Conventions at Walt Disney World

ralberts · Post by **ralberts** » Jul Tue 31, 2007 7:28 am

Last year I attended a convention at the Swa and Dolphin Hotel at WDW. There were around 6,500 people at the conferece andstaying at several of the hotels across property. On Thursday night of the conference, they rented out the Animal Kingdom Park and opened it up for the evening. They had buffett lines running along the major paths as well as opened up the ice cream and soda stands. Everything was free to attendees. While all of the Animal exhibits and rides were closed, they had live entertainment in each of the lands and the big draw was Everest as this was two weeks before opening to the public.

Has anyone else ever been to a convention where they did something as elaborate or something that no ordinary guest would be able to do?

Hypermommy · Post by **Hypermommy** » Jul Tue 31, 2007 7:37 am

Woah!!! I would love to find a convention like this! I would pay lots to go to it, that's for sure. Especially if it was regarding something I was very interested in.

Post by **spaulo** » Jul Tue 31, 2007 11:18 am

:sigh: ... the best I could ever do was the 2004 National Association of REALTORS Conference/Expo... it was at the O.C. Convention Center and my company stayed in a nice little place on I-Drive. On the last (i.e., slowest) day of the expo, my boss let me cut out the whole day and I cabbed it to WDW... was actually able to make it on rides at MK, Epcot, and Studios in the one day thanks to monorails/boats...

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » Jul Tue 31, 2007 11:21 am

I was at a sales training convention through Disney last March and got some really kewl behind the scenes tours of the resort and also DCL's Wonder. Many of our breakout sessions and lunch/dinner buffets were in the Wonders of Life Pavillon which is totally like a time capsule from the 90s now in it's shut down state. We also got a private Illuminations dessert party which was excellent. Fun times!

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Jul Tue 31, 2007 11:41 am

I haven't attended, but I did work one convention where there was a wedding inside of Great Movie Ride.

Another one was some company had their name put in lights right in front of the big hat, and then at the end of their meeting, fireworks were shot off behind the hat. All choreographed to a Barbara Streisand song.

Joe90 · Post by **Joe90** » Aug Sat 04, 2007 10:50 am

No chance.
I have been stopped from entering some areas at WDW because there is a convention which has taken them over.

Who are these lucky people?

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Aug Sat 04, 2007 7:28 pm

I've known a few people who've gone but never been so lucky myself. My brother went to LotusSphere (I think) one year where they had food and entertainment and beer(!) on Main Street after hours. I don't think they had any other special 'perks' though. Although he did come home with this little Epcot medallion. And some Yacht Club stationery.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Aug Sun 05, 2007 10:38 am

I have a close freind who is a Doctor and he (with his DW) is down there at least a couple of times a year for conventions. He mostly plays golf in his free time when at WDW.

Post by **YZFDonor** » Aug Sun 12, 2007 8:43 pm

I was at a DISH Network conference a few years ago at the Coronado (I stayed at WLV and drove over to meet everyone else). It was GREAT!!! had the evening to ourselves but we packed on a few days before and after for the REAL fun. We had dinner IN Disney Studios (we entered through the back of the park as the ushered everyone out the front). After dinner, we had the run of the place and a special showing of Fantasmic! with what looked like 200 people in it. I am sure there were more but it holds what, 15000?

Post by **rdeacon** » Aug Mon 13, 2007 9:57 am

wow... I need to find these conventions and crash them

BTW The Hollywood Hills Amphitheater - where they hold fantasmic can seat 6500 guests, and there is standing room for an additional 2500.

Rich