Using disney ideas for big school fundraiser?

[ammag]

My children's elementary school has about 900 kids in it and every year we have a big Halloween party fundraiser. I am chairing it this year and it am looking at disney for ideas in crowd management and event magic.

We have it at our school which gets very crowded.does anyone have any ideas, articles online, anything to help give me some ideas on managing people? We divide the pary into two times and age ranges. I don't know much about traffic flow and whatnot and I know disney is the best. Has anyone ever read or have knowledge of some of their practices? Or advice in general?

I know this sint specific but I was stressing the other day and realized I have this massive resource of awesome disney experts maybe someone has some ideas?

Also what would you incorporate form disney parks that would make an elementary school party amazing?

 

[dprincessmom]

There is a reason for hub and spokes in MK. Make a central area and try to arrange the activities into "lands" and have those moving in a clockwise direction. This should help keep things moving. Also for things with a specific time, try doing them near "opposite" lands to help with traffic.

I think we can all agree MK and Epcot are easier to navigate with the circular pattern, then HS. Sorry nothing really to site, just personal experience from years of fundraising events.

 

[ammag]

Very true! Our school gym would be best for the party but it is on the fifth floor and we don't want kids uo and down stairs all night. So I will see if I can incorporate this idea into the smaller cafeteria. Do you have any other fundraiser advice in general? I've been the co chair but the last chair didn't let me do anyhitng lol.

 

[Thing 1]

What a huge undertaking! Will they be all children or parents with them? I have done a few very large (though not that large) Halloween parties at our church. First rule is safety! Where ever you have it, needs to be secured with one way in and one way out. You need to have people making sure a child does not leave on their own or with the wrong person. That is huge with elementary.Next try to keep things simple. Themed pinterest food is cute, but way to hard with that many people. Simple. hot dog. pizza.drinks. Instead of candy apples, apple slices and caramel dip. Cookies instead of messy cup cakes. Have plenty of activities so keep kids are spaced out. Consider using tickets to prevent the same kid from playing the good prize games over and over. Consider a group activity or two. A short Halloween movie, a costume contest or a monster dance time. Consider putting boundaries on costumes. You may be surprised what some kids would wear. Keep time manageable, maybe an hour for younger kids and one and a half or two for older.If its a pick up think, be aware that some parents will be late, very late. Plan every minute and then have some back up plans for if you need them.

 

[ammag]

Thank you! I think the food is handled by the fifth grade who take the proceeds for their graduation. Fine wiht me I don't want to plan food! I will rent a cotton candy machine I am thinking of selling them for $1 but adding a glow stick to the paper cone and charging $2 for those. We normally turn the backstage of the auditorium into a haunted house. Huge undertaking! I'd like to make the hallo ways kind of a Hogwarts feel, the cafeteria a carnival because we have carnival games. You're right about the tickets, last year kids played again and again. I went to a great pirate magician show once and have their number, that might help add a lot of entertainment without any work on my part.
one food they did last year, in aide anyone else is looking for a idea, was dumplings! Was cheap, and really yummy! They a ere easy to cook and keep in a slow cooker.

I want to make a Madame leora style illusion but I think maybe next year. My disney trip is six days after the party and I have to pace myself!

I am going to make is spooky not scarym last few years they had a lot of bloody type of things I thought it was inappropriate. Looking towards the disney style of fright instead!