I-Drive Archives - Orlando Tourism Report

October 27, 2018

Ep 155 – The Ed and Jake Show

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Ken skips town so Ed and Jake host the show themselves. They talk KidsZone rumors, how to do Mickey’s Not So Scary, and tons of local tourism news.

Recording Date – October 12, 2018 at the WPRK Studios in Winter Park, FL

Important Links

Jacksonville Jaguars may move to London

Major security update, expansion rumored for WDW

Sister Hazel Replaces Smash Mouth on Eat to the Beat Concert Series Schedule

A website incorrectly announced Jedi Training Academy closing at DHS (it is closing at Disneyland). So everyone please stay calm regarding any rumors about Spaceship Earth

New restaurants announced for Disney Springs West Side – Is this part of the NBA Experience? Going on the undeveloped lot beside Cirque?

BGT celebrates baby animals! (The Legend will be happy about this one!)

Full Sail is building a $6 million esports arena

Theme park fabrication company Nassal announces global re-brand

Disney Announces New Recreational Activity for Guests Ages 10-16 at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney Cruise Line Named Top Large-Ship Line in Condé Nast Traveler 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards

Bakeshop from Build-a-Bear coming to Florida Mall

IAAPA promotes former Busch/SeaWorld executive to its top job

Come Out With Pride is this weekend Oct 8-14

The Magic Kingdom’s Tom Sawyer Island to Close Soon for 2-Month Refurbishment

Jack Sparrow Meet and Greet Has Replaced Defunct Pirate Tutorial Show at the Magic Kingdom

Trees on the Lawn of Haunted Mansion Removed

Carnival’s Brewmaster Is Trying to Bring Craft Beer Culture to Cruising

Senate Passes Bill to Set Minimum Size for Airplane Seats

May 31, 2018

Ep 140 – Madame Tussaud’s Orlando talks Justice League

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Todd Andrus, Merlin’s Head of Marketing for its’ Orlando attractions, joins Ken, Ed, and Jake in the studio to discuss Madame Tussaud’s Orlando museum’s new Justice League attraction. The conversation includes details on the development of the new exhibit, the history of the attraction, and what we can expect next for Merlin in the Orlando market.

Then in Hour 2, Jake shares exclusive new details regarding updates happening at both the former Artegon mall and WonderWorks. Ken discusses the Hyperloop that might soon be connecting Orlando to Tampa. Then the guys talk about all the recent Universal rumors, including Star Trek, James Bond, and the most recent news regarding Nintendo. A new stage show rumored for DHS, updates at The Crayola Experience, and many other news items are discussed as well.

Recording Date- May 25, 2018 in Studio B at WPRK in Winter Park, FL

Important Links

Madame Tussaud’s Orlando

ICON Orlando 360

POV of the boat ride at Madame Tussaud’s Singapore that Ken seems obsessed with

Madame Tussaud’s Ghostbuster attraction

NEWS

New details on Artegon’s replacement

The Crayola Experience gets a new exhibit

Hyperloop between Orlando and Tampa might be in the works

Mickey and the Magician stage show might be coming to WDW

James Bond might be heading to Universal Orlando

Star Trek land might be heading to Universal Orlando

May 8, 2018

Ep 138 – The Queen of Medieval Times

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | RSS

We’re joined in studio by one of the Medieval Times queens and a show designer. They share their behind the scenes stories from over the years at Medieval Times, including the incredible work that went into the latest show. This new show is one of the company’s most ambitious and most historic.

Hour Two is filled with news including an update to the Florida Mall story we talked about a few weeks back. We also touch on the latest news from WDW including Dan Cockerell’s retirement and the end of Night of Joy.

Recording Date- April 27, 2018 in Studio B at WPRK Winter Park, FL

Show Notes

Hour One

Medieval Times Orlando

Article on the new queen

Hour Two

Pandora closed April 24-26

Update to monorail story

Florida Mall panic at Apple store prompts a lawsuit

Trolls Topia- 4th park land, Kids Zone?

Night of Joy confirmed cancelled for WDW

Dan Cockerell, VP of Magic Kingdom Suddenly Departing Company

accesso gets a new ceo

Fun Spot Orlando gets a Headrush 360

I-Drive’s high-flying StarFlyer debut pushed to June

Ride-sharing Safr coming to Orlando, focuses on women’s safety

March 21, 2018

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

March 15, 2018

Ep 132 – March News Round-Up

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | RSS

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