Grand Gathering - HELP

[MerriH807]

Hi!
I have come to the REAL Disney experts for the advice /help I need to plan the perfect and most affordable GRAND GATHERING. We are a group of 8 adults and 3 children 4, 2, and an infant. We want to go this August. I don't know if the dates we are looking to do Aug 4 - 10 qualify for any specials. We missed the 4 days 3 nights free and it's too soon for free dining...

I really want to plan a great vacation without a travel agent. (When I use one I always seem to be disappointed...) Where would you recommend a group this large should stay? If we don't go during free dining, do you think we should add one on? Is there anything I should know about putting together a GRAND GATHERING.

PS We are celebrating my dad's birthday!!
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Merri

 

[scoobndolliesmom]

One thing I definately reccommend is to have all people in your party call Disney and ask if there is a pin code associated with your name . I did this and had free dining before they came up with the free dining . If anyone has one have them be the ones to book the trip. I hope it all works out!

 

[chrismass]

I just registered my grand gathering for 8/15 -8/22 trip - you need the names, ages, addresses and telephone numbers for everyone in your group, plus their reservation numbers before you even get assigned a GG number, which takes a few days. FYI - I tried a few weeks ago to book the breakfast and it was sold out for the entire week, the fireworks cruise is no longer considered part of a GG since any size party can book it and the EPCOT and Safari dinner is either 2 dining plan meals or $60 per adult - pretty pricey. And they are changing the dining reservation system so there is no special number to book the GG party at the usual park restaurants I was told. After all that, I don't think it seems worth it to bother with the GG - but that's just my opinion.

For large party lodging I would look into DVC villas - it might be cheaper than booking a few rooms at the resorts.

 

[webshark3]

I just registered my grand gathering for 8/15 -8/22 trip - you need the names, ages, addresses and telephone numbers for everyone in your group, plus their reservation numbers before you even get assigned a GG number, which takes a few days.

And they are changing the dining reservation system so there is no special number to book the GG party at the usual park restaurants I was told. After all that, I don't think it seems worth it to bother with the GG - but that's just my opinion.

For large party lodging I would look into DVC villas - it might be cheaper than booking a few rooms at the resorts.

I found the rooms cheaper than the villas (moderate and value). I've done GG of 9-15 people in 2005, 2006, 2007. Each time it took less than an hour to get a GG number and reservations for each room.

When booking all my free dining in 2007 (Sept), I never used my GG number. I just called the dining line and made a reservation for X number of people. It didn't matter if you had a GG or not for the reservation. The special GG events were sold out by the time I booked, so the real benefit of the GG was just being able to call the dedicated number and easily coordinate all the reservations (which I'm doing again for this year).

 

[chrismass]

But when I spoke to the GG dedicated line , I was told that I needed to call the regular wdw-dine phone number since they were changing reservation systems and GG specialists would no longer be handling park dining. Do you know differently??

 

[webshark3]

But when I spoke to the GG dedicated line , I was told that I needed to call the regular wdw-dine phone number since they were changing reservation systems and GG specialists would no longer be handling park dining. Do you know differently??

In 2005 I was told to use the GG number for reservations. But honestly, I forgot about it in 2007 and just used the WDW-DINE for my party of 9.

 

[J&K'sPrincessMommy]

You might want to go on the Rent/Trade DVC board here and rent some points- that is the cheapest. You can still add the dining plan- but it won't be free.

We are a GG in Sept, we haven't made dining ressies yet except for the GG experiences- which I had to call the GG number for. I was planning on just calling on the 90 days out at 7am and trying to do dining myself for 11 people.

 

[CaptainHooked]

I just returned from a trip with my family of 20 and had an amazing time. I'd be thrilled to help any way I can.

 

[webshark3]

One more comment about GG and dining reservations. Not sure if others had the same experience.

When making the reservations at (least 12 of them), the agent told me that they would have to break up our large party to get the times we wanted. So tables of 5 and 4, or tables of 7 and 2, etc.

However, when we turned up at each restaurant, they ALWAYS seated us together at one table. In fact, I'm still SHOCKED that Rose & Crown not only put us at one table for Illuminations, but is was dead-center in their outdoor seating, and THE best view in the house.

Your mileage may vary.

EDIT: Found my spreadsheet so you can see what we had. In every meal, we all say together:

Dining/Event
Biergarten Restaurant "Octoberfest" Style All together 5:05 PM Sunday September 23
Chef Mickey's Character Breakfast 1 table 9 9:20 AM Monday September 24
Chefs de France 2 tables 7,2 7:30 PM Monday September 24
Boma Restaurant 2 tables 5,4 5:20 PM Tuesday September 25
Mama Melrose (For Fantasmic at 8PM) 3 tables 3,3,3 3:30 PM Wednesday September 26
Hollywood & Vine Playhouse Disney Character 2 tables 5,4 8:45 AM Thursday September 27
California Grill 1 table 9 7:50 PM Thursday September 27
Crystal Palace Character Dinner 2 tables 5,4 3:55PM Friday September 28
Ohana Character Breakfast 1 table 9 8:00 AM Saturday September 29
Rose & Crown 1 table 9 7:30 PM Sunday September 30