Grand Gatherings Experiences

[ceejay13]

I had posted previously about my frustration with our grand gatherings reservations. We initially booked the Epcot dinner for January 12th. The initial phone call took 90" and then they called back a couple of times because they thought they had charged me twice so I had to investigate with my credit card company. To make a long story short, for the Epcot dinner and two other regular priority seatings I spent about 3 hours on the phone. In addition, I had to review with each phone call that we were DVC members and had not made our hotel ressies through Disney CRO. On more than one occasion I had given them our Boardwalk confimation number but each time they would search for our hotel and then come back and ask me where we were staying. Each cast member was very nice and apologetic but it did get very frustrating. Finally we had it all set and the week before we leave they call to tell me the Epcot dinner was cancelled for that night. I was very frustrated to say the least after that call. We ended up booking the fireworks cruise in it's place. In addition, I wrote an EMail to Disney with my concerns. I really didn't expect a response but two days before we left I received a call from one of the Grand Gatherings coordinators who had received my note from management and was told to organize a dessert reception and Illuminations viewing for our party only. Needless to say I was shocked. This was done at the Japan pagoda on the deck. They had it roped off with coffee, hot tea, hot cocoa, water and lemonade and an incredible spread of desserts. They had a waiter and the table was beautifully done with an Illuminations centerpiece. They had a cast member waiting for us at 8:30 pm and ushered us up. That was a great place to watch Illuminations and a wonderful way to make up for the frustration I felt trying to get the Epcot dinner. We did the fireworks cruise as well. As a few others have reported, it was a great evening. It was warm enough to have the dessert reception at the marina. Although they took 2 boats, neither were full so seating was at your leisure. Wishes is incredible when viewed from the water. We all had a great time, and would highly recommend it. We had a great week and the parks were virtually empty without waits at all. We can't wait to return in December.

 

[ryansmom]

How wonderful for you Ceejay13! I'm so glad Disney accomodated your group since you had such a frustrating time!

 

[InstImpres]

Ceejay13 -

What funny timing. I just posted a thread about my 4+ hours ordeal to book the fireworks cruise
(http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=497845)

I am glad Disney is reading the e-mail on this and dealing with it. DVC does seem to present a big hitch. Last night I was told they couldn't even help me sicne DVC was closed. Good thing I knew better and insisted.

Glad you like your new experience. It was definetly unique.

Thanks for reporting
Sandy

 

[ceejay13]

InstImpres - It sounds very much like our experience. I actually had more issues than above but those were the highlights. Even after they cancelled it, I received a confirmation for the 4th time on the event they cancelled. They certainly need to get their act together. Actually one of the phone calls, I got a castmember that was retired and took a CRO job for the fun of it and was a DVC member also. Since we had plenty of time he said that they are definetely having some issues with the bookings. It certainly didn't affect our time and we had lots of fun but don't know if I would go to all the trouble if I took a group again.

 

[pixiechick]

Ceejay13: Was the music piped into the boat during the Wishes cruise? I've heard conflicting information. Thanks and I'm glad Disney came through and made up for the reservation mess!

 

[ceejay13]

Yes the music was piped in. If you have any other questions, please let me know.

 

[jlcbshaw]

I haven't seen much about the Wishes Cruise, only Illuminations. I also had heard that the music was not able to be heard on the cruise.

Our family was fortunate enough to get an Illuminations Cruise last March and we are going back this March. I have been tempted to book a Wishes Cruise, but just haven't heard too many things about it. So any information you may have and are willing to share would be great. I have been checking for cancellations for Illuminations and was told by a CRO that there are about four times as many boats available for Wishes.

Good location? Worth the money? Will it leave a memorable impression with the kids, ages 15, 14, 11, and 7?

Thanks

CBS

 

[ceejay13]

The Wishes cruise is available to those booking a magical gatherings vacation. Magical Gatherings are for groups of 8 or more. The Wishes cruise is one of 4 theme park special events called Grand Gatherings that are optional for those doing the Magical Gatherints. I have also done the Illuminations cruise and the music is not piped in for it. The Wishes cruise is actually called a Magical Fireworks Voyage. You arrive at the Contemporary Marina about an hour and 45" before Wishes is scheduled at the MK. They have a special area roped off. Upon entering you receive a pin and then sit for a group picture. The pictures are ready after the cruise and are an additional charge. They have a dessert reception all spread out. It includes cookies, brownies, cakes,fruit, and cheese. They also have water, coffee, hot cocoa, hot tea and sodas available. This is all included in the price. Mr. Smee and Captain Hook are also present and spend about 30' with the group taking pictures and mingling with the group. Shortly two boats pull up and the group is divided between them. On each boat is a pirate who hosts the group. He does lots of trivia and sings several songs. There are small gifts given away for the trivia winners. You then watch the electrical water pagent and after that the boat is positioned for an incredible view of Wishes from the water. The music is piped in and the view from the water is incredible. After the fireworks each child is given a Peter Pan book to keep and the pirate reads the story on the way back to the Contemporary. Waiting at the dock is Peter Pan, who spends a lot of time with each child, taking pictures and signing autographs. It was a wonderful evening.

 

[bobbiwoz]

When I booked our Dec. ressies with MS, they said I would have to deal with the Grand Gathering people for the special events. Is it true that I have to wait until 90 days prior to my arrival (or departure, I don't know) to get in touch with Grand Gatherings?
The video seems to talk about special viewings for Illuminations, but the pamphlet doesn't mention them, but you say that your party had one.

I'm glad you had a great time, and we're looking forward to our Dec. visit. Just tell me, when do I begin to prepare? Can they send something more informative than the video and pamphlets?

Bobbi

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

There is a specialty cruise that is not part of Grand Gatherings to view Wishes. We did it on Jan 1 2004 for our my dd's birthday. It was wonderful, but the music could not piped onto the pontoon boat. We could hear it coming from the MK's speakers. The prices started at $120 for 12 people and I believe it was $ 220 for the birthday cruise (It included cake and soda).

 

[Mickey Moose]

I have had similar frustrations as outlined above trying to book my group on the magical fireworks voyage. We are staying at the Swan and I booked my ressies on the Swan's web page myself. A very thourough CM named Alan with the Grand Gatherings finally solved the problem for me after hours on the phone with other Grand Gatherings staffers and also the Swan Reservation staffers and Hotel Host. As I understand the problem, your Grand Gatherings event is linked to your Hotel ressies. THat is how they hold them. So if you did not book your ressie through Disney Travel or CRO, then they have trouble linking your ressie into their system. There is apparently a "shell" reservation system that they use to link to ressies made with Swan, Dolphin or DVC. If you are having trouble with your GG ressies, ask for the CM there named "Alan". He said he would call me back the next day after it was taken care of and that is just what he did!

Mickey Moose

 

[Lynnyl]

What time does the Magical Fireworks Gathering begin on a Saturday? Would it be possible to do the 5pm Hoop Dee Doo and follow up with the Gathering?

 

[Mickey Moose]

Lynnyl - You should call, when I booked mine, I was told it was only available on Sundays and Mondays......I think Making it from the 5pm Hoop De Doo is no problem if Wishes starts at 9pm. Then you would be at the contemporary by 7:45 for the Magical fireworks voyage. If wishes starts earlier, it may be a problem.

Mickey Moose

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

That's weird...I called about mine (Grand Gathering for August) and they told me they were only available on Saturdays and Mondays! I was planning on doing this on Sunday, since that is the day we're doing Magic Kingdom. The cm told me that the days change seasonally. Anyone else?

 

[Lynnyl]

I, too was told Saturdays and Mondays.
Lynn

 

[ceejay13]

I was also told Saturdays and Mondays for the fireworks. The number to call for the Magical Gatherings is 1-407-WDW-PLAN. We also tried for the special character breakfast but couldn't work out the days. You need to get a Magical Gatherings number before you can actually reserve any of these events. You must have at least 8 in your party that are over the age of 3 to get this. It is correct that if you are a DVC member or do not book through Disney Travel Company or WDW CRO that they have trouble with linking the ressies. As I stated, we are DVC members and so this was part of the problem. I do believe, however, that this should have been worked out before they began all this. As to the question of timing betweeen Hoop de Doo and the fireworks cruise, it does all depend on when the parks close. We just returned and the parks always close early in January. Of course, at the busier times the parks close later and so Wishes is always right before closing.