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.
Dani of This Florida Life joins us today for our Main Event. She gives an industry insider perspective on the hospitality bubble and what it means for the future of Orlando. Plus she talks Bay Lake Society and much more. Richie stops by for The Punch List where we cover the recent rape at Downtown Disney, the new peer-reviewed study on captive killer whales, Ripley’s expansion plans to Africa, and recent construction announcements around Orlando.
Macau casino giant Galaxy Entertainment is buying 5% in SBM to diversify into other markets, Macau performance under expectations. Galaxy Ent shares are down 46% due to Macau’s performance. Hong Kong hotel occupancy rates down for the 9th straight month. China’s economy is off. Japan’s shrank last quarter, “a soft patch.” Does all of this point to a bubble in Orlando? Dani weighs in during the Main Event.
Davidson County, Tenn., which includes the Nashville metropolitan area, with 6.7 percent growth. Hillsborough County came in second overall with 6.12 percent growth. Employment in Orange County, FL reached 49,724 in 2014, up from 47,583 recorded for the previous year.
New peer reviewed study on Killer Whales released in the Journal of Mammalogy by the Oxford University Press. It found no difference in life expectancy between SEAS whales and wild populations. And found wild calf survival rates of Southern Resident killer whales to be significantly less that SEAS (79.9% vs 96.6%).
Orlando HQ’d Ripley’s returns to Africa for the first time since 1933 when Robert Ripley visited. New 12 city traveling show stops by shopping malls in South Africa.
Next week I’ll joining a new podcast. He Says, She Says. A Disney talking podcast. Follow along on Twitter @DisneyTalking
Speaking of podcasts check out The Park Blogger had a great show with Lite’em and Hyde this past week. WDW Today did an excellent job with their offsite episode last week, I give them a thumbs up for that but wish they had focused more on I-Drive, Park Ave and maybe even some places like downtown Sanford.
After a whirlwind month of announcements and news we gather some theme parks fan to break it all down. Sir Owen Disney, Epcod and Elvenage join Jake, Richie and Ken to discuss their takes on all of this past month’s news. The future of SeaWorld, the chances of Skyplex actually ever happening and the role of Value Resorts at the modern Walt Disney Role all come up. Hot takes on the latest news, reviews of Tomorrowland, gambling’s impact on Florida, and a lot more in the news round-up episode.
Orlando City Soccer Club refusing tourist development tax funds, fully private stadium. Adding 9,000 extra seats, now at 28,000 seats. Changing the dynamic with the Citrus Bowl and Amway. Nearly $30 million in tax dollars saved.
On this grab bag of news Ken and Kyle talk about the latest news from the Disneyland 60th Anniversary with what they expect from it to make its way eastward. Night of Joy and Mardi Gras is discussed. They give an update to Universal’s rumored water park. They touch on some pretty big local hotel rumors and news before finishing out the episode with news on Circus World’s reunion, Enzi at BGT, Aqutica’s $8 tickets and Tin Roof Orlando marketing strategy.
We’re back with another episode of our hospitality podcast. This week the guys are getting ready for next week’s massive IAAPA convention that’s coming to town.
The OTR crew gets ready for IAAPA with a round-up of all the recent news including: #OtterGate, Construction at SEAS parks, Downtown Disney, Flamingo Crossing, I-Square, I-Drive 360. Kyle’s wardrobe choices are questioned, Ken calls 80% of IAAPA monotonous and then the guys get confused talking about Christmas at the Magic Kingdom.
Show Info
Hosts
Bob from Pixels at the Parks Ken Storey Viktor from The BGT Buzz Kyle (Our host and reporter live on I-Drive)
Production
Episode Producer- Bob
Recorded- November 9th, 2014
