Comparing Orlando...

[HankStrong]

Once upon a time in my single days I dated a girl from Toronto who was living & working in Orlando temporarily.  I went to Toronto a few times and that was a stunning city.  If not for the cold, I would love to live there.  That said, it's entirely too cold for my now thin Florida blood.  It was so much colder than even my days in the Midwest as a kid.

I kind of fell in with an entire group of her friends who were amazing people (and amazingly diverse!) and wandered around Ontario sleeping on random couches.  The comment about Toronto having suburbs bigger than Orlando is 100% true.  I visited a bunch of them on my journey: Brampton, London, Hamilton, Kitchener, Waterloo, Brantford, and a few others I can't even remember.  That was a fun autumn!  All of those cities except Waterloo and Brantford are bigger than Orlando (CITY POP, not Metro) and I loved them all, well Hamilton was my least favorite, but it was still great.

She wanted me to come to Canada with her when she left for a big job in Ottawa, but it wasn't meant to be.  Although, I loved learning a lot more about Canada than I knew before.  All I knew before was just from when my grandpa took us across the bridge in Windsor as a kid.  I've since been back to Canada a couple times and loved it.

[I am Reality]

9 hours ago, orlandouprise said:

I believe a conv center can be a huge jump starter for an area. Conventions = heads in beds in hotels so more are needed, restaurants are filled. Workers are needed. Retail is needed around them. Transport options are needed. Could a 350-500k SF center in creative village be the answer to fast tracking DT to a vibrant destination? Instead of adding more and more to the existing cc why not build an additional one DT and reap the rewards...?

We used to have the Expo Center downtown. It was rather small but seemed to do alright. Does anyone know what happened to it?  

A more modern version could probably pull some small exhibits from the OCCC. That may spur some restaurant and hotel activity downtown.

While I don't think you have a bad idea at all, it would still likely only lead to low-wage jobs. 

[jrs2]

11 hours ago, orlandouprise said:

I believe a conv center can be a huge jump starter for an area. Conventions = heads in beds in hotels so more are needed, restaurants are filled. Workers are needed. Retail is needed around them. Transport options are needed. Could a 350-500k SF center in creative village be the answer to fast tracking DT to a vibrant destination? Instead of adding more and more to the existing cc why not build an additional one DT and reap the rewards...?

Well, we had the Marriott Expo Center and it was converted to a UCF facility.  They used to host lots of meetings there.

[Dale]

Never mind Americans in general, I'd venture that fewer than 10% of Millenials are dyed-in-the-wool urbanists.  When it comes to cities, you cannot minimize the role that weather, jobs and living costs drive relocations and make some cities more desirable than others.

[I am Reality]

Cisco announced it a donating $50 million to fight homelessness in Santa Clara County.

What has Disney ever donated to Orlando, other than a bandshell & some nominal donations (the public library & school awards come to mind)? 

[HankStrong]

I'm so sad I clicked your post to see what you were blathering on about in this thread, but I did.  SHAME ON ME!  SHAME ON ME!!

Once again, you talk out of your rear end. 

• The children's pavilion at Florida Hospital comes to mind.  https://www.floridahospital.com/children/experience/disney-hospital-partnership
• The outpouring of support and donations after the Pulse shootings come to mind.
• As a friend of a Disney VoluntEARS person (cast member) who donated hundreds of hours to the community I've seen a lot of help for Orlando.  She is one of THOUSANDS who have donated MILLIONS of hours volunteer work in our community.  Disney supports and encourages them to do this.
• They are the principal sponsor of Orlando's A Gift For Teaching https://www.agiftforteaching.org/  where I personally have helped out several times over the years and I know several teachers who use this amazing service just to get by each year.
• A simple google search yields their own website that talks about the things they do.  https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/philanthropy/
• My nephew received some sort of Disney love for their youth basketball league, but I don't know the specifics.

For the life of me I can't figure out why you insist on trolling these boards.  They gave you your own thread for that.  Boo on you!

[spenser1058]

Thank you for not quoting him/her. That's my first ignore of anyone on here in 12 years and I only see the vitriol if someone quotes it.

[I am Reality]

53 minutes ago, HankStrong said:

I'm so sad I clicked your post to see what you were blathering on about in this thread, but I did.  SHAME ON ME!  SHAME ON ME!!

Once again, you talk out of your rear end. 

• The children's pavilion at Florida Hospital comes to mind.  https://www.floridahospital.com/children/experience/disney-hospital-partnership
• The outpouring of support and donations after the Pulse shootings come to mind.
• As a friend of a Disney VoluntEARS person (cast member) who donated hundreds of hours to the community I've seen a lot of help for Orlando.  She is one of THOUSANDS who have donated MILLIONS of hours volunteer work in our community.  Disney supports and encourages them to do this.
• They are the principal sponsor of Orlando's A Gift For Teaching https://www.agiftforteaching.org/  where I personally have helped out several times over the years and I know several teachers who use this amazing service just to get by each year.
• A simple google search yields their own website that talks about the things they do.  https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/philanthropy/
• My nephew received some sort of Disney love for their youth basketball league, but I don't know the specifics.

For the life of me I can't figure out why you insist on trolling these boards.  They gave you your own thread for that.  Boo on you!

After doing some research, I will concede Disney has been more charitable locally than I thought. 

There are several examples of local donations:

$12.5 million for the Performing Arts Center.

$1.1 million for the local Boy's and Girls Club.

$1 million for OneOrlando (Pulse)

$1 million for Hurricane Matthew victims

$2.5 million for Hurricane Irma victims (it looks like most $ went down south, but I assume we were included)

$3 million for the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital 

Numerous other smaller contributions.

As a whole, Disney appears to be a very charitable company.  It has given large donations throughout the world. 

Having said that, Cisco still gave more in a single donation than Disney has likely ever given to Orlando.  That does not include other donations Cisco gave since its 1984 founding, which have been substantial. Disney has been in Central FL longer than Cisco has been in existence. 

Has Disney given a lot to Orlando? Clearly, yes. 

Could it have done more? Probably. Especially considering everything Orlando has given it.

But you were right.  I am not above admitting when I am wrong.

[aent]

25 minutes ago, I am Reality said:

After doing some research, I will concede Disney has been more charitable locally than I thought. 

There are several examples of local donations:

$12.5 million for the Performing Arts Center.

$1.1 million for the local Boy's and Girls Club.

$1 million for OneOrlando (Pulse)

$1 million for Hurricane Matthew victims

$2.5 million for Hurricane Irma victims (it looks like most $ went down south, but I assume we were included)

$3 million for the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital 

Numerous other smaller contributions.

As a whole, Disney appears to be a very charitable company.  It has given large donations throughout the world. 

Having said that, Cisco still gave more in a single donation than Disney has likely ever given to Orlando.  That does not include other donations Cisco gave since its 1984 founding, which have been substantial. Disney has been in Central FL longer than Cisco has been in existence. 

Has Disney given a lot to Orlando? Clearly, yes. 

Could it have done more? Probably. Especially considering everything Orlando has given it.

But you were right.  I am not above admitting when I am wrong.

I believe Disney has also donated millions  to UCF, I'm not sure the number, but I know I've seen numerous things bearing a Disney name around campus.

Also I know when medical city was being built, they donated to both the COM and Nemours, this says $10m to Nemours alone: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2007-09-20/news/FLAHOSP20_1_walt-disney-florida-children-hospital-nemours

 

We're at $30m already, and I'm sure we're forgetting more things. Disney has given Orlando so much, not counting all the jobs and tax dollars they've sent our way.

For Oracle (and all donations), its important to see where the money is actually going as well. I know Zuck's huge donation to public schools had little impact, and some companies are famous for donating for the purpose of buying their own products at retail or greater prices and paying for support contracts/ancillary services, to an organization that couldn't afford it and wouldn't have purchased it anyways. While that still should be appreciated, the results of donations are important, and Disney seems fairly good at ensuring they help.

[prahaboheme]

3 minutes ago, aent said:

I believe Disney has also donated millions  to UCF, I'm not sure the number, but I know I've seen numerous things bearing a Disney name around campus.

Also I know when medical city was being built, they donated to both the COM and Nemours, this says $10m to Nemours alone: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2007-09-20/news/FLAHOSP20_1_walt-disney-florida-children-hospital-nemours

And let's not forget their generous donation to DPAC.

[HankStrong]

1 hour ago, spenser1058 said:

Thank you for not quoting him/her. That's my first ignore of anyone on here in 12 years and I only see the vitriol if someone quotes it.

I did see that you can also block mentions, but I'm not sure it that includes quotes.  I can tell you that never in my years of reading and participating on message boards can I ever remember blocking anyone that wasn't a one-off troll or spam account.  I won't make the mistake of clicking view post again.

[jrs2]

10 minutes ago, HankStrong said:

I did see that you can also block mentions, but I'm not sure it that includes quotes.  I can tell you that never in my years of reading and participating on message boards can I ever remember blocking anyone that wasn't a one-off troll or spam account.  I won't make the mistake of clicking view post again.

I don't get it.  Are you talking about the balloon that pops up when someone responds to your post or a post?

14 minutes ago, prahaboheme said:

And let's not forget their generous donation to DPAC.

$12.5M vs $50M to the one in LA

Why are we even on this topic?  Did I miss something?

[Dale]

Downside to Toronto: no one can afford to live there anymore. Slight exaggeration, but those who can are plunking down a million to live in hovels.

[prahaboheme]

6 minutes ago, jrs2 said:

Why are we even on this topic?  Did I miss something?

Apparently.

 

[I am Reality]

19 minutes ago, HankStrong said:

I did see that you can also block mentions, but I'm not sure it that includes quotes.  I can tell you that never in my years of reading and participating on message boards can I ever remember blocking anyone that wasn't a one-off troll or spam account.  I won't make the mistake of clicking view post again.

Just because someone has a different viewpoint than doesn't make that person a troll.

Unlike you, I have never disregarded, ignored or blocked anyone I disagree with.

Nor do I dislike anyone on here. 

That is Breitbart/Fox thinking.  

I accept everyone is entitled to their own opinions, even when I disagree.

You think I am wrong a lot. Well, guess what...I think you are wrong a lot. Does it mean I dislike you? 

Hell no.

At the same time, I'm not going to say "Yay!!! Orlando!!! Yay!!!! like others always seem wiling to do. 

I give the city credit where it deserves it & criticize it where it deserves to be criticized.

I don't like having a low-wage, tourism-based economy.  That is my crime.  God forbid!!!!  Isn't it just an awful, awful thing to even suggest??

The way I see it...I have been repeatedly attacked and belittled for that position.  

And that puts me in the defensive.

Look in the mirror.

Block me if you can't accept a differing viewpoint.

Bury your head some more in your own reinforcing thoughts.

 

 

 

[jrs2]

On 3/26/2018 at 5:21 PM, FLClarkKent said:

Interesting points all around.

To me, about the only US city in which an apple-to-apples comparison with Orlando works is Las Vegas. Both young Sun Belt cities with explosive growth driven by tourism interests.  In that match up, I think Orlando has done a great job of creating a sense of place beyond the tourism areas. 

Hard to compare our city to places like Nashville and Austin. Both were significant capital cities long before Orlando was a blip on the map.  Being a capital carries quite a bit of cache, as well as provides a sizable workforce downtown. Nashville, like Charlotte and Portland -- two other cities mentioned in the thread -- is also the leading city in the state. It might be hard to quantify, but there's something to be said for being the biggest city in your state. That's where all of your state's industry congregates. Even the leading cities in smaller states, Oklahoma City, Birmingham, etc., have more a corporate presence. Orlando is competing with Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville, with places like Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg and other cities not too far behind.

 

On it's surface I would agree, but I don't think it's a pure apples to apples comparison with Vegas. 

Vegas city limits population is larger than Orlando by a lot.  And, Vegas has been pulling in tourists long before 1972.  They've been hosting glamour and glitz and Hollywood icons for decades upon decades.  And, they have the ultimate deep pockets:  the casinos.  And, Vegas' downtown and convention facilities are more or less downtown and are a part of the tourist district.  Vegas has Fremont St and Orlando had CSS downtown.  But the casinos started there in the 1930's; their convention center started in the late 1950's.  Longer maturation time and more publicity.  Vegas is also more urban.  UNLV is right off The Strip as well.  Orlando is ultra sprawled.  Not until, I think, when Universal expanded, and abandoned the short lived "Universal Studios Escape" moniker in favor of "Universal Orlando" did the name "Orlando" gain the street cred that Vegas already had for over a century and a half.  The "Orlando Eye" naming also added to the marketing for the region.  Also, I believe the growth of Port Canaveral with major cruising business has added to the CFLA tourism acumen as well.   As an aside,  I think more people fly into Vegas vs driving than in Orlando, which is why McCarren is so much busier than OIA.

I think I went off on a tangent.  I do agree that Orlando has created a sense of place independent of the tourism industry.  I don't think Vegas has, but I could be wrong.

[jrs2]

27 minutes ago, I am Reality said:

Just because someone has a different viewpoint than doesn't make that person a troll.

Unlike you, I have never disregarded, ignored or blocked anyone I disagree with.

Nor do I dislike anyone on here. 

That is Breitbart/Fox thinking.  

I accept everyone is entitled to their own opinions, even when I disagree.

You think I am wrong a lot. Well, guess what...I think you are wrong a lot. Does it mean I dislike you? 

Hell no.

At the same time, I'm not going to say "Yay!!! Orlando!!! Yay!!!! like others always seem wiling to do. 

I give the city credit where it deserves it & criticize it where it deserves to be criticized.

I don't like having a low-wage, tourism-based economy.  That is my crime.  God forbid!!!!  Isn't it just an awful, awful thing to even suggest??

The way I see it...I have been repeatedly attacked and belittled for that position.  

And that puts me in the defensive.

Look in the mirror.

Block me if you can't accept a differing viewpoint.

Bury your head some more in your own reinforcing thoughts.

 

 

 

Ya, I looked up after Prahaboheme's reply and read. 

I think it's your approach.  You're blurting out slights against Disney without even getting into an applicable subject matter to start the topic off.  It actually is trolling.  It's like throwing something out there randomly to incite a reaction.  I get it.  It's like going to Starbucks and meeting up with a bunch of people, sitting down face to face, and exchanging ideas and conversation and just blurting stuff out.  It doesn't translate well in a forum because when things are written, it's like they carry more weight or whatever.

The way I would've done it would have been like this:  "Yeah, in comparing Orlando to LA, it appears that Disney has given more to that region than to ours...blah blah...blah...  I wonder why that is?...and so on..."

I'm no mod, I'm just saying.  I've gotten my panties in a bunch about stuff before and have spewed out mumbo jumbo at times, but I've gone to counseling since then and I take my UP  meds to help keep it in check.  You kinda sound like someone who is Bipolar and isn't taking their meds.  Or, Turrets...  

Peace

[Dale]

8 minutes ago, jrs2 said:

Ya, I looked up after Prahaboheme's reply and read. 

I think it's your approach.  You're blurting out slights against Disney without even getting into an applicable subject matter to start the topic off.  It actually is trolling.  It's like throwing something out there randomly to incite a reaction.  I get it.  It's like going to Starbucks and meeting up with a bunch of people, sitting down face to face, and exchanging ideas and conversation and just blurting stuff out.  It doesn't translate well in a forum because when things are written, it's like they carry more weight or whatever.

The way I would've done it would have been like this:  "Yeah, in comparing Orlando to LA, it appears that Disney has given more to that region than to ours...blah blah...blah...  I wonder why that is?...and so on..."

I'm no mod, I'm just saying.  I've gotten my panties in a bunch about stuff before and have spewed out mumbo jumbo at times, but I've gone to counseling since then and I take my UP  meds to help keep it in check.  You kinda sound like someone who is Bipolar and isn't taking their meds.  Or, Turrets...  

Peace

Hey man, stop Breitbarting the poor guy!

[I am Reality]

10 minutes ago, jrs2 said:

Ya, I looked up after Prahaboheme's reply and read. 

I think it's your approach.  You're blurting out slights against Disney without even getting into an applicable subject matter to start the topic off.  It actually is trolling.  It's like throwing something out there randomly to incite a reaction.  I get it.  It's like going to Starbucks and meeting up with a bunch of people, sitting down face to face, and exchanging ideas and conversation and just blurting stuff out.  It doesn't translate well in a forum because when things are written, it's like they carry more weight or whatever.

The way I would've done it would have been like this:  "Yeah, in comparing Orlando to LA, it appears that Disney has given more to that region than to ours...blah blah...blah...  I wonder why that is?...and so on..."

I'm no mod, I'm just saying.  I've gotten my panties in a bunch about stuff before and have spewed out mumbo jumbo at times, but I've gone to counseling since then and I take my UP  meds to help keep it in check.  You kinda sound like someone who is Bipolar and isn't taking their meds.  Or, Turrets...  

Peace

Ok, you don't agree with me and now I have a mental disorder?

You are surely joking. 

That is lower than low. 

You should really take a closer look at yourself.

i would never disparage someone with an actual mental disease...much less someone who doesn't.

i could probably get you thrown off here if I reported it. 

But I won't stoop to your level of hatefulness. 

All this because you disagree with me. How truly stupid.

[spenser1058]

Since I missed some of the conversation, some of this may be off point but it seems relevant: when thinking about philanthropy in LA by Disney, it's important to separate that given by the Walt Disney Company versus the Disney family. The Walt Disney Concert Hall, for example, was Lillian Disney's idea (although the Company did help towards the end.) By the same token, Cal Arts was Walt's project. That, to some extent, explains the dichotomy in giving between the two coasts.

[prahaboheme]

4 minutes ago, spenser1058 said:

Since I missed some of the conversation, some of this may be off point but it seems relevant: when thinking about philanthropy in LA by Disney, it's important to separate that given by the Walt Disney Company versus the Disney family. The Walt Disney Concert Hall, for example, was Lillian Disney's idea (although the Company did help towards the end.) By the same token, Cal Arts was Walt's project. That, to some extent, explains the dichotomy in giving between the two coasts.

It seems relevant to also point out that the Disney Co. is based in Burbank and the coffers extend from there .  For a company not headquartered in Orlando, they still have a major presence in the community.

[jrs2]

2 hours ago, I am Reality said:

Ok, you don't agree with me and now I have a mental disorder?

You are surely joking. 

That is lower than low. 

You should really take a closer look at yourself.

i would never disparage someone with an actual mental disease...much less someone who doesn't.

i could probably get you thrown off here if I reported it. 

But I won't stoop to your level of hatefulness. 

All this because you disagree with me. How truly stupid.

I've actually agreed with most of the stuff you've said before.  I'm just saying that your approach should be tweaked is all.  There was humor in my post.  Sorry if it didn't come thru.  I meant no offense.   That being said, your posts sound like you are pissed off.

All i can say is go to Skyscrapercity, go to the Orlando forum, go back to about 2005, 06, 07, 08, and you'll see great examples of trolling.  Tampa people vs Orlando people.  Bad blood.  Very bad blood.  A lot of us here were very active there but many jumped ship completely to UP to escape that,  and others still surf those boards.

I'm trying to help you out...  you have a good message but the delivery is causing people to tune you out.

 

2 hours ago, prahaboheme said:

It seems relevant to also point out that the Disney Co. is based in Burbank and the coffers extend from there .  For a company not headquartered in Orlando, they still have a major presence in the community.

Very good point

[HankStrong]

4 hours ago, jrs2 said:

I don't get it.  Are you talking about the balloon that pops up when someone responds to your post or a post?

When you click IGNORE USER it gives you four options:

Posts, messages, signature, mentions

I know what the 1st three are, but I'm not sure if mentions is just when someone's name is in the blue text OR if that includes quotes.

[I am Reality]

59 minutes ago, jrs2 said:

I've actually agreed with most of the stuff you've said before.  I'm just saying that your approach should be tweaked is all.  There was humor in my post.  Sorry if it didn't come thru.  I meant no offense.   That being said, your posts sound like you are pissed off.

All i can say is go to Skyscrapercity, go to the Orlando forum, go back to about 2005, 06, 07, 08, and you'll see great examples of trolling.  Tampa people vs Orlando people.  Bad blood.  Very bad blood.  A lot of us here were very active there but many jumped ship completely to UP to escape that,  and others still surf those boards.

I'm trying to help you out...  you have a good message but the delivery is causing people to tune you out.

 

Very good point

Someone else made the same mental illness "joke" the other day.  

I honestly think that people in this forum are in their own bubble.  You shut out any disagreement.

I playfully joked with people, like I was joking about Dale's post about how unfun I am.  I thought that was funny and I responded back.  I have no bad blood towards Dale.  If I saw him on the street, I would buy him a beer.

You guys are just malicious, simple-minded and close-minded.

I am so disappointed.  Look outside your own little world .  There is a whole-wide world out there folks.

I would hate myself if I were that insulated. You have no idea what you don't know.

I am done. 

[bqknight]

1 hour ago, I am Reality said:

Someone else made the same mental illness "joke" the other day.  

I honestly think that people in this forum are in their own bubble.  You shut out any disagreement.

I playfully joked with people, like I was joking about Dale's post about how unfun I am.  I thought that was funny and I responded back.  I have no bad blood towards Dale.  If I saw him on the street, I would buy him a beer.

You guys are just malicious, simple-minded and close-minded.

I am so disappointed.  Look outside your own little world .  There is a whole-wide world out there folks.

I would hate myself if I were that insulated. You have no idea what you don't know.

I am done. 

Praise be kitty girl.