Coronado Springs

Yeah, I was about to ask "What business sends you 5 to a room!??" until I realized that it was separate from the other discussion.

When did you organize your first convention there?

2000. It was a volunteer position for the group I was involved with. I told them I would organize the meetings IF I could pick the places to have them. There was all kinds of griping about having a "meeting at a theme park", but the facilities were SO good, and everyone had such a good time, we came back the next year to the Contemporary. We went back to Vegas the following year then returned to the Coronado Springs.

We also had a couple of board meetings over the years on Disney property, including one in Anaheim and another on board a three night DCL cruise. The cruise meeting was wonderful, because we'd meet from 8-12 in the morning, then do other things. We actually got more done than our normal meetings because we ate together, partied together and generally spent more time together than at a traditional meeting.

Are you looking for Board members? PM me for a resume.

Seriously, though, Coronado's facilities are excellent. I had to do a bit of work there on a past trip and was very impressed. Convention facilities are convention facilities, but they vary significantly based on quality of service. I imagine Disney's is top notch.

Edward,

Have you ever priced the Grand Floridian vs. the Contemporary? Are they comparable, price wise, to hold events there? I think I'd prefer the Contemporary by far, but wonder if the Floridian would cost more.

When we did our groups, the Floridian was higher both in a room cost and catering costs. The rooms were particularly higher. They would work a deal for the Contemporary because of it's age. I don't know particulars, but I remember we didn't even consider the Floridian seriously.

I can't imagine why someone would pay more for the Floridian over the Contempo. It has inspired me to start a Grand Floridian vs. Contemporary thread. Maybe someone can explain it to me!

Is there a point at which it would make sense to call your family gathering a "Convention?" How many people do you need before Disney starts giving you bulk discounts?

Good question, and I don't know. I'd call their group office and ask them. With cruises you can do it with a relative small number, but I'm not sure about hotels.

If you do a group rate, always ask for the moon, including upgrades. Every convention I ever coordinated, I ended up with a suite, including a Concierge in the Contemporary twice. (Not because I was important, but because I made the decision and they want decision makers to be HAPPY!)

I'd simply call them and tell them you're looking at a family reunion in the Orlando area, and it could range from X number of rooms to X number. See what they say.

You might be surprised what they offer because Disney has a LOT of rooms to move in a very weird economy.

Another idea (which I never had much luck with) is to look around for groups that are holding THEIR meetings at Disney World. Most of the time, the reservations are made by the individual attendees, so if you found a good date and room rate, you could suddenly call up and be a part of that group.

"Yes, I'm Mr. Traveler, and I'm attending the Widget Design convention and would like the special rate".

Simple as that if you can find the right deal.

(BTW, I got chewed out on a board one time for this strategy because I was lying, blah, blah, blah. To be honest, to get a great rate at a great Disney hotel, I'll lie a little bit! pfffffffftttttttt!)

We should make a "52 conventions" organization that just makes conventions for every week of the year and whoever's going then can attend.