GRAND GATHERINGS? Info, please!!

[jrjac]

Where do I find out info on Disney's Grand Gatherings? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Janet2k]

Start by reviewing the info on the official WDW website: click here for the Magical/Grand Gatherings info.

Also, search the Dis website. When the program was introduced a few years ago, there were very informative threads on it. Folks posted their experiences with the special events; the events sounded lovely. (My own family attended the Safari Celebration Dinner last year and it was wonderful.)

 

[spectromagicmom]

Call them at407-939-planl. I have onlyhad the friendliest most helpful cast member each time I have a question!

 

[20yrs&counting]

We have two Grand Gathering planned for December.
The first is a Fireworks Cruise that begins at The Contemporary Marina with a dessert buffet and features Captain Hook and Mr Smee. After dessert we take a boat trip with a Pirate guide through Bay Lake, over the Aquaduct and then into the Seven Seas Lagoon. We anchor to watch the Fireworks over the MK and Peter Pan greets us when we return to the Marina at the CR. The cost is $35/$20 and is held Sun, Mon and Tues. Hours vary based on the Fireworks schedule. Days are subject to change.
The second is the International Dinner at Epcot. We have a Buffet Dinner with food from Morocco, Germany, Italy, Japan and China at The Odyssey. This features Characters and Entertainment. After dinner you have access to a VIP viewing area for Illuminations along with a dessert buffet. The cost is $60/$25 and is held Mon and Fri at 7:30. Hours and days are also subject to change.
I don't have info on the Good Morning Gathering or the Safari Celebration Dinner. The Grand Gathering phone # is 1-407-WDW-PLAN.

 

[disneysnob]

We did the Grand Gathering last summer and I would HIGHLY recommend it!! There were 18 of us-9 adults and 9 kids (ages 2-11) and we all had a great time. We did the fireworks cruise from the CR. They serve you a dessert buffet with cookies, cakes, coffee.....on the concourse level of CR. Then Cpt. Hook & Mr. Smee pay a visit. Then you're led to the boats, and take offf at the docks. During the cruise, there are trivia games with prizes for the kids, sing-a-longs and they recognize anyone who is celebrating an occasion. We were there for my parents 40th anniversary. The whole boat then sang along to 'kiss the girl' while my parents danced. Then you park out on the lake and have a fabulous view of Wishes, over the castle, and all the songs are piped into the boat. Peter Pan greets you at the dock when you return!-Very Memorable.
We also did the Good Morning Breakfast at MK. Sing-alongs, jokes, characters, and dancing-all while eating a delicious breakfast. After the breakfast, you and your group get some "private time" with Mickey! They have a photographer to take a group photo, and you can get autographs and your own pictures, too. Both activities were lots of fun-especially for the kids! They were VERY well organized and efficient. hey both leave you with lasting memories!

 

[MrsPooh]

We are booked as a Grand Gathering for our stay in mid-Sept. We are a group of 10 going for my mother's birthday and my parent's 40th anniversary. We were excited to book both the Safari Dinner at Animal Kingdom and the International Dinner at Epcot. We all were most looking forward to the International Dinner!

About two weeks ago we were notified that the International Dinner was cancelled for the night we reserved and would not be offered any other time during our eight day stay! We are simply out of luck with that event although they will offer us VIP viewing passes for Illuminations this does not replace an International Dinner and Dessert along with Illuminations. They also cancelled the Safari on the night we had it booked and our only option was to change to another evening or cancel.

Changing seems ok except the only time now available is Sunday evening so we lose our reservations for 10 at Liberty Tree and if we switch it to the evening that Safari was scheduled we end up having only 4:00 available for us all to sit together at Liberty Tavern.

Additionally we still have not received the credit back for the cancelled dinner.

We are VERY UNHAPPY about the manner in which the Grand Gatherings are being handled. VIP Passes will not replace the International Dinner experience. Our dining plan for Liberty Tree is at a time we don't want and Disney is not doing anything to correct it. AND now we all have to be at Animal Kingdom on a day we were not planning so we have all had to rearrange our Disney Schedule and other dining reservations!

Booking the Grand Gathering and planning on these "great" experiences has caused us great disappointment.

THIS IS MY FIRST DISNEY TRIP AND I HAVE TO SAY I'M NOT TOO HAPPY SO FAR! Hopefully things will live up to expectations when we arrive.

Donna

 

[Janet2k]

MrsPooh, I am so sorry to hear of your troubles. The only thing I can say is that if you re-book the Safari Celebration Dinner, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Briefly... There was a talk in the outdoor theater before the safari ride began; it was informative & fun. Next, everyone went on the safari ride together (multiple vehicles were used); it was wonderful (there's nothing like being on the savannah in the evening). Afterwards, everyone dined together inside Tusker House; the food & entertainment were wonderful (and the tables were set up nicely).

I would definitely do the Safari Celebration Dinner again.

 

[jrjac]

Thank you all for all the info! Everything sounds wonderful! We just got back from a wonderful trip to Disney (my first!) This time it was just my husband, myself and our 8 yo son. My wish now is to take my entire family (adult children and grandkids) to WDW next year! There would be 6 adults and 3 children (ages 9, 5 and 2)
Yet like most of us, the pricetag is unfortunately an issue. I guess the best way to ask my question is point blank-with the Grand Gatherings "plan," would we get discounts on room rates, park tickets, etc? I want so very much to make this dream a reality! Thanks for any and all info anyone can give!

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

There are no discounts involved with Grand Gatherings. I think if you book 10 or more rooms you can get a discount. The events are quite expensive but they are really fun. We did the Magical Firworks Voyage and the Safari Dinner back in Feb. We are planning to do the Illuminations Dinner and the Fireworks Voyage again on our Dec trip. They do try to place you in rooms that are near each other.

 

[DisneyDude61]

what happens if you book and pay for 8 people, but only 7 show up? will you still be able to do the cruise or dinner with 7 actual people, but having paid for 8?

 

[garettdoyle]

We did a Grand Gathering last fall and...........

25 of us. About half adults and half kids.

Good
-Safari dinner overall was good. A little expensive. Good personal attention. Good food. Overall, worth doing.

Bad
-Special reservation desk was not very organized. I am guessing that many of the problems are related to a bad computer/reservation system. They had the wrong names with the wrong families. Duplicate hotel reservations. Wrong addresses.

-No special pricing or discounts.

-Not very helpful in making non-special dinner reservations. They acted like we were crazy asking for group dinners at other full service restaurants.

I would not discourage anybody from doing a "Grand Gathering" but just understand what it is. Basically, you have access to several special events if you are willing to pay. The planning and reservation system is disorganized at best.