Disney always nails the details, a point that was well highlighted during a visit to Anaheim’s Disneyland Resort during the Feb. 25-27 Disney Destinations Experience. The weekend brought together dozens of meeting planners from around the nation, some trade media members and several top Disney execs.
The fun began with an evening reception at the hip Blue Sky Suite atop the Disneyland Hotel’s Fantasy Tower, complete with retro 1970s decor and a massive ‘living plant’ courtyard. A tremendous array of delectable finger foods, surrounded by Star Wars decor, added to the fun—as did the presence of seasoned Disney artist Stacia Martin, who sketched iconic characters upon request for attendees. A nice touch was that rather than just handing attendees their keepsake sketch to haul around, it was simply tucked into a tubular mailing package already complete with addresses and set aside for delivery.
Next we were off to the Magic Kingdom for a trip aboard the Star Tours simulator attraction, the closest thing you’ll ever come to an actual ride aboard Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon. The 3-D adventure is hosted by an animatronic C-3PO and is shockingly realistic, including a crash into the sea leading to an underwater adventure. That was followed by a VIP viewing of the spectacular Paint the Night parade, a ramped-up version of the famed Disney parade highlighted by a series of incredible floats and vehicles enhanced by over-the-top neon lighting. The evening then concluded with one of the most amazing fireworks displays I’ve ever seen, embellished by “flying” characters like Tinkerbell and Nemo the fish—plus a dramatically flaming Matterhorn.
The next day offered a delicious breakfast at the handsome Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which was followed by a taste of the Disney Institute—the company’s in-house educational component for groups and companies—and a look at what’s new with Disney worldwide. But Disney can’t do anything in a predictable manner, so the lead speaker was soon circumvented by a wacky “Disney Fan” who presented company updates in a hilariously enthusiastic manner. Top news includes the buzz building around the Shanghai Disney Resort, slated for a June launch in China.
We also had the chance to tour some of the resort properties and their enticing event spaces. Spending some time in the Grand Californian Hotel revealed some of the attention to detail that makes Disney so successful, including pristine landscaping that features Southern California vegetation on the property’s south side, and plant life native to Northern California on its north environs. A similar touch is realistic pine tree wallpaper in which the tree tops thin as they ascend up each floor, just as they do in nature.
Of course, you can’t go too long at Disney without pure enjoyment, so we were soon on our way to Disney California’s Paradise Pier, where our group seemed to relish the Toy Story Midway Mania—a mind-blowing 3-D shooting gallery—as much as any kids could. That was followed by an exquisite three-course dinner at my personal favorite group-friendly venue in the park, the Carthay Circle building. Modeled after the Los Angeles cinema where the animated Snow White feature first debuted, the Art Deco wonder offers appealing dining and meeting space inside and out.
A nice touch was wine pairings featuring vino from the personal vineyards of some well-known Disney personalities—including animator John Lasseter of Toy Story fame and the late Fess Parker, whose acting career took off with his portrayal of Davy Crockett in the eponymous Disney TV series.
To cap the activities we gathered at a private viewing area at Paradise Pier for the rollicking and revamped “World of Color” show, reimagined for the park’s 60th year Diamond celebration. The dynamic presentation shows off dramatic Disney cinematic moments through the years, projected onto fountaining plumes of water and embellished further by massive bursts of flame.
