During the Walt Disney World Resort’s Awaken Summer media event, we learned all you need to know about what makes Disney meetings and events unique. For starters, for those attending a conference with their family, the Disney Meetings team can put together a program to keep spouses and kids entertained. Here are our top five takeaways on hosting a Disney meeting.
New Technology
As of June 2016, meeting rooms and exhibit halls will be equipped with high-capacity Internet bandwidth and hard-wired services for groups of varying sizes. What this means is that in addition to the standard WiFi that’s currently available in guestrooms and common areas of Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort or Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, this higher capacity capability will allow meeting attendees to use their digital devices to stream video, share content, connect socially and more. However, there will be a low cost, depending on the options selected by the meeting planner. In addition, the hard-wired services also provide dedicated connectivity for keynote speakers and conference presenters. Meeting planners will also have the option to brand the WiFi and login to fit their company’s message.
Special Characters
The Disney Events Group delivers a client’s message with an impact by getting key points across to attendees in a way that they’ll remember. According to Kevin Malquis, creative director, “Studies show that people learn information better and retain it longer when that information is presented in an entertaining way.” Creative costuming creates engaging characters to help get the information across. These Streetmosphere characters are created specifically for the organization, industry or event theme and sometimes even become mascots of the conference, according to Malquis. They can interrupt the meeting to energize it with a little fun, host an award celebration or meeting, or be a surprise guest at an event. During the Awaken Summer meetings presentation, Anita Super Hero lead our meeting while providing the information (and plenty of jokes) in a fun, lighthearted, yet professional manner—dressed in spandex with a cape and all.
Disneyland Resort
Meeting planners can use areas of the theme parks, such as the Cars land for events at night or early morning. This can be a cost-effective choice, as decoration is not needed.
Disney Institute
This immersive learning experience for groups uses business insights and examples from Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide to inspire individuals and organizations to enhance their own customer experience using Disney principles as their guide. During these sessions, experienced Disney leaders offer attendees a look at Disney’s best practices in leadership, service and employee engagement.
Disney Escape Challenge
A fun team building experience, The Escape Challenge puts small teams of participants in an escape room where they must work together to solve clues in order to move on to the next challenge. The team works together to search through the room for clues to a hidden message that will allow them to escape. After their escape, they find themselves locked in the laboratory of a mad scientist by working together the group can solve complicated clues and challenges to win the game. A unique food and beverage Disney meetings experience can also be added at the end of the challenge.
