Anyone have trouble booking the Magical Gatherings fireworks cruise?

[Partridge4ever]

I just read that the Magical Gatherings fireworks cruise has only 2 boats with 25 people each. Our party alone is 13. Is booking this as bad as Cinderella's castle breakfast? And do I call at precisely 7 am eastern or do they start at midnight? The Grand Gatherings number is different from WDW-DINE.

 

[mommystieg]

When I booked our cruise before our June trip I treated it just like calling in for CRT--got up early and started calling at about 6:55 am. I didn't have any trouble getting through but it did take a while to get everything entered in(we had 15 people in our group)We had to make two reservations as the computer would allow only 12 per ressie. I wish I could tell you we had a great time but our cruise was cancelled due to lightening

 

[Partridge4ever]

Thanks! It has taken 3 long distance phone calls, over an hour each, just to get the Grand Gathering number for our group. I'm pretty worried about making an actual reservation. If they plan for this to be for groups only, they really should allow more than 12 in the system at a time!

Sorry to hear your cruise was cancelled. Was the whole thing cancelled or just the cruise part? I was trying to keep this a secret from my girls so they won't have their heart set on it, but the other moms in our group have told their kids all about it.

 

[4greatboys]

Originally posted by mommystieg
When I booked our cruise before our June trip I treated it just like calling in for CRT--got up early and started calling at about 6:55 am. I didn't have any trouble getting through but it did take a while to get everything entered in(we had 15 people in our group)We had to make two reservations as the computer would allow only 12 per ressie. I wish I could tell you we had a great time but our cruise was cancelled due to lightening

Our Wishes cruise was canceled due lightning on June 9th but luckily we were able to take our Illuminations cruise the next night.

We didnt have any problems getting a Grand Gathering number. Just to let you know when you sch the Grand Gathering event it has to be paid for in full then.

 

[mommystieg]

Originally posted by Partridge4ever
Thanks! It has taken 3 long distance phone calls, over an hour each, just to get the Grand Gathering number for our group. I'm pretty worried about making an actual reservation. If they plan for this to be for groups only, they really should allow more than 12 in the system at a time!

Sorry to hear your cruise was cancelled. Was the whole thing cancelled or just the cruise part? I was trying to keep this a secret from my girls so they won't have their heart set on it, but the other moms in our group have told their kids all about it.

They brought the entertainment up to the Contemporary where the dessert reception was held. It was probably not the best location--the "pirates" told jokes and played trivia but unless you were sitting on the floor with the kids it was kinda hard to hear. Captain Hook, Mr. Smee and Peter Pan all came for autographs and the kids received a "Return to Neverland" story book.

4greatboys--I feel your pain. Our cruise was supposed to be on the 7th and I was sooo disappointed, I had heard such wonderful things it.....

 

[lenshanem]

For those whose cruise was canceled - I had read on another thread of someone else whose cruise was canceled due to weather and they felt it was not worth the money. (not in their exact words)

I have this booked next month with another DISer and I'm very excited about it, but now worried as I just got back a couple weeks ago and darn if it didn't rain HEAVY every single night!

How did you feel about it? I also have a daughter with a severe peanut and nut allergy. I was told to call a few weeks before we left to talk with someone, but to be honest I doubt they'll be able to help us. They seem a little unorganized. What all was on the buffet? Was a chef around or anyone that could run go get her some soft serve ice cream or something?

Were you in a separate location so others that didn't pay for the cruise couldn't just walk on in and compete with the kids for autographs, etc.?
Thanks for any info!

Oh, and do we just go down to the marina to check in?

 

[mommystieg]

You actually check in in the Contemporary--there is a little roped off area behind the pin station. Everybody gets a special pin which identifies you as a paid guest. The buffet had some fresh fruit and lots of chocolate. I know there were Nestle tollhouse cookies and lots of other stuff. I would still call and talk to someone about your daughter's allergy--there were a few people there that were just in charge of the food.
We were very disappointed that the cruise was cancelled but the CM's really did everything they could to make it fun for the kids. Truly, our only complaint was the fact that they called it a "private party" but anyone walking through the lobby could stop and watch--that's where the pins came in handy--if you didn't have a pin, you couldn't participate or get autographs. The CM's did a good job of spotting kids that had climbed under the ropes since they weren't wearing the pins. It was just so darn hard to hear everything with the monorails passing by every few minutes.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks mommystieg. Were these like trading type pins they gave you?

So you checked in on the same level as Chef mickey's? It just says Marina on the confirmation they sent me.

How long did it last then since the boat part was canceled?

Did Wishes still go on? I had read from that other woman that wishes started later, but they watched from a very fogged up window. I wonder if they piped in the music, too since from what you say it is in the lobby! You'd think they'd use one of the convention rooms or something. Odd...

Guess I'll just keep my fingers CROSSED.

Thanks for your help.

 

[mommystieg]

These were just like trading pins--they have the boat and some fireworks and it says "Magical Gatherings Fireworks Cruise" or something similiar across the bottom.
The reception area is on the same level as CM just at the end with all the windows. It lasted until after 10 pm so that all the kids got a chance to visit with Peter Pan--he is a very chatty little guy
Wishes was delayed until 10:30 and we were invited to watch from inside or you could go outside. They did not pipe the music in but some of my family went outside and they were piping the music in there. (I wanted to experience the full effect of Wishes so I didn't watch it -- I decided to wait and see it in the MK another night)
Let me know how your cruise goes--maybe I can enjoy it through the eyes of others.....

 

[lenshanem]

Peter Pan is chatty! We had him on our Family Magic Tour a couple weeks ago and DH and I were amazed! We agreed he must be exhausted by the end of the day!

Was the outside area larger enough to hold everyone then?

I did get your PM, thanks.

I'll be sure to post back a report.

 

[mommystieg]

The patio area was pretty large and then I think you could also go down to the marina. My DBIL and his wife did go outside so if I remember when I see them(pregnancy induced memory lapses )I will ask them where they stood to watch.

 

[Partridge4ever]

I feel better knowing that there will at least be something salvaged of the event if it does storm. I'm such a worry wort. Now to actually book the ressies. I must've checked my calendar a million times to be sure I've got the 90 day window marked.