Gatorland turned 70 years old this week! To help celebrate Gatorpalooza we learn some fun and interesting facts about Florida's official state reptile in a game of Alligator trivia. Listen and play along! In this Episode: Gatorland turns 70 years old. https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/05/17/classic-florida-attraction-gatorland-celebrates-70th-anniversary-with-gatorpalooza-on-saturday Gatorpalooza alligator trivia Contact Us! We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip repor...
May 20, 2019•46 min•Ep 81•Transcript available on Metacast This weekend we stopped by a great little hidden gem of a restaurant in small town Florida, and went to see the new Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy show at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Also, news about Orlando's record breaking tourist numbers and new attractions on the way. In this Episode: Review of Kafe Kokopelli in Dade City https://www.kafekokopelli.com Yummy Chicken & Waffles Review of The Burg in St. Petersburg https://theburgbar.com/ Review of the new Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy...
May 13, 2019•52 min•Ep 80•Transcript available on Metacast Disney's Hollywood Studios celebrated their 30 year anniversary this week, so we thought it would be fun to explore some fun facts and secrets about Disney's third park in a fun game of trivia. In this Episode: Welcome to our new listeners from Podcoin! Use referral code "SUNSHINE" for 300 bonus points - https://www.podcoin.com A visit to the 47th Annual Amateur Sand Sculpture Contest at Siesta Key Beach. http://sunshinestatepodcast.com/siesta-key-sand-sculpture-contest/ Listener call from Brand...
May 06, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep 79•Transcript available on Metacast Florida is full of wild places, from the Panhandle to the Keys, with critter encounters and locally famous animals you can see in person. In this episode we talk about some of the best places around the state to find some of Florida's favorite fantastic beasts. In this Episode: Historic birth of a baby rhino at Zoo Miami https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/24/us/rhino-born-artificial-insemination-trnd/index.html Florida couple catches enourmous, record swordfish https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/co...
Apr 29, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast We're back and with a lot of new stuff on the way to talk about this week. A new roller coaster, a new waterpark, and a new cruise ship will soon be sailing from Florida. And then let's talk about some quick service Disney dining tips. In this Episode: Tigris, the tallest launch coaster in Florida, opens at Busch Gardens New waterpark opening at Margaritaville Resort Huge new cruise ship, the Carnival Mardis Gras, announced and on the way to Port Canaveral Quick service Disney dining tips Contac...
Apr 22, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast Busch Gardens Tampa Bay just celebrated their 60th birthday this past week, so let's learn some history and some things you might not have known about this iconic Florida attraction by playing along with us in game of Busch Gardens trivia. In this Episode: Summer is back (already) and it's hot! Busch Gardens turns 60 and announces new roller coaster, Tigris. Busch Gardens trivia and discussion Contact Us! We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports! Website: http://www.sunshinestat...
Apr 08, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep 76•Transcript available on Metacast This week Shannon talks about her worst fear in the world, we go pin trading at Magic Kingdom, then we talk about a full week of news coming out of the Central Florida theme park scene. New stuff at Legoland, Sea World, Busch Gardens, and some controversial rule changes at Disney World. In this Episode: How we feel about spiders, snakes, and palmetto bugs Cheap fun playing Disc Golf Pin trading and riding the Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom Florida theme park news - Busch Gardens turns 60, new la...
Apr 01, 2019•53 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast This week we enjoyed a week of "Staycation" in the Sunshine State for Spring Break. We rundown and review everything we did this week, and take the Florida Man Challenge for ourselves. In this Episode: The Florida Man Challenge Florida Man headbutted by Alligator Florida Man Dressed as Fred Flintstone Stopped By Deputy Florida man accused of throwing samurai sword at police Listener Mail We recap and review what we did on our Spring Break "Staycation". Contact Us! We want to hear your own review...
Mar 25, 2019•1 hr•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast With so much to do aimed at tourists, it turns out Florida is a great place for a "Staycation" for those of us who live here. This week we run down a list of things to do that you might not have thought of. In this Episode: Florida Spring Break "Staycation" Ideas discussion 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@sunshinestatepodcas...
Mar 18, 2019•38 min•Ep 73•Transcript available on Metacast Every now and then we all have those fleeing moments we'll never forget that that make us say "wow!". In this episode we each list and talk about some of those moments that could only happen in Florida. In this Episode: Busch Gardens announces new coaster for 2020 - the tallest, steepest, and fastest hybrid coaster in North America. http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/busch-gardens-says-next-roller-coaster-will-be-world-s-steepest-fastest-hybrid Hidden gem recommendation: Happy Hangar Cafe ...
Mar 11, 2019•58 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast 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-mg...
Mar 04, 2019•47 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Contact Us! We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports! Website: http://www.sunshinestatepodcast.com Twitter: @Fl...
Feb 26, 2019•35 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast 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/cleanu...
Feb 18, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast 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/ Contact Us! We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports! Website: http://www.sunshinestatepodcast.com Twitter: @FloridaPodcast Facebook: https://w...
Feb 11, 2019•53 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast 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 t...
Feb 04, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast 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 th...
Jan 28, 2019•43 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast 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 i...
Jan 21, 2019•43 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Jan 14, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast 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....
Jan 07, 2019•50 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast 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 favorit...
Dec 31, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast If you're visiting for the week, or enjoying some Florida "Staycation" time, there is a LOT going on around the state to keep the holiday cheer alive between Christmas and New Years Eve. In this Episode: A night at the Tampa Riverwalk Christmas boat parade We run down and discuss some of the best events going on this week between Christmas & New Years Eve in Florida. Contact Us! We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports! Website: http://www.sunshinestatepodcast.com Twitter: @Flor...
Dec 24, 2018•44 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast Winter in Florida means it's cool enough to get out and enjoy everything that Florida has to offer in the great outdoors. Play along with us in another round of Florida trivia, this time as we explore some fun facts and things to see and do in some Florida's awesome state parks. Play along with us in Florida State Park Trivia https://www.floridastateparks.org That Caramel Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe we talked about https://www.buzzfeed.com/mikeprice/caramel-pretzel-chocolate-chip-cookie...
Dec 17, 2018•49 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast This week is a bit of a potpourri of Florida attraction discussion, as we learn about more Marvel attractions opening up at Disney parks around the world that (maybe?) are on the way to the Florida parks in the future. Find out where Florida's theme parks stack up against some of the other best theme parks in the country, and we list some of the best things to do in central Florida that are NOT theme parks. Marvel attractions popping up all over Disney's other parks. https://www.themarysue.com/m...
Dec 12, 2018•40 min•Ep 59•Transcript available on Metacast Winter is on the way, and that means the yearly of migration of "Snowbirds" and warm weather seekers looking for a tropical escape. This week Shannon found an article in Coastal Living that lists ten beaches right here in Florida that are just as beautiful as anything you'd find in the Caribbean. We give our own thoughts, reviews, and share some stories of times we've visited a few of them. We discuss this recent article called "10 Florida Beaches So Beautiful You'll Think You're in the Caribbea...
Dec 03, 2018•43 min•Ep 58•Transcript available on Metacast Disney's Hollywood Studios has a bit of a bad reputation these days as being a "half-day" park, especially with the current construction and some recent attraction closures while we wait for some more shiny new stuff over there. Is this reputation undeserved? Or is there enough to do at Hollywood Studios to fill an entire day? We spent a day from rope drop to final fireworks show to see if there's enough to do at Hollywood Studios to fill an entire day. Contact Us! We want to hear your own revie...
Nov 26, 2018•51 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast This week we headed over to Wild Florida, a wildlife sanctuary and airboat tour operator near St. Cloud, Florida. We had a sloth encounter, made friends with a Cockatoo, and a great time learning about Florida wildlife at this great little attraction. This show includes: We discuss and review our day trip to Wild Florida. https://wildfloridairboats.com/ Contact us! We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports! Website: http://www.sunshinestatepodcast.com Twitter: @FloridaPodcast Fac...
Nov 19, 2018•43 min•Ep 56•Transcript available on Metacast With the release of the new "Fantastic Beasts" movie this week, we thought it was time for another Florida trivia episode! Play along as we discover some fun facts, Easter eggs, and little known secrets of the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" themed areas at Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure. This show includes: Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter trivia and discussion. Bonus episode available for our Patreon supporters. https://www.patreon.com/posts/florida-face-off-22663055 Con...
Nov 12, 2018•50 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast Halloween has come and gone, and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) has arrived. On this episode we look back and recall some of our favorite Florida attractions that have left us for the Big Theme Park in the Sky. This show includes: We list and discuss some of our favorite Florida attractions that have closed, been replaced, or just went out of business. Contact us! We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports! Website: http://www.sunshinestatepodcast.com Twitter: @FloridaPodcas...
Nov 05, 2018•51 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast This week we take a look at the two big theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort and put them up against each other in a Florida Face-off! Which of these two parks do we think wins? We look at rides, entertainment, kid friendliness, theming, atmosphere, and which one we think is the best overall. This show includes: The most popular Halloween candy in Florida. Walt Disney World installing huge new solar farm. https://wdwnt.com/2018/10/new-solar-power-facility-at-walt-disney-world-to-open-before-e...
Oct 29, 2018•59 min•Ep 53•Transcript available on Metacast Legoland unveils their big new plans for 2019, then we talk about our visit to MarineQuest in St. Petersburg and finding a Halloween pumpkin at the Pickin' Patch in Dunnellon. This show includes: Legoland shows off their new plans for Lego Movie World https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201810/6341/ A visit and review of MarineQuest - an educational, open house event at the Florida Fish & Wildlife research institute http://myfwc.com/marinequest We talk about our trip to The Pickin' Patch, a g...
Oct 22, 2018•46 min•Ep 52•Transcript available on Metacast 
