The Hall of Presidents at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park is scheduled to reopen in July 2009 and feature an audio-animatronics version of President Barack Obama, who will join representations of the previous 43 presidents of the United States. Disney Imagineers are also updating a broad array of show elements to the Hall of Presidents attraction, one of the original Magic Kingdom attractions.

Westgate River Ranch has launched exclusive Summer Getaway Specials on Western-themed resort accommodations at the “World’s Largest Dude Ranch!” Nestled on 1,700 acres just over an hour South of Orlando, Westgate River Ranch provides fun and adventure for the entire family. Return to the days of “Old Florida” when the state was home to cowboys and cattle ranchers at this authentic dude ranch. The myriad of activities at Westgate River Ranch include horseback riding, golfing, hiking, fishing, boating, trap and skeet shooting, swimming, airboat and swamp buggy rides, and a petting zoo. Westgate River Ranch also features hayrides, cookouts, an old-time country store, Smokehouse Grill restaurant and River Ranch Saloon.

Summer Getaway Specials at Westgate River Ranch include:

Memorial Day Weekend Package
Kick off the summer in style with a Westgate River Ranch Memorial Day Weekend getaway, May 22-25, 2009, for just $365 plus tax! Enjoy good old-fashioned family fun, including Potato Sack Races, Watermelon Seed Spitting Contests, Water Balloons, Egg Toss and Kid Crafts. The Memorial Day Weekend Package features three nights accommodation in a Western-themed Inn Room, two tickets to the Friday night Wildlife After Sundown Hayride, a picnic lunch for two and games at Tumbleweed Park on Saturday afternoon, Americom Championship Rodeo on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon Kids Rodeo. Note: A three-night stay is required. Package is based on availability. A credit card is required at booking to guarantee a reservation.

July 4th Weekend Package
Spend Fourth of July weekend (July 3-5, 2009) at Westgate River Ranch for just $338 plus tax! This two-night package includes Inn room accommodations, Breakfast with a Cowboy, Summer Fun at Tumbleweed Park, Picnic Lunch, Rodeo Round Up, Ice Cream Sundaes, Hayride, Cookout and tickets to the Americom Championship Rodeo. Note: A two-night stay is required. A credit card is required at time of booking to guarantee your reservation. Package is based on availability.

So leave all of you city worries behind and experience a “Western-style” change of pace at Westgate River Ranch! Weekend Getaway Specials at Westgate Resorts are based on availability, so call (888) 808-7410 today to book your weekend vacation getaway at Westgate River Ranch or visit www.wgriverranch.com.

1. Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park – 17 million visitors

2. Disneyland – 14.7 million visitors

3. Epcot – 10.9 million visitors

4. Disney’s Hollywood Studios – 9.6 million visitors

5. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park - 9.5 million visitors

6. Universal Studios Florida – 6.2 million visitors

7. SeaWorld Orlando – 5.9 million visitors

8. Disney’s California Adventure – 5.5 million visitors

9. Universal’s Islands of Adventure – 5.3 million visitors

10. Universal Studios Hollywood – 4.6 million visitors

Sources: Themed Entertainment Association, Economics Research Associates

For more information about Characters in Flight at Downtown Disney Area, visit the Orlando, Florida Guide.

Shamu, the star killer whale at SeaWorld Orlando, has joined the Twitter community! You can find Shamu at www.twitter.com/RealShamu.

The 2009 Central Florida Fair will take place Thursday, April 16, through April 26, 2009. Highlights of the 97th-annual Central Florida Fair include the best in regional arts and crafts, live music and dance, food, livestock shows, thrilling carnival rides courtesy of The Wade Shows Midway, fascinating interactive exhibits and much more! The Central Florida Fair is located at 4603 West Colonial Drive in Orlando, Florida. Gates open at 4 PM most weekdays, 10 AM Saturdays and 11 AM Sundays. Cost is $8 for adults, $7 for students and $5 for ages 6-10. Ages 5 and under are admitted free.

Trace Adkins will perform Saturday night, April 11, 2009, at Universal Studios Mardi Gras celebration. For more information about 2009 Mardi Gras at Universal Studios, visit http://www.orlando-florida.net/events/february/mardi-gras-at-universal-studios.htm.

Universal Orlando’s April ‘Velvet Sessions’ on Thursday, April 30, 2009, at 6:30 PM at the Hard Rock Hotel will feature alternative rock band Gin Blossoms, which will perform such hits as ”Follow You Down,” Long Time Gone,” ”Learning the Hard Way” and more. Velvet Sessions is a special rock ‘n’ roll cocktail party and lobby concert held the last Thursday of the month. The $25 ticket includes free specialty drinks, finger foods and warm-up tunes from 6:30-8:30 PM. Cash bars and live band from 8:30 PM onward. The Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando is located at 5800 Universal Boulevard in Orlando, Florida. Parking is complimentary for those attending Velvet Sessions. For more information about Velvet Sessions, visit www.velvetsessions.com.

The Aerophile balloon attraction at Downtown Disney is set to open within the next week or so. Stay tuned for updates!