Tourism

Diane Sears | 1/1/2005

THEME PARKS: 'Banner Year'

Florida's attractions started out strong last year but took a major hit after the hurricanes, when attendance dropped by 13% in August and 38% in September, says Donna Ross, president and CEO of the Florida Attractions Association.

"Hurricanes notwithstanding, it looks like it was pretty much a banner year" for Florida's theme parks in 2004, says James Zoltak, editor of Amusement Business magazine. Walt Disney World introduced new Mission Space, Mickey's Philharmagic, and Stitch's Great Escape attractions and saw a boom in attendance, a trend expected to continue this year as Disney touts its 50th anniversary worldwide and opens a park in Hong Kong.

Universal Studios Florida unveiled several attractions, including The Mummy,
a ride that won an industry award for its innovative design and helped Universal ride the wave of resurging state tourism and international visits with a 12% increase in attendance at its two Orlando theme parks.

2005 Forecast: "It all adds up to a positive outlook for theme park tourism in 2005," says James Zoltak, editor of Amusement Business.

« PREVIOUS 1 2

Tags: Dining & Travel, Around Florida

Abortion proposal on Florida's November ballot might not end legal fights about the issue

Florida student aid requests plunge. How many will delay or skip college?

Florida insurance market full of ‘low quality' companies, study finds

Commercial rent tax cut coming sooner than expected

For SUBSCRIBERS

READ THE April Issue » Access An Issue

FLORIDA TREND MAGAZINE

· LAST MONTH'S ISSUE · SUBSCRIBE NOW! · BUY A SINGLE ISSUE · GET DIGITAL ACCESS

Florida Business News

Can Florida's new digital data law tame the 'Wild West' of online privacy?
Big tech companies have had a year to prepare for the new law, which expands what’s considered personal data to include your voice, fingerprints and face.
Judge finalizes decision about projects that affect Florida wetlands
In a case closely watched by business and environmental groups, a U.S. district judge Friday finalized his rejection of a 2020 move by the federal government to shift permitting authority to Florida for projects that affect wetlands.
Florida is a leader when it comes to fraud complaints, especially for credit cards
As the use of credit cards becomes more common in the day-to-day lives of many Americans, identity theft and credit card scams have been on the rise, seeing more victims every day.
Is your water safe? How to check for ‘forever chemicals’ and reduce toxins in Florida
Public water systems across the country, including in Florida, will have five years to comply with the new “legally enforceable” tap water limits for PFAS set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
DeSantis signs law forbidding local governments from setting heat-exposure rules for workers
Without fanfare and after business hours, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law that prevents local governments from requiring worker protections from heat exposure and forbidding them to impose minimum wage requirements on contractors.