On this episode of Orlando Tourism Report, Ed and Ken discuss the latest news including the closing of Green Meadows, the law making its way through Tallahassee that could hurt SeaWorld’s future, the future of beer advertising inside Florida’s theme parks, and the latest fight over Florida’s tourist tax. Plus Ken rants about the awful cast member response to broken monorails, Ed gives a trip report from Edison, and both discuss SeaWorld Orlando’s first Three Kings Day festival.

Recording Date: January 11, 2018

Punch List

Disney

Epcot Monorail doors break, placing guests a danger, then the guest get screamed at for being on a broken monorail

Runoff Rapids Reopens at Disney’s Blizzard Beach After an Extended Refurbishment

Harley-Davidson Motor Cycles opens in new location at the Town Center in Disney Springs

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Debuts New Background Music Loops

New Multi-Use Arena to Open at ESPN Wide World of Sports today

Minnie Mouse Gets Her Own Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Club-Level Guests Can Buy More FastPasses, 90-Day Booking Window, & Preferred Nighttime Show Viewing with New Theme Park Extra Offering

Norway Pavilion Bakery Set to Undergo Refurbishment

 

Orlando Tourism

Green Meadows Petting Farm closing while it looks for new location

Orca breeding bill might end entertainment shows, breeding in Florida

Holy Land Experience announces free day

 

Florida Tourism

Key Lime Festival coming to Merritt Island

Allegiant Air coming to Sarasota-Bradenton Airport

Elite Airways cancels Pittsburgh service to Sarasota-Bradenton

The Villages inks deal with robotaxi startup

Controversial beer bill moves forward that will allow beer advertising inside Florida theme parks

Legoland Gives LEGO trophy To L...

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

Ken, Ed, and Kevin discuss the locally produced film The Florida Project. Ed talks about some of the backgrounds of the actors and Ken goes on a rant against Disney.

Recording Date- November 7, 2017

Show Notes

The Florida Project

Slate Review

GQ Review

Hollywood Reporter Review

Intersection Episode

The IAAPA Attractions Expo has wrapped up its 2017 run. Ed and Ken discuss what they were most impressed with over the last week. VR industry pioneer Thomas Wagner of VR Coasters discusses their new project with Legoland and what the future of VR attractions in theme parks are. Saham Ali of Falcon’s Creative Group discuss project mapping, how to keep high-tech attractions relevant with age, and how they deal with clients who might not have the biggest budgets. Then the episode wraps up with an interview with Gravity Group co-founder and lead engineer Chad Miller. Miller discusses Mine Blower at Fun Spot, Oscar’s Wild Taxi at Sesame Place, and the role of roller coasters at local parks and FECs.

Recording Time Stamp: 7PM November, 17 2017

Today’s Guests-

Thomas Wagner- Co-Founder and Managing Partner / CEO, VR Coasters GmbH & Co. KG

Saham Ali- Director of Technology, Falcon’s Creative Group

Chad Miller- Engineer and Principal, The Gravity Group

Seth Kubersky joins Ed and Ken to review the VR on display at the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2017. Seth and Ken review MediaMation’s new 180-degree motion theater. Seth shares his thoughts on what makes a great VR experience and talks about some of his highlights from this year’s expo.

Recording Time Stamp: 7PM November, 16 2017

Today’s Guests-

Guest Co-Host- Seth Kubersky

Interview Guests-

* June Hyuk Yu- Sr. Manager, Brand Marketing Team at CJ4Dplex 

* Christian Martin- VP of Marketing at Triotech

Day 3 of the IAAPA Attractions Expo. With the expo now just halfway done Ken and Kevin and joined by Michael Muldoon to discuss this year’s big trends. The big trend is one that Ken says Skyline Attractions kicked off last year so we grab an interview with Skyline. Then we speak with a local company that’s worked on tons of high profile Central Florida projects including Pandora, Volcano Bay, and Mango’s Orlando. Finally, we discuss the water park trends at this year’s event before wrapping up the show with an interview at the Sub Sea Systems booth where we discuss their brand new underwater theme park ride.

Recording Time Stamp: 7:30PM November 15, 2017

Today’s Guests

Guest Co-Host– Michael Muldoon

Interview Guests-

* Evan Souliere- Engineer and Treasurer at Skyline Attractions

* Claire Evens- President, amaZulu

* Hannah de Bie- VP of Marketing and Communications, Sub Sea Systems

With the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2017 Trade Show Floor opening this morning we have tons of news to talk about plus interviews with Guy Nelson of Dynamic Attractions, Brian Marrow of SeaWorld, and our first reactions to this year’s event.

Recording Date– 11/14/2017 7:30PM

Today’s Guests

Brian Marrow- VP Theme Park Experience Design, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment

Guy Nelson- CEO, Dynamic Attractions

 

In this news round-up from one of the most eventful fall seasons Orlando has seen in years we talk about those awful new attendance numbers coming out of SeaWorld, we review Mango’s new menu and talk Skyplex, we cover all the new hotels and attractions heading to Disney, and try to read the tea leaves on what the future holds for Universal Orlando.

Recording Date- November 7, 2017

We give trip reports from opening night at Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa including a food review of the cricket tacos. We also talk about SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween offerings including a Sesame Place themed character breakfast. There’s also a few fun rants along the way.

Recording Date- September 24, 2017

Punch List

Howl-O-Scream Busch Gardens Tampa

Ken samples the cricket tacos

SeaWorld Orlando Spooktacular 

Count Von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast

On this much-anticipated return of OTR Ken Storey addresses the controversy regarding his tweet about Texas. Then Ed and Kevin join the show and discuss all the news we’ve missed over the past month including Fashion Square Mall, T2 closing, a $20 million cash deal on 192, and much more. At the end of the show, we review the tourism industry’s response to Irma.Here i

Recording Date- September 24, 2017

Punch List

Slinky Dog testing at DHS

DHS Xmas Plans

Braves leave WDW

Flamingo Crossing update

Union push for $15 per hour at WDW

T2 closing at UOR

Legoland VR

Magic Place pays cash for Old Town project

SW AD to be indoors

JYP Days Inn sold for $6.05 mill

Fashion Sq for sale

I-Drive launches study on street car system

Old Spanish Mill staying open