Idrive Archives - Page 15 of 16 - Orlando Tourism Report

April 24, 2015

Ep 29 – Mid-Atlantic Fender Bender with a Big Pile of Dirt

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On today’s show we have an incredible interview with a Dawn Sabato of 7220 I-Drive (Home of CSI: The Exhibit, Consumed by Art and the new Leonardo da Vinci exhibit). She shares the latest details on the new da Vinci exhibit plus what it took to get the exhibit here all the way from Austria. She also shares her experiences with being one of the local attractions in the shadow of the Big 3.

On the Punch List today Ken and Kyle talk about the latest SWO rumors, give new details on the Sand Lake Road McDonalds that just announced a major update and give insights what they think of the latest Disney rumors. The cruise industry, scuba diving and the I-4 Ultimate Project are all included as well.

Show Info

Music

Song 1

Song 2

Song 3

Hosts

Ken

Kyle

Special Guest- Dawn Sabato

Recording Dates

Punch List – 4-23-2015
Interview – 4-21-2015

Show Notes

Punch List

DoubleTree by UOR is for sale

I-4 Ultimate Makeover

Florida is #1 in Cruise Industry

Norwegian Cruise Lines to offer free drinks on select cruises

Disney Cruise Line’s announce major new additions (Star Wars, Wreck-It Ralph, etc.)

Orlando United’s SWO restaurant rumor

OU’s SWO giga-coaster rumor

Deerfield Beach’s very odd artificial reef

Man pees in Hard Rock Hotel ice machine

Kobe Scorpion Bowl

Main Event

Interview with Dawn Sabato of EMS Exhibits (CSI: The Experience, Consumed By Art, Our Body, etc.)

5 Takeaways from the Interview

All the exhibits at 7220 will be evolving and changing over the next few years
EMS plans to stay in the Orlando market and is willing to change to do it
Special events will play a role in 7220’s future
Options for multiple ages and demographics are important in the Orlando market

Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to retail on I-Drive

April 14, 2015

SideChat 9 – Yo-Yos of the High Class

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Uh oh, Ken and Lissa go at it today when the discussion turns to what demographic Disney is currently targeting. Change is coming but who will it be for? Downtown Disney, Ferrari World and Disneyland60 are brought up in this Uni vs. Disney fight. Jake tries to break up the fighting by talking CityWalk but Lissa and Ken see right through it. They continue their discussion on who Disney is going after by talking acts at Food & Wine, Legoland Hotel pricing and who really shops at Sunglass Hut. In the end in classic sitcom style everyone still loves each other and the show ends with Jay, Jake, Lissa and Ken all jumping into the air High-Fiving each other while jamming out.

Show Info

Music

Hosts

Jake of JakeOrl

Recording Dates

March 28, 2015

Show Notes

Legoland Florida Hotel pricing
NASCAR I-Drive
Hash House A Go Go
Ken Recommends- Giraffa’s
Is Ferrari coming to Orlando? Dubai | Spain | Korea
Ken – “We can probably expect a hotel to eventually go in to Skyplex.”
Ken Recommends- Walt’s Frozen Head on Twitter
Don’t forget- Orlando has a The Palm Restaurant.
Jake Recommends- Adding more shopping to CityWalk Orlando
Disneyland60 Shingles WTF?!
Jake Recommends- Not offering less for your money
Ken Recommends- Pig Floyd’s
The Great Villains Unleashed Flop of 2014
Lissa Recommends- Updating the list of acts at Food & Wine
Ken Recommends- Cher and Elton John performing at Epcot
mmmhops

March 30, 2015

OTR Ep 27 – Skeletons and Presidents

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On today’s extra long episode Ken and Kyle start off with huge news coming out of SeaWorld. Then Lissa joins in for rest of the Punch List. The wave of recent hotel announcements is covered along, yet more announced for Skyplex, the new bus-only lanes coming to I-Drive, and the latest on Miami’s megamall.

Then Mark Brisson, Executive Director of Skeletons: Animals Unveiled, calls in for a discussion on I-Drive 360, the future of the region and much more. The conversation focuses on safety, the future of the SLR-I-Drive intersection and what it takes to be successful in the most intense tourist district in the nation.

Show Info

Ken
Kyle
Lissa of Magical Enchanted Vacations | Lissa’s introduction SideChat
Special Guest- Mark Brisson of Skeletons: Animals Unveiled

Recording Info

SEAS President Reactions Recorded – Mar 21
The Punch List Recording – Mar 17
Mark Brisson Interview – Mar 13

Song One | Song Two

Show Notes

::Punch List::

SEAS

New President is announced and he looks like the right choice.
Is Bloomin’ Brands coming to SeaWorld?
BGT releases a statement regarding its otters. #OtterGate isn’t mentioned in it.

Tourist District and Related News

Planet Hollywood condo hotel coming to Lake Bryan/535
11 story condo hotel and retail project coming across from SWO
DPPAC might get fancy hotel
Hyatt Place at Church St proposed
Patel hotels bought
Skyfall at Skyplex announced at State of I-Drive
The property that Chuck Whittall mentioned at State of I-Drive that he will be developing over next 5 years
American Maglev confirms expansion plans beyond I-Drive
BRT coming to I-Drive?

Outside of the region

DollyWood readies to open its DreamMore Resort
Miami Megamall gets 1^st approval

::Main Event::

Interview with Mark Brisson of Skeletons: Animals Unveiled

5 Take-Aways from the Interview

Skeletons: Animals Unveiled is working with Boy and Girl Scouts to have badge programs at the museum
They’re aiming for attendance in the 100K-400K range
Special Events will be a central funding source for Skeletons: Animals Unveiled
Mark predicts a day when parts of I-Drive will be pedestrian plazas
He doesn’t seem to expect the Tourist Development Tax distribution plan to change anytime soon

March 5, 2015

OTR – Ep 25 – Unofficial Tours and Thoughts With Bob Sehlinger

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Today we have Bob Sehlinger, Founder of The Unofficial Guides. He discusses the history of Unofficial Guides and Touring Plans, his thoughts on current events in Central Florida’s tourism industry and the future of Unofficial Guides. Along the way interesting tidbits related to Disney World, South Florida, Busch Gardens and Len Testa are all brought up.

Show Info

Interview with Bob Sehlinger

Recorded Feb 19, 2014

Show Notes

The Unofficial Guides

Time Dependent Traveling Salesman Problem

Len Testa’s Twitter

Bob- “We basically write for Type A personalities.”

Touring Plans

Ken Recommends – The Touring Plans Lines App

WDW Today Touring Plans restaurant review episode

Ken Recommends – Couchsurfing

History of Disney Price Increases

Michael Moore vs Charlton Heston

Derek Burgan’s DAK Full Day Park post

New Avatar at DAK info

British vacation time entitlements

Rasulo stated hotel future plans, not Iger like Ken stated.

Chalet Suzanne closed

Clearwater Aquarium expansion plans

Unofficial Guides on Twitter | Facebook

::The Unofficial Guide Author Events::

Both events are free of charge

Celebration Writers Group: Special Author Visit

Monday, March 9 at 7 p.m.
Bob Sehlinger, Laurel Stewart, Len Testa, Seth Kubersky and Lilane Opsomer.
Hosted by Celebration Writers Group
Enjoy details on the business of publishing.

Wonderful World of Disney Authors

Wednesday, March 11 at 7 PM
Bob Sehlinger, Laurel Stewart, Seth Kubersky and Liliane Opsomer
The focus of this event will be Disney stories and their inside scoops on writing the successful series.

March 4, 2015

OTR – Ep 24 – Wet and Wild For Possibilities Far Far Away

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On today’s show Kyle and Ken cover some recent news including that dreadful SEAS earnings report, a recent shooting at Fun Spot, the new Avatar renderings and a new restaurant planned for Magic Kingdom. Then they spend the rest of the show discussing what Universal will do after Wet n’ Wild closes. The usual suspects like the megamall, The Orlando Eye, and (of course) Taco Bell are all mentioned.