A 55,000-square-foot conference center opened January 1 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. The resort now has more than 100,000 square feet of flexible event space, which includes a 28,800-square-foot ballroom, 46 meeting rooms, an event lawn, prefunction area, and large loading dock.
The Wyndham Orlando Resort is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation that is being completed in stages through May. The project will add 25,000 square feet of flexible function space, bringing the total meeting space to 60,000 square feet. The expanded conference center will include a contemporary lobby bar and technology lounge and new dining and shopping options at the adjacent I-Shops development.
Quantum Leap Winery is a 17,000-square-foot facility that opened in October in the Mills 50 district. The majority of the space is used for winery operations (the company bottles and sells wine directly to consumers), but there are three areas suitable for events. The largest space is the 1,850-square-foot Tasting room, which can accommodate 155 people. Smaller groups can use the 520-square-foot Barrel room or the 630-square-foot patio. Decor throughout the winery has a contemporary, industrial feel with accents of wood, leather, and cork.
Classic French cuisine is on the menu at Monsieur Paul, the new name for the former Bistro de Paris restaurant in the France Pavilion at Epcot. The restaurant, which opened December 11, is still upscale but less formal than its predecessor (gone are the white tablecloths and tuxedo-clad servers). The renovated venue is more contemporary and decorated with culinary honors of its namesake, chef Paul Bocuse.
Another new venue on Church Street is Eternal Tap, which opened December 6 inside Church Street Station. The restaurant-bar consists of a 3,200-square-foot main room on the ground level and an intimate 900-square-foot tasting room downstairs that can be used by private groups. The beer menu includes more than 50 varieties on tap—with a focus on American craft beer—along with more than 100 choices by the bottle. There’s also a full liquor bar and a food menu that includes brick-oven pizza, salads, and homemade soups.
Splitsville Luxury Lanes is a retro-style bowling and entertainment complex that opened December 19 at Downtown Disney. The 50,000-square-foot, two-story venue has 30 lanes each serviced by “lane concierges” who deliver shoes and bowling balls to players. The venue also has patios on both floors, billiards tables, two sushi bars, more than 60 flat-screen TVs, live music, and DJs. The upstairs is available for buyout and has 20 lanes and three bars, and it can accommodate as many as 800 people. The entire venue can be booked for as many as 1,500 people.
The Belz Tower is a new option for events at the Peabody Orlando. The room is located directly below the spire of the hotel’s main tower, providing panoramic views of the surrounding area. It can accommodate as many as 30 people and has LED lighting, floor-to-ceiling windows, and contemporary decor.
Open since September 7, the Vault is in the former Exchange National Bank building in downtown Tampa. Built in 1923, the two-story building has floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of the city’s skyline. The 6,200-square-foot space can accommodate 600 people for a reception. The mezzanine overlooks the open main floor.
The new Drury Inn & Suites near International Drive has a variety of options for group meetings and events. The 150-seat dining room has a 40-seat section that can be roped off. The hotel also has a 2,180-square-foot ballroom that can accommodate 154 people theater-style, and an adjacent conference room with seating for 30.
