Orlando theme parks ring in New Year with mobs of tourists

Orlando theme parks ring in New Year with mobs of tourists

If you"re looking for signs of a still-sputtering economy, stay away from Orlando and Vegas.

Sin City will be dealing a full house on New Year"s Eve, with sold-out hotels and what officials expect to be a record 314,000 out-of-town celebrants.

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And in Orlando, Disney World and other top theme parks were mobbed this week, forcing them to temporarily shut the gates.

Some visitors to two-month-old Legoland, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and three Disney destinations found parking lots and entryways shut for short periods Wednesday and Thursday, AFP reports.

Three of Disney"s four Orlando parks, the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, all had to freeze entry for around 90 minutes on Wednesday to "ensure guests had a memorable experience," a Disney official told A