Family Reunion-Making Reservations

[Montana Minnies]

Hi Everyone
In Aug.04 we are planning a family get together and hope to stay in a 2bdrm villa at OKW. The dilema is two of our travelers live on the East Coast, one in Philadelphia and one in Washington,DC The rest of us will be traveling from different parts of Montana. Everyone from Montana is definitely going. The one from Phildadelphia really wants to go. Now comes the "dilema", the one from Washington DC does not know for sure , but may come for just a few days, like a weekend.
We want to stay for 10 days and usually do a package plan through Disney. Does anyone know if when booking a package plan with a silver add on, if we need to pay for all 8 of us or can we just pay for the 7 and pay the 1 separately. Also what do we ask or tell the resort? Will it be ok for Washington DC niece to show up a few days later and just stay a few days. We plan on asking our TA besides, but just wanted input from you all too.
Thanks for your help in advance.
"Montana Minnies"

 

[dizneykid]

As of October, 03 Disney has started Magical Gatherings in which Grand Gatherings is part of. Grand Gatherings is families over 8 people. On the Official Disney website, you will find info on Grand Gatherings. From what I heard is that they will specialize in making reservations, from plane to hotel for large parties. They will even help with making priority seatings and they have special places reserved where you can view the parades with your whole group. I think they even have set up a special breakfast with Mickey (I think it is in the Magic Kingdom), for the family (although I think there might be other large groups there also, but you should check this out).

Anyway, give it a try or even call 407-WDISNEY and they them you are planning a family reunion, they might even have info they can send you. Here in Florida, there are commercials all the time about this new service they have.

Good Luck.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I am also planning a large family reunion in Aug. 2004, and I called about Magical Gatherings the day after it was announced. The cm that helped me was informative, even though I was only the first person he had talked to about this. There is lots of info on disneyworld.com. It was basically the same info that he had, since they had just finished training on this the day before. I think when they get the online planner going, it's going to cut my planning time in half! I've got a stubborn bunch, and I'm the only one who has booked a room so far, so I'm getting very frustrated. The cm did tell me that it doesn't matter if everyone stays the whole time or not (another dilemma of mine) as long as everyone overlaps at least one day. The gathering events that they have lined up sound like a lot of fun, much better than trying to organize all these people together in the parks! My family and I are AP holders (or will be in Feb.!) and the rest are probably doing packages. The cm told me it doesn't matter. They will give you a "gathering number" and when everyone calls in their reservations, they give that number and it "links" their reservation with everyone else in your party to help you plan events and ps and stuff....Hope you guys have a great time, maybe we'll see you there!

 

[Montana Minnies]

Thanks alot for the headsup on Magical Gatherings. I had read something similar at one time but I did not know there were other things included with it. I appreciate your input!

Montana Minnies

 

[memymomonica]

Don't know about the Magical Gatherings, but just wanted to say I loved the 2 bedroom villa at OKW. We stayed there and are spoiled now. It is amazing!!