Latest news with #EvermoreOrlando
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
This Orlando Resort Is a Hidden Gem for Big Families—Patrick Mahomes Thinks So Too
This Orlando Resort Is a Hidden Gem for Big Families—Patrick Mahomes Thinks So Too originally appeared on Parade. If you think traveling with 30 family members, ages 8 to 80, and staying under one roof sounds like a vacation nightmare, think again. My family and I did just that when we visited Evermore Orlando Resort, and it was a trip of a lifetime. When we decided to visit the expansive, 1,100-acre resort, we knew it would be a three-night getaway that we wouldn't soon forget. For starters, it was the first time that my immediate family of four, my siblings and their children, my cousins, my aunt and my mom would all vacation together and share the same space. Since none of us live in the Orlando area, we all hopped on direct flights from Chicago, Houston and New York and descended upon Evermore for what would be an unforgettable experience. From the spacious accommodations to the fun-filled activities to the exquisite dining options, it was an epic family vacation that we'll cherish forever. Related: Why You Should Trust Me on Multi-Generational Family Travel As someone who's traveled extensively with extended family, I've reviewed countless properties that cater to multi-generational travelers. From Western-inspired hotels to luxury vacation rentals, I've had the pleasure of staying at places where my husband, two children and our parents can relax, have fun and feel at home. Since my husband and I don't live in the same city as our parents, I value spending quality time with them even more. So, finding properties that work for all of us is always prioritized when it comes to making my family's travel plans. I do my homework and provide thorough research on properties that speak to every age group and offer accessible accommodations. Lastly, I always provide unbiased reviews based on my personal experience. A Quick Overview of Evermore Orlando Resort Following five years of planning and building, the $1.5 billion Evermore Orlando Resort opened to the public in early 2024. Uniquely and thoughtfully designed for big families and gatherings, the property offers flats, villas and houses to accommodate multigenerational groups. Plus, it boasts 8 acres of water and 20 acres of beach for friends and families to enjoy. Additionally, the sprawling property offers a variety of activities and programs for guests of all ages. It's also a sister property to the Conrad Orlando resort—so, guests staying at Evermore can enjoy the luxury hotel's amenities and vice versa. Rooms and Accommodations Evermore Orlando Resort has three different accommodation categories: 206 flats (four bedrooms), 41 villas (two and four bedrooms) and 69 houses (five to 11 bedrooms). No matter which one you choose, they all come with a fully equipped kitchen loaded with appliances, tools, utensils and a large island. My family and I stayed in a 7,818 sq ft 10-bedroom, 12-bathroom house with a media theater (our designated spot for karaoke and movie night), outdoor patio, gas grill, hammock and heated private pool. Some of the bedrooms had two queen beds, bunk beds or single king beds. The rooms with bunk beds were perfect for the kids, tweens and teens in our family. We were stunned by how gorgeous the space was and honestly blown away by the luxuriousness. All of us agreed that the house's online photos did not do it justice. Everything was pristine and the neutral-toned furniture throughout was comfortable, durable and modern. With kids in the mix, you need pieces that don't feel too precious and are conducive to play. And play was heavily encouraged. With several arcade games, a pool table and a huge slide from the third to the second floor, all within the house, it was a kid's (and kid at heart's) dream come true. My 11-year-old son and 8-year-old cousin couldn't get enough of going down the bi-level slide. I lost count of how many times they went for an exhilarating ride. They weren't the only ones who took the slide for a spin. In fact, my 79-year-old mom and 74-year-old aunt both went down the canary-colored slide multiple times, too! Multi-Gen Family Activities and Programs My family knows how to have a good time, and Evermore set them up for success. For those who enjoy aquatic activities, Evermore Bay was a mesmerizing paradise. With 8 acres of crystal-clear blue water and 20 acres of tropical white sand beaches, it felt like we were in the middle of the Caribbean and not in Orlando, the city known for its theme parks. The sparkling blue lagoon became my son, my 15-year-old daughter and their cousins' ultimate playground, keeping them happily splashing, swimming and laughing together the entire trip. They participated in just about all the water park activities, including the rope swing, water slide, kayaking, paddleboarding and, of course, swimming. The only thing they didn't do was zip lining. Related: I also hung out at the beach and indulged in a few refreshing beverages while I soaked up the sun. I appreciated that there were plenty of shaded loungers with umbrellas for guests to shield themselves from Florida's blazing rays. If exclusivity is more your speed, guests also have the option to book private cabanas for an elevated beachside experience. In addition to the myriad water activities, Evermore also has an arcade, fitness center, two golf courses and pickleball courts. Boredom is nonexistent at Evermore. Plenty of daily programs, such as a boba tea class, bracelet-making sessions and more, keep kids and adults engaged and entertained. Keep in mind that some are complimentary, while others cost an additional fee. The best part? Families can reach all these activities and amenities on foot, or they can hop into one of the complimentary buggies or trolleys to get around the widespread property. Dining and Culinary Highlights Nothing brings families together like food. At Evermore, my crew never went hungry. Thanks to the fully-equipped kitchen, we prepared many of our meals at home. We all chipped in to buy groceries and had several family members who willingly and lovingly volunteered to throw on their aprons and whip up delicious dishes that satisfied everyone's appetites. Since we were on vacation, we dined out a few times too. We picked up quick bites like burgers, wraps, and pizza from the food hall at The Landing, the property's central hub for dining and entertainment. One night, my husband and kids dined at Twin View, one of Evermore's full-service restaurants. I was pleasantly surprised by the upscale ambiance of the eatery. Frankly, I was expecting something more casual, considering we were at a water park resort. It was a nice change of pace and a good opportunity to reconnect and check in with my immediate family. Not only was the food delicious, but the service was outstanding. I ordered grilled salmon, while my kids and husband all ordered steaks. The desserts were also amazing, with the key lime pie being a tasty standout. While all the meals and dining experiences we had were great, nothing compared to our private dining experience. Guests can book one of Evermore's skilled chefs to prepare a four-course meal inside their home. When I read about this service, I knew that it would be something special for my family and a wonderful way to end our trip—and I was right. We had citrus poached shrimp (appetizer), panzanella salad, seared mahi (entree) and Florida key lime pie (dessert). The kids and a few of the teens chose cheese and pepperoni pizza. Dressed head-to-toe in crisp, elegant white, we savored every bite of our decadent four-course dinner. The evening was pure magic, brimming with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. It was an experience so perfect, it felt like it had been plucked from a dream. What's more, the staff were incredibly friendly, hospitable and displayed the utmost professionalism. Why Families Love Evermore Orlando Resort Evermore is the answer for families who want to create lasting memories with loved ones in a space that's inviting and accommodating for people of all ages. Multigenerational travel is on the rise, and this resort delivers in more ways than one. For example, its proximity to Disney Parks, Universal Theme Parks and SeaWorld is super convenient for amusement enthusiasts and families seeking thrills. It's also just a 10-minute drive to a couple of shopping outlets and Disney Springs. Even though the resort is less than two years old, it's already gaining popularity. In fact, NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his family recently vacationed at the property. I'm no celebrity, but Evermore made me and my family like A-listers. From the impressive accommodations to the plentiful activities to the mouth-watering dining experiences, we felt like royalty with memories that will last an eternity. This Orlando Resort Is a Hidden Gem for Big Families—Patrick Mahomes Thinks So Too first appeared on Parade on Aug 14, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Business Wire
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Net Conversion Launches AI-Driven Enhancements to 'Conversionomics' MarTech
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Net Conversion, a leading media agency known for its data-driven approach and commitment to client success, today announces significant new AI-powered features within Conversionomics, its proprietary MarTech platform that fuels media & analytics strategy for their client partners. 'We're intrigued by the evolution of the Conversionomics platform as it represents a real departure from standard practices & transactional limitations that are often associated with media today.' Mandy Penn, VP Marketing, Evermore Orlando (Dart Interests) Share Launched in 2008 as a robust data management platform, Conversionomics has long been the backbone of Net Conversion's ability to unlock powerful analytics and provide unparalleled performance transparency. The platform's architecture, capable of ingesting data from over 80 APIs, executing complex transformations, and automating data exports, now evolves to meet the escalating demands of modern marketing. 'We are constantly looking for innovative and efficient ways to ensure our media investments return the best possible value,' comments Mandy Penn, VP of Marketing at Evermore Orlando (Dart Interests). 'We are intrigued by the evolution of the Conversionomics platform as it represents a real departure from the standard practices and transactional limitations that are often associated with media today.' The new AI-driven enhancements address critical challenges faced by today's marketers, including the need to efficiently analyze vast datasets with limited resources, navigate intricate and fragmented consumer journeys, and achieve comprehensive cross-platform measurement. This evolution builds upon Net Conversion's recent acquisition of Elevate the Outcome, a specialized performance TV agency, further bolstering full-funnel measurement capabilities. The expanded feature set transforms Conversionomics from a data management hub into an AI-driven media enablement platform, making data more actionable and impactful for both Net Conversion analysts and their clients. These advancements are strategically aligned across three functional pillars: Insights: The newly launched AI Insights Agent proactively surfaces AI-generated alerts and key performance highlights directly to Net Conversion analysts via Google Workspace chat, email, or Google Sheets. This empowers them to identify performance shifts and optimization opportunities with unprecedented speed and efficiency. The goal is to have an AI-created junior analyst to support every human analyst. Measurement: Conversionomics now offers unified, platform-agnostic measurement across the increasingly crucial CTV and streaming audio landscapes, alongside automated Linear probabilistic measurement. This eliminates reliance on an aggregator or third-party tools, providing Net Conversion partners with direct and comprehensive visibility. Activation: Addressing the industry shift away from third-party cookies, Conversionomics enables secure first-party data transfer to partner media platforms for targeted audience activation and lookalike modeling. The platform also facilitates the implementation of Conversions API and Enhanced Conversions, importing offline data to media platforms for enhanced attribution accuracy. "At Net Conversion, we've always been analytics-first," says Brett Hughes, Chief Analytics Officer. 'The latest AI enhancements to Conversionomics, building on our acquisition of Elevate the Outcome, represent the natural evolution of a vision we started 16 years ago – to make data truly useful for driving performance. Our analysts now have unprecedented agility to surface actionable insights faster than ever, demonstrably intelligent and accountable media strategies." This evolution of Conversionomics underscores the technology's refreshed brand promise: More intelligent marketing, less guesswork. Conversionomics leverages AI to unlock data's potential, empowering marketers to achieve more. About Net Conversion We are passionate performance media pioneers. Our analytics-driven agency thrives on disruptive thinking to drive impact, not optics. Fueled by cutting-edge insights, we tap into what your customers want and connect them to your brand. We build holistic datasets through Conversionomics, our proprietary MarTech platform, to relentlessly hold paid media accountable. The result? Real-time peak performance and enduring business transformation. At our core, we're all about agility; enabling more innovation, a more personal touch, and more business impact.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Orlando hotel occupancy dips in 2024, influenced by inflation, inventory, Epic Universe
Orlando's hotel occupancy was down for the bulk of 2024, as it added more hotel rooms and attracted fewer visitors. But the area's 130,000 rooms saw a surge in bookings in the final three months of the year, so the annual occupancy rate was down only 1.1% from 2023 and at 71.6 % still considered good. The factors behind the decreases and the rebound are multifold, hospitality experts say. Among them are the pandemic, 'revenge travel,' inflation, strength of the U.S. dollar and basic math. Also playing a role in last year's figures is this year's opening of Epic Universe theme park — which may have would-be travelers waiting until 2025 to visit Orlando, they say. In early 2024, there were large additions to the hotel-room inventory in Orange County, said Chantal Wu, senior director, hospitality and market analytics at CoStar, which collects real-estate data. Evermore Orlando, with more than 300 rooms, and Conrad Orlando, with 433 units, opened in January, Wu said. 'It takes some time for the market to absorb all of the new supply,' she said. The occupancy rate for January 2024 was 72.0%, a decrease of 0.9% from the previous year, according to the STR Report, a publication of CoStar Group. The rate for February was 80.2%, a drop of 2.3%. That wasn't surprising since adding rooms without increasing the number of visitors results in a lower occupancy rate, Wu said, and last year economic factors sent vacationers looking elsewhere. 'The dollar was very strong. It is still very strong now,' she said. 'So a lot of the domestic tourists, they actually choose to visit international destinations.' Travel to Orlando was strong in 2023, part of the pent-up, post-pandemic trend that had people eager to book vacations. 'A lot of it was people did their revenge travel after the pandemic and then just went elsewhere' in 2024, said Len Testa, who runs Touring Plans, a vacation-planning site. Last year was a strong year for the cruise industry in Port Canaveral and Miami, he said. 'So, people were going to Florida – just not Central Florida,' Testa said. Monthly occupancy declines continued in the traditionally busy spring-summer season and through September, which saw a 63.8% occupancy rate, a drop of 3.7% from the previous year. Revenue per available room, a key metric known as RevPAR, followed a similar pattern in 2024. 'I think people were feeling the pinch of inflation,' said Kevin Murphy, a professor for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. Occupancy rates moved into positive territory — up 2.3% — for the first time of the year in October, and experienced 4% rises in both November and December. 'People were cautious about doing vacations earlier in the year,' Wu said. 'They realize, 'Oh yeah, we haven't done anything. Let's do something around Christmas'.' Group travel also has been rebounding, Murphy said. 'Conventions have come back. They were really impacted by COVID and the pandemic and the advent of Zoom,' he said. 'It just kind of settled back to normal,' Murphy said. 'I mean, the occupancy rates weren't horrible — around 70% — so, still good occupancy rates.' The Orange County Tourist Development Tax collections showed similar end-of-year trends. November saw a 7.1% increase from the previous year. That $31.8 million was the highest on record, according to the county. The outlook for 2025 revolves around the May 22 opening of Epic Universe, Universal Orlando's third theme park, which is under construction near the Orange County Convention Center. Universal is adding three hotels near the new attraction, including the 750-room Stella Nova, which opened in mid-January. Neighboring Terra Luna and its 750 rooms are scheduled to follow suit in late March, while the 500-room Grand Helios will open with the theme park in May. 'A lot of theme-park people know that Epic Universe is opening up, so perhaps they didn't come to Orlando last year because they know Epic is opening up this year,' Murphy said. Folks may take their time with vacation planning again this year, Wu said, even with the Epic Universe factor. 'Maybe you're not going to see a very quick shift in demand patterns just because folks are still waiting because they're not sure if the new attraction is worth it,' she said. 'Or maybe they want to wait for the kinks to be worked out.' The economy remains a question mark and could impact lower-income families' plans, Wu said. Even if the occupancy rate is flat in 2025, it will benefit Universal Orlando, which will have a bigger slice of the pie, Murphy said. The Epic resorts will bring Universal Orlando's total to 11 hotels with 11,000 rooms. Universal's hotels are co-owned with Loews Hotels. 'It's a win, because it's another source of revenue generation, just like the park is another source of revenue generation,' Murphy said. It's a model long used by Walt Disney World, developed after Walt Disney was unhappy about hoteliers building across the street from Disneyland in California. Having on-property hotel options, it's believed, encourages guests to stay (and spend) nearby. But Disney has been building fewer hotels, opting to introduce more time-share units, Testa said. 'They're a little bit insulated from having to sell cash hotel rooms because of Disney Vacation Club,' he said. Disney World has added two hotels in the past decade or so, he said: Art of Animation and the Grand Testino Tower at Coronado Springs, Testa said. The full Epic effect remains to be seen. 'Does it also raise attendance at other parks? Or does it draw away from them? Does it raise overall visitation to Orlando? Does it raise overall occupancy rates?' Murphy said. 'Those will be interesting things to see.' dbevil@
