KRISTIAN LA PLANTE APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF RESTAURANTS
AT THE WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN AND DOLPHIN HOTEL

(hi-res image available upon request joel@tjmcommunications.com)

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – June 9, 2011 - The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel has named Kristian La Plante director of restaurants.

In this role, La Plante will direct the hotel’s 17 food and beverage outlets, including specialty dining venues such as Todd English’s bluezoo, Il Mulino New York Trattoria and Shula’s Steak House, as well as the hotel’s stewarding operations. He will be responsible for 30 managers and more than 350 staff members.

Prior to his appointment, La Plante was the hotel’s executive steward, where he managed inventories and function equipment for banquets in the property’s 329,000 square feet of meeting space as well as restaurants. Under his leadership, many improvements and efficiencies were recognized.

A certified wine sommelier, La Plante enters his new role with 25 years of food and beverage experience, including 10 years at the hotel. Starting as a server, La Plante was promoted numerous times, eventually rising to general manager of Il Mulino New York Trattoria, where he successfully opened the restaurant in 2007. He has been recognized with the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Leadership Award three times.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is a nationally respected and recognized leader in the convention hotel arena. Ideally located in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort, the hotel offers 2,265 guest rooms and over 329,000 square feet of meeting space. Features consist of 84 meeting rooms, including two executive boardrooms, four ballroom options, 110,500 square feet of contiguous convention/exhibit space, outdoor function areas, two business centers, and Disney benefits. Groups also enjoy sophisticated guest rooms featuring Westin Heavenly Beds, the luxurious Mandara Spa and 17 world-class restaurants and lounges.

ATTENTION MEDIA: A hi-res headshot is available upon request. A media-only website with press releases and photography is available on-line at www.swandolphinmedia.com. Please visit the “Fast Facts” section for easy fact-checking assistance.