Orlando Vacation Homes Rentals

posted by orlandovacationhome on Sep 22

The media continues to buzz about the forthcoming Harry Potter World at Universal Park. Reports now indicate that the $250 million project will open in Spring, 2010 at Islands of Adventure. One of the industry’s inside sources, The Theme Park Insider newsletter, indicates that Harry Potter at Universal could be a little over exposed.

Why? Harry Potter Land at Universal will not be a new theme park, but a a park within a park and this could confuse some visitors. Moreover, the attraction will be mostly comprised of three new rides and there is the possibility that some may be disappointed if expecting an entire new theme park. Although this is intriguing, as the Harry Potter park opens and the reviews begin we think most such issues if any will be quickly resolved.

The three rides are believed to be Dragon Challenge (a roller coaster), Flight of the Hippogriff (a more family friendly coaster) and the ride Harry Potter Forbidden Journey which takes the rider through an actual Hogwarts castle.

The Harry Potter Universal Ride could also expand over time. As they often say, we believe this concept “has legs”. There is a difference between a trend and a fad. The whole Potter phenomena will last for years to come, and in the longer term this initial expansion will be a huge hit for the park, and for Orlando as well.

 If you are inclined to visit in the spring to enjoy the opening, the closest vacation home communities are Vista Cay and the Isles at Cay Commons. Vacation rentals are typically a superior and economic alternative to hotels as such homes include full catering kitchens and expansive living space. Consult our site for over 80 reviews of resort communities in the Central Florida area.

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posted by orlandovacationhome on Nov 8

The third quarter earnings report for Disney was not pretty. In many investors’ eyes, it raised more questions than answers. Chief Mouse Executive Bob Iger reported that the first half of 2009 looks to be just shy of 10% under last year’s booking pace. He also alarmed analysts by stating that his predictive view of the attendance market is “limited”.

Disney responded by rolling out a new “buy 4 days/nights, get 3 free” promotion. This is strong evidence of the weakness coming into 2009, and the theme park market will need to perform some heavy discounting in the new year to stay on par with last year.

Disney Earnings Impact Orlando Vacation Villa Homes

Presumably area hotels must do the same to bring in their market share of tourist dollars. Vacation home rates will almost assuredly follow suit because staying in a home is an upgrade from the regular hotel stay, and that consumers may not be in the financial mood to take advantage of that upgraded experience. The dollar has also appreciated making foreign exchange rates less attractive for international travelers. Although air travel pricing has been sluggish to drop, gasoline pricing has been cooperative for the consumer lately. We suspect that regional drive-to traffic may need to replace lost international traffic in 2009 if Orlando vacation home rentals are to keep pace with last year’s figures. In that light, vacation home marketers must do a better job of highlighting the advantages of a vacation home over a hotel stay and then delivering on that Orlando vacation promise.

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