Epic Universe opening day draws international visitors
FOX 35's Morgan Parrish joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer's LIVE coverage of Epic Universe grand opening coverage speaking with guests driving into the park from Argentina and out-of-state from the American northeast.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Orange County's tourist tax take was good, not great in April
Orange County's tourist tax collections were better in April than a year ago, but not as good as the year before that. The revenue generated by the county's 6% surcharge on overnight hotel stays and other short-term lodging has been a reliable measure of tourist industry health, but Comptroller Phil Diamond, whose office tracks the collections, interpreted the new figures cautiously. 'It's interesting to me that even though we're in the midst of what looks to be a very good year — and we just had a very good month — we didn't beat a number from two years ago when everything was less expensive and hotel rooms cost less,' Diamond said. April 2025 collections were slightly weaker at $33.1 million than those in both April 2023 ($33.6 million) and April 2022 ($34.6 million). Epic Universe: Know before you go Still, revenue from the Tourist Development Tax, or TDT, through the first seven months of fiscal year 2025 has totaled $235.6 million, about $11.3 million ahead of the pace of last fiscal year when TDT raked in a best-ever haul of $359 million. Diamond expressed concern about slowing international travel and global economic uncertainty, but also noted bright spots. 'I really want to see more Epic results,' he said, referring to Universal's heralded new theme park, Epic Universe. 'I will say I'm pleasantly surprised at the visitation level we've had before the new park even opened. That was a surprise to me and probably other people as well.' The immersive park officially opened to big crowds May 22 eager to see attractions built around training dragons, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo video games and Dracula, Frankenstein and other celluloid creeps and monsters from the movies. Tourism figures from May will be revealed in early July. 'I'll miss visiting my American friends': Angered by Trump's threats, Canadians rethink Florida travel Visit Orlando also offered a somewhat mixed outlook for summer travel in an emailed response about the latest numbers. Hotel bookings from May through July are currently pacing 1% behind the same time period last year, but the short-term rental market is showing 'robust growth' with bookings 15% ahead of last year, said Casandra Matej, CEO of the region's tourism marketing agency. She said the average daily room rate was $223.44 in April, driven largely by a surge in leisure travel. The rate was $208.50 in April 2024. shudak@
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
From the Obamas to Delray Beach, Coco Gauff being celebrated for French Open title
Coco Gauff has become an international tennis sensation in recent years, counting Barack and Michelle Obama and LeBron James among her well-wishers after she rallied to claim her second Grand Slam title and first French Open on Saturday, 6-7 (7-5), 6-2, 6-4 over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Monday morning, she was on the Today show, showing off her replica trophy and discussing her historic win, as she became the first American woman to win the French Open singles title since her idol, Serena Williams, did it a decade ago. But no matter how famous she gets, or how much money she earns (she is up to $27 million in career earnings), the 21-year-old from Delray Beach keeps her hometown close to her heart -- and her feet. Her first signature shoe by New Balance was called 'CG1' and had the coordinates of Pompey Park, the Delray Beach public tennis courts where she grew up, inscribed on the soles. The coordinates are 26° 28' 0.75' N, 80° 5' 1.4' W. Her second signature sneaker, released earlier this year, is called the 'Coco Delray' and the ad campaign features the voice of her maternal grandmother Yvonne Lee Odom, a civil rights trailblazer who integrated Delray Beach public schools 60 years ago. Odom and Gauff's aunt, Joi, hosted a French Open watch party Saturday for friends and family at Warren restaurant in Delray Beach and local T.V. crews were on hand to capture the jubilation as Gauff fell to the red clay court in disbelief following her victory. The Gauff family has been known to Delray area sports fans for many years. Her father, Corey Gauff, was a star basketball player at Spanish River High School and played at Georgia State University. Her mother, Candi Odom Gauff, was a five-time state champion heptathlete at Delray Beach Atlantic High, ran track at FSU, and was also a competitive gymnast. Gauff began raising eyebrows on the tennis courts as a young girl at Pompey Park and at the Junior Orange Bowl and Orange Bowl tournaments. She said the ad campaign for her new sneaker pays tribute to the Delray Beach community, which continues to support her, win or lose. She contributed to the refurbishment of the Pompey Park courts in March 2024, as part of a legacy initiative after her first Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open. Nobody could have imagined that the little girl on those courts would one day be mentioned among the best players in the sport's history. With Saturday's win, she became just the fifth American woman in the Open era to win multiple Slam titles at 21 or younger, joining Serena Williams, Chris Evert, Venus Williams and Tracy Austin. She has ascended to No. 2 world ranking but still has a way to go to reach No. 1, as WTA rankings are based on a rolling 52-week, cumulative system. Gauff is 3,470 points behind Sabalenka and aims to narrow that gap this summer, first on grass and then on hard courts. She has never advanced past the fourth round at Wimbledon, so she hopes for a better showing this time around. After that, it's back to the United States for the hard court summer series and the U.S. Open. For now, she is taking some days off to rest and enjoy her latest achievement. 'I'm signed up for Berlin [June 14-22] right now, we'll see if I play or not,' she said in her post-French Open press conference. 'This part of the season is new just because of the fact that it's so short, and I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I'll have that conversation with my team and take their opinions and see what they think is best. 'For sure I'm going to rest and enjoy it and not go into training too quickly just because I feel like this stuff doesn't happen too often, so just got to enjoy it.' This title was extra special because her parents were there to share the journey. 'It's meant a lot to me [to have them there]; they're definitely the ones who listen to my opinion the most, and I think sometimes we hear crazy stories about tennis parents and all that, and I can say I don't relate to that,' she said. She recently asked her mother to spend more time with her on tour. 'I asked my dad to take a step back, and he did, and it ended up being a great thing for both of us,' Gauff said. 'My mom, I needed her to be on the road more just to have…well, I have my physio, but being on a team full of men, I was, like, I need some estrogen and some female energy here, so I asked my mom to go [smiling]. 'Women just notice more things. So, yeah, hugging them at the end. My mom was pretty emotional. My dad was just happy. My dad cried at U.S. Open. He didn't cry here. It's just been so great to have them and be able for them to experience. They put so much sacrifice into this, so I'm glad I get to experience with them.'
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
How to Buy MLB Stars and Stripes Hats: 2025 Fourth of July Headwear
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The MLB has officially released the 2025 Fourth of July baseball caps, and this Stars and Stripes collection should be a massive hit. Buy MLB Stars and Stripes Hats An American flag is draped over the Green Monster for Independence Day before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox on July 4, 2023 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. An American flag is draped over the Green Monster for Independence Day before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox on July 4, 2023 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Maddie Malhotra/BostonSummer is here, and the Fourth of July is quickly approaching, which is a massive day for MLB and its fans. The league always brings a special twist to America's birthday to help celebrate the national holiday. The headwear that the players will be wearing on game day has arrived, and these New Era Stars and Stripes hats never fail to disappoint. The 2025 version features a classic red, white, and blue colorway, incorporating the very popular rope design across the brim of the hat. They are available for all 30 MLB teams in fitted, trucker, flat bill, and curved bill styles, allowing fans to select their favorite hat design. Click on any of the images or links to order yours now. Place your order before it is too late, as these should be in high demand. Fanatics has you covered with officially licensed Buy MLB Fourth of July Stars and Stripes Hats. MLB Los Angeles Dodgers New Era 2025 Fourth of July 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Light Blue/Royal Los Angeles Dodgers New Era 2025 Fourth of July 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Light Blue/Royal Fanatics Buy MLB Stars and Stripes Hats MLB New York Yankees New Era 2025 Fourth of July 39THIRTY Flex Hat - Light Blue/Blue New York Yankees New Era 2025 Fourth of July 39THIRTY Flex Hat - Light Blue/Blue Fanatics Buy MLB Stars and Stripes Hats MLB Boston Red Sox New Era 2025 Fourth of July 9SEVENTY Adjustable Trucker Hat - Light Blue/Red Boston Red Sox New Era 2025 Fourth of July 9SEVENTY Adjustable Trucker Hat - Light Blue/Red Fanatics Buy MLB Stars and Stripes Hats MLB Chicago Cubs New Era 2025 Fourth of July 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Light Blue/Royal Chicago Cubs New Era 2025 Fourth of July 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Light Blue/Royal Fanatics Buy MLB Stars and Stripes Hats If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
