Ken Storey Archives - Page 4 of 7 - Orlando Tourism Report

July 13, 2016

Episode 78 – Ron Schneider Breaks The Silence

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Today we come back from our break with a round-up of the news. Then during the Main Event we have the original Dreamfinder, Ron Schneider, join us to chat about Walt’s Frozen Head, his views on Orlando tourism and the future of the industry.

Hosts

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

Recording Date: Punch List- June 27, 2016 | Main Event- July 1, 2016

Music: Song One

Punch List

WDW

Beaches reopen with fences after gator attack

Port Orleans food court to get updated

V&A’s Scott Hunnell is promoted to GF Exec. Chef

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique gets a new location

More WDW restaurants test walk-in availability

Universal

Volcano Bay info released

PETS rumors heat up

Not long until Sapphire Falls opens

Other

SeaWorld address sea pens during investor call

Port Canaveral goes up on parking

Hyatt House announced for Caravan Court (136,160 sq ft, 168 rooms, on-site restaurant)

Orlando Attractions Unite

I-Drive plaza sells, redevelopment likely

Westgate Standoff causes ripple effects

ph askes to get bigger

Other Important Links

Walt’s Frozen Head

From Dreamer to Dream Finder

WPRK

Theme Park University

June 1, 2016

Ep 76 – A Gator Wedding and Holy Land Dreams

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We have trip reports galore on today’s show. Ken visits the Holy Land Experience, Mr. Brian checks out Animal Kingdom after dark and Jim sees what Legoland Florida has in store for summer. The Punch List includes HUGE news coming out of Fun Spot Kissimmee, an odd story regarding China’s Wanda Group, less booze at Epcot, and fun facts about a serial killer who spent time in downtown Orlando.

During the Main Event, we have a wedding planner stop by the studio to give us details on some of the wildest weddings ever seen in Orlando including one that involved a Joan Rivers lookalike and a live alligator. Dawn of ComeSeeOrlando calls in to give us a live report from MegaCon. Plus, we talk about the odd new bus routes that WDW just rolled out.

All of that and plenty of tacos on today’s Orlando Tourism Report!

Show Notes

Hosts

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

Recording Date: Punch List 5-31-16 |#OTRonFM 5-27-16

Music: Song One | Song Two

Punch List

Disney

No more margaritas stand at Epcot

Gone Mad Party happening daily at Grand Flo

WDW makes getting to a water park more difficult

Muppets pizzeria at DHS

China’s Warren Buffet (Wand Jialian- he owns Wanda Group) says Disney isn’t ready to compete there, says he has a pack of wolves ready

Universal

Raises day of ticket prices

Auditions for two characters (Penolope and Jaques) happening June 6 for Toothsomes

Kong preview on NBC

Other

Old Town/Fun Spot announce partnership

Brevard Zoo offering $5 day on June 3

Tacky Tourist Party at History Center June 9

3 Florida beaches named best in U.S.

Serengeti Overlook restaurant opens at BGT (for other SEAS news make sure to check out the SEAS News Wire)

Trip Reports

Mr Brian – DAK at Night

Jim – WildGravity at Legoland Imagination Zone

Ken – Holy Land Experience Part 1 | Part 2

Ep 70 – It’s a Great Big Beautiful Space

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On today’s show we’re joined by Brendan Byrne, 90.7 WMFE’s Space reporter. He shares his experiences from reporting on Kennedy Space Center and talks about the future of space tourism in the Central Florida market.

During the Punch List Andy and Jim talk about big news coming out Busch Gardens plus Clearwater Aquarium’s massive new expansion plans.

Show Notes

Hosts

Ken Storey
Robert of Mickey Updates
Brian of Orlando Park Pass
Jim of Wild Gravity Travels
Andy of Theme Parks and Travels
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-Brendan Byrne

Recording Date: Main Event- 4/6/16 | Punch List- 4/13/16

Music: Song 1 | Song 2

Punch List

Adam Sandler IS NOT moving Melbourne Florida

I-Drive Bazaar (SW corner of SLR and I-Drive) could be rebuilt (Rich at OBJ reporting based on discussion filings)

Orlando’s hotel supply to increase by 2.8% in the next two years (45.6 mill room nights available in 2017)

Clearwater Marine Aquarium goes on the defensive about new expansion plans

Florida HQ’d Carnival Cruises to use reality shows, game shows to promote cruising

Legacy Florida money approved for Lake Apopka ($5 Mill per yr), Everglades ($200 Mill per yr)

North Florida’s Apalachicola River named the most endangered river in the nation

BGT closes Tidal Wave, is something new coming to Stanleyville?

Mako gift shop readies to open

Disney

Grand Florida gets new carpet, new $15 tour

Ample Hills Creamery coming to Disney’s Boardwalk resort

Olaf to begin meeting guests at DHS

Tower of Terror might be getting a bar and/or a Guardians of the Galaxy overlay

Disney Springs Town Center to open May 15

Ep 59 – Brian Goes Global

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Brian returns from Asia with a trip report from Thailand and Tokyo Disney Sea. Jim stops in to talk about all of the news coming out of SEAS lately. Kevin Yee discusses the layout of the Tokyo Disney resort. The news includes the latest closures from DHS, tram news from UOR and Coke moving into Disney Springs. Ken gives reviews of Otronicon 2016 and Ringling’s last visit to the Amway Center before they retire the elephants.

Show Notes

Hosts

Ken Storey
Robert of Mickey Updates
Mr. Brian of Orlando Park Pass
Jim of Wild Gravity Travels
Andy of Theme Parks and Travels
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- Seth Kubersky

Date of Recording: Jan 20 , 2015

Punch List

DHS actually pulls off a Villain themed event

DHS next typhoon of closures hit, could the Earful Tower be moved to Disney Springs?

Habit Heroes closes at Innoventions (all that’s left is Sum, storm struck House and colortopia)

Rumor – Joy, Sadness coming to Epcot

World of Coke coming to Disney Springs

SEAS Update with Jim

SWO begins removing fast rising floors in orca tanks

SWO- Wild Days media event, Mako topping off, Manatee exhibit refurb, Wild Artic reopened (god no!) and all around updates

SEAS begins rolling out new focus on upcharge events (blog post on BGT interactions | trademarks for SWSA interactions )

BGT- Cobra’s Curse elevator lift is going up, rumors of 2018 coaster,

Lowry Park – Baby zebra

Weekend Adventure nature block (including SEAS tv shows) tops syndicated ratings for Dec 28- Jan 3 week (Judge Judy was #2)

Local News

Willie the Adarvark at DAK, now at the Planet Watch

The Delaney boutique hotel announced for Downtown South (ORMC)

Universal confirms VB tram from parking garage

Roboasis behind walls. Any news there?

BJ theater is gone, Twister is see-thru. Hello Kitty coming along. Kong- queue.

Otronicon

Ringling -> return of Legends. Last time of elephants in Amway.

Efteling’s new dark ride

Bruce Vaughn out, Bob Weis in at WDI

Ep 56 – Thanksgiving for Holy Land, ICE and random UOR news

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On this special extra long holiday show Robert and Ken are joined by Jake in the studio. The recording took place on Thanksgiving and includes a rundown of different local holiday events, plus a trip report to Holy Land Experience, ICE! At Gaylord and the latest news from Universal Orlando.

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- Ben Lancaster of Walt’s Frozen Head

Date of Recording: Nov 26, 2015