Voted as No. 1 theme park in the U.S. by Tripadvisor last year, Dollywood not only has outstanding rides and attractions, like the top rated 20-story Lightning Rod roller coaster, but also offers more than 32,000 sf of meeting and event space. Courtesy of Dollywood

Imagine hosting a group event next to a roaring waterfall amid a forested alcove. Or how about within a fully imagined 1880s mining town where costumed characters interact with attendees to teach them a traditional craft. You can: all it takes is a trip to one of America’s theme parks.

Events held at theme parks are simply thrilling. Totally unforgettable. If you’re an event planner looking for various opportunities to transform your group’s event into a stellar experience, it just got easier. And if you’re an attendee, something inside of you ignited to life the second you arrived at the park.

Theme parks offer the ultimate one-stop-shop. Undoubtedly, the big ones (Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld) are likely already on a list to consider for a group event. And even they are going through major developments.

Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL

Located southwest of Orlando, FL, Walt Disney World is coming up on its 50th Anniversary, so new lands and attractions have been built, including Toy Story and Star Wars lands and TRON Lightcycle Run. EPCOT also has undergone a major expansion in the last few years, including France’s addition of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Le Crêperie de Paris, as well as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Journey of Water, inspired by Moana, a new nighttime spectacular called Luminous, and new exhibition space called CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza, an outdoor event space for musical performances.

All of that is now open but the next major developments, which the company plans to invest $17 billion in the next decade, will start to open in 2025, with the major additions coming in 2030. But of more interest to planners and attendees is Walt Disney World’s new paid FastPass service, which is replacing Genie+. That launched earlier this summer, as well as the return of two of the four tiers of the Disney Dining Plans.

Walt Disney World Resort boasts five dedicated convention hotels and more than 700,000 sf of ballroom, meeting and event space. The Resort features four theme parks, two water parks, three championship golf courses, world-class spas, Disney Springs and endless recreation.

Universal Orlando, Orlando, FL

Groups interested in Universal Orlando will be happy to know that DreamWorks Animation Land and Illuminations Villain Con Minion Blast are open and the Universal Orlando EPIC Universe is opening in 2025. Be sure to check out Universal’s discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals, which include Early Park Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

For event organizers looking for unparalleled event experiences that connect and inspire your attendees, Universal Orlando Resort is one of the best ways to enjoy the daytime fun and nighttime energy and make your event truly remarkable.

SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, FL

For animal lovers, water park fans, coaster enthusiasts and everyone in between, SeaWorld Orlando’s epicenter of fun offers beautiful venues for your meetings and events, including a 12,000 sf air-conditioned ballroom, outdoor pavilions, and spectacular attraction venues. SeaWorld Orlando also offers VIP tours that include exclusive access to rides and attractions, animal encounters, and reserved seating at shows.

Attendees can get up-close with sea life, swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove, catch a live show or a wave ride at Aquatica water park in the Florida sun. The food scene at SeaWorld Orlando is fabulous, with various restaurants throughout the park.

California’s Great America, Santa Clara, CA

Sanford Marshall, director of client services/ F&B and event operations for Theme Dream Productions, in Alameda, CA, recently produced an event for 2,400 Samsung employees and their families at California’s Great America.

“We considered a number of venues,” Marshall explains, “but what really sold us on a theme park was that it’s basically a ‘two-fer.’ It not only provided us with the ability to have a private experience for the group, but it was in an area away from public park-goers. In essence, the first location served as a canvas that allowed us to bring our dream to reality, then everyone went into the park to continue the experience.”

Located in the shadow of Silicon Valley, the 112-acre park features everything from high-level thrills (like Delirium and Flight Deck) to kid-sized fun at Planet Snoopy, making it the ideal venue for a group event that includes family members.

Dee Lisoski, administrative business partner at Google, was looking for a venue that wouldn’t be a heavy lift and where employees could bring guests. Before selecting the venue, Lisoski surveyed a team of 100 in Sunnyvale, CA and says that “95 percent of them chose to go to Great America” for their annual company picnic.

This year was the second time Lisoski coordinated the event at Great America because a post-event survey told her everyone wanted to go back.

“We rented the Pavilion, where guests checked in and food was available, along with family-friendly games, music, bubbles, facepainting and a photo booth, which provided everyone with a ‘social hour.’ Once our employees had socialized with their team, they got to enjoy the rest of the day in the park with their family.

“Logistically, it was ideal in that it was like two events in one,” Lisoski continues. “Everything was included, even parking — which we handled by providing a list ahead of time to the parking attendants — so there were no ‘bits and pieces.’ And the price per person was very reasonable.”

The sales team at Great America, notes Lisoski, went above-and-beyond in accommodating her group’s requests for dietary considerations. The onsite team also had wheelchairs available at the gate and acted as greeters. “The staff was super helpful and friendly, and our sales rep had answers for every question we had,” says Lisoski.

Ariel McPhail is sales director at California’s Great America and says most of their summer and fall calendar is corporate catered events or park buyouts. The relatively mild (and reliable) weather is a draw, but McPhail also points to the fact that different onsite venues can easily host 800-to-8,000, with one indoor location boasting 17,000 sf and an attached outdoor patio.

Daisy Hung, administrative and event assistant for North East Medical Services (NEMS), in Daly City, CA, helped coordinate their company’s Employee Appreciation Summer Event for 1,800 employees and their families, and noted how effortless the planning was.

“The fun-tertainment is already included in the price,” Hung says, “which helps take the guess work out of it. We provided admission tickets to the park and rented the Pavilion to gather for lunch. No doubt, we plan to return in 2025 because our staff requested Great America by name.” Hung also underscored the quality of the events team at the park, and their commitment to making sure the NEMS event was “a roaring success.”

McPhail echoes that sentiment. “Having been in the industry for 20 years, I know how much energy it takes to put an event of any size together, so we make it our mission to ensure the planner gets to have fun, too!”

Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH

In 1892, the Switchback Railway opened to the public. Located on the grounds of what is today Cedar Point amusement park, the roller coaster stood 25-ft. tall and reached a top speed of 10 mph. In 1906, a midway was built featuring fortune tellers, rides, games, shops and a massive coliseum containing a grand ballroom.

Today, at 364-acres, Cedar Point is considered America’s second-oldest operating amusement park and home to 68 rides including 18 roller coasters, a waterpark, overnight accommodations and a pristine, mile-long beach on the shores of Lake Erie that’s accessible to all amusement park guests and included in the price of admission.

“We host about 350 corporate events per season, with the bulk of those groups in the manufacturing or healthcare industries, and within a 200-mile radius of the park” says Lynn Webb, regional sales director for Cedar Point.

If you consider the limited number of days the park is open, then factor in the number of events they coordinate, that’s a hefty lift per day. So, what’s the appeal?

“We place a huge focus on our food venues within the park,” explains Webb, “as almost every event we coordinate has a food component. With various restaurants onsite (such as the 1950’s themed Coaster’s Drive-In), we can provide either all-day dining passes or meal vouchers for our specialty restaurants.”

One food-focused option is the quintessential company picnic. Some of the venues available to groups are lakeside pavilions located just off the beach shore, while another option is the Grand Pavilion & Bar. Its current incarnation, which originally opened in 1888, is a bi-level eatery located along The Boardwalk offering views of Cedar Point and Lake Erie.

Justis Clifford, chief strategy officer at Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative, located in Wellington, OH, has coordinated three annual events at Cedar Point, with the most recent hosting approximately 3,600 attendees.

“We survey our groups every year after the event, and they’ve overwhelmingly said they wanted to return,” says Clifford, who believes that the combination of great food, good fun, and a $25 subsidized ticket price (which included admission, parking and a buffet lunch), created a winning combo.

The large pavilion, where lunch was hosted, also worked from a logistical perspective as Lorain-Medina wanted to bring in some EV vehicles so they could talk about them with their attendees.

The main reason to return from a planning perspective was decidedly the ease with which the event came together. As Clifford explains, “Working with the team was amazing — especially our sales rep. We used to do these events at a fairground, but we were responsible for every aspect of it: from setting up the catering to clean-up after it ended. But the staff at Cedar Point handled everything so we were able to really focus on interacting with the group.”

Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN

Situated in the Great Smoky Mountains she adores, Dollywood is a heartfelt homage to the “country life” of Sevierville-native Dolly Parton. It’s been ranked the #1 theme park in the U.S. by Tripadvisor users, and last year, it earned Golden Ticket’s “Best Park for 2023” award. The park’s mission, “Creating memories worth repeating,” feels like an open invitation to any group looking to hold an event there.

Cordelia Morrell, director of sales, notes that due to its unique location, most groups that frequent the park hail from nearby southeastern states (Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia), making it a great option if attendees reside in those states, and/or are within easy driving distance.

Spanning 165-acres, Dollywood offers a variety of rides including Wild Eagle, the country’s first “wing” coaster, and Big Bear Mountain, the longest roller coaster within the park, which debuted last year. With a price tag of $25M, it hits speeds of 48 mph on a 3/4-mile long track.

Perhaps the defining distinction that Dollywood can lay claim to is the association it has with the popular country singer and — by association — live music. Entertainment at the park showcases country, bluegrass, Southern gospel, classic rock n’ roll and Appalachian music.

For group gatherings, the Blue Ribbon Pavilion and open-air Celebration Hall provide scenic settings for more casual events, but there are also in-park theaters that can be rented for private functions like corporate presentations or awards ceremonies.

Dollywood also has two resort properties with their own onsite event spaces. DreamMore Resort and Spa, and HeartSong Lounge and Resort, not only provide lodging for overnight stays before, during, or after an event, but an exclusive trolley service for registered resort guests.

“While personal meet-and-greets with Dolly Parton — who’s referred to as the ‘Dreamer in Chief’ — are rare and depend on her schedule,” says Morrell, “there are opportunities for groups to experience her influence throughout the park.

“The biggest crowd pleasers include our award-winning shows and festivals,” she continues, “as well as the brand-new, multi-faceted Dolly Parton Experience, which spans her career and highlights her dreams and inspirations. But the number-one reason to consider an event at Dollywood is to experience the charm and hospitality of the Smoky Mountains.”

Hersheypark, Hershey, PA

From the moment you enter the town of Hershey, the air smells like chocolate, and you’re greeted by constant reminders of the world’s favorite sweet treat via streetlamps topped with oversized metallic Hershey’s Kisses.

“No other amusement park is dedicated to fun and chocolate, with the unique three-in-one experience we offer,” says Kirstin Maneval, director of sales at 121-acre Hersheypark.

“With 70 rides and 15 coasters, a full waterpark, and a zoo included in the ticket price, we can offer a variety of customized group experiences. We realize that groups prefer hosting their catered events in a private space and have six different areas to do that.” (Five are outdoors and covered, while one is indoors next to the Great Bear rollercoaster, accommodating anywhere from 40 to 13,000 attendees.)

The sales team also offers private “minipark” events: an exclusive after-hours option with access to select rides and catering. As Maneval notes, “Customizing menus continues to grow in popularity, so we offer a tiered menu where a planner can choose the price point and then select from listed entrees.”

The minipark events can also be coordinated for groups staying at one of the “official resorts” of Hersheypark. Maneval says they hosted a corporation for a three-day event at the Hershey Lodge Convention Center, and one evening the group went to the park for a private event that featured seven rides, two games and a specialty catered meal.

A recent $150M investment saw the creation of Hershey’s Chocolatetown, a themed area just outside the park that includes a KISSES Fountain, the largest full-service themed restaurant at the park, and a new home for their 100-year-old carousel.

“We’re always offering something new,” says Maneval. “Whether it’s more hours, new coaster experiences, entertainment offerings or culinary additions. And it all goes back to our core purpose: giving back to the Milton Hershey School, just as our founder, Milton S. Hershey, envisioned over 110 years ago.”

Silver Dollar City , Branson, MO

Silver Dollar City, nestled in the heart of the Ozarks and a short drive from Branson, MO, is a 61-acre theme park that’s part thrills and part theatrics. Themed around an 1880s mining town, the park has its share of high-energy rides (Outlaw Run and Powder Keg among them), but plenty of low-key rides perfect for the less-daring. It also recently debuted the $30M “Fire in the Hole” — an indoor roller coaster that takes riders on a journey to save a town.

Ranked the #1 Theme Park in America in USA Today’s “10Best Readers’ Choice Award” for the second time this year, the park has also won the coveted “Applause Award” from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), making it an attractive group event option for nearby companies like Walmart or Freeman Health Systems.

But what really sets Silver Dollar City apart is the more than 100 craftspeople who demonstrate blacksmithing, glassblowing, candle- pottery- and furniture-making, and more, all utilizing skills from the late 1800s. The attraction’s dedication to providing authentic demonstrations, combined with educational interactions, has also earned the park a congressional designation as “The Home of American Craftsmanship.”

That dedication to authenticity even extends to food within the park. “Nearly everything we serve here is homemade,” says Dalton Fischer, communications manager for Silver Dollar City. “A great example is our ‘skillets,’ which are giant portions of food served in cast-iron skillets made onsite by our blacksmiths.”

For planners looking to provide an immersion into the past mixed with the excitement of the present, Fischer points to such options as a themed dinner, with costumed craftspeople doing period acting and interacting with the group while being served traditional foods from the era.

“Like other theme parks, we’ve got amazing rides, great food and quality entertainment,” says Fischer. “But Silver Dollar City is unique in that we’re more like a gigantic puzzle, where every piece fits together. We even refer to our craftspeople as ‘citizens’ because they add an extra level of quality and authenticity to the experience.”

Onsite venues range from the 800-seat Opera House to Red Gold Heritage Hall —seating 1,200 — to the Echo Hollow Amphitheater — accommodating up to 4,000. Admission to the park also includes entrance to Marvel Cave, which the park sits atop and was the first attraction to bring visitors to the area.

Group buyouts are an option, notes Fischer, who explains that the ability to have the park all to themselves is the biggest crowd pleaser. “At Silver Dollar City, you’re part of the adventure. We literally bring you into the action to transport you back in time. In that respect, we really are a ‘theme’ park.”

Adrenaline is a significant benefit for meetings and events. Think of a rollercoaster’s high altitude and extreme speed releasing heaps of endorphins. What could be more thrilling? When you add to that the rising trend of happiness and well-being, the growing tendency amidst the meeting industry to use theme parks — the happiest places on earth — makes perfect sense.   C&IT