1461 – Orlando Convention Center | Walk With Me

Episode 1461 – Orlando Convention Center | Walk With Me

 

SCOOTER: Friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s time for the podcaster tonight that’s gonna take you on a walk off into dreamland. It’s time for Sleep With Me, the podcast that’s here to put you to sleep. If you're new, welcome. This is a friend that’s just gonna narrate a walk for you later on in the show. Sleep With Me is here to be your friend in the deep, dark night, keep you company, and take your mind off of stuff so you could fall asleep. If you're new, just see how it goes. It takes some people two or three tries to get used to the show. It doesn't fit everybody’s need, but it’s here to try to help. So, I really hope I can. What we got coming up is support so that paying for the show is optional, then separate from the support will be a long, meandering intro meant to ease you into bedtime, and then later on I’ll be walking around…I’ll be walking on some back roads of a tourist area that’s not super busy.

 

So, yeah, all told I’ll be here for about a hour to keep you company and take your mind off of stuff so you can at least have a friend in the deep, dark night, whether you fall asleep or not. I’m really glad you're here. We put out a ton of different styles of shows, so if this on-location walking show doesn't work for you, don't worry, we got two more shows coming out this week. If this podcast changes your life on a nightly basis, it has altered your relationship with sleep in a positive way and you'd miss it if it was gone, you're the people we need to support the show. Not the new listeners, not the occasional listeners, not the people having a tough time, but the people whose lives are made better by the show, that would miss it if it was gone. So, if that’s you, if you could either support one of these sponsors or think about supporting the podcast directly, it’d be great. Thanks.

 

Intro: Hey, are you up all night tossing, turning, mind racing? Trouble getting to sleep? Trouble staying asleep? Well, welcome. This is Sleep With Me, the podcast that puts you to sleep. We do it with a bedtime story. Alls you need to do is get in bed, turn out the lights, and press Play. I’m gonna do the rest. What I’m going to attempt to do is create a safe place where you could set aside whatever’s keeping you awake. That could be thoughts on your mind, thoughts about the past, the present, the future, feelings, anything coming up for you emotionally related to those thoughts or feelings that are just there, it could be physical sensations, changes in time, temperature, routine. Whatever it is that’s keeping you up, I want to try to help with it if I can. One of the reasons I want to help is because I’ve been there.

 

I have trouble sleeping and I know what it’s like for me, and if it’s anything like that for you, I would like to help out, because it’s probably not pleasant, and you…I don't know, I want you to be able to get the rest you need so your life is more manageable tomorrow. I know what it’s like wanting to be able to sleep and not being able to sleep, or needing to sleep and not being able to sleep. If it’s anything like that for you, or even if it’s different but I can help you out, that’s what I’m here to try to do if I can. The other thing is that there’s other people listening. The only reason I run through any of this stuff is so you get the sense you're not alone. When I say you're not alone, I kinda mean that there’s other people listening right now who have been through something similar to whatever it is that’s keeping you awake, that really get where you're at, and they really are rooting for you.

 

They're like, man, I hope this podcast can help you like it helped me, because I know what it was like for me when I couldn't sleep, and then I found this show, and at first I thought it was strange, and then I was like, what is this guy talking about? Is he really just narrating himself walking around? Then the next thing I knew I was sleeping on a regular basis. I had no idea something like that could be out there and that could help me. So, they're like, man, I really hope this can help you out, too, like it helps me. ‘Cause they found the show and it works for them. But they're rooting for you. That’s the biggest difference, is that there’s people listening that not only understand and share the kinda stuff that’s been keeping you awake, but they're rooting for…that this show can either help you get the rest you need or that it introduces you to another show where you can get the rest you need on a regular basis. They get that good feeling of sending you well wishes and positive energy.

 

So, they not only hope you get the rest you need but that one day, if you become a regular listener, that you're here, too, rooting for new listeners, and you're like, man, I really hope this show can help you out, and you're thinking of them fondly, like getting in bed and thinking positively of somebody else that struggles like you struggle, or maybe that you're thinking positively of somebody that struggles with something totally different. It’s kind of like a rare win-win in an indirect way, right? You don't really have to do anything but think nice thoughts and smile in bed. These are the kinda things that indirectly I think help us get some rest, or that work for me. So, yeah, that’s kinda why I make the show. I’ve been there and I want to help. So, the way it works is I send my voice across the deep, dark night. I use lulling, soothing, creaky, dulcet tones, pointless meanders, and superfluous tangents.

 

So, I go off topic, I get mixed up, I forget what I was talking about…I'm getting distracted now 'cause I’m walking through and there’s some beautiful Spanish moss on the trees, and then there’s a sign for the Olive Garden, but it’s all in the shade. It kinda looks pretty cool. Yeah, those are pointless meanders and superfluous tangents. My voice is not traditionally soothing; that’s creaky, dulcet tones. It does take some getting used to for the show. Like, when you first get here you might be skeptical, you might be doubtful, you might wonder, how is this podcast…how could this podcast possibly help me? You might have found it in a search or you may have discovered it. I don't know, but…how you found the show. But I do hope it can help you get some rest…and that most people’s experience is that; skepticism, doubt, confusion, you had some expectations and this show doesn't quite make a whole lot of sense. That’s normal when you first get here, right?

 

So, most people…it takes two or three tries to get used to the show, is what I’m saying. When you first get here you're like, what is this? Then the second time you're like, what is this? Is this guy still going on and on and on? Then eventually the third try or so, you fall asleep. It works for some people right away, but not everybody, and that’s okay. But the main thing is I’m glad you're here, right? So, see how it goes. The thing is, I have a website set up, so if it doesn't work out…like, you tried the show two or three tries, you don't like it, or you already know you don't like it now, we have a website set up, sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou, where you could find other sleepy stuff to help you out. So, there’s that. What else do you need to know if you're new? Oh, this is a podcast you don't really listen to. You kinda just barely listen, kinda like a TV on in the other room or those birds chirping in the background right now. Those are like some…those are some sharp birds.

 

But it’s like something you kinda pay attention to, almost like…yeah, like a audiobook that you're like, eh, I’m kinda listening to it but I’m not totally paying attention to it, or a friend and you say, hey, can you just tell me a little bit about your walk by the convention center and a little bit about it, and I’m not gonna totally pay attention 'cause I’m trying to fall asleep? You’re like, oh, okay, yeah. So, it’s a show you don't have to pay attention to, but you could. It’s also a sleep podcast where there’s no pressure to fall asleep. I’m gonna be here for over an hour so you don't have to worry about falling asleep. There’s over 600 different style of shows ready to go so you don't have to think about like, oh, what if I’m not asleep in twenty minutes? What if I need a little bit more time? Or what if…? I’m not sure about this style of show. We put out a ton of different selections so that you always have something to help you out.

 

So, that’s one thing to know, is that my job is to be here whether you're awake or asleep, 'cause there’s people listening who can't sleep at all or who need a break during the day, and I’m here for them and for you to the very end. ‘Cause my job is to be…to keep you company and take your mind off of stuff, to be your bore-friend, your bore-bae, your bore-sib, your neighbore, your borebie, your boreman, your Boris Borelaf, your best bore-friend f’eva, to be here and hang out with you while you fall asleep, to distract you when you wake up or when you need a distraction at night, to tell you a story and just spend some time with you so that you don't have to worry about it. So, kinda just see how it goes with that, 'cause it does take a little bit of getting used to. Having a bore-friend is not a common thing. The other thing is…let’s see…oh, the structure of the show; I like to tell people about the structure of the show so I can kinda meet you where you are, right?

 

So, the show starts off with a greeting; friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. That’s so everyone feels seen and welcomed in. You say, oh, okay, I could check that show out. Then after that is support so that paying for the show is optional, because if you're new, you don't have to worry about supporting the show or whatever. If you only listen once in a while…the only people who need to support the show are people that listen night after night after night, or if you want something ad-free or you want to test out ad-free episodes. Those are the people we're trying to get through to. But everybody ends up benefiting because…so…because of the support, paying for the show is optional for the occasional listeners, people that aren't in a position to support the show or whatever. So yeah, that’s what the support’s about.

 

Then totally separate from the support is our introduction to the podcast, which is a show within a show that introduces the podcast, but it takes me ten to fifteen minutes, but it’s always new. Every intro is always new, and it’s ten to fifteen minutes long to ease you into bedtime, to help carry you off into dreamland versus just putting you to sleep instantly. If you prefer something without intros, you could get that on Sleep With Me+, or we have a ad-supported, listener-supported version, Bedtime Stories from Sleep With Me, if you just prefer the stories. But for most people it’s part of their wind-down routine, getting ready for bed, getting in bed, getting comfortable, and getting eased off into dreamland.

 

You wouldn't think somebody standing with traffic sounds would ease you off into dreamland, but there’s a nice breeze and the leaves are moving nicely. So, yeah. I don't know, having a wind-down routine works for me and it’s what I’ve seen work in a lot of articles I’ve read and stuff I’ve read. So, just try it and see how it goes. Then we’ll have support and then I’ll be walking from one hotel to another to another location. Actually, most of the walk is a lot quieter than this intro part. So, that’s why I record the intro here. So anyway, I think that’s it. I’m really glad you're here. Thanks again for coming by. If this podcast has changed your life, please consider supporting it back so we could be here to keep helping you and everybody else. Thanks.

 

Alright everybody, it’s Scoots here, and I’m walking. I can smell freshly-cut grass. It’s a beautiful day, shirt-sleeve weather, which is funny to say in Orlando because I’ve been here for a couple days and it hasn't been shirt-sleeves weather. It is like a bit breezy, and so, we’ll see how this goes. I got a couple berms around me because I’m here…I'm actually looking at the back side…I know these jokes come up…and you could hear people’s joyous sounds because I am behind Epic Universe. Well, yeah, I guess I’m seeing the back side of Epic Universe or the back side of Donkey Kong Country and the back side of the shops along the entrance plazas or entrance plaza. I’m walking…our current plan is to walk from the Stella Nova Hotel to the Terra Luna Hotel and beyond. We're exploring on walks, sidewalks…rarely walk sidewalks of Orlando, noting kinda moving forward that this…I'm recording this in early mid-November, and it’s kinda the perfect time. It’s very not busy here.

 

The holiday season really hasn't started. Some of the parks, they've kinda started stuff, but…and there’s not a lot of people, and it’s perfect weather. I’ve kinda location-scouted the big walk I would like to do across Orlando at some point, or between the Orlando parks. So yeah, maybe that’ll be possible next year at this time, 'cause this would be a good time to walk. I don't know how many miles it would be, but probably more than ten. So, alright, so let’s set it up. We're walking…so, uni…let’s see; who, what, where, when, hi…why, how? Why are we doing this? Because I got this idea a long time ago about walking places that don't get walked to a lot, especially in Orlando when I come to visit my dad or whatever. Just seeing…I mean, really, I have no idea where…as soon as I hit this sidewalk, I have no idea what to expect. I think we can walk to International Drive or the convention center from here on the sidewalks, but I’m not positive.

 

So, last night I did walk from the Stella Luna to the entrance of Epic Universe, and I have a ticket…just to see what that walk was like. But right now we're in undiscovered territory; brand-new sidewalk. Last night I did stay at the Stella Luna Hotel. So, Universal has three hotels at Epic Universe. This is non-sponsored, all out-of-pocket expenses. Not a hotel review podcast, either, but we’ll probably talk about it. But they have three hotels for Epic Universe; the Helios Grand, which we did do a episode from, and that is kinda built into Epic Universe, kind of. It has its own entrance, and it’s a little bit spendy, less so now at the downtime of year. I did it 'cause it was to celebrate…my daughter graduates from high school. So…but the Stella Luna and the Terra Nova Resorts are value resorts, and I think the pre-parking, pre-tax price for my room was $99, and parking was a standard…whatever everybody charges in Orlando, thirty to forty bucks. They don't have a resort fee.

 

The value you get for ninety-nine bucks is wild. It’s a really…they're really cool-looking hotels. The Stella Luna is closer to Epic, easier to walk, though I’m walking now to the Terra Luna. So, we’ll see. The Stella Nova, you could walk it in the summer. It might…it’s not that far a walk at all. In the summer it would feel like a far walk. The Terra Luna, it seems like probably a little bit more of a walk, probably something like walking from…if you were in Disney Beach Club or a yacht club or those area resorts to Disney Studios, but maybe not even that far. We’ll see. The two hotels…so, they're value resorts. The rooms were very big for value resorts. They had…I happened to get a room in the corner of the hotel. I had a view of Epic. I don't know if I paid extra for that or not. They're really cool designed with these tiles, multicolored tiles. Kinda have a light space…outer-space-type feel. So, very clean, kinda modern. They…this was…this is impressive to me.

 

So, they have…they don't have…they have a bar and then a coffee shop, and then a quick-service restaurant. The menu for the quick-service restaurant changes from breakfast to dinner, which I just thought was cool. The dinner I had there…I did want the sandwich they had for lunch, and they…that’s when I found out…they said, oh no, we change our…that’s the sandwich for lunch. But I did have a sandwich, a salad instead of fries. They were like, yeah, do you want sweet potato fries, fries, or a salad? I was like, a salad. The salad was huge for…it was bigger than a side salad and it had, you know, your standard vegetables, but it covered all the bases and it wasn't just iceberg lettuce. Then the sandwich was really good. But they had this tres leches cake I had for dessert that was absolutely amazing. Like, the cake itself…sometimes you get tres leches cake, especially…and it’s just, the cake itself isn't good sometimes, especially in touristy places.

 

But that was good, and then the flavors…it had all the flavors. I don't know, I’m a big horchata fan. So, anything in that creamy-cinnamon-type category wins me over. So yeah, we're going down some main road. I think this is the main road with this big, famous thing they built for buses and cars, this giant ring road into Epic Universe. It is kind of isolated out here, and maybe they’ll be building more as they expand the park or build more hotels. I guess it’s all on Universal property. Again, like these other walking episodes we’ve done, one of the things that makes it isolated is just that…well, one, it’s not…it’s in a little bit more developed area of Orlando, but also the trees and plants haven't grown. So, in thirty years this will be a lot different, or twenty years. When everything’s grown up it’ll be kind of…it’ll feel a little bit more…less…it doesn't feel desolate, but it has a taste of desolation just 'cause everything’s new. So, yeah. So, our stay at Stella Nova was great, Ray and I, and it’s a really nice hotel.

 

I think it has around 800, 900 rooms. I think it has nine floors. We were on the fourth floor. It has a pool, which is very large, a splash pad. It has a work-out room, and then buses to all the parks. We did hit a snag with the bus, to be honest, and that was kind of a bummer coming back…that left…people had been waiting fifteen minutes for the bus, and we waited a bit longer, and then the bus waited even after…and so, that’s something that…you can get unlucky at any of these parks when you're taking the buses back to your hotels. But I feel like with this being newer that it is on them to over-plan, 'cause it’s not a narrative you want. Or, I mean, if it only happened once, it’d be fine, but it happened when we were at Epic Universe as well. It’s not a thing you want people talking about, 'cause it’s just…it’s just not. So, that’s one thing they could work on. The bathroom was great, the beds were great, the pillows were a little bit thicker, probably 'cause that’s what people like.

 

The room got really dark. You can hear kinda the pool music, so I’ll keep talking over it. Yeah, I have no idea…I looked on a map, and we're kinda outside of the con…the large Orange County Convention Center area, and…yeah, I don't know. So, what I’m gonna do is cross the street, go into the Terra Luna Hotel. So, I’ll pause the recording while I do that, just check out their lobby, and don't think I’ll buy a soda quite yet. That’s what Ray just asked. But Ray is producing, so he’s not gonna appear on the mic. He recorded a episode from a balcony. But yeah, so, we’ll go in there, we’ll check it out, and then…huh, there’s a interesting…is that a walking path? Probably not. Oh, that’s Tradeshow Boulevard. Okay, so that’s the way I drove in. So, I’m at Kirkman Universal and Tradeshow Boulevard, I guess the beginning of Kirkman Road. So, I’m gonna cross Kirkman Road. Huh, the crossing sign did not go on, which I don't like because it is green.

 

It looks like there’s bus lanes down the center of the road for Universal’s buses. Huh, why isn't this light changing? This is one of the least-friendly things. But yeah, so, we're walking an area I’ve never walked before. There’s a couple other residential directions you could go. I think you could probably walk to…now, the light did not change for me there. So, if it turns green again I’m just gonna have to go for it. Huh, frustrating. Universal’s got these new resort signs. There’s one behind me. That’s also pretty cool. It’s got all the previews. It’s a video sign, so it has previews of all the parks and the hotels and stuff, I think. Alright, we're getting a green light here again. You can hear trucks. Tradeshow Boulevard…I haven't seen any Universal buses. I don't know where they would be coming from. Okay, we should get a green light here. Let’s hope. Not yet; okay. There’s the LYNX bus. Yeah, just waiting here, just being patient. We got cars coming from Tradeshow Boulevard now.

 

I can see the domes of the Helios Grand. Looks pretty cool at this distance…and people still pulling in to start their vacations or go to work, be on their merry way. I could see the Orlando Eye, I could see the Hyatt Regency that’s on International Drive, which is a very tall building, and then a hotel next to it, which…has that always been there? That’s a pretty big hotel, too. Oh yeah, I think that’s like…we’ve seen it before. Okay, still no crossing signal for us, but there is a left-hand turn signal, so we should get it here. We don't. I’m going either way. And we got it; we got a walk symbol. Florida likes…you know, they like to help pedestrians learn patience. That’s one of their commitments. They talk about it on the thing. They say, oh yeah, hey everybody…when you leave the airport on the thing. I’m your mayor, your best bud, and…yeah, one of the things we like to pride ourselves on in the city and state is teaching people patience. So, we’ll be here working on your patience while you're on vacation.

 

We’ll be teaching to breathe. Okay, so, I can see a side exit for the Terra Luna Hotel. So, other than that light, which I think you have to cross…I didn't look to see if there was a sidewalk on the other side of the street. I don't believe there was. But other than that light, it’s not too bad a walk. I don't know how long I’ve been talking for. I can look up…I'm not to the lobby yet, but I am to that gate, so let’s take a look here. Seventeen minutes. So yeah, fifteen to twenty-minute…so, probably a twenty to twenty-five-minute walk to Epic Universe. I don't know how long it would take to run from Polynesian or Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom, but…I don't think that path is incredibly shaded, either. Huh, I wonder if we’ll do that. Ray and I have one more day of recording, or one-and-a-half-days of recording. Huh, I can't find the entrance to this hotel, though. That’s interesting. I guess in this…I just got to the end of the thing here. Huh. So, this sidewalk ended. I did not see a entrance to the hotel.

 

Maybe I could get in here. It seems like the pool entrance is right there. Hm. Alright, well, we got a little complication here. I don't see how you get into Stella Nova. So…and there’s no sidewalk. We could try to go in that back way by the pool. Let’s take a look. We're on an adventure here. I could see another theme park which I think…oh yeah, that’s definitely Sea World. So, I think you could walk from Epic Universe to Sea World and then Sea World to Disney Springs, or I guess…and then you could get to…you couldn’t go walk…you can't walk to any Disney theme parks like this, but technically we could…this could be a challenge, right? I think Epic Universe is probably the better of the Universal parks just 'cause I can see — what do you call it — from here. But it’s like…let’s see if I can use my key from the other hotel to get into this exit. If I can't…huh, I guess I’ll try to find…I guess I wasn't just paying…I mean, I wasn't paying attention.

 

I also still don't see that there’s a sidewalk on this side of the street. So, I don't know how I could have missed…oh, I definitely didn't miss the entrance. So…okay, the gate is opened. Alright, so, we're in. This is very much like the Surfside and Dockside. So, I guess I missed where you would come in or out as…oh, there’s a nice bird saying, Scoots, keep up the good work, buddy. Alright, so we're gonna walk…oh, here’s a sign. Alright…oh, that’s just the exit and then parking. Alright everybody, this is Scoots. I’m back. I can’t…I couldn't find an official walking path exit, so maybe they discourage people from walking, which is fine. I can still use the way I used and continue our adventure, though this is a bit of a non-nature walk, though I’m getting some good nature in this retention pond. We got some purple flowers and some other stuff and birds.

 

So, naturally I’m just here to keep talking and walking to put you to sleep, and I guess scout out…yeah, we could technically walk…there’s a couple other directions we could go. I see another hearty walker here, so, not the only one walking. So, we just passed another, I don't know, professional walker, maybe. She got in through the same gate I left through. Maybe she records a sleep podcast, too. It wouldn't be surprising. But I’m gonna try to cross the street here, which is Universal Boulevard. What’s interesting is if I was to go left, it’s a pretty straight street with some apartments or maybe timeshares, and then a really large hotel at the end of the street, like huge, then Tradeshow Boulevard. There’s a Hilton at the convention center that’s also huge. Looks like they're also building some new apartments or hotels or both. But I’m gonna cross the street and try to go right on Universal Boulevard. But I’m trying to see, is there any sidewalk? Looks like it.

 

There’s these giant warehouses. I wonder who owns that land, because I guess they need them for the convention center, because Universal could keep expanding, but…so yeah, we're just back at this light. Waiting at lights with me instead of walking with Scooter. But I could see one of the roller coasters for…what do you call that park? Sea World. Don't know which one, though I did visit it once for a half a day quite some time ago. Alright, so we see the…we went for the back side of Epic to the back side of the convention center, and I think there’s two convention centers or two sections of it. They have these spectacular windows. I’ve never been into a convention that was large enough to be in that convention center. So, it’s like…that’s always interesting. Another thing I’m thinking about is…I hadn't planned on this, but I don't know how far it is to walk to the Universal Parks or to Dockside and Surfside and then just take a bus from there.

 

So…and maybe I’m not going in the right direction, 'cause there’s I think another set of roads. So yeah, let’s just see how it goes, right? Just 'cause I’m thinking how can I avoid walking back the same way when it’s…? We are on an adventure. Alright, so, got some…we're still looking at the back side of the thing. Terra Luna and the Stella Nova look great. Oh, so they were…when I went into the lobby, very similar to the other lobby, 'cause they're sister hotels…laid out the kinda same way, a little bit different decorations, a little bit different layout, I think a slightly larger or different-layout food court. They were closed because it looks like they closed…they stopped breakfast at 11:00 and then they start lunch at 11:30. I wasn't planning on eating there, but it wasn't a option. Now what’s interesting is there’s these huge grassy areas between the warehouses and the convention center, which I guess is…there’s power coming through here, so I don't know what you could build.

 

Oh, and then I could see all the way down…okay, so, if what I’m seeing is right, then it’s probably too far to walk to…'cause I think I can see the swing for Fun Spot from here. Oh, and I could see Surfside and Dockside. It does look like they're quite a bit away. But yeah, let’s just see how this goes. We're not committed to anything, right? We're just walking. Got another nice retention basin. It’s cool. There’s a breeze. We’ll just end up on International Drive, have some lunch there, and figure things out, right? We don't have a lot on our agenda other than this episode today, anyway. It was like we were gonna walk, then maybe go see a show at Universal Studios. Last night or last afternoon, we checked out of our own hotel, checked into this one, finished…oh no, we did the intro at night…did some work, then we went and saw Blues Brothers, and then we…oh, there’s another couple walking. So, alright, we're not the only walkers, I think, and we're all crossing together.

 

Oh, they have scooters, but they probably…oh, this is like the end of the line for the scooters. So…huh, so, I could take a scooter most of the way back here if I wanted to, or I guess I could take a scooter…oh, I can take a scooter to Dockside and Surfside and catch a bus from there. So, that’ll be our plan. I don't know what the wind on a scooter’s like recording, but maybe we’ll do that as a bonus thing for Sleep With Me+, since it can be more noisy, or we could just release it by itself. We got another…just got a lot of open space here at the convention center, which is interesting just because…is it for the expansion of the convention center? Retention basins…can you build on top of retention basins? I mean, I think retention basins definitely make things look nice, right? It is one of the things…there’s…but is it…is there a way to build your buildings over retention basins if you're working with limited space like Universal is? I don't know. I don't know at all.

 

So, instead of having utilidors as your first floor, your first floor is water. Can hear a little bit of construction. Really big retention basin. I definitely feel like I’m in Florida now, and it’s nice. It is nice. Oh yeah. It’s gonna be funny come…starting to come to Florida, because it was the first snow the day I left to come here. Koa woke up. Something innate in her said, I’m waking up for the first snow at 5:00 in the morning, or 5:30. So, we got up and we went potty, and then she said, I think I’ll stay up. So, I said, oh, okay. Yeah, she got her first snow. That was her first time in snow. Well, maybe there was a time we visited Bend, Oregon that she touched some snow. But first time as a resident in the snow. Didn't seem to faze her. My dog-sitter said that it was…continued to snow, so…it did start to…where she was…she focuses on going potty, right, but it keeps her a little bit stiffer. So…alright, so, we're seeing more of this convention center.

 

I don't know if it was done in phases and how much light gets in there, but again, really cool architecture for at least the walking-around areas, that…they probably get a lot of natural light. Yeah, I don't know if I’ll ever be going to a convention that big that would be in those. The biggest convention I ever went to was when I worked selling iron-on patches and fuzzy dice, and that was in Las Vegas. It was after CES, but it was a big closing convention, and that was huge. The hardest part was just getting to work in the morning, 'cause we didn't stay nearby. But then even so, it was just so far from the hotel or from wherever…I guess you'd walk, or even if you took a cab or a bus…I don't even remember how we would get there. But it would still be pretty far, or if they parked…so, yeah. What else do we need to know? We're at the North Concourse seeing birds at the retention basin. We got palm trees. Oh, so this area is a little bit more developed.

 

Across the street is a Hyatt Grand vacation building, and I’m sure that…I don't know, it doesn't look like there’s any activity there. I don't know if it’s newer or…I guess it’s just a slower time of year. There’s a truck picking up scooters or dropping off scooters right now, or charging scooters. They just let me cross. Yeah, so, we got palm trees, and now this patch of sidewalk I’m on, the trees are not mature trees, but they're in late-adolescence, I’d say. So, I have shade right now even though I’m not in the need of shade. I think I’ve heard of this convention. Is that…? I’ve heard people refer to it. There’s a big sign. I don't know if it’s a media convention or a thing. I don't know if it’s about to start or it’s ending. That can greatly…I guess it’s a expo. Maybe it’s…I don't know. But we're getting closer to International Drive, 'cause I can see the Hyatt Regency. It’s still far away. But I’m assuming this Universal Boulevard at some point gets a I-Drive, or we have a left here. So, we’ll have a choice here.

 

We could…I think I’m gonna keep going on this road, 'cause I think if I go left it goes to the end of International Drive, which isn't that exciting. Now that I’ve made a commitment to a one-way walk, I think we should just keep going forward on this path. Okay, so we have the Hyatt Regency and the hotel next to it. That also might be a Hyatt Regency, 'cause I can remember…maybe that…I don't know. Looks like we got some window cleaning. Oh no, they're putting up more banners for the next expo. You hear some bug sounds. There’s a golf place and I think a driving place back here. So, I have been back here on a cab bringing me somewhere or about to drop me off somewhere. Oh wow, what a nice day. Like, if this is what the weather is like in December, January, and February, now I know why people move to Florida for the winter. This is why I did live in California. Days like this, it’s 70-something and sunny. But I think I’m better off being a visitor here.

 

Oh, we have a plaque, so let’s check this plaque. This is a plaque, and it’s a tree dedicated to someone that worked on this convention center that began in 1999. It was completed in 2003. Wow. Okay, there’s a lot of dirt on this side of the convention center, so I don't know if they're working on expansion. Next up, it looks like a forest on my left side. I don't know if Universal could pick up this piece of property. It’s a little bit far away. Alright, so, they had a little area of music there we had to avoid that’s…now it’s like a rave at a distance. Maybe you can hear it under my voice. But yeah, so, there’s a lot of open land over here. All these trees are marked blue, though, so I don't know what that means. But you can even hear the forest friend sounds in there, and…along with quite a bit of traffic, but traffic can be peaceful at this distance. So yeah, a lot more…yeah, I don't know what this piece of land is. Then, yeah, they got this driving and golf thing. There’s a lot of open land over here.

 

This is all kinda tucked away behind the convention center and International Drive, between Epic, and then I think JPL is the company that is behind the Orlando Eye, that’s between the Orlando Eye and Epic. Okay, this is reclaimed water, so maybe that’s…maybe this is a little wetlands for the water use in the convention center. Like, it’s irrigated, reclaimed water. That’s cool. More signs for the convention center. See my first walker in some time walking my way. Yeah, I feel like now we're in an interesting spot where we could…oh, you know what this street is? Okay, so, this road that we're on, Universal Boulevard, is gonna run parallel with…it runs parallel with I-Drive. It’s just a quieter road, 'cause this is the road that the Hyatt Place is on. It starts to run parallel with the freeway, I think at some point. Oh wow, listen to those bug sounds. I’ll just give you a bit of this. Oh, they got quiet there for a second. So…but yeah, I gotta pause since we're gonna walk by somebody right about now.

 

So yeah, now we're at Point Plaza. So, I guess…huh, what should we do now? I guess my Hyatt Place is not that far away. So yeah, let’s take a left on Point Plaza, and then we’ll go to International Drive and finish this episode up, I guess, 'cause yeah, we're supposed to stay on streets we haven't been on, and definitely have been…if I go straight, kind of have been on this street. If I go left…oh yeah, there’s not…is there even a sidewalk? Oh yeah, there is. Okay. So yeah, we’ll take this. I think this backs up into one of these plazas that…last time I was there it was not super active, this Point Plaza. It has restaurants, it has a huge parking garage. I think it had a comedy club, a music club, but a lot of it was closed down I think 'cause…competing with all the stuff they built up around the…what is that thing called? The Orlando Eye. ICON360, I think they call it now. They kinda serve the same purpose, 'cause I know the guys from podcast…a ride to a show at like, the Tin Roof Inn or something. So, yeah.

 

But this is a pretty abandoned road, too. So, very quiet. Yeah, so now we have Point Plaza parking. There’s another huge piece of land tucked back here. That’s always interesting seeing that kind of stuff. I might as well see where this goes since I have said that we will take a scooter. That always impacts me of like, man, I gotta walk all the way back? No, Scoots, don't worry, I’ll take care of you. We’ll take a…it could be more fun; you had to take a scooter to the hotel, a hotel, and then catch a bus. Probably definitely gonna need a drink here. Oh, wait a second, I could check that as well. Oh, and here’s…yeah, so the trolley also goes this way. So, you could catch the G11 trolley here, and that’s interesting. We got somebody stopping for absolutely no reason at all. Alright, well, I’m crossing. They got a red light; great. It’s like nature knew…I didn't even know there was a stoplight there, but nature knew I was coming. Alright, so, we're crossing. We're behind the Point Plaza.

 

So, what we’ll do is we’ll go behind the whole thing and then loop back around, since…and we're getting closer to the Hyatt Regency. If you remember, if you're a Sleep With Me+ member, former Patreon member, I walked from the Hyatt Regency near the convention center all the way to Universal twice. Did we go all the way there both times? Once test recording and then another time actually recording. That may have been the first recording we did with this setup. So, it’s been quite a few years, and really interesting. But here’s the other thing, is like…I mean, when it’s seasonable, the weather, really mostly a quiet walk, somewhat…if I wasn't…if we were both walking silently together, it would have been meditative, right? So, yeah. Do they have a movie theatre here? That’s interesting. This building is way bigger than I remember. I think I’ve eaten at a restaurant here for someone’s birthday. Huh, there’s stairs, a lot of stairs. Oh, it looks like there’s a IMAX theatre.

 

I don't know if it’s still…hopefully it’s still open, ‘cause that’s another thing…reminder, man; go see movies, right? Holy moly. Just saw a movie that was really good. I’ve been trying to see more movies since I moved. Even a new thing…just 'cause I have a sub…I still have eleven movies left in a subscription to a movie thing that doesn't have any movies in New York State. So, when I’m in Florida or California I try to go see a movie ‘til I use up all those things, and then I have a subscription that’s an incredible value in Syracuse to a movie…you get one movie a month, but you also get all your other tickets for $10. Wow, this building, man. Still walking behind it. It is huge. So, quite the development. I don't know, going with the theme. I’m on a back side of a building walking tour. Okay, so we're back at the other street for the convention center that I had said. Let’s not take that. I’ll take this street. So, we're seeing things full circle, which is also a good thing.

 

Just walking and enjoying each other’s company. Plenty of scooters for the conventioneers, I think, 'cause…just interesting spots to have them. Yeah, it’ll be interesting for me to figure out…what am I gonna do…what am I gonna have for lunch? Good question. Sidewalk is now gone, but I guess there’s…oh no, it’s the right-hand turning lane. So, I’ll try to walk a little faster here, and then we’ll turn onto I-Drive. Yeah, we're pretty much…there’s the parking garage to the Hyatt Regency. So, this is like more or less where we started the walking tour for the walk from this Hyatt Regency all the way to Universal. I didn't even know if that was a two-part episode or a two-hour episode or…I just remember being thrilled that I could record myself going on random walks. So yeah, we're outside the Point. Across from us I think is a Rosen Hotel, a Rosen Plaza. It’s another chain with a lot of locations in Orlando that gets a lot of good reviews for value.

 

I don't know if they specialize in tourists or conventioneers. But yeah, now we're on I-Drive, and…quiet time on I-Drive. This is like the main time of day to do it. Maybe I’ll walk through this point as we finish up the episode and figure out what I’m gonna do for lunch. Will I…should I get lunch? What time is it? It’s only almost noon. Maybe I’ll just get lunch at Universal. I think I can wait another hour, or maybe find a small snack to have somewhere along here. But yeah, we’ll…if there’s no area music, we’ll check this place out. They've got the Pub Orlando, the Capital Grill, Cuba Libre. So, a little bit of area music, but that’s not too bad. Cool, there’s a lot of…Palm Tree Club. They have a lot of…oh, this is pretty…this place is pretty nice. It looks a lot…I think this is the place that was not doing great, but maybe not. Eat, bowl, and play. Main event, entertainment. Hampton Social Club; I’ve seen that. Very busy for brunch. So, that’s Kavas Tacos and Tequila. Really big.

 

So, a lot of these places maybe specialize in convention lunch and stuff. I don't know. Then on the second floor, not exactly sure what it is. Oh, we got some Christmas decorations of something up here. So…oh, is that the ice bar? We’ll find out. Oh, but I’m gonna put it on hold for a second. Okay, they have a Taverna Opa up here, Still Lounge by Dre and Snoop. Looks like the movie theatre might be closed? I don't know. Coors bar, Sal’s Pizza…I don't know, I was just trying to figure out the movie theatres. Sports and social…all the places are open, so despite me kinda saying that it seems like it’s…it looks like the movie theatre is open, too. It’s just hard to get through 'cause everything’s built in front of it, but the lights are on. Oh yeah, they…so, this is cool. This is a good…looks like they have twenty theatres. It’s a Regal, which I don't have a Regal thing, but…and making a circle. So, I wonder if this building was built in phases, like the movie theatre was already here.

 

That was taking up most of the space behind us. Then down here we have Dick’s Last Resort, which is another popular kinda restaurant. I’m just trying to avoid all music, you know? Okay, on this side…oh, there’s the comedy club. It might still be open, too. Funny…oh yeah, they have…okay, this is a good sign. They have a stage where they could have live music. Alright, so this place seems to be, if not thriving, at least doing okay, even though right now there’s nobody here. So, that’s good. Oh, Museum of Ice Cream coming soon. Greens…so yeah, I think…let me check our time. I think this is a good time to say goodbye here. I got a nice view of the Point Orlando, and this is the point in the show where I say goodnight, everybody, and I’ll talk to you soon. Thanks for listening, and I’ll take another walk with you next month, I guess. Goodnight.

 

[End of recording]

Transcription performed by LeahTranscribes

Walk With Me / On Location

 

Olive Garden

https://www.backthenhistory.com/articles/the-history-of-olive-garden

https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/05/food/olive-garden-never-ending-breadsticks-story

https://www.redsauceamerica.com/blog/breadsticks-and-pasta-how-olive-garden-americanized-italian-food/

 

Epic Universe Hotels

https://www.disneytouristblog.com/helios-grand-hotel-review-epic-universe-in-park-resort/

https://www.everythingmouse.com/helios-grand-hotel-review-epic-universe-family-guide

https://mickeyvisit.com/stella-nova-resort-universal-review/

 

Tres Leches

https://food52.com/story/24939-tres-leches-cake-history

https://lamonarcabakery.com/blogs/education/history-of-tres-leches-flan?srsltid=AfmBOornBPfh7jtOMF7hIGdlZkB56CiApf5HbNFKP39JW6YLO8yNlWyW

https://matadornetwork.com/read/tres-leches-global-phenomenon/

 

IMAX

https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/11/14/how-did-imax-become-the-gold-standard-in-screening

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/business/media/imax-movie-theaters.html?unlocked_article_code=1.dFA.ti8N.2-6uoNObwM8j&smid=url-share

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-imax-definition/

 

DOWN TO BUSINESS

I’m gonna take you on a walk of to dreamland

Walking on some not busy backroads

 

PLUGS

Sleep With Me Plus; SleepPhones; Story Only Feed; Emily Tat Artwork; Crisis Textline

 

SPONSORS

Helix Sleep; Zocdoc; Progressive; Quince; Talkiatry; AquaTru; Drip Drop

 

INTRO

I’ve been there and I know what it’s like for me

Probably Not Pleasant

Is this guy really just narrating himself walking around?

Thinking positively of someone else who struggles at night like you do

A rare win-win in an indirect way

I see a sign for the Olive Garden that looks pretty cool

It’s normal to be skeptical about the show at first

sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou

Kinda just barely listen

Those birds chirping in the background are pretty sharp

It does take some getting used to

The Wind Down Routine

Most of the walk will be quieter than this intro part

 

STORY

Alright, I’m walking

Shirtsleeve Weather

I’ve got some berms around me

The backside of Epic Universe

Walking from Stella Nova Hotel to Terra Luna Hotel

Walking the rarely used sidewalks of Orlando

It’s early November, pre-holiday season

I’ve been scouting some good walking paths

So let’s set it up

The 5 Ws

I think I can walk to the convention center or International Drive

Brand new sidewalk

Last night I stayed at Stella Luna

Not sponsored at all, btw

3 Hotels for Epic Universe

The Helios Grand

The Stella Nova

Terra Luna

The last 2 are the value resorts

Roughly 99 bucks a night

Great value for 99

The rooms are pretty big

Really cool design with multicolored tiles

Their quick-service restaurant menu changes from lunch to dinner

I got a huge side salad

And an absolutely amazing tres leches cake

Anything in the horchata flavor profile will win me over

It is kind of isolated right now. Maybe they’ll build it out in the future

In 30 years, it’ll be so different with all these plants

A taste of desolation

We’re on the 4th floor

We hit a snag with the bus to the park

We’re just outside of the larger Orange County Convention Center

I’m gonna briefly pop into the Terra Luna hotel

Oh interesting…is that a walking path?

I’m going to cross Kirkman Road

Uh oh, the crossing sign didn’t go on

The light did not change again

Universal has all these video preview signs

You can hear trucks on Trade Show Boulevard

No crossing signal yet

The domes of Helios Grand

I can see the Orlando Eye and the Hyatt Regency

We got it, we got a walk signal

Florida is committed to teaching pedestrians patience

Okay, I can see a side exit for the Terra Luna Hotel

I don’t see how I can actually get into Stella Nova

There’s no sidewalk, hmm…

I’ll take the back way by the pool

We’re certainly on an adventure

Okay, I see Sea World

We couldn’t walk to any Disney Theme Parks like this

The birds are cheering me on

Okay, I’m back

I couldn’t find an official walking path exit

I see a professional walker here. Maybe she records a sleep podcast too

The option to turn left

There’s some huge stuff on Trade Show Boulevard

I’m gonna cross the street and go right on Universal Boulevard

But is there any sidewalk…

Recapping my brief Stella Nova trip

A slightly larger foodcourt

Their dining area was closed

There are huge grassy areas between the warehouses and the convention center

But there’s power lines. Could you build anything here?

I think I can see the swing for Funspot in the distance…

We’re just walking, we have no commitments

Some other walkers. We’ll cross the road together

Oh, this is the end of the line for some scooters

Is all this open space for retention basins?

Can you build on top of retention basins?

The day I left to come here, it was the first snow

Koa woke up at 5 for that first snow

Her first time in snow as a resident

My dog-sitter said it continued to snow

A lot of cool architecture on this convention center

The biggest convention I ever went to was when I was selling iron-on patches and fuzzy dice

That was in Las Vegas after CES

Someone’s picking up and charging scooters

The trees around me are in late adolescence, so I’m actually getting some shade right now

I’ve heard of this convention…

I guess it’s an expo

Putting up more banners for the next expo

Okay, I have been back here before

Man if this is what the weather is like in the winter, I could live here

Let’s check out this plaque

A tree dedicated to someone who worked on this convention center

On my side is what looks like a forest

There’s some music at a distance

I’m seeing my first walker in a while

Oh, okay this road that we’re on runs parallel to I Drive

Oh wow, listen to those bug sounds

Oh wait, they just got quiet

Now we’re at Point Plaza

Let’s take a left there and head towards I Drive

I think a comedy and music club used to be over here

Walking by parking and another huge piece of land

Might as well see where this goes

I’ll need a drink pretty soon

Oh, the G11 trolley also goes here

Now we’re behind the Point Plaza

We’re getting close to the Hyatt Regency

I’ve done the Hyatt to Universal walk a couple times

I think I ate at a restaurant here for someone’s birthday

I hope this IMAX theater is still open

I gotta remember to see more movies

I have 11 movies left for a movie subscription thing that I can’t use in Syracuse

Backside of a Building Walking Tour

Going full circle around the convention center

It’d be interesting to see if I could take one of these scooters home

The sidewalk is again gone

Quiet Time on I Drive

A little bit of background music

Oh wow, some Christmas decorations at the ice bar

The movie theater might be closed

I wonder if this building was built in phases

I’m just trying to avoid any background music

Oh, the comedy club is still open!

If not thriving, this place is at least doing okay

Oh good, a Museum of Ice Cream is coming soon

This is a nice view of the Point Orlando 

We’ll take another walk together next month

 

SUMMARY:

Episode: 1461

Title: Orlando Convention Center | Walk With Me

Plugs: Sleep With Me Plus; SleepPhones; Story Only Feed; Emily Tat Artwork; Crisis Textline

Sponsors: Helix Sleep; Zocdoc; Progressive; Quince; Talkiatry; AquaTru; Drip Drop

Notable Language:

• Probably Not Pleasant
• Shirtsleeve Weather
• Berm
• A taste of desolation
• Backside of a Building Walking Tour
• Quiet Time on I Drive

 

Notable Culture:

• • Olive Garden
  • sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou
  • Epic Universe
  • Sea World
  • Walt Disney World
  • Orange County Convention Center
  • Las Vegas
  • CES

• Podcast: The Ride

 

Notable Talking Points:

• I’ve been there and I know what it’s like for me
• Probably Not Pleasant
• Is this guy really just narrating himself walking around?
• Thinking positively of someone else who struggles at night like you do
• A rare win-win in an indirect way
• I see a sign for the Olive Garden that looks pretty cool
• It’s normal to be skeptical about the show at first
• sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou
• Kinda just barely listen
• Those birds chirping in the background are pretty sharp
• It does take some getting used to
• The Wind Down Routine
• Most of the walk will be quieter than this intro part
• Alright, I’m walking
• Shirtsleeve Weather
• I’ve got some berms around me
• The backside of Epic Universe
• Walking from Stella Nova Hotel to Terra Luna Hotel
• Walking the rarely used sidewalks of Orlando
• It’s early November, pre-holiday season
• I’ve been scouting some good walking paths
• So let’s set it up
• The 5 Ws
• I think I can walk to the convention center or International Drive
• Brand new sidewalk
• Last night I stayed at Stella Luna
• Not sponsored at all, btw
• 3 Hotels for Epic Universe
• The Helios Grand
• The Stella Nova
• Terra Luna
• The last 2 are the value resorts
• Roughly 99 bucks a night
• Great value for 99
• The rooms are pretty big
• Really cool design with multicolored tiles
• Their quick-service restaurant menu changes from lunch to dinner
• I got a huge side salad
• And an absolutely amazing tres leches cake
• Anything in the horchata flavor profile will win me over
• It is kind of isolated right now. Maybe they’ll build it out in the future
• In 30 years, it’ll be so different with all these plants
• A taste of desolation
• We’re on the 4th floor
• We hit a snag with the bus to the park
• We’re just outside of the larger Orange County Convention Center
• I’m gonna briefly pop into the Terra Luna hotel
• Oh interesting…is that a walking path?
• I’m going to cross Kirkman Road
• Uh oh, the crossing sign didn’t go on
• The light did not change again
• Universal has all these video preview signs
• You can hear trucks on Trade Show Boulevard
• No crossing signal yet
• The domes of Helios Grand
• I can see the Orlando Eye and the Hyatt Regency
• We got it, we got a walk signal
• Florida is committed to teaching pedestrians patience
• Okay, I can see a side exit for the Terra Luna Hotel
• I don’t see how I can actually get into Stella Nova
• There’s no sidewalk, hmm…
• I’ll take the back way by the pool
• We’re certainly on an adventure
• Okay, I see Sea World
• We couldn’t walk to any Disney Theme Parks like this
• The birds are cheering me on
• Okay, I’m back
• I couldn’t find an official walking path exit
• I see a professional walker here. Maybe she records a sleep podcast too
• The option to turn left
• There’s some huge stuff on Trade Show Boulevard
• I’m gonna cross the street and go right on Universal Boulevard
• But is there any sidewalk…
• Recapping my brief Stella Nova trip
• A slightly larger foodcourt
• Their dining area was closed
• There are huge grassy areas between the warehouses and the convention center
• But there’s power lines. Could you build anything here?
• I think I can see the swing for Funspot in the distance…
• We’re just walking, we have no commitments
• Some other walkers. We’ll cross the road together
• Oh, this is the end of the line for some scooters
• Is all this open space for retention basins?
• Can you build on top of retention basins?
• The day I left to come here, it was the first snow
• Koa woke up at 5 for that first snow
• Her first time in snow as a resident
• My dog-sitter said it continued to snow
• A lot of cool architecture on this convention center
• The biggest convention I ever went to was when I was selling iron-on patches and fuzzy dice
• That was in Las Vegas after CES
• Someone’s picking up and charging scooters
• The trees around me are in late adolescence, so I’m actually getting some shade right now
• I’ve heard of this convention…
• I guess it’s an expo
• Putting up more banners for the next expo
• Okay, I have been back here before
• Man if this is what the weather is like in the winter, I could live here
• Let’s check out this plaque
• A tree dedicated to someone who worked on this convention center
• On my side is what looks like a forest
• There’s some music at a distance
• I’m seeing my first walker in a while
• Oh, okay this road that we’re on runs parallel to I Drive
• Oh wow, listen to those bug sounds
• Oh wait, they just got quiet
• Now we’re at Point Plaza
• Let’s take a left there and head towards I Drive
• I think a comedy and music club used to be over here
• Walking by parking and another huge piece of land
• Might as well see where this goes
• I’ll need a drink pretty soon
• Oh, the G11 trolley also goes here
• Now we’re behind the Point Plaza
• We’re getting close to the Hyatt Regency
• I’ve done the Hyatt to Universal walk a couple times
• I think I ate at a restaurant here for someone’s birthday
• I hope this IMAX theater is still open
• I gotta remember to see more movies
• I have 11 movies left for a movie subscription thing that I can’t use in Syracuse
• Backside of a Building Walking Tour
• Going full circle around the convention center
• It’d be interesting to see if I could take one of these scooters home
• The sidewalk is again gone
• Quiet Time on I Drive
• A little bit of background music
• Oh wow, some Christmas decorations at the ice bar
• The movie theater might be closed
• I wonder if this building was built in phases
• I’m just trying to avoid any background music
• Oh, the comedy club is still open!
• If not thriving, this place is at least doing okay
• Oh good, a Museum of Ice Cream is coming soon
• This is a nice view of the Point Orlando 
• We’ll take another walk together next month