Dilemma re: reservation- keep or dump?

[GriswoldDisneyMom]

Hello all! My mom is taking my whole family (10 first-timers, ages 59-9) to the World in May. (5/27-6/4) She signed up under the free dining (1 snack, 1 QS, 1 TS pp per nite) and we already have the following booked: Raglan Road, Tusker House character breakfast, dinner at Le Cellier, Spirit of Aloha. We know that we're going to be over the number of credits, but she's already talked to her TA and upgrading is prohibitively expensive, plus we don't want to be tied down to reservation times.

Here's the thing. Her TA told her that because we qualify as a Grand Gathering, there's something about we get priority seating for Illuminations with a dinner package. Our res at Le Cellier is Sun. nite 5/29 at 7pm. Should we dump Le Cellier and try to get somewhere else with Illum. seating or should we just keep our res at LC and try to find someplace to see Illuminations when we get out? I know it's short notice but she just got the dinner package info today. Where might we have a chance of getting a res at this point if we decide to try it?

 

[Faldred]

If you want to do the priority seating, consider checking availability first. If you do that, then you can book it before canceling the Le Cellier ADR, so you don't muff up the reservation without securing a replacement.

 

[nkereina]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this, as I'm not all that familiar with Grand Gatherings, but I believe the Illuminations dinner is in a special venue where the food is served including dessert and has special viewing. I don't believe you have the choice of restaurants to pick from, like you do with the Fantasmic package. I also believe it's 2 TS credits but Le Cellier is too. I haven't read many good reviews for this dinner package, so I would keep what you have. I don't think the food provided with the package would hold a candle to Le Cellier.

Edit: Just googled the Illuminations dinner & dessert reception for grand gatherings and found this info: "Your dinner begins in the Odyssey Building in Epcot, located between Future World and the World Showcase. You'll be joining other Grand Gatherings for a buffet dinner of international cuisines accompanied by entertainment that may vary from season to season. After dinner, your group will be escorted to a private viewing area (these reserved locations vary also) right on the water for the Illuminations Fireworks Show. You'll love not having to try to save seats for your entire group for the light show!"

 

[GriswoldDisneyMom]

Thank you both for input, advice and info. I mentioned the above to my mom. Wonder if this is something you still have to reserve? Wonder what time we're supposed to be there? Wonder how I find out the answers to these questions!

 

[GriswoldDisneyMom]

What. A. Crock! My mom just called the "Grand Gathering Hotline" and when she told them she had booked the trip through her AAA travel agent, they told her her TA would have to call and make the Grand Gathering res for her. Since when does a TA have to make ADRs? I think she just got a snotty call center person.

And also, her TA told her earlier today that when you have so many credits per person, you can't mix and match. Each person has to use their own credits. Or something. I am beginning to think this whole thing is waaaaay more complicated than it's going to be worth! Maybe I'm just having a Grumpy Moment! SIGH!