Orlando made more than 50 million visitors smile last year and remains the most visited destination in the United States. Tourism officials released visitation figures for 2010 earlier this month and research indicates Orlando, Florida, attracted 51.455 million visitors, a 10.5 percent increase from 46.6 million in 2009.

Whoa! That’s a lot of people! Luckily, there is a wide variety of activities to do in Central Florida so it doesn’t seem like 50+ million visitors.

To attract visitors throughout 2010, Visit Orlando initiated new marketing campaigns in its top feeder markets - the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Brazil - reinforcing the tagline, “Orlando Makes Me Smile.”  A new meetings and conventions marketing effort touted Orlando as the destination “Where Inspiration Meets.” Visit Orlando also showcased the destination’s offerings to thousands of tour operators and travel professionals at numerous key travel industry trade shows throughout North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia and was instrumental in driving additional air service to Orlando from domestic and Central and Latin America carriers.

New York City, which has a goal of reaching 50 million visitors by 2012, welcomed 48.7 million in 2010 while Las Vegas, an Orlando rival for conventions and meetings business, welcomed 37.3 million for the same year.

Riding high on Universal Orlando Resort’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Sea World’s new ‘One Ocean’ show, Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ revamped Star Tours, and LEGOLAND opening Oct. 15, 2011, it’s pretty safe to say visitors will continue to vacation in Central Florida and Orlando this year. Who knows, maybe Orlando will break another visitation record in 2011.

Image Source: SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT/Jason Collier

After a 30-year run, the space shuttle program is ending this year. NASA has set Friday, July 8, 2011, as the date for the final space shuttle mission (STS-135) when Atlantis will make its last flight from Kennedy Space Center. Officials in the Florida’s Space Coast are anticipating about one million visitors will be taking part in the historic event. Following are three ways to see the final space shuttle launch in person.

NASA Tweetup – put your Twitter account to work by registering for one of 150 spots to attend the NASA Tweetup scheduled for July 7 and 8 at Kennedy Space Center. This blogger participated in the April/May NASA Tweetup for Endeavour’s final launch and trust her – being selected and attending is like winning the lottery. A Tweetup is a gathering of Twitterers (or Tweeps or Tweeters) and NASA does it right with presentations by NASA officials including scientists, engineers and astronauts. The two-day event includes tour of Kennedy Space Center, most likely a visit to the launch pad to see the rollback of the rotating service structure and space shuttle launch. NASA Tweetup is held in the press site which is about 3.1 miles from the launch pad meaning these are the best seats in the house.

Selection for the 150 slots is done by lottery and registration opens Wednesday, June 1 at Noon EDT and will be open for 24 hours. Having a Twitter account and following NASA (twitter.com/NASA) are some of the requirements to attend. Visit the official NASA Tweetup website (http://go.nasa.gov/135tweet) for additional information.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex – There are multiple viewing options at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Due to demand, tickets for the final shuttle launch will be done through lottery. Registration for the opportunity to purchase tickets opens Monday, May 30 at 9 a.m. EDT and closes June 5, 2011, at 5 p.m. EDT. Registrants will be chosen at random for the opportunity to purchase tickets. Visit the website (http://go.nasa.gov/ieX1Mx) for additional information.

View a Launch from Off Site – Viewing a space shuttle launch is an incredible experience yet you don’t need to be on Kennedy Space Center property to see it. There are several vantage points in the Space Coast to see the final flight of Atlantis. Visit this NASA page (http://go.nasa.gov/OVlaunch) to view suggested launch viewing locations in Titusville and Cocoa Beach, Fla.

The best advice when planning a Florida vacation around the final space shuttle launch is to be flexible. Launch dates are subject to change with as much as two week’s notice to as little as an hour’s notice. When booking your travel, find an airline that offers flexibility in changing dates and check cancellation and change policies with your accommodations. Chances are, accommodations are booked in the Space Coast for the final space shuttle launch but Orlando is about an hour to the west and Daytona Beach is about an hour to the north and both offer reasonably priced lodging.

Vacationers to Orlando have a new animal show to enjoy at SeaWorld. “One Ocean” provides a way to connect with the sea through the energy, excitement and education of this new killer whale show. “One Ocean” debuted on Earth Day, April 22, at SeaWorld Orlando and will open at SeaWorld San Diego on Memorial Day weekend and SeaWorld San Antonio opens June 10. The show replaces the popular killer whale show, “Believe,” which ran for five years in all three SeaWorld parks.

“This aquatic show brings to life SeaWorld’s mission in the most powerful way yet,” said Jim Atchison, president and chief executive officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “This show is what guests love about our parks: thrilling entertainment that educates and inspires you to celebrate, connect and care for the world we share.”

“One Ocean” features SeaWorld’s majestic killer whales as ambassadors of the sea, and the ocean as the center of our natural world.  At the core of the show is the inspiring and educational message that both animals and humans are part of one world, with one ocean, and its future is in our hands to cherish and protect.

Shamu Stadium hosts “One Ocean” with its 3-story set, panoramic LED screens and hundreds of surround-sound speakers, now features special effects that envelop guests in the show experience, including soaring fountains, stunning underwater imagery, and an original musical score with three original songs intended to evoke a global stewardship message:  “One Song,” “Side by Side” and “We’re One.”

“One Ocean” features the whales in high-energy leaps and multiple whales performing simultaneously. The whales interact in new ways with trainers, the audience, one another, and even the set. A show highlight includes a segment where whales play amid the giant fountains.

When planning an Orlando vacation, learn more about SeaWorld’s “One Ocean” show on the website www.SeaWorld.com/OneOcean and let us guide you to a place to stay in Orlando.

Image Source: SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT/Jason Collier