Know the city | Know the industry

Tag: Ken Storey

Ep 96 – Kings Bowl, Florida Sports Expo contest, and James Gray in the closest

This episode we start off with announcing a new contest we’re running over the next 24 hrs. Then we sit down with Robert Morris of Kings Bowl to discuss bowling in Orlando, managing an attraction on I-Drive, and the future of local tourism. After Morris leaves we have an extended Punch List where we go through a ton of local news including new details on Volcano Bay, info on Avatar, and a State Senator shares the latest on gondolas in Orlando.

Hosts

Special Guest- Robert Morris, Director of Sales & Guest Systems Development at Kings Bowl

Recording Date- Feb 24, 2017 on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park

Punch List

Universal-

  1. Mark Woodbury Becomes Vice-Chairman of Universal’s Parks
  2. Universal Parks and Resorts Launch National Advertising and Brand Campaign
  3. Halloween Horror Nights 27 Vacation Package On Sale Now
  4. ProSlide teases new ride, could this be the one Ken announced in May of 2016?

Disney-

  1. Celebration at the Top with Fireworks Viewing at California Grill
  2. Shutters, Old Port Royale, and More Closing in 2017 at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
  3. PI Update: Edison Blueprints
  4. Price increase for the 2017 Disney Dining Plan
  5. New D-Tech On Demand Station in ESPN Wide World of Sports (more coming to Pandora)
  6. Walt Disney World adds retro RV food truck to Fort Wilderness Resort with new takes on campground grub
  7. Dusty on MiceChat brings up the old rumor of $2 billion in new investments in MK/Epcot including Brazil coming to World Showcase

SEAS-

  1. SeaWorld reports decline in attendance
  2. Rumor- SWO to get new round raft ride

Other Attractions

  1. KSC to give visitors 6 seconds to Mars…err, weightless
  2. LEGOLAND Florida to Host Batman Movie Days in March 2017
  3. Breaking: Skyplex adds another heart-stopping thrill to ride portfolio
  4. Florida Mall adds 3 first-to-market specialty concepts

News

  1. American Maglev tells us new news within 90 days
  2. After last week’s show Florida State Senator told Ken that she “I still like the idea for going east and west hook up to sunrail” (with gondolas).
  3. After 52 years Cocoa cancels the Easter Day Surf Competition
  4. Senate pushes gaming deal
  5. Rick Scott fumes as House tourism bill moves ahead
  6. Florida’s Siesta Beach named best beach in the U.S. by TripAdvisor
  7. 138th Silver Spurs Rodeo brings out families, critics (20,000 to 25,000 people showed up)
  8. Phillips Center’s second phase to break ground next month
  9. Bank to take over Fashion Square Mall on Thursday
  10. Orlando to vote on $975M in OIA bonds and debt to build new terminal, more
  11. Metro Orlando hotels see increase in room rate, slight dip in January occupancy
  12. National tour operator seeks tax incentives to make Orlando its co-headquarters
  13. Chicago investor pays $6M for 26-acre resort on W192
  14. ContraVest buys land on Universal Blvd for second-phase apartments ­­­­
  15. Madame Tussauds London getting its own giant-sized King Kong animatronic in new “Skull Island” experience
  16. Merged economic development/chamber group announces new name
  17. Jimmy Buffett community coming to Daytona
  18. iFly reveals opening date for new I-Drive location(two all-glass wind tunnels on April 27)  What happened to the Skydiving museum that was announced for next door?
  19. Bass Pro opens in Daytona, more of the One Daytona project open this year

Comments and End of Show Notes-

Continue Reading

Ep 95 – Seven Seas Food and Wine with a side of Flavortown

In this food heavy episode of #OTRonFM Jim and Ed talk about their recent media review of Planet Hollywood. SeaWorld’s new Seven Seas Food and Wine Festival is reviewed by everyone, including Kevin Yee, who adds some context to this new food and wine festival in his Bigger Picture segment. We also react to the news coming out of Coronado Springs, Jim reviews Rivers of Light, and Ken goes in-depth with what’s happening regarding these rumors of a gondola transit system coming to WDW. It’s a Disney heavy episode but that’s where the news was this week!

Hosts

Recording Date- Feb 17, 2017 on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park

Important Links
Continue Reading

Ep 94 – Dark Nights at CityWalk and a Roadtrip to Hogan’s Beach Shop

In this episode of #OTRonFM we have a news roundup with news from nearly every single corner of Central Florida. We’re extra energetic this week after SoFlo Energy Drinks drops off some drinks for us. We chug the caffeine and dive into the news. We talk with someone who was at CityWalk when the power went out. Jim calls in with a review of Paddlefish. Ken gives a trip report from Hogan’s Beach Shop in Clearwater. We discuss the name of Fun Spot Kissimmee’s new coaster. And we ask if SeaWorld is properly training their employees these days.

Hosts

Recording Date- Feb 10, 2017 on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park

Important Links

CityWalk goes dark

Fun Spot names its’ new coaster

Hulk Hogan partners with Joshua Wallack for new I-Drive beach shop

Is there an issue with employee training at SeaWorld? We debate if there’s been a recent decline in quality at the park.

Paddlefish is reviewed by Jim

Happily Ever After fireworks announced for Magic Kingdom

Bonnet Creek expands convention center

Is Grand Flo getting a major overhaul? Ken says no.

IAAPA announces new location for Orlando HQ

Holy Land Experience gives details and numbers for this year’s free day

New food association launches in Central Florida

The I-4 Eyesore tower could be finished by end of the year

DisneyQuest is confirmed to be closing, NBA Experience on the way

Continue Reading

Ep 92 – Artegon goes but Art Stays

On this #OTRonFM we have Shannon Youngs who is opening a brand-new showroom for local artists, including many of the artists who formerly called Artegon home. We discuss what went wrong at Artegon and how in the end it could be a positive thing for the Orlando area in the end. The owners of Gods & Monsters call in to share all the latest info on both their temporary and their permeant locations. Then Florida Soap Company calls in to share details on their new Altamonte location. Then we close out the episode with Ed opening his brand new MagicBand and we discuss the differences between version 1 and 2.

Hosts

Special Guest – Shannon Youngs of the 1280 Palmetto Showroom

Recording Date- Feb 2, 2017 – Live on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park

Artegon – Where are they now?

Gods & Monsters

WPRK

Continue Reading

Ep 87 – Cruising with Mark Baratelli

Mark Baratelli shares stories about his time at Disney Cruise Lines and why he loves Orlando. He talks about his Food Truck Bazaar and how it helped shape Orlando’s massive food truck scene. Ken talks about his recent trip to Busch Gardens and Robert asks how I-Drive 360 is doing.

Hosts

Special Guest–  Mark Baratelli of The Daily City

Recording Date- Dec 16, 2016 – Live on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park

Music- Song 1

Important Links

The Daily City

TDC’s Food Truck Bazaar

WPRK

Continue Reading