mako Archives - Orlando Tourism Report

March 22, 2016

Ep 67 – SEAS Orca Reactions from Eric Davis, Safari Mike and Erin Sullivan

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SeaWorld announced a major change in the brand late last week that includes the ending of the orca breeding program. SeaWorld’s unofficial ambassador Eric Davis calls in to give his take on the news and the fan community’s reaction to the news. Safari Mike stops in to talk about what this decision at SeaWorld means for the aquarium and zoo community. Erin Sullivan, the former Editor of Orlando Weekly and, for a short time, the San Antonio Current. Erin talks about the how the local communities in Orlando and San Antonio reacted to the news. Jim and Andy give their insights into the news including what this means for the nearby SeaLife Aquarium.

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

SeaWorld’s Orca Announcement

Interview One

Recorded 3-18-16

Orlando Weekly’s Blackfish piece

Song on Outro

Interview Two

Song on Intro

Safari Mike

Recorded 3-19-16

gp’ Everyone

OTR Ep 42 – Safari Mike Hopes For A Train But Not For a Monkey Island

Song on Outro

Interview Three

Eric Davis

Recorded 3-20-16

Awesome Ocean

Unofficial SeaWorld Podcast

ZooNation

OTR – Ep 19 – Interviews with Eric Davis and Frank Torres

Ep 49 – The Big Blue Super Long Whale of Show With Eric Davis

February 18, 2016

Ep 62 – February News Roundup

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As violence rings out across Central Florida we stop to ask what more needs to be done to keep tourist safe. We then talk about the Anthem of the Seas and its storm damage. A new 34-story tall guitar, fish tanks at Rainforest Café and street view at Magic Kingdom are discussed. Legoland, Brevard Zoo and Epcot all come up as well. Today’s show is a 2 hour roundup of the recent news.

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

Date of Recording: 2/10/16

Song One

Punch List

News of violence fills the tourist district. 2 dead at Florida Mall, 2 dead in mass shooting at nightclub on Universal Blvd (with another mass shooting in a Tampa strip club)

Storm with 100+ mile an hour winds hit Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, after wild night at sea the rest of the itineraries are cancelled and the ship sails home early, RV gives all aboard a full refund and 50% off a future cruise.

Seminoles propose $1.8 Billion in new development for their casinos including a 34 story guitar shaped tower in Hollywood, Florida.

Google Street View spotted walking around Magic Kingdom

Cheerleading confirmed for WWOS, is this the end of Indiana Jones Stunt Show?

Circle of Life movie abruptly closes for lengthy rehab at Epcot. Will it return?

DAK’s Rainforest Café fish tanks closed for rehab, will the local Rainforest Cafés become fish-less like the Mall of America location recently did?

Brevard Zoo to offer 2 new behind the scenes tour

Legoland files plans for new development across the street from current resort

4 Points on I-Drive to gets new owner, $4M update

Sports complex beside Artegon asks for 6 month extension on permits

Wallack’s Hollywood Garage requests to add to more floors, 200 more spaces

February 6, 2016

Ep 61 – Drug Paraphernalia Springs and Japanese Jaws

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Today Mr. Brian gives a trip report from Universal Studios Japan where he relives Jaws, Back to the Future, Backdraft and more. Comparisons and insights on USJ versus our local Universal resort here in Orlando fill the conversation. During the Punch List Ken talks about affordable housing and the future of Osceola County. Jim shares some interesting news from Disney Springs and Ken wonders if people will want to go to Disney to buy knockoff bongs.

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

Date of Recording: 2/4/16

Music– Jesse Cutler’s Music of Winter Park Album | Interview

Punch List

OCSC announces Lake Nona training facility. Is Lake Nona becoming a sports mecca?

Save Pleasure Island’s Disney Springs Update

Fulton’s Crab House lays off 214 employees as it goes thru a 6-month rehab

Club Disney closing at DHS

3,396 acres in Osceola County to be rezoned as Tourist Commercial

SDL, USH to have demand based pricing

Aquatica phasing out Commerson Dolphins

Educational class based on The Profit coming to UOR

-Other news not covered on the show-

Christian theme park planned for San Diego. Will it affect Holy Land Experience?

Holy Land announces free day- Feb 24

Daytona International Speedway officially opens Daytona Rising expansion

Great Wolf Lodge officially buys 50 acres they previously announce for the Orlando location

TopGolf confirms Orlando location on Universal Blvd

2 select service hotels, adult dayclub pool planned for near SWO

Passenger numbers up double digits in November at MCO (12.79 overall with 3.25 mill | Domestic = 12% with 2.85 mill | International = 17.1% with 402,177 )

Palm Holdings announces renovation, expansion plans for The Inn at Calypso Cay in Kissimmee

Westgate to break ground on new sales center at WG Lakes in February

Wahlburgers announce opening date (Feb 9) of DT Orlando location, Mark, Paul and Donnieto be at grand opening Feb 18

Medical marijuana on 2016 ballot in Florida. Will it impact tourism?

Ep 33 – May’s Big Rewind with Epcod, Elvenage and Sir Owen Disney

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After a whirlwind month of announcements and news we gather some theme parks fan to break it all down. Sir Owen Disney, Epcod and Elvenage join Jake, Richie and Ken to discuss their takes on all of this past month’s news. The future of SeaWorld, the chances of Skyplex actually ever happening and the role of Value Resorts at the modern Walt Disney Role all come up. Hot takes on the latest news, reviews of Tomorrowland, gambling’s impact on Florida, and a lot more in the news round-up episode.

Show Info

Hosts

Ken
Jake of JakeOrl
The ghost known as Richie

Special Guests

Recording Date

May 30, 2015

Music

Show Notes

News Round-Up from May

I-Drive and Surrounding Area-

Opening of I-Drive 360
GatorSpot at FunSpot
Pedestrian bridge moved forward
Skyplex announcing a hotel, Universal and local businesses file complaints against the project and it announces a new Atlantic City mini version, Orlando being the ‘flagship’
Megamall now two buildings
Legoland Florida opens its first hotel
Water park proposed south of Tampa Bay
A judge ruling that counties can vote to put slots at gambling spots like dog tracks, horse tracks.
Orlando City Soccer Club refusing tourist development tax funds, fully private stadium. Adding 9,000 extra seats, now at 28,000 seats. Changing the dynamic with the Citrus Bowl and Amway. Nearly $30 million in tax dollars saved.
Magic got a new head coach, a former player

Disney-

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
Numerous other stores announced for DS,
Annual 24 hr event on both coasts,
Star Wars Weekends
Tomorrowland tank, Tron 3 cancelled,
Harambe Market open DAK,

SEAS –

UOR-

Additional Notes

Wisconsin Dells- Noah’s Ark Water Park (with non-tube rides)

Ken’s M&M Star Wars treats

Camden Park

Darien Lake

Little Amerricka in Wisconsin

Epcod’s Tomorrowland rampage One | Two | Three | Four | Five

OTR’s tweet regarding Volcano Bay stucco work

Mr Brian in Orlando’s sad trip to I-Drive 360 (Broken exhibits at SEALife One | Views from The Orlando Eye One, Two)

Ken Recommends- Tin Roof at I-Drive 360

Florida Citrus Tower

Jack Recommends- #OrlandoEye on Instagram

#AskSeaWorld’s utter failure on Twitter

Sir Owen Disney Recommends- Christmas at SeaWorld

May 26, 2015

Ep 32 – Rich News of Sharks, Snakes and Giant Apes

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Today we play catch up on all the recent news. Richie stops by and surprises everyone by showing excitement over theme park news. Jay talks about Thursday’s BGT announcement and Jake joins the call right before everyone hangs up. Las Vegas, Atlanta, New York and Miami are all mentioned…oh yeah, and Orlando.

Show Info

Hosts

Ken
Kyle
Jay
Jake of Orlando Park Pass
The ghost known as Richie

Recording Date

May 24, 2015

Music

Show Notes

Pandora (Avatarland) at DAK visible from surrounding roads now

I-Drive and Surrounding Tourism

Mr Brian in Orlando’s sad trip to I-Drive 360 (Broken exhibits at SEALife One | Views from The Orlando Eye One, Two)

Orlando Eye shuts down and NO ONE was aboard at the time

Megamall now two buildings

Miami Wilds megamall

Water park proposed south of Tampa Bay

Ken- “I wouldn’t be surprised to see a megamall project being a partnership with Universal.”

Spectro Radio

Tag: mako

Ep 67 – SEAS Orca Reactions from Eric Davis, Safari Mike and Erin Sullivan

Interview One

Interview Two

Interview Three

Ep 62 – February News Roundup

Show Notes

Hosts

Punch List

Ep 61 – Drug Paraphernalia Springs and Japanese Jaws

Hosts

Punch List

-Other news not covered on the show-

Other Important Links

Ep 33 – May’s Big Rewind with Epcod, Elvenage and Sir Owen Disney

Show Info

Hosts

Special Guests

Recording Date

Music

Show Notes

News Round-Up from May

I-Drive and Surrounding Area-

Disney-

SEAS –

UOR-

Additional Notes

Ep 32 – Rich News of Sharks, Snakes and Giant Apes

Show Info

Hosts

Recording Date

Music

Show Notes

SEAS

Universal

WDW

I-Drive and Surrounding Tourism