What’s New in Orlando 2006

The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. has just released its first two podcasts in a new series called Vacation Orlando. The Orlando podcast series will feature experts on trip planning and various experiences while vacationing in Orlando. The introductory podcasts feature Eileen Ogintz, a family travel expert with a nationally syndicated column “Taking the Kids” and provide helpful planning tips on Planning the Ideal Vacation for the Family and Getting the Most Out of Your Orlando Family Vacation. The current podcast series is available at orlandoinfo.com/podcast.

• Orlando offers families the chance to reconnect while experiencing more than 95 attractions. In independent national surveys, parents consistently select Orlando as their number one spring break destination of choice. This year’s Family Spring Break® celebration is even bigger with the addition of the ultimate interactive, technologically advanced and mind-stimulating event ever held for kids — the first-ever Orlando World’s Fair for Kids. This unique event is scheduled to debut at the Orange County Convention Center April 15-23, 2006.  Spanning more than 1 million square feet (92,000 square meters), interactive pavilions will represent six worlds designed to engage the child’s mental, physical, creative and strategic skills. Families looking to take part in all the action can plan their trip easily by gathering information and booking a package online at orlandoinfo.com/springbreak.

• Orlando, along with co-host Visit Florida, will host the Travel Industry Association of America’s International Pow Wow trade show May 6 – 10, 2006 at the Orange County Convention Center. The trade show, which was last held in Orlando in 2001, will bring more than 1,000 U.S. travel organizations from throughout the country, approximately 1,500 international and domestic buyers from more than 70 countries and an estimated 400 travel journalists representing more than 40 countries. For more information visit orlandoinfo.com/powwow.

Attractions
• Cypress Gardens Adventure Park opened new shows and attractions to evoke the park’s former glory including a retro-style water-ski show, dinner cruise, water taxi and botanical cruise. The park also introduced a new program to allow girls as young as age 3 to dress up as “Junior Belles” with dresses with hoop skirts and free ski lessons for 70 children daily. Future plans include opening a reconstruction of the Starliner, a classic wooden roller coaster, by 2007.
cypressgardens.com; 863-324-2111

• Fantasy of Flight unveiled “They Dared To Fly,” an exhibit dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. The exhibit celebrates the human potential displayed throughout aviation history as well as showcasing the achievements, struggles and stories of the airmen.
fantasyofflight.com; 863-984-3500

• Howl at the Moon, a dueling piano bar formerly located in downtown Orlando, reopened at a new location on International Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. The piano show starts one hour after doors open. Cover charge is $5 Tuesday through Thursday and $10 Friday and Saturday.
howlatthemoon.com/orlando_tonight; 407-354-5999

• At Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, guests can now go behind the scenes to see modules being processed for the International Space Station (ISS), discover the contributions of the space station and observe the final check-out of the next components to fly in space.
kennedyspacecenter.com; 321-449-4444

• The 11th annual Mardi Gras celebration returns to Universal Orlando every Saturday from Feb. 11 to April 22, 2006. During the celebration, the streets of Universal Studios will come alive with festivities, special concerts and parades.
universalorlando.com; 407-363-8000

• Walt Disney World Resort offers guests an opportunity to get up close and personal with a dolphin trainer, veterinarian or animal curator during the new “Lunch with Walt Disney World Animal Programs.” Each Tuesday from noon to 2 p.m., a Disney animal specialist will share stories and expertise over an authentic South African luncheon in the wine room at Jiko-The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Cost is $65 per person with a wine pairing option for an additional $15.
disneyworld.com; 407-939-3463

• Walt Disney World Resort unveiled a weekly podcast, “Walt Disney World Resort: Plugged In,” as part of the “Happiest Celebration on Earth.” The podcast features a mix of exclusive content such as behind-the-scenes tours of Disney’s four Florida theme parks, celebrity interviews, news about upcoming events and conversations with Disney Imagineers. Listeners can subscribe to the free program at disneyworld.com/podcast.
disneyworld.com; 407-824-4321

Accommodations
• The Superior Group LLC purchased the 101-room Crowne Plaza Resort Orlando on International Drive. The group plans to add a 700-unit condominium project to the resort’s inventory.
superiorus.com; 863-424-6141

• Doubletree Guest Suites in the Walt Disney World Resort has completed a $2 million renovation of the guest rooms, pool area, landscaping and meeting rooms. Beds in all 229 of the designer-appointed guest suites now feature a plush-top mattress and each suite includes a clock radio with MP3 capabilities, new microwave and refrigerator.
doubletreeguestsuites.com; 407-934-1000

• Orange Lake Resort & Country Club in Kissimmee is building a $50 million, 12-acre (4.9-hectare) recreational complex called River Island to be completed in spring 2006. River Island will have more than 27,000 square feet (2,508 square meters) of water recreation features including a lazy river, two beach-style walk-in pools, pool bars, spas and waterfalls. They are also building a 36-hole miniature golf course.
orangelake.com; 407-239-0000

• The Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando, A Loew’s Hotel, completed a $5.5 million renovation on its 750 rooms and suites. The renovations include new bedding, pillows, curtains and upholstery, new artwork and lamps, new carpeting in guest rooms and corridors, as well as DVD players and CD clock radios in each room.
loewshotels.com; 407-503-1000

• The Quality Inn Maingate Four Corners has completed a makeover coinciding with new ownership of the property. The hotel underwent extensive renovations to upgrade the 104 guest rooms and suites, atrium and lounge.
qualityinn.com; 863-424-2120

• The Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld is gearing up for a $20 million makeover this year. The renovation ranges from the complete refurbishment of the Crystal and Coral ballrooms to upgraded bedding in the guest rooms. The hotel also plans to open a full-service spa in 2007.
renaissanceseaworld.com; 407-351-5555

• Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach will develop a 400-room hotel and resort complex along the Banana River in Port Canaveral. The surf-themed project will include conference space, a surf school, a Ron Jon store, entertainment, retail stores and restaurants. The project is planned to open within three years.
portcanaveral.org; 321-783-7831

• Rosen Shingle Creek Resort and the Shingle Creek Golf Club have been given the “Greens of Distinction” award by Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine, joining a group of 35 of the finest golf resorts in the country. Readers voted on the winners using criteria such as location, course condition, function set-up and food and beverage. The Shingle Creek Golf Club has been open for one year and the resort is scheduled to open in fall 2006.
rosenshinglecreek.com; 407-996-9939

• The Royal Plaza in the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort reopened after undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation. As part of the renovation, all guest rooms have been outfitted with new carpet, drapes, “Royal Beds,” granite countertops and in-room media packages.
royalplaza.com; 407-828-2828

• Sage Resort, a new high-rise condominium hotel, is the latest in a growing list of properties planned for the International Drive area surrounding the Orange County Convention Center. The resort’s groundbreaking is planned for April 2006 and grand opening is slated for June 2007. The 260-unit, 10-story project will be built just south of Sand Lake Road.
creativeimpact.biz; 407-581-6880

• Veranda Partners LLC recently broke ground on the next phase of Veranda Park, a $500 million lifestyle center in Orlando’s MetroWest area. This $100 million phase will consist of 500 luxury residential condominiums as well as office space and retail, dining and entertainment venues. A 150-room hotel, 20-screen movie theatre and office condominiums are also a part of the master plan. Tenants will include Bice’s Grand Café, Dan Marino’s Fine Food & Spirits, Barnie’s Coffee & Tea Company and more.
verandapartners.com; 407-822-0585

• Intrawest Corporation has announced plans to open its first resort village in Central Florida. The 30-acre (12-hectare) Village of Imagine will feature a mix of 1,000 residential homes, town homes, condo-hotel units, shops and restaurants. The new resort will be located on Universal Boulevard across from the Orange County Convention Center. Completion of the first phase is expected in early 2008.
villageofimagine.com; 407-478-4040

• In an effort to create a “Florida Dressing Season,” The Westin Grand Bohemian will host “Dress-Up Thursdays,” celebrating the finest in food, wine, clothing and art, on the last Thursday of every month until April 27, 2006. The monthly event will include a fashion show, a five-course meal at the Boheme restaurant and wine pairings by a variety of vineyards. Prizes will be given to the best dressed male and female. Seatings are limited to the first 60 reservations and tickets are $125 per person.
grandbohemianhotel.com; 407-313-9000

Cultural Tourism – Special Exhibits/Programs

• The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art opened two new exhibitions. “Windows and Wonders: Tiffany from the Morse Vaults” celebrates the museum’s 10th year in its Park Avenue location with a selection of items not recently or never before displayed in the gallery. “Secrets of Tiffany Glassmaking” is a teaching exhibit that will focus on the techniques used at Tiffany’s studios. Both exhibits run through August 2007. The museum offers free admission each Friday evening, 4-8 p.m., September through May.
morsemuseum.org; 407-645-5311

• The Orange County Regional History Center opened a new exhibit, “From Fabric to Pixels: Storytelling through Quilts.”  The exhibit features historic quilts and contemporary creations by quilters or quilt owners from across Florida and runs through March 6, 2006.
thehistorycenter.org; 407-836-8500

• The Orlando Museum of Art has secured Jay Leno, host of “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” as the voice-recorded narrator for “The Art of the Motorcycle” exhibit on view Jan. 22 through July 23, 2006. Leno is known for collecting motorcycles and classic cars. The exhibit will explore the motorcycle as a cultural icon and design achievement and offers a thought-provoking challenge to conventional assumptions about art and popular culture.
omart.org; 407-896-4231

• The Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival announced the return of Playfest! The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays Feb. 8-19, 2006. The event brings local and nationally renowned writers, directors and performers presenting workshops, readings, playwright’s panels and more.
shakespearefest.org; 407-447-1700

• The Downtown Farmers Market completed a transition to become Sunday Eola Market, located at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. Current vendors will remain along with new vendors selling food and crafts.
downtownorlando.com; 407-246-2555

Dining & Nightlife

• Captain and the Cowboy, a new restaurant in the historic Townsend Plantation Victorian home in Apopka, opened. The restaurant features cuisine from around the world, but specializes in steak and seafood.
captainandthecowboy.com; 407-886-7100

• Doc’s Restaurant opened in downtown Orlando. The restaurant features progressive American cuisine and its executive chef, Neil Connolly, is the former private chef for the Kennedy family.
docsrestaurant.com; 407-839-3627

• Raglan Road Pub and Restaurant opened at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island. The restaurant’s concept is “fine dining standards in a casual context—with Celtic creativity” and offers food ranging from upscale bar food to Irish classics.
raglanroadirishpub.com; 407-938-0300

• Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress has announced the reopening of its Chef’s Table at LaCoquina restaurant with seatings Thursday through Saturday evenings from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Cost of the dinner is $85 per person or $120 per person with wine pairing. LaCoquina’s Champagne Brunch also resumed service Sundays from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Brunch is $55 per person and $27.50 per child.
hyattgrandcypress.com; 407-239-3853

• The Seasons 52 restaurant on Sand Lake Road began serving lunch. They will serve a similar menu including their signature shot glass desserts.
seasons52.com; 407-354-6212

Sports & Recreation

• The Atlanta Braves are returning to Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex for Major League Baseball Spring Training in February and March 2006. The Braves will conduct two weeks of workouts before playing a 16-game home schedule against 10 major league teams.
disneyworld.com; 407-566-6397 (media); 407-824-4321 (public)

• Ginn Clubs & Resorts announced a five-year partnership with LPGA Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam to represent the company in a series of upcoming events, including the newest LPGA tour stop, the Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open April 27-30, 2006 at Reunion Resort & Club of Orlando.
reunionresort.com; 407-662-1000

• Scenic Lake Tours, a pontoon boat excursion offering boat rides, gator tours and fishing charters, recently began operating in Kissimmee.
fishingchartersinc.com; 407-908-5688

• Business and leisure guests at Universal Orlando’s Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort can take advantage of the new Golf Universal Orlando program, which allows them to arrange preferred tee times, receive complimentary transportation, receive free range balls, coordinate club rentals and plan golf tournaments. Participating courses include MetroWest Golf Club, Mystic Dunes Golf Club and the Panther Lake and Crooked Cat courses at Orange County National Golf Center.
universalorlando.com; 407-363-8000

Transportation
• AirTran Airways launched daily nonstop service from Detroit to Orlando. It also added new daily round-trip flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Orlando.
airtranairways.com; 678-254-7448

• Orlando International Airport has turned on a new wireless broadband network that allows passengers to access the Internet anywhere on the giant airfield. The system, developed by French telecom company Alcatel, gives passengers waiting for flights the chance to check e-mail and surf the Net free of charge.
orlandoairports.net; 407-825-2001

Allegiant Air
• Allegiant Air began nonstop service from the following locations to Orlando Sanford International Airport: Newburgh, N.Y.; South Bend, Ind.; Portsmouth, N.H.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; McAllen, Texas; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Worchester, Mass.; Springfield, Mo; Toledo, Ohio and Rockford, Ill.

• Allegiant Air will begin nonstop service from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport to Orlando Sanford International Airport on Feb. 1, 2006.
allegiantair.com; 702-851-7370

Additional Resources

For media requiring additional information, including a password protected image gallery, visit the Orlando CVB’s business-to-business Web site at orlandoinfo.com/media. Consumers can call or write the Official Visitor Center, 8723 International Drive, Suite 101, Orlando, FL 32819, phone: 800-551-0181 (U.S. or Canada) or 407-363-5872 or visit the consumer Web site orlandoinfo.com if they would like to receive more information about the destination.

January 10, 2006   Posted in: United States SouthEast