This week yet another sexual assault incident at a Water Park, this time Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, was covered by the local press. It may seem like there have been dozens of reports this year, but it’s really just a handful. That’s not to downplay the severity of any incident, but it shouldn’t be taken as a trend.

As it turns out, where you really have to be careful is crossing the roads. The Orlando-Kissimmee has been rated the worst for pedestrian safety. An average of 2.8 annual pedestrian deaths per 100,000 was cited. With 48 million tourists visiting the area each year, the numbers really start to add up.

At one time Las Vegas was known for its terrible pedestrian safety record. Particularly in the popular area of Las Vegas Blvd, aka The Strip. Then the region got serious about the safety of its customers, aka revenue stream. It made streets more pedestrian friendly and where traffic was very heavy, built pedestrian overpasses to totally remove people from the streets. It’s been a very successful strategy.

Maybe it’s time to look at this same solution here in Orlando.

Brace yourself for the cutest Caretta caretta you’ve ever seen. Aquarists at SeaWorld Orlando are providing round-the-clock care for three endangered loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings (aka the Caretta caretta) this week. Park rangers in Cape Canaveral, FL transported the reptilian refugees to SeaWorld after rough seas caused by Hurricane Bill prevented the week-old trio from trekking from their nest to the waters off the Cape Canaveral National Seashore. Once the seas calm, SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Team will return the turtles to the wild off the coast of Juno Beach.

Loggerheads are listed as threatened by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Every year hatchlings face many “human” obstacles during their journey from their nest on the beach to the shoreline. Artificial lighting, noise and beach activity can confuse causing them to head away from the ocean and toward parking lots and city streets. To discover more about loggerheads, and Seaworld’s animal care program, go to www.seaworld.org.

(Photos courtesy SeaWorld. )

I wasn’t going to post about the recent small trend of arrests, six since March, for incidents involving sexual lewdness at Orlando area water parks. Mostly because there is really nothing the parks can do to prevent it and because all the parks seem to be taking appropriate action, such as additional training by the authorities, in response. But I am curious as to why this sudden increase in these reports.

The Orlando Sentinel spoke with some experts and they have a few ideas. Of course, the reality is people who commit sexual offenses against children are quite often mentally ill themselves. Water parks is a combination of ample targets and lack of parental supervision that may be too much to resist.

The economy could be a factor, too.

“It does occur to me that with 10 percent unemployment, a lot of adults have unstructured free time,” said Alan Grieco, a psychologist with Psychological Affiliates in Winter Park who also has worked with both offenders and victims. “With losing your job comes consequences to self esteem, and that stress could lead people [with the condition] to act out.”

So this is the one area where unemployment is driving people to Disney instead of away. Great.

So do you carve out your usual visit to a water park on your vacation? I think the answer to that is obviously no, it’s too hot to skip those water parks and pools. Six arrests out of millions of visitors is nothing to worry about. But you can practice closer parental supervision if you’re worried and be sure to notify the lifeguards if you spot anything suspicious while in the water. That’s it and have a great time.

Going ‘green’ on your vacation can save you money and help save the planet. It’s getting easier and easier to make the choice to be green too. For travel to Walt Disney World you actually have a lot of options.

Over the last few years Disney has made a concerted effort to green all of their hotel properties by meeting Florida’s Green Lodging program requirements. There are also a few simple steps you can take to stay green while celebrating your Magical Vacation.

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The news that was spreading across the internet 10 days ago about LEGOland’s serious look at building in Central Florida has started to pick up steam with coverage by print and TV media.

I’m hearing two rumors about the potential new theme park and some news that I think could bad news.

The bit of potential bad news is that LEGOland actually looked at the old Splendid China site, but that the current owners wouldn’t give them a good enough deal for LEGOland to commit. If that’s true for other Central Florida theme park zoned real estate owners, then that is probably what’s driving LEGOland to look southward to Winter Haven and Cypress Gardens. A foolish move by those land owners who should be doing what they can to get creative with a deal that will work for all parties, instead of turning away a brilliant partnership.

One rumor I’m looking to confirm is that Blackstone, which owns LEGOland, has an agreement with Universal Studios that bars it from opening another theme park in Florida without approval from Universal. Somehow I don’t think that Universal is going to want its partner owning a competitor in its own backyard. Now, if Blackstone added some incentive for Universal…

The biggest rumor, and the most interesting, is that Walt Disney World’s rumored 5th gate will be LEGOland. Chatter about a possible fifth gate has been picking up recently and there is definitely a need to have more tot-friendly attractions inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. But I just don’t see Disney opening a plot of land to a competitor like that.

Perhaps LEGOland should be looking at a plot near Disney’s back door (the Western Way entrance that was to be developed as Flamingo Crossing). If the Blackstone rumor is true, I hope they’re able to work out that conflict.

Inspired, no doubt, by the Australian promo where one lucky soul is paid to spend a year living on an island paradise and using social media to tell the world about his experience, the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau has come up with a very similar idea. One lucky couple will be paid to enjoy 67 days of fun and excitment exploring everything the Orlando area has to offer.

The Orlando CVB says the selected pair will do everything from roller coaster riding to hang gliding, swimming with dolphins, golfing, shopping, gator wrestling, museum exploring, theatre-going and more.

As the winning pair, you’ll be expected to report on your experiences using cell phones, a digital video camera and still camera supplied to you and share your 67 Days of Smiles with the world through social media tools like blogs, Twitter and Facebook.

The “67 Days of Smiles” will begin this year in late August and end in early November. Both people in the pair must be over 21 and pairs can be any combination of friends, family, or co-workers. All pairs are required to complete a personal profile; submit 500 words in English regarding why their smiles should be chosen; and upload a 60 second or less video in English of both applicants along with photos of both applicants at VisitOrlando.com/67DaysofSmiles by June 30, 2009.

The full press release is below the cut:

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With soft openings occurring regularly and the official grand opening just 10 days away, it’s time to get excited about Manta, the first flying coaster to hit Central Florida. If you aren’t yet one of the lucky ones to have experienced the attraction, here’s a new video from SeaWorld that will get the blood pumping.

Now, if they’d just open the aquarium portion to the public, we’d all get a look at the hundreds of rays and other creatures of the sea.

A few days ago ‘Shine on’ banners started appearing across Central Florida and raising some eyebrows. Turns out Walt Disney World is preparing for a two week long series of events highlighting some deserving non-profits that the company supports. The first nonprofit, The Central Florida Coalition for the Homeless, was highlighted today.

Check in every day at ShineOnToday.com to see which nonprofit comes next.