Visit Orlando's Year End Celebration is only four weeks away and we are thrilled to announce more information about our keynote presentation and speakers.

“Following Walt’s Blueprints: Secrets Behind Making Dreams Come True” will explore how the Walt Disney World Resort evolved from a “blue sky” vision into a groundbreaking reality that redefined Central Florida and the entertainment industry. Gain insights into how Walt Disney’s guiding philosophies can inspire innovation in your own work.

Two renowned Disney historians and authors will take the stage to share their unique insights:

• Kevin M. Kern: Kevin began his career with the Walt Disney Archives in 2011 and currently serves as the department’s Senior Manager, Research. He is a co-author of the best-selling book A Portrait of Walt Disney World: 50 Years of The Most Magical Place on Earth (2021), curated the popular coloring book Art of Coloring: Walt Disney World: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity from The Most Magical Place on Earth (2021), and helped to oversee the recent update of The Official Walt Disney Quote Book (2023).
   
• Steven M. Vagnini: Steven serves as Manager, Content Strategy and Development for the Walt Disney Archives. He began his Disney career at Walt Disney World Resort in 2005 and has additionally held roles with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club and Walt Disney Imagineering. He co-authored the best-selling book A Portrait of Walt Disney World: 50 Years of The Most Magical Place on Earth (2021) and is the author/editor of Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia (Sixth Edition, 2023).

During the luncheon, we’ll reveal the total amount raised during the 20th anniversary of Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, presented by Orlando Health. Since 2009, the program has raised nearly $3 million for local charities. This year’s main charitable beneficiary is REED Charitable Foundation, working to end the literacy crisis by ensuring all children have access to reading instruction based on how the brain learns to read. We’ll also announce the top-performing restaurants whose dedication and creativity helped make Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining a success.

We are honored to be hosted by Walt Disney World® Resort, offering a truly magical setting for this year’s celebration. We are equally delighted to share that following the luncheon, Walt Disney World Resort is extending an exclusive opportunity to remain in the park as their guest to enjoy the festive holiday cheer of EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays, presented by AdventHealth — a wonderful way to extend the spirit of the season and create lasting memories with your team and colleagues. 

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Seating is limited and will sell out so be sure to secure your seat. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Data & Trends

Weekly Hotel Metrics

Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending November 8, 2025, was 74.8%, up 3.2% from the same week last year. Room night demand surpassed last year by 5.3%. The average daily rate (ADR) for the week was $209.24, up 7.6% from last year. Orlando’s occupancy rate and ADR surpassed both the national and Florida averages. 

Across the Industry

Cast Your Vote - Travel Weekly’s Readers Choice Finalist

Orlando has been named a finalist for Travel Weekly’s Readers Choice Awards. These awards are the pinnacle for the travel trade and recognize excellence in airlines, cruise lines, hotels, resorts, travel agencies and destinations. You can vote for Orlando by visiting travelweekly.com/vote and selecting Orlando at No. 84. Destination: U.S. City category. Voting closes on Nov. 30. 

Around the Destination

Visit Orlando Hosts Member Meet Up

This week, Visit Orlando’s membership team hosted a Member Meet Up with the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center as they faced off against the Portland Trail Blazers. Members from across the destination came together to strengthen industry connections, learn more about Visit Orlando’s membership benefits and support the Magic. The evening wrapped with a buzzer-beating win for the Magic, reflecting the energy and pride shared throughout the night.

Support the Orlando Pride in the NWSL Semifinals

This Sunday, Nov. 16, at 3 p.m., the Orlando Pride hosts Gotham FC at Inter&Co Stadium in the 2025 NWSL Semifinals — with a spot in the 2025 NWSL Championship on the line. This makes Orlando one step closer to making history with back-to-back championships. Let’s fill the stands, bring the energy and support the incredible athletes who represent our destination!  

Game Details:

• Match: Orlando Pride vs. Gotham FC 
• Date: Sunday, November 16 
• Time: 3:00 PM
• Location: Inter&Co Stadium

2025 American Heart Association’s Greater Orlando Heart Walk

Visit Orlando board member and general manager at Hilton Orlando, Chris Mueller, was recently recognized at the Executives with Heart Celebration, part of the American Heart Association’s Greater Orlando Heart Walk. This honor highlights Mueller’s commitment to advancing heart health and supporting lifesaving research in the community. The event raises funds and awareness for the fight against heart disease and stroke. Visit Orlando is proud to support this important cause and will participate in the upcoming Heart Walk on Dec. 6. If you’d like to join our team or make a donation, we invite you to walk alongside us in support of heart health.

Visit Orlando Engaged!

Expanding the Magic of Meetings at the Swan And Dolphin

Visit Orlando recently participated in the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort’s Food and Wine FAM Panel Discussion — an immersive showcase designed to educate and engage meeting planners, cast members and hotel partners. The event featured a behind-the-scenes look at the resort’s upcoming 100,000-square-foot expansion, and a panel moderated by Jim Curtis, complex director of sales and marketing at the Swan and Dolphin.

I joined industry leaders including Amanda Cox, vice president of sales, convention and resort hotels, East Region, Marriott; Elizabeth Martin, senior director, meetings and events, U.S. and Canada, Marriott; and Ed DiAntonio, director of event management at the Swan and Dolphin, to discuss how Orlando continues to evolve as a business and leisure destination.

Visit Orlando shared insights into how we tell a holistic story of our destination and work with meeting planners to connect them with businesses throughout the region. From our MICHELIN-recognized culinary scene to our unique neighborhoods, arts and culture and local small businesses, we showcase the full breadth of what makes Orlando unbelievably real. Visit Orlando is a key resource to help meeting planners create memorable meetings by utilized unique venues, attractions and experiences only found in Orlando. 

U.S. Travel Association’s Travel Communicators Network Meeting

The U.S. Travel Association recently hosted a Travel Communicators Network Meeting in Washington, D.C. gathering communications professionals from across the travel industry to align on messaging, share best practices and address challenges impacting the industry. These meetings are part of U.S. Travel’s broader network of strategic committees that help guide national advocacy and communications efforts.

Denise Spiegel, Visit Orlando’s vice president of communications, attended on behalf of our organization. The program included presentations from U.S. Travel on research and government relations efforts to showcase how essential the travel industry is to the U.S. economy. The group also heard from Nathan Lump, SVP, Editor in Chief of National Geographic who shared their focus on providing the human perspective and point of view in their storytelling and how video is a key driver for their online content.  
 
Participating in these sessions ensures Visit Orlando remains informed within travel and tourism, strengthens our relationships with key partners and helps us bring back valuable insights that support Visit Orlando’s mission to inspire, promote and grow global travel to Orlando for economic and community benefit.

“Love Is Local” Summit Celebrating Community Collaboration

Visit Orlando attended Lift Orlando’s Love is Local Summit, a gathering that showcased the transformative power of partnership in building a thriving city. The summit emphasized the impact of business, civic and neighborhood leaders working together to address critical challenges — from housing and education to health and economic mobility. Lift Orlando’s work serves as a model for how investing in people and places simultaneously doesn’t just improve a neighborhood — it strengthens the entire region.

In the News

NerdWallet: 9 great Christmas vacations in the U.S.

Forbes: These Thanksgiving destinations offer special events and feasts

Exhibit City News: Orlando showcases convention center expansion and record attendance at IMEX America/ IAAPA named a 2025 Top Workplace in Orlando

Smart Meetings: Notes from the road: Orlando