Is Orlando the Halloween capital?
Halloween creeps earlier and earlier on the calendar at the theme parks.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom kicked off Aug. 25 this year. Not following far behind, the haunted houses at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights and SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular started in September.
So should Orlando be dubbed the “Halloween Vacation Capital?”
Visit Orlando thinks so. The tourism marketing agency filed a trademark for the phrase Sept. 28. The application is currently under review.
For the past two years, Visit Orlando has focused on promoting Halloween — a 10-week season of events — to draw more visitors during the offpeak tourism season, the organization said.
“We know of no other destination that has the depth and breadth of Halloween events that we do, from family-friendly to downright terrifying,” Visit Orlando said in a statement.
Visit Orlando said it plans to keep marketing Orlando as the “Halloween Vacation Capital” in the future. Southern District of California.
In the lawsuit, a group of investors accused SeaWorld executives of ignoring and denying the backlash caused by the film that examined a trainer’s death and the practice of holding killer whales in captivity.
Internal emails released in the court case showed SeaWorld executives complained about “Blackfish” hurting business in late 2013 or early 2014 — months before the company admitted in August 2014 the movie hurt attendance, the lawsuit said.
People eligible to be included in the lawsuit must have owned SeaWorld Entertainment stock between Aug. 29, 2013 and Aug. 12, 2014, have not sold the stock before Aug. 13, 2014, and were “damaged,” the judge said in his order.
Those excluded include present or former SeaWorld executives, the board of directors and their immediate families.
In the wake of the lawsuit, SeaWorld disclosed in June the company was under investigation by the the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Security and Exchange Commission for comments made at the time by its executives.
“SeaWorld does not comment on pending litigation. The company remains ever-focused on our mission to inspire people to protect animals and the world’s oceans,” SeaWorld said in a statement.
Last year, SeaWorld announced it was ending the controversial practice of breeding and will phase out theatrical whale shows at its parks, focusing more on whales’ natural behaviors.
The company is investing heavily in new rides and attractions at several parks as it hopes to rebound financially and grow attendance.
For the travelers who worry about missing their flights or are stuck in the security line, maybe some holiday cheer can come your way at the Orlando International Airport.
Live holiday entertainment will begin Saturday and run for most of December at the Orlando International Airport.
“To ensure our customers have an enjoyable airport experience, the collection of familyfriendly acts will offer seasonal favorites to provide a festive mood that helps alleviate the stress of travel,” the airport said in a news release.
The entertainment will run through Dec. 22 in the airport’s atrium during certain hours.
“Orlando International Airport continues its tradition of brightening the busy holiday travel season by offering a daily selection of live performances,” the airport said. “The diversity of entertainment includes symphony groups, choirs, roaming carolers, jazz ensembles and even a Mariachi band.”
Westgate Resorts Foundation gave $1 million split between more than 65 nonprofits in Central Florida that address homelessness, domestic violence, gaps in education and veteran employment, the organization recently announced.
“During the last year, our community has been called on repeatedly to respond to emergencies and crises,” said David Siegel, president and CEO of Westgate Resorts, during a recent event to announce the grant recipients.
“Today was about celebrating how our nonprofit community answered the call during these challenges, as well as honoring their everyday successes and the many people who benefit from their work.”