Today we have interviews with Wanda Group (they talk about building new parks, Disney as competition and the struggles of the industry in Asia right now), Goddard Group (they talk about the Cirque park in Mexico and the future of the industry) and ProSlide (they talk about their 2016 projects, new tech that might soon be in Orlando and the evolution of water slides). Plus we have Kevin Yee review the VR Coaster demonstration that’s currently at Fun Spot and Ed of Mickey Updates stops by to talk about what was happening on the IAAPA IAE15 floor today.
With breaking news coming out of runDisney, SEAS and I-Drive today’s podcast includes Jake talking about the ending of HHN, Kevin Yee covers the history of upcharge events at WDW and a special podcast exclusive interview with Andy of Theme Parks and Travels talking SEAS. The FM content includes the latest from Premier Exhibits and from Artegon. The I-Drive Vision Plan is also discussed in length on today’s show.
Walk The Moon concert taping for Nickelodeon HALO awards at UOR Nov 7. (Try to keep phrases that date it as minimal as possible)
WDW’s former President, Meg Crofton (who retired earlier this year after a 35 yr career at Disney), was honored with a window on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.
Nov 7 – Jan 3, 2016: Minnie’s Holiday & Dine Dinner
Jan 4, 2016 – March 20, 2016: Hollywood themed
March 21 – June 5, 2016: A celebration of Spring
June 6 – September 11, 2016: A beach-party blast for the Summer
September 12 – November 6, 2016: Enjoy a festive Halloween celebration
Victoria and Albert’s updates the menu (10 course available throughout), seating updated (one elongated seating per night), Chef’s Table to get major update starting in Jan.
Speaking of food and beverage WDW rolled out new RapidFill cups this week that feature new art. It is $16.99 for the length of your stay.
Disney shows a perfect cross-promotion with a new viral video that has the emotions from Inside Out watching the new Star Wars trailer. It’s like a Pixar version of Mystery Science Theater 3000
FM Radio content is 00:06:55 through 01:09:30. In our very first FM episode Jason of Orlando Fun & Food stops by to talk Skyplex, Ringling, plastic annual passes at Universal, and more. During the trends report Jake talks about Back To The Future Day, a baby rhino and the dismantling of The Hulk coaster. In the after show Jay, Ken and Robert get into an in-depth debate about steel coasters in Orlando, self driving cars and what causes empty shopping malls.
The UOAP Facebook group distracted itself from their ongoing plastic pass debates to share BTTF memes for the day. (All hell breaks loose on the UOAP FB group when members just won’t shut up about plastic passes.)
On today’s 50th episode of Orlando Tourism Report we cover a wide-range of topics in the Punch List including a new huge ship coming to Port Canaveral, confusion in town regarding the DPAC hotel project, a plane crash that killed a co-founder of one of the region’s most controversial attractions, and the very latest in SeaWorld’s ongoing battle with the California Coastal Commission.
Then in a shortened Main Event we finally announce the thing we’ve been teasing since August. It’s true! Orlando Tourism Report will now be on FM radio.
MCO officials meet Wednesday to discuss who will be the ‘design and engineering services architect of record’ for the $1.8 billion South Terminal (HNTB Corp, PZ Aviation Group JV, KBJ Architects). Fentress Architects is providing design consultation for the terminal.
The Orlando Tourism Report is now bringing the local hospitality conversation to a new weekly show on WPRK 91.5 FM. OTR is the only podcast devoted to all aspects of Central Florida tourism. OTR’s first show on WPRK will be on Thursday, Oct 22, 2015. This weekly show will air Thursdays from 10 to noon. This live show will feature in-studio guests, locally relevant music, and news and information related to City Beautiful’s most important industry. Orlando Tourism Report will now be available live to the entire community on FM radio and the convenient TuneIn App.
We will continue to produce and release weekly podcasts, now moving it to every Sunday. The podcast will feature original content with some highlights from the WPRK 91.5 FM broadcast.
SeaWorld is the focus of today’s main event when Eric Davis stops in to talk about the recent ruling from the California Coastal Commission that might mean an end to breeding in SeaWorld’s original park. The future of the company, orcas in captivity, that bizarre social media day earlier this year and more discussed in the firework filled conversation.
During the Punch List Robert and Ken talk about the recent monorail breakdown at WDW, the abrupt closure of the CSI exhibit, new hotels proposed for 192, OSHA’s rulings on the WDW Speedway accident, and that 400 acres that’s about to go up for sale. Southern cooking, Pitbull, Ferrari World, and I-4’s newest exit ramp are all worked into the conversation.
Oct 17- Brian Miser (The Human Fuse) will be fired from bar to bar in a cannon in downtown Orlando to promote Captain Morgan’s Cannon Blast Bar Crawl (at Wall St Plaza)