The Rosen Plaza Hotel, the Rosen Centre Hotel and six other Orlando-area lodges have recently received state certification for Florida's Green Lodging Program, an effort to encourage conservation practices in the hospitality industry.
The latest designations give Florida 59 properties certified as Florida Green Lodges through the voluntary program, which sets conservation objectives for hotels. There now are 27 Florida Green Lodges in Central Florida, from Cocoa Beach to Mount Dora and from Walt Disney World to Daytona Beach.
To be designated a Florida Green Lodge, a hotel must follow certain green practices, such as low-flow plumbing fixtures and a linen-reuse program, the installation of Energy Star appliances and programmable thermostats.
The other recently certified hotels include the Tremain Street Cottages in Mount Dora; the Royal Plaza at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista; and the Hawthorne Suites Orlando Airport, the Embassy Suites Orlando International Drive Convention Center, the Embassy Suites Orlando International Airport and the Embassy Suites Orlando North, all of which are in Orlando or the International Drive area of Orange County.
All three Rosen hotels in Orlando's International Drive area are now certified as Florida Green Lodges. In the coming months, the entire company-managed Embassy Suites portfolio in Florida will be taking steps to receive a "green" designation as well, the company says.
Wizard's work?
Universal Orlando has quietly begun groundwork, apparently, for construction of its big Wizarding World of Harry Potter attractions area, which is set to open in a couple of years in Islands of Adventure.
Universal officials last week would not talk about the construction. But earth-moving and utilities equipment were visible last week clearing and preparing two sites adjacent to the theme park's Lost Continent area. Last spring, Universal officials announced that the Wizarding World area of rides, shops and other attractions, based on the enormously popular J.K. Rowling books and Warner Brothers movies, would be carved out of The Lost Continent plus adjacent back-lot property beyond the park's fence.
One area being worked last week, outside the park fence between the Flying Unicorn ride and the Jurassic Park River Adventure, was reported earlier this summer to be the planned site of the Hogwarts castle from the Potter stories -- a report that Universal would not discuss. The other area being worked was outside the park fence behind the Sinbad Stunt Show theater and The Dueling Dragons coasters.
Happy New Year!
Orlando looks like it will be among the top travel destinations in the world for New Year's revelers, according to a Yahoo! Travel survey.
Orlando ranked fourth in the survey, which was based on the number of searches for hotel rooms on New Year's Eve on the Yahoo! Farechase search engine.
Las Vegas came in first, followed by New York and Boston. Paris ranked fifth.
Magazine debuts
Orlando Attractions Magazine is the latest entrant in the regional travel-magazine business.
The December/January debut issue features a cover story on Epcot's 25th anniversary and includes stories on the Nickelodeon hotel and dining at CityWalk.
Orlando Attractions' owners plan six issues a year that focus on Central Florida's theme parks, other tourist attractions and restaurants. Unlike many similar local publications that focus on ads, coupons and press releases, Orlando Attractions plans to include original editorial content relevant to people visiting the region.
Ski-in, ski-out
Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the Orlando-based time-share subsidiary of the Wyndham Worldwide hospitality group, has opened its first ski-in, ski-out resort in New Mexico.
The WorldMark Red River is a 21-unit, condominium-style development in the Sangre de Christo Mountains.
Buyers purchase credits in Worldmark, which can be converted into vacation time at an assortment of Worldmark properties.
Source : http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
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