Summer - Fall  2014

What's New In Anaheim/Orange County, California

New developments, hotels and attractions continue to add to the area's appeal as a
premier leisure and business travel destination.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Great Wolf Resorts Water Park Hotel Comes to OC

Great Wolf Lodge® Water Park Resort, located about one mile south of the Disneyland® Resort, is currently under construction. The 600-room all-suite resort will include 100,000 square-feet of indoor waterpark fun. Additionally, there will be 30,000 square-feet of meeting space. The property is slated for completion early 2016. Contact: Susan Storey,

(608) 662-4722, sstorey@greatwolf.com. 

Five New Hotels Coming to Anaheim Resort District

The Anaheim Resort™ District is in the midst of enhancing and expanding hotel offerings with five hotel projects underway: The Hyatt Place Anaheim Resort, opening late 2014 with 178 rooms; the Hyatt House Anaheim Resort, opening in 2015 with 252 rooms; Homewood Suites by Hilton-Anaheim Convention Center/Disneyland Main Gate, opening late 2015 with 215 rooms; and two SpringHill Suites properties, one with 172 rooms (open 10/14) and second with 120 rooms (now open).

Contacts: The Hyatt Place Anaheim Resort and Hyatt house Anaheim Resort, Homewood Suites by Hilton, John Rozatti, (714) 971-5000, john@cortonainn.com.

ANAHEIM/ORANGE COUNTY VISITOR & CONVENTION NEWS

Anaheim/OC Faces of Tourism Video Series

The Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau (AOCVCB) has launched “Faces of Tourism” – a new video series consisting of five, three-minute videos featuring engaging and personable frontline staff and hospitality industry veterans. The video series reveals meaningful real-life stories of individuals, families and businesses whose lives, lifestyles and livelihood are personally touched by the success of tourism's billion-dollar business.
View on AOCVCB's YouTube channel.

Contact: Elaine Cali (714) 76004450, ecali@anaheimoc.org

ATTRACTIONS

Disneyland Resort News

Disneyland® Park

Celebrating 59 years and counting…When Walt Disney opened Disneyland on July 17, 1955, it had 18 attractions, no Disney hotels and little but orange groves surrounding it. Today, as the Disneyland Resort celebrates its 59th anniversary, the original theme park has expanded to become a world-class family resort destination with two renowned Disney parks, nearly 100 attractions, three hotels and the shopping, dining and entertainment district known as Downtown Disney. And in the spring of 2015, the resort will launch a dazzling yearlong Diamond Celebration that salutes 60 years of magic.

Contact: Robert.Deuel@Disney.com

Knott's Berry Farm® Theme Park
Knott's Berry Farm completed two major projects in 2014 as part of Camp Snoopy's 30th Anniversary celebration: a revitalization of the entire land of High Sierra fun in Camp Snoopy (including the addition of three new family rides) and a complete refurbishment of the Calico Mine Ride. The all-encompassing refurbishment of the classic Calico Mine Ride, Knott's first major attraction and theme park industry icon, is complete with new state-of-the-art animatronic figures and enhanced scenery. Camp Snoopy's area beautification and the revitalized Calico Mine Ride opened June 14, 2014.

Contact: Leidy Arevalo, (714) 220-5131, Leidy.Arevalo@knotts.com. 

LEGOLAND® California to Premiere Legends of Chima Water Park in Summer 2014

LEGOLAND® California Resort recently opened Legends of Chima Water Park, based on the LEGO Group's newest hit product “Legends of Chima.” The new three-acre park features eight main areas for guests to enjoy, including the 30-foot-tall floating water feature, “Mount Cavora.” LEGO Legends of Chima Water Park is due to open in early summer 2014. Contact: Julie Estrada, (760) 918-5377, julie.estrada@legoland.com.

SeaWorld® San Diego's New Aquatica™ Waterpark

The brand-new Aquatica SeaWorld's Waterpark™ is located just minutes from SeaWorld® San Diego in Chula Vista. This unique waterpark features guest experiences from serene to extreme and is home to a variety of exotic animals, providing an educational component to a waterpark adventure. Aquatica made its debut in summer 2013. Contact: Kelly Terry, (619) 225-3241, kelly.terry@SeaWorld.com.

SeaWorld® San Diego

Beginning March 21, 2014 and running for 18 months is SeaWorld's 50th Celebration, featuring a Sea of Surprises™.  In addition, the marine park has transformed the arrival area into a world beneath the waves---Explorer's Reef™, a multi-million dollar renovation that makes entering the park faster, more efficient and immediately immerses guest into an undersea realm. Explorer's Reef will opened in March 2014. Contact: Kelly Terry, (619) 225-3241, kelly.terry@SeaWorld.com.

'Despicable Me Minion Mayhem' at Universal Studios Hollywood

“Despicable Me Minion Mayhem,” a 3-D Ultra-HD movie motion-simulator adventure made its debut at Universal Studios Hollywood℠ in April 2014. Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's worldwide blockbuster “Despicable Me” comes to life in Hollywood in an attraction modeled after the one in its sister park, Universal Orlando Resort® – with the addition of a few surprises unique to the Entertainment Capital of L.A.℠ Contact: Trana Pittam, (818) 622-5985, trana.pittam@nbcuni.com.

DINING

THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon Private Dining Room Completed

THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloonis serving up another development with a 264-seat special event space located on the sixth floor of the Extron building. Located above THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon, the private dining & event center is also home to an opulent 72-seat private dining room and a 48-seat private dining room complete with its own wine cellar. Contact: Melissa Cutter, (714) 780-4042, mcutter@theranch.com. 

South Coast Plaza

One of Taiwan's most celebrated restaurants will join South Coast Plaza® in August 2014. Din Tai Fung, famous for its delicately steamed dumplings, was founded in 1958 in Taiwan, and currently operates 82 locations worldwide with strong Pan-Asian representation in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Korea. Contact: Sarah Kruer, (714) 435-2085, kruers@southcoastplaza.com

Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill Coming to GardenWalk Soon

The Anaheim location will be the first in Orange County. It will feature 20,000 square-feet of dining and entertainment space highlighted by the signature centerpiece of a guitar-shaped bar. Guests can expect a vibrant atmosphere with quality food, line dancing and live music. The grill will feature traditional, fun, and southern American classics.

Contact: Lia O'Connor, (714) 636-7400 ext. 116, LOConnor@Related.com

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS

Anaheim Convention Center Expansion 

The Anaheim Convention Center (ACC) will begin expansion construction by the end of 2014, adding an additional 200,000 square-feet of flexible meeting space to the center. The construction will be completed by early 2017. Contact: Tanya Weinkle, (714) 765-8854, tweinkly@anaheimoc.org. 

Anaheim Convention Center Grand Plaza 

The Anaheim Convention Center's Grand Plaza,a 100,000-square-foot outdoor (36,000 square feet net) special event space, is open for business. Completed early 2013, groups can now dine al fresco, listen to concerts or attend special receptions and exhibitions. The Grand Plaza enhances the open, campus-like space surrounding the Anaheim Convention Center and flows between the Hilton Anaheim and Anaheim Marriott hotels. The area also features a special Transit Plaza for efficient transportation flow for convention attendees. Contact: Tanya Weinkle, (714) 765-8854, tweinkly@anaheimoc.org. 

Anaheim Packing District

The Anaheim Packing House, a historic 1919 citrus packing house opened in May to rave reviews. Located just two miles from the Anaheim Convention Center and Disneyland Resort, the Anaheim Packing House features a 40,000-square-foot artisan food hall composed of boutique food and beverage purveyors, live music and communal seating. Just steps away, the two-acre Farmers Park was recently completed and showcases festivals and events, as well as weekend farmers markets. The adjacent 1925 Packard Car Showroom structure now houses Umami Burger and Anaheim Brewery. All three components complete what is now known as the Anaheim Packing District. Contact: Grace Chung, grace@anaheimpackingdistrict.com. 

New Shopping, Dining and Entertainment Center In Buena Park

A brand-new, highly-anticipated retail destination that combines a modern and dynamic urban design, featuring world-class selection of shopping, dining and entertainment called The Source has begun construction in Buena Park. The project will include more than 500,000 square feet of retail, office, restaurant and entertainment space. The Source is slated for completion late 2014. Contact: Katie Wanamaker, (714) 5218580, katie@glpmanagement.com

Discovery Science Center Expansion

The Discovery Science Center isset to expand imagination with new space.The $18.5 million first phase will include a new 40,000 square-foot Discovery Pavilion, a California Natural Resources Pavilion and Education Wing, and a 4,000-sqare-foot expansion of the Grand Hall of Science. The new building will be designed with LEED® Silver standards to maximize energy-efficient technologies. The multi-phase expansion is scheduled for completion in fall of 2014. Contact: Dan Nasitka, (714) 913-5018, dnasitka@discoverycube.org. 

Orange County Great Park Continues Development

A $70 million development plan to expand the Orange County Great Park to more than 200 acres is underway. The development will include a sports park, a 114-acre agricultural area and an arts and culture exhibition space. Located in Irvine, the Great Park's current 27.5 acres includes an iconic tethered helium balloon that rises 400 feet in the air, for spectacular aerial views of OC. Contact: Marcus Ginnaty, (949) 724-6574, mginnaty@ci.irvine.ca.us.

SHOPPING

Center Street Promenade

Center Street Promenadehasrolled out a retro revival area inDowntown Anaheim, including a new twist on vintage-style stores. The trendy new area includes,118 Degrees, BARBEER, Home: Eco-nomics, Healthy Junk, Heart & Sole, The GOOD, Gypsy Den, LOOK and The Yoga Mat, giving Downtown Anaheim a new look and feel. Contact: Grace Chung, grace@anaheimpackingdistrict.com. 

TRANSPORTATION

ARTIC Coming Soon to Anaheim

The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) will be an iconic, timeless transportation facility where people will seamlessly move between transit services to reach a variety of Southern California activity centers and business districts. ARTIC will connect to existing Metrolink®, Amtrak and Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) bus services, and will enable connectivity to emerging transit services, including: Anaheim Rapid Connection (ARC), California High-Speed Rail and California-Nevada Super Speed Train. It is slated for completion in late 2014. Contact: Ruth Ruiz, (714) 765-5060, rruiz@anaheim.net. 

About Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau:


The Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau (AOCVCB) is a 501 (c)(6) not-for-profit destination marketing organization that promotes Anaheim/Orange County as a premier leisure, convention and meeting destination. Formed in 1961, the AOCVCB is the foremost destination marketing organization in Orange County. Today, some 700 Orange County businesses are partners with the AOCVCB. More than 44 million travelers visited the Anaheim/Orange County area in 2013, generating more than $9.6 billion in revenue for the local economy and creating 157,000 tourism-related jobs. For more information, call 714-765-8888 or visit anaheimoc.org. Follow the AOCVCB on Facebook (AnaheimOC), Twitter (@AnaheimOC, @MeetAnaheim) and Pinterest (AnaheimOC)