WDW Archives - Page 2 of 12 - Orlando Tourism Report

April 5, 2018

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

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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

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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

March 15, 2018

Ep 132 – March News Round-Up

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It’s our monthly news round-up and it’s a doozy! New details on Universal’s Russian plans, the latest on the PeopleMover updates we broke 3 weeks ago, Brightline’s report card, the latest on Disney rumors, and tons of cruise news. It’s been a busy month since our last news round-up so this is a not to be missed episode!

Recording Date: March 9, 2018, in Studio B at WPRK Studios in Winter Park, Florida

Show Notes

New liquor law means more boozy cocktails for Orlando’s restaurant-goers

Brazil’s Senate Approves New Open Skies Agreement With United States

Record number of Brazilians heading to Orlando

Orlando Travel Academy gets an upgrade

NYC’s Cafe D’Avignon opening five outposts in Orlando

Orlando Starflyer to open in May

4DX Review of A Wrinkle in Time

Hard Rock HQ’s Orlando departure to result in 184 layoffs

Sands sells Pennsylvania casino

Universal moving ahead with Beijing, big projects in the works for Orlando

Europe park scouting continues, is this the Moscow resort in a new location?

Brightline president: ‘Train ridership is 3 times what we expected’

Queen Latifah named Carnival Horizon godmother

Norwegian Cruise Line getting showcase terminal in Miami

Norwegian rescues woman on Bahamas cruise who fell overboard

Disney releases renderings of its latest cruise ships

Other ships to get updates

New Swan & Dolphin hotel renderings released

Flag unknown but not Kessler

Walt Disney World Might be Developing the Old River Country Site According to Permits Just Filed

Bonnet Creek Resorts To Receive New Signs

New JW Marriott construction continues, should be visible from I-4 by mid to late-summer

Epcot might be getting a Mary Poppins dark ride

Baxter’s Mary Poppins dark ride D23 video from 2016
Brave was in the running for a dark ride
Different than last year’s plans

Illuminations update is moving forward

Epcot’s Odyssey to become flex-space

Could Black Panther be coming to Disney World after all?

Could Indiana Jones be moving to DAK?

Tower of Terror updates expected

After more than two years of documentation Google finally unveils Street view from inside Disney parks. 2016 article | 2017 article

Coco won for Best Animated Feature and “Remember Me” won for Best Song.

Susan Arnold Named Lead Independent Director of Disney

Disney shareholders vote against CEO Iger’s pay package

Unions protest outside of Shareholders meeting for better pay

$2B overhaul coming to Disneyland Paris resort

Not what many expect from the concept art

Disney Village getting updated

February 21, 2018

Ep 128 – Viva la Mexico

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In this Mexico focused special episode Ken and Ed take the first hour to discuss all the latest news, including the latest on SeaWorld Orlando’s Sesame Street plans, the rumors on the return of Ringling Brothers, and the retail tenants of Margaritaville.

Hour Two is filled with news and reports from one of Orlando’s biggest competitors, Mexico! An exclusive interview with officials from Mexico’s new resort Amikoo gives never before shared details on what this massive complex will include. Then Robert calls in and gives a trip report from his recent vacation at one of Mexico’s all-inclusive resorts.

Recording– Feb 9, 2018, in Studio B at WPRK 91.5 Winter Park, FL

Show Notes

New details on SeaWorld Orlando’s Sesame Street

BGT closes Jungala but has a great summer concert line-up

Margaritaville Resort Retail Village, Sunset Walk, lists the retail tenants

Epcot might be getting a new name

Vivo planned for Universal Studios Hollywood

Amikoo Resort

Travel and Leisure

Dreamworks replaced by new IP

February 18, 2018

Ep 127- Skywalking Adventure’s Brian Saeger

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Brian Saeger of Skywalking Adventure calls in to chat with Ed and Ken about recent news from Disney and Universal. The guys talk about rumors of projects in the works and projects being canned. Ken also gives updates on O-Town West, the future of the Church St. Exchange building, Florida’s attempted law to ban orca breeding, and the latest on gambling in the state.

Recording Date– Feb 2, 2018 in Studio B at WPRK