Grand Gathering Events... Experiences Wanted!

[gigi1313]

has anyone done any of the Grand Gathering events? we will be visiting the world w/at least one other, maybe two, families... we will have the minimum of 8 people/3 rooms... and would love some feedback on any of the "special events"

the first one that appeals to me is the Wishes Fireworks cruise... having only seen wishes from afar, and not knowing the story, but having read so many good things about it, i think it would be a great way to end an evening for our group...

the second one that wows me is the Safari Adventure... we're not planning a day in the AK this trip (the other family keeps saying "we can always go to the zoo" despite my protests that it is *NOT* a zoo! LOL! and my kids are never very enthused about going there for some reason that i cannot figure out, yet we spent a day there each trip on our last three trips despite their protests) so this might quench my desire for the AK a little bit... it sounds like a "best of the AK" w/out the "whatever it is that my family doesn't like" LOL! and a dinner to boot!

so... i'd love to hear some feedback on these two experiences...

 

[gigi1313]

nobody has done a grand gathering experience?!

 

[Goofy4]

We're signed up for the Wishes Fireworks cruise and the breakfast at Tony's. I was persuaded here on the boards that the breakfast would be well worth it. We would do them all, but we ran out of time (and money)

 

[TheresaNY]

We did two this past July, Fireworks and Tony's. We most enjoyed Tony's Breakfast for our crew (kids, parents, and Grandparents). The food was delicious, great character interaction and private photos with Mickey, as well as a fabulous staff. The fireworks cruise was fun, but not really worth the money, IMO. It is desserts at the CR and some singing on the boat all building up to 10 minutes worth of fireworks. It was a bit of a let down for us, but the "pirates" made it worth it ! I would suggest Tony's, and save your money on the cruise !!

 

[whacked]

I've done the Illuminations pontoon boat. It's pretty fun.

All of the GG stuff is fairly expensive though.

We're a grand gathering this December, and I think we'll probably end up doing MVMCP instead of GG stuff.

The AK stuff sounds interesting, but VERY expensive.

 

[Partridge4ever]

We did the Magical Fireworks cruise and the Illuminations dinner last October. Both were fun, I'm glad we did them, but for the cost we don't see the need to repeat them.

The fireworks cruise starts with a dessert buffet...Nestle cookies mostly. Hook and Smee were there for autographs. Then we boarded our boat. We had assigned rows and our party of 9 was put on opposite sides of the boat...same row, so it wasn't like we were miles apart, but we would've prefered to have been seated behind each other so we could talk more easily. The pirate was fun. He read a story to the kids. All the kids got a paperback copy of Peter Pan and we each got a special pin. Our view of Wishes was sort of obstructed by the awning of the boat. It was pretty, but there was something missing, it was kind of like watching it on TV. Then Peter Pan was there to greet us at the dock. I don't mean to sound negative. My kids loved the whole thing. I think I'd built it up so much in my mind that nothing could've lived up to my expectations.

 

[gigi1313]

hmmmmm... why did i think the wishes cruise was private? and since my son cannot have nestle cookies (peanut and tree nut allergies) i guess we will skip it for sure!

the AK safari sounds cool, but then i realized that tusker house is counter service... that's a lot of $ for counter service (unless the dinner is a different meal than normally served there???)

hmmmm... the breakfast sounds like it might be the best fit... but since we'll be on the dining plan, it doesn't seem smart to pay for a meal we can get elsewhere on our plan (i.e. chef mickeys or 'ohana)... no?

ugh! i think i will look into a private cruise of some sort... any suggestions?

 

[mrscoobs]

We have done the Wishes cruise and the Illuminations reception. IMHO we preferred the dessert reception for Illuminations more than the Wishes cruise (I just find Wishes more entertaining on main street then from far away (plus we usually get a far away view from the Cali Grill). We found the Illuminations buffet lovely and non-stressful as to have a good view and to relax.

 

[gigi1313]

oops & duh @ me... THANK YOU all for your replies... much appreciated

 

[dizplanner]

The Safari dinner is served in a room at the Tusker house, but it is not counter service. My understanding it is African food served family style. We decided not to do it for the price, but my impression is that it is food similar to Boma's.

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

We have done both the Magical Fireworks Voyage and the Safari Dinner. We had a Grand Gathering of 30+ friends and family back in Feb. We are doing smaller Grand Gatherings in Dec and March. We have scheduled the Magical Fireworks Voyage again. We enjoyed both very much. The food at the Safari Dinner was great (I am a very picky eater). You may want to check into the menu with your child's allergies, though. We actually prefer to view Wishes from the water. We like to see the "whole" presentation, in the parks we always seem to have obstructions.