The multi award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel, renowned for its expansive meeting facilities and outstanding service to meeting planners, has unveiled a massive, $75 million expansion and enhancement plan. The plan includes: new meetings and exhibit space; an all-new guestroom design by renowned architect Michael Graves - the original architect of the hotel; and the introduction of a new, nationally recognized restaurant to its existing lineup of outstanding dining venues. These additions will complement the already highly acclaimed meetings destination and internationally recognized resort complex.
New Exhibit Hall Capacity Expands To 111,000 Sq. Ft.
Plans include the construction of a new 50,000 sq. ft. Pacific Hall, contiguous with the Atlantic Hall in the Walt Disney World Dolphin meetings pavilion. This new hall will have tremendous appeal by providing 26-foot ceilings and open, pillarless space that divides into three sections. The Pacific Hall will be complemented by a 14,000 sq. ft. pre- function area and an 18,000 sq. ft. outside pavilion deck. The hotel's existing Atlantic Hall will also be expanded by a 10,000 sq. ft. addition, increasing its size to 61,000 sq. ft. The new Pacific and Atlantic Hall's combined exhibition area will total 111,000 sq. ft. - divisible into a total of six sections - providing space for up to 680 8x10 booths, all located on a single level. These additions are scheduled for completion by Fall 2002.
Meeting space expansion at the Walt Disney World Swan includes the addition of the new Osprey Ballroom, which was completed in October. This new function space will add to the hotel's dedicated ballroom offerings, providing more intimate space for smaller group needs such as executive meetings, holiday parties and retreats. The 3,800 sq. ft. ballroom, with 17-foot ceilings, is divisible into two sections and is complemented by two 3,000 sq. ft. outdoor garden terraces that offer the option for functions that capture Florida's beautiful weather. The Osprey Ballroom, complemented by the garden terraces, is an ideal venue for a wedding.
With these new additions, the total indoor meeting space at the 2,267-room Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel will increase to 329,000 sq. ft. The Walt Disney World Swan Hotel will house 56,000 sq. ft.; the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel will house 273,000 sq. ft. According to David Bagwell, director of marketing and sales, "One of the strongest features is the fact that we have a variety of space, allowing us to meet almost any group needs." He continued, "Our space, though expansive, gives us the benefit of flexibility. We can make our ballrooms, meeting rooms, halls and boardrooms meet the needs of any size group."
The expansion was a response to the growing demands of customers. According to Sandra Marcus, meeting planner for Lotus and eight-time user of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel, "We have had tremendous success with our meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin over the past years. These new space additions provide even greater opportunities for us to continue this relationship well into the future, as our meetings continue to grow."
All New "Heavenly" Guestrooms
After over a decade of amazing guests with outstanding guestroom décor, a complete guestroom redesign is also underway - led by Michael Graves - the internationally acclaimed architect who originally designed the hotel. Graves has been commissioned again to create the new look, which will reflect a luxurious sophistication that promises to continue to distinguish the hotel in guestroom décor. The design will be characterized by such features as: slate entryways in the guestroom foyer, with the same stone surface continuing into the bathroom; new carpeting and designer wall coverings, complemented by custom-designed draperies, accented by a Graves-designed insignia. Existing armoires in the guestrooms will be replaced by a more contemporary-designed bureau that holds a new 27" television and connects to a large desk and work area.
The new guestrooms will also include Westin's popular Heavenly Beds. Guests have praised Westin's innovation with these new beds that promise an unforgettable sleeping experience. The beds feature a custom-designed pillow-top mattress set; a cozy down blanket; three crisp sheets with thread counts between 180-250; a comforter; a duvet and five of the best pillows in the industry. The headboards on the beds will be accented by original Michael Graves artwork, topped by picture-wash lighting that also provides incremental reading lighting. According to Bill McCreary, complex general manager, "This customized bed has hotel guests all over the world raving about its sleek look and most of all, its comfort. With our integration of the Graves design into the already popular Heavenly Beds, we're offering an even more spectacular product for our guests to enjoy."
New Dining Venues
Already recognized for outstanding dining establishments, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is adding a new nationally acclaimed specialty seafood restaurant to its offerings. This new seafood restaurant will be a continuation of the hotel's commitment to offer upscale, nationally known restaurants in their dining lineup.
The hotel received overwhelming responses to its 1999 addition of the national Shula's Steak House. In order to accommodate the growing demand for more group dining functions in Shula's, four private dining rooms will be added. Each dining room can accommodate approximately 15 guests, or all rooms can be expanded to seat 80.
The hotel is also planning a redesign of two existing restaurants in the Walt Disney World Dolphin - Tubbi's, a 24-hour cafeteria-style outlet and sundries shop - and the Coral Café, lunch and breakfast buffet outlet. These restaurants specialize in family dining, including breakfast with the Disney characters on Sundays. The new design will enhance the aesthetic appeal of these popular restaurants.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel will be shining brighter than ever before, after more than a decade as a leader servicing the leisure and meetings industry. "We have an established reputation for service, location, award-winning banquet and catering, outstanding facilities and expansive space. It is our mission to remain a hospitality industry leader," McCreary stated. "We do it by constantly striving to meet the needs of all our customers. We are proud to have been the site for numerous top associations and Fortune 500 meetings and to have been a part of many successes for the last decade. We realize that we needed to grow to continue to serve our loyal clientele and maintain our position as the Southeast's premier meetings destination."
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is the Southeast's most comprehensive meetings destination, offering flexible meeting space to accommodate groups large and small. In addition to an award-winning team of banquet, catering and convention service professionals, the hotel has seventeen themed restaurants and lounges, featuring such cuisines as: Italian, American, Japanese and steak and seafood at Shula's Steak House, "One of the Top 5 Steak Houses in America". Five swimming pools, two health clubs, and five nearby championship Walt Disney World® Resort golf courses are just part of the recreation that is available. The hotel offers an array of specialized Walt Disney World meetings services, available only to groups meeting in Walt Disney World Resort. Located within the Epcot® Resort area, the hotel is nearby Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Magic Kingdom® Park, and is conveniently accessible to Epcot® and Disney-MGM Studios via water and walkway. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel can be found at
www.swandolphinmeetings.com. 
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