Feature Article: What's Happening in Anaheim?

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN ANAHEIM?
by Junior Tauvaa, Senior Vice President, Sales & Services, Visit Anaheim

Two Four Diamond Hotels Opening in 2020
Next year will be a landmark year for the destination with a new tier of hotel products debuting near the convention center. Slated to open in April 2020, the JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort is a 12-story, $150 million property under construction in the heart of Anaheim. The Westin Anaheim Resort is slated to open over 600 guestrooms and over 47,000 feet of meeting space in August 2020.

Anaheim Garden Walk: Eat, Drink, Be Local
Within walking distance from the convention center and on its way to 97% occupancy, Anaheim GardenWalk has numerous exciting openings including more nightlife and dining options. New management for the 460,000-square-foot open-air mall has brought in AMC Anaheim GardenWalk 6, a 10,000-square-foot nightclub named Blush, and Kip Barrey’s Cabaret Magic Arts. These expanded entertainment and nightlife offerings join the House of Blues Anaheim location. Additionally, the retail and dining destination now offers outdoor receptions.

Beer Tourism on the Rise
For those who are craving an IPA while in town, Anaheim has you covered! Anaheim makes a name for itself as a popular “beercation” destination with increased offerings of locally brewed, quality beer. Joining the over 20 craft breweries in town, Modern Times Leisuretown is set to open in 2020 serving as a mixed-use brewery and entertainment complex with brewery, vegan Mexican restaurant, coffee roaster, and community swimming pool.

Theme Park Expansions and Celebrations
Local theme parks continue to evolve. The Disneyland Resort celebrated the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge this year and will be expanding in 2020, while Knott’s Berry Farm prepares to celebrate its 100^th Anniversary with centennial celebrations, including new attractions and entertainment.

Disneyland Resort Expansions
Disneyland guests traveled to a new planet in 2019, with the themes park’s largest single-themed park expansions to -date. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge debuted a fully immersive experience, complete with outpost trading, themed dining, and marque attraction Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. In January 2020, guests will battle the First Order on an epic scale in the new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

2020 also brings super-sized entertainment to Disney California Adventure Park, when the Avenger’s Campus will debut. Guests will be recruited through heroic encounters with Marvel characters. Disney will open its first ride-through attraction featuring Spider Man.

Additional Dining options joined the Downtown Disney District including Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes and Ballast Point Brewing Anaheim.

Knott’s Berry Farm Centennial
From roadside berry patch to leader in thrills, Knott’s Berry Farm continues to grow, celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2020. A new family-focused summertime celebration is planned, plus a new virtual reality attraction. Significant updates were made to the water raft ride, Calico River Rapids, including story overlay, dynamic water features, and new animatronics. Knott’s also recently opened Hang Time, the West Coast’s first and only dive coaster.

With over 1 million square feet of exhibit space, 150 hotels, 280 sunny days per year and tons of awesome things to see and do, Anaheim is the perfect place for high-impact meetings and events.