Disneyland's repertoire has expanded greatly in the past year, just the beginning of a growth spurt that features new offerings at Disney Resort Destinations worldwide. Meeting planners who choose the compact package that the Anaheim resort campus offers — including The Disneyland Hotel, the Grand Californian, and the Paradise Pier — now enjoy the first phase of the Disneyland Hotel's “reimagined” guest rooms. All 969 rooms will be redone by 2012. Also opened last year at the resort is the Big Thunder Suite, which offers 1,400 square feet of rustic accommodations, a unique setting for a special cocktail reception. It joins the hotel's memorable Mickey Mouse Penthouse and Pirates of the Caribbean suites.

The crowning achievement in Disneyland's California Adventure theme park is a new nighttime extravaganza, the World of Color, which takes one on a 45-minute emotional journey through the best of Disney's animated films and its characters, whose images are projected onto massive screens of water.

The show offers a variety of private, roped-off viewing locations, which can accommodate anything from small executive groups for networking or dessert receptions, to opening or closing galas of up to 6,000 attendees. Buy-outs are also available, enabling event organizers to customize the show.

With no set or assigned seating, the experience becomes relaxed and casual. There are three performances a night, and — complemented with nightly fireworks — Disney becomes an excellent playground for meeting attendees with or without families.

In addition to Disney's World of Color, the expansion program includes a new Little Mermaid attraction, opening this year; and the addition of the 12-acre Cars Land, featuring the world of Radiator Springs and three new attractions, opening in 2012.

The Disneyland complex also offers two fine-dining options, the Napa Rose and Steakhouse 55 (don't pass on the dry-rubbed option, which you can order on any steak); as well as Downtown Disney, the restaurant and entertainment district that offers fun for attendees of all ages.

Newsmakers:

• Charles L Black III has been appointed director of sales and marketing at Montage Beverly Hills, in Beverly Hills, Calif. He comes from Cap Juluca in Anguilla, where he held the same job title.

• Skamania Lodge, in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Washington State, has named Chris Kerr director of sales and marketing. Kerr most recently was director, sales and marketing, at the Faimont Scottsdale in Arizona.