Garden City Event-Any Reports?

When I signed up for Sat evening, I was hoping they would offer special incentives for add-ons! But then we had to replace our furnace last week so there won't be any add-ons for us this time! :sad1:

I'm still looking forward to Mickey, Minnie and hopefully other characters! :goodvibes
 
I'm super excited to go on Monday :banana:Can't wait to hear reports and maybe see some pictures of the event.
 
Must have been some last minute cancellations... I just registered (10 minutes ago) for tomorrow morning at 10AM !. The drive is not going to be fun given the weather forecast. Maybe that's why there were some cancellations.


mac_tlc
 

Must have been some last minute cancellations... I just registered (10 minutes ago) for tomorrow morning at 10AM !. The drive is not going to be fun given the weather forecast. Maybe that's why there were some cancellations.


mac_tlc

Thank you sooo much for the heads-up! I just registered us for the Saturday 10 am event, which was my 2nd choice when the invite first came up on 8/12. We were leaving on our WDW trip that very day and I thought I'd leave it until we came back on 8/23--and all the slots were filled then.
There are quite a few times with limited availability, which wasn't the case a few days ago. As you say cancellations must be the issue. We live 10 minutes away from Garden City Hotel and know the area well (I work in the area and my MIL lives 3 minutes away) so driving won't be an issue.
 
Well we're finally home from the 7:00 event. The Garden City Hotel is quite beautiful. We registered and were given a new pair of mouse ears with the Doorway to Dreams Logo for each person in our party. It was me, DH and DD5. Then we took DD over to the kids club and got her all settled. Then we went in to the main room where the presentation would take place. We were told that the presentation would be an hour and then the dance party would be downstairs for the 2nd hour. When we took our seats, there was a little trio up on stage playing jazzy versions of all the classic Disney songs. They sounded so good, I wish I had a cd of it. We took our seats. On each seat was a bag. Inside was a leather folder with a pad and pen inside and also the BLT points chart and some other info. We also were given a card to fill out for a drawing, although we were not told right away what the prize would be. We filled those out and turned them back in right away. Then the presentation began with none other than DEE VEE CEE. It was actually her and even though in the past I've found her to be a bit irritating, I must say she was very funny. Then two DVC guides, Joan and Dave took over and they talked about BLT, VGC, Hawaii, new attractions being developed for Disneyland, and also for Hong Kong Disneyland. They also talked about RCI exchanges, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, and of course, the new Doorway to dreams opening on October 17. There was a little more of a show to it than just talking, and it was very entertaining, although at the end it started getting a little long. Then they finally talked about the incentives available for tonight only if you added on at BLT or VGC and last but not least , they did the drawing, which turned out to be for a 7 night RCI exchange. One lucky winner was chosen. They also handed out great little Disney Vacation Club light-up keychains to everyone. When it was finally over, it was 8:20 already!
Then we went across the hall to get DD from the kids club and went downstairs. The party seemed a little crazy at first. Pluto and Mickey were out for meet and greets and lines were forming for both of them, as well as a long line for a dessert buffet. I stood in line with DD for Pluto and Mickey and DH got in line to get us some desserts.
The DJ was playing and the room was beautifully decorated with Mickey icons everywhere. There were crazy lights on the dance floor and fun music. Pluto was the first to come out onto the dance floor. He danced with many of the kids and then the DJ got them to do a Conga line and Pluto wound up being right behind my DD, who was having the time of her life. Mickey never came onto the dance floor, but Goofy did and also danced for a long time with all the kids. Minnie came out and first took Mickeys place for meet and greets but then came onto the dance floor as well. All the kids seemed to be having a great time, and the nice thing was, there weren't too many kids so they all got their turn with the characters. I got some great pictures and videos of DD dancing with Pluto, Goofy and Minnie. Make sure you have you're cameras ready! The dance party actually lasted until about 9:40, when the DJ played the last song. DD had such a great time, and we loved getting a litlle of that feeling of being surrounded by Disney. We had a long ride home, coming back to Connecticut in the pouring rain tonight (which is why I'm so late with this report), but overall we were very happy that we went.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions for you.
 
Annette, thanks so much for the report! What were the incentives? Also, we weren't sure if we should have dinner or not before we went. I'm assuming that we should have dinner. Is that right?
 
The incentives offered were as follows:

Buy 100 pts - $12/pt credit

125 pts - $13/pt credit PLUS 2 disney Broadway tickets (LK or MP)

160 pts - $14/pt credit PLUS 4 Disney Broadway tickets (LK or MP)

200 pts or more - $16/pt PLUS 4 Disney Broadway tickets (LK or MP), also, there is no cap on how many points you can buy over 200 and you will still get that discount.

We understood this to be for BLT, VGC, SSR or AKV and in the presentation, no mention was made of better incentives for AKV or SSR, however, we did not speak with the any of the guides as we had no intention of adding on at this time, so I think what Karrit2000 has posted is a lot more detailed. They did confirm that the price per point will be going up from $112 to $120 per point :scared1:.

Definitely eat something before you go! We made the mistake of thinking we could find a nearby McDonalds or similar before we went in. But the hotel is in an area that is mostly residential and there was nothing in sight and it was also pouring rain. I had some snacks for DD and she was just too excited anyway, so we suffered through until it was over.
 
Thanks for the updates!

Anyone who needs snacks/food before or after the presentation, there's a Dunkin Donuts / Baskin Robbins a block away on 7th St. Also a TCYB, a supermarket & sandwich shops. Go left for a long block when you exit the hotel main entrance and beyond the light & intersection with Hilton Ave. you'll hit a block with businesses.
 
The incentives offered were as follows:

Buy 100 pts - $12/pt credit

125 pts - $13/pt credit PLUS 2 disney Broadway tickets (LK or MP)

160 pts - $14/pt credit PLUS 4 Disney Broadway tickets (LK or MP)

200 pts or more - $16/pt PLUS 4 Disney Broadway tickets (LK or MP), also, there is no cap on how many points you can buy over 200 and you will still get that discount.

Did they tell you what kind of seats you get for Broadway? It would certainly change the value of this incentive a lot if you got premium orchestra or balcony. Just curious - this part of the incentive would not really impact my decision to add on or not.
 
A few other questions:

How long are the incentives good for? Do you have to decide on site?
Did they offer developer points?
Do you get 2008 points? 2009 points?
 
Well we're finally home from the 7:00 event. The Garden City Hotel is quite beautiful. We registered and were given a new pair of mouse ears with the Doorway to Dreams Logo for each person in our party. It was me, DH and DD5. Then we took DD over to the kids club and got her all settled. Then we went in to the main room where the presentation would take place. We were told that the presentation would be an hour and then the dance party would be downstairs for the 2nd hour. When we took our seats, there was a little trio up on stage playing jazzy versions of all the classic Disney songs. They sounded so good, I wish I had a cd of it. We took our seats. On each seat was a bag. Inside was a leather folder with a pad and pen inside and also the BLT points chart and some other info. We also were given a card to fill out for a drawing, although we were not told right away what the prize would be. We filled those out and turned them back in right away. Then the presentation began with none other than DEE VEE CEE. It was actually her and even though in the past I've found her to be a bit irritating, I must say she was very funny. Then two DVC guides, Joan and Dave took over and they talked about BLT, VGC, Hawaii, new attractions being developed for Disneyland, and also for Hong Kong Disneyland. They also talked about RCI exchanges, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, and of course, the new Doorway to dreams opening on October 17. There was a little more of a show to it than just talking, and it was very entertaining, although at the end it started getting a little long. Then they finally talked about the incentives available for tonight only if you added on at BLT or VGC and last but not least , they did the drawing, which turned out to be for a 7 night RCI exchange. One lucky winner was chosen. They also handed out great little Disney Vacation Club light-up keychains to everyone. When it was finally over, it was 8:20 already!
Then we went across the hall to get DD from the kids club and went downstairs. The party seemed a little crazy at first. Pluto and Mickey were out for meet and greets and lines were forming for both of them, as well as a long line for a dessert buffet. I stood in line with DD for Pluto and Mickey and DH got in line to get us some desserts.
The DJ was playing and the room was beautifully decorated with Mickey icons everywhere. There were crazy lights on the dance floor and fun music. Pluto was the first to come out onto the dance floor. He danced with many of the kids and then the DJ got them to do a Conga line and Pluto wound up being right behind my DD, who was having the time of her life. Mickey never came onto the dance floor, but Goofy did and also danced for a long time with all the kids. Minnie came out and first took Mickeys place for meet and greets but then came onto the dance floor as well. All the kids seemed to be having a great time, and the nice thing was, there weren't too many kids so they all got their turn with the characters. I got some great pictures and videos of DD dancing with Pluto, Goofy and Minnie. Make sure you have you're cameras ready! The dance party actually lasted until about 9:40, when the DJ played the last song. DD had such a great time, and we loved getting a litlle of that feeling of being surrounded by Disney. We had a long ride home, coming back to Connecticut in the pouring rain tonight (which is why I'm so late with this report), but overall we were very happy that we went.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions for you.


Thank you for the report.....can you tell me how the parking situation is?

Thanks.
 
We will be there Monday night also!:cool1:


I noticed you have small children too! Mine our 7, 4 and 2! I know the 2 yo is not old enough for the kids club area. Are you bringing the baby in your avatar? I don't think my 2 yo will last a long presentation and I don't want her to be disruptive either.
 
Thank you for the report.....can you tell me how the parking situation is?

Thanks.

We had no problem parking. I think valet parking was also available, but my husband dropped off DD and I and was able to find a parking spot very close by. I didn't hear anyone else complaining about parking either. I can tell you that there was also a wedding going on in another part of the hotel at the same time, so they must have a lot of banquet space and ample parking to go along with it. Again, this hotel is very VERY NICE! I think they have all of their bases covered.
 
A few other questions:

How long are the incentives good for? Do you have to decide on site?
Did they offer developer points?
Do you get 2008 points? 2009 points?

The incentive was only good while you are there. You will need to decide on site. Developer points were not mentioned and I'm afraid I don't know any more details as far as years. We went in knowing we were not adding on so I didn't discuss any details with the guides one on one. Sorry.
 
Did they tell you what kind of seats you get for Broadway? It would certainly change the value of this incentive a lot if you got premium orchestra or balcony. Just curious - this part of the incentive would not really impact my decision to add on or not.

They didn't say what kind of seats these would be. I can't imagine they would give you lower priced seats, but I really don't know. Sorry.
 
I am afraid I am going to get caught up in the excitement and buy BLT .... any other resort I would definitely get resale....lol.
 
Just got back from the 10 am event.

Heads-up to those looking for more food before/after the event, the Dunkin Donuts on 7th St that I mentioned in my post on the previous page doesn't have the typical pink sign, it's on a Garden City block that doesn't want to look too commercial so it has a dark green sign with gold letters. There's also a Starbucks on that block. For those of you who want to look it up on the map it's 7th St, east of the Garden City Hotel, between Franklin Ave. and Hilton Ave.

We didn't get any food at the event before the presentation but after there were cookies in the sales room and fruit, muffins, croissants, coffee, tea, fresh-squeezed OJ in the party room.

About parking, if you can't find a spot in the parking lot (which might happen if you're going for a Sat or Sun pm session and the hotel has a wedding reception) there's a parking lot across the road for the train station and library.


If you're adding on, the purchase can be divided into smaller contracts. We just added on 2 50 pt contracts at BLT. With the incentive the points worked out at $100 each :banana:

We got 2009 points but no 2008 points, and no developer pts.

Another heads up, I don't know the age limit for the kids club but the youngest kids there (according to my kids age 11 and 9) looked around 3 or 4. There were a lot of impatient and crying babies and toddlers at our presentation--not easy for little ones considering it was an hour long. They had coloring books and crayons which might help a little.

They also announced that the Doorway to Dreams store on LI opens on Oct 17.
 

















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