Osceola County Archives - Orlando Tourism Report

March 21, 2018

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

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

Show Notes

Gary Goddard leaves, Legacy Entertainment new name

Disney restructuring

DCL changes eastern Caribbean itinerary as islands still work to recover from Maria

Tomorrowland Expo party confirmed for MK

The Dis deleted an article on a mechanics death

Food prep employees at MCO picket

Vacation homes no longer pay school impact fees

Rocket launches at KSC might soon be 3x the current rate

Shrek 4-D leaving?

Lowry Park Zoo renamed, announces major updates

Brevard Zoo announces inclusion plan for those with special needs, Jeff Corwin announces he’ll be visiting the zoo

Magic Sports and Entertainment district

Royal Caribbean’s billion-dollar expansion

Crystal Cruise update

February 18, 2016

Ep 62 – February News Roundup

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | RSS

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | RSS

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?