Obama pushes tourism at Disney

Courtesy The White House

President Obama stopped by the Magic Kingdom on Thursday to push the need to increase the number of visitors to the country.

The President on Thursday signed an executive order that aims to create “a national strategy” to position the United States as the top tourist destination in the world. The White House says international tourism supported 1.2 million domestic jobs in 2010.

“Every year, tens of millions of tourists from all over the world come and visit America. And the more folks who visit America, the more Americans we get back to work,” Obama said. “That’s how we’re going to rebuild an economy where hard work pays off, where responsibility is rewarded, and where anyone can make it if they try.”

Among the executive order’s provisions, the visa processing capacity for non-immigrant visas from China and Brazil would increase by 40 percent this year. Said Obama: “We’re not talking about five years from now or 10 years from now -- this year.”

“We’re going to see how we can make it easier for foreign tourists to find basic information about visiting America, visiting not just Epcot Center, but the Everglades, too,” Obama said. “The more folks who visit America, the more Americans we get back to work.  It’s that simple.”

WDW to shut down Main Street for Obama

Don't expect to enjoy Main Street U.S.A. tomorrow. President Obama will be visiting.

WESH-TV has the details:

Disney advises that Main Street, U.S.A., including shops like the Emporium, will be closed to guests from park opening through late afternoon.

When park guests arrive, they will be directed through "alternate routes" to enjoy other areas of the park, Disney said. Main Street, U.S.A. will open later in the day, in time for the "Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade" at 3:30 p.m.

Read more: http://www.wesh.com/themeparks/30235520/detail.html#ixzz1jqvke8XE

Group: Disney isn't so family friendly

A Washington-based group is calling Disney hypocritical for opposing legislation the Florida legislature is considering the groups says will change gaming laws and make way for destination resorts to be built in South Florida.

"Disney has taken the public position of being morally opposed to gaming, while quietly profiting from the licensing of cartoon characters to online casinos," Andrew Langer, president of The Institute for Liberty, said in a news release. "Disney's opposition to the construction of new, job-creating destination resorts has nothing to do with protecting Florida's family-friendly image, and everything to do with protecting its own bottom line and stomping out any potential competition. That goes against the basic principles of free markets."

"Disney recently laid off 1,400 Florida workers, but is earning billions in profits. Now it's spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to lobby against job-creating private investments, at a time when nearly one million Floridians are out of work," Langer added.

WDW: Open 24 hours on Feb. 29

Walt Disney World and Disneyland will stay open for 24 hours straight Feb. 29 to celebrate the leap year.
 
The Magic Kingdom in Florida and Disneyland Park in California will open at 6 a.m. (local time) on Feb. 29 and will remain open until to 6 a.m. (local time) on March 1 as part of the parks'  "One More Disney Day" promotion.
 
The new promotion follows the "Let the Memories Begin" promotion Disney has pushed the last year.
 
"We're honored that so many guests have shared their Disney memories with us as part of 'Let the Memories Begin', and I'm pleased to announce that the campaign will continue throughout 2012," Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts said in a news release. "To celebrate, for the first time ever, the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Parks will remain open for 24 hours on Leap Day, so that our guests can take advantage of every minute of their extra day to make memories with friends and family."
 
In addition, between Jan. 1 and Feb. 29, Disney is picking a daily winner as part of its "Disney Parks One More Disney Day Sweepstakes." The winner will receive a Disney Parks vacation.