Doubletree Resort Orlando Blog

Hilton Worldwide awarded UrbanAmerica Advisors the 2009 Developer of the Year for Doubletree Resort Orlando

"Hilton Worldwide is presenting its own annual award for “2009 Developer of the Year” to UrbanAmerica Advisors, for its Doubletree Resort Orlando – International Drive. UrbanAmerica Advisors is a $520 million minority-owned real estate investment advisory company that has acquired more than 10 million square feet of real estate assets over the last ten years, valued in excess of $2 billion.

Hilton Worldwide selects its Developer of the Year from all of the projects that opened in a given year across its full brand portfolio. Senior development managers consider the merits of each project and weigh the complexity, size and overall scope of each development, including the end result. This year, UrbanAmerica’s Doubletree Resort in Orlando, Fla. was unanimously chosen by the Hilton Worldwide development team. The 1,094 room hotel is the largest in the Doubletree brand. Bill Fortier will present the award today to Richmond McCoy, founding partner, president and CEO of UrbanAmerica, at a celebratory NABHOOD luncheon.

Fortier added, “We are delighted to present this award to Richmond McCoy and UrbanAmerica – the choice was an easy one to make! The conversion product improvement plan for the Doubletree Resort in Orlando was significant, and getting the project financed and finished was very complex. Finally, the end result was very impressive and we were excited to see the property open on September 22, 2009.”

Doubletree Resort Orlando International Drive is managed by Pyramid Hotel Group, one of the nation’s leading hotel companies with numerous recognized honors and awards.

Universal Orlando® 20th Anniversary of Halloween Horror Nights® is almost here! Book your stay at Doubletree Resort Orlando, a Universal Partner Hotel!

Halloween Horror Nights® XX: Twenty Years of Fear

With 19 years' worth of building the nation's premier annual Halloween event, for it's 20th year you'll need to get ready for the ultimate in terror!

Check out their site for event dates and the latest information at www.halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando.  Kick off will be September 24th and run through Halloween night.

"The event features all new horrifying haunted houses, intense scare zones and an all-new “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure” containing parodies from TV, movies, music and more.

Plus, many of your favorite rides and attractions will be open during select hours. This is a separately ticketed event and not included with regular park admission tickets.

On select evenings every autumn Universal Studios Florida® theme park is transformed into a nightmarish maze of all new haunted houses, electrifying scare zones, and outrageous live shows, while a horde of mutants, monsters and maniacs roam the darkened studio streets."

Doubletree Resort Orlando is a Universal Partner Hotel so check out the special Gory Getaway Packages available. Click here for details.

Countdown to Star Wars Celebration V - only 1 week left to book your special 501st Legion headquarters rate - so don't delay!

There isn't much time left to receive your special 501st Legion rate at the Doubletree Resort Orlando for the Star Wars Celebration V.

Star Wars Celebration V:  August 12 - 15, 2010

Deadline for booking special rate: July 21st!!!

The Doubletree Resort Orlando wil be the 501st Legion headquarters during the Star Wars Celebration V. 

Don't delay in receiving your special rate for this incredible event. Click here to make reservations, using password EMPIRE, then select the Doubletree Resort Orlando to receive your special 501st Legion rate. Convention booking phone number is 866-385-4836, ask for 501st block at the Doubletree Resort Orlando or click here to email.

Special Guests: George Lucas & Jon Stewart. Autograph Guests include: Carrie Fisher, Jake Lloyd, Ray Park and many more!

Hosting the finest Orlando destination weddings, Doubletree Resort Orlando removes the stresses of wedding planning and creates a picture perfect day!

No need to stress as you plan your special wedding day, Doubletree Resort Orlando will handle every detail with our full service professional wedding planning and event staff. The only thing you should be concentrated on is enjoying your unforgettable day!

• A wide range of traditional and ethnic wedding ceremony styles to choose from
• An accomplished catering and banquet staff
• Personalized menus for rehearsal dinners
• Customized catering options for receptions, from hors d’oeuvres and cocktails to sit-down dinners
• Professional wedding planning to handle every detail from flowers to entertainment
• Highly trained audiovisual support staff to capture your wedding memories forever
• The on-site L’Esprit Spa for wedding party manicures, pedicures, hair and make-up
• Multilingual staff for your international guests

Whether you’re planning a small, intimate ceremony or inviting hundreds of guests, Doubletree Resort Orlando can graciously meet your needs for a fabulous Orlando destination wedding.

• Over 700 guest rooms and suites and 305 corporate tower guest rooms.
• 60,000 square feet of flexible event space, featuring a variety of indoor and outdoor venue options
• 12,000 square foot Ocean Ballroom, with abundant soft lighting
• 10,000 square foot Great Lakes Ballroom
• Spacious pre-function space for mingling, hors d'oeuvres and celebratory cocktails
• Tower Terrace, providing an outdoor venue overlooking our tropically landscaped grounds, seating 100 for receptions and 60 for sit-down dinners.

So no more worries, contact the Doubletree Resort Orlando to help you create the most unforgettable day of your life.  groups@doubletreeorlandoidrive.com    888-658-0583

Doubletree Resort Orlando wishes you a Happy & Safe 4th of July!

From all of us at Doubletree Resort Orlando

Happy 4th of July!

Doubletree Resort Orlando will be the headquarters for the 501st Legion (Vader's Fist) during the Star Wars Celebration V convention this August!

Star Wars Celebration V is almost here!!

Orlando is hosting Star Wars Celebration V, August 12-15, 2010!! Commemorating the 30th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, the convention will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The convention runs from Thursday August 12th through the 14th from 10am - 7 pm and Sunday August 15th, from 10 am - 5pm.  Special Guests: George Lucas & Jon Stewart

The Doubletree Resort Orlando will be headquarters for the 501st Legion during the convention! Also known as "Vader's Fist, it has become the leading force in fan-based charity events. The costumes are going to be amazing to see!

What is the 501st Legion? In their words...

"...The Legion is an all-volunteer organization formed for the express purpose of bringing together costume enthusiasts under a collective identity within which to operate. The Legion seeks to promote interest in Star Wars through the building and wearing of quality costumes, and to facilitate the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events as well as contributions to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work..."

For more information about the Doubletree Resort Orlando, visit our website.

For more detailed information about the Star Wars Celebration V, click here.

A great adventure for children, a trip down a Dr. Seuss memory lane for you - the delights in Seuss Landing™ with The Cat In The Hat™ ride and tons of other book favorites at Universal's Islands of Adventure®

Universal's Islands of Adventure ® brings Dr. Seuss's books alive with exciting rides, wonderful shops and an exciting trip into his stories.

It's a special place for your children to discover the fun of Dr. Seuss books but it also can bring you down memory lane as these book classics live in the child in all of us!

The Cat In The Hat ^™   This ride has you on your couch as it takes you through The Cat in the Hat story, scene by scene it gets re-created before your eyes.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Rish, Blue Fish ^™ A ride that lets you take control as you steer your fish, but pay attention to the words and do what they say or you'll get wet!

The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! ^™ Experience all of Seuss Landing^™ on The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!^™ while listening to the story of Sneetches^™ featuring Sylvester McMonkey McBean™

So many shops to explore like Cats, Hats & Things ^™, All The Books You Can Read, Snookers & Snookers Sweet Candy Cookers, Mulberry Street ^™ Store. Of course there is the fun of eating there also in the Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous ^™, Green Eggs and Ham ^™ Cafe and the list goes on.

What makes it even better is that the Doubletree Resort Orlando International Drive is a Universal Partner Hotel so there are many packages and park ticket deals available. Click here for more details and to make reservations.

Can't make it to the Grand Opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ on 6/18? Watch it live then make your reservations at the Doubletree Resort Orlando to visit!

 

You can watch Universal Orlando® Resort's official grand opening events for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ live online on June 18th from 9 am - 9:30 EDT!!

Just go to www.UniversalOrlando.com/HarryPotterNews and click on the LIVE FEED button at the top left of the home page (next to the RSS feeds button).

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ , inspired by J.K. Rowlings stories and characters, is a 20 acre attraction of the magic of Harry Potter in real life with multiple themed attractions, shops and restaurants! In the making for 5 years, it's one of the most aniticpated 2010 grand openings for fans of all ages!

Staying at the Doubletree Resort Orlando has added benefits when you visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ ! Discounts on food, beverages, free extended transportation and the complete resort amenities that the Doubletree Resort Orlando can be counted on to deliver! 

Plenty of room at the Doubletree Resort Orlando for you to make your reservations for a vacation you will never forget - the Doubletree Resort Orlando and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ are waiting for you!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ will be opening in 8 days on June 18th!!!

Earlier this month, guests holding special Universal Orlando® Resort hotel package deals were allowed into Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park’s new Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ area!Those guests were among the first to enjoy the new and highly anticipated opening scheduled for June 18, 2010.

Insiders that experienced the new 20 Acre “theme park within a theme park” say the attraction will not disappoint.  From shopping for a new wand in Ollivanders’ to an English feast at the Three Broomsticks, guests will be immersed in the scenes from the books and movies that have charmed fans of all ages.

Entrance to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be included in the general admission to Islands of Adventure.

The Doubletree Resort Orlando International Drive is a Universal Partner Hotel.

Benefits include:

• Extended FREE Scheduled Transportation to Universal Orlando®
• 5% off merchandise on purchases over $50 at select locations in Universal Studios® and Universal’s Islands of Adventure®.
• 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages at select locations in Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
• 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages at select Universal CityWalk® venues.

Celebrating Orlando GayDays 2010 at Walt Disney World® Resort until June 7th!

Now through June 7th, Orlando Florida’s Gay Days at Walt Disney World® Resort is a wonderful celebration of multiple events held at the world famous attractions.

They began as a single day event in 1991 to now 7 days of celebration with over 135,000 people from across the world. Young, old, all races and beliefs and every other section of community attend Gay Days each year!

Check out their website for more details and events of this celebration! Orlando GayDays 2010 is only until June 7th so come to Orlando, stay at the Doubletree Resort Orlando and experience all the fun and excitement at the Orlando GayDays 2010 Celebration at Disney World!