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NEWS
Theme park employees unite in support of Orlando shooting victims
POSTED 13 Jun 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
In a show of support, employees from many of Orlando’s parks, including Disney, SeaWorld and Universal took to social media, making heart symbols with their hands for the victims and their families
Orlando’s theme parks have united in solidarity following the tragic events of the weekend, which saw more than 50 people killed in a mass shooting at an LGBT nightclub in the city.

In a show of support, employees from many of Orlando’s parks, including Disney, SeaWorld and Universal took to social media, making heart symbols with their hands for the victims and their families.

Kevin O’Brien, who has worked in the industry for some time as an entertainer, posted a range of photos which included performers from Disney's Animal Kingdom, characters from Universal's Islands of Adventure, divers at SeaWorld Orlando and the entertainers from Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Since the initial post on Facebook, the outpouring of support has continued to spread with more than 7,200 shares and employees from parks from all over the world offering their own photos.

"Keep them coming Disney! This is family. We are one, strong band of people,” said the post from O’Brien. “From entertainment, costuming, techs, attractions, merchandise, custodial, and all other depts. Show that there is love out there!"

In the wake of the tragic shootings, Orlando’s theme parks have been put on “high alert”, with the Orlando Sentinel reporting that visitors at Magic Kingdom carried out incredibly thorough security checks with one employee reportedly going as far as to unzip visitors’ wallets.

"We are all heartbroken by the tragic and horrific events in Orlando, and offer our thoughts, prayers and support to everyone in our community affected by this senseless act," said Disney chair and CEO Bob Iger, whose company has more than 74,000 employees living and working in the central Florida area.

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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Theme park employees unite in support of Orlando shooting victims
POSTED 13 Jun 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
In a show of support, employees from many of Orlando’s parks, including Disney, SeaWorld and Universal took to social media, making heart symbols with their hands for the victims and their families
Orlando’s theme parks have united in solidarity following the tragic events of the weekend, which saw more than 50 people killed in a mass shooting at an LGBT nightclub in the city.

In a show of support, employees from many of Orlando’s parks, including Disney, SeaWorld and Universal took to social media, making heart symbols with their hands for the victims and their families.

Kevin O’Brien, who has worked in the industry for some time as an entertainer, posted a range of photos which included performers from Disney's Animal Kingdom, characters from Universal's Islands of Adventure, divers at SeaWorld Orlando and the entertainers from Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Since the initial post on Facebook, the outpouring of support has continued to spread with more than 7,200 shares and employees from parks from all over the world offering their own photos.

"Keep them coming Disney! This is family. We are one, strong band of people,” said the post from O’Brien. “From entertainment, costuming, techs, attractions, merchandise, custodial, and all other depts. Show that there is love out there!"

In the wake of the tragic shootings, Orlando’s theme parks have been put on “high alert”, with the Orlando Sentinel reporting that visitors at Magic Kingdom carried out incredibly thorough security checks with one employee reportedly going as far as to unzip visitors’ wallets.

"We are all heartbroken by the tragic and horrific events in Orlando, and offer our thoughts, prayers and support to everyone in our community affected by this senseless act," said Disney chair and CEO Bob Iger, whose company has more than 74,000 employees living and working in the central Florida area.

RELATED STORIES
Registration opens for IAAPA 2016


Registration for this year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, Florida, is now open, with the event to highlight key trends and experiences set to take the sector by storm in the not-too-distant future.
Universal reveals revamped Hulk coaster


Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure has offered a sneak peek at the multi-million dollar revamp of its Incredible Hulk rollercoaster, with the popular marvel character’s eyes ready to light up the Orlando night skies as it prepares to take flight.
IHRSA 2016 kicks off in Orlando


IHRSA 2016 gets underway today (21 March) in Orlando, Florida, with a jam-packed schedule for the four-day international fitness event.
MORE NEWS
Marriott International partners with Fitwel for wellness solutions across its residential portfolio
Marriott International has partnered with Fitwel, a healthy building certification system that aims to optimise occupant health.
Anna Bjurstam steps down from Six Senses to build new company Wahayla
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, opens with spa philosophy of ‘Wellness without Walls’
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England with a 1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’ concept.
'Minor wellness hotels' recorded the strongest growth across top KPIs in 2025, finds RLA Global
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
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Embrace the chill: TechnoAlpin's Snowsky revolutionises post-fitness recovery with falling snow
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]

Zerobody Cryo: Starpool's contrast therapy solution
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
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COMPANY PROFILES
Fenix Group srl

Founded in Italy by Gianluca Cavalletti, Fenix Group introduced Endospheres with the aim of redefini [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS