Crazy Busy in Orlando Update!
Wow! That’s all I can really say as it’s been a crazy busy time in Orlando since the Holiday period. I don’t usually go more than a day or so without updating this blog but time has flown and I’ve not had a second in any day spare. I suppose that’s good news given this economy but also bad news as I really do value bringing visitors to Orlando and Florida all the updates on what is happening in this part of the World.
The first thing to report is the end of the best ever PGA Golf Show. The attendance this year was fabulous and the PGA did a really great job of keeping people entertained, informed and up to speed about all the latest developments in the golf world. I know some of you reading this don’t play golf and won’t care much but for those that do, this is really important not only to our area but for the development of the game in general. Guests staying on our vacation homes often tell me they love to play once or twice when in the Orlando area as we have so many courses to choose from. One of the real bug bears they have though is slow play, particularly in the hot conditions we often get, and there was a lot of focus on how to speed up play for a more enjoyable experience.
During the show, we hosted Robbie Biershenk, star of “Chasing the Dream” and “Big Break Indian Wells” at one of our vacation homes and it was interesting to hear his story as he tries to join his brother, Tommy, on the PGA Tour. Robbie is a great guy with a big heart as well as being the owner of Shank’s Golf Range and Learning Center. Here’s some video of what Robbie had to say about our vacation homes and also a brief golf lesson:
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“I want to make my golf range the best place to practice in South Carolina,” said Robbie. “I’m giving 110% of my time and effort to make it the best it can be for my customers. It has been a long process, but between my two brothers and me, we have a business plan that is guaranteed for success. Once I get the range to a place where I want it to be, I plan on following in Tommy’s footsteps and making it on TOUR.”
Photo’s from the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show are here.
Also in town and another celebrity we hosted was the winner of the 2012 reality TV show “Big Brother 14” Ian Terry. Ian was here to help out at our local charity “Give Kids The World.” Give Kids The World, for those that don’t know, is the non-profit organization that exists to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and to give them and their families a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida. Over 120,000 children have had their dream come true at Give Kids The World and the organization is proud of their mantra that no child in need has ever been turned away – and no child ever will.
Of course, after all that, has been the exciting news from our theme parks. Disney have launched their Limited Time Magic marketing campaign as well as the exciting MyMagic+ and Fast Pass+ and although we previously blogged about it here, we’ve still needed to learn more about it and how it affects guests staying in Florida Leisure’s vacation homes. The bottom line is that at some point even guests in vacation homes will get to wear the new bracelet and get the same benefits as guests staying at the parks themselves. For now, guests can still plan their vacation in advance by using the MyMagic+ system via MyDisneyExperience.com
Over at SeaWorld, the new Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin continues on track for a Spring opening while the kids have been entertained at “Just For Kids.” Following that will be Bands, Brew & BBQ that we previously blogged about here.
Finally, and rounding off a very busy January, is a very big thanks to all the folks at Mecum Car Auctions. Another fabulous event and Kissimmee can now lay claim to having an even biogger world record with the world’s largest car auction being hosted here as over 3,000 vehicles hit the auction block over the extraordinary 10 day event. Sales reached a cool $70 million + . Not bad for a recession is it?
In fact, after it was all said and done, Mecum Auctions announced that the record-setting 10-day auction, held Jan. 18-27, exceeded all expectations. 3,337 lots crossed the auction block and total sales for the event reached $71,635,356 and as sales continue to finalize with Mecum’s “The Bid Goes On” department, totals are expected to reach around $75 million.
“Plenty of auction companies in the past have laid claim to putting on the Super Bowl of auctions,” Mecum President Dana Mecum (pictured above) stated. “Mecum has gone where no auction company has ever gone before by hosting the first true collector car marathon, and we did it successfully. Kissimmee broke last year’s record by more than 25 percent offering 2,610 cars on our march to 3,000, and we look forward to reaching our goal of breaking the 3,000 car barrier next year in the sunny state of Florida.”
More than 75,000 people flooded the auction grounds to take part in the festival-like atmosphere of the largest collector car auction in the world and as Mecum’s General and Operations Manager Harold Gerdes explained “To put this event on is like putting on a professional basketball game and a rock concert at the same time and doing it every night, 10 nights straight.”
Within the massive lineup of vehicles, three private collections were featured which nabbed eight of the top spots for highest hammer prices. Several record-setting sales were made, but sitting at the head of the Top Ten sales list is a 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster CSX3301 (Lot S155 – pictured above), which sold for $735,000. An all-original and unrestored 8,000-mile 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 from the John Justo Collection (Lot S155) claimed the third-highest sale exchanging hands at an astonishing $417,000. With every segment of the collector car hobby well represented in Kissimmee, buyers had access to the greatest selection ever offered in one location.
The Top Ten sales results for the Kissimmee, Fla., Auction were:
(prices do not include 6 percent buyers premium)
1. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster CSX3301 (Lot S155) at $735,000
2. 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible (Lot S172) at $550,000
3. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback (Lot S116) at $417,000
4. 1966 Ford Mustang SCCA Group 2 A/Sedan Racer (Lot S132) at $400,000
5. 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda (Lot S123) at $320,000
6. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (Lot S128) at $310,000
7. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe (Lot F242) at $275,000
8. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible (Lot S117) at $250,000
9. 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Big Brake Tanker (Lot F245) at $242,000
10. 2005 Ford GT (Lot S182) at $220,000
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A fabulous event and we look forward to welcoming all the wonderful people from Mecum back again next year…and extending the records even further!
More Photos can be found at www.FloridaLeisurePhotography.com
