Seaworld Florida

At first I thought it was too early to look ahead at the new attractions coming to U.S. theme parks in 2013, but then I realized a number of big rides have already been announced and many more are already in the planning stages. > Photos: Most anticipated new U.S. theme park rides for 2013 It already seems like 2013 is shaping up as a good year for ride enthusiasts and theme park fans. Big industry players have announced major projects, and several smaller parks are planning to roll out significant additions.

At first I thought it was too early to look ahead at the new attractions coming to U.S. theme parks in 2013, but then I realized a number of big rides have already been announced and many more are already in the planning stages. > Photos: Most anticipated new U.S. theme park rides for 2013 It already seems like 2013 is shaping up as a good year for ride enthusiasts and theme park fans. Big industry players have announced major projects, and several smaller parks are planning to roll out significant additions.

More than 170 million people visited the 50 largest North American theme parks last year, by one estimate. The top 10: Rank/Park: 1. Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Fla. 1999 attendance* (in millions): 15.2 million Change from 1998: -3% Rank/Park: 2. Disneyland, Anaheim, Calif. 1999 attendance* (in millions): 13.4 million Change from 1998: -5% Rank/Park: 3. Epcot Center at Walt Disney World 1999 attendance* (in millions): 10.1 million Change from 1998: -5% Rank/Park: 4.

The Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld in Florida's amusement park belt has opened a new pool play area with water slides, water jets and a water windmill designed for kids, and the hotel has lowered rates to $89 a night for families. The deal: The Splash & Stay package includes a standard room that sleeps up to two adults and two children. It also includes a free breakfast for kids 12 and younger with each adult meal. To get this deal use the promo code "SUM" when making a reservation.

It already feels as if 2011 is shaping up as a tweener ye ar for new rides and attractions at U.S. theme parks. Last year saw the blockbuster debuts of Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Florida and the " World of Color " water show at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim. And 2012 promises a long list of marquee additions headed by Cars Land at DCA and Transformers at Universal Studios Hollywood in California.

A killer whale fatally attacked an animal trainer at SeaWorld in Florida on Wednesday, jerking her into the pool and thrashing her around underwater as dozens of horrified tourists watched. The orca had been involved in two previous deaths, including one at the water park in 1999. Dawn Brancheau, 40, was finishing a session with Tilikum, a 12,000-pound male killer whale, after a midday show at the Orlando theme park. Witnesses said the killer whale grabbed her by the upper arm, disappeared underwater with her and swam to the other side of the tank, flailing her around.

At Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World's newest theme park, elephants and giraffes roam an ersatz African savanna munching on lush vegetation. The animals also appear to be taking a bite out of something else: attendance at Disney's other Florida theme parks. Disney's parks weren't the only ones with smaller crowds this year. The biggest theme parks in North America mostly had flat or smaller attendance than last year, according to figures compiled by the trade publication Amusement Business.

Gone are the quirky street performers and sheet-covered mimes who used to surround visitors as they strolled through Disney's California Adventure. A fast-paced, pelvis-thrusting dance show has been axed. So has the much-hyped nightly parade that had leotard-clad women shimmying up poles.

Eighteen months after its grand opening, Walt Disney Co.'s California Adventure is struggling more than its counterparts, still trying to find an audience at a time when the nation's theme parks are grappling with how to attract patrons in a weak economy.

Like children wriggling in their seats on the last day of school, amusement park executives are anxiously awaiting summer and the hordes of visitors they still think will show up despite the slowing economy. Walt Disney Co.'s new California Adventure theme park, which opened amid much fanfare two months ago, is especially in need of a big summer. The $1.

Walt Disney Co. capped one of its most difficult years ever with an 18% rise in fiscal fourth-quarter results, thanks in part to strong DVD and video sales of "Monsters, Inc." Chief Executive Michael Eisner predicted even better results down the line. He said profit should grow 20% to 30% in the year ahead, despite continuing problems with the ABC television network and soft theme park results. Some media specialists say that goal may be achievable because current profit levels are so low.