🌱 Disney Beats Universal In Attendance + Orlando Magic NBA Draft Prep

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Orlando Patch newsletter. Come along to find out the most important things happening in town, including updates on...

• The Orlando Magic is preparing for the NBA Draft 2023 on Thursday.
• Walt Disney World beat out Universal Orlando for attendance numbers in 2022.
• The Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters, Local 2117 union is pushing for a finalized contract with the new Reedy Creek tourism board appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

But first, today's weather: Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 88 Low: 72.

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Here are the top stories in Orlando today:

1. Walt Disney World beat out Universal Orlando Resort for attendance numbers in 2022, according to a new report. The top performing theme parks were Magic Kingdom with 17.2 million attendees followed by Islands of Adventure (IOA) with 11 million visitors. Hollywood Studios came in third with 10.9 million people, just shy of IOA. (Disney Tourist Blog)
2. The Orlando Magic will have a sixth and eleventh overall draft pick on Thursday during the 2023 NBA Draft. There are still a number of directions the team said they could take in the draft. Magic fans can head to the Amway Center in downtown Orlando on Thursday to watch the draft with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets need to be downloaded ahead of time. (Click Orlando)
3. The Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters, Local 2117 were initially friendly with the new board appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after his battle with Disney but are growing tired waiting for a new contract to be signed with the union amid a heavy staffing shortage and a promised $10,000 pay increase. The tourism board has recently changed leaders once again. (Subscription: Orlando Sentinel, Free: Florida Politics)
4. Brevard County in Central Florida is planning to increase pay for bus drivers from $15 an hour to $20 an hour. A final vote on the pay bump is expected June 27. The county has 90 driver positions open amid a staffing shortage. (WESH)
5. Walmart Health is opening three new health centers this week throughout Central Florida. Two locations will be in Orlando and one in Kissimmee. The centers will offer primary care, labs, X-ray and EKG, behavioral health, as well as other services. (Fox 35)

Today in Orlando:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week. (8:30 a.m.)
• Work Session at Orange County Public School District. (10 a.m.)
• Free Movie: 55 & Up - "Flash" at Premier Cinemas. (1 p.m.)
• Walmart Brings Quality, Convenient Healthcare To Orlando On S. John Young Parkway. (2 p.m.)
• Bingo Game Night at Gator's Dockside Lake Nona. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Orlando Fire Department shared: "OFD promotes Safety Stand Down 2023. Safety Stand Down week is June 18 through June 24. The origins of Safety Stand Down began in 2005." (Orlando Fire Department via Facebook)
• Melrose Center shared: "Wednesday, June 21, at 4 p.m., discover how the Fab Lab's Orion Laser Cutter can bring your design to reality. Learn machine layout and operations, proper settings and safety precautions, and how to gain access during open lab time." (Melrose Center via Instagram)
• Orange County Convention Center shared: "Last week, InfoComm welcomed attendees from 115 countries for seven days of innovative technology showcases, educational programming and numerous networking events. The OCCC would like to thank AVIXA, its attendees and exhibitors for choosing The Center of Hospitality." (Twitter)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orlando Patch newsletter? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com