The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, in Walt Disney World, Florida, has expanded its event capabilities with the opening of more than 100,000sq. ft. of new event space. The expansion, a two-story venue connected to the Dolphin’s existing space, brings the triplex’s total indoor and outdoor event space to 600,000sq.ft. across the Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve to complement 2,619 guest rooms, making it the largest convention hotel on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States.
The opening of the new event space, called the Peninsula, is part of an overall $300m, multi-phase expansion and renovation at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. The project also includes extensive upgrades to existing meeting spaces.
Area general manager Sean Verney said: “The new venue provides planners with unprecedented flexibility and creativity to design truly unforgettable experiences.”
The hotel celebrated the opening of the new venue with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included representatives from Tishman, Walt Disney World, Marriott International and Visit Orlando.
The new space marks the first major expansion of the Walt Disney World Dolphin’s meeting space since 2003. The two-story venue offers extra wide foyer space for networking and features 38,000sq.ft. of multi-purpose space and 24,000sq.ft. of additional pre-function space on the first floor. The second floor houses a ballroom offering an additional 40,000sq.ft of divisible event space, with 14,000sq.ft. of pre-function foyer space. The venue has a total of 99 meeting rooms.
The property’s original water theming, created by acclaimed entertainment architect Michael Graves, provided the inspiration for the design which carries through the new space.
Groups can also enjoy the Mandara Spa and 23 world-class restaurants and lounges, featuring two celebrity chefs. The 14-story Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, offers an upscale and boutique atmosphere featuring 349 guest rooms and 149 executive meeting suites, two presidential suites and a top-floor event space, The Vue, offering views of Walt Disney World Resort. More information: www.swandolphinmeetings.com
