Trip2earth.com Travel Blog

I have traveled six times in the past year to various major cities around the United States and I have to say that the Orlando International Airport has by far the most efficient, fastest security check point.  Since 2001, we all know that security has been tight in all airports, but that doesn’t affect how fast you can get through security when traveling out of Orlando.  I’ve never waited more than 20 minutes to get through the check point each time, usually it takes 5!  They always open up lots of lanes and are well staffed with people there directing the flow of traffic.  So if you think Orlando is like other Airports where you have to be there more than three hours in advance, think again!! I was there two hours early last Thursday and was at my gate in with an hour and half to spare. 

Today people don’t leave their dogs behind when traveling to Orlando.  Many hotels are becoming pet friendly and some even have water bowls, leashes, and doggy beds in the hotel rooms.  Some hotels even include dog walking as part of their extra amenities.  However there are some things to remember when bringing your adorable pooch along for the family vacation.  First of all check the pet policies of the places you plan to visit and while planning make sure you bring everything your pet will need while away from home, just like you do.  If your pet is on special medications or there is something it can’t be without, put that in your carry on if you are flying.  Bring carrying bags that will hold your pooch and if you are driving make sure your loved pet has a car seat too.  You want your dog to be safe too!  Also, another must that families don’t think about is to have your vet implant a microchip into the animal (you should do this even if you are not traveling).  Data is stored on that microchip and if your pup gets lost, animal services always check the animal for that first and can contact you immediately.  This is the new and improved tag on the collar.

Joining the World’s number one family vacation destination with the worldwide leader in sports, Walt Disney World and ESPN are re-branding Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex with the ESPN brand.

This will create an entertaining experience for the over 180 million athletes coaches and spectators that come to the Disney Sports Complex each year. ESPN televised 20 sporting events from the complex last year alone.

Plans to rename the sports complex and incorporate the Worldwide Leader in sports throughout the 220-acre facility which is a leading venue for amateur and professional sports in the U.S. Some events include the Atlanta Braves spring training, Major League Baseball Draft, Varsity All-Star cheerleading Competitions and the NBA Pre-Draft Camp just to name a few.

This is sure to be a sports fan dream come true as the project is aiming to enhance the experience of both the athletes and spectators by connecting them with some of their favorite ESPN programs and personalities.

I just saw an email that Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL was holding auditions for entertainers and they should have no problem finding them.  Orlando is full of entertainers.  This is a booming metropolis with a large pool of interesting people to choose from.  After living here for two years I can definitely say Orlando is full of fun characters. 

What some people don’t know is that this was not the case about 30 years ago.   When Walt Disney World was first in the planning and building stages for their magical wonderland, Orlando was a much different location.  Orlando was very rural and mainly agriculture.  There was no tourist attraction here, no “theme park,” just cows and plants.  One thing you will still notice is that even when driving down by the Orange County Convention Center and by I-Drive, there are still random cow pastures that you might miss if you’re not looking.  This was a major challenge for the Entertainment Department of Walt Disney World.  In order to be similar to Disneyland, they had to at least start off with the Dapper Dans, the Dixieland Band, the Pearly Band, the Polke Band, the Town Square Band, and the 20-piece Walt Disney World Band.  That didn’t even include all the parade entertainers, dancers, characters, and everyone else needed for when the park opened.   They were not in California anymore and the talent pool were very limited.  In order to find the staff they needed, Walt Disney World’s executives traveled around the country holding auditions and people from all over the world started to move to Orlando to create the busy city we have today with the fantastic entertainment. 

Last month I attended a conference in a hotel.  I went and had my morning cup of coffee in the break area, but when I looked for the cream and sugar there was a line, and only two dispensers for each.  There were no individual packets that we are all use to.  At first, I thought that was a poor mistake by the hotel but later was told – it was part of their going green and the conference requested it.  If you’ve stayed at a hotel or resort in Orlando for any reason, you will see that everyone is going green!

According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, they produced a survey to find out what are the top 10 things hotels are doing to be green.  These are the following results:

1.      Offering linen reuse program

2.      Recycling paper

3.      Using compact fluorescents in guestrooms

4.      Using compact fluorescents in public areas

5.      Offering towel reuse programs

6.      Training maintenance staff on conservation and energy procedures

7.      Recycling cardboard

8.      Water conserving retrofits for showers

9.      Recycling program in administrative areas

10.  Tracing energy and water consumption on a monthly basis

So next time you stay at a hotel or resort, they are not trying to be cheap, just green!

Airlines are responding to the high fuel cost. 

Firstly, Delta has stated they are stopping all direct flights from Orlando to New Orleans; Nashville, Tenn.; Birmingham, Ala.; Asheville, N.C.; and Lexington, Ky.  These routes will be cancelled after August.  Delta also announced it will cut the number of seats flying in and out of Orlando International by nearly 45 percent. 

Secondly, American Airlines have declared they will cut domestic capacity by 11 percent to 12 percent in the, fourth quarter, cut jobs, and retire old planes in its fleet.  Also, starting in June, the airline will be charging $15 for each passenger’s first bag.  These negative actions do put a strain on the budget conscious Orlando traveler, but from past experiences this just means the Orlando visitors will just be more creative and look for deals elsewhere.  Maybe the hotel rates will go down or the theme park tickets.

Recently I had the chance to take a guided tour around the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC).  The size alone amazed me, but the kind of impact it has on the economy and the city of Orlando was impressive.  The OCCC was first built in 1983, and since then has had 5 expansions.  It now is the third largest convention center in the United States and has over 7 million square feet of space.  In that there are over 2 million square feet of exhibition space and almost 500,000 square feet of meeting rooms.  OCCC is features a full theatre with almost 3,000 seats and 6,227 parking spaces total. 
            The fact that really stunned me was is that the OCCC brings in $1.4 billion dollars to the economy of Orlando.  It attracts over 1.6 million guests to the Orlando area each year.  The facility is state of the art with the most up to date technological advances in any convention center around the world.  As of last week, the OCCC has conventions booked to 2028. 

Some of the fun facts I enjoyed about the facility:

·         The North/South building has 2 COVERED loading docks that can fit up to 76 truck bays. (If you’ve ever loaded things in and out for an event in the rain you would understand how great this is!)

·         The North/South building has 9 exhibit –floor truck entrances – I saw that at least one, if not all are large enough to fit a large plane and not take off the wings. 

·         The carpet in the meeting rooms has so many colors in it that is goes with almost any décor.

·         The OCCC really is focusing on going green and has a massive recycling action in progress.

·         Air-conditioning does not come with the trade show space and is usually turned off when loading in a tradeshow since the doors are all open.

·         The OCCC holds a very large annual reptile show and no event manager ever wants to be the one in charge.  (I would have to take a vacation at that time if I worked there.)

·         The OCCC has an incredible risk management plan and security system.

·         There is wireless mobility throughout the convention center.

·         The OCCC more than 8,000 hotel rooms very close by, almost walking distance.

On June 7, 2008 - the Orlando Predators continue the “War on I-4” as they travel over to Tampa to take on their rivals the Tampa Bay Storm.  The Orlando Predators are unquestionably one of the better known teams in the Arena Football League.  The team has made a name for itself and Orlando by qualifying for the play-offs 16 consecutive years and has posted 15 consecutive winning seasons.  This is the longest streak for any team in the AFL.  Currently, the team is coached by Jay Gruden, the former Tampa Bay Storm quarterback who led the Storm to 4 ArenaBowl championships.  He was the first Arena Football quarterback to make it into the Arena Football League Hall of Fame.  Thus, enhancing the legendary rivalry between the two teams who have met each other in the ArenaBowl on two separate occasions, where the Storm won in 1995 and Orlando claiming victory in 1998.  This grueling match up should be a “not to be missed” for all Orlando and Tampa fans, or any Arena Football fan. 

If you want to see the Orlando Predators at home, there next game at “The Jungle” (Hummer Field) is on Saturday, May 31, 2007 against Arizona. 

County employees are going to school at the Disney Institute.With all the new changes in taxes and services Lake county employees are going to school.5 star service is not just for swanky hotels and restaraunts.The Disney Institute  is teaching  leadership development,quality service,customer loyalty and teambuilding.The business behind the magic is open for businesses to take classes and learn the secrets. 

Walt Disney World and its Magical Express is figuring out how to handle airlines new fee. What used to be a free service from Disney  Guests is now going to cost up to $25.00 per person  for the second bag. What was designed to give a added incentive to stay on Disney property not renting cars so guests would never leave the property  all incidentals(souvenirs,food,sundries,etc.)

Now the new baggage fees need to be collected both ways coming and going.