Theme Parks on Opposite Coasts Have Upgrades June 18, 2009
Two major theme park attractions on opposite coasts have new product promising to ratchet up the fun quotient and their attractiveness for incentives.
The Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim is undergoing a significant phased renovation that will encompass guest room improvements, energy-efficient upgrades, and a revamped exterior for all three towers. At the heart of the new guest room design is a headboard that features an artistically carved representation of Disneyland’s famous Sleeping Beauty Castle. The headboard's background implements fiber optics to create a very Disney-like skyline with fireworks. The rooms will also incorporate nostalgic photography and the latest in technology.
The hotel’s three towers will also undergo an overhaul, featuring windows with a sky-blue reflective glass that replace existing sliding doors and faux balcony railings. The double-pane glass will also reduce energy consumption by keeping guest rooms and other spaces at ideal temperatures. Other eco-friendly improvements include occupancy sensors in guest rooms, low-flow toilets, energy-efficient light bulbs, and low-VOC paints.
The hotel will remain open during the phased renovation. The Dreams tower will be the first to be renovated and is scheduled to be completed in June 2010.
Meanwhile, at Universal Studios Florida (part of the Universal Orlando Resort), the Music Plaza is a brand-new, state-of-the-art outdoor permanent concert venue. Located in the heart of the theme park, the Music Plaza debuted in February.
The venue was designed in the spirit of the iconic Hollywood Bowl, one of the most famous outdoor concert venues of all-time. The Music Plaza also complements Universal Orlando’s new roller coaster, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. While guests enjoy live musical performances by top-name talent, they are able to see the coaster cruise the track at speeds of up to 65 mph.
The venue features a 60-by-40-foot performance stage, two 19.8-by-10.6-foot projection screens on opposite sides of the stage, a 15,156-square-foot synthetic viewing lawn, a full digital audio system, and food and merchandise venues. The 32,000-square-foot plaza was built in 84 days while the theme park continued normal operations.
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