Orlando continues to distinguish itself as a meetings destination, says Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “We have new luxury accommodations, unforgettable venues, and attractions that inspire ingenuity. A whole new Orlando is ready to welcome groups in 2024 and beyond,” she says.
With seven million square feet of space in two connected buildings, the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) continues to expand, adding 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000-square-foot ballroom, and a new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. According to Matej, event attendees here support one of the most innovative, large-scale sustainability programs in the country. The OCCC is directly connected to 5,000 guest rooms at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, Rosen Centre Hotel, Rosen Plaza, and Hilton Orlando. In all, Orlando currently has 130,446 guest rooms.
Orlando’s theme parks have new attractions open or coming soon, including Journey of Water, inspired by Moana at EPCOT; DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida, where guests can interact with DreamWorks Animation characters; Penguin Trek, an indoor-outdoor launch coaster at SeaWorld Orlando; and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom Park, a musical adventure inspired by The Princess and the Frog.
Other new attractions include Pointe Orlando, with new indoor-outdoor entertainment and music, festival, and special-event spaces; Area15, a Las Vegas-style entertainment venue with indoor and outdoor event space; and Judson’s Live, a 150-seat cabaret-style music venue on the campus of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
The newly opened Evermore Orlando Resort has vacation homes and event space at the 2,500-square-foot boathouse that overlooks the eight-acre Evermore Bay. Recently opened at Evermore, the 433-room Conrad Orlando has 65,000 square feet of meeting space. Aloft Orlando Lake Nona, the closest hotel to the U.S. Tennis Association’s National Campus, has 205 guest rooms and a 10,000-square-foot event center.
In historic Winter Park, the boutique Alfond Inn just completed renovations, adding 71 guest rooms and 2,400 square feet of function space to its existing 5,000-square-foot ballroom and 10,000-square-foot green space. The 502-room Waldorf Astoria Orlando unveiled a new 8,000-square-foot ballroom and 2,600-square-foot pre-function space, with a planned 8,700-square-foot covered patio. Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek plans to add 90,000 square feet of new meeting space early this year, adjacent to the existing 150,000 square feet of function space.
The Grand Bohemian in downtown Orlando, with 10,000 square feet of function space, has completed a comprehensive renovation with new additions. JW Marriott Grande Lakes, with 144,000 square feet of event space, completed several renovations in 2023, adding a waterpark, refreshed guest rooms, new executive family suites, and an upgraded lobby lounge. Also, Caribe Royale Orlando, with 1,217 guest rooms and 220,000 square feet of event space, debuted the 500-seat Stadium Club, a sports-themed facility with eight sports simulators, two bars, and several private event areas.
Other major convention properties include 1,501-room Rosen Shingle Creek, with 524,000 square feet of event space; 779-room Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, with 102,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space; and 582-room Ritz Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, with 53,293 square feet of indoor event space and outdoor venues.
Walt Disney World has five dedicated convention hotels and more than 700,000 total square feet of function space, including Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin with 2,619 guest rooms, with 348,000 square feet of meeting space and the 2,416 room Disney Coronado Springs Resort., with a 220,000-square-foot convention center.
