Blue Goose Trip

[mommaU4]

I also think this would be a nice idea. Did you look into the grand gatherings last year? Did the majority not agree on one to do?

Yeah, we talked about that but it was too cost prohibitive for most.

I see Beth's point in wanting to plan a dinner for everybody but the big dinners did not prove to be a good way for a large group to socialize.

I know there is some interest in going to Jellyrolls. They've got a $10 per person cover. I would like to suggest that Friday be the night for PI because of the annual pass guest admissions, and Jellyrolls go on Saturday or Sunday.

The RADP meet had "park days" in which if you wanted to hang with the group, you would meet up at the park they were planning to go to that day, one park per day. You could hang as long as you wanted or break off from the group at any point. That has worked for 10 years.

Okay, so let's skip the group dinner thing then. I liked the Earl of Sandwich idea. Most people I've talked to like their food. I love it and was already planning to go their anyways at least once.

As long as there is a place we can sit. Or hang out and mingle, then that sounds good to me. That way we can all head over to the AC after wards, since I know alot of people wanted to go back and some will be going for the first time.

And last time we pretty much did have "park days" I thought.
They were on the schedule that I had in the first post of the thread.
And we from what I could tell we stuck with that schedule. We didn't all do the same things at the park once we got there. But that's to be expected depending on what a person likes to do.

 

[TDC Nala]

At Downtown Disney, there is a lot of outside seating. Maybe, weather permitting, carry out from Earl's and take over a bunch of tables down by the water, eat, be loud, have fun, then walk over to PI and work the ticket situation out for that.

 

[mommaU4]

At Downtown Disney, there is a lot of outside seating. Maybe, weather permitting, carry out from Earl's and take over a bunch of tables down by the water, eat, be loud, have fun, then walk over to PI and work the ticket situation out for that.

SOLD!
Sounds like fun to me. That's where I'll be Friday night if anyone else would like to join me.

 

[mommaU4]

I am going to do this in November:

International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception
Meet your friends and family at the Odyssey in Epcot® for a celebration of international friendship. Your well-traveled and fun-loving hostess, Auntie Roz, welcomes you to amazing tastes from around the world. Help yourself to delectable international cuisine served family-style, where everyone from Grandma to Junior is sure to find a favorite dish.

As you feast, Auntie Roz and some of your favorite Disney Characters sing, dance and tell stories — sometimes they even need your help! And Auntie Roz loves birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions, so if you've got something to celebrate just give her the word and she'll give you plenty of recognition, including a special song.

After your international eating adventure, end your evening on a sweet note with a scrumptious dessert buffet and a private, reserved viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Theme park admission is required.

Price:
Adults and Juniors - $59.99, Children (ages 3-9) - $24.99 (available 180 days prior)










It was talked about last time and there wasn't enough interest, including from me. The cost was an issue. But this will be my treat to myself this time, instead of more souvenirs that I don't have room for. lol

I think it sounds like fun so I am going to plan on doing this while I'm there.

I especially like the thought of a private viewing area for Illuminations.

Hopefully there will be a few others who'd like to join me as well.

 

[TDC Nala]

Is Auntie Roz a big slug in cat's eye glasses that will yell at us about paperwork?

Having a DVC reservation, I don't know if I can use the Grand Gathering. I have seen Illuminations a bazillion times from practically everywhere so that doesn't interest me much, but the food does.

The Odyssey is used for food & wine festival a lot during the time that we are going, so it's possible that this might end up being moved.

 

[tevagirl]

Beth, I'd love to do the International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception. Sounds like fun. I want to stay for Illuminations though.

 

[AdventurerKat]

Is there a sample menu for this somewhere?

 

[TDC Nala]

I looked for info on the boards. I did not find a full menu. This was the best I found:

International dinner and dessert buffet, Epcot - Glory be! Available to Grand Gathering parties, this was splendid. The old Odyssey restaurant was set up with several individual buffet tables, with food from China, Morocco, Germany, and Italy, with an "American" table for the kiddos - mac and cheese, chicken fingers, etc. I especially liked the tangine chicken (sorta crispy, with a hint of cinnamon) and the penne pasta alfredo (the alfredo sauce was being made fresh by a chef at the table). Other goodies included chicken schnitzel and duck pot sticker dumplings. I'll run out of adjectives if I try to describe the dessert buffet, served outside at lagoon's edge - cakes, pies, parfaits, mousses, just sheer decadence.

Also, not everyone attending has to be part of a Grand Gathering but 80% of them have to. I have been to events at the Odyssey. If there are a lot of us attending they would most likely set up separate tables of no more than 10 but the service is buffet style so there would be a lot of wandering around.

So all you'd have to do is figure out who'd be interested in the group and who'd pay the extra charge, and whether or not your dates would be limited in November because of the use of the Odyssey for food and wine festival. I'll keep looking for a menu but I've always thought Disney had good menus for their special events.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Pat, I'm sorry you didn't have a good time. I know I spent some of the MK day with you. Being spread out at different resorts was a liability.

When I signed up for the trip last March I thought I'd just meet everyone in September and tour the parks.

During that 6 months of planning we talked to one another on the thread
and they became more then just Disney friends. They are my friends who I learned I can share things with- good or bad.

This trip in November is not just a Dis meet to me.
I'm going on vacation with my friends.
There other dis meets on the boards, ours isn't the only one.

 

[JennaTX]

I am going to do this in November:

International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception
Meet your friends and family at the Odyssey in Epcot® for a celebration of international friendship. Your well-traveled and fun-loving hostess, Auntie Roz, welcomes you to amazing tastes from around the world. Help yourself to delectable international cuisine served family-style, where everyone from Grandma to Junior is sure to find a favorite dish.

As you feast, Auntie Roz and some of your favorite Disney Characters sing, dance and tell stories — sometimes they even need your help! And Auntie Roz loves birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions, so if you've got something to celebrate just give her the word and she'll give you plenty of recognition, including a special song.

After your international eating adventure, end your evening on a sweet note with a scrumptious dessert buffet and a private, reserved viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Theme park admission is required.

Price:
Adults and Juniors - $59.99, Children (ages 3-9) - $24.99 (available 180 days prior)










It was talked about last time and there wasn't enough interest, including from me. The cost was an issue. But this will be my treat to myself this time, instead of more souvenirs that I don't have room for. lol

I think it sounds like fun so I am going to plan on doing this while I'm there.

I especially like the thought of a private viewing area for Illuminations.

Hopefully there will be a few others who'd like to join me as well.

Beth, this sounds like fun to me! I had my splurge last year with the Segway tour, so I was looking for something for this year too.

Let's just do as we did last year, put things out there, and if people want to go, then they can go. I definately don't want anyone to stress about it, kwim?

 

[mommaU4]

Beth, this sounds like fun to me! I had my splurge last year with the Segway tour, so I was looking for something for this year too.

Let's just do as we did last year, put things out there, and if people want to go, then they can go. I definately don't want anyone to stress about it, kwim?

I totally agree! Notice I said, I AM doing this. If anyone wants to join me they are more than welcome and I hope they do.

Seriously, I totally missed out on Epcot altogether last time because of my ankle so this is something of great interest to me. I like the thought of seeing Illuminations without waiting forever or jostling for a good spot.

I know it's pricey which will be an issue for some, but this will be my splurge this time around since I'm not doing a tour.


Catherine, thanks for the info.
I started two threads about it on the Theme Park and Restaurant boards and have gotten no response. Maybe the menu differs from time to time? Either way, it still sounds like it's good food.

Also I like the idea of Earl's and then the AC on Friday. So we can plan on that and those who'd like to meet up then, are welcome to do so.

 

[JennaTX]

Beth, I have only seen Illuminations once. We did the Illuminations cruise with another family last year, and loved it. It was really great!!!

I am hoping to spend more time in Epcot too this year!


Also, one thing that helped with the scheduling last year is how Carmen put together everyone's schedule (who had posted it) into a spreadsheet for everyone. I of course had mine with me.

But that was such a good idea, then you had at least a general idea of who was doing what and when.

 

[jeminni]

Adventurekat, I agree with everything that you said. I think that what happened was that I signed up for all of the meals from the beginning. So many things changed in the intervening 6 months that the meals I signed up for were not well attended. For example, Thursday night at Ohana was supposed to be a large group but ended up being a group of about 8. Everyone else went to Whispering Canyon. And that seems to be the time that most people met. At the last meal at Boma, there were 4 of us. Anyone who couldn't keep up with all of the daily changes on the trip board wouldn't necessarily know that plans had changed.
Yes I did have the phone list. But if someone had called me and asked me to please call her and let her know where the group was headed, I would have done so. Many of us were not aware of all of the pool meets in the evening. I just feel that there could have been more of an effort to keep single travellers aware of where everyone was going. I was not part of a small group of people who knew each other beforehand and was at a disadvantage. I don't think I am the only one who felt that way either. Anyway, maybe I'm too old (53) to be trying to be a part of this group. I really was hoping to meet with a group of people who loved WDW as much as I do so I wouldn't have to drag my husband with me all of the time.

I went last year to the trip but because of scheduling difficulies only met a few ppl at the Le Celliar dinner, but I'm still going back this year, this time as a solo. If you want to meet up any at the parks give me a call or pm. I'm in your age range and would go through a park with you.


Also Earl of Sandwich meet on Friday night sounds good to me The only other ADR I really want to do is Spoodles. Hopefully when we get closer other ladies will want to go there too .

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Hi Joanne,
It sounds like you're inviting me to find another group to travel with.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Hi Joanne,
It sounds like you're inviting me to find another group to travel with.

No, Pat I'm not.
What I'm saying is there were alot of other people on that trip.
Who did you have dinner with first night at O'Hana? Did you ask them to call you?


I was at the Poly. For the first day and half I felt like I was alone.
Then I shoved myself on people.
One night after a small dinner they were going back to the room at POP.
I just told them I was coming. I didn't know if they wanted me at that time but I went anyway.
Then I took a cab back to my room.

I read on the boards all over and see people getting together to meet.
We aren't the only ones??

Like I said before we talked for 6 months prior to the trip and were fimiliar with each other. Please stop by the thread and chat once in awhile.
No one is saying you have to be on all the time like some of us.

Some of us have developed friendships because of the chatting and meeting each other.

 

[TinksPixieDust]

I totally agree! Notice I said, I AM doing this. If anyone wants to join me they are more than welcome and I hope they do.

Seriously, I totally missed out on Epcot altogether last time because of my ankle so this is something of great interest to me. I like the thought of seeing Illuminations without waiting forever or jostling for a good spot.

I know it's pricey which will be an issue for some, but this will be my splurge this time around since I'm not doing a tour.


Catherine, thanks for the info.
I started two threads about it on the Theme Park and Restaurant boards and have gotten no response. Maybe the menu differs from time to time? Either way, it still sounds like it's good food.

Also I like the idea of Earl's and then the AC on Friday. So we can plan on that and those who'd like to meet up then, are welcome to do so.

I'd like to join that also... I'll save my birthday money if I have to Damn it!!! LOL!!!

Beth, I have only seen Illuminations once. We did the Illuminations cruise with another family last year, and loved it. It was really great!!!

I am hoping to spend more time in Epcot too this year!


Also, one thing that helped with the scheduling last year is how Carmen put together everyone's schedule (who had posted it) into a spreadsheet for everyone. I of course had mine with me.

But that was such a good idea, then you had at least a general idea of who was doing what and when.

I agree... That did help to know who was doing what and where. Although this time I will prolly have a much better idea of what I want to do. I just like to hang with ya'll.

Pat, I'm sorry that the last trip didnt go so well for ya. But I wouldnt stop coming. Sometimes it's easy to get lost in a big group such as this.. but know that everyone is so caring here. This time I would just call people to find out where and what they are doing. I did that myself a few times. Hope I didnt annoy anyone. LOL!!

Joanne.. we didnt mind you tagging along. You were a hoot!!

I like the idea of Earl's and PI... (I think the reason I didnt like Earl's last time was because by the time I went to eat my sandwich... it was cold. YUCK!!! )

 

[TDC Nala]

I know I called some people at MK who didn't hear their phones...

but I am pretty much used to roaming around the parks on my own so I just did that until time to meet up for dinner.

 

[mommaU4]

Also, one thing that helped with the scheduling last year is how Carmen put together everyone's schedule (who had posted it) into a spreadsheet for everyone. I of course had mine with me.

But that was such a good idea, then you had at least a general idea of who was doing what and when.

I agree. Perhaps she'd be willing to do it again this time...

Also Earl of Sandwich meet on Friday night sounds good to me The only other ADR I really want to do is Spoodles. Hopefully when we get closer other ladies will want to go there too .

There were a few who went to Spoodles last time and raved about it, so you won't have a hard time finding someone to go with you.



I'm glad to see the thought of a Friday night meet at Earl's followed by a night at PI, sounds good to most of you.

And also the Illuminations dinner and dessert too!! So far, so good.

 

[jedi_librarian]

Of course I'd do it again

 

[JennaTX]

Pat, this is a large group, and I think everyone at some point kind of felt left alone.

The only thing I would suggest for you or anyone else who is going on the trip this year, is to join the chat thread.

Truly us chatting on the boards before the trip really helped to make us friends before the trip. It gave us a chance to get to know each other, the good and the bad, lol.

I think this is an amazing group of women, and I am so thankful for the friends that I have made. But like any relationship, you have to put in the "time" to make the relationship work.