grand gathering questions

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Thanks, JustWinnie. Unfortunately, they're refurbishing one of the pontoons in June (what timing!), so there was REALLY no chance of us getting onto a cruise. I just wish my AAA travel agent hadn't told me no back in March. It wouldn't have been 90 days, but it would've been close - maybe we could have made it. Oh, well - at least now maybe we'll get the adjoining rooms we wanted. My SIL and I keep telling ourselves, "Maybe next time!" At least we're going - and in only 27 days!!!

 

[LisaNJ25]

We just came back from a grand gathering. We took part in the Illuminations dinner- that was really fun and we got front row "seats" to view the fireworks. This took 2 dining credits and could be another option to the Fireworks Cruise. We did not get the t-shirts or pins so no sure about that. Now I was also the person who planned everything- they left it all up to me. So knowing that 8 people are not going to want to do the same thing at the same time, I made up a card for each day. I put on there important times- parade times, dinner times with the confirmation #, tour confirmation,etc. This way once we did split up then we have the few points throughout the day where we still meet and everyone has that info.

Good luck and enjoy!

How was the seating area for the Illuminations dinner? I joined someone elses Grand Gathering so we would have a good view of illuminations and not have to scope out a good spot really far in advance with all of my kids. Is it actually a seating area or is everyone standing?

 

[heatherg]

FairyGodmotherJen,

We have fireworks voyage ressies for Mother's Day. We called every couple days until something opened up. We just got them about 2.5-3 weeks ago. So you might keep trying.

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Ok, now I need help!! I called today to do something else, and double-checked the availability for the fireworks cruise. There were eight openings one night during our stay!!!! Unfortunately, there are nine of us. My dh, being the great guy that he is, immediately said he'd bow out. The thing is, my in-laws aren't going to want to pay for this - we're going to end up paying for them to go and dh to stay home!!! I can't do that.

Here's my question - if things happen the way I think they'll happen, my in-laws will insist on one of them staying behind. Then dh can go. Does anyone know - do they check ID when going to the boats? I'm thinking his dad will stay behind, and they have the same last names. If dh takes his card, can he get in in his place??? Any advice would be appreciated!!!!

 

[jenrein]

How was the seating area for the Illuminations dinner? I joined someone elses Grand Gathering so we would have a good view of illuminations and not have to scope out a good spot really far in advance with all of my kids. Is it actually a seating area or is everyone standing?

Everyone is standing- however the area they take you to is pavement that was actually at an angle. They had the dessert buffet set up (and it was delicious!) and everyone was standing. I had my daughter in a stroller so I stood to the back to be out of others way- and me and her could both see perfectly. There were also a lot of spots to stand right by the railing. I really recommend it- I think it was all of our favorite thing we did as a group.

 

[heatherg]

Ok, now I need help!! I called today to do something else, and double-checked the availability for the fireworks cruise. There were eight openings one night during our stay!!!! Unfortunately, there are nine of us. My dh, being the great guy that he is, immediately said he'd bow out. The thing is, my in-laws aren't going to want to pay for this - we're going to end up paying for them to go and dh to stay home!!! I can't do that.

Here's my question - if things happen the way I think they'll happen, my in-laws will insist on one of them staying behind. Then dh can go. Does anyone know - do they check ID when going to the boats? I'm thinking his dad will stay behind, and they have the same last names. If dh takes his card, can he get in in his place??? Any advice would be appreciated!!!!

When you get to the contemporary, they will hand you an envelope with your pins inside. They are your tickets. . . and are in no way labeled for a particular person. As long as they see a pin on each person, they didn't seem to care if they were the people who were originally signed up to be in the cruise. That is the only "id" check.

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Thanks for the feedback. Now another angle on the same issue - we have a group of nine, and there are only eight places. MIL and FIL are willing to both sit out - but not really just one of them. At this point, I'm almost ready to pay for the extra person and let it go empty. My question is, if we get to the dock and tell them someone is not feeling well, will they be ok with that? I'm perfectly willing to pay the price, and we have the required eight people in our party. I don't want to waste the seat, and since it's a Grand Gathering deal, I'm guessing no one is going to call and ask for the one seat we'd be wasting. What do you think?

 

[heatherg]

Thanks for the feedback. Now another angle on the same issue - we have a group of nine, and there are only eight places. MIL and FIL are willing to both sit out - but not really just one of them. At this point, I'm almost ready to pay for the extra person and let it go empty. My question is, if we get to the dock and tell them someone is not feeling well, will they be ok with that? I'm perfectly willing to pay the price, and we have the required eight people in our party. I don't want to waste the seat, and since it's a Grand Gathering deal, I'm guessing no one is going to call and ask for the one seat we'd be wasting. What do you think?

I didn't ever notice that they counted to see if there were 8 of us. You've paid for the 8 seats. . . and it's not like you're trying to ask for a refund for the one.

 

[AlwaysEeyore]

I have question for the experienced point people. I am the point person for our GG this November. We will have as many as 29 people one day (Thanksgiving dinner mainly) I have setup an itineary for my family of 4 and I am hoping everyone else will follow it as well since I did a lot of research.

I don't expect to sit around the resort and wait for people every morning but I do want to do the the bigger rides with everyone. Am I expecting too much already? We have no planned meals due to money issues for some people, we will do a lot of counter service meals. So we won't be doing any GG events either. Is it possible to have a relazing vation with that many people clueless people?

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I have question for the experienced point people. I am the point person for our GG this November. We will have as many as 29 people one day (Thanksgiving dinner mainly) I have setup an itineary for my family of 4 and I am hoping everyone else will follow it as well since I did a lot of research.

I don't expect to sit around the resort and wait for people every morning but I do want to do the the bigger rides with everyone. Am I expecting too much already? We have no planned meals due to money issues for some people, we will do a lot of counter service meals. So we won't be doing any GG events either. Is it possible to have a relazing vation with that many people clueless people?

Its rough with that many people, but it can be done. I think it is just important to know what everyones likes and dislikes are and what kind of travelers they are-some may want to do their own thing and others are happy to let you plan and just follow along. We found for our GG that we mostly saw everyone when the meals came around, but we had made ADR for a TS meal each night. Just talk to everyone and get a feel for what their expectations are before you get there.

 

[jenrein]

I have question for the experienced point people. I am the point person for our GG this November. We will have as many as 29 people one day (Thanksgiving dinner mainly) I have setup an itineary for my family of 4 and I am hoping everyone else will follow it as well since I did a lot of research.

I don't expect to sit around the resort and wait for people every morning but I do want to do the the bigger rides with everyone. Am I expecting too much already? We have no planned meals due to money issues for some people, we will do a lot of counter service meals. So we won't be doing any GG events either. Is it possible to have a relazing vation with that many people clueless people?

I think it would be a good idea the night before to decide whats happening in the morning. Maybe one group rises early and another may want to sleep in. I would work with that and plan a meeting time for lunch or dinner when you could all be together. We had a group of 8- with 3 of them kids under 11. That was hard enough to accomodate but we split up a lot and met up alot. We did 2 small rides while they did 1 big one....etc. But we also had reservations for dinner every night and we ate lunch together every day so we felt like we were really together.

 

[jenrein]

How was the seating area for the Illuminations dinner? I joined someone elses Grand Gathering so we would have a good view of illuminations and not have to scope out a good spot really far in advance with all of my kids. Is it actually a seating area or is everyone standing?

Oh- I just realized you said dinner. You have dinner in the Oddysey in Epcot- all circular tables in a large room- really not a bad seat there. There is a buffet and a kids buffet which is really cute (hot dogs, uncrustables...and on a small short table). The show with Auntie Roz was cute and she interacts with all of the tables. Our table was right in the front so we were talked about and to alot during the show and Minnie Mouse even came over and took my daughters hand to come dance with her! I'll never forget the smile on her face! Anyways- you get a pin at dinner. After the dinner you go outside (let me tell you if you need a bathroom break take it before the end of dinner because you will get left behind!) and you follow people with glow light things down to the lakeside where the dessert buffet is set up and thats where you stand for the show.

 

[mr.mike]

Oh- I just realized you said dinner. You have dinner in the Oddysey in Epcot- all circular tables in a large room- really not a bad seat there. There is a buffet and a kids buffet which is really cute (hot dogs, uncrustables...and on a small short table). The show with Auntie Roz was cute and she interacts with all of the tables. .

What time did dinner start and what time did you get there?

Was seating assigned or do you sit anywhere you want?

Thanks

 

[jenrein]

What time did dinner start and what time did you get there?

Was seating assigned or do you sit anywhere you want?

Thanks

I believe you were supposed to check in at 7:40. We were tired and got there about 7 just to sit and relax- although you do wait outside of the building. The seating was assigned. It was funny because we are a pretty laid back family- we would take whatever seating there was...but some other families came to check in early and were very obviously trying to get in front of other families who were also waiting not knowing seating was assigned.

 

[SalandJeff]

I have question for the experienced point people. I am the point person for our GG this November. We will have as many as 29 people one day (Thanksgiving dinner mainly) I have setup an itineary for my family of 4 and I am hoping everyone else will follow it as well since I did a lot of research.

I don't expect to sit around the resort and wait for people every morning but I do want to do the the bigger rides with everyone. Am I expecting too much already? We have no planned meals due to money issues for some people, we will do a lot of counter service meals. So we won't be doing any GG events either. Is it possible to have a relazing vation with that many people clueless people?

It sounds as though you are going Thanksgiving week??? If so, remember that it will be very crowded. You may find it difficult to move around with such a large group and you probably don't want to spend all your time either waiting around to meet in the parks or rushing to meet someone if you get delayed in line. JMHO.

We will be a group of 19 and have made dinner ressies together for most nights. We have a couple of days at the parks planned together, but will split up once we get there if it makes more sense. While it is fun to do things as a group, we all want to be able to enjoy and make the most of our time without being stressed about waiting/meeting, etc.

If time permits, maybe you can plan a day at the pool as a group. Have fun whatever you do!

 

[AlwaysEeyore]

It sounds as though you are going Thanksgiving week??? If so, remember that it will be very crowded. You may find it difficult to move around with such a large group and you probably don't want to spend all your time either waiting around to meet in the parks or rushing to meet someone if you get delayed in line. JMHO.

We will be a group of 19 and have made dinner ressies together for most nights. We have a couple of days at the parks planned together, but will split up once we get there if it makes more sense. While it is fun to do things as a group, we all want to be able to enjoy and make the most of our time without being stressed about waiting/meeting, etc.

If time permits, maybe you can plan a day at the pool as a group. Have fun whatever you do!

Yes, unfortunately we are going Thanksgiving week. My cousin is getting married on 11/17 at the wedding pavilion and everyone decided to stay the extra days to be together for Thanksgiving. My parents & 3 sisters don't want to spend the extra money for Table Service everyday so we will be doing counter service most days. We do have the rehearsal dinner at 'ohana, Thanksgiving at Whispering Canyon and I made an ADR at Chef Mickey's and told them it wasn't optional. The bride will be on her Honeymoon so I don't expect to see her much. I really want to at least wonder around with my parents so my kids can enjoy having them there and my DD can show my parents around.

 

[TheDizMom]

I have question for the experienced point people. I am the point person for our GG this November. We will have as many as 29 people one day (Thanksgiving dinner mainly) I have setup an itineary for my family of 4 and I am hoping everyone else will follow it as well since I did a lot of research.

I don't expect to sit around the resort and wait for people every morning but I do want to do the the bigger rides with everyone. Am I expecting too much already? We have no planned meals due to money issues for some people, we will do a lot of counter service meals. So we won't be doing any GG events either. Is it possible to have a relazing vation with that many people clueless people?

I get where you are coming from. I did make out an itinerary for the family, we all reviewed it and agreed to it. We stuck to the parks planned for every day and decided what time to meet and head out the night before. No matter what you do you will be kept waiting, so just plan on it. My DH and I are always prompt and my MIL and FIL were pretty prompt, but my BIL and his family were always late. I began giving them an earlier time then we wanted to actually meet so we were all ready at about the same time. If you have notorious late arrivers just use this method and hopefully it will help. Once we got to the parks we weren't thinking we were going to stay together for everything, but surprisingly we pretty much did. We were a smaller group however. We did most rides together, ate together every night and for lunch too. We went the week before Easter so it was very crowded for us too, and I can't say it cause that many problems. The biggest problem was finding tables at the CS places. For rides we just utilized the fast passes as much as possible with my DH and BIL as the runners. We always got passes for the most popular things first thing, so that we didn't have a problem with them running out, which can happen at busy times of the year. I know that at Soarin and TT the fast passes were gone before noon. Everest and Kali River can also run out early. Just a warning, if you are getting passes for a large number of you, your times will not all be the same. Some of you will get kicked into the next time frame. With 11 usually 2 or 3 would get a later time. We solved this by arriving at the end of the first groups time and beginning of the next groups time and it worked fine. We also found if we went toward the end of the time the fast pass line was shorter because everyone else had already come. Be aware to that if you miss your time on some of the really popular rides, i.e. Soarin', they will not let you get on! Make sure everyone knows that so you don't miss your time due to stragglers. For other rides keep in mind that the wait time posted starts when you reach where the sign is. If there's a long line up to the sign, tack on another 15-30 minutes. We also did as a PP said, we planned a hotel/pool day. We were able to spend the entire day just relaxing at the pool and enjoying each others company. I hope you all have a great trip together! We had a ball!