WPRK Archives - Page 2 of 7 - Orlando Tourism Report

April 5, 2018

Ep 135 – Disney security, Disney labor shortages, and Disney housing

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Breaking news of the Pulse shooter’s wife has use discussing safety at WDW. We look back to a 2015 episode where we discussed it in detail. We also talk about the questionable future of Vista Way. And the latest on a big increase in CMs headed to WDW and what a recent hiring event may mean about it.

Recording Date: March 29, 2018 at WPRK’s Studio B.

Show Notes

Security at Disney-

YouTuber’s issue with Disney security

Pulse shooter’s wife’s trial reveals new things about the threat at Disney

Port Canaveral gets post-Panamax cargo ships

Royal Caribbean CEO Hints That Ship Larger Than Symphony of the Seas Is on the Horizon

Vekoma bought by Sansei

Rick Scott hands fate of cardroom to Seminole County Commission

Vista Way– 13K new hires, 75K total employees by 2021, typhoon lagoon hired half of what’s needed, are incentives enough?

Sesame Place BGW plans are leaked

SeaWorld CMO Is Latest to Go in Executive Purge

Disney is working on a Grad Night movie

Disney-run government Reedy Creek faces personnel issues after consultant’s report

Iconic I-Drive hotel to add retail component

I-Drive Chamber endorses Jerry Demings in Orange County mayor’s race

Manatees Move Back In: South Florida Museum Manatee Rehabilitation Hospital Welcomes New Manatee Patients

Schlitterbahn will fight criminal charges after owner and designer arrested over child’s death

New Gerstlauer Coaster Going Vertical at Nickelodeon Universe at the American Dream

Big insurance payout may cover repairs to Mote-Morris house | Wiki on the house

Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach debuts with ocean views, 3 eateries

Drive Shack’s First U.S. Venue Coming to Lake Nona

Universal Orlando Property Appraisal Lawsuits End in Settlements, Refund

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

January 19, 2018

Ep 126 – Artegon Cars, Deadly Trains, and Artsy food

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Artegon has a new owner with Trump connections and tons of cars, the Convention Center Wars heat up with Caribe Royale announcing plans to double their convention space, and Brightline has a deadly first week in operation. Ken talks about the good news and not so good news Haitians were given this week. Plus trip reports from Marvel Universe Live and Epcot’s Festival of the Arts.

Recording Date– January 19, 2018 live on WPRK 91.5

Show Notes

Artegon has a new owner and he’s talking big

The Convention Center Wars heat up with two major new announcements,

Brightline has a deadly first week in operation,

Haitian workers gets an extension, future still very uncertain- http://www.fox25boston.com/news/trending-now/central-florida-workers-relieved-as-work-authorization-extended-for-haitian-refugees/685800208

http://www.news965.com/news/national/central-florida-workers-relieved-work-authorization-extended-for-haitian-refugees/RoaEyKqSRNPjwNqPeqIp4O/

Hit List-

Orlando declares intent to bid to host the 2020 U.S. Olympic marathon trials

Wyndham buys La Quinta

VooDoo Doughnuts confirmed for CityWalk

Starwood’s Le Meridien coming to new hotel beside OCCC

Drone saves swimmers in Australia

New Disney patent combines merchandise and interactive experiences, putting “magic” into the hands of guests, hints at Frozen interactive experience

Will Talking Mickey Mouse in the Magic Kingdom be losing his voice?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Celebrates Hippo Birth

PR executive leaving Carnival for Travel Leaders Group

Drone saves swimmers

Trip Reports:

Marvel Universe Live

Epcot’s Festival of the Arts

January 12, 2018

Ep 124- We’re back!! 2018 News Summary

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Ken and Ed are back in the studio and back on the radio. In this episode, the guys talk about the highlights of 2017 and what they’re looking forward to in 2018.

Ken Storey’s Twitter

Ken’s OW articles

Ed Bearden’s Twitter

Orlando Tourism Report’s Twitter

Recording Date- January 5, 2018

Ken’s OW 2018 Preview article

July 9, 2017

Ep 114 – Jim Deberry of Arihant talks water parks

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Jim Deberry, Senior Manager of North America for Arihant Water Park Equipment talks about the future of water parks, the evolution of the industry up to this point, and even shares some details of what to expect at this year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo.

At the end, a few news stories are touched on during the quick hits. Ed and Ken weigh in on the Pirates controversy, a Disney blogger’s shocking news story, and the hot new beach bar headed to Daytona Beach.

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