Know the city | Know the industry

Tag: IOA

OTR Ep 26 – Ringling and the Brits

On today’s show Jason of Orlando Fun & Food weighs in on the shocking news coming out of Ringling Brothers. Then Jay and Ken talk about some recent news before Kyle joins. Kyle and Ken interview Simon and Susan of Veness Travel Media. Simon is the author of ‘The Brits Guide to Orlando,’ the best selling guide of its kind in the U.K.  Simon and Susan discuss their observations in the changing demographics of Orlando tourism and how the larger trends in Florida are affecting it.

Show Info

Hosts

Special Guests

Recording Dates

  • Interview with Jason- March 8, 2015
  • Interview with Simon and Susan- March 5, 2015

Music

 

Show Notes

Ringling Brothers/Feld Entertainment

SeaWorld

Disney

I-Drive

Other Tourism in Central Florida

Main Event

Continue Reading

OTR – Ep 24 – Wet and Wild For Possibilities Far Far Away

On today’s show Kyle and Ken cover some recent news including that dreadful SEAS earnings report, a recent shooting at Fun Spot, the new Avatar renderings and a new restaurant planned for Magic Kingdom. Then they spend the rest of the show discussing what Universal will do after Wet n’ Wild closes. The usual suspects like the megamall, The Orlando Eye, and (of course) Taco Bell are all mentioned.

Continue Reading

OTR – SideChat 6 – Blame Eisner, Yearn For Eisner

This time of year is always a good time to look back at where we’ve come from. Today OTR does just that with Sam Gennawey sharing details on the history of Universal Orlando.

On today’s SideChat Sam Gennawey talks about the history of Universal Studios Florida that he included in his new book and why Islands of Adventure looks the way it does. Kyle asks about Michael Eisner’s impact on Universal Studios while Ken keeps sharing memories of his childhood. After the parks are covered the three turn to CityWalk vs Downtown Disney where Sam’s expectations of Disney Springs might surprise. Urban design is brought up some more and they talk about the amazing new parking garage at Disney Springs.

Today’s SideChat is pulled from the larger conversation taped on Dec 16. Check out the rest of the conversation in Ep 20 – Gennaweys Takeaway.

Show Info

  • Recorded- Tuesday, Dec 16, 2014

Show Notes

Opening Audio One | Two

Sam Gennawey’s Books

Michael Eisner

Lew Wasserman

Jay Stein

Steve Burke

IOA Preview Center Video

Disney Springs on WDW Magic

Disney Springs Parking Garage video tour

Gennawey’s believes Disney Springs will fail due to a lack of density, design and diversity.

Closing Song

Continue Reading

OTR – Episode 5 – Ground Control to Seth Who Robs Banks

With Diagon Alley officially opening in less than 48 hours these next couple of days will be hard for all of us Potter fans.  We got two of the biggest local names in hospitality journalism together to share their experiences from the media preview of Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Express.  Seth Kubersky of Orlando Weekly and Touring Plans plus Banks Lee of Attractions Magazine joined us for an in-depth discussion into their experiences at Universal’s recent media event.

Show Info

Hosts-

Bob from Pixels at the Parks
Ken
Jake
And OTR’s very own Kyle and Richie

Special Guests-

Banks Lee
Seth Kurbersky

Continue Reading