Grand Gatherings - Resort Booking Question

[DisneyMomx7]

Well after talking about it for several years DH and I have decided to bite the bullet and take our entire family to Disney - all the kids and grandchildren! There will be 15 of us - can you imagine?

The plan right now is to book 7 nights MWY package with dining for the older kids and their spouses, and the grandchildren. We'll do 12 nights for me, DH and the little ones to recouperate.

My question is are there any room or package discounts with Grand Gatherings or should I just book through AAA. Even though I've used a AAA discount on a room only reservation I've never booked a package through them. 15% off the room portion of 4 rooms is substantial though, so this time AAA seems like a good option.

Anyone have any experience with either booking Grand Gatherings or even book packages through AAA? THanks!

 

[huge mickey fan]

I was the planner for our Grand Gathering last December for 13 of us. We didn't use AAA but we did use the Walt Disney Travel company. They had a special group of people helping out the Grand Gatherings. Since you are saving quite a bit through AAA for the rooms, I may suggest to maybe splurge on the fireworks cruise for your group. We did that in Dec and it was wonderful. Our boat left from the Comtemporary and then we went out in front of the Magic Kingdom and watched Wishes from the lake. It is only for Grand Gatherings and the folks at Disney can help you set it up. Just remember when planning you won't be able to make everyone happy all of the time so go with the idea to have a great time!! Good luck and have fun!!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I've booked Grand Gatherings twice, the first time we had a group of 16 and booked through AAA, the second time we were 22 and I took care of everything. Both ways were fine, the only thing Grand Gatherings helps with is getting all your rooms near each other and getting dining arrangements through group dining, it doesn't matter who you book through as long as you have a Gathering number. The Magical Gathering Fireworks Voyage is awesome, we've done it twice! If you don't plan on getting the dining plan, any of the Grand Gathering Experiences can be added to your package price.
The best advice I can give is not to try to keep everyone together! We booked one table service meal per day to catch up with everyone and it worked out great since we had all different ages and therefore different interests.
I hope you guys have a great time!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Thank you.

This trip is going to be a surprise Christmas gift (even though we're going in July due to work and school schedules). I plan on making it clear that everyone can spend as much or as little time together as possible. My plan is to give everyone a list of what we are planning on doing - itinerary and ADRs and ask them which ones they think they'd like to join us and if there are other places that they would like to try alone.

We're really going all out- our gift includes air fare, resort, MYW tickets with dining, and spending money, so I want everyone to really enjoy themselves and no hard feelings if they want to go out on their own. Hopefully we'll strike a happy balance!

I can't wait to see the look on their faces on Christmas Eve!

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

I'm just "bumping" because we are planning one too only it might be 12 people for "09. I am curious because I am an AAA member and I want to do the most economical. My cousin and I are planning on taking her 2 boys (23 & 20), DDIL (23), DGD (5), DGS (2), and my DS (19), DGniece (4), Neice (29) and her husband, DG(?), maybe my DB, his son (8), and my mom.

 

[guelde96]

That is a great x-mas present. Your family should be so excited.

 

[mom0299]

We booked our upcoming Gathering through Magical Journeys travel agency. We have a GG number and all of our dining arrangements have been made, including the Safari Celebration Dinner. We can't wait!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Well after talking about it for several years DH and I have decided to bite the bullet and take our entire family to Disney - all the kids and grandchildren! There will be 15 of us - can you imagine?

1) Yes, I certainly can imagine.
2) We go every year with the extended family of 16-19 people.
3) And, grandpa pays.
4) Unfortunately, I am grandpa.

5) As for room discounts, Disney gives discounts for 10-rooms or more.
6) Other than that, you need to find discounts from
. . . AAA
. . . seasonal discounts
. . . normal packages

 

[Disneydenise]

I had a grand gathering originally for my family this past May but when things were getting firmed up we had to change to just 7 people in our group. I found that the AAA was the best price I could get for the hotel and the pass was less expensive purchasing it with AAA in advance of our trip. We did a fireworks cruise from our hotel and it was also less expensive sharing the boat with only our family and our captain was terrific. He had been an Disney castmember for over 25 years. I would run the $$$ both ways and then make your choice based on your needs. Our family is pretty private we love each others company and we were happy to be our small group. I didn't find much that I was missing not doing the grand gathering. I did see the grand gathering fireworks boat but it was filled with several groups of grand gathered folks. They had a pirate that was leading you in song while waiting for the fireworks to start. It was nicer to have the private boat I thought and the captain took us all around the seven seas lagoon and had a ton of information about the old Disney that we found very interesting. I hope you and your family have a great trip. When we left Disney I knew that I would not be back for several years. Most of the children are in a launching mode now. 20 somethings so it will be awhile till we have little ones again.

 

[Pakey]

I have a question. We are planning to take all kids/grandkids together in Jan 2009-12 of us total. Because we are DVC members, I am using points to book all of the rooms. Can we still get the other benefits of Grand Gathering? I'd especially love to do the fireworks cruise for everyone.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

Thank you.

This trip is going to be a surprise Christmas gift (even though we're going in July due to work and school schedules). I plan on making it clear that everyone can spend as much or as little time together as possible. My plan is to give everyone a list of what we are planning on doing - itinerary and ADRs and ask them which ones they think they'd like to join us and if there are other places that they would like to try alone.

We're really going all - our gift includes air fare, resort, MYW tickets with dining, so I want everyone to really enjoy themselves and no hard feelings if they want to go out on their own. Hopefully we'll strike a happy balance!

I can't wait to see the look on their faces on Christmas Eve!

can you adopt me?

 

[jjk1107]

I have a question. We are planning to take all kids/grandkids together in Jan 2009-12 of us total. Because we are DVC members, I am using points to book all of the rooms. Can we still get the other benefits of Grand Gathering? I'd especially love to do the fireworks cruise for everyone.

You certainly can. I have one based on points at the end of this month.