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Tag: Busch Gardens

February 4, 2016

Ep 60 – Malls, Monster Trucks and 4D Movies

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We have current news then we thaw out one of winter break episodes. During the news, Andy and Ken talk Disney, Fun Spot and SeaWorld. Jim tells about the recent media event at Legoland.

Then Mr. Entertainment stops by to give trip reports from Royal Rumble and Monster Jam. The Main Event includes an interview from last month with Mark of Orlando Mall Guide. Malls, the Orlando Magic, Miami and who laughs at Mark’s jokes are all brought up.

The show also features music inspired by Winter Park, from the brand new album by Jesse Cutler.

Show Notes
Hosts

Date of Recording: News- 1/27/16, 1/28/16 | Mr. Entertainment- 1/28/16 | OMG Mark- 1/7/16

Music– Jesse Cutler’s Music of Winter Park Album | Interview

Punch List

Star Wars land details to be reveled during Feb 21 ABC special hosted by Harrison Ford

Seashore Sweets closing/moving, Flying Fish expanding. Will the food improve as well?

WWOS expanding. 286,000 sq ft multi-story bldg and a new parking lot.

Big Thunder Mtn has 4 month refurb starting April 4. Is the new DL ending coming to MK?

WDWInfo (The DIS) asks “Is Magic Kindgom’s Skipper Canteen taking on water?”

Crescent Solarium at Beach Club to offer Afternoon Tea

Two former WDW tech employees file federal lawsuit over outsourcing. Disney stated in outsourcing firms stated in visa applications that American jobs wouldn’t be affected.

WaPo had an article on the history of no-fly zones at WDW and how they may affect drones there.

SEAS announces 4th Q and Year End results release date (Thurs, Feb 25), Conference call at 9AM that same day. What are your expectations?

Hotel rumors heat up at SEAS

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January 23, 2016

Ep 59 – Brian Goes Global

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Brian returns from Asia with a trip report from Thailand and Tokyo Disney Sea. Jim stops in to talk about all of the news coming out of SEAS lately. Kevin Yee discusses the layout of the Tokyo Disney resort. The news includes the latest closures from DHS, tram news from UOR and Coke moving into Disney Springs. Ken gives reviews of Otronicon 2016 and Ringling’s last visit to the Amway Center before they retire the elephants.

Show Notes

Hosts

Date of Recording:  Jan 20 , 2015

Punch List

DHS actually pulls off a Villain themed event

DHS next typhoon of closures hit, could the Earful Tower be moved to Disney Springs?

Habit Heroes closes at Innoventions (all that’s left is Sum, storm struck House and colortopia)

Rumor – Joy, Sadness coming to Epcot

World of Coke coming to Disney Springs

SEAS Update with Jim

SWO begins removing fast rising floors in orca tanks

SWO- Wild Days media event, Mako topping off, Manatee exhibit refurb, Wild Artic reopened (god no!) and all around updates

SEAS begins rolling out new focus on upcharge events (blog post on BGT interactions | trademarks for SWSA interactions )

BGT- Cobra’s Curse elevator lift is going up, rumors of 2018 coaster,

Lowry Park – Baby zebra

Weekend Adventure nature block (including SEAS tv shows) tops syndicated ratings for Dec 28- Jan 3 week (Judge Judy was #2)

Local News

Willie the Adarvark at DAK, now at the Planet Watch

The Delaney boutique hotel announced for Downtown South (ORMC)

Universal confirms VB tram from parking garage

Roboasis behind walls. Any news there?

BJ theater is gone, Twister is see-thru. Hello Kitty coming along. Kong- queue.

Otronicon

Ringling -> return of Legends. Last time of elephants in Amway.

Efteling’s new dark ride

Bruce Vaughn out, Bob Weis in at WDI

Other Important Links

Kevin Yee’s Top Tips for Visiting Tokyo Disney Resort

Mr Brian’s Thailand Video Trip Report

He Says, She Says Show

Epcot’s Daredevil Circus with Regis Philbin

Coaster Casters

WDW Navigators

WPRK

Sonny’s Smokin’ Showdown Jan 30 at Central Florida Zoo

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January 19, 2016

Ep 58 – Seth Goes Off (Property)

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Today we have a backlogged episode from the holidays when Seth Kubersky stopped by to talk about his latest Unofficial Guide Series book; Beyond Disney. In this guide Seth and Bob Sehlinger cover all of the great attractions that you would miss if you just stayed on Disney property. The conversation covers security at Disney World, the entertainment at Holy Land Experience, the awe-inspiring displays of Kennedy Space Center and more. Seth gives some history of his time in Central Florida and rabbit trails include chats about Artegon, the future of I-Drive and what makes a good roadside attraction.

Show Notes

Hosts

Date of Recording:  Dec 17, 2015

Song 1

Links for this episode

Beyond Disney 

The Unofficial Guides

Touring Plans

The Holy Land Experience 

Kennedy Space Center

Artegon

Live Active Cultures on Orlando Weekly

He Says, She Says Show

WPRK

 

 

 

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November 11, 2015

Ep 53 – Artegon Zombies and SEAS Prophets

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With breaking news coming out of runDisney, SEAS and I-Drive today’s podcast includes Jake talking about the ending of HHN, Kevin Yee covers the history of upcharge events at WDW and a special podcast exclusive interview with Andy of Theme Parks and Travels talking SEAS. The FM content includes the latest from Premier Exhibits and from Artegon. The I-Drive Vision Plan is also discussed in length on today’s show.

FM Content ends at 00:45:00

Show Notes

Hosts

Recording Date: FM- 11-5-15 | Aftershow 11-9-15 | 11-10-15

Music

 

Punch List

  1. I-Drive Vision Plan. The BoC accepted the recommendations but made it clear that they are not adopting the recommendations. BCC Morning Session around the 01:20:00 mark.
  2. SEAS raises prices, unveils new logos for Cobras Curse & Mako, unveils plans for 2016.
  3. Twister closing
  4. Legendary Truth at HHN – Are these signs of the tech to come?
  5. Star Trek gets a new TV show, will an attraction come to Orlando?
  6. Crowne Plaza on Universal Blvd gets new management.
  7. Premier Exhibits buys Dinoking Tech. Will we see Dinoking exhibits in Orlando?

 

  1. Artegon announces the end of the cages, a new food court and new attractions
  2. Xero Gravity Sports Park land deal falls thru, new locations sought, but Kissimmee is very negative towards the project
  3. MargaritaVillage releases new details
  4. SunRail cancels late night train, adds mid-afternoon one
  5. New info on UCF’s proposed hotel
  6. Hunger Games, Fox announced new theme parks.

 

Trends Report with Jake of Orlando Park Pass

“Center for Leadership Development & Mentoring”

Nov 7 – Jan 3, 2016: Minnie’s Holiday & Dine Dinner

Jan 4, 2016 – March 20, 2016: Hollywood themed

March 21 – June 5, 2016: A celebration of Spring

June 6 – September 11, 2016: A beach-party blast for the Summer

September 12 – November 6, 2016: Enjoy a festive Halloween celebration

The Bigger Picture with Kevin Yee

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October 20, 2015

Ep 50 – The One We’ve Been Teasing

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On today’s 50th episode of Orlando Tourism Report we cover a wide-range of topics in the Punch List including a new huge ship coming to Port Canaveral, confusion in town regarding the DPAC hotel project, a plane crash that killed a co-founder of one of the region’s most controversial attractions, and the very latest in SeaWorld’s ongoing battle with the California Coastal Commission.

Then in a shortened Main Event we finally announce the thing we’ve been teasing since August. It’s true! Orlando Tourism Report will now be on FM radio.

Show Notes

Hosts

Recording Date: 10-19-15

Music

The Punch List

  1. SEAS announces its pursuing legal action against the CCC ruling
  2. SWO opens Pass Member Lounge
  3. Machine Gun America co-founder dies in South Florida plane crash
  4. 3 new retailers announced for Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores outlets
  5. Disney announces dates for the Christmas Day Parade taping (and its much earlier than expected)
  6. Epcot’s Candlelight Processional list gets filled
  7. Flying Fish closes for lengthy refurb, reimagining
  8. Fulton’s Crab House (13), Wolfgang Puck Grand Café (36) make Top 100 highest grossing restaurants in U.S. list
  9. Disney World offers new “better for you” snacks that feature minimalist character tie-ins
  10. Special events around the SW Ep VII premiere planned for DHS
  11. MCO officials meet Wednesday to discuss who will be the ‘design and engineering services architect of record’ for the $1.8 billion South Terminal (HNTB Corp, PZ Aviation Group JV, KBJ Architects). Fentress Architects is providing design consultation for the terminal.
  12. Melbourne Airport adds Orlando to name in hopes for increased traffic
  13. MCO passenger counts up 6% in August (3.2 million)
  14. Norwegian Epic (5th largest ship in the world) confirms Port Canaveral as its home port (4100 passengers)
  15. Jacksonville Maritime Museum closes due to lack of attendance and financial support
  16. Spain’s Paramount theme park in Alhama de Murica looks to be dead, despite developers denial
  17. Orlando City Soccer Club bringing Orlando City B USL team to Eastern Florida State College (Will likely announce a women’s team this week)
  18. USFL might be looking to bring a football team to Orlando
  19. Snap announces second gallery space in Downtown Orlando
  20. IAAPA Attractions Expo 2015 to feature the 2nd largest trade show floor in the event’s 97 year history, sells out of indoor floor space
  21. Orlando Eye shuts down again for technical difficulties
  22. Amazon abruptly shuts down Amazon Destinations, its hotel and reservation site. | Priceline and TripAdvisor sharing some services
  23. DPAC hotel project adds condos, increases in size
  24. 890 unit Grande Palisades resort near WDW to open in 2016
  25. Bella Collina’s condo hotel project changes names, will be suite only

Things We Loved This Week

Imagineer Cornelius Vanderbilt Wood bio on WDWInfo

St. Pete’s Dali Museum makes list of 23 amazing museum buildings to see this year

Victoria & Albert’s makes TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Travelers’ Choice Restaurants in the U.S.

Peas & Carrots are at WDW; follow along all week for a fun semi-outsider’s perspective

Marriott Island’s Dragon Point to rise again in 2017 | History of Annie the Dragon

Creative City Project (Ken thanks Beastly Kingdom for the reminder)

Events

Oct 21-25 Orlando Film Fest

Oct 24- Cows ‘n Cabs in Winter Park

Oct 30-31- Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

Nov 13-15 Winter Park Concours d’Elegance

Nov 14- Food Truck Wars stops by Artegon Marketplace

Nov 14-22 Festival of the Trees at OMA (tickets on sale now)

Nov 21- 2nd Annual Run for Wildlife 5K at BGT (Register before Oct 31 for $40, $50 afterwards)

Nov 20-22- Latin Baseball Festival at WWOS

Dec 5, 12, 19, 26 Barista Bootcamp at the 4 Seasons Orlando

Main Event

The Orlando Tourism Report is now bringing the local hospitality conversation to a new weekly show on WPRK 91.5 FM.  OTR is the only podcast devoted to all aspects of Central Florida tourism. OTR’s first show on WPRK will be on Thursday, Oct 22, 2015. This weekly show will air Thursdays from 10 to noon. This live show will feature in-studio guests, locally relevant music, and news and information related to City Beautiful’s most important industry.  Orlando Tourism Report will now be available live to the entire community on FM radio and the convenient TuneIn App.

We will continue to produce and release weekly podcasts, now moving it to every Sunday.  The podcast will feature original content with some highlights from the WPRK 91.5 FM broadcast.

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