Grand Gathering Experiences - Any Advice?

[Jewel99]

We're in the process of planning a Grand Gathering for late August with our party including the grandparents (2 pretty darned active people in their 70's), two sets of parents (early/mid 40's), a 12 year old girl, a 6 year old girl and a 3 year old boy. All are pretty adventurous eaters, including the toddler).

We're looking to pick on of the Grand Gathering experiences and can't decide between the Safari Celebration Dinner and the International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception.

Has anyone attended one or both of these events recently? Any feedback would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

Julie

 

[lisajl]

Just joining your lead. We are planning a grand gathering for next year.

Lisa

 

[Jewel99]

No one has any advice?

 

[TheDizMom]

Check a little farther down on the postings because there was another one about this about 11/2 weeks ago with some input. We are doing one too and have chosen not to take advantage of these, but other people seem to think it's not really worth the price of admission and getting reservations through the grand gatherings agents is a real pain in the butt.

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

Hi, we did a grand gathering of 36 people 2 years ago this very week. We had a ball! Not everyone in our group did each activity. We (all 36!) did the Magical Gatherings Fireworks Voyage and loved it. 21 of us did the Safari Dinner at Epcot everyone enjoyed it, too (even the picky eaters!). We also had an anniversary breakfast for my husband and I at CRT, there were 18 of us at that meal. The CM's at CRT did a wonderful job of making our meal special, even if it wasn't an "official" grand gathering. We also ate at Ohana's, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Mama Melrose's, and 1900 Park Faire there were atleast 16 people at each of those meals. We also did a smaller grand gathering with only 15 people Dec 2005. Each gathering has been really fun! We are trying to do another for Dec 2007, we are waiting to see what other friends and family are going to join us.

 

[robind]

We were a GG of 9 - 4 grandparents (50's), mom and dad (30's), two boys (5 and 20) and me (cousin of mom and dad) last August.

We did the fireworks cruise and it was okay. I thought that the snacks they provided and the fact that the view is obscured by the canopy on the boad made it not work the price. On another night we did the 'hayride' / wagon ride at fort wilderness - which takes you for a short ride down by the lake and pipes in Wishes music and you have a great view of the fireworks. I thought that was much better and only $9 per person. If you do that or the sing a long/ campfire/ movie (which we also did) bring bug spray, I got eaten alive.

We also did the international dinner which was very yummy. It was held in the Odysea (sp?) the building where the first aid station is. I was worried about the atmosphere compared to a real restaurant, but it was very nice. I don't remember all the contries they had but all the food was really good and even the picky eaters found something to eat. After dinner they take you out to a closed off area behind the two 'gift shops' near the lagoon and their are drinks and desserts set up outside. I thought that one was worth the money.

We wanted to do the safari but the days it was offered didn't work with our plans.

I never had any problem w/ the GG reservations but I had a TA and she made all our reservations for us.

Hope you have a great time.

 

[AlwaysEeyore]

Hi, we did a grand gathering of 36 people 2 years ago this very week. We had a ball! Not everyone in our group did each activity. We (all 36!) did the Magical Gatherings Fireworks Voyage and loved it. 21 of us did the Safari Dinner at Epcot everyone enjoyed it, too (even the picky eaters!). We also had an anniversary breakfast for my husband and I at CRT, there were 18 of us at that meal. The CM's at CRT did a wonderful job of making our meal special, even if it wasn't an "official" grand gathering. We also ate at Ohana's, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Mama Melrose's, and 1900 Park Faire there were atleast 16 people at each of those meals. We also did a smaller grand gathering with only 15 people Dec 2005. Each gathering has been really fun! We are trying to do another for Dec 2007, we are waiting to see what other friends and family are going to join us.

Who did you call to make your reservations for dinning? Is there a special number or just the regular number? We will be going to WDW in November for my cousins wedding and about 20 of us want to eat at Chef Mickey's for a welcome Dinner and WCC for Thanksgiving.

Thanks

 

[slamommie]

Robind -

Quick question about the Illuminations International Dinner - Are there chairs or seats in the closed off area where you view the show? We have a couple of "seniors" in our group and they'd enjoy the show more if they could sit.