2010 Florida Highlights

Early indications are that 2010 could see a bit of an economic turn around but it is likely to take until the second half of the year before this happens. In the meantime, the major parks are continuing to offer discounts particularly on their vacation packages.

The biggest attraction planned for 2010 is the opening of "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at Universal's Islands of Adventure.

On the downside, 2010 could see the very last launch of the Space Shuttle. If NASA are able to stick to their mission plan then all the shuttle missions will be completed by the end of 2010.

New rides and attractions

The biggest happening of 2010 is the planned opening of "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" inside Universal's Islands of Adventure. Other theme park rides, shows and attractions that are due to open during 2010, include:

Looking further ahead, Disney are working on a major expansion of Fantasyland at Disney's Magic Kingdom but this will not open until 2013. They also plan to revamp the Star Tours ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios for 2011.

NASA missions

With the future of the Constellation program still in some doubt, NASA have just five remaining shuttle missions planned to the International Space Station before they retire the fleet for good. If they keep to their launch schedule, then the Space Shuttle Discovery will lift off for the last time on September 16, ending an important era in manned space flight.

As one program comes to an end, other are just starting and SpaceX, the company behind the Falcon 9 spacecraft are hoping to make two test launch from the Kennedy Space Center in 2010.

Hurricanes and the Florida weather

In December 2009, the team from the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University led by Professor William Gray released their first predictions for the 2010 hurricane season and like last year they are predicting above average activity.

They are forecasting 11 to 16 named storms for 2010. Out of the named storms, they expect six to eight to become hurricanes of which three to five will become major hurricanes (category 3 or higher) with wind speeds in excess of 111 mph.

To read about Florida highlights for previous years, just follow the links to 2009, 2008, 2007 or 2006.