Dolphin Tale 2 hit it big in the box office this week and the buzz surrounding the movie is bringing in even more visitors to the area.
Being booked every weekend during this time of the year isn't something the manager of Frenchy's Oasis Motel is used to.
"We would be very slow right now,” said manager LeAnn Clark. “We would have maybe a few people.”
That hasn't been the case since the first Dolphin Tale movie hit theaters in 2011.
"There was quite bit of traffic and a lot of it was children," said Clark.
With the release of the sequel, traffic has since doubled.
"They knew that all the people were here for filming the movie, all the movie stars were here so people were trying to come and see them also," said Clark.
Being just two miles away from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium has helped generate big business for motels like Frenchy’s and other businesses in the area.
Businesses here expect to see an even bigger boost as the existing Clearwater Marine Aquarium prepares for a major expansion.
The existing aquarium will expand to a marine life hospital.
Guests will be able to get a closer look at Winter and Hope among a slew of other things, including a stingray touch tank.
The price tag for the expansion is $68 million. It’s an investment that's expected to not only draw more people to the aquarium, but the businesses nearby.
Dolphin Tale 2 debuted in second place in the box office with $16.5 million in ticket sales. The film was beat by the Sony thriller ``No Good Deed,'' which topped the box office with $24.5 million during its opening weekend.