DAK Archives - Orlando Tourism Report

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

March 14, 2018

Ep 131 – Scott Swenson talks SeaWorld Parks

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It’s a SeaWorld heavy show when Scott Swenson, former Director of Creative Services at Busch Gardens Tampa, stops by the studio to discuss his more than 20 years with the company. The first hour is filled with insider stories for the past twenty years at Busch Gardens Tampa including never before shared details on the beginning of Howl-O-Scream, the background to that well known photo of the Howl-O-Scream and Halloween Horror Nights teams joining together, plus a ton of stories from the early days of Rhino Rally and Akbar’s Adventure Tours. Hour Two is focused on the current company with Swenson’s reactions to the huge leadership shake-up currently happening at SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment.

Recording Date: Friday, March 2, 2018, in WPRK’s Studio B in Winter Park, Florida

Special Guest: Scott Swenson

March 21, 2017

Ep 98 – @JLBNerdy Visits Orlando & Ken Tries to Talk Nintendo

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One of OTR’s oldest and most dedicated fans stops by the studio as part of a grand non-Disney weekend she planned with Ken. News involves confirmation of two rumors from the previous week’s show and Ken gives exclusive new details on what Nintendo at UOR will look like.

Hosts

Ken Storey
Robert
Ed
Brian of Orlando Park Pass
Jim of WildGravity Travels
Andy of Theme Parks and Travels
Jakeof Orlando Park Pass
Hotel Correspondent – Kyle
Show Researcher – Jay
Show Historian – Kevin Yee

Special Guest- Jenny (@JLBNerdy)

Recording Date- March 10, 2017 on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park (10AM-Noon)

Punch List

Osceola leaders: Smart sensors, resorts and training programs to generate more jobs

Omni Orlando Resort execs foresee big payoff from expansion set to open in May

GOAA’s Kruppenbacher, Villages’ Lester among Scott’s picks for constitution panel

Omni Orlando Resort execs foresee big payoff from expansion set to open in May

Orlando airport contractors helped fund board member’s campaign

La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil Will Host Its Final Disney Springs Performance This December

Taste of the Nation Becomes Taste! Central Florida and Sets a 2017 Date

Caribbean Carnaval Coming to Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Bike Week set to roll into Daytona Beach

Florida Mall unveiling high-tech children’s ‘Play Park’ in spring

Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge names firm to design new building

Creative City Project renames annual event

Amendments governing heights of airport-adjacent developments to change

Give Kids The World gets Intergalactic makeover and pays tribute to Founder

Miami’s SkyRise unveils crown jewel attraction with Skyway observation pods @SkyRiseMiami

Mayor Buddy Dyer unveils giant WrestleMania title belt at Lake Eola

Brightline installs new CEO, reveals 2.5-year delay on Orlando leg

Regal Pointe Orlando debuts 4D movie technology today

House gives tentative approval to abolishing incentives

February 18, 2017

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

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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

Ken Storey
Robert
Ed
Brian of Orlando Park Pass
Jim of WildGravity Travels
Andy of Theme Parks and Travels
Jake of Orlando Park Pass
Hotel Correspondent – Kyle
Show Researcher – Jay
Show Historian – Kevin Yee

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

February 1, 2017

Ep 90 – Vegan Jamaicans and Everything but Artegon (and a some Artegon)

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In this episode of #OTRonFM Irie the Vegan Chef stops by the studio to talk about Orlando’s growing vegan and vegetarian foodie scene. She gives Robert, Ed and Ken some vegan ice cream live on the air. The guys then respond to the news of Artegon closing.

Hosts