"Special" experiences for a large group at Disneyland

[mzalicia]

I would love advice and tips for special experiences I could arrange for a large group visiting Disneyland.

More than 30 of us are converging on DLR for my friend's 40th birthday in September 2012. It is a group of family and friends, kids and adults.

Dinners on property are out, Disney event planning has told us that food minimums are $3500. We moved the birthday dinner off property to Buca di Beppo!-Anaheim.

I am guessing that many of you have arranged or attended meets and other special events so I hoping for some ideas.

Ideal would be a tour of the train barn at the resort, my friend loves trains and models.

Thank you in advance dis'ers!
Alicia

 

[kailuagirl]

Sorry I don't have any special experience ideas, but one time I saw a huge group/family all with matching shirts. I thought it was so cool!

Try to all ride Storybook together in 2 boats

Have fun and good luck finding things to accomodate you all

 

[mzalicia]

Sorry I don't have any special experience ideas, but one time I saw a huge group/family all with matching shirts. I thought it was so cool!

Try to all ride Storybook together in 2 boats

Have fun and good luck finding things to accomodate you all

Definitely getting matching t-shirts and planning on a couple staged group photos.

 

[I'm mikey]

I would love advice and tips for special experiences I could arrange for a large group visiting Disneyland.

More than 30 of us are converging on DLR for my friend's 40th birthday in September 2012. It is a group of family and friends, kids and adults.

Dinners on property are out, Disney event planning has told us that food minimums are $3500. We moved the birthday dinner off property to Buca di Beppo!-Anaheim.

I am guessing that many of you have arranged or attended meets and other special events so I hoping for some ideas.

Ideal would be a tour of the train barn at the resort, my friend loves trains and models.
Thank you in advance dis'ers!
Alicia

I don't think a tour of the roundhouse will be possible, but you could arrange
a ride on the tender for you and your friend on the Disneyland railroad.
When you ride the tender you sit up front with the engineers. Theres only room for 2 people.

this can only be done at main street station,
go to mainstreet station and ask a conducter if you can ride
the tender, they will instruct you what to do.

 

[Pixiafurie]

This may sound weird, but hear me out. On my Disney senior trip a few years ago, we did several things as a huge group that was just super fun and actually caused quite a few unrelated guests to smile and enjoy the time with us. When we were walking to the gates of the Disney park, we linked arms and 'side stepped' through the area (straight line, didn't block people!). Another occasion, our 'leader' (just an outgoing chaperone) clapped once to keep us together and we clapped twice to show that we were still there.

I know that you aren't a bunch of teenagers, but a lot of adults were watching us and you could tell that they were dying to get in on the fun. Just a thought for 'unofficial' special group things.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

More than 30 of us are converging on DLR for my friend's 40th birthday in September 2012. It is a group of family and friends, kids and adults.

Dinners on property are out, Disney event planning has told us that food minimums are $3500. We moved the birthday dinner off property to Buca di Beppo!-Anaheim.

As someone who had a wedding reception at the Vegas Buca, I can assure you'll have plenty of food and fun.

But I do have a question: Does this mean you cannot make a reservation for 30 at somewhere like the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ all-you-can-eat place?

 

[jensenba]

Are you aware that there are group discounts on tickets? Also, while you are 70 people shy for the private picnic, have you tried getting reservations at Big Thunder Ranch BBQ? At the Grand Californian there are a couple of free tours you might be interested in. There is one about the Arts and Crafts and the architecture of the hotel, and the Grand Quest, a scavenger Hunt for young kids. For both of those tours see the Guest Services Desk. I have made large reservations at Goofy's before, just be aware that they add the gratuity to the bill. We were seated in a corner by ourselves. It really felt private. Build-a-Bear will do private parties. For a group your size, you need to give them a call. Also in Downtown Disney ESPN Zone, Rainforest Cafe, Catal, and Ralph Brennen's Jazz Kitchen to private parties for groups your size. Have you tried calling them?

 

[Karenann*]

I would take a look at the schedule for the Diva's annual trip. Big thread in Community Board) They do a nice blend of group together time/ activities/meals/group pictures as well as individual time for touring as a few ladies or roommates together. Perhaps you could glean some ideas there for your group?

 

[mzalicia]

Great suggestions! Any others?

 

[CrazyDuck]

We had a pretty large group on our last trip... It was fun to see the CM's face at POTC when she asked how many in the party and I answer... 23... She's like Uhh... Ok... Rows 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6... Riding all in one boat is much more fun.... But dont expect to get a lot done... Expect to move twice as slow through the parks, and take bathroom breaks after every ride... It's hard to get everyone's bladder in sync!

 

[pixiewings71]

I don't think a tour of the roundhouse will be possible, but you could arrange
a ride on the tender for you and your friend on the Disneyland railroad.
When you ride the tender you sit up front with the engineers. Theres only room for 2 people.

this can only be done at main street station,
go to mainstreet station and ask a conducter if you can ride
the tender, they will instruct you what to do.

In addition to riding the tender ask if you can ride in the Lily Belle if it's out!! That is truly a magical feeling!! You'll have to break your group up, but maybe some people won't want to ride in the LB and they can simply ride the train.