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Ep 50 – The One We’ve Been Teasing

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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IAAPA 2014 – Wrap-Up Episode

In this wrap up to IAAPA Attractions Expo 2014 Ken, Kyle and Viktor talk about what news of the week they are most excited about. Kyle and Ken discuss these new Wanda plans to enter the UK market. Viktor talks about the Brass Ring Awards BGT won and why SeaWorld didn’t get any of that Brass Ring love. In the final floor interview of IAAPA Kyle sits down with Simworx Managing Director Terry Monkton to discuss their new ride concepts.

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- Ken & Bob
Recorded- November 21st, 2014

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IAAPA 2014 – Day 3 Summary – Interview with Dynamic Attractions CEO + Robert from Mickey Updates

Today the OTR crew is joined by Robert from Mickey Updates. Together they talk about the new AirSurfer attraction system, who’s been spotted on the trade floor, the latest on the arcade games and other news from around Orlando. The latest news from Pointe Orlando is mentioned. Artegon, Aquatica and that new parking structure at Disney Springs all come up as well. Then Kyle sits down with the CEO of Dynamic Attractions for a special interview focused on Orlando’s Big 2 and the future of themed entertainment.

Hosts

Bob from Pixels at the Parks
Ken Storey
Viktor from The BGT Buzz
Kyle (Our host and reporter live on I-Drive)
Robert from Mickey Updates

Production

Episode Producer- Ken
Recorded- November 20th, 2014

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IAAPA 2014 – Day 2 – Exclusive Wanda Group Interview

Today we begin our Day 2 summary with an exclusive interview with the Wanda Group, the single largest entertainment company in China, then Jen and Bob cover all of Merlin’s activities including the hard hat tour of I-Drive 360. The guys talk about some of the awards given out today and specific booths on the floor that stood out to them. Some info on coming attractions for Orlando, Myrtle Beach and even the Jersey Shore are all shared.

Hosts

Bob from Pixels at the Parks
Ken Storey
Viktor from The BGT Buzz
Kyle (Our host and reporter live on I-Drive)
Jen Vargas from Central Florida Top 5

Production

Episode Producer- Ken
Recorded- November 19th, 2014

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IAAPA 2014 – Day 1 – Interviews with Vortex & Goddard Group

IAAPA is here. In our Day 1 of the Trade Show plenty of news came out. We have plenty of coverage with Bob covering the news at I-Drive 360, Kyle getting exclusive interviews with Goddard Group and Vortex, while Ken and Viktor are joined by Jen Vargas who calls in live from the show floor.

Hosts

Bob from Pixels at the Parks
Ken Storey
Viktor from The BGT Buzz
Kyle (Our host and reporter live on I-Drive)
Jen Vargas from Central Florida Top 5

Production

Episode Producer- Ken
Recorded- November 18th, 2014

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