Fun Spot Archives - Page 5 of 7 - Orlando Tourism Report

November 16, 2015

Ep 54 – Joshua Wallack Talks Mangos, Skyplex and More

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Today we have a special interview with Joshua Wallack, the visionary behind Skyplex and Mango’s Orlando. He sits down with us to talk about the struggle to build Skyplex, the benefits to the community, the new parking garage plaza, and Mango’s (which will be the largest Latin club in the U.S.).

During a shortened Punch List Jay, Jake and Ken talk Universal, I-Drive and Mummies.

Don’t forget to tune in tomorrow through Friday for the latest IAAPA coverage.

Show Notes

Hosts

Ken Storey
Robert of Mickey Updates
Mr. Brian of Orlando Park Pass
Online Trends Correspondent-Jake of Orlando Park Pass
Hotel Correspondent-Kyle
Show Researcher – Jay
Show Historian – Kevin Yee
Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie
Special Guest- Joshua Wallack of Mango’s and Skyplex

Recording Date: FM- 11-12-15 | Punch List 11-15-15

Music

Trends With Jake

Trackers take a break after creepy message includes their private info
Theme Park Review Robb mocks runDisney fans, twitter goes nuts (mention the OTR twitter poll)

He later on sneaks’ beer bottles onto Rockin Roller Coaster

An Epcot guest gets drunk, scales the Mexican pyramid
The mainstream media tries to cover SEAS, gets its comically incorrect

Punch List

Mummies of the World exhibit at Orlando Science closing end of November

Rosen Shingle Creek announces 640 rooms, other new expansions

Beetlejuice at USF confirmed for Dec 3 permanent closure

UOR confirms parking for Volcano Bay will be in existing garages, guests will be shuttled to the water park

Pets attraction coming to UOR?

Legoland Florida may soon be within the city limits if Winter Haven has its way

Ken thinks the SeaWorld Rescue ride is coming to Key West at SWO

B Resort rebrands American Q restaurant

Disney focused men’s clothing boutique Twenty Eight & Main opens at Disney Spring’s Marketplace Co-Op

Famed Disney imaginer Marty Sklar stopping by Disney Spring/DHS Nov 17, 18 for a book signing

DHS’s Jedi Training gets updates, new characters

Main Event

Mango’s

Mango’s Hollywood parking garage gets the green light after 2 year feud with nearby Golden Corral owner

WARNING- Static occurs 01:37:30 – 01:45:00 but still listen because it’s very good insights!

LET THE COUNTY KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF SKYPLEX!

Email planning@ocfl.net

November 11, 2015

Ep 53 – Artegon Zombies and SEAS Prophets

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | RSS

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

Ken Storey
Robert of Mickey Updates
Mr. Brian of Orlando Park Pass
Online Trends Correspondent-Jake of Orlando Park Pass
Hotel Correspondent-Kyle
Show Researcher – Jay
Show Historian – Kevin Yee
Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie
Special Guest- Andy of Theme Parks & Travels

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

Music

Punch List

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.
SEAS raises prices, unveils new logos for Cobras Curse & Mako, unveils plans for 2016.
- SEAS Nov 9 webcast of the Investor and Analyst Day
- Tic-Tac-Toe Chickens
Twister closing
Legendary Truth at HHN – Are these signs of the tech to come?
Star Trek gets a new TV show, will an attraction come to Orlando?
Crowne Plaza on Universal Blvd gets new management.
Premier Exhibits buys Dinoking Tech. Will we see Dinoking exhibits in Orlando?

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

Trends Report with Jake of Orlando Park Pass

HHN closing – huge crowds for final B&T
Fear Factor Live is somehow, some reason going to reopen…
Cell phone charging lockers installed near The Hulk at IOA
Walls are up around former Lucy Tribute at USF, will be replaced with new Hello Kitty retail and M&G
Walk The Moon concert taping for Nickelodeon HALO awards at UOR Nov 7. (Try to keep phrases that date it as minimal as possible)
WDW’s former President, Meg Crofton (who retired earlier this year after a 35 yr career at Disney), was honored with a window on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.

“Center for Leadership Development & Mentoring”

DHS expands the area of the park that opens prior to the morning rope drop.
Disney has registered StarWarsLiveInConcert.com, many (including some members of OTR) think this points to a new Feld Entertainment show
CMs begin training for Star Wars Launch Bay, it should open within the next few weeks
Sunset Blvd’s Sunset Ranch goes down for a small update; Fairfax Fare adds burgers in the meantime
Hollywood & Dine goes character dining all the time with “Minnie’s Seasonal Dine”

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

Victoria and Albert’s updates the menu (10 course available throughout), seating updated (one elongated seating per night), Chef’s Table to get major update starting in Jan.
Speaking of food and beverage WDW rolled out new RapidFill cups this week that feature new art. It is $16.99 for the length of your stay.
Disney shows a perfect cross-promotion with a new viral video that has the emotions from Inside Out watching the new Star Wars trailer. It’s like a Pixar version of Mystery Science Theater 3000

The Bigger Picture with Kevin Yee

October 27, 2015

Ep 51- Ripley’s, Ringling and Skyplex with Jason of Orlando Fun & Food

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | RSS

FM Radio content is 00:06:55 through 01:09:30. In our very first FM episode Jason of Orlando Fun & Food stops by to talk Skyplex, Ringling, plastic annual passes at Universal, and more. During the trends report Jake talks about Back To The Future Day, a baby rhino and the dismantling of The Hulk coaster. In the after show Jay, Ken and Robert get into an in-depth debate about steel coasters in Orlando, self driving cars and what causes empty shopping malls.

Show Notes

Hosts

Ken

Brian

Robert of Mickey Updates

Jay

Events and Disney Correspondents-Lissa and Nicki

Online Trends Correspondent-Jake of Orlando Park Pass

Hotel Correspondent-Kyle

Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie

Special Guest- Jason of Orlando Fun & Food

Recording Date: 10-19-15

Song 1

Song 2

Song 3

News of The Week

iSquare helipad, updated design gets City of Orlando MPB approval

The Coop gets MasterChef Season 1 winner Whitney Miller at Chef de Cuisine

Water Buffalo go to DAK

OCSC announces new pro Women’s team (Orlando Pride)

Alex Morgan to be a star player of the Pride

USH adds more dates for HHN, will Orlando follow?

Disney Channel orders more Descendents– will we see any Descendents in the parks?

Skyplex- Will BoC approve it?

Artegon sells Cinemark land, other nearby land– Will it survive?

Ringling adds no new show in 2016, Gold tour closes (Red, Blue shows remain)

Pensacola says goodbye to Ringling

Ripley’s BION This Week

Trends of the Week

BTTF Day at Universal – Doc in a car | Marriage proposal
The UOAP Facebook group distracted itself from their ongoing plastic pass debates to share BTTF memes for the day. (All hell breaks loose on the UOAP FB group when members just won’t shut up about plastic passes.)
Hulk track is slowly disappearing piece by piece
Pics of insane crowds at HHN fill social media
Shaq joins the Tanked reality show to film the season finale at SeaLife Orlando (Premiering Nov 20 on Animal Planet)
WestJet unveils Frozen themed plane
New celebrity filled golf tournament announced, will benefit the Florida Hospital for Children.
Sentosa to test self-driving vehicles within months
OCSC’s Adian Winter swims with dolphins at Discovery Cove
Southern White Rhino born at BGT

Other things we referenced this week

Ripley’s attractions in Gatlinburg

Red Trolleys of St Augustine

Miracle City Mall in Titusville

Warehouse Row in Chattanooga

Baron 1898

Heathrow 5 PRT

Lymmo BRT in Downtown Orlando

September 29, 2015

Ep 47 – Look Who’s Talking

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | RSS

On today’s show we go way off topic when Robert from Mickey Updates joins us. It’s a packed show with hot takes, new insights and plenty of news regarding local tourism. During The Punch List Jay, Jake, Brian and Ken talk about the huge news coming out of Port Canaveral, what the tragedy in Seattle means for the future of duck tours, the odd move for Night of Joy, plus what a petition might’ve just helped bring back to WDW. It’s a big show but stick around for a big announcement at the end.

Show Notes

Hosts

Ken
Brian
Jay
Events and Disney Correspondents-Lissaand Nicki
Online Trends Correspondent-Jake of Orlando Park Pass
Hotel Correspondent-Kyle
Touring Shows and Media Correspondent- Richie
Guest – Robert of Mickey Updates

Recording Dates: Main Event- 9-27-15 | Punch List- 9-28-15

Music

The Punch List

Port Canaveral- CEO resigns, entertainment district moves ahead
- Side Reference to Boehner’s resignation- Dan Webster seems interested in the job
Ride The Ducks accident in Seattle. Is enough being done to ensure tourists are safe? How long did it take to get parasailing regulations here?
Disney Dining Buddy shuts down, DIS Dining Agent shifts website to ‘coming soon.’ John Kivus on Ropedrop.net asks- Is this the end of third party dining reservation sites?
Night of Joy moves to Wide World of Sports
Downtown Disney is now Disney Springs. Neverland Tunnels.
Epcot’s Food & Wine gets gift card bracelets. Why not Magicbands? Why two options?
Flik returns to DAK (but only during a character meal)
Peco Bill’s goes Mexican.
Season of the Force dates go out on the AP site (honest accident or on purpose leak?)
Dania Beach’s Hurricane gets a demo date (Spring 2016)
TopGolf plans new attraction on Universal Blvd (property owned by Orlando Equity Partners)
OCCC unveils 20 year growth plan
Expedia announces retail centers in Kissimmee, Orlando
Hilton investigating possible credit card breach at numerous US properties
TWDC announces new independent director on the board

-News We Skipped-

Georgia Aquarium loses bid to import belugas
SunRail Southern leg gets full funding, now the focus is on the OIA connector
Comcast buys 51% of USJ, Richard Bilbao thinks it could mean more/better investment in Orlando

Recommendations

UCF’s Knight Library was rated the #1 college bar in the nation
Fort Lauderdale’s Mai-Kai Tiki Bar named #1 tiki bar in the world
The Paris Review’s exposé on Mick Jagger’s 1965 summer at a hotel in Clearwater where he wrote Satisfaction. Via Orlando Weekly.
Passport to Dream’s Contemporary Resort posts following the resort from 1971-today.

The Main Event

Nile Ethiopian Restaurant
Great Escape Room
Pixels at the Parks tours Mangos
Perkins at Skyscraper at Skyplex
George and the Dragon attack
Bill Kitchen thrill rides (US Thrill Rides)
Proposed Silver Screen Resort at UOR
Ramada Michotel on Sandy Lake
Ken thinks the Wet ‘N Wild resort being like the Lowes Hollywood
Orl Park Pass- Shanghai Disneyland article

September 15, 2015

Ep 45 – Cali VIPs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | RSS

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.