Grand Gathering

[heathernfrankie]

Does anyone have any info on this? I just found out my cousin and her family are heading down to Disney right around when we will be there. We will overlap by 3 or 4 days. We are hoping to at least do one park together. First of all...does Disney still do Grand Gatherings and second of all, can we do one even though we won't be there the whole time at the same time (we will be at POP and I think they're staying at Poly).

 

[momtoejanda]

We have done them a few times. All that really matters is that if you want to do one of the special GG things you need to have 8 paying guest (under 3 doesnt count). You can have different date that you stay and in different hotels.

If you have kids with you, I highly recommend the Good Morning Gathering in Tonys Town Square. Cute show, lots of characters and not many other guests. I think there were about 15 families when we did it.

let me know if you have any questions!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Searched the Disney site and couldn't get much. I'd love a link to some firm info myself. This is what I have so far:

8 or More Guests

Travel parties with at least 8 Guests over the age of 3 staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel may purchase a Walt Disney World Magical Gatherings vacation package. A Magical Gatherings planning specialist will help you coordinate accommodations, as well as make your reservations for dining, recreation and special experiences. You may also choose Grand Gatherings, unique dining and entertainment experiences that can be booked up to 180 days in advance. For more information, call (407) 934-7639. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Just called the phone number and you need 8 paying guest on-site and the Swan and Dolphin (where we are staying) do not count.

 

[momtoejanda]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Grandgathering.htm

Here are the experiences...

I have done the breakfast and the safari. We enjoyed both of them!

 

[heathernfrankie]

Thank you for your replies!! I guess the breakfast things wouldn't count with the dining plan, would they?

 

[momtoejanda]

Thank you for your replies!! I guess the breakfast things wouldn't count with the dining plan, would they?

Yes they do!!!

The breakfast is one credit and the safari is 2 (i am pretty sure). Not sure about the illuminations since I havent done it

 

[maleka23]

The Illumitations International Dessert and Buffet is also 2 TS dining credits. Just booked ours for September.

 

[heathernfrankie]

Another question. If we decided to do the Good Morning Breakfast at Tony's in MK, or even any of them for that matter, do I need to book at my 180 days or do they not fill up as fast and we can decide if we want to do this? That way, we would have a little more time to think about it.
Thanks in advance!! You guys are awesome!! I really appreciate it.

 

[maleka23]

I've booked both of mine at 180 days but I also had a schedule where I needed to make sure I got the date I needed. It also helped that we used dining credits so we didn't have to prepay for the event.

Also, not sure if you knew what days each event was scheduled. (I found this on another website and believe it accurate).

International Dinner is held on Friday and Monday.

Safari Celebration is held Thursday and Sunday

Good Morning Character Breakfast is held Saturday and Wednesday.

 

[heathernfrankie]

I've booked both of mine at 180 days but I also had a schedule where I needed to make sure I got the date I needed. It also helped that we used dining credits so we didn't have to prepay for the event.

Also, not sure if you knew what days each event was scheduled. (I found this on another website and believe it accurate).

International Dinner is held on Friday and Monday.

Safari Celebration is held Thursday and Sunday

Good Morning Character Breakfast is held Saturday and Wednesday.

Thank you so much. I actually didn't realize this.

 

[momtoejanda]

I would definitely do it as far out as possible but people do cancel. last Sept we had a group of 10 for the breakfast and then I found out my friend and her family we going to be there as well and they wanted to join us. I called about 3 weeks in advance, they are 7 people and they didnt have any room but 1 week before I was able to add them.

 

[momtoejanda]

These are the characters at the breakfast...They all come around to the tables. Tony and Mickey served our breakfast!

 

[GriswoldDisneyMom]

My mom and I were trying to decide if it was worth it to try to get into the Grand Gathering Illuminations dinner at this point. Our trip is May 27-Jun 1. She just found out about the GG stuff a little late. We already have res for Le Cellier the night we're at Epcot, which is neither of the days of the week someone listed above for the Illuminations dinner, anyway. Guess that makes it a moot point, huh?

 

[heathernfrankie]

And I thought I read that you need to have park tickets for that day, correct? I really don't want to do the dinner one b/c it's 2 credits and I would LOVE to do the breakfast, but the only day that would fit would be Wednesday. They arrive on a THursday, we arrive the following Sunday, and they leave Thursday.

 

[maleka23]

And I thought I read that you need to have park tickets for that day, correct? I really don't want to do the dinner one b/c it's 2 credits and I would LOVE to do the breakfast, but the only day that would fit would be Wednesday. They arrive on a THursday, we arrive the following Sunday, and they leave Thursday.

Yes, you would need to have park tickets. It's not included in the breakfast (or dinners).