09/21/08 SSMC08 S.S. Member Cruise 2008

[TnRobin]

Okay here is what I have so far

September 20, 2008 - Dinner after DIS Meet

Tentative location - Grand Gathering at Illuminations
Alternative locations - (Epcot or Boradwalk area)

Attendees
Mark and Mary (MarkRG, WDWLVR)
Dan and Nancy (danandnan)
Joanne and Roger (Joannel)
Mike and Robin (TnRobin)
Cheryl (Cherylp3) - Note Lactose intolerance
Annette and Amanda (acourtwdw)
Tina and Tim +3 (tinkerbelle77)
Monika and Michael (time4disneynow)

Wendy and Gary, I wasn't sure about your post - will you be joining us?

I will see what I can find out about the Grand Gathering and T-shirts.

 

[iluvdisney]

Robin - could you add Karen and myself to the list - another fun time with friends would be great!

 

[cherylp3]

also my DH is Todd is coming with me.

 

[TnRobin]

Okay, I don't think I have been so confused in all my life. This phone call was not pleasant.

The WDWDine people transfered me to the fastest speaking person on the face of the earth. She spent more than half of the conversation trying to talk me into to convincing everyone here to get the Dining Plan or better yet the Deluxe Dining Plan. "Don't you think your friends would want to save 30% on thier dining" I kept telling her that I have no control over what you decide. Geez, I felt like I was talking to a timeshare salesperson (non-DVC).

Now here is what little understanding I got from the non-disney dining portion of the conversation. Grand Gathering results from linking all our resort reservations together. We will need a minimum of 8 people and a maximum of 9 rooms. This will open up a lot of things for us, special merchandise and the availability of the International Dinner at Epcot. If we have more than 9 rooms then we would be a Leisure Group and the Grand Gathering Dining is not available. If we have people staying off site who want to come to dinner, it is possible. She ranted something about 80% onsite to 20% offsite and then went back to the Dining Plan sales pitch. Oh and the International Dinner uses 2 Table services.

When she found out we were DVC, she did tell me that all this could be booked through DVC. They could link the reservations and make the dinner arrangements. I think I will call them later today and see if I can get someone who will actually help.

Sorry I didn't get more details, but I wanted to end my discussion with her as quickly as possible.

 

[WDWLVR]

Wow Robin - that does sound confusing. Thanks for taking it all on. Hopefully DVC can help. If/when you need reservation numbers just let us know.

Thanks again for taking this on. Was she able to tell you if the Grand Gathering dinner was available for the 21st? It might not make sense to jump through all these hoops only to fnd out it isn't even available.

 

[TnRobin]

Okay, add Mary, Karen and Todd.

 

[TnRobin]

Okay - DVC is wonderful. The DVC Cast member was most helpful.

the minimum for a gathering is 8 people (over 2)
Maximum is 9 rooms

We may need to make Two groups so that everyone can attend.

Experiences available -

International Dinner and Illumination Dessert
Safari Celebration Dinner
Charater Breakfast At Tony's in Town Square
Magical Fireworks Voyage

They do not open for booking until 180 days - so we are okay so far.

One person has to be the contact person for each group. I can do that for one group. You have to call with the reservation numbers and names of the people in each group. DVC will submit the information to Grand Gathering people and get us a number. This number will allow us to create a group Name; buy t-shirt and other merchandise; and to book a experience. The kicker is we may have to pay for everything in advance. The CM wasn't sure.

I do not mind doing the leg work for this option, but I am afraid it is not very flexible to changes. Once we book a group, we may not be able to add new families who want to join us.

 

[cherylp3]

Robin, can there be offsite people? If not let me know.

 

[TnRobin]

Yes, they said we could have 20% offsite people

 

[seaulater]

Robin, can there be offsite people? If not let me know.

I would think that if you book at a DVC resort (like a one bedroom that sleeps 4, wouldn't you be able to include 2 people on your room count even though they weren't technically staying with you?)

So if you had nine rooms at DVC and they all slept 4 people, could you book a total of 36 people?

That's my question. We could put people who weren't really sleeping in your DVC room with you if they wanted to come if you had empty bed space.

Does this all make sense?

I would love to be added to. Linda for 2 people, not sure who is coming with me yet though!

 

[seaulater]

CHECK THIS OUT!!!!

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-contemporary2608feb26,0,6462018.story

 

[tinkerbelle77]

I'm definitely NOT a graphics kind of person. But if someone decides to do shirts, it would be great if they were on Cafe Press or some similar website so we could order and have delivered right to our homes!

Thanks!

We used cafe press for the 2006 memebr cruise and they worked our great! They have excellent customer service!

 

[JOANNEL]

CHECK THIS OUT!!!!

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-contemporary2608feb26,0,6462018.story

That is too cool. To be on the monorail would be great.

Linda- is Kay ok? She isn't even going on the member cruise? I just thought she was bowing out of the boards.

 

[WDWLVR]

I would think that if you book at a DVC resort (like a one bedroom that sleeps 4, wouldn't you be able to include 2 people on your room count even though they weren't technically staying with you?)

So if you had nine rooms at DVC and they all slept 4 people, could you book a total of 36 people?

That's my question. We could put people who weren't really sleeping in your DVC room with you if they wanted to come if you had empty bed space.

Does this all make sense?

I would love to be added to. Linda for 2 people, not sure who is coming with me yet though!

Linda - I think your reasoning is sound. I know we did something similar when we did the wishes cruise.

CHECK THIS OUT!!!!

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-contemporary2608feb26,0,6462018.story

Isn't that cool. There was also another article about them redoing the treehouses. Looks like some very cool stuff in store for DVC. We won't be buying points there but if we can get in at the 7 month mark I'd love to try it out. Same with the tree houses.

We used cafe press for the 2006 memebr cruise and they worked our great! They have excellent customer service!

I agree - cafe press worked great and I know the few people that had problems had them resolved very quickly.

 

[krdisneybound]

Kay is fine - not going on the cruise due to money problems and other personal obligations at this time. I received the incentive points instead of doing the cruise this year. Thanks for being concerned. The Germany trip is costing a lot of money and I would prefer to do that trip instead.

That is too cool. To be on the monorail would be great.

Linda- is Kay ok? She isn't even going on the member cruise? I just thought she was bowing out of the boards.

 

[JOANNEL]

Kay, I am glad you are okay. You will have a great time in germany, we lived there for 4 years. have some Romm snitzel for me. I was just worried because you weren't feeling well after you last trip.

Have a great time and I am sure we will see you around.

 

[danandnan]

Kay its great to see your Post and your ok. Don,t leave us we missed you and were worried.
Hi Joan great talking to you this morning. Nancy says she is going to give you a call also.
I don't if you knew is Joan or I told you or Roger I was satationed in Kitzagen Germany from 1963-1965 Us Army . Its a little town about 20 clicks from Wertzburg . Please forgive the spelling.
Kay you should have a great time. Have a cold one for me.
danandnan

 

[acourtwdw2]

Did anyone else see this. I would LOVE to do this. Anyone who lives in the DL area if you go please let me know.

Amanda

- http://psc.disney.go.com/eventservices/disneygallery/dlr_julieandrews_booksigning.html

 

[WDWLVR]

Did anyone else see this. I would LOVE to do this. Anyone who lives in the DL area if you go please let me know.

Amanda

- http://psc.disney.go.com/eventservices/disneygallery/dlr_julieandrews_booksigning.html

I hadn't seen that. How cool. If I was in the area I'd definately take a day off to go. I know we talked about it when the them for last year was Disney Legends...I would love to see Julie Andrews on our cruise!

 

[disrailfan]

That is too cool. To be on the monorail would be great.

I can hardly wait, we will probably not buy in there, but it will be fun to have the option to stay there.