Orlando Travel Blog

1. Disney’s Magic Kingdom - 17.06 million visitors

2. Disneyland - 14.87 million visitors

3. Epcot - 10.93 million visitors

4. Disney-MGM Studios (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) - 9.51 million visitors

5. Disney’s Animal Kingdom - 9.49 million visitors

6. Universal Studios - 6.2 million visitors

7. SeaWorld Orlando - 5.8 million visitors

8. Disney’s California Adventure - 5.68 million visitors

9. Universal’s Islands of Adventure - 5.43 million visitors

10. Universal Studios Hollywood - 4.7 million visitors

11. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - 4.4 millon visitors

12. SeaWorld San Diego - 4.25 million visitors

13. Knott’s Berry Farm - 3.63 million visitors

14. Busch Gardens Williamsburg - 3.16 million visitors

15. Cedar Point - 3.12 million visitors

Sources: Park World, InPark, TEA Inc., Economics Research Associates

Hosted by the United Arts of Central Florida and sponsored by the Orlando Sentinel and Bank of America, 2008 ArtsFest will take place February 7-17, 2008, with approximately 340 free events spread across four counties (Orange, Osceola, Lake and Seminole)! Pick up a 2008 ArtsFest schedule of events at your local Bank of America branch.

Organizations scheduled to participate in 2008 ArtsFest include Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, Annie Russell Theatre, Asian Cultural Association, Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Bay Street Players, The Center for Contemporary Dance, Central Florida Ballet, Central Florida Folk, CityArts Factory, City Hall Terrace Gallery, City of Casselberry Parks and Recreation, City of Orlando’s Pottery Studio, Clouids in My Coffee, COMMA, Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Crealde School of Art, DRIP, Festival of Orchestras, Florida Children’s Repertory Theatre, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, Gallery of Avalon Island, Gallery on First, Garden Theatre, Hannibal Square Heritage Center, Helen Stairs Theatre, Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center, Jeanine Taylor Folk Art, Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando, Lake Eustis Museum of Art, Lifelong Learning Institute of the Winter Park Public Library, Mad Cow Theatre, Maitland Art Center, Maitland Historical Society, Mennello Museum of American Art, MicheLee Puppets, Orange County Regional History Center, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Chamber Singers, Orlando Gay Chorus, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Opera, Orlando Philharmonic, Orlando Public Library, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Orlando Science Center, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Osceola Center for the Arts, Osceola Library System, Project Imagination, SAK Comedy Lab, Seminole Cultural Arts Council, Steinway Piano Galleries, Valencia Community College East Campus, Voci Dance, Vocies of Valencia, Winter Park Historical Association and Museum, Winter Park Historical Association and the Winter Park Public Library, Winter Park Playhouse, Women’s Caucus for Art of Florida and Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts.

For more information about 2008 ArtsFest, visit Orlando-Florida.net.

In an unexpected and abrupt move, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, which first opened in the summer of 2003, closed its doors for good on January 7, 2008. The attraction, which lies on 13 acres just off Interstate 4, has already been sold to an as yet unnamed developer. A total of 162 employees were laid off immediately. In a prepared statement, portions of which appeared in the Orlando Sentinel, Dolly Parton commented, “We at Dixie Stampede have been blessed, but I am a firm believer in timing and opportunity. This was an opportunity we could not pass up. We’re exploring our options now and we will be back better than ever!” According to unconfirmed reports, Dixie Stampede management is seeking a new location in Central Florida to reopen the show in the future. All other Dixie Stampede locations remain open, including the Pigeon Forge Dixie Stampede.

Dixie Stampede Video

Busch Gardens Africa-Tampa Bay has unveiled plans to create Jungala, an exotic jungle habitat of fun-filled discovery and exploration. Scheduled to open in the spring of 2008, the four-acre Jungala attraction will include up-close animal interactions, multi-story family play areas, thrilling rides and live entertainment. Jungala will be nestled in the Congo area of Busch Gardens with cascading waterfalls, towering trees, flowing waterways and elaborate stone structures

The multi-tiered animal habitats at Jungala will allow guests to interact with two of the world’s most endangered species - orangutans and Bengal tigers - through treetop observation towers, subterranean caves, underwater windows, natural bridges and bamboo screens. The exotic rainforest also will be home to acrobatic gibbons, flying foxes and tomistomas.

Jungala will include two signature rides - a zip line adventure that will offer three different flight patterns high above the tree tops and another ride that will launch guests above a towering waterfall. A three-story family climbing area that includes rope bridges and a children’s water play area are also on the drawing board for Jungala. In addition, elaborately costumed stiltwalkers will parade through the Jungala village (itself anchored by a 35-foot rock formation).

Two new Busch Gardens restaurants will also be constructed at Jungala: The Bengal Bistro and the Orang Cafe. Both eateries will offer seasonal entrees, sandwiches, salads and children’s menus.

Jungala will be built on the site of the Python roller coaster, which first opened at the theme park in 1976 and closed in 2006.

“As a totally interactive wildlife habitat, Jungala will be a great addition to Busch Gardens,” said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing for HotelsCorp.com. “And by planning ahead and purchasing discount theme park tickets online, you and your family will enjoy significant savings on your Busch Gardens next adventure.”