You’d Be “Loonie” to Miss Out on Orlando’s Extraordinary Value

ORLANDO, Fla. -- With the surging loonie now officially at par with the U.S. dollar--months ahead of most experts' predictions--Canadians have an extra incentive to vacation in Orlando this year. The favourable exchange rate, coupled with Orlando's 2010 Magicard will prove a winning combination, ensuring Canadian families, couples, seniors, friends or single travellers can enjoy a memorable Orlando getaway without breaking the bank.

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"Orlando has long been known for its one-of-a-kind attractions, but it also offers a one-of-a-kind value for travellers," said Gary C. Sain, president and CEO of the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB). "Canada is our number one international market, and with the strength of the loonie, we certainly look forward to welcoming even greater numbers of repeat Canadian travellers as well as first-timer visitors to experience all that this incredible destination has to offer." For Canadians interested in stretching their dollar even further, the 2010 Orlando Magicard provides year-round savings at more than 75 area establishments including attractions, accommodations, restaurants, dinner theatres, ground transportation, golf courses, and cultural arts. The Orlando Magicard is free and can be downloaded at VisitOrlando.com/Canada, requested for mail delivery by calling 1-800-551-0181, or picked up at The Official Visitors Center in Orlando. The 2010 version of the card provides expanded offers including theme park deals and other significant savings options such as free nights plus additional free amenities at area accommodations; buy one ticket, get one free offers at attractions; or straight discounts up to 50 per cent off. Examples of Magicard deals include:

• Boggy Creek Airboat Rides: Buy two adult admissions, get the third adult free. Or buy one adult admission get one child admission free
• Orange County Regional History Center: One free admission with each paid admission
• Ripley's Believe It or Not: $2.00 off admission plus second day free
• Orlando Shakespeare Theatre: Purchase one ticket and receive a free second ticket of equal or lesser value
• Capone's Dinner & Show: 50% off all tickets plus free souvenir
• Marriott's Grande Vista Resort: Buy 3 nights, get 2 nights free, plus two adult 3-day tickets to any of the four Walt Disney World^¬Æ Theme Parks

New for 2010 With new attractions and adventures opening at Orlando's world famous theme parks, 2010 is sure to be an exciting year for Orlando visitors. In June, Universal Orlando Resort will open "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," where guests can experience the magical world of J.K. Rowling's popular Harry Potter series. The new land at Islands of Adventure will feature Harry Potter themed rides, dining and shopping experiences. Walt Disney World has opened a new attraction, Sum of All Thrills, located at Epcot. The attraction allows guests to design their own thrill ride and then experience the ride in a simulator attached to a giant robotic arm. And, Aquatica, SeaWorld's Water Park, opened a new high-speed tube slide, Omaka Rocka. Visitors to Orlando in 2010 will have an even greater variety of lodging options to choose from ranging from eco-friendly accommodations to luxury resorts.The first Waldorf Astoria built outside of New York City has opened in Orlando. The Waldorf Astoria Orlando features 497 rooms, a golf course, signature restaurants and The Guerlain Spa. Adjacent to the Waldorf Astoria, the 1,000-room Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek offers a lagoon style pool and six restaurants and bars. For more information about vacation experiences in Orlando, to order a complimentary vacation planning kit that includes a comprehensive Official Vacation Guide and Orlando Preferred Visitor Magicard‚Ñ¢ or to purchase discount attraction tickets, visitors can log onto Orlando's official Web site at VisitOrlando.com/Canada or call an Official Travel Counselor at 1-800-551-0181 (United States and Canada) or 407-363-5872. For real time updates, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/VisitOrlando or Facebook at facebook.com/VisitOrlando. While in Orlando, visitors may stop by the Official Visitor Center located at 8723 International Drive, at the southeast corner of International Drive and Austrian Row. The Official Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (closes at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 and is closed Dec. 25).

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