Grand Gathering

[MariaEllerºoº]

WooHoo! We're all booked for a Grand Gathering Free Dining! CBR Aug 26th - 31st. We were able to go ahead and book Le Cellier for a party of 15. We also got the Odyssey Illuminations International Dinner at Epcot. Does anyone know anything about this?? We haven't done it before. We also set up a Pirate Cruise for the night we arrive. WooHoo! I can't wait!

 

[3khi]

Do you mind sharing the phone # that you used for the booking and the option numbers ? I used 407 828-3200 and couldn't get anywhere. Thanks

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

My father actually made the ressies last night with the number you have, but they did give him a grand gathering number to use which is 407-939-7526. Hope it helps. If not try one of the 800 numbers and just press the option for 8 or more people to get to grand gathering.

 

[princess_disneymom]

What is the Grand Gathering?

 

[njziggy]

We went to the Illuminations dinner in February. The buffet had a lot of offerings and made everyone happy. I suggest you plan on getting there early to enjoy all of the festivities. They have a cute little "show" that the kids can participate in. Although they don't tell you (even when you ask ) you really should leave dinner in enough time to "stake out" your Illuminations viewing spot....especially if you have little kids or anyone with limited mobility. My mom & the little ones couldn't see anything except what was overhead for Illuminations. We spoke to a cast member & they said the first ones in get to pick the spots...we even ask other guests if we could let the kids in front (the adults sould have been able to see just fine). Alas, we were out of luck and it made a really wonderful evening a terrible memory. Also, make sure the reservations are made in the name of the FAMILY name that you are celebrating. All our stuff wond up in my last name - even though I called to change it. And save room for dessert...they were deeeelish!

 

[DisneyGuy758]

That Le Cellier reservation isn't on the 28th, is it? That's when my wife and I are escaping the little ones for the evening! Congrats on getting everything you wanted!!


Andre

 

[momrek06]

What is the Grand Gathering?

Yes, would someone please explain to me about the Grand Gathering and how it works and if there are additional costs?

I have about 8 or 10 DIS friends all heading to the WORLD in early 2008!!!

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

A Grand Gathering is when you have 8 or more paying persons in your party. You can have up to 10 rooms booked and have them linked together. Grand Gatherings help them to block off a set of rooms. You can also get in on some special gatherings like a Safari Dinner, International Illuminations Dinner and Dessert Party, Pirate Cruise, etc...... I don't know a lot about these different offerings and am just now gathering information.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Our ADR's for Le Cellier is scheduled for August 29th at 8:40pm. Since we have the International Illuminations and Dessert Party scheduled for another evening we didn't need ADR's any earlier. So, you're good to go for a kid free night. At least from our party.

 

[Timmbco]

njziggy.....so you can leave the dinner early
to get a spot? How do you know exactly where it is? I thought you were led over by a cm. Was it that crowded in the private area?
Thanks for any more info you can give

 

[DisneyGuy758]

Our ADR's for Le Cellier is scheduled for August 29th at 8:40pm. Since we have the International Illuminations and Dessert Party scheduled for another evening we didn't need ADR's any earlier. So, you're good to go for a kid free night. At least from our party.

Oh don't think I was gonna be mad if your 15 person party walked in, in fact quite the opposite. I'd know exactly who you were, to a point, and would probably smile and wave. I love the feeling of community here on these boards.


Andre

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

njziggy.....so you can leave the dinner early
to get a spot? How do you know exactly where it is? I thought you were led over by a cm. Was it that crowded in the private area?
Thanks for any more info you can give

Bumping this thread to see if anyone can answer this question.

thanks,

Lori

 

[heatherg]

njziggy.....so you can leave the dinner early
to get a spot? How do you know exactly where it is? I thought you were led over by a cm. Was it that crowded in the private area?
Thanks for any more info you can give

Just got back Saturday from our 10 day trip. We did the Illuminations dinner/dessert.

We were led over by a CM . . . . we were at the front of the "line" (crowd, more accurately), but when dh tried to go somewhere earlier, the CM asked him if he knew where he was going.

The Odyssey was full the night we went . . . lots of families there, but there was plenty of room at the spot they had roped off for us (over in the Mexico area), and the 2 dessert tables (check out both . . .they don't have the same items). We did get up against a railing, and I know that wouldn't have been possible for everyone to be up against the railing, but at the same time, it was definitely not crowded.

We did not enjoy the emcee of the dinner much . . . she was quite the talker, and frankly, the jokes just weren't funny. However, we thought the food was good, the view was very good, and the desserts were yummy.

One thing my husband pointed out (as he'd seen IllumiNations before and knew this), you can't see the laser stuff they "shoot" onto the Epcot ball from where they put you for this. . . so you do miss out on that aspect of the show.

We also did the pirate voyage and had a great time.

 

[xmansmom]

We're thinking of having a family reunion and renting a large house. YES, I want to stay onsite but some of the older people don't want to go to the parks and would rather sit around and visit, etc. Are things like the Safari Dinner and other grand gathering things available if you stay off site?