Know the city | Know the industry
January 12, 2018
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Ken and Ed are back in the studio and back on the radio. In this episode, the guys talk about the highlights of 2017 and what they’re looking forward to in 2018.
Orlando Tourism Report’s Twitter
Recording Date- January 5, 2018
April 21, 2016
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On today’s show we’re joined by Brendan Byrne, 90.7 WMFE’s Space reporter. He shares his experiences from reporting on Kennedy Space Center and talks about the future of space tourism in the Central Florida market.
During the Punch List Andy and Jim talk about big news coming out Busch Gardens plus Clearwater Aquarium’s massive new expansion plans.
Hosts
Recording Date: Main Event- 4/6/16 | Punch List- 4/13/16
Adam Sandler IS NOT moving Melbourne Florida
I-Drive Bazaar (SW corner of SLR and I-Drive) could be rebuilt (Rich at OBJ reporting based on discussion filings)
Orlando’s hotel supply to increase by 2.8% in the next two years (45.6 mill room nights available in 2017)
Clearwater Marine Aquarium goes on the defensive about new expansion plans
Florida HQ’d Carnival Cruises to use reality shows, game shows to promote cruising
Legacy Florida money approved for Lake Apopka ($5 Mill per yr), Everglades ($200 Mill per yr)
North Florida’s Apalachicola River named the most endangered river in the nation
BGT closes Tidal Wave, is something new coming to Stanleyville?
Mako gift shop readies to open
Disney
Grand Florida gets new carpet, new $15 tour
Ample Hills Creamery coming to Disney’s Boardwalk resort
Olaf to begin meeting guests at DHS
Tower of Terror might be getting a bar and/or a Guardians of the Galaxy overlay
Disney Springs Town Center to open May 15
November 3, 2015
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This week Banks Lee of Attractions Magazine calls in to chat about the sudden closure of 7220 I-Drive, safety at HHN, the future of DHS and more. During the FM segment Robert and Ken talk I-Drive NASCAR’s new partnership with the Orlando Magic, the new Orlando Pride soccer team and the James Beard chef who’s headed to Disney Springs.
Jake talks about Bill & Ted, a new indoor snow ski simulator center in town and Tiffany’s crazy concert at Epcot’s Food & Wine.
During the Aftershow Mr. Brian joins the show to talk the future of iFly and Pointe Orlando. What’s happening at the corner of I-Drive and Universal Blvd also comes up. And the latest details from Port Canaveral are discussed. Then Ken gives the very latest on the World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s.
Hosts
Recording Date: FM- 10-28-15 | Aftershow 11-2-15
Music
Orlando Eye closes for nearly a week
Magic, IDrive Nascar announce new partnership
iFly announces new location in between Wonder Works and Icebar. No word on what that means for the current location.
OTR’s tweets about Hawaiian Rumble
Dubai Skydive plans new indoor skydiving at I-Drive 360
Stabbing in parking lot near International Drive’s Howl at the Moon
Volcano Island mini golf owner’s odd Youtube video
World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s
Fun Spot’s Skycoaster lighting
Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless (6X James Beard award winner) confirmed to be opening new restaurant at Disney Springs. Scott Joseph has been reporting since late 2014.
Permits show new entrance, expansion areas for DHS.
Universal theme parks have their highest attendance ever.
Safety of Scare Actors at HHN. Drunks, wild guest. What can be done to keep HHN under control?
Port Canaveral announces its slowing down cargo rail project
Port Canaveral terminal upgrades
OCSC announces new details on Orlando Pride. 1500 season tickets sold, 3 new celebrity players.
Tampa Bay Rays get out of Tropicana contract, can now look for new stadium home outside of Tampa Bay.
SunRail gets DOT approval for MCO leg (Still won’t open until 2020)
The Florida Aquarium starts construction on new events center.
Holy Land Experience gets more lights and mirrors
Central Florida Zoo changes expansion focus
Indoor snow skiing coming to Winter Park
Fun Spot Kissimmee has a black out Monday. It lasted about an hour, no reports of stranded riders.
Film crew at the Sunday, Oct 25 Bill and Ted
Tiffany stopped by Epcot’s Food & Wine. Everyone is talking about her cover of Guns and Roses “Sweet Child of Mine.”
Custom Magicbands will soon be available (in a new Tomorrowland station)
Ahead of Shanghai Disneyland’s opening next year farmers in Shanghai welcomed Mickey Mouse this week with forming the famous cartoon star in a rice field.
A sinkhole opened up on the Maitland I-4 off ramp Monday swallowing the front end of a car.
Daytona International Speedway shares new aerial shots of Daytona Rising. Less than 75 days until it’s finished.
Screenshots of an AP survey asks how interested they would be in “Upgrading paper annual passes to plastic.”
Deadline gave new details, including who’s writing, the Tower of Terror feature film by Disney
August 4, 2015
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John Frost of The Disney Blog stops by to talk Disney, Marvel and the future of Orlando’s theme parks. Living wage initiatives, SeaWorld, Gatorland and, yes, even casinos are all brought up in the conversation. During The Punch List Lissa and Ken get into it over parking at Disney World. Mr Brian weighs in on the new interactive shots bar coming to downtown Orlando and asks ‘are food trucks still a trend?’ LGBTQ rights in Osceola County are discussed ahead of an important vote there. Old Town announces a redo. Plus we recommend some upcoming events around the region.
Hosts
Song One (Punch List)
Song Two (Main Event)
Song Three (Closing)
Recording- The Main Event July 30, 2015 | The Punch List Aug 3, 2015
OCSC unveils new stadium. 25,500 capacity, fan plaza next door, canopy covering every seat, $155 Million fully privately funded.
New renderings and details for iSquare megamall.
Skyscraper changes ride manufacture: S&S out, Intamin in.
Old Town gets $10 Million in improvements.
Osceola County looks to add sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression to protection from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.
Orlando celebrates being a Paper Town and proves they didn’t read John Green Day’s book (now a movie!)
Lissa was correct. Some scenes were filmed in Orlando.
Busch Gardens shuts down because of the rain
Gatorland hatches 19 Nile Crocodiles. First time in 2 years.
World’s 5th largest cruise ship – Norwegian Epic – to sail from Cape Canaveral in November 2016
Swan & Dolphin gets into the food truck game
WDW gets new Director, Parks Arrival Experience, Program Management and Park Support. Valeria Bunting was the GM of Port Orleans and has worked previously at both MK and DAK.
DTD maps now list it as ‘Transforming into Disney Springs’ and districts are using new names finally. Save PI pointed out The Tunnels are being worked on.
Figment comic Series 2 heads to Epcot
Summary of rumors for SW at DHS in 2016
400 acres near the OCCC being sold
Disney and More article referencing possible SWO buyout
Florida Resident Deals at Gatorland
Main Street Restaurant Week $5 – $30 prix fixe meals at 49 local restaurants
Mango’s hosting job fair August 7, 8
Taste of the Nation is Aug 8. GO!!
Florida Kids and Family Expo – August 29-30
The 21st Annual Harvest Grape Stomp is Aug 15 at Lake Ridge Winery
He Says, She Says. A Disney talking podcast. Follow along on Twitter @DisneyTalking
Next week we have BriMan from Orlando United joining us to talk HHN 25. OU Radio had Robert Niles on last week.
May 6, 2015
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On today’s SideChat Banks Lee joins Jay and Ken to geek out this summer’s upcoming blockbuster movies including Sharknado 3 (which Banks makes a cameo in). Disney Spring’s The Boathouse, the summer dance party at Typhoon Lagoon and Dutch Lombrowski all come up in conversation.
Sharknado 3 (July 22)
Banks- “I’m willing to bet that half of [Sharknado 3] will be set in Universal Orlando.”
Bruce the Shark will be in the movie!
Dutch’s 2 hour drive to MK- How far are you willing to drive for an hour in Magic Kingdom?
Tomorrowland (May 22)
Brad Bird’s tweet regarding the trashcan
Jurassic World (June 12)
Teen Beach 2: Beach Party at Typhoon Lagoon
Boathouse on Attractions – The Show
Ken Recommends- Do the Swan Boats at Lake Eola
Banks- The Boathouse is a place where you go once in a while, it’s not for regular dining at.