Grand Gathering question

[5dizneynutz]

Has anyone ever done any of the special Grand Gathering events? Especially the International Dinner and Illuminations Dessert Reception and the Safari Celebration Dinner. We're thinking of doing one of these during our June trip and can't make up our minds which one or if they're even worth the $$. Anyone out there who could share they're experiences??

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I'd like to know too. We are thinking of the Character Breakfast and the fireworks cruise. How are they? Is the breakfast any different than the others? What characters are there? Thanks! We will be there June 3 -12.

 

[mommystieg]

We did a GG last June and scheduled the fireworks cruise but it was cancelled due to lightening I read a lot of positive things last year about the International Dinner and the Safari Celebration but they were kinda out of our group's budget. I never heard anything about the breakfast I know your group is supposed to have some one-on-one time with Mickey.

 

[ljones]

Doing Tony's Town Square Good Morning Gathering on 2/8

Will report on characters, food , etc. when return

Leaving on Sun 2/4

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

We did both the pirate fireworks cruise and the safari this past December. Both were worth every penny. I would not hesitate to participate in both of these events again.

 

[TrickyFish]

We did the Fireworks Cruise last June.. if you play along with the pirates themeing of the cruise it can be fun, otherwise its just so-so. It is a really nice way to watch Wishes, though, and they pipe in the music so you get the full effect.

 

[elf]

We did the Grand Gatherings Safari last year. Our group loved it. We liked the special attention (especially to the kids), the food, the viewing area, a little musical fun for the kids before dinner. My kids spent much of the dinner with Pumba & Timone (who happen to be my little dd favorite).
I asked what they wanted to do when we go this year and thats the one thing they both chose. Which is the one thing I couldn't do because we are not going as a large group this year.

 

[5dizneynutz]

Thanks everyone! Anyone have any experience with the International Dinner??

 

[5dizneynutz]

***Bump

 

[barb45]

I am wondering also. Can we get more details please. The safari dinner - do you just do the regular safari ride? Is the dinner a buffet or off the menu? Is crowded with 1,000 other people from their grand gatherings too? I wish WDW supplied more details. I can't find out much in the guide books either. What makes the character breakfast any better than the other ones? Are they less crowded? Everyone's experiences will help us to decide what to do. Thanks.

 

[elf]

Safari Grand Gatherings-
We all met at a special meeting spot got pins and the brought you to the special viewing area for the parade.

The ride is the regular ride but only with people from Grand Gathering, no waiting on line or anything. But it was at 5:15pm there were hardly any animals out. I've been on about 15 Safari rides and this one had the least amount of animals. I'm not sure if it was the time of day or not. We always went in the morning or dusk this was neither.

The dinner was not a buffet, it was a fixed menu family style. We were 10 people and had our own table. There were other tables, about 5 tables of about 10 people. If you don't fill a table they will sit other people with you. Then they started bringing out food, I can't remember the menu very well, though I do remember loving the food, a little reminecent of Boma. Lots of different kinds of salads, rices, Chicken, Salmon and steak with delicious spices added. My dd's stuck with rices and salad. I can't remember if they did chicken fingers for kids (I think they did).
They had someone come in and play some traditional african type music. All the kids got some kind of instruments and played along in a little parade around the room. Then came in Pumba and Timone to visit tables, afterwards the characters stayed out in the hall for about an hour (of which my kids spent 80% of their time there).
We went last March (1st week) and I'm not sure if the the typical amount of people or not.
My kids loved it, they love animals, music and Timone is my younger DD's favorite character always has been so this was a real treat for her. I enjoyed it too, but if there were no kids in your group I would try a different one.

 

[Liz]

Is there some place on the web to see prices for these events? There are 8 of us but we've just booked regular accomodations and haven't gone through any group reservation. I suppose we could switch over if it is affordable. Thanks!

 

[mommystieg]

Is there some place on the web to see prices for these events? There are 8 of us but we've just booked regular accomodations and haven't gone through any group reservation. I suppose we could switch over if it is affordable. Thanks!

Try here:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...roducts?id=GrandGatheringsSpecialProductsPage

 

[meier56013]

bump!

 

[IluvXU]

My family did the breaksfast in Dec. It was really nice... laid back yet fun. The room at Tony's was full, the back room not the glass room in front. Chip, Dale, Pluto, Goofy ..etc. The food was very yummy and plentiful. French toast, fruit eggs, danishes. The characters lead a dance with "Tony" and the kids got involved. We got Pins too. At the end each group met with Mickey for group/individual shots. A great way to start a day!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Do you remember what time the breakfast started? Was it before or after the park opened? Could we do the early entry and then eat a late breakfast? Were you rushed to eat and see the characters? Was Minnie there too? and Finially were they patient about the Mickey picture? DGF(87) does not move very quickly but I would love to have all of our picture with Mickey. Thanks very much, this one and the fireworks cruise are the 2 we are thinking about and I want to find out all I can before our 90 days opens up. Thanks again!

 

[DMRick]

We loved the illuminations dinner/dessert. We didn't have enough people, so we "gathered" together with another Dis family. I thought the price high, and if I had kids that Disney considered adults, I would not have been happy with the $60 each, but it was a great experience. I wish you could get in and not use up park time on yoru tickets (didn't affect us with AP's but did affect someone with us with a day ticket).
The meal was good (buffet from around the world) and the DJ was fun...but the highlight (besides the front row seats for illuminations) was the desserts. They were wondeful. I also enjoyed the hot chocolate with whipped cream and pieces of chocolate for the top..great on a very cold evening.

 

[IluvXU]

Do you remember what time the breakfast started?
Breakfast was at 9:30- I do not think there was any other time available. Everyone was seated with their groups and then the "show" began!
The park was already opened. I think this breakfast is only offered on Tuesdays- at least this time of year.
Were you rushed to eat and see the characters?
No there was no rush, everyone ventured to the tables freely, then they danced with the characters. My dd and niece nephew and the characters had a lot of time together. I have pictures of my DD in her stroller with pluto pushing her around the restaurant(after we ate) and Pluto on the floor with the kids.
Was Minnie there too?
I don't think we saw Minnie there.
and Finially were they patient about the Mickey picture?
They took our whole group getting seperate family pictures and yes you have plently of time because you are "on deck" waiting for your turn!


Hope this helps!

 

[barb45]

How crowded is this breakfast? Is it like any other character breakfast or are there less people there hence more characters per guest?? How does it compare to the other character breakfasts is what am getting at. Sorry if this is worded badly.

 

[barb45]

I just called a Disney Grand Gatherings CM to ask what the difference is between the GG breakfast and a regular character breakfast - all she kept saying was that it was for big families. No matter what question I asked her she just would say "it's just for big families". I got frustrated, thanked her for her time and said goodbye. You guys are way more helpful.