Grand Gatherings

[walls1999]

Has anyone tried any of the GG experiences? We are a group of 11 and some of them sound wonderful. Thanks!

 

[akline]

We did a couple of these back in the summer of 2004, and had nightmares trying to book events. Disney had just launched this program, and there were a lot of bugs in their reservation software, however I assume that has been fixed.

The Magical Fireworks Voyage was wonderful and I highly recommend it. We also did the Good Morning Gathering, however that one seemed to drag (it was almost 3 hours before we got our picture with Mickey Mouse, which ate up our whole morning). The kids didn't seem to mind though.

Beware of the merchandise ... we all bought the Magical Gatherings pins and were told we could only get them if we booked a Magical Gathering Event. However, they were on every pin rack we walked by, so we felt scammed.

I have heard good things about the IllumiNations event .. I'd be up for trying that.

 

[zalansky]

I have a uqestion about the Magical Fireworks Voyage....if we have a group of about 12 of us, will we be the only ones on the boat? What boat do they take you out on?

 

[2tinkersmom]

We got to do the Grand Gathering experience at Epcot...the International Storybook Dinner and Illuminations. It was absolutely awesome! We were a group of 9....4 adults, three teens and an 10 and 6 year old and everyone had such a great time. The dinner was amazing, they have live entertainment that is fun for both the adults and the kids, a surprise character appearance that made my 6 year olds night - dancing with Goofy, and the spot you get for the fireworks show is worth its weight in gold!

I can't say enough, it really was a magical evening for us!

 

[momsully]

We are doing the magical fireworks voyage next Sunday. The CM told me they have changed the process some and now dessert is actually on the boat. We have 12 of us going and were told there would be others on the boat as well. I will post when we get back with more details.

 

[kristen0147]

We did the fireworks cruise last year it was great. We had a dessert buffet at the Contemporary with the other travelers ( about 20 total ) and the characters from Peter Pan. We were all given a Magical Gatherings pin before the boat left from the pier. The fireworks were great as was our pirate captain. At the end of the trip Peter Pan was waiting for us at the dock to take pictures and sign books. Highly recommended!!!!

 

[Jacksmom99]

We did the Magical Fireworks voyage in August with 12 people. There were two boats, each holding at least 60 people. Upon checking in at the dessert party, we were given an envelope containing our boat's name (Smee or Hook) and our assigned row numbers. After dessert, we divided up by boats, and Smee or Hook and our Captain Patch led us to the boat. We had our dessert party inside as it was raining. It was loud, but OK. Our Pirate captain was a riot. My DS6 was walking with "Patch" and chatting his ear off. Patch and DS got to the revoling door and went around, and around, and around. Patch told DS it was the best free ride in WDW! DS got to show off his loose tooth, too. The next night at the HDDR, Patch was moonlighting as Six-bits, and DS got to show Patch the missing tooth.

We had a great time and wouldn't hesitate to do it again.