Know the city | Know the industry

5 Questions With Safari Mike

We’re excited to have Animal Kingdom expert Safari Mike from the Radio Harambe podcast and the Jambo Everyone website answer a few questions regarding his views on Orlando tourism. Mike has long been an advocate of Animal Kingdom and has supported numerous conservation efforts around the world. His weekly podcast has become the go-to place for the very latest news regarding Animal Kingdom and all of Walt Disney World.  Mike and his Radio Harambe co-host Dave McBride have both long been advocates of Animal Kingdom not being a half day park.

OTR- What makes Orlando unique when compared to other tourist centric destinations?

SM- This one is easy: Volume. The sheer number of theme parks and attractions is overwhelming. Like I said, I never set foot “off property” but I know I am missing another world. Back when I first started going to WDW, there was just the Magic Kingdom (yes I am that old). So we would go to Busch Gardens, Sea World, Silver Springs, Cypress Gardens. Then Epcot opened and we stopped doing a couple of those other attractions. Then Disney MGM Studios opened and it was game set and match. Other than checking out Universal Studios in its infancy we really never set foot off property. But there is sooooo much out there that people could spend a month on vacation in Central Florida and not see everything.

OTR- What is the most ‘Disney’ ride currently at Universal Orlando Resort?

SM- This one is a toughie since I usually don’t leave the World. But I am constantly looking at videos and whatnot of Universal. The easy answer would be something Potter due to the level of theming or perhaps Spider Man since that’s actually a Disney property. But I am going to pick Revenge of the Mummy. It just seems like a Disney type ride with the level of details in it. The queues, the effects, the façade, all are quite “Disney.” And if they ever put it into Hollywood Studios it would automatically be a Top 3 attraction, no?

OTR- What are your predictions/hopes on what the next big news item regarding Disney World resorts being?

SM- This would have to be what’s the next DVC. We all know its coming and they have pretty much maxed out the monorail resorts for vacation club expansion. Once the Poly is done, what will Disney do next for DVC? I have heard all sorts of things including even a large addition to the Caribbean Beach resort to allow for rooftop Illuminations viewing or something build right behind Epcot for the same advantageous views. I suppose only time will tell but with DVC being such a cash cow, you can bet they are not done with it.

As for hopes? I want them to build a train that runs from Kidani to Jambo to a dedicated DAK entrance at Harambe. How cool would that be?????

OTR- What is the one thing that would cause the biggest improvement to Orlando International Airport?

SM- I have three words for this – Earl. Of. Sandwich. That’s right, my home airport of Newark NJ has an Earl in one of its terminals. Let’s put one in the Orlando airport. Then I wouldn’t have to try to work my way down to that ridiculous Disney Springs area and its nightmarish construction to get a decent sub. And who wouldn’t feel better about going home munching on a holiday sandwich? I say no one. And what better way to enjoy the Magical Express ride to the Animal Kingdom Lodge than by chowing down on a Chipotle Chicken Avocado. Better WiFi? Sure that would be nice. Quicker baggage claims? OK, that helps. But both pale in comparison to adding an Earl.

OTR- What ride at Walt Disney World would you point to as best resembling what the future of the parks will be?

SM- I was going to say Triceratops Spin here, but I decided against that. Instead, I am going with Enchanted Tales with Belle. What’s that you say? Well, hear me out on this one. Yes, I know it’s an attraction that is basically for little kids and it doesn’t have a ride element. But the reality is the technology in here is pretty amazing. The mirror effect and the Luminere AA are wow factors. I see these types of things continuing; clearly the 7 dwarves at the mine train take a cue from the Luminere figure. The lighting effects are used so well (Avatarland anyone?). And, most importantly, an immersive experience, which is of course, a Disney hallmark. Yeah, this attraction is not necessarily a “big deal” but it does show to me where Disney is possibly going into the future.

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OTR – SideChat 7 – Here Come The Lions

In today’s SideChat we’re joined by Simon and Susan of Veness Travel Media.  Simon is the author of The Brits Guide to Orlando, the #1 selling Orlando travel guide in the U.K.  For this special SideChat though we pick his brain on soccer. He is a regular writer for MLS.com and SkySports.com. He has also written about American sports for most major British newspapers and has been featured on the BBC.  Today we discuss the Orlando City Soccer Club’s first MLS season, what this new team means to Orlando tourism and how Kaka will impact Brazilian tourist’s vacation plans.

Show Info

Ken Storey

Kyle

Jay

Special Guests – Simon & Susan of Veness Travel Media

Show Notes

Orlando City Soccer Club

Kaka

South Florida Condo Sales

MLS Largest attended games

Atlanta confirmed as an expansion

SunRail

Church Street Station

Mag-lev I-Drive plans | Overall plans

David Beckham’s plans for a Miami MLS expansion

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OTR – Ep 25 – Unofficial Tours and Thoughts With Bob Sehlinger

Today we have Bob Sehlinger, Founder of The Unofficial Guides. He discusses the history of Unofficial Guides and Touring Plans, his thoughts on current events in Central Florida’s tourism industry and the future of Unofficial Guides. Along the way interesting tidbits related to Disney World, South Florida, Busch Gardens and Len Testa are all brought up.

Show Info

Interview with Bob Sehlinger

Recorded Feb 19, 2014

Show Notes

The Unofficial Guides

Time Dependent Traveling Salesman Problem

Len Testa’s Twitter

Bob- “We basically write for Type A personalities.”

Touring Plans

Ken Recommends – The Touring Plans Lines App

WDW Today Touring Plans restaurant review episode

Ken Recommends – Couchsurfing

History of Disney Price Increases

Michael Moore vs Charlton Heston

Derek Burgan’s DAK Full Day Park post

New Avatar at DAK info

British vacation time entitlements

Rasulo stated hotel future plans, not Iger like Ken stated.

Chalet Suzanne closed

Clearwater Aquarium expansion plans

Unofficial Guides on Twitter | Facebook

 

::The Unofficial Guide Author Events::

Both events are free of charge

Celebration Writers Group: Special Author Visit

  • Monday, March 9 at 7 p.m.
  • Bob Sehlinger, Laurel Stewart, Len Testa, Seth Kubersky and Lilane Opsomer.
  • Hosted by Celebration Writers Group
  • Enjoy details on the business of publishing.

Wonderful World of Disney Authors

  • Wednesday, March 11 at 7 PM
  • Bob Sehlinger, Laurel Stewart, Seth Kubersky and Liliane Opsomer
  • The focus of this event will be Disney stories and their inside scoops on writing the successful series.
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OTR – Ep 24 – Wet and Wild For Possibilities Far Far Away

On today’s show Kyle and Ken cover some recent news including that dreadful SEAS earnings report, a recent shooting at Fun Spot, the new Avatar renderings and a new restaurant planned for Magic Kingdom. Then they spend the rest of the show discussing what Universal will do after Wet n’ Wild closes. The usual suspects like the megamall, The Orlando Eye, and (of course) Taco Bell are all mentioned.

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OrlandoTourismReport.com Launches!

We are proud to announce Orlando Tourism Report has now hatched and has launched out on its own. Please make sure to check out our brand new website, OrlandoTourismReport.com . You’ll be able to find all of our restored Show Notes, a few archived articles and the brand new Gossip Line.

When you have rumors you want to share the Gossip Line is here to give you an anonymous option.

We’ll be announcing a few more special features that help celebrate Orlando tourism over the next few days. Make sure to tune-in later this week for TWO brand new episodes; including one with the founder of the Unofficial Guides. He talks about the history of tour books in Orlando, the future of Touring Plans and more!

Of course you can follow us @OrlandoPodcast on Twitter.

OTR is glad to have you listening and excited to share this next step with you!

Thank you for listening and staying with us!

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