Grand Gatherings Experience: What did you do?

[LittleBoPeep]

We have enough family members going for a Grand Gathering and were told about the Illuminations Dinner and Dessert, Wishes Cruise with Captain Hook & Mr. Smee, Safari Dinnerat AK and the Grand Gathering Breakfast at Tony's in MK. Of those who might have participated, which one(s) did you chose and what were they like? We have a baby as young as 2 and the oldest is in their mid-60s, and we're looking for something everyone will like.
Thanks!

 

[qanita92]

Just wanted to say that a 2 year old does not count as a member of a Grand Gathering. A Grand Gathering has to be a group of 8 or more(3 years or older each). I will be part of a Grand Gathering and I always wondered how it is so I would really like to hear reviews.

 

[LittleBoPeep]

We know the 2-yr. old doesn't count, but she will be participating, and some things might not be suited for her. That's why I included the info.

 

[Grandmouse]

There were more than 50 of us at our GG last July, ranging in age from 18 months to 80+ years. We did none of the Disney advertised events. During our time there, we all had breakfast at the Crystal Palace, a dinner at Hoop-dee-Doo, and a final dinner at Biergarten. Most everyone stayed at the Caribbean Beach. We really enjoyed the courtyard and tables and chairs outside our rooms. There were other smaller meals but the above are the ones that we arranged for everyone. The Disney staff was little or no help to us in planning our event until a week or two before we left because we complained about the cm who was assigned to our group and someone finally listened to us. Perhaps we would have done some of the other events, but were never encouraged to do so or given much info, although we did ask. Our meal at HDD was partially ruined by an extremely rude CM who slopped coffee all over my brother because she slammed the cup on the table (she was annoyed she had to get him one) and, once again, no one seemed to care. Yes, she slammed it down because she was annoyed-- it was not part of the show.

 

[Samsma]

We have done all but the Tony's Breakfast. I thought the AK one was the best. The Illuminations buffet was okay, and the only reason we did that was for the special viewing of Illuminations. This was behind the Mexican Cantina, and was very loud and bothered my DD. The Wishes Cruise involved interaction with Pirates, who were downright rude even for pirates. My DH doesn't hear very well, which is probably good because the Pirate probably would have been tossed overboard. The AK one had dinner at Tusker House, and then a dusk ride thru the Safari. The animals were very active and it was a cool experience. All and all, none of them were really worth the cost IMO. Have fun!

 

[LittleBoPeep]

What kind of foods did they have at the Illuminations and the Safari experiences? We have a couple of picky eaters.

 

[chipmunkfan]

I just got back from doing the Magical gatherings experience fireworks cruise and AK safari. They really aren't worth the extra money, but the fireworks cruise was much better than the safari. We were told the safari would be a slower pace and provide more details about the animals......well....the safari driver went faster than the normal ride and we didn't see hardly any animals. I believe they took the animals in for the evening.....The food at the Tuskar house was okay, nothing special. The normal chicken, some type of sausage, beef fillet (which was pretty good), chocolate cake and small finger deserts.

Well, I joined the magical gatherings group that consisted of people from TGM so at least I met some nice people.

 

[slkant]

We are doing the Illuminations dinner and the Magical Fireworks Voyage. In both cases, the main reason is to not have to stake out a place for Illuminations and Wishes with everyone else. I would love to hear more about both. What was good? What wasn't so good?

 

[Samsma]

Its been a while, but I seem to remember that the Desserts were the only thing that was anything special. They put on some kind of silly show, you eat from a large buffet then they take you out all together for your special seating. It would have been better to go to the area in front of the bridge between UK and France, but this was just behind the gift shop or cantina in Mexico. I can't remember which one. No seating exactly, special standing room. Maybe they've improved since July 2005.

 

[Kona*Queen]

We have done the breakfast at Tony's and we all really enjoyed it. The food was good, the entertainment (everyone dancing and Tony singing!) was good, we saw characters and we were given a pin as we left. It's good for a mixed age group.

 

[chipmunkfan]

The fireworks cruise: You meet your party at the Contemporary where they have all of the other parties going out on the cruise. They have snacks and drinks and you hang out for a little bit. Captain Hook and Mr Smee come around and meet everyone. At 8:00pm you are escorted out to your boat with the other groups. I think we had about 5 other groups with us. The boat is large....The guide plays a pirate and keeps you busy asking trivia questions and handing out little prizes.

The cruise takes you past the electrical water pagent and moves on to position the boat for the fireworks. Once the fireworks are over you go back to the dock and are greeted by Peter Pan.

If you have kids, this would be a great character experience.

 

[LittleBoPeep]

What kind of foods are available at the Illuminations Dinner & Dessert?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Its been a while, but I seem to remember that the Desserts were the only thing that was anything special. They put on some kind of silly show, you eat from a large buffet then they take you out all together for your special seating. It would have been better to go to the area in front of the bridge between UK and France, but this was just behind the gift shop or cantina in Mexico. I can't remember which one. No seating exactly, special standing room. Maybe they've improved since July 2005.

That pretty much describes our experience last May. In answer to what types of food, it was from 4 of the different Epcot countries. I don't remember everything, but I think there was German spaetzle, Morocco (Rice?), Italy, don't remember what else. Also, there was a separate buffet of "kid friendly" foods-chicken nuggets, pizza, etc.

 

[slkant]

It's strange that I've read some posts describing the reserved Illuminations area as great while others said it was okay but could be better. I'm confused since I thought the dinner was always at the Odyssey and the Illuminations viewing area relatively nearby.