Sunshine State of Mind

Latest Episodes:

The Best Beach in America? Mar 04, 2019

Show notes

We talk about some great new stuff that's on the way to Epcot and Islands of Adventure, then take a look at the new Trip Advisor list that ranks the best beaches in the country. A lot of them are right here in Florida, but does the their number one beach deserve the top slot?

In this Episode:

"Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure” to open at Islands of Adventure on June 13, 2019.
- https://insidethemagic.net/2019/02/fan-made-video-1st-look-hagrids-magical-creatures-motorbike-adventure-mg1/
A new pavilion and a lot of improvements are coming to Epcot.
- https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201902/6620/
Trip Advisor's "Top 25 Beaches in America for 2019"
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches-cTop-g191
4Ocean beach cleanup at Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota.
- https://4ocean.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

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Become a Sunshine State of Mind Patron

Florida Face-Off: Universal's Hogsmeade vs. Diagon Alley Feb 25, 2019

Show notes

This week Universal Studios unveiled the name opening date of the new Harry Potter themed roller coaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure. So we thought we'd take a look at both Harry Potter themed areas and compare them in another edition of Florida Face-off!

In this Episode:

Florida Face-off - Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter; Hogsmeade vs. Diagon Alley

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

Our Top 25 Walt Disney World Attractions Feb 18, 2019

Show notes

This week we stumbled across an article from Travel & Leisure Magazine that ranked each and every Walt Disney World attraction, and thought we'd take a crack at ranking ours. In this episode we discuss that list, and each of us rank and talk about our Top 25 attractions at Walt Disney World.

In this Episode:

We'll be at Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota on February 23 to volunteer for a 4Ocean beach cleanup. Here's the link if you're interested in joining one near you.
- https://4ocean.com/pages/cleanups-event-calendar
We rank and talk about our Top 25 attractions at Walt Disney World.
- https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/disney-vacations/best-worst-disney-world-rides

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

Fried food & fun at the Florida State Fair Feb 11, 2019

Show notes

It's that time of year again! Time to eat some deep fried food on a stick and test your endurance on rides designed by madmen.
The 2019 Florida State Fair is on!

In this Episode:

We talk about our weekend trip to the Florida State Fair in Tampa, the foods we tried, the rides we rode, and the stuff we saw.
- http://www.floridastatefair.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

Thinking of moving to Florida? Here's what you should know first. Feb 04, 2019

Show notes

Nearly 18 years ago, one of us decided to make the move from the Midwest to warm and sunny Florida. With this winters brutal temperatures and snow across much of the northern part of the country, a lot of others might be thinking of doing the same. In this episode we talk about what it's like to move to and live in Florida, and cover some of the misconceptions and realities of living here.

In this Episode:

We are now part of the Podcast Florida Network.
- https://podcastfl.com/
Some insights and things to know about moving to and living in Florida.
Florida Man!
- https://www.good.is/articles/florida-man-sunshine-laws-transparency

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

A visit to Epcot International Festival of the Arts Jan 28, 2019

Show notes

This week we talk about our trip to the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, where we did an "around the world" scavenger hunt that forced us to explore deep into all of the countries pavilions at World Showcase. We also found out more details on the recently announced Jurassic World roller coaster at Islands of Adventure, the upcoming Millennium Falcon ride at Hollywood Studios, and a possible look at what might be coming to Animal Kingdom in the future.

In this Episode:

More details on the just announced Jurassic World roller coaster coming to Universal's Islands of Adventure
- https://www.wftv.com/news/local/new-jurassic-park-roller-coaster-headed-to-islands-of-adventure-documents-show/906446496
Zootopialand coming to Disneyland Shangai. Maybe a preview of what's to come at Animal Kingdom?
- https://variety.com/2019/biz/asia/zootopia-land-shanghai-disneyland-1203115032/
We talk about our trip to the Epcot International Festival of the Arts.

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

Hanging with Hippos & Manatees at Homossasa Springs State Park Jan 21, 2019

Show notes

This weekend we took a day trip up to Crystal River to a part of Florida dubbed "the Nature Coast" that is world famous for it's manatees. We visited the Florida Manatee Festival, then headed over to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park to see wild manatees, a famous hippo, and other Florida wildlife up close.

In this Episode:

New Jurassic World roller coaster coming to Universal's Islands of Adventure
- https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201901/6554/
We stop by the Florida Manatee Festival in Crystal River
And we visit Homossassa Springs Wildlife State Park for encounters with manatees and the oldest hippo in North America
- https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ellie-schiller-homosassa-springs-wildlife-state-park

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

Penguins, Dolphins, and Sharks...oh my! Jan 14, 2019

Show notes

We were recently invited by the great folks at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa to come check out their new exhibit "Waves of Wonder", have a penguin encounter, and go out on a wild dolphin sightseeing boat tour. We also interviewed Kari Goetz, the Florida Aquarium's VP of Marketing, who told us all about the Florida Aquarium's mission and the idea behind "Waves of Wonder" that focuses the aquariums efforts on conservation and animal welfare.

In this Episode:

Florida Aquarium penguin encounter
Wild dolphin boat tour
Interview with Kari Goetz, the VP of Marketing at the Florida Aquarium
We walk through and review the Florida Aquarium
https://www.flaquarium.org
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

Coming soon! 2019 Florida attractions Jan 07, 2019

Show notes

There is a LOT of new stuff planned this year for 2019 and beyond. We all know that Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios is hugely anticipated, but there's a lot more coming soon to get excited about. This week we run through all the new stuff we're excited about for the new year.

Listener email recommends we check out the Deep Hole at Myakka River State Park.
2019 Florida attractions discussion
Details and renderings of the NEW St. Pete Pier, planned for a late 2019 opening.
- http://www.newstpetepier.com
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

Our 2018 Florida Favorites Dec 31, 2018

Show notes

Happy New Year everybody! We launched this podcast back in the Spring of 2018, and it's been a lot of fun so far. Thanks to everybody who has made us a small part of your life! This week we take a quick trip to Cuba (sort of) and then talk about some of our favorite things we've seen, done, and experienced all over Florida in 2018.

In this Episode:

How to "visit" Cuba (technically) without even leaving the state, getting a passport, or dealing with all that annoying red tape.
We list our favorite moments and things we did around Florida in 2018.