Grand Gthrngs--fireworks cruise exp, AK safari exp--worth it?????

[micmacmissy]

Are these packages worth it? We have 9 people going...and I don't know whether to book or not.

For the Fireworks Cruise Exp, do we have our own boat? Does anyone know what time this begins/ends? (We have small kids who need to sleep!) Are we just going to be crammed in with a bunch of other groups, or is this really a personal experience?

As for the AK Safari Exp, is it really worth it when we can see the safari thru our regular park admission? And has anyone eaten at the Tusker House restaurant?

Would love to hear from people who have tried these tours...
thanks!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

We did the fireworks cruise in August with our group of 16 and it is WONDERFUL!!!! The best thing we booked for our 8 day stay by far. (with 50's PT coming in a close second!). You don't have your own boat, but your group does all sit together. They have a section set up at the end of the concourse at the CR, where you get desserts and drinks and interaction with Capt. Hook and Mr. Smee. You also receive your "Magical Fireworks Voyage" pins, which are your admission onto the boat. You are led to your boat by your "pirate" captain, and ours sang and played games with the kids until we reached our viewing spot. This was our first time seeing "Wishes" and it is the best vantage point ever. Watching from Main St. can't even compare. I don't think there was a dry eye on the boat! After the show (the music is piped in so you can hear as well as see everything) there were more jokes and songs and games while on our way back to the CR. When we arrived, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell were waiting for us on the dock! Everyone on board was given a "Return to Neverland" book, and Peter stayed and signed autographs and posed for pictures. Definately worth every penny! If you have enough people, I highly reccommend this experience!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

Oh, and I forgot to add, "Patch" our pirate, gave out prizes for Disney trivia to all the kids. And, the MG Fireworks Voyage pins are highly collectable, since you can only get them if you book the experience.

 

[prplcrzy]

I second the recommendation for the Magical Fireworks Voyage, and we had Patch also!

We did the cruise the last night of our trip and it was everything and more than I expected. It was one of the highlights of our trip.

We ended up buying the soundtrack to Wishes so we can relive that night, until we can see it again!

Have a great trip!

Nancy

 

[NCDisneyMom]

I have not done a Magical Gathering myself, but I have some friends who did the AK Safari as part of their Gathering. In a unanimous vote, they all decided that the safari was NOT worth the money.

Diana

 

[hockeyplayer]

Did the Safari Grand Gathering with friends in July. Would not recommend it. You'd be better off booking AKL concierge and doing the Sunrise Safari, which we did in August of 2003. The Sunrise Safari was not rushed, and consisted of only 2 safari jeeps going out onto the savannah. The Grand Gatherings safari was a very hurried, very crowded experience, and we were not thrilled with the food. The breakfast food from the Sunrise Safari was much better. If you crave an "African dinner experience", go over to AKL and eat at Boma. Then go on the "regular" safari - it moves at an only slightly faster pace than the GG safari.