Florida theme parks weather the storm

CBS MarketWatch ^ | Last Update: 2:55 PM ET Aug. 14, 2004 | CBS MarketWatch

[BenLurkin]

Central Florida's tourist business bounced back quickly from Hurricane Charley, with nearly all theme parks reporting that they were reopened.

The storm, which killed at least 15 people in its sweep across the Florida peninsula, passed about 65 miles south of Orlando. See full story.

Disney (DIS: news, chart, profile), Universal (GE: news, chart, profile) and SeaWorld (BUD: news, chart, profile) reopened all but one park Saturday, according to Florida newspapers. Parks were closed Friday as the hurricane approached and its path was uncertain. See earlier story.

Disney said. Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Disney-MGM studios reopened Saturday, according to the Orlando Sentinel and Florida Sun-Sentinel. Animal Kingdom remained closed because storm damage kept too many workers from arriving.

Universal Studios Orlando said it kept inspectors at its parks during the storm and that they inspected amusement rides when weather cleared. The Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure parks reopened about 9 a.m., newspapers said.

SeaWorld was open, but debris in water kept some attractions closed, according to Florida newspapers.

[Rokke]

Well that's a relief.

[BenLurkin]

I think it is good news . . . for Florida, for the economy and for the Bush brothers.

[lewislynn]

Actually the good news is for the entire country...It didn't raise the price of plywood....yet.

[Paleo Conservative]

Did Disney cancel "gay days"?

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

No...the storm didn't blow hard enough to cancel that.

[UncleDick]

As gay days is an unofficial gathering, Disney is not in the position to cancel it.

[VOA]

Disney (DIS: news, chart, profile), Universal (GE: news, chart, profile) and SeaWorld
(BUD: news, chart, profile) reopened all but one park Saturday

It may seem trite...but if a country's amusement parks can bounce back in a day
after a hurricane...
that does show a good spirit of resilience.

(not to mention the validation of the profit motive!)

[UncleDick]

If anyone's interested,

[UncleDick]

here are some pictures of the damage in and around Disney property. A few downed trees and signs but nothing serious.

[opbuzz]

I left Orlando last night to return to Jax.

From mid Orlando to St Augustine (about 90 miles) there was not a McDonalds open. Most gas stations were closed, half of the exits had no stoplights. All due to power outages.

I passed two convoys of electrical power trucks heading that way, of a dozen each.

There were about a thousand trees down, and 20 billboards. Many cars were stranded by I-4 and I-95. I guess they ran out of gas waiting because of accidents. At the road shoulder, the tops were cut off of fallen trees that extended into the interstate.

The power worked at the Rosen Centre hotel where the karate tourney was. (The McDonalds and Red lobster across )the street were closed though.

[BenLurkin]

Good report. Thanks!