Grand Gathering Events

[aubeone]

I am looking for some reviews of the Grand Gathering Events. Specifially...
the Safari Celebration Dinner and the International Dinner and Illuminations at Epcot.

Thanks!

 

[aubeone]

anybody?

 

[HomerHog]

This is one of the most difficult topics to find good info about. We did the International Dinner and Illuminations Dessert in June.

The event was scheduled for 7:00 in the Oddysey building. We checked in early and waited outside with several other families. At a few minutes before 7:00, they began calling families and escorting everyone to their tables which were seated for the exact number of people in the party and had signs on the table with the name of your group's celebration (X's Birthday, Y's Graduation, etc.). Each member of the party is given a commemorative pin. In addition to being a collectible/ souvenir, this pin was needed for admission to the dessert area.

The buffet menu included items from "Around the World":
Bread basket- garlic, multi-grain, & pretzel breadsticks with butter, parmesan-red pepper dip, & hummus

Canada - white cheddar soup (LeCellier)
California- salad (Garden Grill)
China - Stir Fry Vegetables
Mexico- Zucchini,tomatoes, peppers, onions, corn & beans with cilantro
Japan- Brown rice with tofu & edamame
Norway- Boiled new potatoes with dill
Morocco- Spiced chicken with tomato & chic peas
Germany- Bavarian roasted pork with red cabbage
France- Burgandy braised beef with mushrooms and pearl onions
United Kingdom- Fried haddock with tartar sauce & lemon
Italy- Cheese tortellini with alfredo cream & pea, petit pasta with roasted garlic marinara

Kids Table- Apple slices with carmel dip, carrots with ranch dip, fried chicken strips with barbecue sauce, Smuckers Uncrustables PB&J sandwiches, macaroni and cheese

The food was good, but not great. The selections didn't necessarily compliment each other. Throughout the meal, there was a DJ and MC that played music, introduced each table, and had the kids up dancing. Minnie and Goofy joined the party to dance with the kids, then headed to the photo station at the back for group portraits.

We were celebrating DD's 2nd birthday and were seated at the back of the banquet room near the food and photo area. So when we were ready, we made a point to be one of the first families to get our photos taken. There was a Photopass photographer there, but these were some of the poorest pictures we had taken all week.

After the pictures, we were done with our meal so we stepped outside. The CM's outside asked us to wait a few minutes and let the kids play with their flashlights before escorting us to the viewing area. Being the first to the viewing area, we got a spot right on the front rope. There is no seating in the viewing area, so everyone just stands and grazes the dessert tables.

The desserts were good and the view of Illuminations was amazing. When the fireworks were over, they encouraged everyone to mingle in the area and have more dessert instead of fighting the crowds. We did and were able to relax and get some great group shots in front of Spaceship Earth on the way out.

For dinner alone, we would prefer any character meal or any of our World Showcase favorites over the International Dinner. However, the Illuminations Dessert portion was a great experience that we would have never had the chance to do otherwise, so we are glad we did it.

 

[DoOverDreams]

There's a bit of info out there. Try allears.net for some good info. Here's a WDW link for Magical Gatherings. Good luck!

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...landing?id=MagicalGatheringLandingPage&bhcp=1

 

[LPNmom]

I am also interested in the Safari Dinner at Animal Kingdom, I am planning a Grand Gathering for 10 in Sept 2009!

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

Anyone do the breakfast at Tony's?

 

[aubeone]

This sure seems like a tough topic to get information beyond what Disney tells us. I always like to hear from people with direct experiences.

Anybody do the Safari Celebration Dinner?

 

[nicolemag]

I have been having the same problem trying to locate reviews on the grand gatherings. I just booked Epcot and the Magical Voyage for our trip in January 09. I will post reviews when I return.

 

[dreamer423]

We did the safari celebration 2 yrs ago. We loved the dinner. I had spent some time in Africa and India and love different curry type of foods. it was not all curry. There was lamb. chicken, salads, etc. Thefod was delicious. Also-there was character interaction for the kids. A good music/performers. And personalzied birthday announcements. Of course the safari was nice too.

 

[EAH]

While I don't have nearly the amount of detailed information as the PP, I was not very impressed with the Illuminations Dinner when I went in May. We were on the DxDDP and used 2 credits for it. We also went to the Mother's Day Brunch the same week, which was also 2 credits. The brunch was amazing, and we had that earlier in the vacation than the Illuminations dinner so maybe that affected my opinion. Our dinner was held in the American Adventure instead of the Odyssey so may also have been a factor.

The entertainment was fine, there was a DJ and some characters dancing with the kids. The food was also fine, just not really as good as I expected. I just feel that if you're using 2 TS credits, why not go somewhere like the California Grill or the Flying Fish instead? The dessert buffet was very nice. The biggest reason to do it, in my opinion, is for the reserved area to watch Illuminations.

 

[lpizzuro123]

When you do the IllumiNations dinner - what location is the Dessert Party?

Linda