Business

DISNEY WORLD TICKETS PAST $100

Published

12 years ago

February 23, 2015

Walt Disney Co. raised the cost of a single-day admission to its flagship Magic Kingdom park in Orlando, Florida, by 6 percent to $105, breaking the $100 level for the first time.

Prices for the company’s three other Orlando resorts will rise 3 percent to $97. At Disneyland and the Disney California Adventure parks in Anaheim, California, tickets will rise 3 percent to $99. The increases take effect Sunday.

Disney, the world’s largest theme-park operator, has invested more than $8 billion in the past five years in its U.S. parks, opening new attractions such as Cars Land at California Adventure and doubling the size of the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland section.

“We continually add new offerings and experiences, and many of our guests select multiday tickets or annual passes, which provide a great value and additional savings,” Jacquee Wahler, a spokeswoman for the company, said in an e-mail.

The cost of admission to the Magic Kingdom has doubled since 2003. Tickets were $3.50 plus the cost of rides when the park opened in 1971, according to the fan website allears.net.

The increases were larger for some of the company’s annual passes. A premium annual pass, which comes with no blackout dates, for entry to the company’s California parks will rise 11 percent to $779.

Disney’s domestic park attendance climbed 3 percent in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 27, according to company filings. The parks division generated operating income of almost $2.7 billion on revenue of $15.1 billion in 2014.

Business

Experience Kissimmee CEO DT Minich Inducted Into Florida Tourism Hall of Fame

Published

15 hours ago

September 15, 2026

FNN NEWS

DT Minich with Bryan Griffin and Chip Wile following Minich's 2026 induction into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame in West Palm Beach.

From left, VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO Bryan Griffin, Experience Kissimmee President and CEO DT Minich and NASCAR Driver Advisory Council Chair Chip Wile following Minich's induction into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame during the 2026 Florida Governor's Conference on Tourism in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Experience Kissimmee President and CEO DT Minich receives statewide recognition after a career leading destination marketing organizations in Southwest Florida, St. Pete-Clearwater and Kissimmee.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (FNN) — Experience Kissimmee President and CEO DT Minich has been inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame, recognizing more than three decades of leadership in Florida’s tourism and destination marketing industry.

Minich was recognized during the 2026 Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism, held Sept. 9-11 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach.

Presented on behalf of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose leadership and contributions have helped shape the state’s tourism industry.

Three Florida Destinations, More Than Three Decades

According to Experience Kissimmee, Minich is the only tourism executive to have led three Florida destination marketing organizations.

His career includes leadership positions with the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater and Experience Kissimmee.

“This recognition represents every community, partner and tourism professional I have had the privilege of working alongside throughout my career,” Minich said.
“We are here not only to welcome visitors, but also to strengthen our communities, create opportunities for residents, and protect what makes Florida such a special place.”

From Southwest Florida to St. Pete-Clearwater

Minich began his destination marketing career in the Fort Myers area, where Southwest Florida’s coastal communities and natural environment influenced his approach to tourism development.

His work included helping develop the nearly 200-mile Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail.

Minich also helped lead tourism communications following Hurricane Charley and supported Gulf Coast destinations during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, according to the organization.

He later spent seven years as executive director of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, where his work included expanding the destination’s international reach and developing its meetings and sports tourism business.

Transforming Experience Kissimmee

Minich became the first president and CEO of Experience Kissimmee in 2014 as the organization transitioned to a public-private model.

During his tenure, Experience Kissimmee positioned the destination around its large vacation-home market and promoted Kissimmee as the “Vacation Home Capital of the World.”

According to Experience Kissimmee, the area’s vacation-home inventory increased from approximately 10,000 to more than 30,000 homes during Minich’s leadership.

The organization says its annual budget also grew from approximately $11 million to more than $32 million, while its workforce expanded to more than 70 employees. Experience Kissimmee also established representation in more than 18 international markets.

Statewide Tourism Leadership

In 2025, Minich became the first Experience Kissimmee leader appointed to the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, giving him a role in statewide tourism strategy.

Sam Haught, co-owner of Wild Florida Adventure Park and a VISIT FLORIDA board member, said Minich’s influence extends beyond a single destination.

“He has helped tourism grow in a way that supports local businesses, creates opportunities for residents and strengthens the community we call home,” Haught said.

VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO Bryan Griffin also recognized Minich’s statewide contributions.

“DT Minich has spent more than three decades in service to Florida tourism, and the relationships he has built are felt in every corner of the state,” Griffin said. “He has supported destinations from the Gulf Coast to Central Florida, enhanced the industry, and made extraordinary contributions to Florida tourism.”

Joining Florida Tourism Leaders

Established in 2001, the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose work has contributed to the development of Florida’s visitor economy.

Previous inductees include Walt Disney, Henry Flagler, John Ringling, Harris Rosen, Carol Dover and William D. Talbert III, according to the release.

Minich now joins that group as the Hall of Fame’s 2026 inductee.

Business

Addition Financial Foundation Awards $175,000 to 10 Central Florida Nonprofits

Published

6 days ago

September 10, 2026

FNN NEWS

Members of the Addition Financial Foundation’s 2026 Community Giving Class are recognized during the fifth annual Community Giving Celebration at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando. The foundation awarded $175,000 in unrestricted grants to 10 Central Florida nonprofits supporting communities across the region.

Fifth annual Community Giving Celebration recognizes organizations serving families, students and communities across the region

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Addition Financial Foundation honored 10 Central Florida nonprofit organizations Wednesday during its fifth annual Community Giving Celebration, awarding $175,000 in unrestricted grants and providing recipients with year-round organizational support.

The breakfast and awards ceremony was held at Addition Financial Arena on the University of Central Florida campus, bringing together representatives from the nonprofit, government, education and business communities.

Established in 2021, the foundation is the philanthropic arm of Lake Mary-based Addition Financial Credit Union. Each organization selected for the 2026 Community Giving Class was nominated by an Addition Financial team member based on its work in communities served by the credit union.

10 NONPROFITS RECEIVE COMMUNITY GIVING GRANTS

Three organizations — Central Florida Community Arts, Children’s Safety Village and Embrace Health — each received $20,000 grants. Seven additional nonprofits received $15,000 each: Empowered Girls Inc., First Tee Central Florida, Foundation for Foster Children, Gentian Creek Preserve, Prospera, Save a Life Pet Rescue and Tech Sassy Girlz.

The grants are unrestricted, allowing the organizations to direct the funding toward areas they determine will have the greatest impact.

“The Community Giving Celebration gives us an opportunity to shine a light on nonprofit organizations that are addressing important needs and creating meaningful change across our community,” said Cristina Lehman, executive director of the Addition Financial Foundation.

Lehman said the foundation’s involvement extends beyond the grants, including connecting organizations with volunteers, resources and opportunities throughout the year.

ADDITIONAL $5,000 AWARDS PRESENTED

Two additional $5,000 awards were presented during the celebration.

The Greatest Investment Girls Empowerment Program, a previous Community Giving Class participant, received one award. Save a Life Pet Rescue received another following a vote by Addition Financial team members who contribute to the foundation.

In addition to financial support, the 2026 class will receive volunteer assistance from Addition Financial employees, complimentary use of the organization’s community room and workshops on topics including media relations, fundraising and grant writing.

YEAR-ROUND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

The Community Giving program is designed to build relationships between Addition Financial and nonprofit organizations beyond a single grant cycle.

This year’s recipients work across a range of areas, including arts and culture, child safety, health, youth development, education, foster care, environmental conservation, entrepreneurship, animal rescue and technology education.

Through unrestricted grants and continuing support, the foundation said the program is intended to help nonprofits strengthen their operations while expanding their impact throughout Central Florida.

Business

AdventHealth Recruiting Nurses, Technologists and Clinical Professionals at 8 Central Florida Locations

Published

1 week ago

September 8, 2026

FNN NEWS

The Sept. 9 regional hiring event will connect nurses, imaging and laboratory professionals, respiratory therapists and other clinical workers with hiring managers at eight AdventHealth locations.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — AdventHealth will hold a regional hiring event Wednesday, Sept. 9, at eight locations across Central Florida as the health system looks to expand its clinical workforce to meet growing demand for patient care.

The hiring events will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and give nurses, technologists and other clinical professionals an opportunity to meet directly with hiring managers and clinical leaders, participate in on-site interviews and potentially receive same-day job offers for select positions, according to AdventHealth.

The recruitment effort comes as Central Florida’s population growth continues to increase demand for health care services across hospitals, emergency departments and other care sites.

High-Demand Clinical Positions

AdventHealth said career opportunities are available across several high-need clinical areas, including:

Nursing
Imaging
Laboratory
Respiratory care
Surgical services
Other clinical specialties

The regional format allows applicants to explore opportunities at multiple AdventHealth facilities while connecting directly with the people responsible for hiring and clinical operations.

Eight Central Florida Hiring Locations

Hiring events will be held simultaneously at the following locations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9:

AdventHealth Altamonte Springs
601 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs
Chatlos Classrooms

AdventHealth Apopka
2100 Ocoee Apopka Road, Apopka
Vyas Conference Rooms

AdventHealth Celebration
400 Celebration Place, Celebration
Mangrove Conference Rooms

AdventHealth East Orlando
7727 Lake Underhill Road, Orlando
Precedo Conference Rooms

AdventHealth Kissimmee
2450 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Kissimmee
Woodlands Conference Rooms

AdventHealth Orlando, AdventHealth for Women & Children
601 E. Rollins St., Orlando
Alden Conference Room

AdventHealth Winter Park
200 N. Lakemont Ave., Winter Park
First Floor Conference Center

AdventHealth Winter Garden
2000 Fowler Grove Blvd., Winter Garden
First Floor Conference Rooms

Central Florida Growth Driving Recruitment

AdventHealth said the regional recruitment initiative is designed to strengthen clinical teams as the health system expands access to care throughout Central Florida.

Hiring across multiple hospitals and specialties also reflects the range of health care workers needed to support growing communities — from bedside nurses and respiratory professionals to diagnostic imaging, laboratory and surgical-services teams.

For qualified candidates, the possibility of interviewing directly with hiring managers and receiving a same-day offer for select positions could also shorten the traditional hiring process.

How to Register

Health care professionals interested in attending can register through the official AdventHealth Central Florida Hiring Event page.

Event: AdventHealth Central Florida Regional Hiring Event
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026
Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Locations: Eight AdventHealth facilities across Central Florida

FNN Community & Business

The regional hiring initiative represents a significant employment opportunity for Central Florida’s health care workforce while highlighting the continued demand for clinical professionals as the region’s population and health care needs expand.