April 22, 2015
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.
April 14, 2015
SideChat 9 – Yo-Yos of the High Class
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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
- Legoland Florida Hotel pricing
- NASCAR I-Drive
- Hash House A Go Go
- Ken Recommends- Giraffa’s
- Is Ferrari coming to Orlando? Dubai | Spain | Korea
- Ken – “We can probably expect a hotel to eventually go in to Skyplex.”
- Ken Recommends- Walt’s Frozen Head on Twitter
- Don’t forget- Orlando has a The Palm Restaurant.
- Jake Recommends- Adding more shopping to CityWalk Orlando
- Disneyland60 Shingles WTF?!
- Jake Recommends- Not offering less for your money
- Ken Recommends- Pig Floyd’s
- The Great Villains Unleashed Flop of 2014
- Lissa Recommends- Updating the list of acts at Food & Wine
- Ken Recommends- Cher and Elton John performing at Epcot
- mmmhops
April 7, 2015
Ep 28 – Floating Cars Get Across The Pond
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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
Hosts
Special Guests
Recording Dates
- Punch List- March 28, 2015
- Interview with Simon and Susan- March 5, 2015
Show Notes
Punch List
WDW
- Tomorrowland in Future World. Is Caption EO leaving for good? Does this point to future developments (Carousel of Progress rumor)? Innoventions Westis closing April 29 and in Disneyland its closing for 2 months, what does this mean?
- Pirates of the Caribbean closed for the summer.
- 50 Cent’s audio company is sponsoring Star Tours. WTF?
- Theme Park Insider noticed what looks to be a new road being built near DHS. Is this the new entrance?
- Trader Sam’s opens. Will the lines be a staple of this new bar?
- Amphibious Cars arrivedand they look awesome!
- Marvel store coming to DTD
UOR
- Updates to (what is likely) Kong from Amusement Buzz
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
- Paramount is bringing an ‘American style’ park to U.K. and it will be interesting to watch how its received.
- Simon and Susan think gaming will be a bad mix for Orlando
- Tampa, Daytona and Miami have the adults covered, Simon and Susan think Orlando should be family focused
- SeaWorld does a great job of conservation but they could do more to focus on it
- 192 may have to give up on tourism as the main draw for certain segments of the road, but not the entire road.
March 30, 2015
OTR Ep 27 – Skeletons and Presidents
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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
- Ken
- Kyle
- Lissa of Magical Enchanted Vacations | Lissa’s introduction SideChat
- Special Guest- Mark Brisson of Skeletons: Animals Unveiled
Recording Info
- SEAS President Reactions Recorded – Mar 21
- The Punch List Recording – Mar 17
- Mark Brisson Interview – Mar 13
Show Notes
::Punch List::
SEAS
- New President is announced and he looks like the right choice.
- Is Bloomin’ Brands coming to SeaWorld?
- BGT releases a statement regarding its otters. #OtterGate isn’t mentioned in it.
Tourist District and Related News
- Planet Hollywood condo hotel coming to Lake Bryan/535
- 11 story condo hotel and retail project coming across from SWO
- DPPAC might get fancy hotel
- Hyatt Place at Church St proposed
- Patel hotels bought
- Skyfall at Skyplex announced at State of I-Drive
- The property that Chuck Whittall mentioned at State of I-Drive that he will be developing over next 5 years
- American Maglev confirms expansion plans beyond I-Drive
- BRT coming to I-Drive?
Outside of the region
- DollyWood readies to open its DreamMore Resort
- Miami Megamall gets 1st approval
::Main Event::
Interview with Mark Brisson of Skeletons: Animals Unveiled
5 Take-Aways from the Interview
- Skeletons: Animals Unveiled is working with Boy and Girl Scouts to have badge programs at the museum
- They’re aiming for attendance in the 100K-400K range
- Special Events will be a central funding source for Skeletons: Animals Unveiled
- Mark predicts a day when parts of I-Drive will be pedestrian plazas
- He doesn’t seem to expect the Tourist Development Tax distribution plan to change anytime soon
March 22, 2015
SideChat 8 – Here We Go Again
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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
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.