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That's exactly right, the people I know who complain the most about Orlando have never been to a Broadway play at the Bob Carr, never seen the Orlando Ballet, never seen a play at one of our smaller theaters like Theater Downtown, Orlando Shakes, UCF, the Rep, also they've never been to the Moorse Museum in Winter Park, never been to OMART, or the Fringe Festival. They also never seek out local farm to table restaurants, never track down the food trucks, and never ever stray from the highly visible chains in the area. The same people will then complain about politics here but never read the Orlando Weekly or listen to Real Radio to get a local take on all the issues. They're also ignorant of the vast music scene available through places like the Social, Backbooth, the Plaza, and more mainstream places like HRL, HOB, and the Am.They've probably never tried riding the Lymmo downtown instead of driving, and on that note, have probably never even been downtown unless it was to pay a ticket at the courthouse. They live in their own bubble and bury their heads in the sand while this metro evolves all around them. Are things perfect...? Of course not, but there is a lot in this town if you open you eyes. And in many ways you can experience it on a more personal level than the larger, more "established/cultured" cities.
Exactly, you grab the Orlando Weekly and find out what is going on. There is a lot if you really take a minute to look.
Orl, what you said about the people who complain about orlando and all the things they do is absolutely right because my family who still lives in orlando is the same way and all they do is complain about orlando and how much it sucks and how they want to move back to connecticut
as far is las vegas goes the strip is pretty unavoidable even visually, my neighborhood of centennial hills which is similar to waterford lakes ( an upper middle class far from the city center type suburb) has few places where the strip is visible with the exception of the homes that are at the base of the mountains. that is 1 of the things I like about my neighborhood, also the peace and quiet of it makes a 20 + mile drive to work everyday make it worthwhile.
good to see you got off the strip and saw the real las vegas, you know it's funny millions of people think that no 1 actually live here and that we all live in california and drive to the casinos to work, or they think we all live in the casinos
People need to decide if they'd rather live in a city that is already soaring when it comes to arts, culture, and politics, or if they'd rather be part of the transformation. To me it's more exciting to be the change I want to see in the Metro, and it's 100% reciprocated in a booming place like Orlando. I could see how a much smaller town would get depressing since things aren't changing, but Orlando is open to and embracing massive changes everyday. Great cities weren't built in a day, and neither will Orlando be.
Thanks Davie, I have high hopes for Vegas too but it seems to be lacking the separation Orlando enjoys from the Attractions area. Don't get me wrong, I've spent a lot of time in the real Vegas visiting friends who moved out there, but I think it's harder to avoid the strip out there (even just visually) than I-Drive here.
Yup, 40 years ago Orlando was a fledgling metro maybe a little smaller than say Greenville, SC and is now a major metropolitan area that is known worldwide.
That's exactly right, the people I know who complain the most about Orlando have never been to a Broadway play at the Bob Carr, never seen the Orlando Ballet, never seen a play at one of our smaller theaters like Theater Downtown, Orlando Shakes, UCF, the Rep, also they've never been to the Moorse Museum in Winter Park, never been to OMART, or the Fringe Festival. They also never seek out local farm to table restaurants, never track down the food trucks, and never ever stray from the highly visible chains in the area. The same people will then complain about politics here but never read the Orlando Weekly or listen to Real Radio to get a local take on all the issues. They're also ignorant of the vast music scene available through places like the Social, Backbooth, the Plaza, and more mainstream places like HRL, HOB, and the Am.They've probably never tried riding the Lymmo downtown instead of driving, and on that note, have probably never even been downtown unless it was to pay a ticket at the courthouse. They live in their own bubble and bury their heads in the sand while this metro evolves all around them. Are things perfect...? Of course not, but there is a lot in this town if you open you eyes. And in many ways you can experience it on a more personal level than the larger, more "established/cultured" cities.
Now? Maybe the new $100 million project proposed in downtown next to the Amway center. Over the years though, Disney, downtown disney, I-drive, Universal and City Walk, Resturant row/sand lake rd, Millenia etc. have all created world class dining, shopping and attractions in the city
I am not convinced about the new project next to Amway. Then again, I don't think anyone has enough information to make an informed decision about it yet.
You lost me up to the point you said restaurant row and Millenia. Those two things are what I can agree make the city a better place, the previous stuff is just more tourist stuff. Ultimately I guess the idea is to have reasons for people to come, spend their money and leave, which means I am wrong for disregarding the theme spots, but I just can't buy that the theme parks make the CITY a more desirable destination.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crane's Rooster
Ted I think when he referenced building things he may not have exactly meant "buildings." Some current developments that I believe have the potential to create World Class Status are:
1. Lake Nona Medical City-this an opportunity to draw medical and research companies to our area that could really make a difference. We're talking cures to major diseases, pharmaceutical breakthroughs, etc. The allure of no state income tax, a dedicated cluster of medical facilities, easy access to a major travel hub in OIA, year round good weather are certainly a good recipe for success. I would consider the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinics "World Class", I believe this may be our best opportunity to join that club.
2. Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center- I think alot of people are underestimating the impact this will have on our community. With any major corporate relocation among the factors they consider are arts and culture and recreational amenities. On top of that, here's our chance to bring major shows to Orlando that most other cities outside of NYC or LA would not see. Even if there's not quite the local demand for it, we will greatly benefit from our visitors who will supplement the demand. Maybe in the future people will say "I want to visit Orlando, go the theme parks, see the beach and maybe catch a show."
3. Simulation technology- it's a field in it's infancy, but as the need and demand grows for "virtual" experiences, whether for military, entertainment, education or medicine, this field could boost us into World Class. Imagine the researchers at Lake Nona coming together with tech experts at the Creative village to perfect the technology to perform surgery virtually before doing the actually cutting. How monumental would that be?
4. Downtown development-we have a loooooonnnng way to go in this area but I feel our local leaders are taking the right steps to head in the right direction with encouraging mass transit and denser development. No city can truly be "World Class" without a great urban core as it's heart.
Wow, I know you didn't mean to 'slap' me with the facts, but you did a GREAT job!! As usual!!
The only thing I am not sure how it fits is #3. Then again, my fingers have been so off the pulse of technology for the last few years that it could be the most valid argument since diamonds being a girls best friend and I wouldn't know it. The big question I have is how much funding are the Republicans going to give it under the guise of military spending and allow the tech to be spun off to the public. If they are willing to dump tons of money and have tons of benefit to the public, I am all about it, but I just can't envision that kind of thing holding a candle to the level of innovation and public reward on the level Google has been doing the past few years.
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Originally Posted by **NoodLes**
The problem with Orlando is that it's generally an ugly place to live. The buildings here are uninspired and most of them don't even reach 10 stories. So all you have is a flat city with bland boring buildings that look like they're made of stucco. The land itself really isn't that ugly, but the buildings here are downright disgusting.
I love going to Miami and large cities that have skyscrapers and a sense of history and business, Orlando has NOTHING. Heck, even Miami can claim art deco.
Ok, fudge. You wrote something I pretty much have to agree with. I wouldn't say Orlando has NOTHING with such an absolutest tone, but yeah, compared to Miami it's not much.
That being SAID... The decco district is Miami Beach, not Miami proper. It's almost like comparing Cocoa Beach to Titusville. The other thing to remember is that in the early 80's when Miami Vice (which is what really saved the decco district) was filming, most of those buildings were inhabited by people on social security eating cat food to make ends meet. Sure it's a GREAT place to hang out now, but if you know the history...
The OTHER thing to consider is how OVER BUILT Miami currently is. I don't think I need to say more than that other than the mass transit serving the surburbs sucks there.
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Originally Posted by kyle19125
Orlando isn't on the map as a world destination, or world city or whatever similar designation because of the city itself rather because we are fortunate the world's biggest tourist destination was built on the outskirts. Take that away and you have a middle of the road Sunbelt suburb/city hybrid with not that much going on. As I've said before Orlando needs to build an identity more complex than a pair of Mickey Ears, and just recently that seems to have begun but has a very long way to go.
Yeap, every great journey starts with the first steps
I am not convinced about the new project next to Amway. Then again, I don't think anyone has enough information to make an informed decision about it yet.
You lost me up to the point you said restaurant row and Millenia. Those two things are what I can agree make the city a better place, the previous stuff is just more tourist stuff. Ultimately I guess the idea is to have reasons for people to come, spend their money and leave, which means I am wrong for disregarding the theme spots, but I just can't buy that the theme parks make the CITY a more desirable destination.
I think our tourist attractions is one of Orlando's strongest points. It's strange to me that people don't embrace the biggest thing (and basically the only thing really) that makes us a place people save up for years just to visit.
Honestly, if the theme parks weren't here, I wouldn't live in Orlando.
I too think the lack of a mass transit system is our weakness. It's a shame Walt D didn't extend the monorail to all parts of the city.
The other thing that would be nice is better zoning. Where buildings downtown can't take away roads or people can't park cars in their yards. or million dollar homes won't have shacks next to them...
Those are on my 2 improvements. Honest politicians would also be nice but that isn't confined to us.
I think our tourist attractions is one of Orlando's strongest points. It's strange to me that people don't embrace the biggest thing (and basically the only thing really) that makes us a place people save up for years just to visit.
Honestly, if the theme parks weren't here, I wouldn't live in Orlando.
I certainly don't mean to 'diss' the theme parks. I agree Orlando wouldn't be nearly as big as it is without them. I would like to think this thread is about making the city better and dare I say independent of the parks. IE the desired statement we'd like to hear from Joe European: I want to go to Orlando on vacation because..... Versus "I want to take my family to DisneyWorld...and maybe see Orlando". That may never happen, but I think it's a worthy goal to bring people here for reasons other than the Mouse.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AONE
I too think the lack of a mass transit system is our weakness. It's a shame Walt D didn't extend the monorail to all parts of the city.
The other thing that would be nice is better zoning. Where buildings downtown can't take away roads or people can't park cars in their yards. or million dollar homes won't have shacks next to them...
Those are on my 2 improvements. Honest politicians would also be nice but that isn't confined to us.
There is a conservative bumper sticker that reads something along the lines of "Don't steal, the Government hates the competition" I think if WDW had run the rail out to the airport through downtown, the county would have pooped itself. Obviously this didn't happen for a couple of reasons.. 1st (I think as I don't remember) The Airport was still a military base at the time. 2nd, at $1M/Mile that would have been a MASSIVE investment when the parks were already ambitious enough as it was for the time. I would LOVE to see Disney throw down the gauntlet at the Governor and make him face a free enterprise put up or shut up moment by proposing that and making the ED purchases that Disney would reimburse. I would LOVE to hop a monorail through several points of Orlando even if it cost $10/day. Hell if done right a $300/month for a pass on such a thing would be a steal compared to a car payment.
I certainly don't mean to 'diss' the theme parks. I agree Orlando wouldn't be nearly as big as it is without them. I would like to think this thread is about making the city better and dare I say independent of the parks. IE the desired statement we'd like to hear from Joe European: I want to go to Orlando on vacation because..... Versus "I want to take my family to DisneyWorld...and maybe see Orlando". That may never happen, but I think it's a worthy goal to bring people here for reasons other than the Mouse.
I definitely understand that and agree with the sentiment... I'm all for Orlando growing and becoming a better city for everyone. But in all reality, who visits cities if not to be entertained/see history or nature? Just for comparison's sake, I doubt Joe European would say "I'd go to Houston on vacation because..." even though Houston is a larger and more developed city than Orlando is. Especially for world travelers, you have to have something really compelling to get someone here. Outside of NYC, DC... maybe LA and SF, I would think it's a rare find to have a city with enough pull power of its own accord to attract tourists from other continents.
Try vegas brink, working on the strip I see nothing but europeans, mainly french italian or british
did you guys know that they wanted to build the world very first mag lev train in orlando back in the eighties? and disney actually wanted to stop it because they ( orange county officials and leaders) wanted to have stops in other points in orlando besides disney, including I drive and downtown orlando.
the book I read that in was called married to the mouse. it is a very eye opening book about walt disney world in the relationship has with the city of orlando and orange county, and how osceola county got screwed by disney
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