Low price for Coke Zero 400 Daytona

Daytona business is gearing up for the Coke Zero 400 race this July. Speed officials are expecting a 20% decrease in attendance to 100,000 this year. Businesses require the infusion of millions of dollars of revenue that the race brings to Daytona in order to survive.

Customers are really looking for deep discounts before they purchase during this declining economy. In order to get some economic boosts, prices at the track should be a all-time low from last years prices.

Instead of long term planning, travellers are making last-minute choices for the best deals. Downtown businesses like Sea Dip Beach are hoping for a good turn out to help revive the economy in Daytona.

In order to boost attendance, speedway officials decided to sell tickets on the front stretch of the track instead of the grandstand and opposite side of the track seats. From 15%, speedway officials realize that sales continue on a downward spiral forcing them to drop ticket prices including hats, memorabilia, soft drinks and much more.

Simply put, the Daytona economy is driven by the race track said several economists from Florida. Unlike other attractons, Daytona 500 draws people from outside the state compared to sports and is a real revenue generator.

Although there are tons of vacancies in local Daytona hotels, last minute deals are bringing in the business said the vice president for the Sun Viking lodge.

Hotel taxes down for 6 straight months

Hotel taxes have experience a steady decline since the beginning of the first quarter of 2009 and continue the downward trend through July 4th holiday.

Making a difficult year for Central Florida's lodging , hotel taxes have experienced a downward spiral for the twelfth straight month. From $13.7 million one year ago in May 2008, taxes have decline 18.5% to $11.1 million.

Orange County measures declines from one month to the next and is hoping for some good news soon. Although the Counties lodging industry has adequate cash reserves, it will struggle with it's tax bond obligations.

Hold on to your wallets.

DIsney reopening Holiday Inn hotel

After the hurricanes of 2004 that devastated buildings in central Florida, the Holiday Inn near Disney downtown will be getting a $35 million makeover. Closed since it sustained damage by Charley & Francis in 2004, the 323-room hotel located on Plaza boulevard will open its doors later this year.

Originally built and owned by Howard Johnson's in 1972, the new hotel director stated that the old hotel will not be a renovated but rebuilt ground up.

What was once the an icon of American hospitality, slid little by little into oblivion said Michael Terry from the Rosen College Hospitality Management. Nearly 5 years ago before the hurricanes, the Holiday Inn hotel was formerly used as a courtyard by the Marriott, but since then has remained in disuse.

With a new contemporary Floridian design planned, everything will be removed leaving the hotel and empty shell. Currently, the hotel is owned by CIG LVC LLC and registered by Al Cabrera. Cabrera, formerly a fast food tycoon that operated the second-largest chain of Burger King's in Miami, decided to leave the greasy spoon business, and then invest in hotels in 2006.

Holiday Inns owner InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, is sponsoring a $1 billion campaign to create a modern makeover of the brand. After the new look is rolled out, the name will be the same but very little will remain of the old brand.

Could Legoland be a new rival for Disney World & Universal Orlando?

With more than fifty superhero rides, shows, attractions, restaurants, shops and nine different lands, Legoland who offers unique entertainment for children 2- 12 may be looking to expand.

Recently, there has been rampant reports that the world-renown theme park Legoland may come to Central Florida. Well under way is the search by Merline Entertainment Group for a new location for their interactive theme park and Florida may be a good candidate.

Many Floridians have completed online surveys regarding their interest level in a new Legoland attraction close to home.

Rumor has it that Cypress Gardens may have been one of the sites that Merline was looking at to build the new theme park. Several other locations were under consideration including Splendid China, and Old Kissimmee area.

It's really not a question of whether, but when the Legoland will make the announcement, stay tuned.

Comuter train coming soon

Commuter train for Central Florida is not dead yet according to U.S. Representative John Mica. Most think that the high speed train from Deland to Poinciana is nothing but corporate greed. But after two years, this is the second time the $1.2 billion project has been resurrected.

Many refused to give up on the train including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Mica. Although the deadline was past on June 30, an extension was given by the Jacksonville train Co. CSX for SunRail to buy the tracks.

Other projects took the place of the SunRail train by lawmakers who used it as a bargaining chip last year.

SunRail was not able to purchase the track due to an insurance policy that was impaled by the state legislature. But plans to have CSX assume more risk when employees are liable may help get the policy written.

Out of the $800 billion stimulus package, Mica hopes to lobby for up $250 million to cover the high cost of the SunRail train. Some think it's nothing buy corporate welfare at the taxpayers expense.

More Delays for Hollywood Rip Rocket Ride

Universal that offers both the big screen action and immerses guests into thrilling rides has been unable to debut it's most costly attraction. Poised to fire the big gun, Universal's 17 story, $45 million attraction has been slammed with multiple delays.

With it's customized soundtracks, 167-foot height, reaching speeds up to 65-mph, the high-speed coaster is the most technologically advanced machine in the neighborhood. Capable of making industry-breaking maneuvers, guests are able to produce a video of their adrenaline-pumping experience. But it has been about a year since Universal said it would roll out the attraction.

As one of the leanest seasons in theme-park history, Universal had been prepared to open it's biggest weapon this summer but still does not have a opening date. With it's rival competition, Seaworld Orlando & Disney, it would stand the risk of losing a lot of ground from the reduced pool of travelers on July 4th.

Lingering delays could have an impact on cash-strapped Universal said senior analyst from major consulting firms. This time last year park attendance has fallen an estimated 14% for the first quarter.

Universal is banking on the Hollywood Rip Rocket Ride to boost their park attendance and have a positive impact on their business. More than likely, Universal will open the ride when it's the right time.

The major drawback on Rip Rocket is the implementation of the latest anti-rollback system which does not produce the clicking noise usually associate with such technology but provides a smooth ascent. After quality testing, the new system did not perform as well expected requiring engineers to retrofit the coaster with the old design.

In addition to the initial cost of $45 million according to the Security Exchange Commissions, the technological setbacks could push the cost up substantially. Unlike Universal, Seaworld announced a summer date but announced opening the Manta to be near Memorial Day.

Although Universal has not opened the ride yet, a lot of hype around the right may have a tendency to increase park attendance.

Check out some of these coasters for size:

• Cheetah Chase (Busch Gardens)
• Dueling Dragons (Universal's Islands of Adventure)
• Expedition Everest (Disney's Animal Kingdom)
• Gwazi (Busch Gardens)
• Incredible Hulk (Universal's Islands of Adventure)
• Kraken (SeaWorld)
• Kumba (Busch Gardens)
• Manta (SeaWorld)
• Montu (Bush Gardens)
• Primeval Whirl (Disney's Animal Kingdom)
• Revenge of the Mummy (Universal Studios)
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (Disney's Hollywood Studios)
• Scorpion (Busch Gardens)
• SheiKra (Busch Gardens)
• Space Mountain (Disney's Magic Kingdom)

Future of Epcot's Test Track uncertain

It appears that the economy is putting a squeeze on the world-famous Burbank California-based brand Disney. One source of trouble comes from Epcot's signature attraction GM Test Track that remains without a sponsor.

GM Test Track features a tour of a test equipment facility, a high-speed test ride, and it's flagship vehicles showroom. After the second-largest bankruptcy in history, GM remains in negotiations over a contract for it's Test Track attraction at Epcot.

After the 10-year contract has expired, GM would need to negotiate an extension with Disney. GM would have paid $100 million for the sponsorship 10 years ago, and then continued to pay sponsorship fees for the next 5 years. At the end of the ride, guests can walk through a show room featuring various vehicles including GM's Yukon flagship vehicle. The post-ride display has an operating budget of more than $1 million.

Just before GM's bankruptcy filing in June, the two companies were poised to sign a six-month contract extension allowing the embattled company to forgo paying for the sponsorship fee. GM would continue to sponsor payments for the post-ride show room.

With the government helping to keep GM operating with billions of dollars, the deal with Disney might become complicated when using taxpayer money to sponsor a theme-park attraction. Some rumors circulating suggest that Disney is allowing the automaker to remain month to month in an effort not to embarrass GM by removing the brand from Epcot.

Since the entire auto industry has been shattered by the recession, Disney has been aware of the fact that finding another sponsor would be very difficult undertaking.

Stay posted for more in the weeks to come.

AirTran increases presence in Orlando

AirTran has a bright future with increasing operations at Orlando International Airport. Within the next five years, AirTran is looking for increased growth in it's business according to it's commitment with the government.

Florida will be contributing some $3 million in contributions to build a hurricane-strength operations center for AirTran's Orlando Airport operations. In order to get the money, AirTran is commit ed to maintain it's cooperation and operations in Orlando.

Another portion of the $6.9 million will be contributed by the Orlando Aviation Authority said authorities. Unfortunately economic woes has delayed the groundbreaking last June. Generating a complaint from AirTran, Tourism, Trade and Economic Development bureau has renegotiated the 20-years lease to give the Airlines 5 additional years to meet its employment-growth pledges.

The new negotiations is all positive for AirTran who will hopefully break ground this summer.

Travel expected to sizzle July 4th

It's seems like "deja vu" when gas prices peaked around $4.00 per gallon in 2008. Analysts believe that gas prices will continue to rise through 4Th of July weekend. Despite these macabre predictions, Orange County tourism leaders remain optimistic that travel in July will sizzle.

Prices at the pump have increased by $1 since the beginning of the year. Most industry leaders believe that the bargains will outweigh the prices at the pumps in July compare to $3.50 this time last year. Industry watchers believe that tourists will have something to shout about this independence day.

Some great hotel deals this year will be one of the lures that draw tourists to Orlando says Seminole County Visitor Bureau leaders. With July 4th beginning on a Saturday, travelers will have a 3-day-getaway to enjoy everything that Orlando has to offer.

Certainly we hope that $3 per gallon gas is not in the future for 2009.