Disney World - The Online Guide

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2003
(UK customers)

New and Upcoming in Orlando through 2005

2002

· The Carnival Pride, Port Canaveral and Carnival Corp.’s largest cruise ship, begins service with seven-day cruises in the Caribbean
· Discovery Cove completes expansion of the aviary, a new pool for the stingrays and a kid’s coral reef swim area, featuring snorkeling lessons
· Dixie Stampede, a themed dinner and entertainment facility owned by Dolly Parton opens
· Gaylord Palms (previously named Opryland Florida), a 1,400-room hotel and convention center, opens near the main gate of Walt Disney World
· The History of Crime and Punishment attraction, including portions of the old Orlando jail and an interactive, crime-fighting section, opens on International Drive
· The Holy Land Experience opens “The Scriptorium: Center for Biblical Antiquities”
· La Quinta Mission Inn, a 162-room hotel, opens on International Drive
· The Mall at Millenia opens featuring more than 200 stores including Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s and Nieman Marcus
· Nordstrom, a two-story, 180,000-square-foot (16,200-square-meter) department store and Lord & Taylor open in The Florida Mall
· The Orange County Regional History Center premiers Follow That Dream: Florida’s Rock & Roll Legends, a special exhibit focusing on the Rock music industry
· Ron Jon Surf shop opens at Festival Bay
· Orlando Fashion Square Mall completes a 200,000-square-foot (18,000-square-meter) expansion featuring a renovated food court, expanded Burdines and restaurants.
· Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel completes a $75 million expansion and enhancement plan

2003

· Epcot opens Mission: Space, a new attraction featuring a five-minute ride simulating space flight 20 to 30 years in the future
· Grande Lakes Resort opens including a 584-room Ritz Carlton, a 1,000-room JW Marriott, an 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course and a 40,000-square-foot (3,600-square-meter) luxury spa
· The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, a 730-room hotel with more than 70,000 square feet (6,300 square meters) of meeting space, a 25,000-square-foot (2,250-square-meter) Grand Ballroom, a 20,000-square-foot (1,800-square-meter) spa and six restaurants and bars opens
· Orange County Convention Center expands by one million square feet (90,000 square meters) for a total of 2.1 million square feet (189,000 square meters) of exhibit space
· Orlando International Airport opens a fourth runway

2004

· Hyatt Hotels Corporation opens its largest property in the United States, a 1,500-room convention hotel, connected to the Orange County Convention Center expansion by a skyway

2005

· Hilton Hotels opens a 1,400-room convention hotel on International Drive near the Orange County Convention Center
· Orlando International Airport completes Phase One of a new terminal serving both domestic and international carriers
· The Peabody Orlando opens phase one of its expansion that includes 1,000 rooms in a 42-story tower. Phase two, scheduled for completion in 2007, includes an additional 700 guest rooms and 125,000 square feet (11,250 square meters) of exhibit space
· Rosen Hotels & Resorts opens a 1,500-room convention hotel facility with 250,000 square feet (22,500 square meters) of meeting space and an 18-hole championship golf course just east of the Orange County Convention Center Phase Five expansion

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