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Dawn Brancheau Foundation

The family of Dawn Brancheau, the Killer Whale trainer tragically killed at SeaWorld Orlando earlier this year, has started a foundation in her memory. The Dawn Brancheau Foundation, as you might expect, supports the things that Brancheau was involved in in her life, organizations like… Read More »Dawn Brancheau Foundation

Jan Stratton, Universal and Orlando has lost a star

The community of Orlando has lost one of its real stars. The Orlando Sentinel reports that Jan Stratton was pronounced dead at ORMC tonight. My heart felt condolences go out to her husband Jack Cudworth and their children. Stratton was Vice President of Community and… Read More »Jan Stratton, Universal and Orlando has lost a star

Survivor Reunion visits Discovery Cove


Former participants and winners from Survivor, Amazing Race, and Big Brother assemble at SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove

A large group of past winners, heroes and villains of Survivor got together at Discovery Cove in Orlando for a day of outwitting, outplaying, outlasting and out-and-out relaxing. Discovery Cove focuses on providing the type of memories you can only get by up close and personal visits with marine life and other animals.


Survivor Winner Natalie enjoys SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove

Swimming with dolphins and rays and hand feeding exotic birds were Survivor’s first winner, Richard Hatch; the game’s only two-time winner, Sandra Diaz-Twine; villains Russell Hantz and Courtney Yates; and players Yau-Man Chan and Terry Deitz.


Popular Survivor player Yau-man at SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove

Also at the park were players and winners from The Amazing Race and Big Brother, including Amazing Race winner, Jordan Pious.

The winners and players were in Orlando to benefit Give Kids the World, a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to Central Florida’s best-loved attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need.

More photos below the jump:

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Amusement Today Golden Tickets Awarded

The 11th annual Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards, which are very coveted in the amusements and attractions industry, were awarded on Wednesday during a ceremony set at Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee, FL. Give Kids The World Village is a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. This was their first time hosting the ceremony.

The Amusement Today newspaper covers international amusement and water park news and trends and in its 12-year history is a five-time winner of various awards from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Over the years, the awards have become the subject of much discussion by park aficionados the world over.

Some of the big winners were:

  • Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio for Best Amusement Park
  • The Voyage at Holiday World won for best Wooden Roller Coaster
  • SeaWorld Orlando for best Marine Life Park

Disney’s only award was for IllumiNations: Reflections of the Earth at Epcot. While Universal won 4 separate awards.

Congrats to all the winners and all the nominees. The full list of winners is below the cut:
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