Podcasts about Cypress Gardens

Send us your Florida questions!How Bowers of the Retro WDW podcast joins Rick and Cathy to talk about the not-so-secret-after-all Florida Project, the origins of Disney Springs, and what Cypress Gardens had to do with Walt Disney deciding Florida would be a great place for a theme park. Links We MentionedRetro WDWLake Buena Vista Historical SocietySupport the showQuestion or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com. Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee). NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

Kid-themed Legoland park in Winter Haven says it's discontinuing water ski shows, which go back to the site's history as Cypress Gardens. About 1500 people have signed a petition asking the park to change its mind. We speak with Daniel Conrod, a former competitive water skier who signed the petition at change.org. 

In this episode, Matt and Adam discuss the recent regional tournaments, the Buck Up, and the upcoming Nationals. They also interview Jayson Rishling, a former pro skier and owner of The Board Shop. Jayson shares his skiing journey and experiences at Cypress Gardens and SeaWorld. He also tells a story about meeting J.Lo in Turkmenistan. Jayson also discusses his experiences in show skiing, his career in the water sports industry, and his passion for skiing. He shares stories about his travels, the challenges of running The Board Shop, and his involvement with Team USA. Jayson also talks about the tight-knit community of show skiers and the next generation of skiers coming up. He expresses his love for the sport and his plans to continue skiing for many more years.Today's sponsors are...The Board Shop - all your summer and winter board sports gear is yours at bswake.comFlymanSkis - custom made jump skis and Featherboard Swivel Skis at flymanskis.comFollow us on Social Media: Instagram - @theskishowpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theskishowpodcast Contact The Ski Show: Email us at theskishowpodcast@gmail.com Leave us a rating and a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ski-show-the-ultimate-show-ski-podcast/id1510243170

The longest standing show ski team ever is the Min-Aqua Bats from Minocqua, Wisconsin. Our conversation today is with Duke Hillinger, a member of the club for decades, and covers the history and legacy of the Min-Aqua Bats. The club started in 1945 after the end of World War II when a group of skiers decided to celebrate by skiing on the first day of peace. The Min-Aqua Bats became the first amateur water ski show in the world and the second show after Cypress Gardens. The conversation also touches on notable skiers such as Lynn Novakofski and Tom and Janie Dorwin, community support, and the unique acts performed in the ski shows. Over the years, famous guests such as President Eisenhower and Elizabeth Taylor frequented the show. The club has produced many talented skiers over the years who have gone on to compete at the collegiate and professional levels. While the club has evolved over the years, with a younger membership and a focus on show skiing rather than three-event skiing, the sense of camaraderie and dedication to putting on a great show remains strong. The Min-Aqua Bats perform shows on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from Flag Day to Labor Day.Today's sponsor is Flyman Skis. Custom made jump skis and Featherboard swivel skis can be yours at flymanskis.com.Follow us on Social Media: Instagram - @theskishowpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theskishowpodcast Contact The Ski Show: Email us at theskishowpodcast@gmail.com Leave us a rating and a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ski-show-the-ultimate-show-ski-podcast/id1510243170

Your favorite sister duo discusses how all types of people can enjoy the charming, old-soul port town of Charleston, South Carolina. They go through recommendations for foodies, friend group trips, history buffs, outdoorsy folk, and romantics. You'll also hear an important travel hack related to the nightmare that is getting a rental car in Charleston.Charleston recommendations for the:History Buffs - horse-drawn carriage tour, Battery Park, USS Yorktown MuseumFoodies - Rodney Scott (barbeque), O-Ku (sushi), Sullivan's Fish Camp (seafood), The Ordinary (seafood), 167 Raw Oyster Bar (seafood), Leon's (fried chicken and oysters), Millers All Day (brunch), Park & Grove (brunch), Island Cabana Bar (waterfront)Friend Group - King Street (restaurants, shopping), Uptown Social (college bar vibes), Camellias (all pink champagne bar), Citrus Club (rooftop bar), Fiat Lux (rooftop bar), Felix (cocktails), Shem's Creek (waterfront area with lots of restaurants, film location for Outer Banks) Outdoorsy Folk - Sullivan's Island, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms (beaches), Ocean course at Kiawah Island Resort (golf course, one of 7 in Charleston), Battery Promenade (walking/running path along the water), Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (walking/running path along the bridge with amazing views)Romantics - American Theater (movie theater on King Street, The Notebook film location), Cypress Gardens ($10 for a boat ride just like Noah and Allie did in The Notebook)Check out our website: loveitthere.square.siteFollow Love It There on Instagram: @loveittherepodPrefer video podcasts? Watch on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I discuss the fossil fest that i went to at Cypress Gardens and Is the first episode in the tournament Fight Fridays and todays is Allosaurus Vs Stegosaurus IF YOU GO ON ONE OF THE TRIPS FOR FOSSIL TRIPS Tell them you hear about them from Prehistoric Life Podcast and they will give you $250 off your tickets. Remember to follow me at Prehistoric_Life_Podcast on instagram and check out the new website PrehistoricLifePodcast.com and on youtube @prehistoric life podcast

LEGOLAND® Florida is a unique park with a rich history. It began as Cypress Gardens and became LEGOLAND in 2011 after the original park closed. Home to three adorable hotels, a water park and the Peppa Pig theme park, this park has a lot to offer, including a swimming pool that was featured in the 1953 film Easy to Love!   Co-host Jessica Gardner met with Banks Lee, LEGOLAND Production and Marketing Support Specialist to learn more about the park and hear about some upcoming attractions.  In this Episode: 0:00 - Introduction to the podcast and LEGOLAND Florida 0:21 - Background on LEGOLAND Florida spokesperson Banks Lee 0:40 - History of LEGOLAND parks starting in 1968 1:17 - Significance of LEGOLAND Florida being located on the site of the former Cypress Gardens park 2:40 - Banks' career path and advice  3:09 - Details on the different areas within LEGOLAND Florida 5:32 - Popular attractions at LEGOLAND Florida 8:35 - Questions from listeners  9:34 - Recommendations for first attractions to visit 14:31 - Banks' favorite attractions to visit with his family  17:31 - The most popular attractions at LEGOLAND® Florida 18:37 - Jessica's Dragon Coaster milestone 20:50 - Explanation of the Ninjago property and ride 21:14 - Masters of Flight attraction in LEGO Movie World 23:15 - LEGOLAND's mini lands and structures  33:37 - Upcoming life-sized LEGO® builds  34:38 - Entertainment at LEGOLAND  38:30 - Peppa Pig Theme Park  43:00 - Food options in the park and the delicious Apple Fries  44:27 - LEGOLAND merchandise  47:45 - Trading LEGO and Minifigures  50:00 - LEGO Pop Badges  51:35 - The Infamous "Mr. Gold" Pop Badge  54:00 - LEGOLAND accommodations  58:30 - The future of LEGOLAND Florida Resort Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts. Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by: Having an impact on the future of ACE Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences Developing friendships in a small group Learning new skills or sharing your talents with ACE Podcast Volunteer Team  Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson Producer: Derek Perry Editor: Bob Randolph Show Notes: Liz Tan Production Manager: Corey Wooten Correspondents: Bryant Yeager and Doug Perry

Craig has a list of New Year's Resolutions to pass out around the state, starting with our idiot Department of Transportation secretary.Author Lu Vickers is our guest this episode. She joined us back on Episode 100 along with an original Weeki Wachee mermaid. This time, we're talking about Dick Pope, founder of Cypress Gardens.If you'd like to support the show as we enter our 5th season, you can do so by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/welcometoflorida for just $5 per month.

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 931, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: 1970s album covers 1: 1977:John Travolta strikes a pose and points his finger to the sky. Saturday Night Fever. 2: 1978:Mick, Keith and the boys smile and smirk in wig catalog ads. Some Girls. 3: 1973:Against a black background, a prism bends a beam of light into a colorful spectrum. Dark Side of the Moon. 4: 1973:Paul McCartney and 8 others including James Coburn and Christopher Lee are caught by a police spotlight. Band on the Run. 5: 1978:Billy Joel leans against an alley wall holding a trumpet. 52nd Street. Round 2. Category: water sports 1: Cypress Gardens show done on water, not on snow. water skiing. 2: Fishing from a moving boat. trolling. 3: Competitor in this sport was the model for nude male torso atop L.A.'s Olympic gate. water polo. 4: Name of yacht immortalized after winning the 100-Guinea Cup away from England in 1851. the America. 5: What an unlucky surfer has just experienced in this song. wipeout. Round 3. Category: music of the '60s 1: In 1969 "Something" became the only No. 1 hit he composed for The Beatles. George Harrison. 2: In 1969 B.J. Thomas had the biggest hit of his career with this song from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head". 3: In this 1965 hit, Roger Miller tells us that "Two hours of pushing broom buys a eight by twelve four-bit room". "King of the Road". 4: In 1968 his "Hurdy Gurdy Man" came singing songs of love. Donovan. 5: In the 1960s she reached the Top 20 3 times with duets: twice with Lee Hazelwood and once with her father. Nancy Sinatra. Round 4. Category: a "b" city 1: You can cross this city's Francis Scott Key Bridge by the dawn's early light. Baltimore. 2: In 1937 the Loyalists in Spain made this city their capital. Barcelona. 3: Aurelia Aquensis in ancient times, you may want to take a "double" dip in this German city's baths. Baden-Baden. 4: Its first name was F-E-L-S-I-N-A, not O-S-C-A-R. Bologna. 5: The center of the Czech Republic's wool industry, it looks like it needs to buy a vowel. Brno. Round 5. Category: track and field 1: Dutch Warmerdam, the 1st man to vault over 15', in 1940, used poles made of this natural substance. bamboo. 2: They're either 36" or 42" high, depending on the race. a hurdle. 3: In 1989 this country removed Imre Nagy's remains from a potter's field and reburied them with honors. Hungary. 4: In 1986 Jackie Joyner-Kersee was named the amateur athlete of the year; this sister-in-law won in 1988. Florence Griffith Joyner. 5: This son of a Dutch immigrant had the first 15' pole vault--in fact, he had the first 43 15' pole vaults. "Dutch" Warmerdam. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia! Special thanks to https://blog.feedspot.com/trivia_podcasts/

You may not have heard from this guy in a long time, but you will hear from him today.  Hank Amos is a show skiing legend, a professional skier, a freestyle jump champion, and one of the top stunt men and stunt coordinators in the movie business.  We cover a LOT of ground today - his start with George's Ski and Social club, his time with Tampa, SeaWorld Texas, Cypress Gardens, stories of the freestyle jump tour, his best jumps, his hardest jumps, his memories, he shares his emotions about Garry Stout and the value he had on his life, and he talks all about his stunt career and some of the over 100 movies he's been in, with stories about Keanu Reeves, Johnny Depp, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Matrix, and so much more.  Hank also has some huge news for interested show skiers that you must tune into hear. Apologies to our previous guests, but this is hands down the best podcast interview to date. Today's sponsors are - FlymanSkis - flymanskis.comThe Board Shop - bswake.comThe Lake Lovers Club - lakeloversclub.com (code SKISHOW10 for 10% off)Follow us on Social Media: Instagram - @theskishowpodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theskishowpodcast Contact The Ski Show: Email us at theskishowpodcast@gmail.com Leave us a rating and a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ski-show-the-ultimate-show-ski-podcast/id1510243170

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 709, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: Let's Go To Florida 1: You can see a miniature replica of this city's Forbidden City at Splendid China, a park in Kissimmee. Peking/Beijing. 2: The "Terrors of the Deep" attraction at this park might even scare Shamu. Sea World. 3: The Cypress Roots Museum traces the history of this famous floral site. Cypress Gardens. 4: For years Gomek the giant crocodile was the big attraction at this oldest Florida city's alligator farm. St. Augustine. 5: The Wallendas' poles, rigging and costumes are on view at the Circus Museum in this Florida city. Sarasota. Round 2. Category: Army, Navy Or Marines 1: Chester Nimitz. the Navy. 2: World War I flying ace Frank Luke. the Army. 3: John Glenn. the Marines. 4: Roger Staubach. the Navy. 5: Comedian Drew Carey. the Marines. Round 3. Category: Bahrain 1: This Iberian power occupied Bahrain from 1521 until the locals asked for Persian help in 1602. Portugal. 2: Bahrain is known as this "of the Arabian Gulf", although cultured ones are banned in the market of the same name. the Pearl. 3: The 5 triangular shapes on the Bahraini flag represent these "foundations" of Islam. pillars. 4: Bahrain's capital, it shares most of its letters with a Central American country. Manama. 5: In 1971 Bahrain joined this regional organization that was formed in Cairo in 1945. the Arab League. Round 4. Category: Approbation 1: In 1982 Lenny Skutnick rescued a passenger on a crashed 737 from this D.C. river. Potomac. 2: Fittingly, CNN broke the news in 1997 when this man decided to give $1 billion to the U.N.. Ted Turner. 3: Jody Williams won a 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to ban these weapons. land mines. 4: In 1997, 5 decades late, 7 black soldiers received this highest award for bravery during WWII. the Congressional Medal of Honor. 5: Japanese consul Chiune Sugihara, who saved hundreds of Jews in WWII, bears the title "Righteous" this. Gentile. Round 5. Category: Handy Technology 1: The Nomad Jukebox Zen Xtra is a device which plays music in this alphanumeric format. MP3. 2: "N-Gage" with this company's cell phone, wihch is also a portable game. Nokia. 3: You can feel your way around a game using the Dualshock controller for this video game console. PlayStation. 4: This company that sells Dimension computers now sells a GPS system for the Axim PDAs. Dell. 5: With its Ofoto online service and Easyshare cameras, you'll never have to develop this company's film. Kodak. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia! Special thanks to https://blog.feedspot.com/trivia_podcasts/

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 659, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: Are You Addressing Me? 1: The personal pronoun of the second person in the nominative case; people often act holier than it. thou. 2: A surgeon in England is simply addressed as this, not Dr.. Mr.. 3: Miss came from the first syllable of this word and mrs. is a shortened form of it. mistress. 4: From the Arabic for "old man", it's the head of a family, tribe or village. sheik. 5: As tovarishch means this, we guess you could be a tovarishch-in-arms. comrade. Round 2. Category: Florida 1: It's a bird, it's a plane, it's this teen of steel, the 1st TV series made at the Disney-MGM Florida Studios. Superboy. 2: Interstate 10 enters Florida at the west end of the Panhandle from this adjacent state. Alabama. 3: In the movie "Where the Boys Are", it's the city where the boys are. Fort Lauderdale. 4: A revolving platform called Kodak's Island in the Sky provides panoramic views of these gardens near Winter Haven. Cypress Gardens. 5: The Sunshine Skyway crosses this bay to connect St. Petersburg to the Tamiami Trail. Tampa Bay. Round 3. Category: Bear Facts 1: In song, Davy Crockett was said to have "Kil't him a bar when he was only" this age. three. 2: The original Smokey the Bear became a popular attraction at this city's zoo. Washington, D.C.. 3: The constellation Ursa Major, meaning the "great bear", is better known by this name. Big Dipper. 4: In their structure and tooth formation, bears are most closely related to this family of animals. dogs. 5: Few Americans got to see this mascot at the 1980 Olympics. Misha. Round 4. Category: Cinematic Title Pairs 1: 1958:"...and the Dead". The Naked. 2: 1971:"...and Maude". Harold. 3: 1989:"...and Hooch". Turner. 4: 1945:"...and the Amazons". Tarzan. 5: 1976:"...and the Dirtwater Fox". The Duchess. Round 5. Category: Striking 1: Abbreviated the WGA, this entertainment union went on strike in 1981, 1985 and 1988. Writers Guild of America. 2: A major 1970 strike by federal employees in this "service" helped change it to an independent gov't agency. U.S. Postal Service. 3: International Women's Day on March 8 honors a famous 1857 strike began by textile workers in this city. New York City. 4: In 1892 a workers' strike at this steel magnate's Homestead, Penn. plant led to several injuries and deaths. Andrew Carnegie. 5: In May of 1926, unions in this nation banded together and quit work in support of striking coal miners. Great Britain. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia! Special thanks to https://blog.feedspot.com/trivia_podcasts/

Kat & Mack are back with an episode on relationships and how the world seems to be going with them in the current day... there is drama, drama, drama! But, their relationship is okay, don't worry. They also want to apologize for no episode last week -- they were at Cypress Gardens and are going to cover it next week! It's crunch time for their wedding, so please be patient! NEW WEBSITE!

On Episode 116: Reimagining Treasures of Cypress Gardens, we speak with Nick Miller, Director of Operations at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Nick shares the exciting details of the newest attraction coming to LEOGLAND, Pirate River Quest. This ride will combine the history of Cypress Gardens and the excitement of LEGOLAND Florida Resort.

Banks Lee joins Jim Hill on a special edition of the Disney Dish. As they look at how Cypress Gardens (which was a favorite Central Florida attraction of Roy O. & Edna Disney) spent the past 10 years transforming into the 5th LEGO Park in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Banks Lee joins Jim Hill on a special edition of the Disney Dish. As they look at how Cypress Gardens (which was a favorite Central Florida attraction of Roy O. & Edna Disney) spent the past 10 years transforming into the 5th LEGO Park in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professional shows have a long history of initiation, pranks, and other shenanigans, and we finally get the inside scoop on some of the best stories from behind the scenes of some of the greatest pro shows.  We have JT Sachs, Steve Hawblitzel, Hunter Hanson, and Steve Bates on the show to have an unedited, unfiltered conversation about some of the great locker room and back stage, and even in-show stories they can think of from Tommy Bartlett, Sea World, and Cypress Gardens.  You will hear some disgusting and strange, and you will hear about some of the great moments from a legendary time in show skiing.  These guys lived in the hay-day of professional shows and they've got stories.  Hear about the legend of Zane Schwenk on and off the water, hear about pranks involving cockroaches and crickets and duct tape and more, and hear about the love and camaraderie shared among skiers at the various professional shows.  This one absolutely one of our most entertaining podcasts to dates. Today's sponsors are....FlymanSkis - custom made jump skis and Featherboard swivel skis at affordable prices. Get yours at flymanskis.comThe Lake Lovers Club - champions for all towed water sports and a shared love of the lakes, and the minds behind Twin Lakes Cornfest.  Learn more at lakeloversclub.com.The Board Shop - all your summer water sports gear can be found at bswake.com. 

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 457, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: Livin' La Vida Lobster 1: Lovable "Larry the Lobster" is the official mascot of this seafood restaurant chain. Red Lobster. 2: A variety lacking enlarged pincers, this 5-letter "prickly" type of lobster is also known as a sea crayfish. a spiny lobster. 3: One of a lobstering crew is called this man, not because he's grim but for standing in the back of the boat. a stern man. 4: Water fleas, shrimp and lobsters are all members of this arthropod class. crustaceans. 5: The outer supporting shell of a lobster is known as one of these protective coverings. an exoskeleton. Round 2. Category: Better Known As.... 1: "Stardust" man David Jones. David Bowie. 2: "Home"y heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Weiss. Jonathan Taylor Thomas. 3: Late sportscaster Howard Cohen. Howard Cosell. 4: Singer Helen Folasade Adu. Sade. 5: Older brother Lloyd Vernet Bridges III. Beau Bridges. Round 3. Category: Scientists 1: He wondered if the force that pulled an apple to the ground could also pull the moon into the earth's orbit. Newton. 2: In 1661 Isaac Newton entered this university's Trinity College as a subsizar, a student with domestic duties. Cambridge. 3: In 1609 and 1619 this German astronomer published his 3 laws of planetary motion. (Johannes) Kepler. 4: His 1543 "De Humani Corporis Fabrica" was the most accurate book on human anatomy to that date. Andreas Vesalius. 5: In 1856 this monk began his experiments that led to the discovery of the basic laws of heredity. (Gregor) Mendel. Round 4. Category: The "B"Ible 1: When Moses's mother could no longer hide him, she took for him an ark of these marsh plants. bulrushes. 2: The Lord broke this, saying "Take, eat: this is my body which is broken for you". bread. 3: Jesus told the disciples to do this "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost". baptize. 4: "And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said to him 'What have I done unto thee?'". Balaam. 5: The name of this son of Jacob means "Son of the right hand". Benjamin. Round 5. Category: Let's Go To Florida 1: You can see a miniature replica of this city's Forbidden City at Splendid China, a park in Kissimmee. Peking/Beijing. 2: The "Terrors of the Deep" attraction at this park might even scare Shamu. Sea World. 3: The Cypress Roots Museum traces the history of this famous floral site. Cypress Gardens. 4: For years Gomek the giant crocodile was the big attraction at this oldest Florida city's alligator farm. St. Augustine. 5: The Wallendas' poles, rigging and costumes are on view at the Circus Museum in this Florida city. Sarasota. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia!

On Episode 88: The Formation of the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team, We speak to Dave Dershimer, Owner of Dershimer Insurance. Dave has become well-known for his passion for water skiing and is a former skier for Cypress Gardens. Dave shares about how he came to Winter Haven, his water skiing experience, his involvement in the community, the formation of the ski team and much more.

Better Lawns and Gardens Hour 2 – Teresa Watkins, horticulturist, landscape designer, and garden author, reflects back on growing up near Cypress Gardens and Slocum Water Gardens with Kathy Jentz, editor and publisher of the award-winning Washington Gardener Magazine, based in Washington, DC. She is also the host of the popular GardenDC Podcast.  Her mission is to turn black thumbs green. A life-long gardener, Kathy believes that growing plants should be stress-free and enjoyable. Her philosophy is inspiration over perspiration  Kathy encourages with great advice on how every landscape needs a water garden. Gardening questions and texts include how to attach air plants and orchids to trees, plant choices for full sun, Ponytail palm in Zone 8, clumping bamboo, and more.   https://bit.ly/3fr6SU2 Photo Credit:  Kathy Jentz.   The International Water Lily and Water Gardening Society The quarterly Water Gardening Journal magazine Listen to Better Lawns and Gardens every Saturday 7 am - 9 am EST.  Call in with your garden questions 1.888.455-2867, or text 23680.    #WFLF #WFLA #FNN #BetterLawns #gardening #Florida #planting #gardeninglife #radio #southflorida #northflorida #centralflorida #tropical #floridalife #photography #SHE #fertilizer #turf #grass #landscaping #fruits #vegetables #Orlando #Sarasota #Miami #FortLauderdale #BLGradio #summer #WRLN #WiOD #watergardening #waterlily #IWGS #KathyJentz  

On this week's episode we give you suggestions of resorts for first timers to fall in love with Walt Disney World, and a unique way to make memories as your kids grow up!     We also talk to superfan Claire about the secret 10th sauce at Sanaa, going in the 90's when there were only 3 parks, and the smell that brings back EPCOT memories.    Attractions/Resorts/Services featured: Wilderness Lodge, Port Orleans French Quarter, Universe of Energy, Keys to the Kingdom, Cypress Gardens, Tusker House, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Flight of Passage, Festival of Lion King, Hall of Presidents, Mission Space.

Sheba the Black Jaguar This month I would like to tell you about Sheba the black jaguar; a cat who should be here but isn't.  For years people complained to us about a black jaguar who would pace constantly in a small pit at Cypress Gardens.  Big Cat Rescuers, Barbara Frank and Julie Hanan went to Cypress Gardens to check it out and brought back disturbing video that showed the jaguar to pace so consistently that there was a worn, dark mark in the wall from her pushing against it.   We met with Cypress Gardens staff to try and help them come up with ways to give Sheba privacy and enrichment so that she might stop pacing.  They ignored us.   Later, when Cypress Gardens had gone bankrupt and were looking to dispose of all of their animals, we offered to take Sheba, but instead they sent her to Dade City's Wild Things.  Last year a former employee of DCWT brought me a photo of Sheba, her face swollen and blood dripping from the oozing wound.  Even though she was too old to breed, the owner of DCWT, Kathy Stearns, had put her in with a male jaguar.  Sheba had killed the male jaguar and suffered considerable trauma to her head and face.  We, and the employee, reported this to USDA and FWS along with the photos and the employee's letter stating that Kathy never gave the jaguar medical care for the wounds.  Sheba was again on our minds as we went to lobby in D.C. for laws that would prevent cats like her from ending up in private hands.   Big Cat Rescuers, Jeff & Coleen Kremer and Howard & Carole Baskin just returned from Washington, D.C. in the sanctuary's 7th annual trip to meet with other animal lovers where they petition lawmakers to enact more humane legislation.  One of the best takeaways from the conference each year is the Humane Scorecard which lists all of the animal legislation from the previous session and how YOUR lawmaker voted.  Howard said, “It's just like homecoming every year to reunite with such great people who are working hard to end animal abuse.”   The four Rescuers went up early in order to make this the most profitable conference for big cats ever.  Howard and Carole met with Richard Patch and Sara Amundson of the Humane Society Legislative Fund to get their expert advice on the best ways to end the abuse of tiger and lion cubs who are bred for pay-to-play schemes.  They had similar meetings with Adam Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA, Cynthia Armstrong, the State Director of HSUS in Oklahoma, and many others too numerous to recount here.   The conference workshops were excellent, as usual and there was a private screening of The Elephant in the Living Room along with a Q & A with the producer, Mike Webber and the star, Tim Harrison.  The DVD will be out in August and we will let you know when it is available.  The conference concludes each year with Lobby Day where the hundreds of animal lovers from all over the country gather in groups by state to go see their members of Congress.  See photos of Big Cat Rescuers showing Congressional Staff the horrid conditions in which big cats live in the U.S. due to the lack of governance and enforcement.   I've been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/   I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.     You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile! Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile   You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org   Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue   Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.

It's (almost) officially summer in the Northern Hemisphere! Summer is my FAVORITE time of year, in part because I love to travel and have people visit! Living in a tourist destination like Charleston, SC has brought no shortage of visitors, and I often get asked for tips on what to do and what to see, and of course where to eat. I've lived here for a few years now and have tons of recommendations, but I've also seen the need for more education on what NOT to do when you're here. So, listen in for the best way to do Charleston while keeping it ethical and sustainable. I wrote a blog post on this topic last month, so if you'd rather read in full detail you can find the link to that below. For a quick run-down on my seven tips, listen along as I cover the following: Bring your own reusable bag with you. Visit the South Carolina Aquarium. Skip the carriage tour and do a walking tour instead. Support local restaurants and shops. Leave the beach cleaner than you found it. Go kayaking instead of speed boating. Check out Cypress Gardens over the plantations. I hope you find these tips helpful to be a more responsible traveler. We can't wait to have you in the Lowcountry! Links from the show: Blog post covering visiting Charleston: https://theheartfelthippie.wordpress.com/2021/05/01/charleston-but-make-it-ethical/ Lowcountry Walking Tours: https://lowcountrywalkingtours.com/ (https://lowcountrywalkingtours.com/) Walking Tours featuring Black History: https://www.franklycharleston.com/ (https://www.franklycharleston.com/) Jai Eats: https://jaieats.com/ (https://jaieats.com/) Black Food Fridays: https://www.blackfoodfridays.com/ Connect with Mackenzie: Instagram: @theheartfelthippie // @the.enlightenme.podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theheartfelthippie/ (https://www.facebook.com/theheartfelthippie/) Website: http://www.heartfelthippie.com (www.heartfelthippie.com) Email: mackenzie.heartfelthippie@gmail.com

3:13:02 – Frank in New Jersey, plus the Other Side. Topics include: Mazenweed and the Puppets of the Van, AI cinema, Pat’s Hotline Try, Peddler’s Village, Java House Sumatran, emergency coffee, Prince Philip dead at 99, grits variant, Overmono, candle review (Apotheke Hinoke Lavender), Cypress Gardens, time travel fantasies, Uncle Sleepy, coffee table books, Onsug Radio […]

3:13:02 – Frank in New Jersey, plus the Other Side. Topics include: Mazenweed and the Puppets of the Van, AI cinema, Pat’s Hotline Try, Peddler’s Village, Java House Sumatran, emergency coffee, Prince Philip dead at 99, grits variant, Overmono, candle review (Apotheke Hinoke Lavender), Cypress Gardens, time travel fantasies, Uncle Sleepy, coffee table books, Onsug Radio [&hellip

In this episode we have Cypress Gardens and Stars of Florida legend Don Buffa.  Don has an extensive history in show skiing, from his early days with the Minneiska Water Ski team, to his days at Cypress Gardens and traveling the world as the founder of  Stars of Florida.  He also shares his opinions on the current state of amateur show skiing and the World Tournament.  The conversation with Don was insightful and engaging.  You're sure to learn something and be enlightened. Sponsors this week are.....Flyman Skis - flymanskis.comRubber Jungle Wetsuits - rubberjungle.comThe Board Shop - bswake.com

On Episode 41 - From Haven to Hollywood we take a deep dive into the history of Cypress Gardens with Bob Gernert, volunteer curator for the Museum of Winter Haven History. Bob shares stories of how Dick Pope's incomparable skill for garnering publicity for his attraction brought international attention and visitors to Winter Haven and paved the way for LEGOLAND Florida Resort as we know it today. This podcast is recorded at Dolphin Image Studios and made possible through sponsorships from Fred Simons Insurance Agency – Farmers Insurance, Meeks Real Estate LLC and AdventHealth Heart of Florida.

Join Ant and I as we learn all about their home park Legoland Florida (formally Cypress Gardens) in Winter Haven Florida! Learn all the must dos and the history behind this historic Florida Theme Park!

What a jam packed episode!! We first recap the Individual Show Ski Nationals, highlighting the fierce competition and the overwhelming success of the weekend overall.  We then have Part 1 of a two-part interview with Zane Schwenk.  In Part 1, he talks about his days at Cypress Gardens, the initiations and pranks that went with it, as well as the talent there at the time, he talks about his early days on the Sarasota Ski-a-Rees and how that was a springboard to bigger and better things, he speaks about his days on the Pro Wakeboard Tour, he talks about the X-Games and how that propelled the sport of wakeboarding, and he talks about his Pass The Handle initiative to get more and more people on the water and enjoying water sports.  Zane is one of the legends of our sport and one of the all-time greats to hit the water. Today's sponsor is Flyman Skis.  Customizable jump skis and swivel skis at affordable prices.  All sorts of skiers are hopping on Flyman Skis in 2020 and taking their skiing to the next level.  Get your skis at flymanskis.com. 

Hunter Hanson stops by the Golden Mic Podcast to talk about growing up in waterskiing, performing all over the world, working at the legendary Cypress Gardens and Sea World, and his contest accomplishments -- including his World Championship Wake Park title in 2019.

In this episode we interview legendary skier, Scotty Clack.  Scotty tells us about his recent job change, how he grew up in the sport competing in 3 event, how he taught himself helis and flips, some background of his days at Cypress Gardens, and some tips he has for jumpers today.  So many awesome stories from Scotty that you won't want to miss.  Our mailbag today asks us who we would draft if there was a show ski draft.  Some interesting commentary and names as we wrestle with that question. Our title sponsor today is Flyman Skis.  A brand new ski company with custom made jump skis and swivel skis at AFFORDABLE prices.  Visit flymanskis.com.  And our affiliate sponsor is once again The Board Shop.  Visit bswake.com and use the discount code The Ski Show for 20% off you order. 

The Ski Show is the Ultimate Show Ski Podcast.  In our very first podcast episode, we interview hall of fame skier Matt May.  With an extensive history in professional water skiing, Matt shares how he got started in the sport at Tommy Bartlett at age 2, how he was a barefoot champion at age 7, and how he skied at Cypress Gardens and on the pro freestyle jump tour at age 15.  He speaks to the many legends that influenced him and helped him along the way.  Matt is one of the all-time greats in the sport and you are not going to want to miss this episode!Thank you to today's sponsors...The Board Shop - visit bswake.com and use the discount code The Ski Show to get 20% off your order.Action Horizons - for information on becoming a stunt performer at Universal theme parks throughout the world, visit actionhorizons.com

Listen to the diverting history of a unique tourist destination that opened its gates way before Disney World’s debut. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Chad Clevenger is the Executive Chef of Alma Cocina in Atlanta, Georgia. His long time love and passion for Mexican and Latin cuisines is palpable in this conversation. Hear about regions of Mexico, indigenous ingredients and his Mexican cooks. His love for food and feeding people began when he was young in Florida by Mama Jewell. We also chat with Bradley Borchardt, his mentor and Exec Chef at Coyote Café. First job in the industry? 17 as a bus boy at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Fl then as a dishwasher to cook at Schacks bbq when I was 18 Proudest moment(s) of your career? Being named the Executive Chef of the Coyote Cafe at 26 yrs old Food and/or drinks staples in your house? Eggs, kewpie mayo, dukes mayo, bacon, cottage cheese and a lot of condiments Two things most people don't know about you? I’m afraid of heights and hate egg salad Words to live by? Cook Bold, fresh, and from the heart Website - Alma-Atlanta.com Facebook - AlmaAtlanta ChadClevenger Instagram - @Alma.ATL @FifthGroup @ChefClevenger Growing up in Winter Haven, Florida, Chad Clevenger developed an early and permanent taste for Mexican cuisine. So after graduating from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin, Clevenger headed west, to the Coyote Café in Santa Fe, where he was responsible for menu development and purchasing at the Southwestern restaurant, spending three years working with acclaimed Chef Mark Miller. During this time, he also had the opportunity to work alongside such famed chefs as 2012 Austin Rising Star Rene Ortiz, Jesse Perez, Rick Bayless, and Tim Love. Taking his westerly education up north a bit, Clevenger headed to Denver, Colorado, where he became the chef-owner of Mel’s Bar & Grill. Clevenger might have been new to the area, but he was warmly embraced. It wasn’t long before his restaurant was being lauded by diners and local press alike, receiving such awards as “Best American Restaurant in Denver,” “Top Tamale,” and “Top 10 Fine Dining Restaurants in Denver.” While in Denver, Clevenger also started The Porker Street Food Cart, a gourmet street food cart featuring global pork dishes. At the helm of Porker, Clevenger became known as “the swine sultan,” and was recognized for “Street Food Chef of the Year” and “Best Street Food” by Denver Magazine. With this porcine commendation and his strong background in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, Clevenger was a natural fit for the Latin flavors and spirited atmosphere of Atlanta’s Alma Cocina. Now at the helm of Alma, Clevenger combines years of culinary experience in both fine dining and high-volume casual dining with a proven track record for developing new menu ideas. The result is seasonality and modern methods infused into the roots of Latin cuisine.

“A rising tide lifts all boats.” Today’s motivational Monday quote is actually more of an aphorism. The source of this saying is not 100% known, but it is said to have been a part of the Chinese language for hundreds of years. While this phrase is often used in the context of economic development or politics, it actually can be quite appropriate to the realm of location based entertainment. Let’s first look at a man named Walt in Southern California. No, not Walt Disney, rather Walter Knott, founder of Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. Knott’s Berry Farm really started in the mid 1920s, when the Knott Family would sell their famous jams and jellies at a roadside stand. Over the next few decades, the farm would grow to include the famous Chicken Dinner restaurant and a ghost town to entertain guests. It was certainly a well known attraction in the Los Angeles area. Then, in the mid 50’s another Walt, yes, this time Mr. Disney, scouts out nearby Anaheim for his own park. This, of course, started the infamous Walter War that put Knott at odds with Disney for decades! Just kidding, in fact, Walt Disney and Walter Knott actually had a fairly friendly relationship, with both Walts visiting each others parks. It’s said Walt Disney even got some ideas for how to more heavily theme attractions and develop the queues at Disneyland by watching the progress of designer Bud Hurlbut’s Calico Mine Train attraction. Even with the opening of Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm saw continued success. In 1980, Knott’s even put adds in local newspapers wishing Disneyland a happy 25th anniversary to go along with their 60th. Guests to Disneyland would often plan trips to Knott’s and vice-versa. Even to this day, a theme park trip to Southern California can include Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott’s Berry Farm. In Aurora, OH, for many years the theme park Geauga Lake was a friendly neighbor to the second SeaWorld Park, Sea World of Ohio. In fact, the park was built next to Geauga Lake in an effort to drum up excitement and visitors for both parks. Later, Six Flags decided to buy both parks and combine them to form a mega park, which it then proceeded to sell to Cedar Fair, who later closed all parks and demolished the land in what has to be one of the most depressing episodes in theme park history. Even in Orlando, the addition of Walt Disney World was initially seen as a big plus to nearby Cypress Gardens. Even Disney got in on the action, welcoming Universal Studios Florida to the Orlando area, stating “What’s good for tourism and entertainment is good for Central Florida. With the Eisner era, competition certainly heated up and became more cutthroat, but at the end of the day, when one park in Central Florida succeeds, all of them can reap the benefits. Without WDW, we wouldn’t have SeaWorld or Universal Orlando. While both parks would certainly love to steal market share from the other, I would find it very hard to believe that either would wish the other completely gone. Truly, a rising tide lifts all boats. What do you think? Do you think cordial neighborly relationships benefit all entertainment enterprises, or is the cutthroat, all-business approach the more economically viable? Let us know at connect@mainentrancecast.com

Greg, Wayne, Josh, and Cameron discuss naughty alligators, ocean bears, movie characters, and the founder of Florida's oldest theme park, Cypress Gardens.

Finally, the greatest of all time...the true living legend, many time barefoot World Champion, X Games gold medalist and Hall of Famer, the Raging Bull--Ron Scarpa--sits down with Dano on The Golden Mic Podcast for Ron's first interview in over a decade. Ron tells Dano about his unsuspecting journey in towed watersports, moving from Miami to Central Florida, inspired by the skiers of Cypress Gardens. He talks about his path to the top of the barefoot waterski world and transcending into national media through his coverage in mainstream magazines & television commercials. Ron also agrees to a Feet on Fire endurance match-up against pro wakeboarder JD Webb in 2019, talks about JD, Parks and Banana George Blair and more.      

Shane Bonifay has been a professional wakeboarder for 21 of his 33 years. From bringing closed toe set ups to the masses, to wake-pants, to acting as the driving force behind the ‘Pointless Crew’ Shane has done a lot over his 21 years of being a pro and shares the best and worst on the podcast   Shane Bonifay Show Notes  :10:  The hit and run saga 8:05:  Photo shoot for Liquid Force 9:39: Growing up in Lake Alfred, FL , his parents, waterskiing babies and Cypress Gardens 12:28:  Competing in three event and then getting a boat and wakeboard in 1994 13:34:  Picked up a sponsor a year and a half later (Liquid Force) and being on them for 20+ years 14:30:  Going under the knife 15:25:  Wakeboarding is a sport for the privileged, how was his lifestyle growing up? 16:30:  Waterski school at his house and the perks that came along with that. 17:41:  Other sports, rollerblading and ramps in the backyard  19:21:  What is high school like for him?  Was he on the standard program? 20:43:   Evo (listen for special offer) and Diecutstickers.com (Listen for 10% off your first order with DCS)  22:30:  School continued 23:28:  Growing up with an older brother who is crushing it on a global level and who are his influences 25:05:  The Pointless Crew and video shooting and editing today. 28:49:  Controversy on the internet and how did it impact his career? 32:14:  What does he think of contests in general? 34:36:  Spy (25% off site wide, listen for code) and Sierra at Tahoe spots 35:47:  Was there any jealousy of Parks’ success?  What was it like coming up in Parks’ world and who wins at fights? 37:35:  What are his hobbies outside of riding?  38:30:  Jetpilot Wakeboard pants and JNCO’s 39:47:  2008 and being looked at as one of the second wave of rail guys….Any features that stick out? 42:29:  How much can a pro wakeboarder make in a year? 44:19:  The party aspect and lifestyle of his career compared to pros coming up today 45:11:  The closed toe innovation in wakeboarding and Shane’s influence 47:35:  The worst trick names in the world come from wakeboarding 48:18:  What’s next for Shane?

Wow, I had so much fun recording this episode with Lisa 'The Boatanista' Almeida. Born and raised a Floridian, who claims to bleed salt water when she gets cut, Lisa turned a successful career in Sales and Marketing into her current role as the Owner of Freedom Boat Club, Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Before owning her Freedom Boat Club locations, Lisa rose to Director of Marketing for the nine state Bellsouth region. During her tenure, she was continually recognized for her innovative, creative problem solving, and her ability to engage an audience with her speaking skills. In 2007, when she took an early retirement from Bellsouth to make a career change, she followed her passion for being on the water. Lisa is a member of the Captains Club, The Jacksonville Power Squadron, The Jacksonville Marine Association, and serves on the City of Jacksonville’s Boating Committee. As an Aquaholic she has done many charity boat rides for underprivileged children, and was instrumental in saving the Jacksonville lighted boat parade. In 2016 Boating Industry included Lisa in their list of Women Making Waves, recognizing women in the boating industry who have made large contributions to its success, propelled its growth and led their organizations into the future. Lisa has been a distinguished franchise owner winning several national awards including Marketer of the Year and Brand Champion. Lisa’s passion for boating and enthusiasm is inspiring. We covered so much - how she boated at 3 weeks old, ‘boat-gating’ at Jaguars games, advice for boating with pets, empowering women boaters, essentials for beginners, following her passion into a fulfilling career she loves, and more. Enjoy the conversation!   On getting her boating start…..I like to say that boating is a part of my DNA and I didn't really even have a choice because my parents were competitive water skiers and they competed all over the states. They actually competed at Cypress Gardens. My mom kept waterskiing with me until she was six months pregnant. Then three weeks after I was born she said they would put me in a carrier and tie me up underneath the bow, I would go to sleep when the engine started. When the engine would stop I would wake up and then they would feed me, and then the engine would start and I’d go back into slumberland. On her first boating memory…..I remember being at a tournament and I was three years old. My mom used to ski in a tutu and she would be on one ski skiing backwards and there's a picture of me three years old with a ski rope in front of me, and I had a little bathing suit with a tutu and I'm standing there with my leg out back trying to imitate my mom. I just remember it being such a loving atmosphere, and fun, and everybody was having a great time and that's what boating actually means to me. On the first boats she was on…..I know that it was a Glastron, and another one of the first boats that my dad had was a Wellcraft. There's also another picture of me like four years old sitting at the helm staring at the wheel, and my dad said you're staring at it thinking ‘when do I get to drive.’  On learning to boat…..I was about 8 or 9 when I started learning to drive the boat. And then at 14 or 15 I was driving it with no problem. Later on, when I bought my first boat, my dad came up and really spent a lot of time with me and teaching me about the lines, and currents, and wind, and trailering.  He has a great method called push/pull, learning how to spin on yourself with just one engine. He taught me about the throttle, and putting it in and out of gear, and just practicing and making it okay if you didn't do it right the first time.  On whether boating was intimidating…..Never, and I think it's because my dad had three girls and so because he wanted to ski and he always wanted to go boating, we all had to learn how to drive, back the trailer, etc. It was always a mindset of, 'of course you can do this!' It's really not that hard, I believe it's more of a mindset that women can do it. It's really just about pushing through the fear of the unknown, of the not doing, and if you've got someone there coaching you, teaching you, and letting you just be like, it's okay you made a mistake, then gaining experience and confidence is just what it takes. On the feeling of being a confident boater.....I will tell you it is really really fun when I'm in my 32 Monterey and I am driving and I pull up to somewhere and pull it right in, and there's a guy standing there and many times he's going 'wow that's pretty impressive.' One of my favorite stories was in Fernandina Beach. They have a shrimp festival every year. It's a three day event with bands and music and food. I had a girlfriend and two guys on the boat with me and I was driving my 30 Sea Ray and it was pretty tight and we were coming in and I heard somebody on the dock say 'watch out, there's a lady at the helm.' We came in, I spun it around and backed up, and they gave me a standing ovation. It was awesome!   On her personal boats.....I have a 32 Monterey cruiser with twin Mercs on it which I absolutely love. I have a 22 Sea Ray Sundeck which is an awesome boat. Because you know one is never enough!  On her dream boat…..I’d really love to have a 46 or 48 sedan bridge because it is really nice to get up top on the sedan. The views are different, you can see things different and it's really fun when you're anchored out and everybody's hanging out up top. On boating to Jaguars games…..That is so much fun. It is one of my favorite things for my members to experience, even friends who have never done it. The stadium is on the river and right across from the stadium is the city Marina, so we don't tailgate, we boat-gate. Just like tailgating, everybody brings food, we put a tent on the dock, and it's really awesome when we're going underneath the bridge and you see the bumper-to-bumper traffic and we don't have any. Why go by car when you can go by boat?! On her boating destination bucket list…..I want to go to Put-In-Bay in Ohio and I also want to do the Columbus Day Regatta in Miami, where thousands of boaters come together. Put-In-Bay has the round bar and a bunch of boats rafted up together. That's really when my heart is the most open and it's the most fun, when we're all rafted up together and there's all different kinds of boats and everybody is just one big happy family. It's just that connectivity. You don't ever meet a stranger, but you meet tons of strangers and that's the best thing for me about boating. On her favorite boating activity…..Now my favorite thing really is going to the beach and rafting up with folks - swimming, enjoying activities, having kids around, bringing them up in the boating world. We have an island here called Fort George Island that is a big barrier island. The beaches are gorgeous and everybody just goes and rafts up together and anchors and it's kind of like you took your boat to the beach with a party of your 500 best friends. On a new favorite piece of gear.....Maui Mats!  They are 6 feet wide by 20 feet long. You can walk on it, you can put coolers on it, you can put chairs on it, kids love, it, and adults love it. It's really fun to just hang out on the Maui Mat, swim on it, jump off it, and walk on water. On essentials for beginners.….I think definitely Navionics or something like that on your iPhone is a must. Being a BoatUS member and a Sea-Tow member, I recommend both because they each bring different things to the table, is also very helpful. There is so much you can learn from reading your BoatUS magazine, getting online, seeing their feed on Facebook. Anytime I get the magazine I'm pulling out articles on really cool tools to have on board, places to go, and things about boating. I think both of those things are really really important. On her favorite boating ‘book’..…I don't really have a boating book other than my West Marine catalog! My friends do tease me that I would rather go to West Marine and walk around than go to the mall and it is the truth! On her career change…..I went on an African safari and we were touring this mud hut, and 8 people slept in it and they were gracious and happy and I had an epiphany moment. I came back and decided to leave Bell South. Freedom Boat Club interviewed 12 people (11 men and me) and I got the job. Now I understand the difference between loving what you do and having a passion for what you do. I work all the time and I never feel like I'm at work. Even when I'm on my boat on the weekends at Fort George, in the morning and night I'm on my laptop working but it doesn't ever feel like work. I want to do it. I love doing it. I want everyone to get on the water and experience the joy of boating with your friends and your family! On boating with pets…..It's really fun to bring your animal on board, but you also want to remember that you're in charge of them. You want to make sure they're safe, so number one - your dog should have a life jacket that fits them well and makes them comfortable. Also, when you're coming down to the dock you want to have them on a leash because if it's a floating dock they might feel wobbly and uncomfortable. Then definitely you have got to have water and a water bowl for them. They make a bottle that actually has a ball on it that the dog can lick and water will come out of it. There's lots of different things that you can buy but definitely have to keep them hydrated because when they get in the water they're going to drink, and if it's salty that's not good for them. On success in the boating world..…I think of Carl Blackwell from Discover Boating and the reason that he comes to mind is because his whole goal is to make people aware about boating and learning about boating. Their website and their facebook page has a plethora of information. Of course I think about John Giglio, CEO and President of Freedom Boat Club. Many of our members leave and buy their own boats. They fall in love with boating which is great. We're putting product on the water for people to see and those people are taking friends. It's giving boating so much exposure. John's done an amazing job growing the business, we're at 120 locations.  Final advice for someone thinking about boating..…Stop thinking about it and do it! It doesn't have to be a dream. Just make it happen, make the decision. If you're unsure if you're a boating family, rent a boat. If they like the rental boat and you're still not sure about wanting to buy a boat, join a boat club. If you feel like you already know you're a boating family go to Discoverboating.com, read about the different kinds of boats, go to a boat show and see what kind of boat you think you want to buy. Just make the decision. There's lots of support out there, there's lots of help out there, just do it! Rent, join a club, or buy. Put one foot in front of the other and just make that decision and get your family out having so much fun. They're not on their iPhones, they're not on their iPads, they're laughing and joking and you are creating family memories that are going to last forever!   I can't wait to join Lisa on a boat-gate to a Jaguars game someday. Leave questions or comments below. 

Hawaii is the follow-on to Double-Up.  It contains all of the features of Double-Up, including the player controlled doubling of any one section, but brings back Stop and Shop, allowing the player to pay additional money for a chance to increase both their odds and features. This is different from previous titles with Stop and Shop, like Cypress Gardens, in that those titles would only allow you to play for a chance at increasing odds. Backglass: Cabinet: Playfield: http://bingo.cdyn.com/machines/bally/hawaii/resources/pf-hawaii-1.jpg

Beach Time expands on the concepts used in Sun Valley and Cypress Gardens! Every number on the bingo card can be moved to another postion, the ballyhole awards you all the moving numbers features on the next game, and the game has stop and shop before 3rd, 4th or 5th ball! Extra balls, extended time tree for moving numbers, corners scoring and a beautiful art package really make this quite a winner in my mind. Backglass: Cabinet: Playfield:   T-shirts!         These will be available to pre-order only until 1/18/16. For listeners in the US - shipping $4.50: Sizes XS $18.00 USD S $18.00 USD M $18.00 USD L $18.00 USD XL $18.00 USD 2XL $19.80 USD 3XL $21.60 USD   For International Listeners - shipping $15: Sizes XS $18.00 USD S $18.00 USD M $18.00 USD L $18.00 USD XL $18.00 USD 2XL $19.80 USD 3XL $21.60 USD

Cypress Gardens is a very highly regarded Magic Squares bingo. Centrally located Magic Squares with a single Magic Line at the bottom, triple deck scoring, extra balls, a carry-over Ballyhole feature, and Stop and Shop (increasing your bet during gameplay)! Beautiful artwork: Backglass: Cabinet: Playfield:   T-Shirts!       These will be available to pre-order only until 1/18/16. For listeners in the US - shipping $4.50: Sizes XS $18.00 USD S $18.00 USD M $18.00 USD L $18.00 USD XL $18.00 USD 2XL $19.80 USD 3XL $21.60 USD   For International Listeners - shipping $15: Sizes XS $18.00 USD S $18.00 USD M $18.00 USD L $18.00 USD XL $18.00 USD 2XL $19.80 USD 3XL $21.60 USD

Jeff, Mike and Gonch review this week's news in the amusement industry. Roller coaster safety with Patrick Warburton (the guy who does the intro on Disney's Soarin', among other things). Goofy's Sky School panned at Disney's California Adventure. Gonch suggests that people who enjoy something too much actually end up complaining more than enjoying. Dania Beach Hurricane might get a new lease on life at Zoo Miami. Movie news: Matterhorn and Transformers. Legoland Florida announces schedule, will be closed a few days a week, with short hours. Green Lantern opens up at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Discussion revolves around capacity. Latest Walt Disney World rumor among the geeks is that the company wants to sell a stake in the parks. Doesn't make sense for an established park. Baboon loose in New Jersey, Six Flags Great Adventure says they're not sure if it belongs to them. The headline writes its own jokes. People busted for selling fake Cedar Point tickets. Happened in Gonch's shady neighborhood. Worker dies despite fall protection on Magical Midway's Star Flyer. Kennywood announces a holiday lighting event. Questionable given Pittsburgh winters, but a good idea if they can pull it off in the long term. Too mad Kings Island wasn't able to continue theirs. Ouimet makes first comments as new Cedar Fair president at annual meeting. Jeff doesn't think we'll see impact from new leadership until next year. Boy dies in or near Knoebels pool. No clear reason for death yet. Family of girl who fell from Morey's Ferris wheel sues the park. The recurring theme: Should a park have to protect you from yourself? Mike points out flaws in height used to determine age and maturity measure. Universal Orlando allegedly being sued for using an unlicensed font in Harry Potter merchandise. FunSpot USA opens up its spinning mouse roller coaster from Cypress Gardens. Quassy getting a lot of press for Wooden Warrior. The dynamics of those Timberliner trains probably contribute to the awesomeness. Man without legs ejected from Ride of Steel at Darien Lake, died. Lots of questions about why he was allowed to ride something that restrains by the legs. Coasting For Kids 2011 is go at Cedar Fair parks! Help us raise money for Give Kids The World. Register or donate today! The Fall Affair at Holiday World will be September 17, 2011. Also, BooBuzz is Friday, October 7. Get the details! You can get the latest headlines on CoasterBuzz from the Twitter. Follow us @coasterbuzz. You can also like us on Facebook. CoasterBuzz Club is $25 per year. You can join or renew today. Enjoy CoasterBuzz with no ads.

Episode 10By Racheal YatesTags: amusement parks, behind the thrills, theme parksDownload : MP3 AudioThis week Behind the Thrills, join Racheal and Erik for an on-scene interview at Manta's Hard Hat tour. Behind the Thrills will also have a special guest joining them to discuss Busch Gardens Tampa's Nightime Safari. With IAAPA currently going on this week, they'll be talking a little bit about it (and they will possibly have a caller live from IAAPA!). Cypress Gardens closed this past week, and Hard Rock Park will be going up for auction soon - or it won't open! Join the dynamic duo for a jam-packed episode of Behind the Thrills.

Weiter geht's im traditionellsten aller Freizeitparks, in Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven. Außerdem sinniere ich über die Frage, wieviel und welche Parks man als normaler Tourist idealerweise in einem Urlaub abklappern sollte.

Lynn Wright, Cypress Gardens in Florida CypressGardens.comKen Hayward, Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island GrandHotel.com

Hey!  This week The Bleepin Wife, Mimi (remember her?) and I head on over to one of the oldest (and newest) attractions  in Central Florida, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park.  If you have an annual pass to any theme park, you can get into Cypress Gardens for free up until December 24th for as many times as you'd like! We had a great time and would highly recommend the park to anyone who wants a break from the norm.  It's very quaint, I mean incredibly quaint.  So take yer Disney AP over there and relax! If you head on over to the DPN forums (you know the address by now!) there's a special added bonus feature over there in the ToV forums.

Orlando, Florida is the theme park capital of the world. Millions and millions of tourists head there every year for their vacations, but most never venture away from Walt Disney World or Universal Studios to see what else the city has to offer. Most tourists never realize that Orlando is home to a bunch of other theme park and amusement facilities that offer alternative entertainment and big-time thrills; most often at a cheaper price than the big guys. On this week's show, we'll talk about some of our favorite Orlando attractions including Gatorland, Cypress Gardens, and Old Town's G-Force. We'll also be joined by Kelly Monaghan, the author of "Universal Orlando" and "The Other Orlando". He's visited every attraction there is in Orlando, so he knows more than the locals do! He'll tell us about some lesser-known attractions that don't show up on the average tourist's radar. We'll also give away another clue in our SOUNDWAVE contest and we'll have an Orlando-inspired version of Theme Park Trivia. Thanks for listening to CoasterRadio.com!