drive 360, the future of the region and much more. The conversation focuses on safety, the future of the SLR-I-Drive intersection and what it takes to be successful in the most intense tourist district in the nation.

Show Info
Recording Info
  • SEAS President Reactions Recorded – Mar 21
  • The Punch List Recording – Mar 17
  • Mark Brisson Interview – Mar 13

Song One | Song Two

 

Show Notes
::Punch List::

SEAS

 

Tourist District and Related News

 

Outside of the region

 

::Main Event::

Interview with Mark Brisson of Skeletons: Animals Unveiled  

5 Take-Aways from the Interview

  1. Skeletons: Animals Unveiled is working with Boy and Girl Scouts to have badge programs at the museum
  2. They’re aiming for attendance in the 100K-400K range
  3. Special Events will be a central funding source for Skeletons: Animals Unveiled
  4. Mark predicts a day when parts of I-Drive will be pedestrian plazas
  5. He doesn’t seem to expect the Tourist Development Tax distribution plan to change anytime soon
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SideChat 8 – Here We Go Again

On today’s SideChat we introduce a brand new pixie duster to the team. Lissa from Magical Enchanted Vacations will be bringing her passion for Disney to the podcast to help balance Ken and Kyle’s I-Drive obsession. This quick SideChat is an introduction to Lissa and her takes on all the recent Disney news. A few bits of news from CityWalk and I-Drive are also featured.

Show Info

Hosts

Recording- Mar 12, Mar 21

Music- Closing Song (Music / Instrumental by Aries 4Rce BeatZ – youtube.com/aries4rce)

Show Notes

Lissa Recommends-  Painting the DHS Chinese Theater

Tree of Life’s new roots

Inside The Magic’s video of the MK hub

Touring Plan’s review of the Royal Guest Rooms at Port Orléans

Poly pool redo via Mickey Xtreme

Disney World Water Park-to-park bus

Lissa Recommends – Use WDW transportation when moving around the resort

Ken Recommends- Parking at a resort and taking transportation to Disney Springs

Lissa Recommends- Cap’n Crunch Friend Chicken at Planet Hollywood

Is NBC Sports Grille going to be a microbrewery?

da Vinci exhibit coming to I-Drive.

  • Grand Opening = April 18 (4p-8p) $25 ticket to ALL THREE 7220 attractions and food by Tin Roof.

Busch  Gardens confirms a new project for 2016

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