Team members from the front desk at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek have "Michael Mania"

In a bit of an “off-beat” promotion,  Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is giving a complimentary “Disney-view” upgrade to “Captain EO” fans who wear a white sequin glove during check-in.  The offer is in honor of this summer’s return of the 1980s classic attraction “Captain EO” to Walt Disney World’s Epcot.     

“When it comes great hotel perks… you certainly can’t ‘beat it,’” said Peter Kacheris, managing director.  “We have one of the best Disney views in the destination, hands down!”  

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is so close to Disney, you can smell the pixie dust.  Nestled within a 175-acre nature preserve and surrounded on three sides by Walt Disney World® resort grounds, the hotel combines with neighboring Waldorf Astoria Orlando to form Orlando’s newest resort experience.   

This special promotion, available to guests checking in during the months of July and August, falls in the middle of the Summer Value Season at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, the newest and most spectacular resort property in the destination.  Standard summer rates start at $139 per night,  with family packages available.  

“Captain EO,” the classic musical spectacular that thrilled Epcot guests from 1986-1994, has returned to Epcot for a special open-ended run.  The attraction’s return provides new audiences the opportunity to experience the original 3-D production for the very first time, as well as a nostalgic look back for longtime fans wanting to see Michael Jackson in a rare performance created for the big screen.  

A visit to Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek offers a perfect way to enjoy the summer, including its unprecedented Disney-area “insider” location, resort amenities and special seasonal activities, like Dive-In Movies at the pool.   

Offer subject to availability. Upgrades subject to availability. Must book and stay by 08/31/2010. Rate is based on single or double occupancy and excludes taxes, gratuities, incidentals or other fees.  

For more information on the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, please call (407)597-3600 or visit HiltonBonnetCreek.com.  

The front doors at Waldorf Astoria Orlando give a glimpse of the signature hand-crafted clock in the lobby.

When stepping into the lobby of Waldorf Astoria Orlando, one encounters more than a welcoming staff.   

The lobby is lightly infused with a subtle scent — an original blend of blue mint, eucalyptus, bergamot and marigold.    

This signature scent is part of an effort to create a “sense of place” at the luxury resort, and craft a lasting emotional and sensory impression.   

It’s all part of the “attention to detail” at Orlando’s newest luxury hotel.  

And what, exactly, is a bergamot?  It’s a tree of the orange family (citrus bergamia) with a pear-shaped fruit, much prized as a perfume.  Orange you glad you asked?  

1. Splash Mountain – The grand-daddy of Orlando’s water rides, in Frontierland of Magic Kingdom, takes you to The Laughing Place and smack dab into the center of the briar patch. But our favorite is the cool refreshing splash! As a bonus, you’ll be singing “Zip a Dee Doo Dah” for the rest of the afternoon!
2. Orlando water parks – There are plenty of O-town water parks to choose from, including Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, Wet ‘n Wild, and SeaWorld’s new Aquatica. Don’t forget the (waterproof) sunscreen… and enjoy an afternoon of cool fun!
3. Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges – These out-of-control river rafts, at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, were designed to get you as soaking wet as possible. And we put an emphasis on the word “soaking.”
4. Shamu Stadium Splash Zone – There is no quicker way in Orlando to cool off than with a dousing of the ice-cold 50-degree water from Shamu Stadium at SeaWorld. But watch out… this salt water will corrode your camera (and your iPhone, too).
5. The Lazy River at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek – Aaah! Lazy is a word we love to use when it comes to swimming pools. And the lazy river at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek doesn’t disappoint. Wrapping through a two-acre lagoon-style resort pool deck, the current takes you away to a tropical place. And the staff at Beech pool bar will take you even further to paradise, with those frozen drinks.

Bonnet Creek, the Disney-area complex that features the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, is featuring its own fireworks show on July 3, shot high above the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club.   A new holiday tradition at the resort, the high-energy fireworks show can be enjoyed from the pool decks at both hotels.

“It’s a great show,” said Peter Kacheris, complex director.  “Over Memorial Day weekend, a few of our guests thought they were watching Disney’s show, which is quite a compliment.”

The next evening, on July 4, guests can enjoy a Disney spectacle — the fireworks from neighboring Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

“Because of our location, surrounded on three sides by Disney property, our guests can catch views of many of the theme park fireworks shows,” continued Kacheris. “The display at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is particularly impressive from our hotels.”

Both hotels will feature special holiday activities all weekend long, including barbecues, kids activities, pool parties, and wine tastings. Waldorf Astoria is starting at $199 per night. Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is starting at $139 per night.

At the Waldorf…

The entire family can come out and enjoy a Family Golf Challenge at the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club and the Chef’s grill demonstration and gourmet barbecue by the pool. While the kids enjoy the special activities planned at the WA Kids Club, you can transport yourself to Napa with a tour of California Tastings in Sir Harry’s or enjoy a special menu at acclaimed Bull & Bear Steakhouse. As a guest at the Waldorf, you are welcome to enjoy any of the Hilton’s amenities and activities including nightly dive-in movies and poolside parties for the entire family. View full list of activities

Rates starting at $199 at Waldorf Astoria Orlando – Book Now

Fun in the Sun at the Waldorf

At the Hilton…

Enjoy floating through our 3-acre lazy river pool with a frozen drink, dance with the family at the Patriotic Pool Party with pool-side DJ, and have some serious fun on the enormous “wet and dry” inflatable slides. Quality family time is sure to be had at the family barbecues and nightly dive-in movies. Kids Eat Free breakfast and dinner at Harvest Bistro, making your vacation easier on the pocket book! View full list of activities

Rates starting at $139 at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek – Book Now

Float through the relaxing Lazy River Pool

Plenty of Florida sunshine for poolside parties and barbecues? Check.

Memorial Day Fireworks? Check!

We’ve got it all this Memorial Day Holiday. Bring the whole family out and treat them to a holiday weekend you’ll remember for years to come with our special line-up of fun-filled activities, most notably, a grand fireworks display over Bonnet Creek Saturday night.

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek - Lazy River Pool

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek will have dive-in movies, poolside parties and family barbecues, as well as special games and activities for the kids (some activities are subject to an additional fee). While on property, check out Harvest Bistro where kids 12 and under eat free breakfast and dinner with a paying adult. Rates start at just $139/night. Florida residents also will enjoy buy one get one free round of golf (play after 12pm) and one complimentary raft to keep for the pool! Click here to learn more and to book.

Waldorf Astoria Orlando - Signature Cabana Pool

Waldorf Astoria Orlando is offering a micro-brew beerfest, poolside evening jazz, special kids activities in the WA Kids Club, and poolside barbecues (some activities are subject to an additional fee). Enjoy the pool in your private poolside cabana with our Family Cabana Package available for the weekend only – you will enjoy lunch in your cabana that is fully-stocked with soft drinks, water, and fruit and features comfortable furniture, lounge chairs, and flat-screen HD television. Rates start at just $199/night. Click here to learn more and to book.

When you want to venture off-property, enjoy hassle-free transportation to Disney with our complimentary shuttles to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Downtown Disney.

See you next weekend!

Welcome in Grand Foyer

Live Art

The evening began at 6pm with a cocktail reception in the Grand Ballroom. Weddings Unique did a wonderful job planning and putting together the vendors that participated. The room was outfitted with plush seating, overflowing orchid flower arrangements, dimmed chandeliers, and glowing candlelight.

Grand Ballroom

Grand Ballroom

The red, white, and black color scheme exuded a swanky retro vibe as the amazing Buzzcatz performed on stage. Guests enjoyed a variety of live art including a living fountain and aerialists performances.

Living Fountain

After the cocktail reception, guests were led out to the Island – which I have to say was stunning! Chic Miami-style lounge furniture was on the lawns with billowing white fabrics against the beautiful Florida sunset.

The Island

The Island

The food was out of this world – the best was the seafood station which was overflowing with fresh crab, shrimp, and other delicious creations.

Seafood Display

Delicious Seafood

The Chef Station

The live art continued including a female vine stiltwalker making her way through the crowds.

Living Vine

On the far end of the Island we had an impressive painting display by local artists Ed Campos and Kathleen Brodeur (you can also see their artwork in La Luce) of a bride, groom, and wedding cake. The paintings actually held mini-wedding cakes created by our phenomenal pastry team at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. The cakes were finished to blend in with the background of the painting, and when looking directly at the display, you barely even noticed the masterful creations that were floating on top!

Mini-Wedding Cake Display and Paintings

The Artists and their Paintings

The Pastry Team with their Sweet Creations

Our Beverage Director created a special bubbly treat – we are the only hotel in Central Florida to offer this exclusive beverage! I got to see him making this behind the scenes and it is a labor of love. He starts with Cointraeu from which he creates these beautiful molecular pearls. The “pearls” are served on a silver spoon, dropped into your champagne, and viola – Champagne with pearls!

"Champagne with Pearls"

Our Beverage Director Creating "Champagne with Pearls"

The evening carried on with dancing and lounging on the furniture, enjoying the cool breezes from the creek. Thanks to all who attended and participated - it was a spectacular event and everyone had an amazing time!

Upon entering, guests walked down the red carpet and struck their best pose for Orlando Style Magazine. Ladies enjoyed appropriately themed “pink” drink specials for only $5 each. Everyone ate up the scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and celebrated with a complimentary glass of champagne.

Lucky guests won giveaways including free night stays, dining certificates, and golf and spa gifts which were all handed out by Real Radio’s Jana. All night long, the amazing Tammy G & Johnny Mag Sax performed for the evening and had everyone up and dancing.

If you missed the event, don’t worry, there are many more in the future. Zeta Bar hosts Ladies Night every Friday night so come by and try a pretty pink drink

Several featured holes had their own games with prizes.  Wally Palmer was one of the winners and had never even played golf in his life. He didn’t know whether he was a left or right-handed and after a few shots, the golf team discovered he was a left-handed golfer. Luck was with him on his first game as he won the “Closest to the Pin” competition on Hole 16 for which he won a driver. Unfortunately no one won Hole 11’s “Hole in One” competition with a prize of a $87K Lotus – that would have been nice to drive away in!  

The celebrities weren’t the only attraction at the event – we were the final stop for the Exotic Car Rally featuring 65 exotic cars. Owners drove their car with a police escort throughout Central Florida, ending at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando for an awards lunch. Some of the famous cars included the DeLorean from Back to the Future and the Lamborghini from Dumb and Dumber.

The 4-day Celebration Exotic Car Festival raised over $180K for Special Olympics Florida. We were honored to be part of this wonderful cause and look forward to hosting the event again next year!

 The first couple to be married was Melissa Peters and Eric Stone. They cute couple met online on Facebook and after almost 2 years of dating, Eric was ready to pop the question! But he knew he couldn’t do it in any ordinary way – As he is a talented web designer and to follow the fact that they had met online, Eric created a website asking Melissa to marry him: www.willyoumarrymemelissa.com

This very unique and special proposal set the stage for an equally romantic wedding celebration and life together. Melissa instantly knew she wanted to be married at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. At 12 years old she stayed at the legendary Waldorf=Astoria in New York City and loved the hotel ever since. Due to her fond memories of that vacation, she pursued a career in hospitality and now works in a hotel ensuring others have the same magical experience she did when she was younger. When she heard there was a Waldorf Astoria opening in Orlando, she knew it just had to be the location of her wedding.

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

And so it was. On March 13, 2010, over 100 of their closest friends and families joined them at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando to watch Melissa and Eric commit to spend the rest of their lives together. They said their “I-do’s” under an arch of fragrant roses in all shades of pink in the Floridian Ballroom. When the ceremony had ended, the guests enjoyed a cocktail reception while the newly married couple enjoyed some moments to themselves.  

Ceremony in Floridian Ballroom - Photo Courtesy of FatCatz Photography

The guests were led into the elegant Grand Ballroom outfitted with candelabras and towering floral arrangements. It was a romantic paradise of roses and candlelight.  Their dance lessons paid off as they danced effortlessly to “Two is Better than One” for their first dance.   

Waldorf Astoria Orlando Grand Ballroom - Photo Courtesy of FatCatz Photography

Romantic Candlelit Tables - Photo Courtesy of FatCatz Photography

Melissa comes from an avid wine-collecting family so she said the food and wine were the most important elements to her for the wedding. When the evening had come to a close, the bride and groom weren’t ready for it to end so they joined their guests in Peacock Alley to reminisce about their favorite moments they’d just enjoyed and delight in their new life as husband and wife. 

The Beautiful Couple - Photo Courtesy of FatCatz Photography

Thank you Melissa and Eric for choosing Waldorf Astoria Orlando for your wedding. We hope to see you many times in the future and be a part of your amazing life together! Congratulations!