Sunshine State of Mind

This week we visited Adventure Island waterpark in Tampa, then talk about some lesser known beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast.  More speculation and details emerged this week about the rumored third major theme park from Universal Orlando, and we discuss some of our own ideas we'd like to see in the new park.

This show includes:

• Adventure Island waterpark discussion

• http://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/parks-gardens/uncrowded-state-parks-for-summer

• https://www.outsideonline.com/2312091/coast-clear

• https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/05/29/everything-we-know-about-universal-orlandos-heavily-rumored-star-trek-area

This week we visited Adventure Island waterpark in Tampa, then talk about some lesser known beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast.  More speculation and details emerged this week about the rumored third major theme park from Universal Orlando, and we discuss some of our own ideas we'd like to see in the new park.

This show includes:

• Adventure Island waterpark discussion

• http://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/parks-gardens/uncrowded-state-parks-for-summer

• https://www.outsideonline.com/2312091/coast-clear

• https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/05/29/everything-we-know-about-universal-orlandos-heavily-rumored-star-trek-area

We learned that one of the things on our "Summer of 2018 Florida Bucket List" has hit a little snag, talk about Disney food, then get into a detailed review of Legoland Florida.  We discuss the rides, the atmosphere, the water park, and if it's worth the price of a ticket.

This show includes:

• Opening for massive man-made lagoon on hold for now.

• http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/opening-for-massive-man-made-lagoon-on-hold-for-now

• https://www.buzzfeed.com/keelyflaherty/i-tried-a-ton-of-the-pixar-foods-at-disneyland-and-heres?

We breakdown and discuss a list we found online titled "The 11 worst tourist traps in Florida and where to go instead", offering our own take and opinions of some of these places that made the list.

This show includes:

• Wallethub's 2018’s Best Summer Travel Destinations

• https://wallethub.com/edu/best-summer-travel-destinations/3792

• https://www.eater.com/2018/5/18/17368102/disney-world-alcohol-sit-down-restaurants

• http://www.thisisinsider.com/tourist-traps-florida-2017-5

In our first "Florida Face-off" we compare Florida's two premiere zoological theme parks; Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom and Busch Gardens Tampa.  Which park has the better rides and attractions?  Better theming and atmosphere?  Better animal exhibits?  And which park offers the most value for your money?   This battle turned out to be a lot closer than we expected!

Let us know your thoughts, or recommend a "Florida Faceoff" that you'd like us to discuss in the future.

• Twitter: @FloridaPodcast 

A trip to Walt Disney World is certainly not cheap; admission, hotels, food, drinks, all that stuff can add up to a lot in a hurry!  But there are a few ways to help take some of the pressure off your wallet when you visit.  As a couple of Florida theme park veterans and annual pass holders, we've learned a few tricks over the years to make our own visits a little less expensive, and in this episode we're going to share a little of what we know with you.

This show includes:

• Universal Orlando is offering a BOGO ticket deal for Florida residents

• http://www.fox13news.com/news/florida-news/universal-orlando-resort-offering-florida-residents-bogo-deal