Still, the king of the attractions, Walt Disney World, is confident enough the tourism industry is rebounding to reopen the 1,008-room French Quarter hotel May 31. The French Quarter, part of the twin-hotel package at the Port Orleans Resort, closed last November after occupancy dropped to a level where it was not cost-effective for Disney to keep the property open.

The 2,048-room Riverside Hotel, the second half of Port Orleans, opened in March after being closed since last fall. Disney officials couldn't be reached at GlobeSt.com's publication deadline. But hospitality industry consultants tell GlobeSt.com attendance figures are starting to rise gradually at Disney and other Central Florida attractions.

Disney has also began hiring again, looking for 700 qualified workers. Disney's main competitor, Universal Orlando, is helping Loews Corp. find 1,000 workers for Lowes' Royal Pacific Resort expected to open by fall on Universal property.