Dear Meeting and Event Planners,

In my introduction to this Disney Meetings Thought Leadership Series, I shared several key factors that meeting planners should take into account when trying to engage and reach millennial attendees: fun, flexibility, interactivity, uniqueness, responsibility, convenience, and authenticity, and, most importantly, emotional connection.

Throughout this series, Director Robert Donahue and I will share how each domestic Disney destination delivers on these key elements for your Disney meeting or event. For planners looking to convene with their organization at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, there are three noteworthy elements that this location specializes in – fun, flexibility, and interactivity.  

Let’s take a look at some examples of how planners can successfully reach this influential generation of attendees with a meeting or event at Walt Disney World Resort: 

Flexible and Immersive Event Concepts

One example of an immersive experience millennial attendees can appreciate is “Room for One More”. One reason this event theme is so popular, especially with millennial attendees, is because it is fully-experiential and connects to their personal senses in a way they won’t soon forget. Based on the highly-popular Haunted Mansion attraction at the Magic Kingdom Park, this exclusive, private event theme has the flexibility to be re-created in any Walt Disney World Resort convention hotel ballroom or private event venue, allowing attendees to embark on an eerie journey into the nightmarish library, to the frightening ballroom, to the infamous graveyard—where they are immersed in the story and each attendee is considered to become the mansion’s final “haunt.” 

Interactive Learning Experiences

For millennial attendees looking for interactive, relevant learning opportunities for practical application, planners can add an interactive Disney Institute team building activity into the meeting agenda. In a way only Disney Institute can provide, attendees work together utilizing touchpad devices and innovative technology to uncover clues and solve puzzles in a unique Disney setting. But, it’s not just all fun and games—along the way participants will gain valuable Disney Institute business insights and observe firsthand how the Disney business operates as they unlock their own ability to communicate and build trusting relationships.

Fun and Exciting Theme Park Expansions

One of the new Theme Park expansions we think millennial attendees will emotionally connect to is Toy Story Land, opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Summer 2018. This expansion, based on the millennial-loved film series and Disney media franchise that began with the 1995 film of the same name, will shrink attendees to the size of a toy and allow them to explore Andy’s backyard. Attendees can enjoy new attractions, including Alien Swirling Saucers and Slinky Dog Dash, and dine in Woody’s Lunch Box. 

Planners can take their agenda to the next level with a Toy Story-themed meeting or event in a ballroom setting. With so many options available – from the imaginative room décor filled with toys featured in the films, to Character appearances and photo opportunities, to team building activities and meeting ice breakers, there are several ways our talented team can bring fun into the meeting agenda to engage the millennial audience.

Fun, flexibility, and interactivity – these are just a few of the ways planners can reach and engage their millennial attendees with a meeting or event at Walt Disney World Resort. Planners can emphasize these valued qualities and create an emotional connection with all attendees through the transformational experiences, extraordinary settings, and legendary service they can only receive at our Disney destinations.