HOTELS 

Eight New Hotels Opening in Anaheim Resort District

Anaheim Resort area hotel construction and redevelopment is moving at a vigorous pace. Eight brand new hotels will offer Anaheim area's convention and leisure travelers more options bringing in 1,529 additional guest rooms and suites to the Anaheim Resort District area.

• Three Anaheim Hotels Added in 2014:
  • The Hyatt Place Anaheim Resort - 178 guest rooms
  • Two (2) SpringHill Suites by Marriott - 172 guest rooms and 120 guest rooms, respectively

• Five Anaheim Hotels to Open in 2015:
  • The Hyatt House Anaheim Resort - 262 guest rooms
  • Residence Inn - 274 guest rooms
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton - Anaheim Convention Center/Disneyland® Main Gate - 215 guest rooms
  • Holiday Inn Express - 96 guest rooms
  • Courtyard Anaheim Downtown - 221 guest rooms

Great Wolf Resorts Water Park Hotel Comes to Orange County: Located two miles south of the Disneyland® Resort, the first Great Wolf Lodge® Water Park Resort in Garden Grove is currently under construction. This new family entertainment resort will offer 600 guest rooms in an all-suite resort and includes a three-acre indoor-outdoor waterpark, extensive retail and family entertainment options. Additionally, there will be 30,000 square feet of meeting space. The property is set to be complete by early 2016. Greatwolf.com/southerncalifornia

Sheraton Hotel Assumes Independent Status as Majestic Garden Hotel

Located on 13 acres off South Disneyland Drive, the newly transformed Majestic Garden Hotel will assume independent status. The 489-guest room property is investing $6 million in renovations and improvements, giving guests an enchanted forest experience. There's more than 26,000 square-feet of meeting and outdoor function space, a full service restaurant and bar, and a bistro and marketplace and the hotel also offers free shuttle service to Disneyland® Resort. Majesticgardenhotel.com

Completed Hotel Reinvestments:

• Anaheim Marriott: Completed $15 Million renovation, including redesigned great room, culinary creations and upgraded guestrooms AnaheimMarriott.com
• Hilton Anaheim: The largest hotel in The Anaheim Resort District showcases new Chef's Table designed by HGTV's host and architect John Gidding, revitalized lobby space and Starbucks coffee shop. HiltonAnaheimhotel.com 

The Anabella Hotel Dive-in Movies

Back by popular demand, the Dive-In Movie Series at The Anabella Hotel is starting up again every weekend beginning on May 22 through Sept 4, 2015. Families can unwind after a long day at the parks while sharing their favorite Disney® Movies starting at sunset in the lushly landscaped resort pool. Annabellahotel.com

ATTRACTIONS

Disneyland® Resort Adds Dazzling, New Nighttime Spectaculars for Its Diamond Celebration, Beginning May 22

• “Paint the Night” parade: This nighttime celebration on Main Street, U.S.A., introduces a new era of magical entertainment in a dazzling display of new technology and wild imagination.
• “Disneyland Forever” Firework Spectacular: With breathtaking projections across Disneyland® Park, fantastic music and other special effects, “Disneyland Forever” will set a new standard for nighttime fireworks shows.
• “World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney”:  Award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris will appear as host, along with Mickey Mouse, in a fun-filled new presentation of the popular, nighttime “World of Color” spectacular in Disney California Adventure®.  Disneylandnews.com

Discovery Cube Orange County Expansion

Discovery Cube Orange County isexpanding imaginations with a $22.5 million building expansion designed with LEED® Silver standards to maximize energy-efficient technologies. The first phase of the expansion will include 44,000 square-feet of new and renovated space, including the addition of a Showcase Gallery, California Natural Resources Pavilion and Education Wing. Discovery Cube will open to the public on June 11, 2015. Discoverycube.org

Knott's Berry Farm® Theme Park

This spring, Knott's will unveil an interactive media-based 4D adventure, “Voyage to the Iron Reef.” High definition animation will surround guests at every turn as they are submerged under the Boardwalk and navigate through enchanting underwater forests and mysterious mechanical wreckage. In addition to battling the Queen of the Kraken and her aquatic army, guests will compete with the other sailors in their submarine to see who can blast the most creatures. Knotts.com

OUTSIDE ORANGE COUNTY ATTRACTION UPDATES:

LEGOLAND®

Just opened, LEGO Star Wars Miniland Death Star will offers guests the chance to view iconic film scenes made of LEGO bricks that were filmed inside the Galactic Empire's space station. LEGO models of Stormtroopers, a Rebel X-wing fighter pilot and an Imperial Star Ship pilot will be on display. California.legoland.com

SeaWorld® San Diego

SeaWorld's is in the midst of their 50th Celebration, featuring a Sea of Surprises™. The marine park has transformed the arrival area into a world beneath the waves; Explorer's Reef™, a multi-million dollar renovation, enhances park entrance and immediately immerses guests into an undersea realm. Seaworldparks.com

Universal StudiosSM Hollywood

The Southern California attraction invites guests to experience the dynamic world of movie-making magic with thrill rides such as “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and the world famous Studio Tour. In 2015, the theme park will open “Fast & Furious: Supercharged,” an attraction based on the blockbuster film series, and “Springfield,” an immersive land surrounding “The Simpsons Ride.” Universalstudioshollywood.com

DINING & LIBATIONS

Anaheim Packing District

The Anaheim Packing House, the historic Sunkist citrus packinghouse from 1919, opened last year 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 20+ boutique food and beverage purveyors, live music and communal seating. Just steps away, the new two-acre Farmers Park showcases festivals and events, as well as a weekend farmer's market. The adjacent 1925 Packard Car Showroom structure now houses Umami Burger and Anaheim Brewery. Slated to open soon is Urbana, a fish and ceviche shop. Anaheimpackingdistrict.com

Dining Hall at The ARTIC 

A landmark for multimodal transportation supported by retail, restaurants and passenger services, ARTIC is a glowing architectural achievement under the Southern California sun. It serves residents, businesses, commuters and vacation travelers with the convenience of OCTA, Metrolink, Amtrak, ART and public/private transit all under one roof. There's more than 12,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, for travelers to enjoy exciting and innovative cuisine in transit. Set to open late spring or early summer are the following: The Lost Bean Organic Coffee and Tea, Mission Market, Ritter's Steam Kettle Cooking, nano-brewery Black Sheep Brewing, a speakeasy - Hive Bar, and Oyster Bar.  Articinfo.com

New Concessions at Anaheim Stadium

Anaheim Stadium is bringing fans a wide-assortment of game-day goods; from BBQ, sliders and nacho dogs to Acai bowls, Italian Ice and frozen cocktails, these new tasty concessions provide something for all ages, no matter where you sit.  Losangeles.angels.mlb.com

Hoparazzi Brewing Co.

Hoparazzi Brewing Company is a start-up craft production brewery that will provide high quality, unique craft beer in the local Southern California market. With a focus to create simple and enjoyable craft beer, their initial beer menu will include ten ales.  As the business grows and brand recognition increases, we will expand the brewing capacity and the number of ales in our brewing portfolio. Hoparrazibrewing.com

Golden Road Brewing

Golden Road founders, Meg Gill and Tony Yanow of Los Angeles are opening up their second brewery location in Anaheim. Situated adjacent to Angel Stadium, the new $9 million 56,000 sq. ft. building will eventually yield 50,000 barrels annually.  In the beginning, the plan is to start brewing 5,000 barrels to experiment with new varieties of beer, exclusive to the Anaheim location. There is currently not an open date set. Goldenroad.la

Legends Brewery

Owner Jay Talley of Legends Beverage, Inc. is opening up his first public brewery & tasting room in Anaheim mid-2015. Legends Brewery is known for their highly successful beers: gold-medal winning “American Lager” and “Double Karma IPA.” The new space will allow capacity to experiment with new styles and higher production volumes; there are plans for six new recipes on tap when the facility opens. Legendsbeer.com

Teatro Martini

A new cabaret style show, seating up to 210 guests, will be opening September 2015 inside the popular venue Pirate's Dinner Adventure. The show is tailored to a more mature audience and will offer an energetic evening of non-stop comedy, daring acrobatic acts, live music and unique performances paired with fantastic dining. Piratesdinneradventureca.com

Rock & Brews

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Band Kiss will soon be opening up their popular restaurant Rock & Brews in Buena Park. The 6,650-square-foot restaurant will feature indoor and outdoor seating areas, live bands, beach volleyball court and kid's area. Guests can indulge in their famous made-to-order hamburgers, freshly prepared chicken wings, hand-crafted pizza, Memphis style ribs, hearty salads, beer battered seafood and on tap craft beers and local wines. This location will open by the end of 2015 and be their only restaurant in Orange County. Rockandbrews.com 

Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill

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 classics and is coming to Anaheim GardenWalk mid-2015. Tobykeithusa.com

SHOPPING

Center Street Promenade

Center Street Promenade hasrolled 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. CenterStPromenade.com

The Source

Opening in Buena Park in 2015, The Source is a 450,000 square foot urban center featuring world-class shopping, diverse dining options and cutting edge technology. The space is designed to reflect the digital energy of Times Square, the visual energy of Tokyo and the avant-garde of Seoul.  Visitors will have the opportunity to see some of their favorite musical artists at the 2,000-seat performance venue presented by YG Entertainment. In 2016, phase two of the project will see the construction of a 150 all-suite hotel that will feature meeting space, dining and a roof-top pool and bar. Sourceatbeach.com

TRANSPORTATION

ARTIC: Ultra-Modern Transportation Hub Opening in Anaheim

Anaheim's striking new 67,000-square-foot LEED-Platinum designed transportation hub, Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), opened in December 2014. ARTIC will increase mobility options for residents, local businesses, commuters and visitors to Anaheim, Orange County and the entire Southern California region. Services include: Metrolink, Amtrak, OCTA bus, Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART), Coach USA, Megabus.com, Greyhound, shuttles, taxis, bikes, and tour and charter buses. ARTIC will feature transit-oriented retail, unique dining establishments, and Wi-Fi and plug-in stations. Articinfo.com

ART Service to Set To Begin For All Angels Home Games

Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) announced they are enhancing transportation services between Anaheim stadium and several of Anaheim's enteratinment and dining venues beginning April 10. Round-trip service will be offered to every home game throughout the 2015 Angels Baseball season. ART service will run between Anaheim Stadium and Downtown Disney®, the Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim GardenWalk. Rideart.org 

ARTS & CULTURE

49th Annual Sawdust Art Festival Opens June 26

The Sawdust Art Festival celebrates its 49th annual season this summer, opening its doors to the public Friday, June 26.  More than 200 Laguna Beach artists, 18 of them new, are excitedly anticipating a fresh summer season to present their unique handmade artwork and interact with new and returning festival visitors. The diverse range of artwork featured at the Sawdust comprises nearly all art media, including ceramics, glass, woodwork, jewelry, sculpture, painting, photography, textiles, clothing, furniture, mixed media and much more. Sawdustartfestival.org

ANAHEIM/ORANGE COUNTY VISITOR & CONVENTION NEWS

Anaheim Convention Center Expansion 

This spring, the Anaheim Convention Center with break-ground on the seventh expansion since it's founding in 1967. The new building located on Katella Avenue and Hotel Way will be two levels, spread over 200,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and event space. The building will also include 100,000 sq. ft. of column-free space; a 10,000 sq. ft. outdoor balcony; 25 ft. ceilings; 1350 parking spaces. The facility will also feature an impressive new main entrance on Katella Avenue, a climate-controlled pedestrian bridge connecting to the existing facility, new loading docks and an improved vehicular entrance. The completion date is projected to be summer 2017, with a portion of the building functional for use in spring 2016. Anaheimoc.org/accexpansion

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 About Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau (AOCVCB): 


The 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. For more information, call 714-765-8888 or visit anaheimoc.org. Follow the AOCVCB on Facebook (AnaheimOC), Twitter (@AnaheimOC) and Instagram (AnaheimOC)