Has anyone planned a grand gathering.. for 25+ people?

[bdoyledimou]

It is my grandmothers 88th birthday in 2010. (i thought she was turning 90, but i got corrected.. she was quite upset) and i am trying to plan a Grand
Gathering/Family Reunion to Celebrate this event.

I am guessing based on the feedback i have so far, that there will be at least 25 people attending.

We will be trying to stay at the same resort, but only spending evenings together... to relive the days adventures. Grandma will be spending one day with each family "group" while we are there, and then planning on having one BIG Celebration Dinner on the evening of her Birthday.

Does anyone know how or even if a group of that size can be accommodated?
Are there special events available other then the 4 listed on the Grand Gatherings website page? Are there any gotchas anyone can think of that i should plan for while organizing this trip? Has anyone done this before?!?!

I don't want to bite of more then i can chew, but i got a BIG mouth.

 

[bdoyledimou]

I guess thats a no then

 

[Belle1962]

I took about 60 of what used to be my closest relatives for the 2000 celebration--no grand gatherings then.

I sent out monthly/bimonthly newlsetters to everyone. Picked one theme each month (i.e. planning idea & websites, one was budget ideas--how to save beforehand and how to save there, one newsletter per park with tips & hints about that park, one dedicated to non-park stuff to do (free and cost $$), one that listed where everyone was staying and cell phone numbers, etc.)

The first one had a suggested (emphasize the word suggested) itinerary and information on how to make dining reservations (the importance of dining reservations, etc). Then on the suggested itinerary I listed the "group" activities. I kept emphasizing that everything was suggested and everyone was free to do whatever they wanted--except for Thanksgiving dinner which was a MUST Attend because I had to pre-pay.

The first one also included tips on how to save for Disney and the idea to give Disney Dollars for birthdays and other gift occasions throughout the year. I also mentioned how that since Santa and Mickey are buds Santa could bring tickets and Disney Dollars too.

In the first one, I also listed various lodging options, websites for great info, rental car tips, etc. to help with the planning.


We all stayed at different resorts (and even offsite for some). But most people pretty much stuck to the suggested park so we were always running into each other.

One thing I did for each park's newsletter and the itinerary was mention a meeting spot for parades and fireworks. I'd say something like: "We'll be watching Illuminations from the fence between China and Africa. We will arrive around 8:00 pm so if you'd like to join us, feel free." Or "At the Magic Kingodm you'll find us in Frontierland around the Diamond Horseshoe around 2:00 pm for the 3:00 parade--feel free to join us". These served as great mid-day meeeting places.

I also updated the itinerary once I had my family's ADR's set so everyone knew where I would be. Many of the family followed suit (as I am the official keeper of the Disney information--LOL).

I did manage to snag Illuminations cruises almost every evening and had families pick which, if any, they would like to attend.

Now that I know even more--I would do an Illuminations Dessert Party or some of the grand gathering experiences if enough people are onsite.

HTH

 

[michael's mom]

It is my grandmothers 88th birthday in 2010. (i thought she was turning 90, but i got corrected.. she was quite upset) and i am trying to plan a Grand
Gathering/Family Reunion to Celebrate this event.

I am guessing based on the feedback i have so far, that there will be at least 25 people attending.

We will be trying to stay at the same resort, but only spending evenings together... to relive the days adventures. Grandma will be spending one day with each family "group" while we are there, and then planning on having one BIG Celebration Dinner on the evening of her Birthday.

Does anyone know how or even if a group of that size can be accommodated?
Are there special events available other then the 4 listed on the Grand Gatherings website page? Are there any gotchas anyone can think of that i should plan for while organizing this trip? Has anyone done this before?!?!

I don't want to bite of more then i can chew, but i got a BIG mouth.

I have been to Disney many times with 25+ people. We always traveled together, did the rides together, and for the most part, dined together. I know when my family was down there for my grandfather's 70th, they rented a Birthday cruise leaving from Wilderness Lodge to watch the fireworks with an audio feed to hear the music that you'd hear at the parks. I was looking into it and I am not sure if it will accommodate 25 people, but I found it here on this site. Just plug in birthdays and see what happens.

 

[Evil__Queen]

Never tried this, but just had to say....Happy Birthday to that grand gal, that it's getting planned for.

Next trip we are planning for only 4 extra people and I'm a nervous wreck, that they won't like my planning, even though my household loves it and swears by it, just planning for others excites me, but gets my anxiety going too.

 

[bdoyledimou]

Seems it will be eaiser than i thought!

Disney will give me a Grand Gathering ID that i provide to my family, and this will keep our reservations all together.

AND since we have so many people with the same itinerary, we will be getting about 60% off the airline fees!

Everyone is very helpful with big parties. It may be easier then with the smaller ones!

Thanks all!

 

[Grandmouse]

We did 50+ two years ago (four generations were present). We did not all come or leave the same days, but we were there over the same four-day weekend. We did not travel together because we came from several different states, either by car or plane. Also, most stayed in the same resort, (CBR), but others stayed at their DVC, Beach Club, etc. CBR has a nice area outside the rooms with tables/chairs where we gathered in the evenings. We did one breakfast our first morning (Saturday) at the Crystal Palace, and two dinners, including Hoop-Dee-Doo. The person from Grand Gatherings assigned to help us was absolutely no help whatsoever (actually, the original person quit, as did the next two assigned to us). If we had had better help and information, we probably would have done the dessert party at EPCOT. I would not recommend trying to keep your group together in the parks as people want to do different things, depending on their ages and ages of their children (or grandchildren).

I also sent out regular mailings-- "time to break in new sneakers," or "start going out for walks," etc. It was tons of fun.

 

[miabellarose]

HI.
I just started reading a trip report on a Grand Gathering of 28 people. It may be useful, but either way, it's a fun read. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1939897

Good luck to you and have fun!!!