NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Restoration efforts are on schedule for the planned reopening of the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, company officials announced during a tour of the renovated facility on Thursday.
Pete Weien, senior vice president and general manager at Opryland, said guests will notice a host of modern updates throughout and many "wow experiences."
In addition, Weien said the hotel's annual holiday tradition A Country Christmas will include a new attraction called "Snow", which will feature a snow maze, snowball target practice and live reindeer.
The sprawling complex located along the Cumberland River flooded in early May and parts of the hotel were filled with as much as seven or eight feet of water.
Having since undergone $175 million in renovations, Kemp Gallineau, senior vice president and chief sales officer at Opryland, said bookings for the last half of November are "good and December is even better."
A grand re-opening ceremony is set for November 18.
A Country Christmas begins the next day, November 19, and continues through January 2, 2011.
The neighboring Grand Ole Opry House was also flooded and will reopen September 28 after undergoing $20 million in renovations.
A star-packed show featuring Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean and Dierks Bentley, among others, is planned for the reopening.
Related Stories:
- Sept. 10, 2010: Gaylord hires hundreds for reopening of hotel
- Aug. 25, 2010: Historic circle returned to Opry House, reopens in Sept.
- Aug. 12, 2010: Gaylord Opryland set to reopen on schedule, buys new land
- July 27, 2010: Gaylord Springs Golf Links reopens post flood
- July 21, 2010: Opryland looks to annual Christmas celebration
- July 19, 2010: Gaylord Opryland's Country Christmas will go on after flood
- July 10, 2010: Gaylord Opryland's Country Christmas will go on after flood
- July 8, 2010: Mayor wants tax funds to help rebuild Opry House
- June 24, 2010: Gaylord plans updates during rebuilding process
- June 16, 2010: Gaylord Opryland to question Army Corps of Engineers
- June 3, 2010: Flood damage to Opryland Hotel may prompt lawsuit
- June 2, 2010: Gaylord to layoff 1,700 employees
- June 1, 2010: News 2 tours flood-damaged Opryland
- May 20, 2010: Opry Mills Mall shows clean up progress
- May 11, 2010: Opry Mills to remain closed
- May 7, 2010: Opryland damage estimates at least $50M
- May 5, 2010: CEO says it will be months before Opryland reopens
