Tag: Disney

July 21, 2015

Ep 37 – Low Ratings With Josh Gonzales

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Josh Gonzales stops by today to share what he found while exploring TripAdvisor. We talk about restaurant ratings, off beat theme parks and Jake loses his gum. The Citrus Tower, Yalaha, Hot Krust, Artegon and Mythos are all mentioned in some detail. Ken has his usual random facts including some actually interesting ones for a change. The Punch List is Disney heavy with mentions of Prince Harry, Houlihan’s and a major identity theft ring busted in Orlando. Your credit card might’ve been stolen last time you visited Orlando but today’s show will at least make smile (or cry, or at least sigh heavily).

Show Info

Hosts

Song One

Song Two

Song Three

Recording Dates – Main Event – July 17, 2015 | The Punch List – July 21, 2015

The Punch List

TripAdvisor Top Theme Parks in the World– IOA #1, Discovery Cove #2, MK #3, USH #4, DHS #5, USF #6
New details emerge about the Tacky Tourist McDonald’s. Grand opening Feb 2016, current one will close around the end of December
Prince Harry’s Invictus Games coming to WWOS May 8-12. The only international adaptive sporting event for active and veteran service members
Nik Patel hotel auction going on right now. Ends Wednesday morning.
Last remaining Houlihan’s in Florida closing July 26. It’s in Colonial Plaza on Hwy 50 near Downtown. It’ll become an Ale House.
Gaylord Palms unveils details on its Christmas offerings.
Major identity theft ring busted at Preferred Guest Resorts. At least 1,855 victims identified.
WWII bomb found, exploded on St Pete beach.

Walmart proposed for 192 just off Disney property.
Shanghai Disneyland details released. First impressions? Anything there that we might see in Orlando? (Ken’s Tomorrowland comparison article)
SW Launch Bay from Shanghai might come to DHS? Screamscape and other sources are reporting it. Didn’t Jim Hill mention this coming to Innoventions awhile back?
Radio Harambe reporting that a SW themed Blue Sky Cellar might be coming to the SW meet and greet going into the old Animation Courtyard. Kevin Crossman joined the guys on the last episode and mentioned it.
Rumors of work in Frontierland, part of the $3 Billion WDW updating. Could this be the long proposed boardwalk between BTM and HM? That would close the Rivers of America but open the possibility of new attractions on Tom Sawyer Island. 416 ft from old TSI raft loading dock/smoking area to HM dock.
D23 details announced. George Lucas, Susan Lucci named Disney Legends. Parks gets 90 min presentation.

The Cardboard Art Festival

Taste of Nation Orlando

The Main Event

TripAdvisor Orlando Restaurant Rankings

3042 Ranked Restaurants

2 Hot Krust Panini Kitchen (Turkey Lake)

5 The Melting Pot (Sand Lake)

10 The Cheesecake Factory (Conroy Rd)

14 Fishbones (Sand Lake)

15 Olive Garden (I Drive)

16 Longhorn Steakhouse (Vineland Ave)

31 Red Lobster (I Drive)

38 Sanaa

47 Publix??

64 California Grill

153 Mythos

TripAdvisor Orlando Attraction Rankings

8 WDW

14 Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe

20 Gatorland

59 Jellyrolls

82 Holy Land Experience

166 Greenwood Cemetery

206 Festival Bay Mall/Artegon

Angel’s restaurant at MainGate

Planet Hollywood’s Stuff’s Magic Burger

Josh Gonz Recommends- Cowfish milkshakes, Bread Box.

Jake thinks PR’s Taco Palace has tiny tacos…

Ken was wrong. Bill Whitaker founded Press 101. Hot Krust has Evan Dimov at Title Manger and Biff Godfret as Reg Agent listed

Bacon flavored seaweed

Ken Recommends- The Chicken Alfredo at the Sand Lake Road McDonald’s

Publix sub shop April Fools joke

Informative article from 2002 on the Millenia/Conroy interchange

Info on the TBN takeover of Holy Land Experience

2013 article on the planned Orlando TBN studio

Holy Land’s tax free loophole

Ken Recommends- Reptile World Serpentarium

Ken Recommends- Save Pleasure Island blog

The mystery of the I-4 Flea Market

Greenwood Cemetery Moonlight Strolls

Ken Recommends- Following Orlando Cemetery on Twitter

Citrus Tower

Presidents of Hall of Fame

Life-size replica of Graceland in Pine Hills

Jake Recommends- Roadside America

Ken Recommends- UCM Museum/Abita Mystery House

Ken then goes off how we should all sleep during the day…

Splendid China themed Winn Dixie

July 14, 2015

Ep 36 – Coloring A Whole New Mall

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Today Mark of Orlando Mall Guide stops by to talk about the new Crayola Experience attraction and the new Dining Pavilion at the Florida Mall. He also gives his thoughts on Artegon, the new I-Drive megamall and Disney Springs. During the Punch List Richie, Ken and Jake talk about religious freedom in the workplace, the future of camping at Disney World and the general public’s lack of interest in space travel.

Show Notes

Hosts

Ken
Lissa
Jake of Orlando Park Pass
The ghost known as Richie
Special Guest- Orlando Mall Guide Mark

Song One

Song Two

Recording Dates: Punch List – July 12, 2015 | Main Event – July 10, 2015

Punch List

Fire alarm at The Orlando Eye

UCF area apartment fire

Bill Cosby removed from DHS

Bill Cosby column now DHS’s newest photo-op

Epcot gets a new VP

Ken on Resort Ears Part One | Part Two

Fort Wilderness cabins getting remodeled

Ken thinks FW will be closing sooner than later.

Disney Family Culinary Experience at The Contemporary

Sikh Cast Member wins lawsuit against WDW

Shanghai Disneyland information released July 15

Is Magic Kingdom getting updates? Richie expects so.

Richie- “I’ll be excited when Disney builds another ride; that’s when I’ll be excited for Magic Kingdom.”

Disney Anaheim announces $1.1 Billion expansion

Richie recommends: Variety for TWDC news

LA Times report on Star Wars at DL

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata Dies At 55

McDonald’s on SLR/I-Drive breaks ground on July 20

The Chew tv show comes to Epcot, Food & Wine booths coming to Future World

New memorial exhibit opens at KSC dedicated to Challenger and Columbia

Do you know about tourism in Cuba? We’d love to talk with you on the show! Message us for more information.

Main Event

Crayola Experience at The Florida Mall

The Florida Mall’s new Dining Pavilion

I Love This Bar & Grill closure

Gods & Monsters Grand Opening

OSC’s new gift shop

July 7, 2015

Ep 35 – HUGE Rumors, Big Fire and Tall Tower

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On today’s show we have a full Punch List with a hotel fire, Skyplex gets FAA approval, The Orlando Eye gets evacuated, more bad news at Artegon and rumors say Fun Spot is about to open their checkbook. Then Kyle and Ken share recent trip reports of when they hosted out-of-town guests. Kyle gives details on touring at DHS and DAK with pregnant guests then Ken talks about I-Drive 360, Artegon and Port Canaveral’s Exploration Tower. Richie, Jay, Jake and Griffin throw in their hot takes during The Punch List and everyone leaves hoping the NBC Media Center is just a bad dream.

Show Notes

Hosts

Griffin – @_Epcod
Ken
Kyle
Jay
Jake of Orlando Park Pass
The ghost known as Richie

Song 1

Song 2

Recording Dates- Punch List – July 5, 2015 | Main Event – July 1, 2015

Punch List

Avanti Resort fire

Orlando Eye broke down

Skyscraper at Skyplex gets FAA approval

Fun Spot news

Old Town’s redo

Toby Keith’s at Artegon closes

Chipotle is coming to OIA

Where were the crowds on the 4^th at UOR?

NBC Media Center pics

Main Event

Frozen Summer Fun

DAK poop

I-Drive 360

Exploration Tower at Port Canaveral

Florida Beer Company

June 2, 2015

Ep 33 – May’s Big Rewind with Epcod, Elvenage and Sir Owen Disney

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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.

Show Info

Hosts

Ken
Jake of JakeOrl
The ghost known as Richie

Special Guests

Recording Date

May 30, 2015

Music

Show Notes

News Round-Up from May

I-Drive and Surrounding Area-

Opening of I-Drive 360
GatorSpot at FunSpot
Pedestrian bridge moved forward
Skyplex announcing a hotel, Universal and local businesses file complaints against the project and it announces a new Atlantic City mini version, Orlando being the ‘flagship’
Megamall now two buildings
Legoland Florida opens its first hotel
Water park proposed south of Tampa Bay
A judge ruling that counties can vote to put slots at gambling spots like dog tracks, horse tracks.
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.
Magic got a new head coach, a former player

Disney-

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
Numerous other stores announced for DS,
Annual 24 hr event on both coasts,
Star Wars Weekends
Tomorrowland tank, Tron 3 cancelled,
Harambe Market open DAK,

SEAS –

UOR-

Additional Notes

Wisconsin Dells- Noah’s Ark Water Park (with non-tube rides)

Ken’s M&M Star Wars treats

Camden Park

Darien Lake

Little Amerricka in Wisconsin

Epcod’s Tomorrowland rampage One | Two | Three | Four | Five

OTR’s tweet regarding Volcano Bay stucco work

Mr Brian in Orlando’s sad trip to I-Drive 360 (Broken exhibits at SEALife One | Views from The Orlando Eye One, Two)

Ken Recommends- Tin Roof at I-Drive 360

Florida Citrus Tower

Jack Recommends- #OrlandoEye on Instagram

#AskSeaWorld’s utter failure on Twitter

Sir Owen Disney Recommends- Christmas at SeaWorld

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.