Sunshine State of Mind

Latest Episodes:

A Florida Haunted Road Trip Oct 15, 2018

Show notes

This week we complete our October in Florida Halloween Trilogy and take you on a road trip of famously haunted places full of ghost stories and creepy occurrences.

This show includes:

Hurricane Michael and how you can help.
- https://www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf/
Spaceship Earth at Epcot closing for two years for renovation and reimagining.
Thank you's and shoutout's to Patreon supporters.
A haunted Florida road trip
- The Lodge at Wakulla Springs
- Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine
- Don CeSar Hotel in St. Petersburg
- Tampa Theater
- May Stringer house in Brooksville
Contact us!
We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!
Website: http://www.sunshinestatepodcast.com
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
How to support the show
Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron
Click through this Amazon link or the one on our homepage when doing your regular Amazon shopping.

Play along with Haunted Mansion Trivia Oct 08, 2018

Show notes

This week we keep the Halloween and haunted house theme alive, as we play some Haunted Mansion trivia! How much do you know about one of the Magic Kingdom's most popular and iconic attractions? You might learn some secrets and little known facts about this home for 999 happy haunts!

This show includes:

Forever Florida closes without warning.
Weeki Wachee Mermaids will be performing at Sea Life Orlando for a limited time.
How to support the podcast.
www.SunshineStatePodcast.com
- https://www.patreon.com/sunshinestatepodcast
We play "Haunted Mansion Trivia".
Contact us!
Website:
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com

Florida Halloween Festivities Oct 01, 2018

Show notes

October is finally here! And that means lots of scary events and haunts all around the state. We list and discuss some of the most frightful events in Florida to get you ready for Halloween.

This show includes:

Infiniti Falls will finally be opening this week at Sea World
What's going on with Gwazi at Busch Gardens.
Best Halloween events in Florida
The Haunt at Old Town in Kissimmee
- https://myoldtownusa.com/events/haunt-old-town
Petrified Forest Scare Trail in Altamonte Springs
- https://www.apetrifiedforest.com
Orlando Haunted Yard in Orlando
- https://www.orlandohauntedhouses.com/halloween/orlando-haunted-maze-fl.html
Scream-A-Geddon in Dade City
- https://www.screamageddon.com
Haunt Nights at Adventure Landing in Jacksonville Beach
- https://www.hauntnights.com
Haunted Brewery Zombie Hunt in Jacksonville
- https://thehauntedbrewery.com
House of Horror Haunted Carnival in Doral
- https://www.houseofhorrorcarnival.com
Demented Escape Room in Margate
- http://www.dementedhaunt.com
Torment Factory in Gainesville
- https://www.tormentfactory.com
Contact us!
Website: www.SunshineStatePodcast.com
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com

Florida Freebies! Museum Day & Lightning Fan Fest Sep 24, 2018

Show notes

This Saturday was Museum Day, where many museums across the country open their doors for free. So we checked out the Tampa Bay History Center in downtown Tampa, then on Sunday hit up another free event, the Tampa Bay Lightning Fan Fest.

This show includes:

We visted the the Tampa Bay Lightning Fan Fest on Sunday.
Two more long time Disney attractions are set to close.
We checked and review the Tampa Bay History Center for Museum Day.
- https://www.tampabayhistorycenter.org/
Contact us!
Website: www.SunshineStatePodcast.com
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com

Roller Coasters, Red Tide, and Rockets Sep 17, 2018

Show notes

Our weekends planned boating trip was cancelled due to this summers especially nasty Gulf Coast red tide, so let's talk about a new roller coaster coming next year to Busch Gardens, attendance levels at Sea World, and a new addition to the world famous rocket garden at Kennedy Space Center.

This show includes:

We caught a case of the Red Tide Blues this weekend. Here's a link to the latest information on which beaches are effected.
- http://myfwc.com/redtidestatus
A new launch coaster is revealed for 2019 at Busch Gardens
- https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/amusement-parks/busch-gardens-tampa-bay-tallest-launch-roller-coaster
Sea World attendance is on the rebound.
- https://money.cnn.com/2018/08/06/investing/seaworld-attendance-earnings/index.html
The retired Delta II rocket to join the rocket garden at Kennedy Space Center
- https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/go-for-launch/os-delta-2-rocket-garden-20180916-story.html
Contact us!
Website: www.SunshineStatePodcast.com
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com

Universal Studios betting big on Nintendo Sep 10, 2018

Show notes

The Florida State Park system introduces it's "Every Stamp is a Story" passport stamp collection game, and then we discuss all the new rumored Nintendo themed rides and attractions coming to Universal Studios. Are you ready for some real life Mario Kart? We are!

This show includes:

Florida State Park system's "Every Stamp is a Story" passport challenge
- https://www.floridastateparks.org/every-stamp-story-program
New details emerging on Universal's plans for new attracions based on Nintendo classics
- http://themeparkuniversity.com/universal/nintendos-zelda-slated-to-replace-lost-continent-at-islands-of-adventure/
Jurrasic Park closes at Universal Hollywood. Florida's version is likely next.
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/theme-parks/2018/09/04/jurassic-park-ride-closing-last-ride/1197880002/
Contact us!
Website: www.SunshineStatePodcast.com
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com

We visit Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival Sep 03, 2018

Show notes

This show includes:

Disney announces that the new Star Wars Galaxy's Edge will include the infamous cantina bar.
Hurricane season looks like it might start to ramp up.
We talk about our visit to Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival.
Contact us!
Website: www.SunshineStatePodcast.com
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com

Florida's Hidden Gems Aug 27, 2018

Show notes

Shannon talks about her recent trip to Tallahasee and some hidden gems she discovered in Florida's capital. Then we go through a list of more hidden gems all over the state and talk about our experiences at some of them.

This show includes:

Shannon visits MoMo's Pizza and Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahasee
- https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Maclay-Gardens
We talk about a list we found online called "14 More Hidden Gems In Florida That Everyone Must Visit"
- https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/florida/more-hidden-gems-fl/
Contact us!
Website: www.SunshineStatePodcast.com
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com

Five Nights on a Carnival "Booze Cruise" Aug 20, 2018

Show notes

Halloween events are already getting started around Florida. Too soon? A long running show at Universal's Islands of Adventures comes to an end. Then we talk about and review our recent cruise aboard the Carnival Sensation out of Miami.

This show includes:

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween opens at the Magic Kingdom
New haunted houses planned for Universal's Halloween Horror Nights.
Eighth Voyage of Sinbad’ to close at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- https://attractionsmagazine.com/sinbad-show-closing-universal-orlando/
We review and discuss our 5 nights aboard the Carnival Sensation
Contact us!
Website: www.SunshineStatePodcast.com
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com

We visit and review Toy Story Land Aug 13, 2018

Show notes

This week we visited the newly opened Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios! We talk about what we liked, what we didn't, and how we think this new themed area impacts the overall experience at Hollywood Studios.

This show includes: