Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels Partner With AirTran And Walt Disney World To Honor Teachers In 2nd Annual Contest

March 01, 2010

Participants can nominate their favorite teacher for a chance for both to win
a prize package for four including free airfare, free hotel accommodations
and Walt Disney World park passes

ORLANDO, Fla. ? Based on the success of their 2009 initiative to recognize and reward deserving teachers, the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels have partnered with AirTran Airways and Walt Disney World® to make their 2010 contest bigger and better than ever.

?A+ For Teachers at Downtown Disney? will run from March through May 2010. The contest asks participants to nominate their favorite teacher in one of two ways: either by writing a brief essay and submitting it via www.downtowndisneyhotels.com or by participating in the Facebook initiative linked to the contest. Ten national winners will be chosen, and both the participant and their favorite teacher nominee will win an amazing prize package that includes:
? 4-day / 3-night accommodations (for up to 4 people) at one of the Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels
? Free airfare to Orlando (for up to 4 people) on AirTran Airways (residents outside of Florida)
? 4 free Walt Disney World® one-day, one-park passes
? Complimentary breakfast at the hotel each day (for up to 4 people)

?Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels want to celebrate those teachers who truly make a difference in the lives of their students in spite of the many challenges their schools are facing,? said Kelly Knowlen, chairperson of the organization?s marketing committee. ?We?re thrilled that AirTran Airways and Walt Disney World® are supporting our efforts and have come on board to bring added-value and enhanced recognition to this nationwide contest.?

?This year, we?ve also opened-up the contest to not only ask students to nominate their teachers, but also to get the general public involved,? explains Knowlen. ?Perhaps your mom, brother or best friend is a deserving teacher - we wanted everyone to be able to join in the contest and recognize these wonderful mentors.?

To that end, the hotels have added a social media element to last year?s contest format, now giving you two ways to enter A+ For Teachers at Downtown Disney. You can submit a brief essay online at www.downtowndisneyhotels.com, or visit the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels? page on Facebook
and follow the directions for nominating your teacher. The contest ends May 31, 2010.

Eight winners will be chosen through the essay segment, and two will be selected from the Facebook initiative. Each of these 10 national winners and the teacher they nominated will receive the prize package outlined above. Winners will also be announced on the hotels? website and Facebook.

About Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels:
Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels (www.downtowndisneyhotels.com), a consortium of seven official Walt Disney World® Resort hotels, include Best Western, Holiday Inn, Doubletree Guest Suites, Regal Sun Resort, Hilton, Royal Plaza and the Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa. With nearly 30 food and beverage outlets and restaurants, more than 3600 rooms and scores of amenities, they offer a rate, space and menu to please every guest. Located in the heart of Downtown Disney, these properties are within walking distance of some of the area's best shopping, dining and entertainment.

Guests staying at these ?Official Walt Disney World? hotels receive special privileges not available at hotels outside of the Disney Resort, such as:
? Complimentary transportation to all four Disney theme parks, two of Disney's water parks and Downtown Disney every 30 minutes
? Advanced tee times and discounts at all four Disney championship golf courses
? Disney?s Extra Magic Hours (at select hotels)
? Souvenirs purchased at the parks may be sent directly to their hotel room at no cost

To make a reservation, or for more information, visit www.downtowndisneyhotels.com