Sunshine State of Mind

Sea World announces a new Sesame Street land for Spring of 2019, free beer returns to Busch Gardens, and "Fast & Furious: Supercharged" at Universal Studio opens to lukewarm reviews.

We also visit Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in Port Richey for a kayaking trip that included a close encounter with a pod of dolphins.

• Sea World's new Sesame Street land is on the way for Spring of 2019

• https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/05/02/seaworlds-sesame-street-will-open-in-orlando-spring-2019

• http://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/events/Free-beer-is-back-this-summer-for-Busch-Gardens-visitors_167803264

• https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/the-new-fast-and-furious-supercharged-attraction-might-be-universals-biggest-misstep-of-the-decade/Content?oid=13283327

• https://www.groupon.com/biz/port-richey-fl/werner-boyce-salt-springs-state-park

Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World turns 20 years old this week!  To celebrate we list off twenty fun facts that you might not have known about the park; like what happens to all that elephant poop?  And what's really at the center of the Tree of Life?

• Link to YouTube video mentioned on this episode:

• Ten Things you didn't know about Disney's Animal Kingdom - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4hiZ3aMgfk

We traveled the state from coast to coast to find destinations all over Florida that native (and transplanted!) Floridians would rather keep to themselves.  These are the non-Disney Worlds, the lesser known gems that aren't advertised all over those tourist brochures you see in the hotel lobby.  These are Ten Amazing Places Floridians Don't Want You to Know About.

Link to the YouTube video that we reference to give you a look at each of of these locations; https://youtu.be/Rjro7-6bkUI 

• Lake Jesup, Sanford - The most "alligator infested lake in Central Florida" and a great, natural alternative to places like Gatorland.

• Caspersen Beach, Venice -  While all the tourists are up at Venice Beach, you'll be sifting for sharks teeth with the locals.

• Downtown St. Petersburg - What many still think is a quiet little retirement town, has actually turned into a hip destination for arts, music and food lovers.

• Thai Buddhist Temple, Tampa - The Sunday Thai market is a weekly, must see, food and musical festival set amongst a beautiful backdrop.

• Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Micanopy - You don't have to head way out West to see wild bison and horses roaming in a natural unspoiled setting.  

• Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales - The centerpiece here is the 295-foot singing tower that sits among a world class botanical garden and bird sanctuary.

• Everglades Safari Park, Miami - Just outside bustling Miami, you can finally take that airboat ride through the Everglades that's on your bucket list.

• Falling Waters State Park, Chipley - In a state as flat as Florida, we bet you didn't know there was a place to see a 72-foot waterfall

• Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna - We bet you didn't know there was a large underground cave system you could visit either.

• Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring, Williston - Swim, snorkel, or scuba in crystal clear water in this amazing, one of a kind underground freshwater spring.

• Have your own favorites?  Let us know! 

We traveled the state from coast to coast to find destinations all over Florida that native (and transplanted!) Floridians would rather keep to themselves.  These are the non-Disney Worlds, the lesser known gems that aren't advertised all over those tourist brochures you see in the hotel lobby.  These are Ten Amazing Places Floridians Don't Want You to Know About.

Link to the YouTube video that we reference to give you a look at each of of these locations; https://youtu.be/Rjro7-6bkUI 

• Lake Jesup, Sanford - The most "alligator infested lake in Central Florida" and a great, natural alternative to places like Gatorland.

• Caspersen Beach, Venice -  While all the tourists are up at Venice Beach, you'll be sifting for sharks teeth with the locals.

• Downtown St. Petersburg - What many still think is a quiet little retirement town, has actually turned into a hip destination for arts, music and food lovers.

• Thai Buddhist Temple, Tampa - The Sunday Thai market is a weekly, must see, food and musical festival set amongst a beautiful backdrop.

• Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Micanopy - You don't have to head way out West to see wild bison and horses roaming in a natural unspoiled setting.  

• Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales - The centerpiece here is the 295-foot singing tower that sits among a world class botanical garden and bird sanctuary.

• Everglades Safari Park, Miami - Just outside bustling Miami, you can finally take that airboat ride through the Everglades that's on your bucket list.

• Falling Waters State Park, Chipley - In a state as flat as Florida, we bet you didn't know there was a place to see a 72-foot waterfall

• Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna - We bet you didn't know there was a large underground cave system you could visit either.

• Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring, Williston - Swim, snorkel, or scuba in crystal clear water in this amazing, one of a kind underground freshwater spring.

• Have your own favorites?  Let us know! 

We each came up with a list of the top five things we want to do around Florida this Summer, and reveal them to each other here.  We look forward to reporting back, reviewing and sharing our experiences with these as the Summer of 2018 gets rolling.

• Link to mentioned Washington Post article about St. Petersburg

• Once-sleepy St. Petersburg, Fla., awakens with vibrant arts and nightlife scenes

• http://www.wfla.com/news/florida/worlds-tallest-swing-ride-starflyer-towering-over-orlando/1143173986

• https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/skyway