Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Universal Studios: Friday, Saturday added to Horror Nights' Frequent Fear Pass
Universal Studios has added two key dates -- this Friday and Saturday -- to its Frequent Fear Pass of Halloween Horror Nights.
Frequent Fear originally included 13 select nights for $69.99 -- the usual base price of one night of the after-hours, separate- ticket event. In effect, the rest of this year's Horror Nights falls under the pass because Wednesday and Thursday nights' sessions were already included and Friday and Saturday are the final nights for 2009.
Another twist at Universal is a new scarezone in a New York alleyway. Upon surviving the area, guests can record memories of Horror Nights past. Universal says it will use these impressions in the planning of next year's event, which will be the 20th edition.
Frequent Fear originally included 13 select nights for $69.99 -- the usual base price of one night of the after-hours, separate- ticket event. In effect, the rest of this year's Horror Nights falls under the pass because Wednesday and Thursday nights' sessions were already included and Friday and Saturday are the final nights for 2009.
Another twist at Universal is a new scarezone in a New York alleyway. Upon surviving the area, guests can record memories of Horror Nights past. Universal says it will use these impressions in the planning of next year's event, which will be the 20th edition.
Walt Disney World: New type of annual pass -- for weekdays only
Walt Disney World is now offering a new version of its annual pass. It's for Florida residents, and it allows admission to all four theme parks -- but not on weekends.
The Florida Resident Weekday Select Pass, good on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursday and Fridays, costs $169 for folks ages 10 and older, $149 for ages 3-9. Proof of Florida residency is required, such as a driver license or an ID from a Florida college.
There are blackout days beyond Saturdays and Sundays, much like the regular seasonal pass. Upcoming dates that the new pass won't work on include Dec. 19, 2009-Jan. 1, 2010, March 27-April 9, 2010 and June 12-Aug. 19, 2010.
CLARIFICATION: The Weekday Select Pass is a new option, not a wholesale change to the annual pass program for Florida residents.
Another cost to factor in: the new pass does not include parking, which is currently $14 per day.
The Florida Resident Weekday Select Pass, good on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursday and Fridays, costs $169 for folks ages 10 and older, $149 for ages 3-9. Proof of Florida residency is required, such as a driver license or an ID from a Florida college.
There are blackout days beyond Saturdays and Sundays, much like the regular seasonal pass. Upcoming dates that the new pass won't work on include Dec. 19, 2009-Jan. 1, 2010, March 27-April 9, 2010 and June 12-Aug. 19, 2010.
CLARIFICATION: The Weekday Select Pass is a new option, not a wholesale change to the annual pass program for Florida residents.
Another cost to factor in: the new pass does not include parking, which is currently $14 per day.
SeaWorld joins Disney and Universal by raising ticket prices
Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said some annual pass prices are rising. All annual pass prices are either being lowered or left unchanged.
SeaWorld Orlando said Friday that it will raise base ticket prices to nearly $80, joining rivals Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
But the resort at the same time will reduce the price of its popular "Fun Cards," which allow Florida residents to make repeated visits to the park with the purchase of a single-day ticket.
The base price of a one-day ticket to SeaWorld will rise $4, or 5.3 percent, to $78.95. The move brings SeaWorld's base price to just 5 cents less than single-day, single-park tickets to Disney or Universal, both of which raised their own prices over the summer.
The price of in-state Fun Cards, however, will be lowered by $5, or 6.7 percent, to $69.95 -- provided customers purchase them online or at participating AAA offices. The gate price of a Fun Card will remain at $74.95, though SeaWorld said guests can still get the lower rate at the gate if they ask for it.
Ticket and Fun Card prices for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will change by identical amounts. The increases go into effect Monday.
Joe Couceiro, chief marketing officer for SeaWorld parent Busch Entertainment Corp. said the higher base price is "something that not only is indicative of what we feel is the value of our parks but frankly is going to allow us to continue to invest in our parks at the level our customers expect."
Orlando-based Busch Entertainment is in the process of being sold by beer brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev to the Blackstone Group for up to $2.7 billion. Company observers widely expected that Busch would raise prices shortly after the Blackstone purchase was announced earlier this month, though the sale is not expected to close until after the New Year.
Busch will also raise prices for multi-park ticket options, which it primarily sells to out-of-state tourists. But it is lowering prices for many annual passes.
Like Disney and Universal, Busch uses its pricing structure to steer customers toward more frequent visits.
"What we really do is try to make sure that the tickets we're offering are not only aligned to what the consumers needs and demands are...[but] at the same time influence the behavior of what we're trying to accomplish," Couceiro said. "A visit to SeaWorld is great. A visit to SeaWorld and Aquatica is even better. And a visit to SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens is really fantastic."
Though he declined to provide specifics, Couceiro said "the bulk" of SeaWorld's sales are for ticket options other than single-day admission.
SeaWorld Orlando said Friday that it will raise base ticket prices to nearly $80, joining rivals Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
But the resort at the same time will reduce the price of its popular "Fun Cards," which allow Florida residents to make repeated visits to the park with the purchase of a single-day ticket.
The base price of a one-day ticket to SeaWorld will rise $4, or 5.3 percent, to $78.95. The move brings SeaWorld's base price to just 5 cents less than single-day, single-park tickets to Disney or Universal, both of which raised their own prices over the summer.
The price of in-state Fun Cards, however, will be lowered by $5, or 6.7 percent, to $69.95 -- provided customers purchase them online or at participating AAA offices. The gate price of a Fun Card will remain at $74.95, though SeaWorld said guests can still get the lower rate at the gate if they ask for it.
Ticket and Fun Card prices for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will change by identical amounts. The increases go into effect Monday.
Joe Couceiro, chief marketing officer for SeaWorld parent Busch Entertainment Corp. said the higher base price is "something that not only is indicative of what we feel is the value of our parks but frankly is going to allow us to continue to invest in our parks at the level our customers expect."
Orlando-based Busch Entertainment is in the process of being sold by beer brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev to the Blackstone Group for up to $2.7 billion. Company observers widely expected that Busch would raise prices shortly after the Blackstone purchase was announced earlier this month, though the sale is not expected to close until after the New Year.
Busch will also raise prices for multi-park ticket options, which it primarily sells to out-of-state tourists. But it is lowering prices for many annual passes.
Like Disney and Universal, Busch uses its pricing structure to steer customers toward more frequent visits.
"What we really do is try to make sure that the tickets we're offering are not only aligned to what the consumers needs and demands are...[but] at the same time influence the behavior of what we're trying to accomplish," Couceiro said. "A visit to SeaWorld is great. A visit to SeaWorld and Aquatica is even better. And a visit to SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens is really fantastic."
Though he declined to provide specifics, Couceiro said "the bulk" of SeaWorld's sales are for ticket options other than single-day admission.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
New Scarezone added this week at HHN Orlando
niversal Orlando today announced on its Universal's Halloween Horror Nights - Orlando (OFFICIAL) Facebook page that they will be adding a brand new scarezone this week.
Here is what Universal said: "An all-new terrifying scarezone will emerge from the shadows this week at HHN. Guests who are brave enough to walk the ominous NY alley will have the chance to inspire elements of next year’s 20th anniversary, telling HHN creators what scares them the most."
It sounds like Universal is putting some new elements for next years theme to the test. Rumors have it we might be seeing a wedding theme next year for the 20th anniversary. "Till Death Do Us PartSpecial Discounts:
Special Discounts:
Orlando Improv at it's finest! Take in a show at the SAK Comedy Club for a discounted price. From now until the end of the year, tickets to the 10pm shows are only $10. Enjoy their signature improv comedy show "Duel of Fools" for just $10. This special price will also include the Halloween Torture Show on October 31st. Physical (?) and mental abuse are on tap for their annual Halloween performance.
Orlando Improv at it's finest! Take in a show at the SAK Comedy Club for a discounted price. From now until the end of the year, tickets to the 10pm shows are only $10. Enjoy their signature improv comedy show "Duel of Fools" for just $10. This special price will also include the Halloween Torture Show on October 31st. Physical (?) and mental abuse are on tap for their annual Halloween performance.
Tips On Flying To or From Almeria
We are having another guest week here on Almerimar Life. This time we have lined up Linda Craik to provide some great content:
Because a number of airlines have cancelled routes as part of a general cost cutting exercise, you can now get scheduled and charter flights from six different UK Airports. If you want to fly from the London area easyJet and flythomascook.charter operate flights from Gatwick and Ryanair flys from Stansted.
Monarch and flythomascook.charter operate flights from Birmingham and Manchester International Airports. You can fly from Leeds Bradford with Jet2.com and Nottingham East Midlands with bmiBaby.
Almeria Airport handles a large number of direct and indirect internal flights on a daily basis. The main Spanish airports with direct flights to Almeria are Barcelona Airport and Melilla Airport via Spain’s international carrier Iberia, and Palma de Mallorca airport with Air Berlin.
As you know, things have changed dramatically in the airline industry over the past few years with rising fuel costs. As part of their cost cuts they have changed the way they price their tickets and it is no longer a good idea to try and book last minute seats as nine times out of ten this is by far the most expensive option. Try and book as far in advance as you can to secure the most competitive rates.
With online booking now so easy it is also worth getting costs for flying out with one airline and back with another. Also try and keep your dates and times as flexible as possible (I know this is not easy) as flying early or late in the day on a mid week flight will be much cheaper than a mid day flight on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
If you can avoid taking your holidays during the most popular times (Easter, July, August and Christmas and New Year) when the schools have broken up, again you will find the ticket prices are a lot cheaper off season.
The writer of this article is Linda Craik who has lived in Spain for a number of years. She works for Plus Four SL who specialise in writing airport guides including the Spanish Airport Guide which includes information on Almeria Airport
Because a number of airlines have cancelled routes as part of a general cost cutting exercise, you can now get scheduled and charter flights from six different UK Airports. If you want to fly from the London area easyJet and flythomascook.charter operate flights from Gatwick and Ryanair flys from Stansted.
Monarch and flythomascook.charter operate flights from Birmingham and Manchester International Airports. You can fly from Leeds Bradford with Jet2.com and Nottingham East Midlands with bmiBaby.
Almeria Airport handles a large number of direct and indirect internal flights on a daily basis. The main Spanish airports with direct flights to Almeria are Barcelona Airport and Melilla Airport via Spain’s international carrier Iberia, and Palma de Mallorca airport with Air Berlin.
As you know, things have changed dramatically in the airline industry over the past few years with rising fuel costs. As part of their cost cuts they have changed the way they price their tickets and it is no longer a good idea to try and book last minute seats as nine times out of ten this is by far the most expensive option. Try and book as far in advance as you can to secure the most competitive rates.
With online booking now so easy it is also worth getting costs for flying out with one airline and back with another. Also try and keep your dates and times as flexible as possible (I know this is not easy) as flying early or late in the day on a mid week flight will be much cheaper than a mid day flight on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
If you can avoid taking your holidays during the most popular times (Easter, July, August and Christmas and New Year) when the schools have broken up, again you will find the ticket prices are a lot cheaper off season.
The writer of this article is Linda Craik who has lived in Spain for a number of years. She works for Plus Four SL who specialise in writing airport guides including the Spanish Airport Guide which includes information on Almeria Airport
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Walt Disney World unveils new ride at Epcot
Walt Disney World unveiled its newest attraction Wednesday, a small but significant addition featuring first-of-its-kind simulators that allow guests to design -- and then ride -- their own roller coasters, bobsleds and jet planes.
But what makes the "Sum of All Thrills" at Epcot particularly interesting is that it offers a glimpse of what to expect in an even bigger attraction being built at Universal Orlando as part of that resort's highly anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The Disney attraction, underwritten by defense contractor Raytheon Co., features robotic arms that that loft riders through the air. The massive mechanical appendages were developed by German robotics company KUKA Aktiengesellschaft, which builds similar arms used by car manufacturers on assembly lines.
It is the first attraction at any of Orlando's theme parks to use such a ride system. But it is likely to have company soon.
Universal is widely thought to be using robot arms for The Forbidden Journey of Harry Potter, the centerpiece attraction in its $200-plus million Wizarding World project inside Islands of Adventure. While Universal has kept most details of the ride secret so far, construction documents show that the resort is working with a company that builds ride systems based on KUKA arms.
Disney's ride designers have been interested in KUKA arms for several years. Eric Goodman, a show producer with Walt Disney Imagineering, said they were especially intrigued by the ability to add "hoods" -- small capsules that close around a rider and allow for an immersive simulator experience.
Goodman said the technology turned out to be a perfect fit for Disney and Raytheon, which had been discussing a sponsorship deal for an exhibit inside one of Epcot's Innoventions pavilions. The companies wanted to create an experience in which children used basic math and science principles to design a thrill ride.
The arms have several advantages. Unlike conventional linear rides, for instance, the robot arms in the Sum of All Thrills can move in multiple directions at once because they rotate on six different axes. They have also been programmed with more sophisticated animation software.
"We were able to make a smoother ride," Goodman said.
Disney's Sum of All Thrills is by no means identical to Universal's Forbidden Journey. The Harry Potter attraction, which will be housed in a 15-story replica of Hogwarts Castle, will be a much larger, more lavish experience.
Universal's ride is also expected to be a type of "robocoaster," in which the robot arms advance along a track even as they swivel riders in various directions. The bases of the robot arms in the Sum of All Thrills are fixed in place.
The Wizaring World is scheduled to open sometime in the spring.
For Raytheon, the Sum of All Thrills is part of a broader outreach effort that also includes sponsoring the New England Patriots' new hall of fame in Massachusetts, where it has devised interactive exhibits that combine math and science with football. (Companies inside Epcot's Innoventions typically pay Disney about $1 million per year in sponsorship fees and sign on for three-year terms.)
William Swanson, chairman and chief executive officer of Waltham, Mass.-based Raytheon, said the goal is to get more children interested inWalt Disney World unveils new ride at Epcot learning about math and science and, not coincidentally, help ensure a continued stream of prospective employees in the future.
"What we need to do is help young children to understand how they can use math. If we can get young kids excited, we can build the pipeline," Swanson said. "For us, it's a long-term strategy."
Disney's Animal Kingdom: Two baby giraffes born this month
Photo by Gene Duncan/Walt Disney Co.
There's a mini-baby-boom in the giraffe population at Disney's Animal Kingdom. On Oct. 12, Bolo was born to second-time mother Big Girl (both in photo above). A week earlier, Bruehler was born to third-time mother Aibuni.
The newborns are both male and already stand at about 6 feet tall. They could grow up to be between 15 and 18 feet high. The new twosome began nursing right away, Disney officials say, and they are already very feisty. They are the 13th and 14th giraffes born at Animal Kingdom since it opened in 1998.
The theme-park-going public can't spy Bolo and Bruehler just yet, but they should be out and about "in the coming weeks," a Disney spokesperson says.
"The next important milestone is for the calves to continue the bonding process with their mothers who will teach them important lessons and guide them as they are introduced to the herd in the coming weeks," says Matt Hohne, animal operations director at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
how to save money eating in orlando
#step 1
Enjoy a buffet breakfast. Eating a large breakfast is a great way to keep you full all day long, and most breakfast buffets are priced under $7 per person. This is significantly less than lunch and dinner prices, and can help you get your fill for an entire day.
#
Step 2
Track down coupons at your hotel. Many hotels and resorts keep stacks of coupon books for guests. You can find many buy-one-get-one free coupons that can give you a great discount on parties of two or more.
#
Step 3
Print coupons online. Look up your selected restaurant and download and print a coupon. Many feature online-only specials that you can access any time of day.
#
Step 4
Commit to eating only one meal at a restaurant per day. Pack your own food the rest of the day, and you won't be at the mercy of eating out all day long.
#
Step 5
Avoid Disney Park snack carts and cafes. These items are usually overpriced, which means you'll have less money available for meals at a restaurant.
#
Step 6
Take advantage of happy hour. Many chains and restaurants feature a happy hour menu that features 50 percent off appetizers and drinks. You can enjoy an early dinner made up of a combination of appetizers and snacks at a much lower cost than the dinner menu.
#
Step 7
Shop at the local grocery store. Wal-Mart, SuperTarget and even Sam's Club can be found all around Orlando. Find out where your nearest location is and stock up on snacks and easy-to-prepare meals.
Enjoy a buffet breakfast. Eating a large breakfast is a great way to keep you full all day long, and most breakfast buffets are priced under $7 per person. This is significantly less than lunch and dinner prices, and can help you get your fill for an entire day.
#
Step 2
Track down coupons at your hotel. Many hotels and resorts keep stacks of coupon books for guests. You can find many buy-one-get-one free coupons that can give you a great discount on parties of two or more.
#
Step 3
Print coupons online. Look up your selected restaurant and download and print a coupon. Many feature online-only specials that you can access any time of day.
#
Step 4
Commit to eating only one meal at a restaurant per day. Pack your own food the rest of the day, and you won't be at the mercy of eating out all day long.
#
Step 5
Avoid Disney Park snack carts and cafes. These items are usually overpriced, which means you'll have less money available for meals at a restaurant.
#
Step 6
Take advantage of happy hour. Many chains and restaurants feature a happy hour menu that features 50 percent off appetizers and drinks. You can enjoy an early dinner made up of a combination of appetizers and snacks at a much lower cost than the dinner menu.
#
Step 7
Shop at the local grocery store. Wal-Mart, SuperTarget and even Sam's Club can be found all around Orlando. Find out where your nearest location is and stock up on snacks and easy-to-prepare meals.
"Beginner's Guide to Disney Discounts"
We all love a discount. If you're going to a dinner, finding a coupon for a free Bloomin' Onion or 2-for-1 dinner is just what we're looking for. If you go to buy a dress or suit, you're looking for that sale sign in the store window. We wouldn't dare buy that Coach purse at $300, but look! It's on SALE for $185! That's a discount! I'll take it!
And one of the most expensive items of your year may very well be your vacation this year. Especially if you are headed to Orlando Florida and Walt Disney World Resort. A family of 4 coming to Orlando can plan on spending over $2000 for their Orlando vacation, and that's not including airfare if needed or stuffed animals or a Tshirt for your best friend. Orlando vacations are an expensive proposition.
But there are ways to save money. Disney discounts are available if you know where to look. And they're not all scams. When I talk to families coming to vacation in Orlando about discounts on their Disney tickets or on their Disney hotel, the first thing I hear is "I don't wanna do no TIMESHARE!". Yes, the timeshare industry has made it difficult for the regular discount ticket seller to get his message out there. But believe me when I tell you, there are plenty of Disney discounts available that have NO 2 hour timeshare presentation, NO $20 deposits, NO required stays on a particular property.....they're just savings from companies that are able to purchase discount tickets at a bulk rate and sell them to you at a discount. That's it! Just purchase cheaper than you would at the gate.
Now, not all savings are created equal. A 1 day Disney pass is not going to be any cheaper than going to the gate. Ticket discount sellers are able to offer the best prices when you buy longer, multi-day tickets. And Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede is not going to be discounted as much as Arabian Nights. That's just the way it is. Some theme parks and dinner shows offer better discounts.
So below, we'll try and show you some of the places you can go to get a Disney discount and save on your next vacation to Orlando. Whether it's on airfare, hotel, restaurants or tickets, the savings are there. You just have to be patient and look around for them.
Discount Airfare - Discounts on airfares are not hard to find. They're just hard to separate. The big sites all offer basically the same prices. The best suggestion here is to compare 2 or 3 sites, find the flight you like most, then go to the airline home page for that flight. You might be able to save some buy skipping the travel website in favor of the actual airline.
Discount Hotels and Accommodations - Here is where alot of money can be saved. Or a lot of money can be wasted. Many families want to stay ON Disney property to really experience as much of the Magic Kingdom as they can. That's great! Those are really nice resort hotels. But DON'T buy your tickets as part of that package! Did you read that? DON'T BUY YOUR DISCOUNT DISNEY TICKETS in the hotel room package! Buying that package can be restricting to your vacation planning, does not have the best savings and leaves out some of the best parts of an Orlando vacation. They don't include Universal Studios in that package for example. Or Arabian Nights. Or Sea World. So you might end up buying more Discount Disney ticket days than you really need if you plan on going to any of the attractions off Disney property. Book your hotel room AND THEN put together your ticket package based on a day by day analysis of how long you will be here. More on tickets below. One of the biggest ways to save money is to consider renting a vacation home and not many people think of this option. Why would you want to stay 7 days or 10 days in a cramped hotel room (or 2 rooms or 3 rooms if you are a large family or group) without many of the luxuries that are available in a vacation home? Wouldn't a full kitchen be nice for those tired evenings when you don't have the energy to go out? Or those early morning breakfasts when you'd like to save a little cash by having milk and cereal? How about a private enclosed pool to enjoy as much as you want, whenever you want without distraction? Or a private jacuzzi? Or a pool table and game room to relax? The price is usually as cheap as a single hotel room and certainly cheaper than multiple rooms. And most vacation homes are just as close to the attractions. Orlando vacation homes are a definite money saver.
Disney Tickets - Here is another great place to save money. Discount Disney tickets can be found at a variety of websites, so we've tried to boil down the 2 or 3 that consistently have the best prices. You can also see if you qualify for a timeshare tour to earn Free Disney Tickets. Just be sure to look over the qualifications and understand that you've gotta give up 2 hours of your day. But free tickets are free tickets. Otherwise, just choose one of these partners. Prices don't vary much between sites so don't spend too much time digging to save $1 on a ticket. Your time can be better spent preparing for the trip.
GreatOrlandoDiscounts.com is our flagship site. It's been around forever, shows up all over the internet, has great Better Business Bureau reputation and is a certified CLIA and IATA travel agent. Toll Free number. Fast delivery. What more can you ask for?
Group Travel - if you have a church group, school group, large family or scout group, this site can give you additional group ticket discounts that are usually not available from other discount Disney tickets sellers.
Rental Cars - Another seldom thought about savings area. Shop around. Budget rental car might be cheaper over Easter weekend than Thrifty rental car. Many of these sites will do side by side comparisons. Others focus on 1 or 2 companies but have really great deals. There are coupons and codes for rental car discounts
http://www.greatorlandodiscounts.com/disney-discount.htm
And one of the most expensive items of your year may very well be your vacation this year. Especially if you are headed to Orlando Florida and Walt Disney World Resort. A family of 4 coming to Orlando can plan on spending over $2000 for their Orlando vacation, and that's not including airfare if needed or stuffed animals or a Tshirt for your best friend. Orlando vacations are an expensive proposition.
But there are ways to save money. Disney discounts are available if you know where to look. And they're not all scams. When I talk to families coming to vacation in Orlando about discounts on their Disney tickets or on their Disney hotel, the first thing I hear is "I don't wanna do no TIMESHARE!". Yes, the timeshare industry has made it difficult for the regular discount ticket seller to get his message out there. But believe me when I tell you, there are plenty of Disney discounts available that have NO 2 hour timeshare presentation, NO $20 deposits, NO required stays on a particular property.....they're just savings from companies that are able to purchase discount tickets at a bulk rate and sell them to you at a discount. That's it! Just purchase cheaper than you would at the gate.
Now, not all savings are created equal. A 1 day Disney pass is not going to be any cheaper than going to the gate. Ticket discount sellers are able to offer the best prices when you buy longer, multi-day tickets. And Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede is not going to be discounted as much as Arabian Nights. That's just the way it is. Some theme parks and dinner shows offer better discounts.
So below, we'll try and show you some of the places you can go to get a Disney discount and save on your next vacation to Orlando. Whether it's on airfare, hotel, restaurants or tickets, the savings are there. You just have to be patient and look around for them.
Discount Airfare - Discounts on airfares are not hard to find. They're just hard to separate. The big sites all offer basically the same prices. The best suggestion here is to compare 2 or 3 sites, find the flight you like most, then go to the airline home page for that flight. You might be able to save some buy skipping the travel website in favor of the actual airline.
Discount Hotels and Accommodations - Here is where alot of money can be saved. Or a lot of money can be wasted. Many families want to stay ON Disney property to really experience as much of the Magic Kingdom as they can. That's great! Those are really nice resort hotels. But DON'T buy your tickets as part of that package! Did you read that? DON'T BUY YOUR DISCOUNT DISNEY TICKETS in the hotel room package! Buying that package can be restricting to your vacation planning, does not have the best savings and leaves out some of the best parts of an Orlando vacation. They don't include Universal Studios in that package for example. Or Arabian Nights. Or Sea World. So you might end up buying more Discount Disney ticket days than you really need if you plan on going to any of the attractions off Disney property. Book your hotel room AND THEN put together your ticket package based on a day by day analysis of how long you will be here. More on tickets below. One of the biggest ways to save money is to consider renting a vacation home and not many people think of this option. Why would you want to stay 7 days or 10 days in a cramped hotel room (or 2 rooms or 3 rooms if you are a large family or group) without many of the luxuries that are available in a vacation home? Wouldn't a full kitchen be nice for those tired evenings when you don't have the energy to go out? Or those early morning breakfasts when you'd like to save a little cash by having milk and cereal? How about a private enclosed pool to enjoy as much as you want, whenever you want without distraction? Or a private jacuzzi? Or a pool table and game room to relax? The price is usually as cheap as a single hotel room and certainly cheaper than multiple rooms. And most vacation homes are just as close to the attractions. Orlando vacation homes are a definite money saver.
Disney Tickets - Here is another great place to save money. Discount Disney tickets can be found at a variety of websites, so we've tried to boil down the 2 or 3 that consistently have the best prices. You can also see if you qualify for a timeshare tour to earn Free Disney Tickets. Just be sure to look over the qualifications and understand that you've gotta give up 2 hours of your day. But free tickets are free tickets. Otherwise, just choose one of these partners. Prices don't vary much between sites so don't spend too much time digging to save $1 on a ticket. Your time can be better spent preparing for the trip.
GreatOrlandoDiscounts.com is our flagship site. It's been around forever, shows up all over the internet, has great Better Business Bureau reputation and is a certified CLIA and IATA travel agent. Toll Free number. Fast delivery. What more can you ask for?
Group Travel - if you have a church group, school group, large family or scout group, this site can give you additional group ticket discounts that are usually not available from other discount Disney tickets sellers.
Rental Cars - Another seldom thought about savings area. Shop around. Budget rental car might be cheaper over Easter weekend than Thrifty rental car. Many of these sites will do side by side comparisons. Others focus on 1 or 2 companies but have really great deals. There are coupons and codes for rental car discounts
http://www.greatorlandodiscounts.com/disney-discount.htm
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Universal Orlando raises parking prices, too
A week after Walt Disney World did it, Universal Orlando has raised its own parking prices.
Universal over the weekend bumped the price to park in its garages from $12 to $14 -- a 17 percent increase. The move brings Universal's parking rate in line with Disney World's (which also jumped from $12 to $14 on Oct. 4.)
Well what i say they are going to go up every time Disney go's up. Hey guys just a heads up if you guys keep doing that no one will show up just a heads up.
Universal over the weekend bumped the price to park in its garages from $12 to $14 -- a 17 percent increase. The move brings Universal's parking rate in line with Disney World's (which also jumped from $12 to $14 on Oct. 4.)
Well what i say they are going to go up every time Disney go's up. Hey guys just a heads up if you guys keep doing that no one will show up just a heads up.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Universal Studios: 'Ghost Hunters' guys in the (haunted) house
Ghost Hunters stars Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango commune with creatures from Universal's Halloween Horror Nights on Thursday evening. The duo, who appear on the SyFy program, also interacted with fans during the event. (Photo by Kevin Kolczynski/Orlando Sentinel)
Friday, October 9, 2009
Disney eateries test seating program
Walt Disney World is experimenting with new crowd-control methods in some of its busiest in-park restaurants, hoping to make the facilities more pleasant for guests and more profitable for the resort.
Inside four quick-service restaurants in the Magic Kingdom, Disney has begun restricting access — but guaranteeing seating — during particularly busy lunch rushes. Managers say the approach helps smooth out traffic in part by eliminating the need for groups to split up and send someone to order food while another person holds an open table — something that can clog up as much as one-third of a restaurant's capacity at any given time.
"This has been very helpful for us from an efficiency standpoint, because everything's so well-organized," said Liz Clark, general manager of food and beverage in the Magic Kingdom.
The tinkering illustrates one of the small ways theme parks have sought to squeeze more money out of existing operations — beyond top-level cost cuts — in the midst of a recession that has sapped attendance and guest spending.
Disney does not break out how much restaurant sales contribute to the revenue of individual theme parks. But experts say it is substantial.
"The food-and-beverage operations are very significant in the overall bottom line," said Mary Jo Ross, a former multi-unit restaurant manager at Universal Orlando and an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management.
Disney says the restaurant changes are part of an internal initiative called "The Basics," in which employees have been urged to re-emphasize customer service.
Busy, in-park restaurants are an obvious target for improvements; around noon on a busy day, they can rival the longest ride queues in terms of crowds, noise and stress levels.
"It wasn't really a good way to decompress or relax. So we've been really focusing on how we can enhance the whole dining experience," Clark said.
Under the controlled-access and -seating program, guests in certain Magic Kingdom counter-service restaurants are steered through a single entrance so workers can keep tabs on how many people are inside.
A greeter hands menus and steers the entire group to cash registers to place their orders. After they get their food, they are guided by another employee to an empty table.
Implementing the change is trickier than it may sound. For example, the restaurants have multiple entrances, so Disney restaurant managers have had to work with the resort's "Imagineers" to work out new ways of guiding traffic through a single point.
Clark said the program has already evolved based on feedback from guests. The menus that greeters hand out were initially only available in English and were done entirely in text; they have since been changed to include multiple languages, pictures of the menu selections, and information about using a pre-purchased dining plan that Disney sells to resort guests.
Disney began testing the concept in the Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café. But it has since been rolled out to three other busy counter-service restaurants: Columbia Harbour House, Pinocchio Village Haus and Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café. Those restaurants range in size from about 400 seats to more than 1,000 at Pecos Bill and Cosmic Ray's.
The controlled access is used only when that day's park attendance warrants.
Clark said the results have been overwhelmingly positive, both in terms of praise from guests who report a more-relaxed dining experience and in terms of reducing congestion inside the restaurants, where, like on a busy highway, small backups can cascade over the course of a day into lengthier delays.
Disney has also made other, subtler changes. At Pecos Bill, for instance, the resort has added self-service ordering kiosks, though guests can still opt to order from a human cashier.
Workers also recently replaced highly themed, high-backed chairs at Pecos Bill with smaller, less clunky stools. The switch, which Disney said was made on the suggestion of a restaurant worker, has allowed the restaurant to add an extra seat at many tables and improved the aisles between tables, helping alleviate further bottlenecks.
Inside four quick-service restaurants in the Magic Kingdom, Disney has begun restricting access — but guaranteeing seating — during particularly busy lunch rushes. Managers say the approach helps smooth out traffic in part by eliminating the need for groups to split up and send someone to order food while another person holds an open table — something that can clog up as much as one-third of a restaurant's capacity at any given time.
"This has been very helpful for us from an efficiency standpoint, because everything's so well-organized," said Liz Clark, general manager of food and beverage in the Magic Kingdom.
The tinkering illustrates one of the small ways theme parks have sought to squeeze more money out of existing operations — beyond top-level cost cuts — in the midst of a recession that has sapped attendance and guest spending.
Disney does not break out how much restaurant sales contribute to the revenue of individual theme parks. But experts say it is substantial.
"The food-and-beverage operations are very significant in the overall bottom line," said Mary Jo Ross, a former multi-unit restaurant manager at Universal Orlando and an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management.
Disney says the restaurant changes are part of an internal initiative called "The Basics," in which employees have been urged to re-emphasize customer service.
Busy, in-park restaurants are an obvious target for improvements; around noon on a busy day, they can rival the longest ride queues in terms of crowds, noise and stress levels.
"It wasn't really a good way to decompress or relax. So we've been really focusing on how we can enhance the whole dining experience," Clark said.
Under the controlled-access and -seating program, guests in certain Magic Kingdom counter-service restaurants are steered through a single entrance so workers can keep tabs on how many people are inside.
A greeter hands menus and steers the entire group to cash registers to place their orders. After they get their food, they are guided by another employee to an empty table.
Implementing the change is trickier than it may sound. For example, the restaurants have multiple entrances, so Disney restaurant managers have had to work with the resort's "Imagineers" to work out new ways of guiding traffic through a single point.
Clark said the program has already evolved based on feedback from guests. The menus that greeters hand out were initially only available in English and were done entirely in text; they have since been changed to include multiple languages, pictures of the menu selections, and information about using a pre-purchased dining plan that Disney sells to resort guests.
Disney began testing the concept in the Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café. But it has since been rolled out to three other busy counter-service restaurants: Columbia Harbour House, Pinocchio Village Haus and Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café. Those restaurants range in size from about 400 seats to more than 1,000 at Pecos Bill and Cosmic Ray's.
The controlled access is used only when that day's park attendance warrants.
Clark said the results have been overwhelmingly positive, both in terms of praise from guests who report a more-relaxed dining experience and in terms of reducing congestion inside the restaurants, where, like on a busy highway, small backups can cascade over the course of a day into lengthier delays.
Disney has also made other, subtler changes. At Pecos Bill, for instance, the resort has added self-service ordering kiosks, though guests can still opt to order from a human cashier.
Workers also recently replaced highly themed, high-backed chairs at Pecos Bill with smaller, less clunky stools. The switch, which Disney said was made on the suggestion of a restaurant worker, has allowed the restaurant to add an extra seat at many tables and improved the aisles between tables, helping alleviate further bottlenecks.
SeaWorld Orlando will flip to new owner After months of talks, Busch Entertainment will be sold to Blackstone Group for up to $2.7 billion
Shamu finally has a new owner.
After months of negotiations, Anheuser-Busch InBev announced Wednesday that it will sell SeaWorld Orlando's parent Busch Entertainment Corp. to the Blackstone Group for as much as $2.7billion.
Blackstone, the New York-based private-equity giant, will pay $2.3billion in cash plus give A-B InBev the right to participate in as much as $400million of its initial returns. Blackstone will own 100 percent of Busch.
The deal has sweeping implications both for Orlando and the global tourism industry.
Orlando-based Busch Entertainment is the second-busiest theme-park operator in the United States, with a chain of 10 theme parks that stretches from Pennsylvania to California and draws about 25million visitors a year. It has approximately 10,000 employees in Central Florida alone, where its properties include SeaWorld, Aquatica and Discovery Cove.
Blackstone, meanwhile, already holds a 50percent stake in Orlando's No.2 theme-park resort — and fierce SeaWorld competitor — Universal Orlando. The buyout firm also owns Merlin Entertainments Group, the British amusement-park operator with properties such as Legoland theme parks and Madame Tussauds wax museums.
'An exciting day'
Blackstone will retain Busch Entertainment's senior management and operate the company as a stand-alone investment.
"This is an exciting day in BEC history," Busch Entertainment President Jim Atchison said during an interview. Blackstone brings "an awful lot of strategic vision for us. We're going to continue to grow the business together."
Blackstone pledged to continue spending money on new attractions and other additions for the Busch properties, which also include SeaWorld parks in San Diego and San Antonio and Busch Gardens parks in Tampa and Williamsburg, Va. It also said it intends to give Busch Entertainment executives relatively free rein in day-to-day management.
"We have deep sector experience and look forward to working with the excellent BEC management team to continue to invest in and grow the company," Joseph Baratta, a senior managing director at Blackstone, said in a prepared statement.
With the deal, Busch Entertainment will for the first time become an independent company, rather than merely a division under the corporate umbrella of a beer conglomerate. Because of that, it will soon begin hiring to fill roles in areas such as legal, procurement and tax that had previously been handled by Anheuser-Busch.
"This is a big thing for Orlando, not just BEC," Atchison said. He said no jobs will be cut as part of the transaction.
Busch Entertainment will take on about $1.3billion in debt to finance the deal, according to a person familiar with the details. Blackstone is also contributing $1billion in equity.
Few changes likely
Visitors are likely to see few changes at the parks. The sale includes a sponsorship agreement with Anheuser-Busch that will permit Busch Entertainment to continue using names such as "Busch Gardens" and continue promotional campaigns such as the "Here's to the Heroes" program, in which members of the military can get free admission.
The parks will also continue to serve Anheuser-Busch beers.
Perhaps the most noticeable change: Budweiser's iconic Clydesdale horses will be removed from SeaWorld's in-park stables; Atchison said the horses will remain a part of Anheuser-Busch's beer-marketing division. Some Anheuser-Busch signs will also likely be taken down in coming weeks.
But beyond that, "I don't think guests will see a change," Atchison said. "There's going to be a lot of continuity."
Executives at Blackstone and InBev first began discussing a possible deal for the theme parks about 15months ago, according to a person familiar with the talks — even before Belgium-based InBev had completed its $52billion acquisition of St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch. InBev executives wanted to use money raised by selling the parks — along with other noncore assets — to help pay down debt stemming from the merger.
Though other suitors are thought to have expressed interest in the Busch parks early on, the person familiar with the talks said A-B InBev had been negotiating exclusively with Blackstone for the past six months.
The negotiations were slowed by the collapse of the global credit markets last fall, which made multibillion-dollar transactions such as the Busch sale nearly impossible to finance. The difficult economic environment also clearly contributed to the $2.7billion price tag, which was substantially lower than the $4billion-plus that some analysts initially suggested Busch Entertainment could fetch.
The sale was also made tricky by Blackstone's desire to continue using the Busch name, which keeps one of A-B InBev's better-known brands intertwined with the parks even though the company itself no longer is.
"We're pleased to have reached an agreement with a buyer who understands the industry and will take a strategic approach to its future," said A-B InBev spokesman Michael Torres. The sale, he added, "met our criteria in terms of value, certainty and timing, among other factors."
Lengthy process
As rumors of a potential sale heightened in recent weeks, analysts speculated that Blackstone could ultimately seek to package Busch with Merlin ahead of an initial public offering or pair it with Universal Orlando — which it co-owns with NBC Universal — to create a more formidable competitor to Walt Disney World, the busiest U.S. theme-park operator.
But Blackstone says it does not intend to pursue any such combination; the firm noted that it bought Busch, Universal and Merlin out of separate investment funds with separate investors and interests.
The Busch Entertainment sale is likely to take several months to close.
After months of negotiations, Anheuser-Busch InBev announced Wednesday that it will sell SeaWorld Orlando's parent Busch Entertainment Corp. to the Blackstone Group for as much as $2.7billion.
Blackstone, the New York-based private-equity giant, will pay $2.3billion in cash plus give A-B InBev the right to participate in as much as $400million of its initial returns. Blackstone will own 100 percent of Busch.
The deal has sweeping implications both for Orlando and the global tourism industry.
Orlando-based Busch Entertainment is the second-busiest theme-park operator in the United States, with a chain of 10 theme parks that stretches from Pennsylvania to California and draws about 25million visitors a year. It has approximately 10,000 employees in Central Florida alone, where its properties include SeaWorld, Aquatica and Discovery Cove.
Blackstone, meanwhile, already holds a 50percent stake in Orlando's No.2 theme-park resort — and fierce SeaWorld competitor — Universal Orlando. The buyout firm also owns Merlin Entertainments Group, the British amusement-park operator with properties such as Legoland theme parks and Madame Tussauds wax museums.
'An exciting day'
Blackstone will retain Busch Entertainment's senior management and operate the company as a stand-alone investment.
"This is an exciting day in BEC history," Busch Entertainment President Jim Atchison said during an interview. Blackstone brings "an awful lot of strategic vision for us. We're going to continue to grow the business together."
Blackstone pledged to continue spending money on new attractions and other additions for the Busch properties, which also include SeaWorld parks in San Diego and San Antonio and Busch Gardens parks in Tampa and Williamsburg, Va. It also said it intends to give Busch Entertainment executives relatively free rein in day-to-day management.
"We have deep sector experience and look forward to working with the excellent BEC management team to continue to invest in and grow the company," Joseph Baratta, a senior managing director at Blackstone, said in a prepared statement.
With the deal, Busch Entertainment will for the first time become an independent company, rather than merely a division under the corporate umbrella of a beer conglomerate. Because of that, it will soon begin hiring to fill roles in areas such as legal, procurement and tax that had previously been handled by Anheuser-Busch.
"This is a big thing for Orlando, not just BEC," Atchison said. He said no jobs will be cut as part of the transaction.
Busch Entertainment will take on about $1.3billion in debt to finance the deal, according to a person familiar with the details. Blackstone is also contributing $1billion in equity.
Few changes likely
Visitors are likely to see few changes at the parks. The sale includes a sponsorship agreement with Anheuser-Busch that will permit Busch Entertainment to continue using names such as "Busch Gardens" and continue promotional campaigns such as the "Here's to the Heroes" program, in which members of the military can get free admission.
The parks will also continue to serve Anheuser-Busch beers.
Perhaps the most noticeable change: Budweiser's iconic Clydesdale horses will be removed from SeaWorld's in-park stables; Atchison said the horses will remain a part of Anheuser-Busch's beer-marketing division. Some Anheuser-Busch signs will also likely be taken down in coming weeks.
But beyond that, "I don't think guests will see a change," Atchison said. "There's going to be a lot of continuity."
Executives at Blackstone and InBev first began discussing a possible deal for the theme parks about 15months ago, according to a person familiar with the talks — even before Belgium-based InBev had completed its $52billion acquisition of St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch. InBev executives wanted to use money raised by selling the parks — along with other noncore assets — to help pay down debt stemming from the merger.
Though other suitors are thought to have expressed interest in the Busch parks early on, the person familiar with the talks said A-B InBev had been negotiating exclusively with Blackstone for the past six months.
The negotiations were slowed by the collapse of the global credit markets last fall, which made multibillion-dollar transactions such as the Busch sale nearly impossible to finance. The difficult economic environment also clearly contributed to the $2.7billion price tag, which was substantially lower than the $4billion-plus that some analysts initially suggested Busch Entertainment could fetch.
The sale was also made tricky by Blackstone's desire to continue using the Busch name, which keeps one of A-B InBev's better-known brands intertwined with the parks even though the company itself no longer is.
"We're pleased to have reached an agreement with a buyer who understands the industry and will take a strategic approach to its future," said A-B InBev spokesman Michael Torres. The sale, he added, "met our criteria in terms of value, certainty and timing, among other factors."
Lengthy process
As rumors of a potential sale heightened in recent weeks, analysts speculated that Blackstone could ultimately seek to package Busch with Merlin ahead of an initial public offering or pair it with Universal Orlando — which it co-owns with NBC Universal — to create a more formidable competitor to Walt Disney World, the busiest U.S. theme-park operator.
But Blackstone says it does not intend to pursue any such combination; the firm noted that it bought Busch, Universal and Merlin out of separate investment funds with separate investors and interests.
The Busch Entertainment sale is likely to take several months to close.
Attractions discounts for Oct. 9 and beyond
Here's a selection of attractions offering reduced prices:
Aquatica: off BeachLine Expressway at Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; 407-351-3600; Pick Two combined pass for Florida residents to any two "Worlds of Discovery" parks (Aquatica, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld and Adventure Island) for $79.95. Regular admission is $44.95 adults, $38.95 children; 407-351-3600.
Discovery Cove: adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando, off BeachLine Expressway at Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; 1-877-4-DISCOVERY; $199 plus tax including a dolphin-swim experience, $99 plus tax without for Florida residents (through Dec. 18). Regular admission is $289 plus tax including a dolphin-swim experience, $189 plus tax without.
Sweet Glides Segway Tours: 915 Outer Road, Suite 200, Orlando; 407-668-7838 or sweetglides.com; $5 off for Florida residents (through Oct. 31). Regular admission is $45-$60.
Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure: Universal Orlando, Interstate 4 and Kirkman Road, Orlando; 407-363-8000 or universalorlando.com; Florida resident two-park season pass for $99.99 (valid through Dec. 31). Regular one-day one-park admission is $73 adults, $63 ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger.
Walt Disney World parks: off Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; 407-824-4321 or disneyworld.com. Free admission on birthdays with valid ID (through 2009), free five-day base ticket with Park Hopper option for active and retired military (through Dec. 23, 2009), Florida resident admission is $67.50 general, $56.70 ages 3-9 (advance purchase only). Regular admission is $79 general, $68 ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger.
Wet 'n Wild: 6200 International Drive, Orlando; 407-351-1800; Weekday Annual Pass good for Monday-Friday for a year for $49.99 plus tax, Florida resident single-day pass for $31 plus tax all ages, Splash Pass "Buy a Day, Get the Rest of 2009 Free" offer for $44.95. Regular price is $44.95 plus tax general, $38.95 plus tax seniors and ages 3-9 ($10 off after 2 p.m.).
Copyright © 2009, Orlando Sentinel
Aquatica: off BeachLine Expressway at Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; 407-351-3600; Pick Two combined pass for Florida residents to any two "Worlds of Discovery" parks (Aquatica, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld and Adventure Island) for $79.95. Regular admission is $44.95 adults, $38.95 children; 407-351-3600.
Discovery Cove: adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando, off BeachLine Expressway at Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; 1-877-4-DISCOVERY; $199 plus tax including a dolphin-swim experience, $99 plus tax without for Florida residents (through Dec. 18). Regular admission is $289 plus tax including a dolphin-swim experience, $189 plus tax without.
Sweet Glides Segway Tours: 915 Outer Road, Suite 200, Orlando; 407-668-7838 or sweetglides.com; $5 off for Florida residents (through Oct. 31). Regular admission is $45-$60.
Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure: Universal Orlando, Interstate 4 and Kirkman Road, Orlando; 407-363-8000 or universalorlando.com; Florida resident two-park season pass for $99.99 (valid through Dec. 31). Regular one-day one-park admission is $73 adults, $63 ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger.
Walt Disney World parks: off Interstate 4 southwest of Orlando; 407-824-4321 or disneyworld.com. Free admission on birthdays with valid ID (through 2009), free five-day base ticket with Park Hopper option for active and retired military (through Dec. 23, 2009), Florida resident admission is $67.50 general, $56.70 ages 3-9 (advance purchase only). Regular admission is $79 general, $68 ages 3-9, free age 2 and younger.
Wet 'n Wild: 6200 International Drive, Orlando; 407-351-1800; Weekday Annual Pass good for Monday-Friday for a year for $49.99 plus tax, Florida resident single-day pass for $31 plus tax all ages, Splash Pass "Buy a Day, Get the Rest of 2009 Free" offer for $44.95. Regular price is $44.95 plus tax general, $38.95 plus tax seniors and ages 3-9 ($10 off after 2 p.m.).
Copyright © 2009, Orlando Sentinel
Universal Studios: Meet the head behind the Horror Nights
Michael Roddy started his career at Universal Studios portraying a Ghostbuster in 1992. Cut to today, when he’s one of the writer/director/creative masterminds behind Universal Orlando’s marquee events, including Halloween Horror Nights now staging its 19th edition.
Roddy, 41, a former actor who grew up in Atlantic Beach, Tampa and Atlanta, talks about his childhood influences (a certain shark, a classic monster) and the happiest days with the Horror Nights. (Photo by Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel)
Question: When I first met you, your name tag indicated you were from Amity. That’s a Jaws thing, right?
Answer: I have "Amity Island, Mass." I saw Jaws when I was 6 years old, and it was a huge influence on me. I recognize that movie along with The Wolfman and Frankenstein — and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein in specific — as being films that made me say "I want to do that. I want to make movies or tell stories like that." I’ve been pursuing that ever since.
Q: Did Jaws freak you out?
A: I loved the story, I loved the way the story was told, I loved the humor, but also it scared me. I realized that "Wow, you can be terrified in this seat." All of a sudden I was transported out in the middle of the Atlantic ocean and being pursued by a 30-foot great white shark. And after it was done, I stood up and walked out into the sunlight and was fine. The fact that films or stories that had much power to transport you from sitting in a seat to fearing and sweating and heart palpitations and freaking out, I think, was probably the thing that was so attractive to me about being in some type of story-telling.
It goes back to just telling a good ghost story. In the right settings, you can freak a room out by nothing more than how you timber your voice and talk to people and put a story together.
Q: So Jaws was your gateway drug to other horror films. This interest grew in your teens?
A: From that point forward, I was always a movie fan. I had an uncle who knew every character actor there was. He gave me a great film education on who people were like Ward Bond and Thomas Mitchell and Walter Brennan. Even Lon Chaney, obviously, because I was always slanted toward horror films. Then I discovered Stephen King and realized that, wow, you can really scare people with the written word as well. ... Through grade school and then high school, any opportunity, whether it be to write a short story or to act on stage or even to make my own short films when I was in high school and college, I did.
Q: Do you have a theatrical background?
A: I did a lot of stage stuff when I was a kid, like a tour of Oliver. I was very fortunate that I got cast in a lot of stuff, and my career path seemed to be going down that way of being a professional actor — and I was for several years. I toured around the country and did several shows all over the place. What actually brought me to Orlando was a show at the old Mark Two Dinner Theater. I got contracted for a show here for, like, 12 weeks and afterward the contract was coming to an end and I said maybe I’ll give Orlando a year. ... I knew what Universal was, and I loved it. Luckily they had an audition shortly after that, and I got hired as a Ghostbuster, which was cool.
I worked here that first summer and also worked at a place called Terror on Church Street in downtown Orlando. Next thing I know they have this little thing called Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. I auditioned for that and was Norman Bates the very first year. ... The next year, just because of my passion, they said "You seem to really, really enjoy the subject matter and you know a lot about it. Would you be interested in helping out?" That kind of manifested itself over the years into where I am now.
Q: Didn’t you take a break from Universal for a while?
A: I left Universal in 2002 after Halloween at Islands of Adventure. I decided it was time for me to spread my wings. I did a lot of freelance stuff. I worked for Disney, and I worked for SeaWorld, Busch Gardens Tampa and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I did stuff for Mirage Entertainment out west. I worked everywhere pretty much. ... I was always bringing my enthusiasm for Halloween and my enthusiasm for storytelling to these other properties.
I think it was 2005, I talked to [Universal senior vice president for entertainment] Jim Timon, and he said "You know, we’re looking for someone to head up Creative, and you know the park, you know the people, you know the property and you know the product." I was like, "Yeah, no one does it like Universal." We have the classic monsters, we have Jaws, we have all those great Universal movies that I grew up just loving — and I get to play with on a daily basis."
Q: Is Horror Nights a year-round process?
A: Oh, more than that. We’ve been working on 2010 since July [2009], so it’s starting to actually be more than a year-round process. There’s not a time where we’re not, in some capacity, working on Halloween Horror Nights.
Q: Is there a part of the creative process that you enjoy most?"
The most rewarding part for me is the first time you walk into the maze and it’s just starting construction and you’re like "Wow, we’re really doing this." There’s always still that kick of a little kid going "We’re really doing this." Opening night is always my favorite because you can walk through and people are screaming or people are laughing.
Q: And the the most daunting part?
You always find yourself, no matter what, there’s that moment of doubt. No matter how much research you’ve done or how much data you have saying the brand is popular, there’s always that moment before you walk in that you’re like "Is this going to work?" It’s just the pitfalls of humanity. You always doubt yourself no matter what.
For any show we do, for a month and a half when the production is in gear, you’re a rock star. You’re living that rock-star lifestyle. You’re up all night, you’re sleeping during the day, if you can get sleep. You’re drinking Red Bull. And then it closes. We call the first week of November a kind of mourning around here. For about a week, we don’t know what to do with ourselves. ... It’s a restless kind of energy. That’s getting less and less because we’re getting so much more busy, but there’s still at least a day or two of where we are in mourning.
With Halloween, you build these things and they’re there for a month, and then they’re gone forever. That’s cool and sad at the same time. So I’m always trying to take as many photos and go through as many times just to keep the memory of the experience.
Q: You have outside projects going?
A: When I’m not busy with Universal, I produce documentaries, just because I’m fascinated myself. I love hearing about how things were put together, the anecdotes and the process. The first one I did was based on Jaws. I produced a documentary called The Shark Is Still Working, which is a feature-length documentary on Jaws, which — knock on wood — we just got [Steven] Spielberg’s endorsement, and it looks like it’s now going to be on the Blu-Ray release of Jaws.
I started a new project called Monster Kids, which is an in-depth study of the lasting impact of horror films on generations. In the late ’50s, early ’60s when the monsters had a resurgence and then you had monsters on TV and Famous Monsters magazine. That continued into today and has created several generations of monster kids. .. .. .What is it about the fantastical that inspired so many people from Guillermo Del Toro to Frank Darabont to Spielberg to Stephen King? You hear the same stories over and over: "Well, I read Famous Monsters magazine, and I saw Dracula and Frankenstein on a little horror-host TV ... It’s the same story.
I thought this was something I’d love to capture, so I’ve been working on a project the side. So far, I’ve gotten the support of all the heirs. I’ve interviewed Sara Karloff, the Chaney family has become big fans and supporters of it, the [Bela] Lugosi family ... they’ve all helped. Guillermo Del Toro’s going to do an interview. Rick Baker’s going to be a part of it. All of the effects guys in L.A. I’ve worked with over the years have all done interviews for it. My goal is to be done with the production of that by the end of the year and to premiere next year at Monsterpalooza.
It’s interesting because I think there’s this attitude toward kids that enjoy the darker side of life, and I don’t mean that in a negative way. Now they’re branded as "goth." Now they completely transform themselves. Well, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s kids that are more in tune with the fantastical side of things and love a good story — because ultimately all those things are is good stories. Monster stories are part of our DNA. Fear is part of our DNA. And I think kids that enjoy it, there’s nothing darker or ominous about them. They’re just more tuned into "OK, I accept. that." For those kids, maybe it’s a way to deal with life.
Q: You have a pre-taped cameo in the Bill & Ted show at this year’s Horror Nights. Are you incorporated every year?
A: Sometimes it’s by design, sometimes it’s strictly by accident because someone didn’t show up. Last year, I was the captain in the video of the Interstellar Terror [haunted house]. This year, the director of Bill & Ted asked me if I’d open the show as a newscaster. .. .. . It seems to be getting some fun play. Now I’ll walk through the park on a nightly basis and you’ll see people look at me and say "Oh, it’s the newscaster."
Q: You’re a Horror Nights character now!
A: Yeah, I’ve become a character. I’m OK with that as long as people are enjoying what I’m doing.
Q: Any clues about the 20th anniversary of Halloween Horror Nights in 2010?
A: It’s safe to say that our concept, if you’ve liked Halloween for the past 19 years, Halloween 20 will blow your mind.
a good friend of mine mr Roddy
Find your: Happy hour
Problem: A week's worth of stress and only a couple days worth of paycheck left. The solution: Happy hour, that magic time (typically) right after work and just before the crowds come out. Stoop to conquer your thirst with our sampling of notable specials. (Not that happy? Find your bliss at theguide.orlandosentinel.com)
ANTIGUA: 41 W. Church St., Orlando; 407-649-4270. 3-for-1 drinks from 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays.
BAR LOUIE: 7335 Sand Lake Road at The Rialto, Orlando; 407-248-0604. Half price appetizers, $3 drafts, $4 wines, $5 specialty martinis, margaritas and mojitos from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
BLUE MARTINI: 4200 Conroy Road at the Mall at Millenia, Orlando; 407-447-2583. $3 cocktails, $6 martinis and half price on all food from 4-8 p.m. daily.
BRIX EUROBISTRO: 50 E. Central Blvd., Orlando; 407-839-1707. 2-for-1 wells and calls, $1 off drafts, $5 wine buckets from 4:30-7:30 daily (with free fondue Friday).
CHILLER'S: 33 W. Church St., Orlando; 407-649-4270. 3-for-1 drinks from 10-11 p.m. Saturday.
THE CLUBHOUSE: 100 E. Pine St., Orlando; 407-447-5225. 2-for-1 drinks and $9.99 all-you-can-eat wings from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
COPPER ROCKET PUB: 106 Lake Ave., Maitland; 407-645-0069. $1.50 domestics, $3 imports from 5-6 p.m., 8-9 p.m and midnight-1 a.m. daily.
CRICKETER'S ARMS: 5250 N. International Drive, Orlando; 407-354-0686. 99-cent select drafts from 5-7 p.m. daily.
CROOKED BAYOU: 50 E. Central Blvd., Orlando; 407-839-5852. 2-for-1 drafts and wells from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
GREEN PARROT PUB: 280 State Road 436, Casselberry; 407-332-1599. $1.75 domestic drafts, $5.50 domestic pitchers, $2.25 select domestic bottles, $2.50 wells and 50-cent wings from 3-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
HAMBURGER MARY'S: 110 Church St., Orlando; 321-319-0600. Half price wells, domestic drafts and bottled beer from 3-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, $10 beer buckets from 3-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
HOUSE OF BEER: 13526 Village Park Drive #208-210, Orlando; 407-859-2337. $1 off drafts from 5-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
JAX FIFTH AVE. DELI & ALE: 951 Greenwood Blvd., Lake Mary; 407-323-3354. 50 cents off drafts, 25 cents off bottles, $1.75 domestic drafts and double wells same price as singles from 4-7 p.m. daily.
MATADOR: 56 E. Pine St., Orlando; 407-872-0844. Half price domestics, imports, wells, and vodka flavors from 5-8 p.m. Friday.
MCRANEY'S TAVERN: 1566 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park; 407-622-4474. $3.75 imports, $2 domestics from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
ONE EYED JACK'S: 19 N. Orange Ave., Orlando; 407-849-0471. $2.50 margaritas and Coronas, half-price appetizers from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
PEACOCK ROOM: 1321 N. Mills Ave., Orlando; 407-228-0048. $2.50 domestic bottles, $3 import bottles, $4 well liquors, $5 call liquors from 4:30-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
RED COCONUT CLUB: 6000 Universal Blvd. at Universal Citywalk, Orlando; 407-224-2425. Half price martinis and $5 mojitos 8-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
REDLIGHT REDLIGHT: 745 Bennett Road, Orlando; 407-893-9832. $1 off from 7-8 p.m. daily.
SAVOY: 1913 N. Orange Ave., Orlando; 407-898-6766. Half-price wells, calls, and premium cocktails and $1-$4 martinis from 5-9 p.m. daily.
SCRUFFY MURPHY'S: 2625 Edgewater Drive, Orlando; 407-835-7158. $1 off all liquor, wine and bottles from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
SPORTSTOWN BILLIARDS: 2414 E. Robinson St., Orlando; 407-894-6258. Half price pool and $1.75 domestics from noon-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, half price pool until 4 p.m. and $1.75 domestics from 4-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
STARDUST LOUNGE: 431 E. Central Blvd., Orlando; 407-839-0080. $2.50 domestics and wells, $3.50 calls until 8 p.m. daily.
URBAN FLATS: 3310 Daniels Road, Winter Garden; 407-656-3152. Half price wells and drafts from 4-7:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, all day Sunday.
WAITIKI: 26 Wall St., Orlando; 407-481-1199. $2.50 Red Stripe beer and Bacardi drinks, half off appetizers and Tiki drinks from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
WILL'S PUB: 1040 N. Mills Ave., Orlando; 407-898-5070. $1 off all beers from 7-11 p.m. Monday.
ANTIGUA: 41 W. Church St., Orlando; 407-649-4270. 3-for-1 drinks from 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays.
BAR LOUIE: 7335 Sand Lake Road at The Rialto, Orlando; 407-248-0604. Half price appetizers, $3 drafts, $4 wines, $5 specialty martinis, margaritas and mojitos from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
BLUE MARTINI: 4200 Conroy Road at the Mall at Millenia, Orlando; 407-447-2583. $3 cocktails, $6 martinis and half price on all food from 4-8 p.m. daily.
BRIX EUROBISTRO: 50 E. Central Blvd., Orlando; 407-839-1707. 2-for-1 wells and calls, $1 off drafts, $5 wine buckets from 4:30-7:30 daily (with free fondue Friday).
CHILLER'S: 33 W. Church St., Orlando; 407-649-4270. 3-for-1 drinks from 10-11 p.m. Saturday.
THE CLUBHOUSE: 100 E. Pine St., Orlando; 407-447-5225. 2-for-1 drinks and $9.99 all-you-can-eat wings from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
COPPER ROCKET PUB: 106 Lake Ave., Maitland; 407-645-0069. $1.50 domestics, $3 imports from 5-6 p.m., 8-9 p.m and midnight-1 a.m. daily.
CRICKETER'S ARMS: 5250 N. International Drive, Orlando; 407-354-0686. 99-cent select drafts from 5-7 p.m. daily.
CROOKED BAYOU: 50 E. Central Blvd., Orlando; 407-839-5852. 2-for-1 drafts and wells from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
GREEN PARROT PUB: 280 State Road 436, Casselberry; 407-332-1599. $1.75 domestic drafts, $5.50 domestic pitchers, $2.25 select domestic bottles, $2.50 wells and 50-cent wings from 3-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
HAMBURGER MARY'S: 110 Church St., Orlando; 321-319-0600. Half price wells, domestic drafts and bottled beer from 3-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, $10 beer buckets from 3-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
HOUSE OF BEER: 13526 Village Park Drive #208-210, Orlando; 407-859-2337. $1 off drafts from 5-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
JAX FIFTH AVE. DELI & ALE: 951 Greenwood Blvd., Lake Mary; 407-323-3354. 50 cents off drafts, 25 cents off bottles, $1.75 domestic drafts and double wells same price as singles from 4-7 p.m. daily.
MATADOR: 56 E. Pine St., Orlando; 407-872-0844. Half price domestics, imports, wells, and vodka flavors from 5-8 p.m. Friday.
MCRANEY'S TAVERN: 1566 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park; 407-622-4474. $3.75 imports, $2 domestics from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
ONE EYED JACK'S: 19 N. Orange Ave., Orlando; 407-849-0471. $2.50 margaritas and Coronas, half-price appetizers from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
PEACOCK ROOM: 1321 N. Mills Ave., Orlando; 407-228-0048. $2.50 domestic bottles, $3 import bottles, $4 well liquors, $5 call liquors from 4:30-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
RED COCONUT CLUB: 6000 Universal Blvd. at Universal Citywalk, Orlando; 407-224-2425. Half price martinis and $5 mojitos 8-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
REDLIGHT REDLIGHT: 745 Bennett Road, Orlando; 407-893-9832. $1 off from 7-8 p.m. daily.
SAVOY: 1913 N. Orange Ave., Orlando; 407-898-6766. Half-price wells, calls, and premium cocktails and $1-$4 martinis from 5-9 p.m. daily.
SCRUFFY MURPHY'S: 2625 Edgewater Drive, Orlando; 407-835-7158. $1 off all liquor, wine and bottles from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
SPORTSTOWN BILLIARDS: 2414 E. Robinson St., Orlando; 407-894-6258. Half price pool and $1.75 domestics from noon-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, half price pool until 4 p.m. and $1.75 domestics from 4-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
STARDUST LOUNGE: 431 E. Central Blvd., Orlando; 407-839-0080. $2.50 domestics and wells, $3.50 calls until 8 p.m. daily.
URBAN FLATS: 3310 Daniels Road, Winter Garden; 407-656-3152. Half price wells and drafts from 4-7:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, all day Sunday.
WAITIKI: 26 Wall St., Orlando; 407-481-1199. $2.50 Red Stripe beer and Bacardi drinks, half off appetizers and Tiki drinks from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
WILL'S PUB: 1040 N. Mills Ave., Orlando; 407-898-5070. $1 off all beers from 7-11 p.m. Monday.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Universal Orlando's 'Horror Nights' win a pair of industry awards
For the second year in a row, Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights has won a pair of industry awards.
Last week, the popular fight fest at Universal Studios Florida was named "Best Halloween Event" by Amusement Today, an industry magazine. The award was based on a fan vote, which Universal said it won by an even greater margin this year.
And yesterday, Horror Nights was named the top "Theme Park Halloween Haunted Event" by Hauntworld.com, a Halloween attraction and haunted house directory.
“Each year, we work hard to create a scary, entertaining and memorable event,” Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment for Universal Orlando, said in a prepared statement. “For the past 19 years, we’ve created the ultimate Halloween experience – Halloween Horror Nights – and we look forward to continuing that tradition for years to come.”
Last week, the popular fight fest at Universal Studios Florida was named "Best Halloween Event" by Amusement Today, an industry magazine. The award was based on a fan vote, which Universal said it won by an even greater margin this year.
And yesterday, Horror Nights was named the top "Theme Park Halloween Haunted Event" by Hauntworld.com, a Halloween attraction and haunted house directory.
“Each year, we work hard to create a scary, entertaining and memorable event,” Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment for Universal Orlando, said in a prepared statement. “For the past 19 years, we’ve created the ultimate Halloween experience – Halloween Horror Nights – and we look forward to continuing that tradition for years to come.”
Price to park at Disney World is going up
Walt Disney World is planning to raise parking prices this weekend.
Beginning Sunday, the cost to park at one of the resort's theme parks will rise from $12 to $14. That's a roughly 17 percent increase.
Beginning Sunday, the cost to park at one of the resort's theme parks will rise from $12 to $14. That's a roughly 17 percent increase.
Report says a $3 billion deal for Busch theme parks is close
After months of talks, The Blackstone Group is close to finalizing a deal to buy SeaWorld Orlando-owner Busch Entertainment Corp.
The Wall Street Journal, citing unidentified sources, reported Friday afternoon that Blackstone is nearing a deal to buy the theme-park chain from Anheuser-Busch InBev for between $2.5 billion and $3 billion. A deal could be announced as early as next week but could still fall apart, the Journal reported.
Representatives for Blackstone, AB InBev and Busch Entertainment all declined to comment.
People familiar with the talks say Blackstone has been negotiating with AB InBev for months. There has been speculation that the private-equity firm would like to package Busch Entertainment in an initial public offering of its Merlin Entertainments Group, a London-based amusement-park operator whose holdings include Madame Tussauds wax museums and Legoland theme parks.
Blackstone also owns a 50 percent stake in Universal Orlando.
The Wall Street Journal, citing unidentified sources, reported Friday afternoon that Blackstone is nearing a deal to buy the theme-park chain from Anheuser-Busch InBev for between $2.5 billion and $3 billion. A deal could be announced as early as next week but could still fall apart, the Journal reported.
Representatives for Blackstone, AB InBev and Busch Entertainment all declined to comment.
People familiar with the talks say Blackstone has been negotiating with AB InBev for months. There has been speculation that the private-equity firm would like to package Busch Entertainment in an initial public offering of its Merlin Entertainments Group, a London-based amusement-park operator whose holdings include Madame Tussauds wax museums and Legoland theme parks.
Blackstone also owns a 50 percent stake in Universal Orlando.
Sale of SeaWorld Orlando-owner expected as early as tomorrow
The Blackstone Group's long-rumored deal to buy SeaWorld Orlando-owner Busch Entertainment Corp. from Anheuser-Busch InBev is expected to be announced as early as tomorrow, according to multiple people familiar with the talks.
The price tag is thought to be between $2.5 billion and $3 billion, these people said. It is possible, though unlikely, that the deal could still fall apart.
The deal would make Blackstone an even bigger player in the global tourism industry. The private-equity giant already owns a 50 percent stake in Universal Orlando and a controlling stake in Merlin Entertainments Group, the British amusement operator whose holdings include Legoland theme parks and Madame Tussauds wax museums.
Busch is the second-largest theme-park operator in the United States, with 10 theme parks around the country, including SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica in Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The Walt Disney Co. is the largest.
Blackstone is expected to operate Busch as a standalone investment, rather than combine it with another holding, at least in the near future.
The price tag is thought to be between $2.5 billion and $3 billion, these people said. It is possible, though unlikely, that the deal could still fall apart.
The deal would make Blackstone an even bigger player in the global tourism industry. The private-equity giant already owns a 50 percent stake in Universal Orlando and a controlling stake in Merlin Entertainments Group, the British amusement operator whose holdings include Legoland theme parks and Madame Tussauds wax museums.
Busch is the second-largest theme-park operator in the United States, with 10 theme parks around the country, including SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica in Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The Walt Disney Co. is the largest.
Blackstone is expected to operate Busch as a standalone investment, rather than combine it with another holding, at least in the near future.
Free admission draws huge crowds to Holy Land, snarls I-4 traffic
Business columnist Beth Kassab reports that security guards at the Holy Land Experience are telling people they are about to close the gates because the park has hit capacity.
Huge crowds have turned up this morning, after Holy Land was forced to reveal in advance that it was offering free admission today (something it is required to do as part of a special tax break the Florida Legislature gives the religious theme park).
Read the column that brought attention to the issue here.
UPDATE: To accommodate the crowds, Holy Land workers were apparently giving out rain checks good for another free visit later this month -- and then ran out of those.
UPDATE #2: Reporter Hank Curtis has an update on the traffic jams spawned by Holy Land's free day:
“It’s gridlocked from what I understand,” Orlando police spokeswoman Sgt. Barbara Jones said shortly after 11 a.m. of traffic heading both ways on I-4.
Back-ups began on Florida’s Turnpike about a quarter-mile before the exit for Orlando. In the righthand-most northbound lane, cars moved bumper to bumper at 5 mph. toward I-4.
On eastbound I-4, the bumper-to-bumper crawl continued about a mile to the Mall at Millenia exit for Conroy Road and Holy Land.
Orlando motorcycle cops had stopped all westbound cars from exiting for Holy Land.
Huge crowds have turned up this morning, after Holy Land was forced to reveal in advance that it was offering free admission today (something it is required to do as part of a special tax break the Florida Legislature gives the religious theme park).
Read the column that brought attention to the issue here.
UPDATE: To accommodate the crowds, Holy Land workers were apparently giving out rain checks good for another free visit later this month -- and then ran out of those.
UPDATE #2: Reporter Hank Curtis has an update on the traffic jams spawned by Holy Land's free day:
“It’s gridlocked from what I understand,” Orlando police spokeswoman Sgt. Barbara Jones said shortly after 11 a.m. of traffic heading both ways on I-4.
Back-ups began on Florida’s Turnpike about a quarter-mile before the exit for Orlando. In the righthand-most northbound lane, cars moved bumper to bumper at 5 mph. toward I-4.
On eastbound I-4, the bumper-to-bumper crawl continued about a mile to the Mall at Millenia exit for Conroy Road and Holy Land.
Orlando motorcycle cops had stopped all westbound cars from exiting for Holy Land.
AirTran to beef up balance sheet with notes, stock offering
AirTran Holdings Inc. said Tuesday it plans to enter the bond market and sell additional stock in an effort to beef up its balance sheet.
The parent company of Orlando-based AirTran Airways said it would offer $75 million in convertible senior notes. It also plans to offer 9 million shares of common stock in a public offering.
An AirTran analyst called the move a “step in the right direction.”
“From a company standpoint, more liquidity is better strategically,” said Daniel McKenzie, an analyst with Next Generation Equity Research in Chicago. “One way to reduce competition is to have a very strong cash position.”
In a report earlier this week, McKenzie said AirTran would benefit by increasing its cash from about $400 million to $750 million. He said the “extra balance sheet muscle” could improve the airline’s quality of life by reducing encroachment from competitors.
But deals that involve convertible notes can dilute shareholder value. Airtran made its announcement after the stock markets closed Tuesday, and in after-hours trading, its stock fell 80 cents, or 13 percent.
AirTran said it plans to use the net proceeds of each of the offerings for general corporate purposes, though it did not elaborate.
The parent company of Orlando-based AirTran Airways said it would offer $75 million in convertible senior notes. It also plans to offer 9 million shares of common stock in a public offering.
An AirTran analyst called the move a “step in the right direction.”
“From a company standpoint, more liquidity is better strategically,” said Daniel McKenzie, an analyst with Next Generation Equity Research in Chicago. “One way to reduce competition is to have a very strong cash position.”
In a report earlier this week, McKenzie said AirTran would benefit by increasing its cash from about $400 million to $750 million. He said the “extra balance sheet muscle” could improve the airline’s quality of life by reducing encroachment from competitors.
But deals that involve convertible notes can dilute shareholder value. Airtran made its announcement after the stock markets closed Tuesday, and in after-hours trading, its stock fell 80 cents, or 13 percent.
AirTran said it plans to use the net proceeds of each of the offerings for general corporate purposes, though it did not elaborate.
At least 3 firms want new registered traveler service; OIA talking
At least three companies are bidding to buy the customer lists and assets of Clear, the company that ran a "registered travelers" program at Orlando International and a network of other participating airports. The companies seek to re-establish the express service for security checkpoints, and assemble a new national network of participating airports.
FLO Corporation of Delaware, Henry Inc. of California, and at least one other bidder that has not been publicly-identified made formal pitches to Morgan Stanley, which gained control of the assets after Clear’s parent company, Verified Identity Pass, shut down June 22.
A FLO offiical said he expects the new service could emerge within a month or two and that larger airports such as Orlando could see it by next spring.
Offiicals of FLO and Henry each told a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee last week that they would want to re-subscribe Clear client but did not expect to offer refunds to anyone. Most Clear clients paid $200 a year. Some signed multiple-year contracts.
Orlando debuted the Clear service in 2005 and became its biggest host airport, in terms of registered traveler clients. In the end, Clear operated in 18 airports, including those in New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Denver and San Francisco. It's estimated 200,000 clients included as many as 51,000 who registered in Orlando.
FLO ran a similar program in the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
GOAA spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell indicated the agency is interested, because so many customers liked Clear. But she said GOAA, burned by Clear, will be cautious of any new deal’s financial and operational viability. Also, Clear owed GOAA $85,000 and the airport would want that debt paid, she said.
FLO Corporation of Delaware, Henry Inc. of California, and at least one other bidder that has not been publicly-identified made formal pitches to Morgan Stanley, which gained control of the assets after Clear’s parent company, Verified Identity Pass, shut down June 22.
A FLO offiical said he expects the new service could emerge within a month or two and that larger airports such as Orlando could see it by next spring.
Offiicals of FLO and Henry each told a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee last week that they would want to re-subscribe Clear client but did not expect to offer refunds to anyone. Most Clear clients paid $200 a year. Some signed multiple-year contracts.
Orlando debuted the Clear service in 2005 and became its biggest host airport, in terms of registered traveler clients. In the end, Clear operated in 18 airports, including those in New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Denver and San Francisco. It's estimated 200,000 clients included as many as 51,000 who registered in Orlando.
FLO ran a similar program in the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
GOAA spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell indicated the agency is interested, because so many customers liked Clear. But she said GOAA, burned by Clear, will be cautious of any new deal’s financial and operational viability. Also, Clear owed GOAA $85,000 and the airport would want that debt paid, she said.
Judge throws out Segway lawsuit against Disney, but permits future suits
A federal judge on Tuesday threw out a class-action lawsuit brought by three disabled people upset that Walt Disney World would not allow them to ride personal Segways in its theme parks. But the judge left an opening for a similar suit to be filed against the resort.
In dismissing the original case, U.S. District Court District Judge Gregory Presnell also rejected a proposed settlement Disney had negotiated with the three plaintiffs that had drawn protests from some disability-rights advocates. Under the terms of that settlement, Disney would have been permitted to continue banning the two-wheeled Segways at both Disney World and Disneyland in exchange for deploying its own upright -- but four-wheeled -- scooters for disabled guests to use, paying the three plaintiffs' legal fees and giving them $4,000 each for future Disney vacations.
Critics had argued that the proposed settlement would have unfairly bound other disabled people who did not believe Disney's four-wheeled scooters were an adequate substitute for their own scooters.
In dismissing the original case, U.S. District Court District Judge Gregory Presnell also rejected a proposed settlement Disney had negotiated with the three plaintiffs that had drawn protests from some disability-rights advocates. Under the terms of that settlement, Disney would have been permitted to continue banning the two-wheeled Segways at both Disney World and Disneyland in exchange for deploying its own upright -- but four-wheeled -- scooters for disabled guests to use, paying the three plaintiffs' legal fees and giving them $4,000 each for future Disney vacations.
Critics had argued that the proposed settlement would have unfairly bound other disabled people who did not believe Disney's four-wheeled scooters were an adequate substitute for their own scooters.
Monday, October 5, 2009
UPDATED Magic Kingdom: Here's to both Buzzes
You thought you'd seen everything, right? Disney threw a ticker-tape parade Friday afternoon for Buzz Lightyear, or at least a 12-inch action figure version of him -- the one who just returned from 15 months aboard the International Space Station on September 11. NASA and Disney are teaming to encourage students to pursue studies in science and engineering.
Also honored, of course, was Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Both Buzzes were joined by International Space Station veteran Michael Fincke in the homecoming parade. (Buzz & Buzz photo by Garth Vaughan/Walt Disney Co.)
good news Walt Disney World has resurrected its buy-four-get-three-free
Walt Disney World has resurrected its buy-four-get-three-free hotel-night promotion, in a move likely to cheer consumers but which also suggests the giant resort expects travel demand will remain sluggish well into 2010.
The new hotel discount isn't quite as deep as the previous version of the promotion, which ran from January to mid-August, when it was replaced by a free-dining deal. For example, only customers who book rooms in Disney's mid-priced and most-expensive resorts can get seven nights for the price of four; people booking the resort's cheapest hotels, such as Disney's Pop Century Resort, can only get seven nights for the price of five.
But the offer covers travel for nearly five months — from Nov. 1 until March 27 — with a three-week blackout period around Thanksgiving and a week-and-half blackout around Christmas. Once this booking period is complete, Disney World will have been heavily discounting for 15 months straight.
Earlier this week, when announcing Disney's 2010 "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" volunteer promotion, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo acknowledged that the company would have to continue discounting to get consumers to travel in the midst of a still-struggling economy.
"We made the decision to promote volume over price," Rasulo said. "Frankly, we know that conditions haven't changed that much in the economy."
The new hotel discount isn't quite as deep as the previous version of the promotion, which ran from January to mid-August, when it was replaced by a free-dining deal. For example, only customers who book rooms in Disney's mid-priced and most-expensive resorts can get seven nights for the price of four; people booking the resort's cheapest hotels, such as Disney's Pop Century Resort, can only get seven nights for the price of five.
But the offer covers travel for nearly five months — from Nov. 1 until March 27 — with a three-week blackout period around Thanksgiving and a week-and-half blackout around Christmas. Once this booking period is complete, Disney World will have been heavily discounting for 15 months straight.
Earlier this week, when announcing Disney's 2010 "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" volunteer promotion, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo acknowledged that the company would have to continue discounting to get consumers to travel in the midst of a still-struggling economy.
"We made the decision to promote volume over price," Rasulo said. "Frankly, we know that conditions haven't changed that much in the economy."
Sunday, October 4, 2009
"Ghost Hunters" stars at hhn 19 orlando
"Ghost Hunters" stars Steve Gonsalves (left) and Dave Tango will be holding autograph sessions during Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios on Thursday, Oct. 8.
The two star in the SyFy reality show that follows paranormal researchers investigating hauntings across the U.S.
Gonsalves and Tango will be stationed in the Battery Park section of the New York area within the theme park from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and 10 to 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 8.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Cypress Gardens, Splash Island parks close
Cypress Gardens shut down once again Wednesday, its owner saying it has exhausted "every possible approach" to keep the storied-but-struggling tourist attraction open.
The abrupt closing came just seven months after the region's oldest theme park -- once famed for its botanical gardens and Southern belles -- had reopened on a bet that it could succeed with a combination of scaled-back operations and cheaper ticket prices.
Owner Land South Holdings LLC, the Polk County investment firm that bought Cypress Gardens for $17 million at a bankruptcy auction in 2007, said in a statement that it could find no way "to keep the park running in its traditional form."
The company said it has begun negotiations with several potential buyers and lessees interested in acquiring all or parts of the property.
"We do not feel it is fair to our employees, the guests or the public to continue operations heading into the fall with the future of the property in flux," Land South said in the statement.
Founded in 1936, Cypress Gardens was the first theme park built in Central Florida. But unable to compete with the bigger, more modern resorts that followed in Orlando, it shut down in 2003. It reopened the next year with new owners but then went bankrupt in 2006.
Despite the protracted struggles, Rick Dantzler, a lawyer who represents Land South, said the owners still hope to find a way to get Cypress Gardens up and running again.
"The world is not the same today as it was 30 or 40 years ago," Dantzler said. "Coming up with a model that works in today's marketplace is a challenge."
good bye cybress Gardens you will be misst
Universal Studios: No Rockit on Halloween Horror Nights evenings
Last Friday during Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights, the new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster was dark. A train was running -- but without lighting or people. Kinda eerie, actually.
But at the same time, maddening because I haven't ridden HRRR after dark, which is said to be an entirely different experience.
Universal confirmed today that Rockit will not run at all during Horror Night events. (And to clarify, it is still scheduled to run during the day on HNN dates.) A spokesperson says they'll only focus on a few non-Halloween attractions at night: Revenge of the Mummy coaster, Men In Black: Alien Attack, the Simpsons Ride and sometimes Jaws.
There had been Internet reports that Rockit would fire after the first two weeks, and that they were waiting to contruct a safety net over the queue that leads to the haunted houses over in the park's soundstages. I'm having trouble swallowing that because although the public isn't typically in that area of the park, team members are, and if there were danger, wouldn't there be a net already? (Meanwhile, there are no nets at all where the coaster curves above the New York street scene.)
And a suspicious type might look at the guide map posted online for Horror Nights, where Rockit is prominenty marked -- along with the four other open attractions -- along with a red starbursted NEW! device. (Of course, one could argue that they just want guests to know they have something NEW! ... something NEW! that you can't ride right now...)
Bottom line: Looks like we won't be visiting the dark side of Rockit until the time change. Daylight Savings Time ends Nov. 1. Sunset is 5:40 p.m. that day. The park closes at 6.
This would help all of you
But at the same time, maddening because I haven't ridden HRRR after dark, which is said to be an entirely different experience.
Universal confirmed today that Rockit will not run at all during Horror Night events. (And to clarify, it is still scheduled to run during the day on HNN dates.) A spokesperson says they'll only focus on a few non-Halloween attractions at night: Revenge of the Mummy coaster, Men In Black: Alien Attack, the Simpsons Ride and sometimes Jaws.
There had been Internet reports that Rockit would fire after the first two weeks, and that they were waiting to contruct a safety net over the queue that leads to the haunted houses over in the park's soundstages. I'm having trouble swallowing that because although the public isn't typically in that area of the park, team members are, and if there were danger, wouldn't there be a net already? (Meanwhile, there are no nets at all where the coaster curves above the New York street scene.)
And a suspicious type might look at the guide map posted online for Horror Nights, where Rockit is prominenty marked -- along with the four other open attractions -- along with a red starbursted NEW! device. (Of course, one could argue that they just want guests to know they have something NEW! ... something NEW! that you can't ride right now...)
Bottom line: Looks like we won't be visiting the dark side of Rockit until the time change. Daylight Savings Time ends Nov. 1. Sunset is 5:40 p.m. that day. The park closes at 6.
This would help all of you
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