Grand Gatherings, Illum and Dinner

[SJCSuzy]

Hi Everybody,

Has anybody done the Grand Gatherings Illuminations dinner and dessert buffet? We're going in Aug with a group of 10 and were wondering if anyone can give us first hand experience. It sounds fun, although pricey, and we were just wondering if it's worth it. Do you get to pick from any of the Epcot restaurants? Where is the dessert buffet and illuminations viewing area?

Thanks!

 

[Hollua]

I'm going in August and we have enough for the Grand Gatherings. My DH looked into this option and decided against it. He called for more info. He wasn't impressed with the knowledge of the CM he dealt with. He couldn't answer most of his questions. Our impression was that you do not pick a restaurant. There is some sort of international buffet set up somewhere and then there is a dessert buffet set up outside with a great viewing area for Illuminations. We felt it was too expensive for the lack of info available. We didn't really know what exactly we were paying so much money for.

We ended up trying for the Illuminations cruise every day. We finally got it on the fourth morning. So now the plan is to eat at a resort near the boat launch.

I know I haven't been much help. I think that it is just too new to find many people who've done it. I would keep trying Disney until you get a knowledgable CM.

 

[Hollua]

I stumbled across this thread today. The Illuminations dinner gathering sounds great.
Grand Gathering Thread

You might have to read in a two or three pages to get to the Illuminations reviews.

 

[gopherit]

We're signed up for this in August -- I sure hope it's good, for what we're paying! Our problem was that with the cruises, if a child suddenly got antsy, whaddya do? You're stuck on a boat ... no turning back! We figured that being on terra firma was the best bet for our gang since it's 4 adults and 5 kids (yikes we're outnumbered!) My understanding was that we would have a buffet of offerings from many of the countries (held at Odyssey); there would be some osrt of activity for the kids. There is no guarantee "who" you will get character-wise. If it's a princess, my dd would bethrilled, but I know of 4 little princes who will be gagging all night long. We are hoping for a "classic" character only! (i.e., Goofy, Mick, Min, Chip, Dale, Pluto -- any would be ok!)
After the dinner and kid's program and some music and photo ops, you are escorted over to the viewing area. There they serve dessert and beverages while Illum. is shown.

One thing I do worry about -- that Disney can't control -- is that confounded smoke. Last trip we thought we had the perfect spot for Illum -- staked it out an hour in advance. But the first firework was all we ever saw. The August air was so thick, the smoke just STAYED... didn't budge. Then when it did move, it came our way. Soon we were enveloped in a smoky fog. You could hardly see 2 feet in front of you. Ugh. It was bad enough to have wasted an hour to end up like that. But to spend 60 per adult head and end up that way would be ugly. We're hoping for good food, lots of fun and clear skies!