Sunshine State of Mind

Latest Episodes:

Florida's Ten Best Roller Coasters (Redux) Oct 29, 2019

Show notes

We just hit our 100th episode! And now for Episode 101 we're going to revisit the same topic of Episode 1: the best roller coasters in Florida. Only this time, we asked our listeners and the internet to decide.

In this Episode:

We opened an online t-shirt shop!
- http://www.SunshineStateShirts.com
Florida's Top Ten Best Rollercoasters discussion.
The poll is still active if you want to cast your vote
https://www.ranker.com/list/best-roller-coasters-in-florida/sunshinestate

We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

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Scream-A-Geddon & a Seafood Festival Review Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

This week we review Scream-a-Geddon, Florida's premier horror park that's considered one of the best Halloween haunted attractions in the country. Also a visit to the John's Pass Seafood & Music Festival in Madiera Beach, and we learn about a free and unlikely thing to do in Florida; watch college ice hockey.

In this Episode:

Free Things to Do: College Ice Hockey games
We visit the John's Pass Seafood & Music Festival
- https://www.johnspassseafoodfest.com
The Bourne Stuntacular coming soon to Universal Studios
A review of Scream-a-Geddon, Florida's premier horror park
- https://www.screamageddon.com

We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

How to support the show

Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron

Ten Fearful Florida Experiences Oct 15, 2019

Show notes

It's getting closer to Halloween so it's time to get a little scary. This week we round up 10 scary experiences that are uniquely Florida. We're not talking about haunted houses or ghosts this time either, but 10 real places to visit and things to do if you dare!

In this Episode:

Kayak fishing at Weedon Island Preserve
- http://www.weedonislandpreserve.org/
The Disney Skyliner is running again.
Ten fearful Florida experiences
Ziplining over Alligators - Orlando, FL
- https://www.gatorland.com/experiences/screamin-gator-zip-line/
Gator Nights - Weston, FL
- https://www.evergladestours.com/airboat-rides/gator-night/
A nighttime boat tour of Lake Jessup - Oviedo, FL
- https://www.theblackhammock.com/airboat-rides/individual-packages/index
The Eagles Nest - Weeki Wachee, FL
- Video: Eagles Nest Cave Diving
Hudson Grotto - Hudson, FL
- Video: Hudson Grotto Deep Dive
Spook Hill - Lake Wales, FL
Swimming with Sharks - Tampa & Orlando, FL
- https://www.flaquarium.org/swimanddive
- https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-divequest
Bioluminescent Paddling - Merritt Island, FL
- https://www.adayawaykayaktours.com/webapp/p/204/night-bioluminescene-tours
Grindhouse Video - Tampa, FL
The 17 Runs - Thonotosassa, FL
- https://www.canoeescape.com/17runs.htm

We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

How to support the show

Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron

(Almost) Stuck on the Disney Skyliner Oct 08, 2019

Show notes

This weekend we went back to the Pickin' Patch in Dunnellon, one of our favorite places to have some Fall in Florida fun.
And we took a couple rides on the Disney Skyliner this weekend, just narrowly becoming one of those unlucky passengers who were stuck on it for hours.

In this Episode:

A trip to the Pickin' Patch in Dunnellon, Florida
Stopping by Swampy's, a fun riverside restaurant with a great Florida vibe.
Rainbow River tubing info
Our review of the Disney Skyliner the day it broke down.

We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

How to support the show

Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron

Which Florida city is the Most Fun? Oct 01, 2019

Show notes

After a short break, we are finally back! Recently Wallethub did a study to find out which American cities are the most fun, and today we're going to countdown which Florida cities made the cut and talk a little bit about what makes each of these fun Florida cities. We have some new roller coaster news, the Disney Skyliner is open, a wild new restaurant opens in Boca Raton, and we talk about five fun Florida events to look forward to in October.

In this Episode:

New roller coasters for Busch Gardens & Sea World
- https://buschgardens.com/tampa/roller-coasters/iron-gwazi/
- https://seaworld.com/orlando/roller-coasters/ice-breaker
Disney Skyliner is open
Post-apocalyptic themed restaurant, Rex Baron, coming to Boca Raton
- http://therexbaron.com/
The most fun cities in Florida
- http://sunshinestateinsider.com/most-fun-cities-in-florida
Wallethub's most fun cities in the US.
- https://wallethub.com/edu/most-fun-cities-in-the-us/23455

Five Hot October Events:

The Roar Offshore
- www.roaroffshore.com
Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show
- www.flibs.com
Oktoberfest Tampa
- www.oktoberfesttampa.com
Sea and Sky Air Show
- https://specialevents.coj.net/Special-Events/Sea-and-Sky-Airshow.aspx
Key West Fantasyfest
- www.fantasyfest.com

We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

How to support the show

Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron

Quick announcement about what's happening with us. Sep 23, 2019

Show notes

Just a quick little episode here to let everybody know what's going on with the podcast, and where we've been for the last couple of weeks.
We're also in the middle of updating our recording set-up, and plan to be back to our regular release schedule ASAP!

Thanks for understanding and for listening to the show.

We visit & review Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Sep 03, 2019

Show notes

The big day has finally arrived! Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge has opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios. We stopped in for a couple of visits this weekend, took a few spins on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and we can't wait to tell you all about it.

In this Episode:

Look for our podcasts soon on YouTube. Search "Sunshine State of Mind" and subscribe!
We visit and review opening weekend at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride review
On ride video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFUbO79QebA

We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com

How to support the show

Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron

Huge changes coming to Epcot Aug 27, 2019

Show notes

Disney made some major announcements regarding the future of Epcot, and everything that's in store for the park in the next couple of years. And researchers at one of our favorite places, The Florida Aquarium, make a major discovery that could help our coral reefs.

In this Episode:

Researchers at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa make a major discovery.
- https://cbs12.com/news/local/a-scientific-breakthrough-at-a-florida-aquarium-could-save-americas-great-barrier-reef
Disney announces major changes coming to Epcot
New Epcot concept art and new Epcot logo
- http://sunshinestatepodcast.com/new-epcot-concept-art-and-logo/

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

Banning Childless Adults from Disney World? Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

Florida will be getting it's first snow park this winter (???) and it's only the middle of August but Halloween events are already getting underway at Florida theme parks. We run down the entire list of haunted houses and scare zones at Universals Halloween Horror Nights. And finally, we discuss and breakdown an unhinged rant that recently went viral from a woman who thinks "Childless millenials should be banned from Disney World"

In this Episode:

Florida's first snow park to open in Dade City
- http://sunshinestateinsider.com/floridas-first-snow-park/
The full list of Universal's Halloween Horror Nights haunts and scare zones
- http://sunshinestateinsider.com/universals-halloween-horror-nights-2019s-final-list-of-haunts-and-scare-zones/
A mom's rant against childless millennials at Disney World goes viral.
- http://sunshinestatepodcast.com/unhinged-rant-against-childless-millenials-at-disney-world

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

Everything we know (so far) about Universal's Epic Universe Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

Universal Studios just dropped a giant announcement last week; the official announcement of their upcoming theme park "Epic Universe". We were on vacation when the news broke, but better late than never! This week talk about everything we know (so far) about the park, and tell you about what we did and where we went on our summer vacation. Spoiler alert: It wasn't Florida.

In this Episode:

Our summer trip to Los Cabos, Mexico.
Universal announces "Universal's Epic Universe".
We look at the concept art and discuss some of the rumors, leaks, and speculation of the things that we might see when this park opens.
Link to Concept Art
- http://sunshinestatepodcast.com/universals-epic-universe-concept-art-rumors-leaks