Grand Gatherings Wishes Cruise or Pontoon Boat WIshes Cruise

[DisneyMomx7]

Hi,

Can anyone who has done both the Grand Gatherings WIshes Cruise and the regular cruise tell me which one is better? We have friends that will be at WDW some of the same time as we are and we could do the GG WIshes Cruise with them, or just do the regular one. I have to make our PS next week so I need some ideas asap. Thank you.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

How many total people will you have?

The standard Wishes cruise can hold 10 adults, or 12 people as long as there are a few kids. This cost is per boatload, about $140.

The Grand Gathering Wishes cruise can hold close to 40 people or so, but the cost is $32.95 ages 10+, $14.99 ages 3-9.

 

[westjones]

Maybe someone can confirm this, but I thought I had read that the music is piped in on the Grand Gatherings boat, but not on the others.

We would love to do a Wishes cruises on a Friday night (I don't think the Grand Gatherings cruise is offered that night), but we also want the music.

Does anyone know about the boats and music?
Thanks!
DJ

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We would have 5 adults and 3 children. I'm not worried about the price I was wondering if the pontoon boat had the wishes music piped in and would it be better to do a private cruise or is the Peter Pan one more fun. Thanks.

 

[shellybaxter]

When we did the pontoon boat cruise in Januay our boat had the music piped in. Our driver sounded like that was going to be a permenant thing, not a "test" like had been reported on these boards prior to that. He also said it was taking a while to get all the boats retrofited with the sound equipment. I'd think they would have most of them done by now though.

I've not done the GG pirate cruise yet - but we are going to on our next trip in just a few days. It sounds like a lot of fun. I'm so glad you got to join together with other Disers to make the gathering.

Shelly

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

The regular Wishes cruise is really nice. It is very relaxing and the view is really wonderful (I actually prefer seeing Wishes from the water). We try to do both the Wishes and the Illuminations cruise on our trips. The Magical Fireworks Voyage (the Grand Gathering) was wonderful, we did it two months ago. It is more than just a fireworks cruise. You start out with desert (lots of things to choose from) and really fun character interaction with Capt. Hook and Mr. Smee. We had a 33 people in our Grand Gathering and everyone said they would do it again! After desert you head to the marina and board the boat. Your capt is called Patch (all the captains are called Patch). You play games that involve Disney trivia and you can win pirate themed prizes. It is great because kids and adults can play. You also sing songs. Our capt. Patch had a wonderful voice. DH and I got to dance to "Kiss the Girl" from the Little Mermaid because we were celebrating our anniversary. It was one of the most magical moments of our last trip! The piped in music was nice. Both of the cruises are filled with magic, but if you have the 8 people required for the Grand Gathering and money is not a problem, I would do it.

 

[shatzjsl]

You can only do the Grand Gathering cruise if your whole trip is booked as a GG. I, too, am meeting friends for a Wishes cruise and was given this information when I called to book it.

 

[princess aurora]

You can only do the Grand Gathering cruise if your whole trip is booked as a GG. I, too, am meeting friends for a Wishes cruise and was given this information when I called to book it.

It's true you need a grand gathering number to book this cruise. We are a Grand Gathering group going next month (tomorrow is next month, Yippee!!!!!!)

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I thought I've read that other people have called and gotten a gg # for their group. Am I mistaken. If you can't then I guess that solves my question.

 

[shatzjsl]

I thought I've read that other people have called and gotten a gg # for their group. Am I mistaken. If you can't then I guess that solves my question.

With everything else at Disney, it probably depends on which CM you get. Doesn't hurt to try. I only tried once.

 

[westjones]

Does it cost extra to register as a Grand Gathering?

So once you register, you get a GG# and can start making reservations for these activities, right?

DJ

 

[nkjzmom]

I just asked a similar question on another thread....but I have another question. To qualify for a Grand Gathering does the whole party have to stay on property? We just can't afford that.

 

[shatzjsl]

I just asked a similar question on another thread....but I have another question. To qualify for a Grand Gathering does the whole party have to stay on property? We just can't afford that.

From allears.net

If your group includes eight or more people staying at a Walt Disney World resort, link up with a Magical Gatherings planning specialist who will assist with dining, recreation, golf tee times, special celebrations and other reservation needs for these Grand Gatherings.

Full article: http://allearsnet.com/pl/magath.htm

 

[princess aurora]

I just asked a similar question on another thread....but I have another question. To qualify for a Grand Gathering does the whole party have to stay on property? We just can't afford that.

Sorry but yes. Another way Disney finds to get more money! But like someone else posted you might just try and see. Call and you might get a different answer from a CM.

 

[fan4life]

that the 8 people required for a gg have to be 3yrs and above.
they don't count the free kids.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

actually the rule is 80% of the people involved in a Grand Gathering must be on Disney Property.

 

[Soupermom]

I've been tying to figure this stuff out all day! We will be a group of 8, all over 3yrs old, staying on property next March. Can we do the Wishes fireworks cruise, with the desserts and Peter Pan gang? If so, how much and how do we go about booking this? Do we have to have a Grand Gatherings package, or just a number? Where do you get the number? Are there any discounts? AAA? FL resident? Has anyone done this recently who can clear this up for me? I can't find any specific info anywhere at any website...I've tried them all WDW, Mousesavers, Allearsnet.... TIA if you can help this confused girl!!!

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

Allright, here's the scoop. If you want to plan a Grand Gathering, you call 1-407-WDW-PLAN and speak with a GG Cm, they will establish your GG# and yes, as long as all of your party wants to attend, you can do any of the GG experiences.

If you've already got your bookings, and aren't part of a Grand Gathering, have the agent make you one, and be ready with a fun/cool name for your group, it will add to your experience.

unfortunately there are NO discounts for any of the experiences. the most expensive is the safari and the illuminations dinner/desert reception at $59. per adult. The least expensive is the Good Morning Gathering at $24 per adult.

hope I've helped.

 

[Soupermom]

Thank you everyone for you help! Can someone please clarify this last question...the "regular" Wishes Cruise is $140 for your private party of up to 10-12 people, no food, viewing the water parade and Wishes, right?

The GGWishes Cruise has desserts and Peter Pan's gang involved and is priced per person, but you'll be included with a larger group on a larger boat (sit on left hand side someone said)? Viewing the parade and Wishes after dessert.

Is all of this above correct? can 1-407-WDW-PLAN be used for either event? Are both booked 90 days out, or can GG be booked at any time?

Thanks so much for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[prplcrzy]

I have only done the Grand Gathering Wishes cruise and it is well worth the money.

You start by gathering at the Contemporary and have a dessert buffet, Smee and Capt. Hook come and mingle with the crowd, pixs, autographs, etc.. You are split into two groups and you line up with either Smee or Capt. Hook (whoever you are assigned). Then everyone parades outside to the boat docks. There you say goodbye to Smee and Capt. Hook. (You are in a boat with many other people, but your party all sits together, so no worries there.

While cruising around, the pirate crew sings songs and asks different trivia questions and really gets the kids going. You view the Electric Water Parade and then Wishes and yes, the music was piped in our cruise (Aug. 04.)

After Wishes, you go back to the Contemporary and are greeted by Peter Pan on the docks. He is there for pixs and autographs and they gave each child a Peter Pan book (soft sided thin book).

My son is a huge Peter Pan/Capt. Hook (actually anything pirate!!) fan and he loved every minute of it (he had just turned 3 at the time). I would recommend it. We cruised the last night of our trip and it was truly magical, great way to end our recent trip home!

Have a great trip!

Nancy

P.S. We created a grand gathering group after we had made reservations (found out friends were going the same time) and it was painful to link our reservations together because most of us were DVC members and others were staying at regular Disney hotels. Don't wait to the last minute to link them, it could take a while to get everything straightened out.