At Disney, our team can craft a customized experience tailored to a group’s specific message or objective—all by combining our passion for creating immersive experiences with our expertise in rich storytelling. Now, we’re giving you an exclusive look at how Disney can bring your group’s story to life by following the journey of Anne Gunderson, Assistant Vice President of a corporate healthcare organization that operates ten hospitals in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area. 

Let’s see how Anne planned an evening with her team to celebrate the vice president’s retirement at Wine Bar George in Disney Springs:

What made you think of bringing your company to Disney for your event?

MedStar Health travels to the Orlando area every year for an annual healthcare conference at an offsite hotel. This year, I wanted to do something special to celebrate our vice president’s retirement. As an Annual Passholder who plans my family’s vacations at Walt Disney World Resort, I knew from experience that Disney would be able to commemorate this important milestone in my boss’ career. 

And, since we are a system built on the foundation of quality service, Disney was a natural choice and an obvious partner for this event. With their legendary, high-quality service, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering a “good show," I knew that the event would be a memorable experience for the entire group.  

Can you tell us about your group’s purpose for celebrating and how that was conveyed throughout your event? 

To celebrate my boss’ retirement, I was looking for a venue that would be meaningful and personal to him. I knew he was a wine connoisseur, since we host annual training seminars in Napa, California, where vineyard tours and wine tasting is usually a highlight for the post-meeting activities. Once I learned about Wine Bar George at Disney Springs, which is the only Master Sommelier-led wine bar in Florida and was recently named one of the “10 Best New Restaurants in America” by USA Today, I thought that would be the right venue for the experience we were looking for. 

On the evening of the event, we were welcomed into the private Barrel Room upstairs where Master Sommelier and Owner George Miliotes led the wine tasting presentation for a group of 12 attendees. It was so much more than a simple presentation; George was very attentive and an incredible host. The environment was very comfortable and relaxed, and he made it an interactive experience that the whole group could enjoy. 

George had a knack for knowing how to answer our questions before we even asked them. No matter how much the group knew before they got there, they learned a lot and really enjoyed the conversations around the table. At the end of the event, George even offered personalized recommendations for which vineyards and wines he thought each attendee would enjoy based on their upcoming domestic and international travels.

How did the Disney team help you through the process of planning your event at Wine Bar George at Disney Springs? 

The Disney team was absolutely wonderful. They were knowledgeable, personable, and helped us every step of the way. They were truly invested in making sure the group had a great experience throughout the entirety of the event. We were able to customize the menu ahead of time, but we left it up to George’s expertise to select the right wines for the group based on our preferences. With a list of over 130 wines to choose from, there is a wine for every palate!

What did your attendees enjoy most about celebrating at Disney? What were their reactions to the event?

Everyone was truly impressed and kept talking about how amazing the event was for weeks afterward. We had a very eclectic group ranging across professions within the healthcare industry and spanning across the ages of 25 to 75. Some didn’t consider themselves wine drinkers, and some considered themselves wine experts. Some were Disney enthusiasts, and some had never been to Disney. Despite these differences, the event had a positive, lasting impact on every single person in the room. Most importantly, our boss was surprised and delighted by the in-depth nature of the experience. It was beyond just a simple dinner and wine tasting; the event was so much more than we expected it would be. 

Are you planning to host future events with Disney? What do you look forward to about planning your next event with the Disney team?

Yes! The team would like to make their experience at Wine Bar George an annual tradition. We may also consider hosting a private dessert party at Epcot in the future. We look forward to planning our next event with the Disney Meetings & Events team!

Tell us – How would you tell your group’s story at Disney for your next meeting or event? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram using #DisneyMeetingsAndEventsBlog. 

We're eager to help you create the perfect meeting or private event for any size group, theme and objective. To speak with a Disney Meetings & Events representative about our pricing and options available at our Disney Parks & Resorts destinations in Florida, California, Hawaii or at our international destinations, please contact us or submit a request for proposal or sign up to stay in touch and continue learning more about Disney meetings and events.