After 25 years, Arabian Nights performs last show in Osceola County

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Arabian Nights dinner attraction in Osceola County is closing Tuesday night after 25 years in operation.

Nearly 200 workers will lose their jobs when the show closes at midnight. The 35 horses that perform will be going to the owner's farm in Clermont for now, and in a few months, some may be sold to perform in other places.

"We've had to grieve as a family," said owner Mark Miller. "We've been happy as a family. We had a wedding take place during the show."

The owner told Channel 9 he's already received four offers for the property, so something new could be coming to the spot on Highway 192.

The problem was it was costing more to run the shows than they were bringing in, so Miller said he made the difficult decision to close.

Most of the stars of the show and the staff have already found work, the owner said. Many of them, however, have been very emotional about Arabian Nights closing.

Worker Keely Clark can't remember a time when the dinner show wasn't a part of her life.

"My mom worked here before I was born, so I was born into it I guess you could say," Clark said.

"I've always been a glass is half-full kind of guy who got to do this for 26 years. I've loved every minute of it," said Miller.

The two shows scheduled for Tuesday are sold out.

More than 10 million guests have taken part  in the performances over 25 years.

WFTV