#MeetinOrlando
Orlando offers endless ways to surprise, delight and impress groups of any size. With its ever-growing list of attractions, entertainment, hotels and meeting venues, and world-class dining and shopping, the destination is perfect for hosting conferences, conventions and incentives. #MeetInOrlando provides valuable resources including an exclusive monthly newsletter focused on the Orlando MICE market, as well as special offers from industry partners and suppliers.
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ORLANDO
Local Update
• The 1,910-room Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is expanding over the next two years, adding a new 15-story tower that will feature a rooftop restaurant and lounge with panoramic views of the nearby theme parks. As part of the project, two multipurpose meeting rooms and a boardroom will be added to the resort, which currently has 220,000 square feet of meeting space. The property also will upgrade its current guest rooms and grounds.
• In other Walt Disney World news, the convention center at the 1,190-room Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort will undergo a 28,000-square-foot expansion. When completed, the resort will have a total of 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The new section will include a 16,000-square-foot ballroom, three prefunction areas and two rotundas for gatherings. A completion date for the project has not been set.
• The Delaney Hotel, a 54-room boutique property, is slated to open in downtown Orlando this year. The hotel will offer meeting space to accommodate up to 100 attendees.
• The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando has debuted its first phase, which includes 184 guest suites, three pools, a spa, a fitness center and 6,000 square feet of meeting space. The opening of the additional 694 suites will be staggered, with the next group scheduled to be available this summer. Two restaurants will open in October, followed by a water park in 2018.
• The 187-room Margaritaville Resort Orlando is on target to open this year. The property will feature a dining and entertainment district and a 12-acre water park.
• The Hilton Orlando is updating all 1,417 guest rooms, a project set for completion this fall. The refresh includes new carpets, sheers, black-out lined curtains, pillow fabrics, desk chairs, 55-inch televisions, bed-box covers and bedding. The property offers a total of 236,000 square feet of meeting and event space
• Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort will open two new towers comprising 400 guest rooms, adding to the property's current 1,800 rooms, upon completion this year. Cabana Bay amenities include two pools, a lazy river and a 10-lane bowling alley. The property is within walking distance to Universal's theme parks and Universal CityWalk.
• In other Universal Orlando news, the Aventura Hotel is slated to open in 2018 with 600 guest rooms, a rooftop bar and grill with scenic views, and a swimming pool with a water slide, cabanas and a fire pit.
UPDATED CLASSIC
The 1,501-room Rosen Shingle Creek has unveiled upgraded guest rooms and public spaces (the lobby, restaurant and lounge). The 18-hole golf course and event pavilion have been redone by the Arnold Palmer Design Co.
NEW IN "TOWN"
Disney Springs, currently being redesigned to resemble a colorful town from the turn of the 20th century, will continue to unveil new shops (including the Coca-Cola Store) and dining spots as they are completed. A new performance venue, The Edison, will debut this summer, designed to resemble a vintage 1920s electric-company power plant.
Meeting Hotels: Properties within walking distance of the Orange County Convention Center include the 1,639-room Hyatt Regency Orlando, 1,417-room Hilton Orlando, 1,334-room Rosen Centre Hotel and 800-room Rosen Plaza Hotel.
To find and compare Orlando-area properties, and to send RFPs, visit mcvenues.com.
Convention Center: Orange County Convention Center; exhibit space, 2.1 million square feet; number of meeting rooms, 74; (407) 685-9800 or (800) 345-984
Airport Transit: Orlando International Airport, about 13 miles southeast of downtown Orlando and 14 miles east of the Orange County Convention Center/International Drive. Transfer cost by taxi, $38-$45 to downtown, $38-$45 to the convention center/International Drive; by shuttle, $20-$32 to downtown, $21-$33 to the OCCC/International Drive
Taxes: Orlando/Orange County: room tax, 6%; sales tax, 6.5%; total taxes on hotel rooms, 12.5%
Walt Disney World Resort hotels in Orange County: room tax, 6%; sales tax, 6.5%; total tax on hotel rooms, 12.5%
Disney properties in Osceola County: room tax, 6%; sales tax, 7%; total tax on hotel rooms, 13%
Contact: Visit Orlando, (800) 643-0482