Good Morning Gathering question

[Goofy4]

From http://www.mousesavers.com/packages.html

"A breakfast event at Tony's Town Square Restaurant. Guests are escorted from the front gate of the Magic Kingdom and served by Tony and other Disney characters..."

I'm just a little confused on the description where it reads "guests are escorted from the gate".. I take it MK doesn't always open by 9:30? Or is the breakfast not always at 9:30?

Also, having read other posts, looks like the Good Morning Gathering is a "must do". I'm a little hesitant because of the time -- 9:30-10:30 is prime park time. However, if the kids (and hence G & G) will have a good time, we'll do it. Thoughts?

 

[Bob P]

Hi Goofy,

MK never opens at 9:30. We did this in Febraury 2004 and we got to the Mk at opening, did one or two quick attractions, and came back to Tony's at 9:30 on our own.

IIRC, it took at least an hour, maybe more if you count the time you wait to have your picture taken with Mickey. And yes, you are definitely missing out on prime time. But if you do it in a slower seaosn (as it looks like you will) it may not be that big a deal to miss 75-90 minutes in the MK for some food, fun and entertainment in Tony's!

Bob

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

When I did this, I wasn't escorted to the restraunt, but rather from the entrance of the restraunt to my table by tony.

The food and entertainment were fabulous. Personally for me, it was OK to give up on that time, as the experience was wonderful. I have to say I loved the eggs and the "Italian Toast"

 

[karynnix]

We did the Good Morning Gathering last week, and it was the highlight of our trip. We went in through a special gate with a sign that said something about "if you have an AR for breakfast, please enter here". We went on in, and were able to go down Main Street and look in the shops before everyone else got there. You congregate inside the lobby at Tony's and are then escorted by family groups to the dining room. Our waiter came directly to our table to explain the menu and get drink orders. You have a choice of a traditional breakfast or a healthy breakfast. The traditional had scrambled eggs (best I've ever had), asiago hashbrowns (yum, yum!!!), sausage, bacon, and Italian toast (French toast to you and me!). The kids gots Italian toast and berries. The healthy breakfast was granola with yogurt and berries. It is all you can eat, but you don't have to stand in line to get your food. They bring it to the table for you. The food was out to us in a matter of minutes. Then as we were finishing our breakfast (probably 20 minutes or so later) Tony came out and started singing. He introduced the characters (Pluto, Goofy, and Chip and Dale) and they started doing dances and songs. They did the Hokey Pokey with the kids and the Chicken dance. Then the characters started circulating to all of the tables. They spent about 20 minutes going from table to table and then gathered in the middle for kids to come up to them again. It was very exciting for my kids and we didn't feel like we had to chase down the characters. Then they started calling family groups back to meet Mickey. We took some pictures and we back on Main Street around 11:00. True, we missed a lot of the early morning, but it was so worth it!! It was very relaxed and the kids had a ball!! I would definately do it again.

 

[SamanthaL]

Hmmm. This sounds like something we may have to fit into our plan!

 

[Goofy4]

Thank you karynnix! I will do my best to relax and have fun (even though I know the park is filling up). Besides, the in-laws are paying for most of it and this could be the highlight of their trip -- they deserve it!

karynnix -- What time did the park open and what time did you arrive?

 

[karynnix]

We got to the park a little after 8:30 and they let us right on in the gate. The breakfast started at 9:30. And when I say 9:30, it was right on the dot! They did not waste any of our time making us wait for ANYTHING!! I believe the park opened at 9:00 that morning. There were already lots of people waiting at the gate to get in.

 

[4greatboys]

Is it pre-plated or served family style?

 

[karynnix]

The food was pre-plated, but it is all you can eat! The plates of food were HUGE!! It was a wonderful experience.

 

[4greatboys]

Thanks!

 

[MAGICX2]

Is this just for large groups or can anyone make an AR for this? Sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[4greatboys]

Is this just for large groups or can anyone make an AR for this? Sounds like a lot of fun!

Its only a Grand Gathering event. To be a Grand Gathering you must have a group of 8 or more (children under 3 dont count). You need to have a GG # that they will give you when you make your GG room ressies.

 

[karynnix]

If you can do it, it is SOOOOOO worth your time and money!!

 

[rantnnravin]

Can you use the dining plan to pay for this?

 

[4greatboys]

Can you use the dining plan to pay for this?

Im not sure. For GG events they must be paid in full at the time you sch them
so using the dining plan probably wouldnt work out.

 

[rantnnravin]

no matter. I'm still going to Disney World!!!

thanks for the info