book it myself vs. grand gathering

[jenlynn0808]

DH & I have convinced his parents and B & SIL that a family vacation next Feb. would be something the kids (and us) would remember for a lifetime. Plus we are celebrating FILs retirement from the FD, which is happening the first week in Feb.

We said that we would do all the 'mouse'work, with everyone getting a say (We don't want anyone to be disappointed and say that this was "our" trip and that's why they didn't have a good time.)

Sorry-OT...I'm wondering if there is any significant advantage to booking this as a grand gatherings versus just booking it ourselves? We will have 6 adults, DNephew16, DNiece9, DD9, DNephew2, DS2 for a total of 11 people.

We don't want to stay together, but we would like the same hotel if everyone can afford/agree on one.

I've read on the Disney site that there are special dinners and things,but not everyone in our party will qualify for or want to do. Would it be better to plan this ourselves and figure places where everyone/majority of us want to eat and make ADRs? Or will it be easier to go through gatherings?

I'm trying to get as much lined up before the 2008 info is released, so we are set to go. Thanks for any information/advice...

 

[bettydau]

Subscribing.

 

[bless7ings]

We did a grand gathering. We were told by Disney to. Why? For the biggest reason for us was: they guaranteed hooking all our room reservations and dining reservations together. Therefore we got connecting rooms and were first to accommodate a large party for dining. They said if we were not hooked together then it was not a priority for them. Example: seating us for dining. Since that trip I have found out more about the GG and have found some fun meals that you can pay for w/ the dining plan and they are for only GG!!!! I don't think they had them at the time we went. They just had the tours you paid extra for that were only for GG. I would highly rec. going w/ GG and have Disney book you. That does not take anything away from you planning it yourself. I don't understand what you mean by that?!?! We went during free dining so it was a no brainer for us to be on their plan! They are offering it now for part of Aug and Sept.

We had connecting rooms for a reason you wont. We had kids that had to stay in my parents room.

The one I am looking into is the Safari ride and dinner. It is set up as a private tour for only GG. The most families doing this together I have heard is 3. It takes two credits for this, but we found our large family of 8 could eat for 4 adult meals and have leftovers!(two were little) The portions are large! So therefore we could save some credits to use 2 credits/pp for this specialty.