DVC and Grand Gathering Events

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Has anyone had difficulty planning GG events using DVC?

We are taking a short trip to BWV in January with friends staying at POR. We will all have the dining plan and MYW tickets. Although GG's CMs didn't quite get the differences in regular Dining Plan and DVC they managed to make it work. The Illuminations GG is 2 TS credits.

However, my friends staying at POR would like for their FL relatives to join us for the GG. Her relatives enjoy going to Disney often and have regular annual passes. GG office told both me and my friend that for her relatives to join us for the Illuminations GG dinner they would have to be on the dining plan, which is impossible with regular non-dvc annual passes. GG said that the FL relatives would have to get a package that would include 2 nights stay, 3 day MYW tickets, and standard dining plan. For POR that is over $1000 just for them to go to the Illuminations Grand Gathering, and spend the night in Orlando. (Not Practical)

Since we only have 2 people booked in our studio, could we put their names on our reservation, and getting the DVC dining plan even though they wouldn't be staying with us? Can we have only 1 of the two people on our reservation for the 4 days that we are there so that they have 4TS, 4 CS, 4 Snacks instead of 8 of each? Can 2 people use 1 person's TS credit. All 4 TS credits would be used for that one dinner? We figure CS lunch, The GG, and CS breakfast at POR would be worth the $150 it would cost them.

Does it make a difference if they decide to stay at POR and have another reservation? Will it be o.k. that they don't check-in with us, or are not using ME service? Do AP holders use the DVC dining plan?

I know this is confusing so let me know what needs clarified on this. I am not trying to game the system, pool hop, or re-use my mug. I'm just trying to find a way for 2 very nice people to eat dinner with us.

Disney seems to be making this very complicated. I can't see why they can't just pay cash for the meal.

 

[wildernessDad]

I don't see why being on the DDP is a requirement to attend a grand gathering event. The only thing that I've heard as being a requirement is that they are staying at a Disney Resort. Here is the quote from the WDW website.

Quote
Grand Gathering is a group of 8 or more staying at select Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels. This means the more you gather, the more you can enjoy all kinds of special benefits, services and one-of-a-kind experiences we've created just for large parties like yours. We welcome kids of all ages, but only those age 3 and up are considered part of the guest count.
End quote

That page is here...
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...s/ggLandingPage?id=GrandGatheringsLandingPage

Everybody on a reservation must be on the dining plan, so you would not be able to put just one person on the plan. You could, if you are within the room limits, add them both to your reservation and put them on the DDP.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Thanks Wilderness Dad!

Grand Gatherings definitely wanted everyone in the party to either be all on the dining plan, or not all on the dining plan.

We will see what will happen. My friend may find it a bit awkward to add her relatives to my reservation. I think this is also a bit convaluted, and am afraid we will run into a snag.

I would love to hear some more opinions about this.