Grand Gathering - IllumiNations dinner

[VroomVroomLightning]

I accidentally posted this on the Theme Park board instead of here! So here it is in the correct place!

Good Morning All!

My family was told yesterday by our trip advisor that we qualify for a Grand Gathering since we will be traveling as a group of 9. The Grand Gathering experiences had totally slipped my mind.

We have looked over them now and have decided that we would like to do the International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception. Has anyone ever done this one? Was the viewing for IllumiNations a good view?

One big question we also had was what was the food like? What kind of food was it? Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

 

[DisneyDiva2006]

We did this back in 2006 with a group of 12. As far as the food goes they serve, it is a mixture of your typical buffet fare along with a few international items. It's been a little while since we've been so I can't give specifics. The food is nothing to write home about. They do bring out characters and have a small little show going on where you can get up and dance. They then give you a pin that gave you special entrance to the viewing area for the fireworks. The fireworks view and desserts were wonderful. I couldn't find a complaint with that part. Saying all this I would NOT do it again. We were on the dining plan and it takes 2 dining credits but if you pay out of pocket I think it is $70 something. I think that is a little high. However, I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it once and finding out for themselves. Overall, it was an OK event. If you are doing it for the fireworks then go for it. Good luck with your decision

 

[hippiechicken]

We did it last December and plan to do it again this December.
I loved the food because you can get something from every country. It's a buffet and there was plenty of food and a great variety. Everything was labeled and there were chefs from each country on the pods to tell you what was in the food.
Our server was great and the characters and dance party was fun.
The weather wasn't nice when we were there so we had dessert and coffee inside before Illuminations.
The Illuminations spot was nice because you got to go out right before the show started and not worry about finding a good spot.
I can't wait to go back!!

 

[wdwfann]

We did this last May with a group of 13. We enjoyed it very much. Minnie Mouse and Goofy came out and danced with the kids. The kids loved it and the adults loved watching. The spot for Illuminations was perfect!

 

[toddd]

Our group of 11 did this dinner at the end of April. I thought it was alot of fun but might depend of the ages of your kids. We had 5 girls, ages 7 - 10 - they loved the dance party with Goofy and Minnie. I personnally got a kick out of the host, Auntie Roz (I think), but her sense of humour may not be to everyone's taste.

The food was good - a variety of choices for various World Showcase restaurants - there is nothing I would say was really outstanding except the Cheddar Cheese Soup from Le Cellier - I was pleased to get the opportunity to try this as we were not able to get an ADR there. The one thing I dislike about these kind of events is that there doesn't seem to be enough time to relax and enjoy the food - we had to rush to get some dessert, get pics (see below) and get out to watch the fireworks. Maybe that is why they serve dessert outside, weather permitting.

The dinner does include a photo op with Goofy and Minnie (not sure if these are always the characters) and the special viewing area for Illuminations - as others have mentioned the viewing area was great.

An added bonus of the dinner is that you get a commemorative pin - if you have any pin collectors. Our daughter kept hers and my husband and I gave her ours to trade with cast members.

All in all, I thought it was a good experience and would probably do it again, time and Table Service credits permitting.

 

[autismgoesdisney]

We also are a Grand Gathering, how much is this? I never heard of it?

Any other perks of being a Grand Gathering that I don't know of????

 

[darty]

Not sure what you know about, but Tony's breakfast was great. We didn't feel rushed at all.

We did the International Illuminations dinner this month. I agree it is a bit rushed. They really should start dinner at 6 so you can enjoy it more. The food at the dinner was excellent. They had dishes from many countries. I can't remember it all, but the beef from France was great, and the fish from England, was too. All and all it was a good experience, but I was not impressed with the desserts after having the great ones at the Wishes dessert party. I expected the same for this, and there was not nearly the selection the Wishes party had. This one had strawberry layered something, chocolate cake, cookies, fruit, fruit punch, water, and maybe coffee or hot chocolate, not sure.

I was impressed with the Odyssey Restaurant. Very pretty venue.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Not sure what you know about, but Tony's breakfast was great. We didn't feel rushed at all.

We did the International Illuminations dinner this month. I agree it is a bit rushed. They really should start dinner at 6 so you can enjoy it more. The food at the dinner was excellent. They had dishes from many countries. I can't remember it all, but the beef from France was great, and the fish from England, was too. All and all it was a good experience, but I was not impressed with the desserts after having the great ones at the Wishes dessert party. I expected the same for this, and there was not nearly the selection the Wishes party had. This one had strawberry layered something, chocolate cake, cookies, fruit, fruit punch, water, and maybe coffee or hot chocolate, not sure.

I was impressed with the Odyssey Restaurant. Very pretty venue.

I am so glad to read this. I have been searching since last night to find someone who went to this recently to see what it's like. I think we are going to give it a try in May.