Sunshine State of Mind

Latest Episodes:

Central Florida Tourist Traps Worth Visiting Aug 05, 2019

Show notes

Central Florida is pretty much the tourism capital of the world, and that means lots of smaller attractions mixed in with the world class destinations. Are any of these little "tourist traps" worth checking out? We think so, and in this episode we're going to talk about our favorites.

In this Episode:

We discuss some of our favorite Central Florida tourist traps that are worth checking out.

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

Hollywood Tower of Terror Trivia Jul 29, 2019

Show notes

The Hollywood Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios just turned 25 years old this week! To celebrate one of our very favorite rides we play a game of Hollywood Tower of Terror Trivia. Play along and see how much you know about this iconic Florida attraction.

In this Episode:

Disney worker punched in face by angry Tower of Terror rider
- https ://www.yahoo.com/news/disney-worker-punched-face-angry-105925052.html
Tower of Terror Trivia

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

Cleaning up Clearwater Beach with 4Ocean Jul 22, 2019

Show notes

On Saturday we headed out to Clearwater Beach to volunteer for a beach cleanup with 4Ocean. Then popped into Frenchy's, one of our favorite beachside restaurants. Also this week; a father & son visit every Legoland in a whirlwind adventure, a new Gulf Coast scuba diving location becomes reality, and updates on Halloween Horror Nights and the gondola system at Walt Disney World.

In this Episode:

Cleaning up Clearwater Beach with 4Ocean
http://sunshinestatepodcast.com/our-day-at-the-clearwater-beach-4ocean-cleanup/
- https://4ocean.com
Lunch at Frenchy's (Wow).
- http://www.frenchysonline.com
Father & son visit every Legoland in 13 days.
- https://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/article232643557.html
Disney Announces Opening Date for Skyliner Gondolas
- https://ziggyknowsdisney.com/new-disney-skyliner-details-air-conditioning-and-expansion-to-animal-kingdom-coming/
Ghostbusters themed house coming to Halloween Horror Nights
- https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/attractions/2019/07/17/ghostbusters-house-coming-to-universal-s-halloween-horror-nights
Underwater Circle of Heroes memorial off the Pinellas coast takes shape
- https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/national/military-news/statues-lowered-40-feet-underwater-in-gulf-of-mexico-for-1st-dive-memorial-honoring-us-veterans/77-b291f6dc-72f1-40c7-b7c0-5ae47bd05c6a

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

Free Kayak Tours & Countdown to Galaxy's Edge Jul 15, 2019

Show notes

This week we took a free kayak tour through one of our favorite Florida state parks, and let you know how you can too! And more news about Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, Hagrid's Motorbike Coaster, and that new Florida based horror movie "Crawl" opens to good reviews (but a bad box office).

In this Episode:

Florida based horror movie "Crawl" opened this week.
Hagrid's Motorbike Coaster at IoA continues to have issues.
Lot's of details emerge on the new "Rise of the Resistance" attraction at Galaxy's Edge
Free kayak tours at Hillsborough River State Park
- http://sunshinestatepodcast.com/free-kayak-tours-at-hillsborough-river-state-park/
More info on how to sign up for this, and other Florida State Park events.
- https://www.floridastateparks.org/index.php/events/second-saturday-paddle
- https://www.floridastateparks.org/events

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

Cheap & Free Florida Summer Activities for Kids Jul 08, 2019

Show notes

Summer is in full swing, and those of you who are parents of little ones might be running out of things to entertain your kids with. This episode we run through some ideas for some cheap, and some free things to do to keep your kids entertained until school starts again.

In this Episode:

Fourth of July at Siesta Key Beach
The most boring tourist trap in Florida?
- https://www.farandwide.com/s/worst-tourist-trap-every-state-39268cbfe16f44b4
Cheap & Free Florida Summer Activities for Kids
Instagram pic of our Sea Turtle Sand Sculpture
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BvX79ppAoLG/

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

Wine, Watermelon, and 4th of July Fireworks Jul 01, 2019

Show notes

This week checked out a Florida vineyard, Keel and Curley Winery in Plant City for their annual Watermelon Festival. Wild Florida in Kenansville may be the first place in the world to breed albino alligators. And we talk about our plans for 4th of July in Florida.

In this Episode:

Wild Florida produces world's first albino alligator eggs
- http://www.fox35orlando.com/entertainment/attractions/-snowflake-and-blizzard-at-wild-florida-produce-world-s-first-albino-alligator-eggs
A visit to Keel and Curley Winery
- https://keelfarms.com/winery/
Fourth of July in Florida & link to last years Fourth of July rundown episode
- http://sunshinestatepodcast.com/jellyfish-fireworks-fourth-of-july-in-florida/

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

Florida's newest waterpark & Margaritaville Resort Orlando Jun 24, 2019

Show notes

This week Florida's newest water park, Island H20 Live, opened in Orlando. We stopped by for a visit and to explore the recently opened Margaritaville Orlando Resort. Also, a visit to St. Pete Pride, a tasty local burger joint, and Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure has had a less than smooth opening week.

In this Episode:

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opens to long lines and technical difficulties
- https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/attractions/2019/06/21/universal-hagrid-coaster-technical-issues
Orlando's newest major water park, Island H20 Live, officially opens
- https://attractionsmagazine.com/island-h2o-live-now-open/
A visit to Margaritaville Orlando Resort
- https://www.margaritavilleresortorlando.com

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

Florida: The Second Most Fun State? Jun 17, 2019

Show notes

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opened this week at Universal's Islands of Adventure, and a new Wallethub study says that Florida is the 2nd most fun state in the country. Let's discuss!

In this Episode:

The new Harry Potter themed roller coaster opens at Islands of Adventure.
- POV Ride Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMtR5_TinqE
- Ten hour wait: https://www.clickorlando.com/theme-parks/universal-s-new-harry-potter-ride-attracts-10-hour-wait
Wallethub study says Florida is the 2nd Most Fun State in the country.
- https://wallethub.com/edu/most-fun-states/34665/

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

Whirlwind Weekend at Disney World Jun 10, 2019

Show notes

Last weekend we played "out of town tourist" in Orlando, spending two full days at Disney World, and then visiting one of our favorite beaches in Florida near St. Petersburg. We also have a couple of restaurant reviews, and a recommendation on a great resort at a great price in Orlando.

In this Episode:

New Brazil pavilion may be coming to Epcot's World Showcase in 2022.
- https://wdwnt.com/2019/06/breaking-brazil-pavilion-will-open-with-no-attraction-in-2022-at-epcot
Two long, full days at Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom
A visit to the Sugar Factory Orlando
- https://sugarfactory.com/location/orlando/
Grand Beach Orlando resort
- https://www.groupon.com/deals/ga-bk-grand-beach-3
Fort Desoto Beach
Engine No. 9 restaurant review
- http://www.no9burgers.com

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

The 2019 Florida Water Park Rundown May 27, 2019

Show notes

The weather in Florida is heating up, so let's go to a water park! This week we rundown just about every water park in the state and see what's new for 2019.

In this Episode: