Interesting facts showing you "know" the Orlando area... (Tampa: for sale, hotel)

[TeresaNJ]

My husband has a final job interview for a sales position encompassing the whole Orlando area. Although his previous job covered this territory, we have been living back in NJ for the past 18 months due to a family health issue, as well as him having to cover the whole east coast. He covered the Orlando area, as well as the whole state of Florida from Jan 2007 through Feb 2009. His new prospective employer seems to not be convinced that my husband "knows" the Orlando area, since we are currently living in NJ.

The interview is next Friday, the 10th. If you were interviewing for the position, what are good things to know, barring the obvious, to prove you know the area?

[Granny Sue]

Find out where all the farmer's markets are.

Learn the start and finish of:
West Orange Trail
Cross Seminole Trail...better known as Seminole Trail
Little Econ Trail

[Crane's Rooster]

There's a new Medical City being built at Lake Nona There are building a new arena and performing arts center downtown We are trying to build a commuter train from Deland to Poinciana East Orlando and South Orlando are the two fastest growing areas Anything south of John Young Parkway is considered the "south side" or "tourist corridor" Winter Park is the "old money" and Windermere is the "new money" Dwight Howard is the most popular player on the Magic Vince Carter who is coming to the Magic next year is a local product (Mainland Highschool, Daytona Beach) Central Florida is considered to be Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Volusia and Brevard counties (parts of Polk to a lesser extent) Both US Senator of Florida are from Central Florida (Mel Martinez-Orlando, Bill Nelson-Space Coast) The Brevard beaches are commonly referred to as the Space Coast. UCF is known for technology and hospitality programs. They are also getting a Med School Just some random tidbits to make you sound like local "in the know." Some of it, you may already know.

[annerk]

Make sure you don't call it the "Bee Line," it's been the Beach Line for awhile now.

Clermont is still growing, we have a movie theater and new library.

The "Eyesore on I-4" is still incomplete.

[Granny Sue]

Oooo I just thought of one....

The north and south directions of the streets begin at Central Ave. Like North Orange Ave and South Orange Ave

The East and West? Orange Ave is the middle.

[TeresaNJ]

These are great!!! Thank you! Keep them coming if you think of more!

[annerk]

What about some Orlando "politics?"

I can think of a bunch that aren't "party specific," Rich Crotty's potential conflict of interest as the Orange County mayor and chairman of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway. The Old OUC building sitting vacant while the new building is only half rented, yet OUC wants to raise rates. Lynx cancelling routes which will make it impossible for many to get to and from work.

[just another guy]

Well a couple months ago they jacked up all the tolls on the 408/417/528 to basically a dollar each. The SOBs running the roads have announced less traffic yet more revenue so they are happy.

[AONE]

Oviedo has their chickens. The Knights are UCF. Winter Park and Oviedo have the best schools. Rollins College in Winter Park their mascot ...the Tars. The Bulter Chain of Lakes is in Windermere which is the upscale area.
Isleworth and Bay Hill were developed by Arnold Palmer. We are home to many sports people and celebrities.
The Fringe festival is the largest in the country.
Disney is in Kissimmee,
Aquatica is the new water park by SeaWorld, Discovery Cove has the dolphin swim at $200 ea.
They are talking about constructing a wheel(ferris of massive size) on I-drive.
The duck walk is a featture of the Peabody hotel
The ice sculptures are a feature of Gaylord around Christmas
Busch Gardens is about an hour away in Tampa
The Holy Land experience is by Millinea
Bella Collina is the fastest land sale in history.... something like $100m in 1 day.
The largest homes in Central FL for sale are both in Tampa area at 28,000 sq ft and one is the most expensive home in Central FL at $25M presently listed. The highest in Orlando is 12.5M in Isleworth.
I-4 is labeled East and West however it bisects the East West expressway... yes I-4 is N and S in Orlando.
Few roads go through here because they end at lakes.
Lake Jessup is home to an estimated 10,000 aligators
Charlie, Jean and Francis were the hurricanes that actually hit Orlando.
Victoria's and Alberts is considered the most expensive restaurant in the area.

[Crane's Rooster]

10,000 gators in Lake Jessup? Wow! Note to self-"do not fall into Lake Jessup."