Samantha Brown presentation in Orlando.

Samantha Brown presentation in Orlando.

Travel Channel hostess Samantha Brown came to Orlando - her 6th trip of 2008! – for two presentations at last week’s TRADE show event, the Travel Retailing and Destination Expo.

The large crowd of “Sam Fans” began gathering two hours before her first talk, with several exchanging stories of meeting Ms. Brown during one of her many, many Travel Channel trips. Amazingly, almost every one said that she was friendly and gracious and made them feel like they’d made a friend.

During her first presentation, which I attended, she regaled everyone with her adventures (and a few mishaps) while filming the shows “Samantha Brown’s Great Hotels“, “Disney Holiday Magic”, “Passport to Europe“, and the new “Passport to Great Weekends,” which showcased the downtown Orlando and Winter Park areas in an episode that aired this past July.

Her talk was followed by a long Q&A session with the audience and an even longer hour-long autograph and photo session with every single person standing in line. I had an interview scheduled with her for after the session and can attest that the very last person in line got the same gracious attention as the first, with no one hurried along. I was impressed with the time she took to make each fan feel special – AND that her hand didn’t give out during all those autographs! By the way, the last one she signed was to me.

Due to the hectic schedule, my interview became a very quick “writing while walking and talking” episode as I joined her and her Travel Channel colleagues as they walked to their car. Even then, the lovely Ms. Brown answered each of my questions and charmed me into feeling like I too had made a personal friend.

Sam and me.

Sam and me.

Interview:

Here are some of the highlights from her presentation, audience Q&A session, and our own walk & talk: 

Why do you think your shows have been so popular? “From the very beginning, I wanted to be seen less as an expert or a host and more as just a person. I wanted to pull viewers through the TV and have them have the experience with me. And I think that’s really happened. Also, there’s that ‘girl next door’ thing where people see me and think, ‘If she can go and do this, then so can I.’”

What’s one of the most important things you’ve learned on your journeys? “I’ve learned that yes, we all want to be mesmerized by the grand scope of an area, but we also crave that personal connection. That’s what gives the true travel experience.”

How much traveling do you do? “I travel about 230 days of the year. Fortunately, my husband travels with me whenever he can.”

Do you ever travel on your own, without the cameras around? “Not really. I’m a little backwards. With traveling so much of the year, I like to spend my vacations back home in Brooklyn, New York. And there’s so much to do there.”

How many languages do you speak? “I learn key phrases for almost every country we travel to, which I would recommend that all travelers should try to do. Oh, and I can order a cappuccino in every language there is!”

Is there anything that you’ve found during your trips that you don’t like? “I really dislike being underwater. And believe it or not, I’m scared to be on horseback!”

Focusing down a bit, what is your favorite part of Orlando? “I fell in love with Johnson’s Soul Food Diner (located downtown) during the filming of our Weekender series. Orlando’s definitely got soul! As part of that series, we like to go in and not just show an entire city or focus just on places that are off the beaten path. Instead, we concentrate on some parts you might not know about or have missed. And there are lots of great areas people might not know about around Orlando.”

What’s the biggest surprise you’ve found about Orlando? “It surprises me that so many adults come here – 50% without kids! So people are just having fun and feeling like kids themselves.”

You’ve done several Disney specials. What is your favorite Disney spot? “The Animal Kingdom park and Lodge are so special with the animals and the culture and the cast members that are actually from Africa. I haven’t had a chance to go to Africa yet, but I feel like I have after being there. And I think that would be great for kids to experience. Disney has really done an amazing job with that overall.”

When it comes to the attractions, do you like roller coasters or the calmer rides? “Oh, definitely the roller coasters! And I really like Disney’s Tower of Terror. I’ve stayed in so many hotels over the years that the idea of one running amuck is kind of funny to me.”

What is your favorite resort in Orlando? “I’m staying at the Portofino Bay Hotel (at Universal) this trip, which is one of the first places we featured in our ‘Great Hotels’ series. I love everything about it and it’s great to be back there.”

What about your favorite Orlando restaurant? “You mean other than Johnson’s?” she laughs. “After a day of shooting, I usually like to relax in my hotel room and am just as happy eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Of course, I have also really enjoyed sitting and relaxing at the bar at Emeril’s.”

So after today’s event, will you go back to your hotel and rest up? Or will you go out and hit some of the attractions? “I haven’t had a chance to catch the new Simpson’s ride yet. What time does Universal Studios close? I think that might be the plan for tonight! What was I saying about Orlando making you feel like a kid again…”

NOTE: Here’s a link to a list and video of Samantha Brown’s Top 10 Disney favorites.

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