According to Erik Berger, general manager, �Our culture is customer and cast-member focused. To us, the only way to provide a magical experience for our guests is to create the ideal environment for our cast members. We are very proud of our employees, and proud to be a recipient of this award.� �Employees are proud to work for companies that are about more than business,� said Cindy Barth, Orlando Business Journal�s managing editor. �And, the results show how creating the right work environment can create powerful business advantages.�

Companies were evaluated on two kinds of information collected. Each completed an overall questionnaire about retirement plans, health insurance, profit sharing or stock options, employee training, paternity leave and perks such as parking, child care, subsidized transportation or tuition reimbursement. Several employees then responded to questionnaires, addressing pride in the company, relationships with co-workers and supervisors, their favorite things about the company and humor in the workplace. They also were invited to comment further, if desired. The results were analyzed and scored by assigning points to each question, and weighing them according to emphasis on creativity, flexibility and collegiality. Four companies were chosen, in four categories, based on company size. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel was the overall winner for its category segment.

Common themes among the top companies focused on work-life balance; respect and caring for employees; recognition of accomplishments; feeling empowered; good teamwork and team spirit; and commitment to community service.

�The best places to work are companies that don�t cut back their commitment to employees in a down economy, while asking them to work harder and smarter,� said Ann Sonntag, Orlando Business Journal publisher. �They recognize employees as their best asset, instrumental in maintaining the quality and reputation for services and products. It�s a smart - and winning- business strategy.�

�We work at being open and innovative,� added Berger, �and we�re proud to be recognized by the area�s leading business journal, being named one of the �Best Places to Work in Central Florida�.�

The multi-award winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is a Four-Diamond rated hotel, located in the heart of the Walt Disney World® Resort. Guestrooms have been redesigned in luxurious sophistication by world-renowned architect, Michael Graves, and feature Westin�s Heavenly Bed®. In addition to a wide selection of guestrooms and suites, the hotel features 17 restaurants and lounges, offering such cuisine as: Italian, sushi, steak, seafood and family dining. Also included are two celebrity restaurants, Todd English�s bluezoo and the renowned Shula�s Steak House - voted by the Orlando Sentinel as �Best Upscale Steakhouse Chain.� Recreational facilities include five swimming pools, two health clubs, four tennis courts, jogging trails, and five nearby championship Walt Disney World golf courses. Centered inside the Walt Disney World® Resort, the hotel is nearby Disney�s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Magic Kingdom® Park, and accessible to Epcot® and Disney-MGM Studios via water taxi and walkway. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin offers an array of special Walt Disney World benefits, including: complimentary transportation to all Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Attractions; Extra Magic Hour early theme park entry to a select park on select days, on-site Disney ticket desks and Disney character dining in select hotel restaurants on select days.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin can be found at www.swandolphin.com. Guests can receive e-mail updates and on-going special hotel deals by signing up at www.swandolphin.com/signup. Hotel reservations can be made by calling 800-227-1500.