Idrive Archives - Page 2 of 16 - Orlando Tourism Report

June 15, 2018

Ep 141 – Eric Oh’s Big Orlando Trip

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Eric Oh drops by the studio during his vacation in Orlando. We chat with him about his vacation, some of the unique things in Central Florida he’s experiencing for the first time, and get his hot takes on all the big news stories of the week.

Recording Date- June 1, 2018 at WPRK Studios in Winter Park, FL

News and Links

Eric Oh’s Twitter

Disney agrees to pay some Disneyland cast members $15 an hour by 2020 ahead of California’s change to the rate in 2022
Labor Unions in Vegas prepare to strike
Animal Kingdom testing out new color-coordinated stroller parking system
Hard Rock Tampa, already one of the largest casino floors in the world, announces $750 million expansion that includes an events center, retail corridor, and a new 15-story tower
Eustis looking to bring watercraft rentals to lakefront
Planet Hollywood resort to be built in St. Maarten
Pirates Dinner Adventure to debut revamped show after hurricane, fire damage fixed
Live Shooter Hoax at Walt Disney World Resort Lands Arizona YouTuber in Jail
Busch Gardens Williamsburg retains “World’s Most Beautiful Park” status
Shanghai Disney Resort to launch their first marathon event this fall
Disney looks to be moving forward with the long-rumored River Country DVC hotel
Oscar’s Wacky Taxi family friendly wooden coaster opens at Sesame Place
Home-sharing platform for gay men misterb&b to start paying Orange County taxes
Dynamic Attractions announces new 5-year partnership with an Asian theme park developer, multiple groundbreaking rides to be designed at their Orlando design center

May 31, 2018

Ep 140 – Madame Tussaud’s Orlando talks Justice League

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Todd Andrus, Merlin’s Head of Marketing for its’ Orlando attractions, joins Ken, Ed, and Jake in the studio to discuss Madame Tussaud’s Orlando museum’s new Justice League attraction. The conversation includes details on the development of the new exhibit, the history of the attraction, and what we can expect next for Merlin in the Orlando market.

Then in Hour 2, Jake shares exclusive new details regarding updates happening at both the former Artegon mall and WonderWorks. Ken discusses the Hyperloop that might soon be connecting Orlando to Tampa. Then the guys talk about all the recent Universal rumors, including Star Trek, James Bond, and the most recent news regarding Nintendo. A new stage show rumored for DHS, updates at The Crayola Experience, and many other news items are discussed as well.

Recording Date- May 25, 2018 in Studio B at WPRK in Winter Park, FL

Important Links

Madame Tussaud’s Orlando

ICON Orlando 360

POV of the boat ride at Madame Tussaud’s Singapore that Ken seems obsessed with

Madame Tussaud’s Ghostbuster attraction

NEWS

New details on Artegon’s replacement

The Crayola Experience gets a new exhibit

Hyperloop between Orlando and Tampa might be in the works

Mickey and the Magician stage show might be coming to WDW

James Bond might be heading to Universal Orlando

Star Trek land might be heading to Universal Orlando

May 8, 2018

Ep 138 – The Queen of Medieval Times

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | RSS

We’re joined in studio by one of the Medieval Times queens and a show designer. They share their behind the scenes stories from over the years at Medieval Times, including the incredible work that went into the latest show. This new show is one of the company’s most ambitious and most historic.

Hour Two is filled with news including an update to the Florida Mall story we talked about a few weeks back. We also touch on the latest news from WDW including Dan Cockerell’s retirement and the end of Night of Joy.

Recording Date- April 27, 2018 in Studio B at WPRK Winter Park, FL

Show Notes

Hour One

Medieval Times Orlando

Article on the new queen

Hour Two

Pandora closed April 24-26

Update to monorail story

Florida Mall panic at Apple store prompts a lawsuit

Trolls Topia- 4th park land, Kids Zone?

Night of Joy confirmed cancelled for WDW

Dan Cockerell, VP of Magic Kingdom Suddenly Departing Company

accesso gets a new ceo

Fun Spot Orlando gets a Headrush 360

I-Drive’s high-flying StarFlyer debut pushed to June

Ride-sharing Safr coming to Orlando, focuses on women’s safety

April 5, 2018

Ep 135 – Disney security, Disney labor shortages, and Disney housing

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Breaking news of the Pulse shooter’s wife has use discussing safety at WDW. We look back to a 2015 episode where we discussed it in detail. We also talk about the questionable future of Vista Way. And the latest on a big increase in CMs headed to WDW and what a recent hiring event may mean about it.

Recording Date: March 29, 2018 at WPRK’s Studio B.

Show Notes

Security at Disney-

YouTuber’s issue with Disney security

Pulse shooter’s wife’s trial reveals new things about the threat at Disney

Port Canaveral gets post-Panamax cargo ships

Royal Caribbean CEO Hints That Ship Larger Than Symphony of the Seas Is on the Horizon

Vekoma bought by Sansei

Rick Scott hands fate of cardroom to Seminole County Commission

Vista Way– 13K new hires, 75K total employees by 2021, typhoon lagoon hired half of what’s needed, are incentives enough?

Sesame Place BGW plans are leaked

SeaWorld CMO Is Latest to Go in Executive Purge

Disney is working on a Grad Night movie

Disney-run government Reedy Creek faces personnel issues after consultant’s report

Iconic I-Drive hotel to add retail component

I-Drive Chamber endorses Jerry Demings in Orange County mayor’s race

Manatees Move Back In: South Florida Museum Manatee Rehabilitation Hospital Welcomes New Manatee Patients

Schlitterbahn will fight criminal charges after owner and designer arrested over child’s death

New Gerstlauer Coaster Going Vertical at Nickelodeon Universe at the American Dream

Big insurance payout may cover repairs to Mote-Morris house | Wiki on the house

Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach debuts with ocean views, 3 eateries

Drive Shack’s First U.S. Venue Coming to Lake Nona

Universal Orlando Property Appraisal Lawsuits End in Settlements, Refund

March 21, 2018

Ep 133 – Parking Fees vs Resort Fees with Kill Resort Fees Founder Lauren Wolfe

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | RSS

We try catching up on the latest news with this episode. News includes a billion dollar upgrade coming to Royal Caribbean, the significance to the new name at Gary Goddard Design, a mystery around a deleted article on The Dis, and the big changes coming to Lowry Park Zoo.

Kill Resort Fees Founder Lauren Wolfe calls in to talk about the new parking fees at WDW, why Disney likely won’t be adding a resort fee, and her work on bringing light to these hidden fees.

Recording Date– March 16, 2018, in Studio B at WPRK Winter Park, FL

Special Guest– Kill Resort Fees Founder Lauren Wolfe