Successful Meetings February 2006: Joining Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and the gang for the 50th anniversary of Disneyland was more than an enchanting return to childhood. The three-day celebration last May was a journey through some of Disney’s most delightful meeting and party venues. The magic began soon after I checked into my room at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.
Stepping onto the balcony, I heard laughter bubbling up from the folks swirling through the rapids at Grizzly River Run; the 745-room hotel, which features 20,000 sf of meeting space in its conference center, has a private entrance leading directly from the hotel into the theme park.
That evening, our group filled California Adventure’s 2,000-seat Hyperion Theater for the official preview of the 50th Anniversary Global Celebration, which was sending people flowing into Disney’s cruise line and theme parks worldwide with new attractions, parades, and fireworks. Afterward, we spilled out into Hollywood Pictures “Backlot” for a rollicking street party. Private parties can take over almost 20 different “themed” areas of the two parks. Disney’s three hotels have a total of 186,000 sf of meeting space, including the newly refurbished grand ballroom and exhibit hall at the Disneyland Hotel.
The next day concluded with a celebrity-studded dinner party in Disneyland’s “Frontierland” and an elaborate dessert buffet at the head of Main Street U.S.A. But it was the fireworks spectacular bursting over Sleeping Beauty Castle that was truly the icing on the cake. Well, maybe it was the opportunity to wish Mickey and his pals happy 50th, but as I discovered, opportunities abound for meeting groups to bring a bit of magic into their own gathering.
Editor’s note: The “Happiest Homecoming on Earth” continues at all Disney properties though November 2006.