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☆ Disney CFO says Epic Universe's opening could boost attendance at Disney's Florida theme parks
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Disney's CFO Hugh Johnston discussed Universal Studios' upcoming theme park, Epic Universe. Both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are adding new attractions. AdvertisementEpic Universe's arrival in Central Florida might be good for its direct competitor, Walt Disney World. Disney's Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston discussed Universal Orlando Resort's upcoming theme park during Thursday's earnings call. When asked how Epic Universe's May 2025 debut could impact Walt Disney World, Johnston seemed optimistic.

Persons: Hugh Johnston, Johnston, —, Walt, Arturo Holmes, Disney Dreamers Academy Dennis Speigel, NBCUniversal, Comcast NBCUniversal, Brian L, Roberts, Harry Potter, Berk, Josh D'Amaro, Indiana Jones, James Cameron's Organizations: Universal Studios, Disney, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Service, Walt Disney, Cinderella's, Disney Dreamers Academy, Park, Inc, Comcast, Comcast Corporation, Universal Orlando Resort Universal, of, Nintendo, Magic, Central, Central Florida Tourism, Disney's Hollywood Studios Locations: Central Florida, Florida, Pueblo Esperanza

☆ I went to my favorite Halloween theme park events sober. They were even scarier — and more fun.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-20 | by ( Terri Peters | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I also attended many scary Halloween events in Central Florida this spooky season completely sober. Yes, the events felt scarier sober, but that was so much more funThe author says she found the Halloween events scarier while sober. My favorite Halloween event ended was the most sober-friendlyHalloween Horror Nights was the author's favorite event. Attending events without alcohol felt freeingThe author enjoyed attending Halloween events sober. Courtesy of Terri PetersWas I scared to attend Halloween events without an alcoholic drink in hand?

Persons: I've, —, It's, Terri Peters, I'd, Coke, Terri Peters Universal Orlando Organizations: Service, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Universal, Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, Terri Peters Universal Locations: Central Florida, Florida, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

☆ Airport introduces time limit on hugs
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-19 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Editor’s Note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. CNN —In travel news this week: the Chinese pets earning “snack money” in cafés, a European capital that’s had enough of “drunk” tourists, and the New Zealand airport that’s curtailing caresses. Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono weighed in on the topic in an interview with New Zealand’s RNZ radio. Tradition is also important in this century-old “masterpiece café” cafe in Tokyo which discourages socializing and forbids mobile phones. In case you missed itThis airport landing is so difficult only 50 pilots can do it.

Persons: that’s, fonder, Daniel De Bono, De Bono, “, ”, Mario, Donkey Kong, Lindz, she’d, Scot, they’ll, it’s Organizations: CNN, New, Dunedin Airport, Nintendo Museum, Egyptian, Universal Orlando, New Yorker Locations: cafés, New Zealand, Dunedin, Tokyo, China, Hell, Pamukkale, Turkey, Darvaza, Turkmenistan, Uji, Kyoto, Japan, New, Spain

☆ Epic Universe: Universal Orlando announces opening date for the theme park
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Natasha Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Universal Orlando Resort announced Thursday morning that its highly anticipated new theme park, Epic Universe, will open on May 22, 2025, just before Memorial Day weekend. “I anticipate that this new Epic Universe theme park will easily crack 6 million plus visitors during its first 12 months of operation,” Speigel told CNN in an email. “Universal Studios theme parks have been on a huge roll since Harry Potter was introduced in 2010.”Speigel said this park will ratchet up the Orlando theme park market, where Universal and Disney are the biggest players. Speigel – along with many theme park fans – wonders how Disney will respond to its competitor’s moves and whether it will also open a new theme park in the coming years. It will be located in the new theme park, with Universal’s first dedicated theme park entrance for hotel guests.

Persons: Harry Potter, we’re, ”, Karen Irwin, Dennis Speigel, Speigel, “, ” Speigel, Potter, Universal’s, –, Voldemort, Ron, Hermione, Donkey Kong Organizations: CNN — Universal Orlando Resort, Ministry of Magic, Nintendo, Universal Orlando, Park, CNN, “ Universal Studios, Universal, Disney, Ministry, Universal Parks, Universal Orlando Resort, Loews, Super Nintendo, Universal Parks USA, Paris, British Ministry, Floo, Universal Islands of, Universal Studios, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan Locations: Orlando, Berk, Central Florida, Universal Islands, Los Angeles

☆ Universal's Epic Universe theme park set to open in May 2025
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Universal 's Epic Universe theme park will open its gates on May 22, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. First announced in 2019, Epic Universe represents the single-largest investment Comcast's NBCUniversal has ever made in its theme parks business and in Florida overall, CEO Brian Roberts said at the time. Epic Universe will be anchored around the Loews Hotels' Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a 500-room property that will have a dedicated entrance to the park for hotel guests. This first phase of tickets will allow guests to purchase three-, four- or five-day admission to Universal's Orlando Resort, with one-day admission to Epic Universe. Additionally, annual passholders will have the chance to buy single-day tickets to Epic Universe on Oct. 24 before they go on sale to the general public.

Persons: Harry Potter –, NBCUniversal, Brian Roberts, we're, Karen Irwin Organizations: Magic, Nintendo, Orlando, Universal Studios, Universal Orlando Resort, Loews Hotels, Universal, Comcast, CNBC Locations: Orlando , Florida, Berk, Florida, NBCUniversal

☆ Disney’s new all-access, skip-the-line plan can cost more than the park ticket does
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Natasha Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

For example, it will cost $137.39 (after tax) to add the Premier Pass to an Animal Kingdom park ticket on a less busy day. EPCOT’s pass would cost more, Hollywood Studios a bit more than that, with the most expensive Premier Pass at Magic Kingdom. To buy a Premier Pass for the Magic Kingdom park on a very busy day such as Christmas would cost $478.19 (after tax) in addition to your park ticket. At Universal Studios Hollywood, which has one theme park with 17 express lines, this pass can cost anywhere from $80 to $170 (not taxable) in addition to the theme park ticket price. The Premier Pass is “priced for someone for whom the time-money tradeoff is different,” Munsil said.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Disney, EPCOT’s, Allen J, what’s, CNN Don Munsil, Munsil, ” Munsil Organizations: CNN, Lightning, Disney, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Los Angeles Times, Disney Food, The Universal Studios, Universal, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Resort Orlando, Universal Orlando, Royal Pacific Locations: Florida, California, Animal, Animal Kingdom, Magic, Disney California, ”, SeaWorld, Portofino

☆ I'm waiting out Hurricane Milton in a Universal Studios hotel with my daughters. We're not scared.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Allison Gilgenbach checked into a Florida hotel at Universal Studios ahead of Hurricane Milton. After we entered our hotel room at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, my daughters, Reagan, 11, and Ryann, 8, and I looked for the nearest exits and flights of stairs. The last time Reagan checked the weather app, Hurricane Milton was predicted to hit central Florida around 5 a.m. Thursday. AdvertisementGilgenbach and her daughters pictured before Universal Studios was closed due to the threat of Hurricane Milton. AdvertisementAre you in the path of Hurricane Milton and would like to share your story with Business Insider?

Persons: Allison Gilgenbach, —, Reagan, Hurricane Milton, it's, Gilgenbach, We'd, Harry Potter, we've, We've, They've, they've, Milton Organizations: Universal Studios, Service, Universal Orlando, Hurricane, Universal, Business Locations: Florida, Hurricane Milton, Cleveland, Tampa, Ohio

They went to Disney World for theme park rides and photo ops with Mickey Mouse. In the past few days, Hurricane Milton has morphed from a pesky storm system in the Gulf of Mexico to a historic hurricane that Florida Gov. A notification popped up on her Disney app informing her that the resort was monitoring a quickly progressing storm. Farther inland, in the greater Orlando area where Disney is located, the Orlando airport announced it would be closing at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Only a handful of hurricanes have forced the parks to close in Disney’s more than 50-year history, according to the fan-run Walt Disney World Magazine.

Persons: Mickey Mouse, Hurricane Milton, Ron DeSantis, Milton, —, ”, Telissa Carpenter, Carpenter, “, we’ve, Milton eying, Cara Prior, Disney, Kensly Williams, Williams, Ashleigh Giliberto, ’, She’s, she’s, I’ve, we’re Organizations: Disney, Hurricane, Florida Gov, Walt Disney, National Hurricane Center, Orlando, Walt Disney World Magazine, Universal Orlando Resort, Associated Press Locations: Florida, Gulf, Mexico, Orlando, Indianapolis, Tampa, Disney’s, United States, Thompson’s, Tennessee, Fairbury , Nebraska, Miami, Indiana

☆ Disney World is shutting down as Florida braces for Hurricane Milton
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Walt Disney World will close early on Wednesday as Florida braces for Hurricane Milton. Other venues, including Universal Studios, have also announced closures. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyAdvertisementWalt Disney World will shut down on Wednesday as Florida braces for Hurricane Milton. Related storiesA closure at Disney World is rare: Most hurricanes don't reach as far inland as Milton is expected to. Disney is not alone in closing its gates: Universal Orlando's parks, including Universal Studios, will shutter early on Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday.

Persons: Walt, Hurricane Milton, Nicole, recategorized, Milton, Hurricane Helene, Aquatica Orlando Organizations: Walt Disney, Hurricane, Orlando, Universal Studios, Service, Hurricane Milton, Hollywood Studios, Magic, Disney Springs, Disney, Wilderness, WDW Magazine, National Hurricane Center, SeaWorld Orlando Locations: Florida, EPCOT, Central Florida, Milton

☆ My family is spending $3,000 on Halloween Horror Nights this year. As Florida locals, we know it's the best theme-park event of the year.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-21 | by ( Terri Peters | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

My family attends Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights several times a year. No matter how much it costs, I think HHN is the best Halloween event in Central Florida. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . But there's one event that stands above the rest: Halloween Horror Nights, or HHN, at Universal Studios Florida.

Persons: we're, — Organizations: Universal, Service, Disney, Universal Studios, Business Locations: Central Florida, SeaWorld, Universal Studios Florida

☆ Disney quarterly results are on deck. Here's what to expect
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The "Partners" statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, at Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom, at Walt Disney World, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, photographed Saturday, June 3, 2023. This will also be Disney's first earnings call since it won a proxy fight against Nelson Peltz's Trian Partners. Here is what Wall Street expects Disney to report Tuesday morning, according to LSEG:Earnings per share: $1.10 expectedRevenue: $22.11 billion expectedThe subscriber growth at its flagship streaming service, Disney+, will once again be a top focus. Last quarter Disney's direct-to-consumer unit — which also includes Hulu and ESPN+ — saw its losses narrow to $216 million from $1.05 billion in the same period a year earlier. Visitor traffic to Disney's theme parks in the U.S. will also be in focus.

Persons: Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse, Bob Iger, Nelson Peltz's Trian, Jessica Reif Ehrlich, Reif Ehrlich Organizations: Magic, Walt Disney World, Disney, BofA Securities, Hulu, ESPN, Deutsche Bank, Comcast, Universal, CNBC Locations: Lake Buena Vista , Florida, Hulu, U.S, Orlando, Universal Orlando, NBCUniversal

☆ Disney reveals more on huge Magic Kingdom expansion, one part of a $60 billion investment
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Natasha Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Glendale, California CNN —Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the “wildest ride in the wilderness,” sits at one edge of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park, the most visited theme park in the world. “It’s probably the largest expansion ever at Magic Kingdom,” Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World site portfolio executive, said Tuesday during a rare media event previewing new Disney attraction designs and technology at its Walt Disney Imagineering facility in California. Disney’s 10-year investment planThe Magic Kingdom expansion is one part of a $60 billion investment Disney has said it’s planning for its parks, cruises and experiences over the next decade. But any plans for expanding the theme park footprint at the Disneyland resort would need Anaheim city approval because of zoning issues. This is really a wild experience.”Charita Carter, executive creative producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, worked on the project from its inception about four years ago.

Persons: “ It’s, ” Michael Hundgen, Walt, Walt Disney, Bob Iger, Josh D'Amaro, Iger, “ it’s, Disney, ” Iger, ”, Mike Pucher, Walt Disney Imagineering Iger, Imagineers, Darth Vader, Imagineer Lanny Smoot, ” Smoot, Smoot, Christian Thompson, Stella Reese Chase, Leah Chase, Chase, “ I’m, I’ve, ” Charita Carter, Walt Disney Imagineering, Carter, “ Organizations: California CNN, Railroad, Disney, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney, Walt, CNN, Universal Orlando Resort, Universal, Comcast, Anaheim City Council, National Inventors Hall of Fame, Research, Walt Disney Imagineering Research, Disneyland’s Locations: Glendale, California, ”, Central Florida, Disney’s Florida, Florida, Anaheim, New Orleans

☆ We started homeschooling our kids to travel. We've bonded as a family, and they're learning through unique experiences.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Terri Peters | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Here’s what I’ve learned along the way about homeschooling kids to free up more time for travel. My kids learn lessons during travel they can’t learn at homeTerri Peters' two kids learn about nature and science while on their trips, including on this trip to Alaska. AdvertisementTraveling with my kids has given me a unique chance to watch them growThe family started homeschooling when the kids were in fourth and sixth grades. Courtesy Terri PetersWhen we first started homeschooling, my kids were in the middle of fourth and sixth grades. Courtesy Terri PetersThere are no limits to what we can consider as homeschooling when we travel with our kids.

Persons: you’d, I’d, they’d, ”, haven’t, I’ve, Terri Peters, I’ll, homeschoolers, they’ve, we’ve, Harry Potter, there’s, we’re, Young, she’d Organizations: Service, Business, Grand Cayman, National Geographic, Florida Oceanographic Society, Universal Orlando Locations: Grand, Greenville , South Carolina, Seattle, Alaska, Aruba, Dominican Republic, Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California, Hollywood, it’s, Bahamas, Florida

☆ I'm not a 'Harry Potter' fan, but I've visited the Wizarding World over 100 times. Here are 11 things I always do and 2 I skip.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Carly Caramanna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I'm a theme-park journalist who's been visiting Universal Orlando since it opened in 1990. As an annual passholder, I visit often and love the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. AdvertisementThe Hogsmeade section of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal Orlando in 2010. Admittedly, I'm not a "Harry Potter" superfan, but as a theme-park regular, I appreciate the level of detailing that went into creating the Wizarding World. Here are my favorite things to do, see, and eat in the Wizarding World — and what I usually skip.

Persons: who's, Harry Potter, I've, —, I'm Organizations: Universal Orlando, Service, of, Universal Studios Florida Locations: Universal, Hogwarts, Hogsmeade

☆ How my family of 5 spent $7,000 on our first trip to Disney World and Universal, more than double what we'd typically pay for a vacation
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Mandy Bray | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Our Disney World and Universal Orlando trip for a family of five cost about $7,000 for six nights. AdvertisementIn July, our family of five checked a Disney World and Universal Studios trip off our bucket list. AdvertisementWe'd book a family suite at a Disney resort againOur kids enjoyed the pools at Disney's All-Star Music Resort. AdvertisementAt about $7,000, our Disney and Universal trip cost more than double what we've spent on other vacations. We won't be annual Disney World trekkers anytime soon, but we'll probably be back.

Persons: —, Mandy Bray, could've, We'd, I'd, Harry Potter, Bourne, we've Organizations: Disney World, Universal Orlando, Disney, Service, Universal Studios, Transportation, Universal Express, Universal, Universal Studios Orlando, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios Locations: Indianapolis, Orlando, Florida, Epcot, National

☆ I've stayed at the cheapest hotels Disney World and Universal Orlando have to offer. Only one blew me away.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Amanda Krause | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I stayed at the cheapest hotels onsite at Disney World and Universal Orlando earlier this year. That's what I thought until one trip to a Universal Orlando value hotel. While Disney World is home to princesses, Star Wars characters, Marvel superheroes, and Pixar cartoons, Universal Orlando boasts Harry Potter, Minions, and Transformers. Abigail Nilsson/Getty ImagesWhere Universal may have Disney beat: value hotel roomsI've stayed at Disney World's value resorts on multiple occasions throughout my life. I love staying at Disney World's value resorts overall, but based on this experience, I think Universal Orlando offers better rooms.

Persons: —, I've, you'll, Marvel, Harry Potter, Abigail Nilsson, Amanda Krause, I'm Organizations: Disney World, Universal Orlando, Universal, Service, Disney, Sports, Hollywood Studios, Magic, Universal Studios, Wars, Pixar, Star Resorts Locations: Orlando , Florida, Universal Orlando, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT

☆ Six Flags and Cedar Fair are merging
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Amusement parks Six Flags and Cedar Fair are merging in an $8 billion deal that creates a theme park powerhouse across North America. Six Flags and Cedar Fair operate in different parts of the North America, so a combined company could help them better manage seasonal dips in park attendance. In addition Cedar Point, its flagship theme park in Sandusky, Ohio, Cedar Fair owns Knott’s Berry Farm in California, Schlitterbahn water park in Texas and Canada’s Wonderland in Ontario. Cedar Fair said the combined company will allow management to ramp up investments in the parks, which should help boost demand. Cedar Fair (FUN) shareholders will get one share of stock of the newly combined company for each share owned, and Six Flags (SIX) shareholders will receive 0.58 shares for every share currently owned.

Persons: It’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Amusement, Fair, Cedar Fair, Six, Comcast, Universal Studios, Disney, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Flags Locations: New York, North America, Canada, Mexico, Sandusky , Ohio, California, Texas, Ontario, SeaWorld, Florida

☆ Disney CEO says company will 'quiet the noise' in culture wars -analyst
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Items with a rainbow-coloured design are seen in a Pride section of a gift shop at the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom theme park in Orlando, Florida, U.S. July 30, 2022. REUTERS/Octavio Jones/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 20 (Reuters) - Walt Disney (DIS.N) CEO Bob Iger told investors the company will "quiet the noise" in a culture war that has pitted social conservatives against the global media and entertainment conglomerate, according to an analyst note on Wednesday. Iger previously said the company planned to spend $17 billion in investment at Walt Disney World over the next 10 years. At the time, Iger was responding to an investor who said the company was becoming too concerned with social issues. “Our primary mission needs to be to entertain ... and to have a positive impact on the world,” Iger said at the time.

Persons: Octavio Jones, Walt Disney, Bob Iger, Laura Martin, Disney, Wall, Ron DeSantis, “, Iger, Halle, Ariel, ” Iger, Dawn Chmielewski, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Walt Disney, REUTERS, Needham, Walt Disney World, Disney, ESPN, Central, Universal Orlando, Parks, Pixar Animation, Thomson Locations: Orlando , Florida, U.S, Florida, Central Florida, Halle Bailey, Los Angeles

New York CNN —Disney is greatly expanding its investment into theme parks and cruises, the company said Tuesday. The investment comes at a time the company is facing revenue challenges in its streaming services, movie and television assets — almost everywhere but its international theme parks. The theme park, which was announced in 2019, is set to include restaurants, hotels and, of course, rides. It will become the third theme park within the Universal Orlando Resort, stepping up its rivalry with Walt Disney World’s four theme parks. Trouble at homeDisney said Tuesday that it is focused on “expanding and enhancing” its theme parks, in the US and internationally, along with its cruise lines.

Persons: That’s, Walt Disney, Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Alicia Stella, didn’t, ”, Josh D’Amaro, Wakanda, Disney, Horacio Villalobos, Corbis, Kevin Lansberry, Bob Iger, ” Iger, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, “ Disney, Stella Organizations: New, New York CNN, Disney, Disney Parks, SEC, Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando Sentinel, Tribune, Service, Star Wars, Getty, Parks, Walt Disney, Florida Governor Locations: New York, Parks, Orlando , Florida, Orlando, Anaheim , California, Asia, ”, Florida

☆ September is historically the worst month for stocks. That might not be the case this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —US stocks typically see their worst performance of the year in September, but there are signs the market could avoid a steep downturn this time around. This month has been the worst for stocks on average since 1928, according to Yardeni Research. That’s partly because, much like August, there is a lull in economic data that could catalyze a stock rally. While stocks fell roughly 2% in August, they still outperformed their 4% loss during the same month last year. It’s the latest example of how extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change, impacted major North American attractions this summer, reports my colleague Nathaniel Meyersohn.

Persons: Mark Hackett, Hackett, “, ”, Stocks, he’s, Nathaniel Meyersohn, Red Bull, Jessie Yeung, Junko Ogura, Nissin, Nissin Curry, ” Read Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, CNN, Research, Labor, Nationwide, Reserve, Dow Jones Industrial, Nasdaq, Nvidia, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Locations: Saudi Arabia, Russia, Nevada, SeaWorld, Southwest, California, Canada, Florida, Asia, Japan

☆ Climate change is hurting Six Flags, SeaWorld and Disney World
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

It’s the latest example of how extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change, impacted major North American attractions this summer. Extreme heat in Florida also disrupted attendance at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando this summer. Theme parks are building indoor rides and changing ticket policies to respond to brutal weather conditions. Golding has lowered his estimates for the theme park industry because of growing risks from extreme weather. SeaWorld warns in its annual report to investors that extreme weather events could cause it to “incur significant costs.”“The series of extreme weather events experienced in recent years presents an alarming trend,” SeaWorld said.

Persons: ” Paul Golding, Golding, Brian Witherow, Cedar, James Forrester, Hurricane Ian, Gary Mick, Mick Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Macquarie Research, Knott’s, SeaWorld, Flags, Wall Street Locations: New York, Nevada, SeaWorld, Southwest, California, Canada, Florida, Ontario, Knott’s Berry, Florida , Texas, Virginia, Northeast

☆ I visited Great Wolf Lodge for the first time with my husband, and the $400-a-night stay was totally worth it
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Carly Caramanna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewGreat Wolf Lodge is a family-friendly hotel and water park with over 20 locations in the US. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. It was our first time visiting, and we wondered how it would compare to our usual theme-park vacations at places like Disney World and Universal Orlando. To get the full experience, we stayed for a weekend in a $400-a-night suite with the intention of never leaving the resort.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business, Disney, Universal Orlando Locations: Concord, North Carolina

Wait times for rides and attractions at both resorts have shortened, according to analysts who track theme park attendance. Disney CEO Bob Iger attributed Disney World’s recent decline in wait times to an overall slump in Central Florida tourism. Iger told CNBC he did not have “long-term concerns” about Disney’s theme parks. For Universal’s Florida parks, every month since March has seen lower average wait times, according to the site. Pareti said she spends between four and six days per week at Disney’s parks and visits Universal parks, as well.

Persons: Los Angeles CNN —, Walt, Universal Orlando parkgoers, Bob Iger, ”, Iger, Shorter, July’s, Don Munsil, he’s, Munsil, “, Kayla Pareti, Mickey Travels, Mickey, You’re, Pareti, she’s, “ Don’t, it’s, Comcast’s, Disney’s, That’s, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Pete Werner, Christine McCarthy, ” Werner, It’s, Disney Organizations: Los Angeles CNN, Central, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Disney, CNBC, CNN, Universal, Disney’s, Universal Studios, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney Company, Comcast, UBS, DIS Universal, Republican, NAACP, Human Rights, League of United Latin American, Walt Disney, Disney Cruise Locations: Florida, Central Florida, “ Florida, Disney’s Florida, Universal Studios Florida, Bay Lake , Florida, Orange County, Orlando

☆ Universal will open a new theme park in Texas and a horror experience in Las Vegas in a massive expansion
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Universal Parks and Resorts has announced two new developments in Frisco, Texas, and Las Vegas. The 110,000-square-foot project in Las Vegas will become a permanent horror experience. Instead, the Texas property will be a first-of-its-kind theme park for families while the Las Vegas development will become a go-to destination for horror fanatics. But similar to Universal Orlando park and resort, this Texas property will grow to include a themed hotel as well. A rendering of Universal Parks and Resorts' upcoming horror attraction in Las Vegas.

☆ Harry Potter actor Robbie Coltrane dies aged 72
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Actor Robbie Coltrane talks during a media preview of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley at the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida June 19, 2014. REUTERS/David Manning/FilesLONDON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Robbie Coltrane, the larger-than-life Scottish actor who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, died on Friday at the age of 72, his agent said. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling led the tributes on Twitter, writing: "I'll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again. "Robbie Coltrane, Scottish entertainment legend - you will be hugely missed," she wrote. British actor and broadcaster Stephen Fry - who narrated the British version of the Harry Potter audio books - wrote that he had met Coltrane almost exactly 40 years ago.

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