sPeak blooms

sPeak blooms

WASHINGTON

Unseasonably warm weather has prompted the National Park Service to revise its prediction for peak blooms for Washington’s cherry blossom trees.

The agency said last week that it has revised the projected dates to Friday through March 23.

Peak bloom is when 70 percent of the trees around the Tidal Basin are in blossom.

The agency says the potentially record-setting temperatures, averaging nearly 20 degrees above normal, have accelerated the bloom watch.

This year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival runs March 20 through April 17. The festival marks the anniversary of Japan’s gift of 3,000 cherry trees.

Disney to roll out seasonal pricing

Disney’s properties in Orlando and Anaheim are rolling out seasonal prices for single-day tickets, hoping to spread out demand at the often jam-packed theme parks.

Most of the tickets are either staying the same price or increasing. The changes announced recently will let visitors look at a calendar eight to 11 months from now to see which days are considered “value,” ‘’regular” or “peak.” People will pay more on “peak” days – when busier times are forecast.

The park has grappled with how to manage throngs of crowds, especially since the popularity of franchises such as “Frozen” and “Star Wars.” At times during holidays and spring break, Disney has had to stop selling tickets because so many people are in the park.

“Value” days for the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando will cost $105 – the same as a current, one-day ticket price. “Regular” days will be $5 more and “peak” days will be $124.

In California at Disneyland, the “value” ticket is going down $4 to $95. The “regular” ticket price will be $105 and the “peak” will be $119.

Disney said once the prices are posted, they won’t change.

Prices for annual passes won’t change. Multi-day ticket prices also will change.

Party’s over

Tourism officials in Panama City Beach, Fla., are shutting the door on wild spring breakers.

Seeking to shed its reputation as a spring break mecca, the city recently passed ordinances that ban alcohol on the beach, mandate that bars close at 2 a.m. and prohibit loitering in parking lots.

The first test of whether the new laws will work to slash the normal volume of 250,000 spring breakers will come this month as colleges go on spring recess.

Lodgings that cater to spring break travelers have seen a downturn in reservations, said Dan Rowe, president and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach.

The city hopes to counter that by offering more family-friendly draws. It also launched a $1 million marketing effort aimed at families.

Geography quiz

Q. Which state is nicknamed the Bay State?

A. Massachusetts. The name has been around since the state’s early days because of its proximity to several large bays.

Combined dispatches