Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels Offer Special To Hospitality Workers

Downtown Disney^® Resort Area Hotels will offer their lowest rates of the year to all hospitality workers who visit from August 1, 2011 through September 30, 2011 as a special salute to the front-line ranks who make vacation wishes come true for millions of travelers each year.

“Travel industry employees work hard year-round to ensure that visitors enjoy their travel experiences, and they certainly deserve recognition for their contributions to the traveling public,” said Marti Alexander, chairperson of the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotel’s marketing committee. “There’s no better way to salute them than with special savings for their own travel.”

Travel Industry Appreciation Days at the seven official Walt Disney World^® resorts is being offered in conjunction with the Second Summer destination-wide promotion by Visit Orlando that features the best deals of the year from August 15, 2011 through September 30, 2011. Travel industry employees who wish to take advantage of the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels’ hospitality workers’ discount must show proof of employment with either a photo identification card or a current paycheck stub. Employees from hotels, restaurants, airlines, airports, attractions, rental car companies, cruise lines, tour operators and other travel companies are eligible for the savings. The special hotel promotional rates are only good for travel during the promotion timeframe. Space is limited, and some black-out dates apply to the following offers:

Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel

Rates start at just $55 per night, plus complimentary continental breakfast for two people daily (a $9 value). Guests can upgrade to one of the hotel’s Disney View rooms for just $5 more per night (a savings of $15 per night) and enjoy the EPCOT® Center fireworks from the comfort of their own furnished private balcony. The towering 18-story, tri-arch hotel is surrounded by 12 acres of lush, tropical landscaping that showcases the area’s natural wildlife. To book a stay with the hospitality workers’ discount, visithttp://www.funspotshotels.com/packageroom.php?pcode=TVLINDAP&property=funhotel_LBVRH

Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa

Rates are from $79 per night to $89 per night based on availability. The award-winning hotel is a chic, sophisticated, decadently comfortable resort with a 10,000-square-foot spa, seven restaurants and lounges, and countless recreational activities. To book a stay with the hospitality workers’ discount, visit https://reservations.ihotelier.com/onescreen.cfm?hotelid=6579&languageid=1&referID=39184&rateplanID=633275

Doubletree Guest Suites

Rates are 25 percent off already-reduced summer rates. As the only all-suite resort hotel inside the Downtown Disney^® resort area, the Doubletree features 229 spacious suites with one and two bedrooms as well as separate living rooms with queen sofa sleepers, movies, workspaces, wet bars and much more. To book a stay using the hospitality workers’ discount, visit DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort ~ Travel Industry Appreciation Days.

Hilton Orlando Resort

Travel industry employees receive 20 percent off the best available rate at the time that they book their reservations. The 814-room property is the only hotel to offer Disney's EXTRA MAGIC HOURS benefit in which one of the Walt Disney World® Theme Parks opens each day an hour early or stays open up to an extra three hours for Hilton guests. To book a stay with the special hospitality workers’ discount, call (800) 782-4414 or visit http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/Hotels/hilton/

Holiday Inn

Rates start at $79 per night and are subject to availability. Travel must be booked at least seven days in advance. Rates are non-refundable and do not qualify for Priority Club® points. The hotel’s elegant rooms feature modern Florida décor, granite-top vanity bathrooms, walk-in showers in king rooms, a work area and either one king with sleeper sofa or two queen beds. To book, visit http://www.ihgfriendsandfamily.com/y97kbmn and follow three easy steps.

Royal Plaza Resort

A special rate of $59 per night is being offered for the duration of the promotion. Each one of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites is furnished with the Royal Bed package and exceptional amenities. Hotel conveniences include wireless high-speed Internet, an on-site fitness center and several food and beverage outlets. To book, call (800) 248-7890 or visithttp://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/Hotels/royalPlaza/

Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort

The Wyndham also is offering a special promotional rate of $59 per night. The hotel features Disney Character Breakfasts at the hotel three times each week, scheduled transportation to Disney Theme Parks, an aquatic center with two outdoor pools and water sports, and tennis and basketball courts. To book, call (877) 999-3223 or visit http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/Hotels/Wyndham/

About Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels

Downtown Disney^® Resort Area Hotels (www.downtowndisneyhotels.com) is a consortium of seven official Walt Disney World^®Resort hotels that includes: Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel, Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa, Doubletree Guest Suites, Hilton Orlando Resort, Holiday Inn, Royal Plaza Resort, and the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort. With nearly 30 food and beverage outlets and restaurants, more than 3,600 rooms and scores of amenities, they offer a rate, space and menu to please every guest. Located in the heart of Downtown Disney, these properties are within walking distance of some of the area's best shopping, dining and entertainment.

Guests staying at these “Official Walt Disney World” hotels receive special privileges not available at hotels outside of the Disney Resort, such as:

• Complimentary transportation to all four Disney theme parks, two of Disney's water parks and Downtown Disney every 30 minutes
• Advanced tee times and discounts at all four Disney championship golf courses
• Disney’s Extra Magic Hours (at select hotels)
• Delivery of souvenirs purchased at the parks directly to their hotel room at no cost

To make a reservation, visit www.downtowndisneyhotels.com

Disney Grand Floridian Receives AAA 5 Diamond Award

Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has once again received the prestigious AAA Five-Diamond Award, the highest AAA honor a restaurant can earn. This is the 11th consecutive year the restaurant has received the coveted award. Victoria and Albert's is also the only Central Florida restaurant to hold the designation

"This furthers the reputation of the Grand Floridian as a world-class meeting and incentive resort," said George Aguel, senior vice president for The Walt Disney Company. "With its award-winning dining, casual elegance and renowned guest service, it's easy to see why the Grand Floridian is a first choice among meeting and incentive professionals."

Under the direction of Chef Scott Hunnel, Victoria & Albert's is one of the top dining destinations at the Walt Disney World Resort. It features an intimate dining room, a customized seven-course menu, and an award-winning wine list. The restaurant also features the private Queen Victoria's Room that can accommodate up to 10 people. The room offers a perfect setting for hosting an executive dinner or a celebration for top performers.

Victoria & Albert's reflects the refined yet relaxed elegance of the Grand Floridian, which is the flagship for the six Walt Disney World convention resorts. The Grand Floridian consistently earns top honors from the meetings industry and similar accolades from publications like Condé Nast Traveler and Travel+Leisure magazine.

To learn more about bringing a meeting or incentive program to the Walt Disney World Resort, visit disneymeetings.com or call 321-939-7221.

Marriott Florida Property Offers Discounts to Meeting Planners

The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is reintroducing its popular “Get M.O.R.E.” program for group meetings and events. From now until December 31, 2011, groups that reserve an event or meeting will enjoy rebates, complimentary guest rooms, reasonable attrition percentages, free parking and double Marriott Reward points.

“The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa has won several awards for excellence in meeting and event planning, and we want to encourage companies and organizations to take advantage of our spectacular venue and amenities when booking their next function,” said Jeff Mayers, general manager of the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. “The Get M.O.R.E. package is our reward for groups who choose us as the location of their event.”

The Sawgrass Marriott was named Best of the South for Meetings Media by Meetings South Magazine and was selected for a M&C Gold Tee Award by corporate and association meeting planners for consistent excellence in serving the golf and meetings industry. It was also recently named as a runner-up in the parents.com list of Best Beach Resorts for Families.

Groups who take advantage of the Get M.O.R.E. program will have their choice of unique meeting venues, including beachfront banquets at the private Cabana Beach Club, a taste of golf history at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse, the 16,000-square-foot Champions Ballroom—one of the largest in the Southeast—or 56,000 square feet of flexible meeting space in the resort’s conference wing.

Package amenities include a five percent off rooms and catering revenue, double Marriott Rewards points, one complimentary guest room for every 35 room nights actualized, 35 percent allowable guest room attrition and free parking for all group attendees.

Event participants can also take advantage of the resort’s golf and spa amenities, beach access and heated pool at the resort’s oceanfront Cabana Beach Club, and award-winning restaurants and dining experiences.

For more information about group event planning at the Sawgrass Marriott, visit www.sawgrassmarriott.com or call (904) 285-7777.

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Opens Full-Service UPS Store

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has cut the ribbon on a full-service UPS Store, making its debut in time for the 2,500-attendee International Association for Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) convention, which began yesterday.

The UPS Store will provide show management, attendees and exhibitors a full range of services under a nationally recognized brand that will be seamlessly integrated with the other services offered by the Convention Center.

Bob Johnson, president/general manager of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center welcomed IAEE President Stephen Hacker and UPS/Mail Boxes Etc.’s Ted Price, director of special venue development, Randy Davis, manager area operations and Garland Tinson, area sales representative at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“Our goal is to be the best Convention Center in the nation and by attracting an iconic brand like UPS we are providing the best business center services in the industry. In that we are the franchisee, all these services will be integrated with other services offered to our clients and guests,” said Johnson.

The UPS Store at the Convention Center will also offer services to neighboring residents and businesses with an exterior entrance, 24/7 lobby and pull-up parking.

In addition to domestic and international shipping, The UPS Store offers color and black-and-white duplications, document finishing (binding, laminating, etc.), printing services (business cards, letterhead, rubber stamps, etc.), full-service packaging, freight crating and shipping, mailbox and postal services, office and packaging supplies and more.

Sweet Tastes of Torah I

It's only fitting that my first post is about a program I helped to organize and promote—Sweet Tastes of Torah, sponsored by the North Jersey Board of Rabbis (NJBR). This has been an exciting adventure for the NJBR, which I've been privileged to be part of.

When the rabbis first approached me to coordinate their first Sweet Tastes of Torah project, this past February 6, they had modest expectations for this community-wide night of learning, education, schmoozing, music, and fun. It was the first time they had banded together as a group to produce such an event. When I asked how they would define success, they answered they'd be happy with 100 attendees. Twenty-four rabbis volunteered their time to teach, learn, share, laugh, and learn. Topics ranged from the serious (Practical Lessons in Rabbinical Jurisprudence) to the more entertaining (Bubbe Meises), and everything in between.

The UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey quickly came on as one of our partnering sponsors, providing a website, publicity help, online registration, and moral support to me. We were also lucky to be hosted by Temple Emeth in Teaneck, who provided prayer and classroom space in a beautiful facility. Dessert and a goody bag (more about that another time) were provided by kosher.com. Music was provided by Migdal Oz, a Jewish blues, rhythm, jazz band headed by a rabbi!

With help from my hubby (who distributed posters around the county, schlepped endless boxes, and helped with the evening's logistics), my daughter (who directed traffic to classrooms), a slew of friends and volunteers (who manned registration tables and kept me sane), the evening was a tremendous success. More than 300 people participated, and the feedback was tremendous.

But...how to repeat the success?