Has anyone done a Grand Gathering?

[zillow]

Hi,
We're traveling with a party of 14 in May (2-2bedrooms at VWL- YEAH!) and I"m wondering about signing up for grand gatherings and making reservations, etc. Other than the special events - is there some benefit to being a Grand Gathering and can MS make the dining/cruise reservations, etc.? Or is there a separate number to call.

TIA!

- Carol

 

[zillow]

Wow! Just noticed I'm a mouseketeer...move over Britney

 

[bobbiwoz]

The Grand Gathering number isn't 800, and it wasn't that helpful to us. We were usually connected to Group Dining for our PSs which were for more than 8 people.

I think I did ask MS about it, but for what we wanted, the Fantasmic package, for instance, they couldn't book us.

Have a great time, I just don't want to get rid of my grand gathering countdown, every time I see it, I remember and smile.

Bobbi

 

[sandieb]

We did a Grand Gathering. It was of some help in obtaining reservations. However, the times available for a large group are terrible...either 5pm or 9pm for dinner. I was disappointed, so I usually made a PS for two tables at a more convienent time. When we actually showed up, the folks at the restaurant would usually find a way to seat us together.

We wanted to do the Wishes cruise, but it was booked.

The BEST thing we did was not necessarily a Grand Gathering event...however, we did the Family Magic Tour (all 11 of us) and had a wonderful time. I highly recommend it. We topped it off with lunch at the Crystal Palace for a most magical day. Sandie B

 

[DIZZNY]

We did a grand gathering over Thanksgiving and it seemed to work really well for us. We split our stay between SSR and AKL for the weekend. The cast members upon check-in told us that keeping our GG group together was top priority while trying to grant our initial requests. We were given all of our requests and the views were incredible. The AKL castmember said he couldn't believe how lucky we were. Luck or GG, I am not sure.

We did the safari dinner which was really great. We really didn't see a lot of animals but the guides tried. The dinner and entertainment were phenomenal and they went the extra yard to make everyone really special. Expensive yes but worth it. We all had a good time from age 65 to 2.

I would have liked to take advantage of a few more things but our group was only 11 and I couldn't get a full committment from enough to make the required 8.

I didn't use the software and trying to make the reservations and changes to them was at times unnerving. I never like to make reservations for more than my little family. It just makes me crazy when people change their minds at the last minute or want to add people and then turn to me to handle it. Burned too many times and finished.

So, for the limited amount that I used it, I would recommend it.

good luck!