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Tag: Orlando

February 6, 2016

Ep 61 – Drug Paraphernalia Springs and Japanese Jaws

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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

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?

Other Important Links

WPRK

Mr Brian’s USJ Trip Part 1 | Part 2

 

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February 4, 2016

Ep 60 – Malls, Monster Trucks and 4D Movies

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We have current news then we thaw out one of winter break episodes. During the news, Andy and Ken talk Disney, Fun Spot and SeaWorld. Jim tells about the recent media event at Legoland.

Then Mr. Entertainment stops by to give trip reports from Royal Rumble and Monster Jam. The Main Event includes an interview from last month with Mark of Orlando Mall Guide. Malls, the Orlando Magic, Miami and who laughs at Mark’s jokes are all brought up.

The show also features music inspired by Winter Park, from the brand new album by Jesse Cutler.

Show Notes
Hosts

Date of Recording: News- 1/27/16, 1/28/16 | Mr. Entertainment- 1/28/16 | OMG Mark- 1/7/16

Music– Jesse Cutler’s Music of Winter Park Album | Interview

Punch List

Star Wars land details to be reveled during Feb 21 ABC special hosted by Harrison Ford

Seashore Sweets closing/moving, Flying Fish expanding. Will the food improve as well?

WWOS expanding. 286,000 sq ft multi-story bldg and a new parking lot.

Big Thunder Mtn has 4 month refurb starting April 4. Is the new DL ending coming to MK?

WDWInfo (The DIS) asks “Is Magic Kindgom’s Skipper Canteen taking on water?”

Crescent Solarium at Beach Club to offer Afternoon Tea

Two former WDW tech employees file federal lawsuit over outsourcing. Disney stated in outsourcing firms stated in visa applications that American jobs wouldn’t be affected.

WaPo had an article on the history of no-fly zones at WDW and how they may affect drones there.

SEAS announces 4th Q and Year End results release date (Thurs, Feb 25), Conference call at 9AM that same day. What are your expectations?

Hotel rumors heat up at SEAS

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January 23, 2016

Ep 59 – Brian Goes Global

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Brian returns from Asia with a trip report from Thailand and Tokyo Disney Sea. Jim stops in to talk about all of the news coming out of SEAS lately. Kevin Yee discusses the layout of the Tokyo Disney resort. The news includes the latest closures from DHS, tram news from UOR and Coke moving into Disney Springs. Ken gives reviews of Otronicon 2016 and Ringling’s last visit to the Amway Center before they retire the elephants.

Show Notes

Hosts

Date of Recording:  Jan 20 , 2015

Punch List

DHS actually pulls off a Villain themed event

DHS next typhoon of closures hit, could the Earful Tower be moved to Disney Springs?

Habit Heroes closes at Innoventions (all that’s left is Sum, storm struck House and colortopia)

Rumor – Joy, Sadness coming to Epcot

World of Coke coming to Disney Springs

SEAS Update with Jim

SWO begins removing fast rising floors in orca tanks

SWO- Wild Days media event, Mako topping off, Manatee exhibit refurb, Wild Artic reopened (god no!) and all around updates

SEAS begins rolling out new focus on upcharge events (blog post on BGT interactions | trademarks for SWSA interactions )

BGT- Cobra’s Curse elevator lift is going up, rumors of 2018 coaster,

Lowry Park – Baby zebra

Weekend Adventure nature block (including SEAS tv shows) tops syndicated ratings for Dec 28- Jan 3 week (Judge Judy was #2)

Local News

Willie the Adarvark at DAK, now at the Planet Watch

The Delaney boutique hotel announced for Downtown South (ORMC)

Universal confirms VB tram from parking garage

Roboasis behind walls. Any news there?

BJ theater is gone, Twister is see-thru. Hello Kitty coming along. Kong- queue.

Otronicon

Ringling -> return of Legends. Last time of elephants in Amway.

Efteling’s new dark ride

Bruce Vaughn out, Bob Weis in at WDI

Other Important Links

Kevin Yee’s Top Tips for Visiting Tokyo Disney Resort

Mr Brian’s Thailand Video Trip Report

He Says, She Says Show

Epcot’s Daredevil Circus with Regis Philbin

Coaster Casters

WDW Navigators

WPRK

Sonny’s Smokin’ Showdown Jan 30 at Central Florida Zoo

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January 16, 2016

Ep 57 – Derek Burgan Goes All Out(let)

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On today’s show we discuss Fun Spot’s new long-range plan then Derek Burgan stops by to talk about the latest from the Disney outlets. He also talks about dinner theatres, Disney bloggers and Cabana Bay parking.

Show Notes

Hosts

Date of Recording:  Jan 13, 2016

Song 1

Punch List

Tree

Feld announces earlier than expected plan to retire elephants (this May)

Fun Spot announces HUGE new expansion, Falcon’s Creative overseeing long-term growth plan

Height balloons spotted at Fantasia Gardens

Pizza Planet to close, will it become a Muppets restaurant?

Are projection mapping, flame throwers coming to DHS fireworks?

Disney files paperwork with FAA for drones at Epcot

DVC announces new perks for 25th Anniversary, including a lounge in the old ImageWorks

New lounge coming to DAK   (pre-2000s Kungaloosh possibly available for insiders at Jock’s)

Frontier Airlines expands at MCO

WestJet adds MCO to Vancouver service

Nude Nite Orlando to be hosted at Artegon

New Splash pad announced for Florida Aquarium

MOSI presents downtown proposal to City Council

Miami-Dade announces interest in ferry service to Cuba with terminal in downtown, F&F 8 may film in Cuba

Alton Towers gets VR coaster, could LLF be next?

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December 22, 2015

Ep 56 – Thanksgiving for Holy Land, ICE and random UOR news

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On this special extra long holiday show Robert and Ken are joined by Jake in the studio. The recording took place on Thanksgiving and includes a rundown of different local holiday events, plus a trip report to Holy Land Experience, ICE! At Gaylord and the latest news from Universal Orlando.

Show Notes

Hosts

Date of Recording: Nov 26, 2015

Other Important Links

ICE! at Gaylord Palms

Holy Land Experience

He Says, She Says Podcast

WPRK

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