Two weeks ago we ran down a number of Florida food festivals happening in Florida, so this week we're going to explore some of the unique, weird, and offbeat events for 2020 that could only happen in Florida. In this Episode: Unique, offbeat, "Only in Florida" events for 2020 Fiddler Crab Festival http://steinhatcheechamber.com/the-events-calendar/fiddler-crab-festival Gasparilla Pirate Festival http://gasparillapiratefest.com Rattlesnake Festival http://www.rattlesnakefestival.com Sugar Sand Fe...
Feb 05, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep 111•Transcript available on Metacast This week we came across an article in Travel & Leisure that listed the best places to visit in Florida. We go through and discuss that list and give our own thoughts and opinions on each place listed. Also some news about Universal's Epic Universe, SNL pokes fun at Disney Fastpass and listener mail. In this Episode: Universal Studios confirms "Super Nintendo World" will be part of Epic Universe. Saturday Night Live pokes fun at Disney Fastpass & Orlando Travel & Leisure's - "The Best Places to ...
Jan 28, 2020•58 min•Ep 110•Transcript available on Metacast The Florida festival season is ramping up, and with it comes all kinds of great events to try new foods all over the state. This week we discuss ten interesting and unique Florida food festivals. In this Episode: Listener mail about our visit to Daytona Beach The Florida Aquarium is offering discounts for bringing in Gasparilla beads. We discuss ten unique Florida food festivals Florida Strawberry Festival - Plant City https://flstrawberryfestival.com South Florida Garlic Festival - Delray Beach...
Jan 21, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep 109•Transcript available on Metacast The year 2020 is upon us and we're looking forward to a lot of fun new stuff making it's way to the Sunshine State this year. In this episode, we run down ten of the most exciting things we're looking forward to this year. We also talk a bit about our winter break, and the end of a 70-year-old Florida tradition. In this Episode: A little talk about our winter break. The Florida Welcome Center no longer gives away free orange juice. Ten exciting things on the way for 2020 Contact Us! We want to h...
Jan 14, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep 108•Transcript available on Metacast In this "Best of 2019" review episode, we talk about some of our favorite things we saw and did around Florida (and beyond) in the past year. Contact Us! 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 http://www.SunshineStateShirts.com...
Dec 27, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Ep 107•Transcript available on Metacast This weekend we headed out to Disney's Hollywood Studios to ride the brand new "Rise of the Resistance" at Galaxy's Edge! Let's talk about this mind-blowing new attraction! In this Episode: Getting up early to get our Boarding Pass for Rise of the Resistance and our thoughts on the virtual queue system Our Spoiler Free reaction and review of the ride. And then we give our full review of the ride with spoilers for those who want to know! Contact Us! We want to hear your own reviews and Florida tr...
Dec 17, 2019•1 hr 8 min•Ep 106•Transcript available on Metacast Last weekend we were invited to check out Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa. We talk about our visit to the zoo's Christmas party, and some of the early reaction to the opening weekend of Rise of the Resistance at Galaxy's Edge. In this Episode: Rise of the Resistance opens at Galaxy's Edge to long wait times We visit ZooTampa for their holiday party "Christmas in the Wild". We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports! Twitter: @FloridaPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flo...
Dec 10, 2019•30 min•Ep 105•Transcript available on Metacast The manatee is one of Florida's most iconic symbols, and wintertime is the best time to see them. When the temperatures dip, manatees will gather in springs and the warm-water outflows of power plants in huge numbers. This week we talk about some of the best places to see these gentle giants in the wild. In this Episode: We talk about manatees and the best places to see them this winter http://sunshinestateinsider.com/best-places-in-florida-to-see-manatees/ Contact Us! We want to hear your own r...
Nov 26, 2019•50 min•Ep 104•Transcript available on Metacast This weekend we took a long weekend trip to the self-appointed "Worlds Most Famous Beach", Daytona. Daytona Beach is the birthplace of auto racing, and a former spring break hot spot, but it still offers a lot of bang for your buck if you're looking for a cheap beach getaway in Florida. We review the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, the Riverfront district, the Boardwalk, and give our thoughts on the current state of the town. In this Episode: Interactive Pac-Man escape maze coming to Orlando in 2020 htt...
Nov 12, 2019•1 hr 8 min•Ep 103•Transcript available on Metacast It's already November, so we run down five awesome Florida events happening this month all over the state. Then we talk a little about Shannon's trip to Weeki Wachee to meet mermaids and our recent experience back at Galaxy's Edge where we finally tried the Blue Milk. In this Episode: Five Hot November Florida Events worth checking out. St. Petersburg - The worlds largest Christmas light maze https://enchantchristmas.com/stpete St. Augustine - Nights of Lights https://www.visitstaugustine.com/ev...
Nov 05, 2019•55 min•Ep 102•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Contact Us! We want to h...
Oct 29, 2019•44 min•Ep 101•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Uni...
Oct 22, 2019•57 min•Ep 100•Transcript available on Metacast 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/experi...
Oct 15, 2019•1 hr 15 min•Ep 99•Transcript available on Metacast 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. C...
Oct 08, 2019•47 min•Ep 98•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Gar...
Oct 01, 2019•56 min•Ep 97•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Sep 23, 2019•3 min•Ep 96•Transcript available on Metacast 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/...
Sep 03, 2019•41 min•Ep 95•Transcript available on Metacast 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 c...
Aug 27, 2019•45 min•Ep 94•Transcript available on Metacast 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 h...
Aug 19, 2019•48 min•Ep 93•Transcript available on Metacast 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 conce...
Aug 12, 2019•46 min•Ep 92•Transcript available on Metacast 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. https://www.gatorland.com https://wildfloridairboats.com https://iconparkorlando.com https://dinosaurworld...
Aug 05, 2019•42 min•Ep 91•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Contact Us! We want to hear your own reviews and Florida...
Jul 29, 2019•45 min•Ep 90•Transcript available on Metacast 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-bea...
Jul 22, 2019•43 min•Ep 89•Transcript available on Metacast 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 E...
Jul 15, 2019•48 min•Ep 88•Transcript available on Metacast 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 https://ki...
Jul 08, 2019•48 min•Ep 87•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Cu...
Jul 01, 2019•36 min•Ep 86•Transcript available on Metacast 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-...
Jun 24, 2019•45 min•Ep 85•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Jun 17, 2019•37 min•Ep 84•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jun 10, 2019•1 hr•Ep 83•Transcript available on Metacast 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: Circle of Heroes at Veterans Reef underwater memorial https://brighterfutureflorida.org Florida Water Park Rundown Panhandle Big Kahuna's - Destin https://bigkahunas.com Shipwreck Island - Panama City Beach https://www.shipwreckisland.com Sam’s Surf City - Pensacola https://www.samsfuncity.com Northeast Shipwreck Island - J...
May 27, 2019•52 min•Ep 82•Transcript available on Metacast 
