26 May 2010 by Copyright 2010 by wftv.com
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Walt Disney World is making big changes, hoping to attract more visitors to the Magic Kingdom this summer. The changes include a new electrical parade, concerts and new effects for rides.
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The fight is on for summer tourists. Wednesday, Disney officials took WFTV behind the scenes at the Magic Kingdom to see the centerpiece of "Summer Nightastic."
The theme park powerhouse is bringing back the Main Street Electrical Parade, with a daily fireworks show.
There are 23 floats and more than a half-million lights being used to pull off the electrical parade this summer at the Magic Kingdom.
Until now, the parade has been at Disneyland in California.
Profits are down 12 percent at Disney theme parks. The company has been offering all kinds of incentives to get people in its theme parks, add that to the hype that's surrounding the new Harry Potter Experience opening over at Universal Studios next month.
As a result, the powerhouse of Disney is pulling out all the stops to make sure it gets as many guests in its park as possible this summer.
“To put together the whole summer nights, new offering will not only give new experiences for the guests who are coming, but also for our local guests who might want to come back,” said Reed Jones, Walt Disney Creative Director.
WFTV checked with the Orange County-Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau, and a new report it’s releasing this week shows a four percent drop in visitors to the area last year over 2008.
Disney says the parade will start operating next month. Disney Art of Animation and Fantasy Land are also new projects opening in the next two years.
“Summer Nightastic” starts June 6.
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