Suggestions/Ideas for work offsite in Orlando

[iluvthsgam]

My work is hosting an employee-only conference in Orlando in June and my small team of 10-12 people are looking to me to plan a small team gathering (group is men and women ages ~ 30-55). We are staying at the Orlando World Center Marriott. I started looking at Disney for ideas. We won't do parks, but looking at dinners/drinks/fun event.

Most are not Disney fans., however, so it has to be more dinner/drinks/fun than Disney (even if we do it there). I.E., a nice dinner at California Grill or something.

But I am also trying to expand for ideas outside of Disney. And hoping to find some suggestions here. Golf? Any great restaurants in the area? Fun activities to do? Fun bars? Not going to do a club.

Many thanks for any ideas!

 

[DisneyTexan]

Maybe TopGolf?

https://topgolf.com/us/orlando/

 

[Brian Noble]

If everyone would enjoy it maybe a group golf lesson? My son and I did one a few years ago and it was really enjoyable. Disney offers them at the courses by GF/Shades, but I bet other courses in the area do too.

The Ritz-Carlton does a kayak ecotour that I’ve always wanted to do.

For dinner I’d be tempted to go somewhere up by the convention center. The food is generally better, you won’t pay the Disney premium, and some of those places are probably better equipped for private group dining.

 

[ChanaC]

How about volunteering? Give Kids the World is an absolutely amazing non profit and they will organize a group of employees to volunteer. If you haven't heard of it, they are a resort specifically for children and their family who wish to visit Disney and Orlando through organizations like Make-A-Wish (and other smaller/international wish granting organizations). GKTW simply amazing. Each family gets a two or three bedroom villa, and the village has pools, an arcade, mini golf, horse back riding, a theater, a playground, a food court, and small amusement park rides, and much much more. Each family stays for a week, and everything is included. This forum is a huge sponsor of them, and WDW, Universal, SeaWorld, and Legoland are all huge partners and give the families free tickets and other perks in the parks.

My dad’s company did this once and they had the employees do some large scale/behind the scenes stuff like gardening and painting around the guest villas. For smaller groups you might do more front and center stuff with the guests like serving ice cream, serving meals, operating rides, and helping with their nightly entertainment or parties. I volunteered just on my own and it was a wonderful experience, and GKTW is still one of my favorite non-profits. This is a (free!) activity and will be a great way to team build while giving back. I think you can even do a few hours in the morning or afternoon which will give you time to do a nice dinner after.

 

[iluvthsgam]

Thanks all those are great suggestions. I am looking into all three now!

 

[kwdw]

Dinner with miniature golf afterwards? I think most folks view miniature golf as a bit silly and don’t get overly competitive about it. You don’t want an activity that can feel competitive.

While I agree with looking at non Disney restaurants for dining options, I’ve done two conference dinner groups in private rooms/separate sections at restaurants at Disney Springs. So, if you set someone on making calls to ask questions, that might work. One of them we had a limited menu to chose from to make it easier for the restaurant, but that might have been more like 20-30 people.

I despise bar events because I can’t drink and I struggle to hear conversations in that setting. In a group of 10, you probably have 2-3 people who hate being at bars.

A volunteer activity might be okay if it’s not too long. Conferences for introverts are exhausting so an activity that requires interacting outside of the team just adds more exhaustion.

Not sure if you have a Medieval Times close to home, but if you don’t, its another lighthearted dinner/entertainment option.

You could also consider an Escape Room event.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I like the local teppanyaki chain restaurant, Kobe Japanese Steakhouse. Your group would probably fit at two tables.

 

[TQ's]

Check ICON Park
https://iconparkorlando.com

After Dinner drinks at Tin Roof is always fun they have inside and outside seating and usually funk live music sets, Many food options in the area.

 

[DisneyTexan]

Check ICON Park
https://iconparkorlando.com

Someone died on a ride at the park in March 2022. I wouldn't want to be responsible for bringing a group there.