The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions plans to build its headquarters on seven acres near Darden Restaurants’ corporate headquarters.
A land-use change from 250 hotel rooms to more than 150,000 square feet of office space for the property north of Taft-Vineland Road and west of John Young Parkway still needs county approval.
The land is under contract and owned by Darden, IAAPA spokeswoman Colleen Mangone said in an email. “This process will take several months to complete,” she said.
IAAPA is receiving an Orange County incentive package to relocate from Alexandria, Va. IAAPA will receive $48,000 in payments over five years. The commission also approved a seven-year, 50 percent property-tax abatement worth about $65,000.
Demolition of the Wet ’n Wild water park will cost an estimated $3 million, according to paperwork filed by Universal Orlando with the city.
The work should take place through February, according to the documents.
About 13 acres of structures will be torn down at the corner of International Drive and Universal Boulevard.
Wet ’n Wild closed in December. Universal Orlando’s new Volcano Bay water park, on its main resort property, will have its grand opening May 25.
The Walt Disney Co. will report quarterly earnings Tuesday.
One thing to watch will be how well the theme parks performed during the quarter, which includes the busy holiday period.
Orlando tourism in general rebounded later in 2016 after getting a difficult start. In December, however, Orange County tourist development taxes dipped 3.5 percent compared with the prior year.
An online petition has been started asking Walt Disney World to keep the Donald Trump animatronic figure silent when it debuts at the Hall of Presidents.
”Donald Trump ran a oresidential campaign on hateful speech, misogyny, racism and xenophobia,” says the online petition on change.org. “The Magic Kingdom at Disney World is a place specifically designed for the enjoyment of children and families. Therefore, it is not an appropriate place for a Donald Trump speech. We ask that Walt Disney World take a stand against divisive and hurtful rhetoric and have the backs of millions of Americans and people worldwide whose day would be ruined by the depiction of a speech by Donald Trump.”
More than 10,000 people have signed the petition, started by Matthew Rogers of Brooklyn, N.Y., on change.org.
The Magic Kingdom attraction features animatronics of each of our country’s leaders. The Hall of Presidents recently closed for the addition of Trump. Disney has not given details on how it plans to depict the newest president.
A recent version of the attraction included speeches about the American dream, delivered by George Washington and Barack Obama.
Meanwhile, Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger skipped the first meeting for an Trump economic advisory council, of which he is a member. The company said there was a schedule conflict with a previously scheduled company board meeting. Companies whose CEOs are on the council have been under pressure to distance themselves from Trump after his controversial executive order on immigration. A group called SumOfUs, describing itself as an international corporate watchdog, collected more than 100,000 signatures on a petition calling on CEOs on the advisory council to speak out.
Caitlin Dineen of the Sentinel staff contributed. spedicini@orlandosentinel,com or 407-420-5240; Twitter @SandraPedicini
Drew Barrymore visited the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World for the first time with her children.
Drew Barrymore visited the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World for the first time with her children.
Drew Barrymore visited the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World for the first time with her children.
Drew Barrymore visited the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World for the first time with her children.
Disney has added a VIP tour to its lineup, focusing on at least 10 classic attractions inside Magic Kingdom.
Disney has added a VIP tour to its lineup, focusing on at least 10 classic attractions inside Magic Kingdom.
An online petition has been started asking Walt Disney World to keep the Donald Trump animatronic figure silent when it debuts at the Hall of Presidents.
An online petition has been started asking Walt Disney World to keep the Donald Trump animatronic figure silent when it debuts at the Hall of Presidents.
On this edition of Orlando Sentinel Snapshot we take a peek inside the local foodie culture and explore the growing culinary trends of 2017.
On this edition of Orlando Sentinel Snapshot we take a peek inside the local foodie culture and explore the growing culinary trends of 2017.
As Universal Orlando enters its fourth annual Wizarding World of Harry Potter weekend, we take a look at just how much impact the franchise has had on the resort and all the Universal parks.
As Universal Orlando enters its fourth annual Wizarding World of Harry Potter weekend, we take a look at just how much impact the franchise has had on the resort and all the Universal parks.
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