OAHU, Hawaii (September 29, 2009) Construction is underway on a new Disney resort that will open on the Hawaiian island of Oahu in 2011. The 21-acre, oceanfront resort will be located at the Ko Olina Resort & Marina development on the island's western side.  It will feature 1,066 guest rooms, suites and villas, a full-service spa and extensive recreation amenities.  The resort will also feature 63,000 square feet of ballroom/meeting space and event lawns, including a state-of-the-art conference center. 

"We're introducing an entirely new Disney experience for incentives and meetings," said George Aguel, senior vice president for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.  "Top performers and others who stay with Disney in Hawaii can expect all the quality and service associated with the brand.  Add the resort's exotic Hawaiian landscapes and spirit of Aloha, and it will be a Disney experience that's exciting and different, but at the same time relaxed and familiar. There's no better combination for attendees and meeting professionals."

The Disney Advantage in Hawaii

Disney's Hawaii resort will offer groups more than just accommodations and event facilities.  A variety of learning adventures will be offered on-site, which are suitable for attendees and spouses alike.  Using classic Disney storytelling expertise, these cultural programs will immerse attendees in Hawaiian experiences that explore music, dance, history, arts and crafts, and environmental education.

Planners looking to add professional development to the program agenda will have access to Florida-based Disney Institute for a wide range of content, ranging from teambuilding experiences and keynote presentations to workshops and multi-day programs.

Services of the Disney Event Group are also available to planners booking Disney.  This resource also originates from Florida, but can import its full complement of creative and technical resources for meeting and incentive programs in Hawaii.  Disney experts can produce the entire meeting, select events, or provide consultative or technical support. 

The Resort Experience

Disney is known for its elaborately detailed hotels and resorts. In Hawaii, Disney "Imagineers" have gone to great lengths to ensure that the new resort honors the State's rich history and cultural diversity.  Attention to detail will be found throughout the guest-room towers, gardens and other public spaces, all of which will reflect Hawaiian values and traditions while celebrating a life that's filled with joy and in harmony with the natural world. 

Water will be an integral part of the resort experience.  The lagoon setting and white sand beach will provide the backdrop as guests discover other water delights like ornate water gardens and a signature pool complex.  Swimming adventures will include a saltwater snorkeling lagoon brimming with vibrant marine life. 

The resort's 14,000-square-foot conference center is strategically located to provide solitude for meetings and private events, while giving easy access to the rest of the resort.  Nearly 50,000 square feet of additional event lawns and outdoor function space will complement the dedicated ballroom and meeting space.  It will provide additional settings for networking events and teambuilding programs.

Group sales for Disney's Hawaii resort begin October 1.  To learn more about bringing a meeting or event to the resort, visit disneymeetings.com or call the Resort Sales team at (321) 939-7129.

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NOTE TO EDITOR

For more information, please contact:

Terry Brinkoetter
Worldwide Group & Convention PR Director
(404) 685-8438 (Atlanta, Ga.)
terry.brinkoetter@disney.com