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Orlando
By Samantha Brown on July 9, 2008 12:15 AM | Permalink | 19 Comments
February 14
My cameraman this time around is a very talented man named Alan Deutsch. Even though this is our first time working with one another, he is already following me with the camera as if we have been together for a long time. He already knows my sense of humor and when he should stay on me a little longer. When you're on-camera, there's always a dance you do with one another. When you are not in step with one another, it becomes awkward, and the camera feels like something foreign, but when you are in sync, it's like having a friend right by your side. With all the changes that have happened to the show, it's a relief that at least something feels right. Alan and Dave come by to share a cake that a woman admirer of Alan's sent to him. I have a nice bottle of wine and so we make plans to have dessert and conversation in my room.
They buzzed the door and when I opened it, there they were with a jar of Pringles tied with a big red heart balloon. I'm so touched and I think it is one of the sweetest things I have ever received, until I realize that the balloon came with the admirer's cake. "You gave me another woman's balloon?" I ask Alan. "You re-gifted a balloon?" "Think about it, Sam," Allan replies with a mouthful of cake. "Where do you think we would be able to get a balloon in downtown Orlando at 9 p.m.?" Okay, you have a point, but I can dream can't I?
February 15
Johnson's Diner has to be the best thing in Orlando. What a fantastic time talking to everyone. Clarence is the third generation to run the Diner, and he just had the most tender and caring personality of anyone I have ever met who has to be in charge. He loves his diner, his staff and his costumers. And his costumers were fantastic. Bural, Pastor Ron and Ed, right from the beginning, set the stage for a great morning. We were only supposed to be shooting there for a few hours but stayed for four. I don't think anyone on the crew really wanted to leave. Simply sitting down with people and sharing food, conversation and community, filled me up like a tall glass of sweet tea.
Cameraman Alan Deutsch steps away from his camera to make the face that every passerby gives to him.
19 Comments
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- charles rinehart: Samantha has a great show. Not only is she very sexy and beautiful, but she has a lot of...
- rad928music: sam you got the greatest hips and legs, your sooo fine
- Charles: I believe the hotel is the Athenaeum in Mayfair
- Jason Farrar: Hi Sam i love your show i watch them every week. I always say you have the best job in the...
- dorothy: Where have you gone? You were a pioneer of the travel channel and now all I see is Andrew and...
I just wanted to say how happy I am that Samantha Brown got to visit my favorite place to eat! I live right above Johnson's Soul Food Diner, and I about fell off my couch when I saw it on "Passport to Great Weekends-Orlando". I can't believe that while I was sitting in my apartment, one of my favorite tv shows was filming downstairs!!!
Love reading your journals, Sammy. Glad to know that you loved the "unseen" Orlando, even I didn't know that many of those places even existed in my own town. Now I shall go and see them myself! I already have been to several places you have featured in your other specials - all the Disney ones and the "SB's First Cruise" on the Med. Just going about and saying, "Samantha Brown was HERE!" is enough of a thrill for me!
I just wanted to say that you should stick to doing passport to europe, it was much more fun and exciting, than passport to gretat weekends.alot of people enjoyed passport to europe better than passport to great weekends.
HI!! I was watching you're trips to Disney World,and I agree that it's the happiness place in the world!! One thing You didn't memtion was the Diabled things at Disney World!!! My son,is 13and half and is Disabled. We went dowwn 3 years ago and they were really,really WOUNDERFUL to me,my son,and my bestfriend!!
I went to this restaurant about 6 weeks ago. I think the food is delicious and the atmosphere is pleasant and friendly.
I love great weekends. It's the best thing to hit America-based travel shows since Insomniac with Dave Attell. It's nice to see someone doing a travel show from America for a change that isn't a catch phrase machine and who is a pleasure to watch. My wife and I both love great weekends and hope it continues for a very long time. We can't wait to try Johnson's in November!
Hi Sam, my wife and I are considering a move to Orlando, I have to leave Wisconsin because I have trouble breathing in the cold. Your show gave us a nice insight into the real Orlando and now we're really looking forward to living there, thank you. You keep doing the great weekends we find them very entertaining and very informative. You are the premier travel hostess.
Hi Samantha! I was happy to see you were interested in 'You have no idea Orlando'. And loved the fact there was an episode about Downtown Orlando. However, I was very disappointed by the episode. There was TONS of stuff missed in downtown Orlando (Winter Park is not considered downtown Orlando). Did you not see Thorton Park? Or Lake Eola with the swans (very Central Park)? Or the 5 million local and unique restaurants located in the heart of downtown.The bar you went to NV, is not a popular spot for Orlando locals or tourists. Wall Street would have been a great place to go! Orlando has more history then most downtowns' in the U.S. I highly suggest you come back for another weekend to take a real glimpse into the Historical and Beautiful Downtown Orlando.
Hiya! I am practically hyperventilating over this episode! I go to Rollins College (at the end of Park Ave. in Winter Park) and am so glad to see someone finally spotlighting Winter Park. It is a great community in a beautiful area. I've lived in Orlando all of my life and hate when people only see the tourist stuff. On the flip side, I agree with Katie (in the post above). Winter Park is amazing, but Orlando itself has great neighborhoods and features. Thorton Park is growing and is similar to Winter Park (just smaller and actually downtown). Other random thought, great job to your camera man and editors when framing the shot of the indoor skydiving building. A viewer can't tell it is in the absolute middle of tourist-trap Int'l drive. (I love I-Drive, but its very very touristy) I wish I had ran into you at the Wine Bar. I'm pretty sure I saw one of my professors talking to you in one scene. :) Thanks for visiting Winter Park! I'm a huge fan of every show you do!
I absolutely loved this episode. Part of my family lives just 15 minutes away from Winter Park and it is one of my favorite places to go, so I was so excited when you went there. The Wine Room looked like a lot of fun, I can't wait until the next time I am there with my girls from school so we can go drink wine where SB once was!! You need to come to Tallahassee, Florida... you would be more than welcomed here! I love the show, it's my favorite!
Hi Sam!!! Well at my country, Chile, I still don't have the pleasure to see your new show...I met you in the "Great Hotels" show, but I sure someday I'll lucky enough to see the others show that you and your team have made. I hope someday you'll came to visit us because my country, specially the south of Chile, which is a great place to visit. Have great weekends!!
what is the name of the wine bar in winter park?
I LOVED this episode! I noticed some people complained about the time spent in Winter Park since it's not technically Orlando. Winter Park was the first established city in Central Florida so it is a part of Orlando's history. By the way LOVED THE SHOES and so I went to the boutique you were in Shou'Ture. I couldn't tell from the episode that they do PEDICURES TOO!!! I got the best shoes from them and I have a free pedicure to go back to. Thanks for introducing Shou'Ture to me.
Hi Samantha Brown, I'm glad that you made it to Winter Park, where I live. Sorry I didn't get to see you but hope you come back soon. Orlando is much more than just the theme parks and Winter Park is a great community to live. I hope you had fun with your skydiving adventure. I love all your shows Sam on Travel Channel.
Hi Samantha,
I just wanted to know where you went to do the hand blown glass? I loved the green glass you made.
Charlie Rocks!
I'm trying to locate the place you did the hand blown glass in Winter Park.
what was the name of the wine place that you went to in orlando- it was not mentioned anywhere.
Hi,
I just wanted to know what city in Florida you would recommend for a family with three boys. I am from Toronto. Moving to the U.S. is a bit stressful. I am looking for a quaint town with great food, parks, hockey (if possible) and low crime rate.
Thanks! Michelle