Grand Gatherings

[Pooh's Pixie]

Has anyone had any experience with the "grand gatherings" events? I am interested in the safari one, the breakfast at Tony's Tavern, or the fireworks cruise...are they worth the money? We will be a group of 8: 3 kids (7, 5, 3) twon nineteen year olds, me, DH and DM. Thanks!

 

[rsschneck]

We did the fireworks cruise. Well worth every penny. We would do the cruise again!

 

[Mike]

We did the fireworks cruise. Well worth every penny. We would do the cruise again!

I totally agree - looking forward to doing this again next year. I searched back through an old thread and here is what I posted about it:

My group of 14 did this back in late June and it was wonderful. It was a rainy night, so our reception was inside. We had all kinds of desserts and soda, water, juice, and coffee. Hook and Smee were there and spent plenty of time with the kids. At one point I looked over and my 2 year old had Mr. Smee all to himself and they were dancing in the corner. My DS really took a liking to him.

After about an hour, we went to the boats. Our pirate (Patch) was great. He had us singing songs and he was telling jokes. We stopped and saw the EWP and then continued on to the MK. They gave everyone rain ponchos and he had prizes for the kids (telescopes, Peter Pan books, eye patches and hooks).

Then Wishes started and the view was so much better than seeing it on Main St. The music is piped onto the boat's speakers. It was quite an experience seeing Wishes from the water.

On the way back to the CR marina, Patch read (or paraphrased - quite funny) the story of Peter Pan. As we approached the dock, we could hear Peter in the distance and then we were able to see him. He posed for pictures with all of the kids.

Enjoy!!

 

[rsschneck]

I totally agree - looking forward to doing this again next year. I searched back through an old thread and here is what I posted about it:

My group of 14 did this back in late June and it was wonderful. It was a rainy night, so our reception was inside. We had all kinds of desserts and soda, water, juice, and coffee. Hook and Smee were there and spent plenty of time with the kids. At one point I looked over and my 2 year old had Mr. Smee all to himself and they were dancing in the corner. My DS really took a liking to him.

After about an hour, we went to the boats. Our pirate (Patch) was great. He had us singing songs and he was telling jokes. We stopped and saw the EWP and then continued on to the MK. They gave everyone rain ponchos and he had prizes for the kids (telescopes, Peter Pan books, eye patches and hooks).

Then Wishes started and the view was so much better than seeing it on Main St. The music is piped onto the boat's speakers. It was quite an experience seeing Wishes from the water.

On the way back to the CR marina, Patch read (or paraphrased - quite funny) the story of Peter Pan. As we approached the dock, we could hear Peter in the distance and then we were able to see him. He posed for pictures with all of the kids.

Enjoy!!

Our group of 14 had Patch too! Your write up sounds like ours with the exception of the rain. We had a beautiful night! No need for jackets, but definate need for bug spray!

 

[1000th happy haunt]

My group of 16 also had Patch last October. We had a lot of fun with him. Every time he would say the name of our group, we would let out a big "Aaaaaaarrrrrrrrgh!" When he realized what we were doing he started playing back with us.

When we stopped in Seven Seas Lagoon shortly before the fireworks started, our boat had a shouting match with the other boat.

It was one of the highlights of the trip.

 

[momsully]

I just got my grand gathering number yesterday and am hoping to book this cruise during our January trip!

 

[rsschneck]

I just got my grand gathering number yesterday and am hoping to book this cruise during our January trip!

Call early! You can start booking this cruise prior to 90 days.

 

[momsully]

Call early! You can start booking this cruise prior to 90 days

.


Do you know how early I can call?

 

[keri-k]

We did the Pirate Cruise in November and it was awesome!! We had 10 in our group ages 2 to 42 and we all loved it. I would do it again in a minute!! It's worth every penny!!


Keri K

 

[blossomz]

We did the Safari at animal kingdom and it was awesome!! The food was great, but seeing the park at dusk and the animals out was the best! Definitely worth it!!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Wow, sounds like we'll be going on the fireworks cruise! Now I'm getting excited! I am still debating the safari and breakfast; we did get to see AK at night on our last trip (DH was there for a conference & they opened it up for conference goers) and there are so many character brkfst opportunities. ANyone have any opinion on the other options?!

 

[rsschneck]

.


Do you know how early I can call?

Not too sure! I called at 91 days because I had some questions about the cruise and they barely had room for my 14 family members. You have to book it through the Grand Gatherings folks. Call and ask them how early you can book it.

 

[TEK224]

I've been talking to family members about having a grand gathering in Dec. 2006. Of course I get to be the planner.

Is there a site that tells you what activities are available? Also when booking a GG, do all the people have to be on the same ticket plan? We have some of the older fam. members, who probably won't want to do the parks, but enjoy the resorts instead.

Can you book GG activities if you're staying in a DVC resort?

Thanks for any info.
Terri

 

[cman]

We did the fireworks cruise from the Contemporary last February. There were 15 of us ages 2 - 63.

I was just such a wonderful time!!! I often sit at work when things get crazy and remember the whole night. From the dinner at the Contemporary (not included) to the reception, to the cruise and fireworks. It was all so much fun.

I'd do it agian in a heartbeat.

 

[Tine731]

Can you book GG activities if you're staying in a DVC resort?

Yes. I just called MS today (Friday) and asked for a GG #. They said to give them till Wednesday because they had to put the request in. If I did not get the # by then give them a call back. When I checked my email this afternoon if was already in my inbox. Yeah!

 

[Mike]

Is there a site that tells you what activities are available? Also when booking a GG, do all the people have to be on the same ticket plan? We have some of the older fam. members, who probably won't want to do the parks, but enjoy the resorts instead.

Can you book GG activities if you're staying in a DVC resort?

Hi Terri,

Here are descriptions of all of the events

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...roducts?id=GrandGatheringsSpecialProductsPage

Note that some require theme park admission (where noted) so each family member will need a park ticket for those events.

And yes you can book GG events when staying in a DVC resort.

Have fun!

 

[TEK224]

Thanks for the info!

Terri

 

[Jacksmom99]

Be prepared when you book the GG events if you have a GG number given to you through MS. The two systems do not communicate and if you get an inexperienced GG person on the phone they won't know what to do. Do a search under my name. I put all the info I found out in a thread. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. I have a fireworks cruise planned for August 14th and called this morning to check on times. I got an untrained person and had to correct him several times and have him finally check my reservation through my confirmation number and not my GG number. After all that, he couldn't give me any info on the times for the event. I think I'm going to call back on Monday and see if I can get somewhere with someone else.