~~~Here it is!~~~ Illuminations Dessert Party June 18th registration thread!

[MrShiny]

1. Need number so we can start calling about Tony's Breakfast and AK dinner.

2. Need info on how to order convention tickets (if those are still available to us and we decide to use those).

3. Need info on how to settle the amount owed to you for the Illuminations Buffet.

4. Need details on when and where to meet you on Saturday for the Illuminations Buffet.

5. Need to know if we can still pay the extra $15 per person to get into this without park admission.

-------------------------------------------

Thanks again Penny for all of your work! It is starting to sounds VERY close!
DJ

That sums it up for me too! I'll hang up and listen for my answer. Thanks Penny!

 

[westjones]

Just an FYI for everyone, the June hours are now up on the Disney website:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...MKCalendarParkHoursMonthlyViewPage&date=62005

Happy Planning!
DJ

 

[westjones]

Penny,
Has there been any news about getting us registered as a Grand Gatherings group? Do you have a number for us yet?

I read on another thread that some people are frustrated with the whole Grand Gatherings process. I hope that isn't the case for you.

Let us know what is up!
Thanks!
DJ

 

[minijeanie]

westjones.....

curious...why are people frustrated with GG events....

and very happy tonite..just got word that my DD will be going to WDW next year with the band..

yahoo for me...can plan another trip next April
glad I got AP ...will work out for me ....

 

[4greatboys]

I need to know about us purchasing the tickets and meal vouchers in the info we were given. Its getting close and I hate to waiting to much longer to purchase the tickets.

 

[westjones]

westjones.....

curious...why are people frustrated with GG events....

and very happy tonite..just got word that my DD will be going to WDW next year with the band..

yahoo for me...can plan another trip next April
glad I got AP ...will work out for me ....

They weren't real clear about what the problem was (and I didn't ask). They basically said they got so frustrated working with the Grand Gatherings people, and decided it just wasn't worth it and decide in the future they would rather just organize things themselves.

DJ

 

[Penny12]

The problem is not with any of the actual events...or even the CM's in the GG dept - it's basically because of the computer set-up and the way it ties in to the reservation system that is the main problem. The reason i haven't gotten around to getting a GG number yet is because I know when I call it's going to take forever and a day to do it and to be honest, I kinda dread it. I once had to book one breakfast for 8 people - it took me nearly an hour and a half...I repeat, one, as in a single, solitary breakfast...90 minutes, and I wasn't on hold either - that's just how long it took for the CM to get it into the computer.

Therein I think lies the no.1 reason for many peoples frustration with booking a Grand Gathering.

I promise, absolutely promise to bite the bullet and do it this weekend though - wish me luck!

 

[RachelTori]

wishing you luck!

Laura

 

[westjones]

wishing you luck!

Laura

Yes, Penny! Good Luck! I hope it isn't too frustrating.

Sending some Pixie Dust your way!

DJ

 

[Tiffany]

The problem is not with any of the actual events...or even the CM's in the GG dept - it's basically because of the computer set-up and the way it ties in to the reservation system that is the main problem. The reason i haven't gotten around to getting a GG number yet is because I know when I call it's going to take forever and a day to do it and to be honest, I kinda dread it. I once had to book one breakfast for 8 people - it took me nearly an hour and a half...I repeat, one, as in a single, solitary breakfast...90 minutes, and I wasn't on hold either - that's just how long it took for the CM to get it into the computer.

Therein I think lies the no.1 reason for many peoples frustration with booking a Grand Gathering.

I promise, absolutely promise to bite the bullet and do it this weekend though - wish me luck!

Thank you Penny. I am so looking forward to the AK Safari Dinner.

Also, hoping that a few more people expressed interest in the MK Fireworks Cruise on Monday night.

 

[westjones]

Thank you Penny. I am so looking forward to the AK Safari Dinner.
Also, hoping that a few more people expressed interest in the MK Fireworks Cruise on Monday night.

I would LOVE for us to do the MK Fireworks Cruise. The more I have read about it, the more fun it sounds! And it doesn't require park admission!

I may see if I can switch our Vero Beach night to Sunday and return to WDW on Monday just to do this if it looks like we might be able to. I would be a little concerned at this point though, because people could start making reservation at 90 days for these Grand Gathering events, and we are way past that now. The GG Cruise boat has a limited number of seats (but I don't know the exact number). If I knew for sure we could get on, I would change our reservations around. I guess once we have a GG number I could call and see if there is room, and then call to see if I can switch around our reservations.

Anyway, we would be interested in this if there is still room on the boat!
DJ

 

[RachelTori]

Any luck this weekend with the GG Safari Dinner? Are you STILL on the phone?

We're all set for the Illuminations Dessert Party, right? I've finally started making my PS's and wanted to double check on that - Saturday, 6/18 - do we have a *time*? Thanks!

Laura

 

[Penny12]

Actually after making two phone calls I've still not a GG registered...and I am feeling more than a little cranky about the whole thing right now!

First call to GG:-

On hold to get thru, cue Disney music for 10 minutes, then I'm thru.

Me: Can I register for a Grand Gathering please?

Disney: You want to make some reservations?

Me: No, we have reservations, I'd like to register a Grand Gathering group

Disney: You have reservations?

Me: Yes, I'd like to register a Grand Gathering

Disney: Silence

Me: Will I be able to do that with just my name and then everyone else in my group call up and join it?

Disney: Do they have reservations too?

Me: Yes, everyone has reservations all over property, we just need to register and get a Grand Gathering number - can I do that and have everyone join afterwards?

Disney: How many rooms will it be?

Me: Not sure - 8-10 maybe? Some regular, some DVC

Disney: DVC?

Me: Yes, DVC

Disney: Disney Vacation Club? (at this point I'm starting to look for divine intervention)

Me: Yes

Disney: Hold one minute please

Cue hold music

5 minutes later...

Disney: Thank you for holding, are you DVC?

Me: Yes

Disney: You need to register through Member Services

Me: But not everyone is DVC

Disney: You register then everyone else can call up and join your GG through either DVC or us, depending on what type of reservation they have.

Me: So we actually register our Gathering through 2 different Disney departments?

Disney: You'll only have one Grand Gathering not two.

Me: But we all have to register ourselves through two departments depending on our reservations

Disney: You have to register through Member Services

Me: Ok, thanks for your help

Disney: Have a magical day


So now I call Member Services...conversation two

Me: I'd like to register a GG please

Disney: *pause* a reservation?

Me: No, a Grand Gathering

Disney: *silence*

Me: For groups of 8 people or more? I called regular GG and they told me as I was the lead name I had to register through Member Services and then everyone else can call either Member Services or Grand Gatherings to join it once we have our number.

Disney: ok, can you just hold for a minute?

cue Disney hold music

Disney: Ok, I'll need the names, phone numbers, trip dates and reservation numbers of everyone in the group.

Me: Grand Gatherings told me I could register just my name and then everyone else could join the Gathering once I had the number.

Disney: No, I need everyone's info to register you.

Me: Even though most others have regular reservations?

Disney: Yes.

Me: But GG told me I could just register myself? I also thought that you just needed the personal details of the group 'lead'.

Disney: Hold on a minute, let me check

cue hold music

Disney: I do need everyone's info in order to register you.

Me: But we're talking about at least 8-10 rooms - all with different trip dates, I thought the point of Grand Gatherings was to make things easier - this doesn't sound very easy...

Disney: Hold on another minute...

cue hold music

Disney: That's the way it has to be - I need everyone's phone, names, trip dates and reservation numbers to register you.

Me: Well, the minimum required is just 8 people, presumably I can register just 8 people initially and then the rest can call up and add themselves to the group later?

Disney: ummmm...

Me: It wouldn't make sense if you couldn't do it that way because people might want to join the group closer to the time anyhow.

Disney: Hold on a minute, let me check..

cue and exceptionally loooong period of hold music

Disney: Ok, yes, you can register with the first 8 and the rest can join later.

Me: Thanks for your help, I'll have to call you back with the info.


Trust me, that is something of a snipped version of events too and I'm not a particularly happy camper right now as a result. It's not even the jumping through hoops Disney are making us do, it's the fact that both people I spoke to didn't seem to really know their stuff at all and I've had two conflicting versions of what's required to set it up.

Soooooo....here's the next question for you guys. Can a few of you send me your trip/reservation details? Of if you happen to be booked through Dreams then just send me your reservation number and the name of your agent. Mail me at projectx@wdwinfo.com and I'll try again - 3rd time lucky, eh?

Thanks guys - appreciate your patience here!

 

[heidica]

Soooooo....here's the next question for you guys. Can a few of you send me your trip/reservation details? Of if you happen to be booked through Dreams then just send me your reservation number and the name of your agent. Mail me at projectx@wdwinfo.com and I'll try again - 3rd time lucky, eh?

Thanks guys - appreciate your patience here!

Penny
Does it matter which event we are signed up for with you, if we send you our reservation information? Right now, our group is only signed up for the Illumination Dessert party, but we are getting interested in doing the GG Safari Dinner at AK (By the way how much does that cost?). Another question - during the time period of all your events we are actually staying at SOG and then on June 22nd we move to AKL (which is a reservation through DU) - does it matter that we will be at SOG?? I would be happy to help if I can (our party is a group of 7 people if that helps) It has been frustrating for me that we are only 1 person short of being able to do GG events, so this is a way for us to participate.

 

[Penny12]

No, it doesn't matter - this is just to register the group rather than actually book any events - if you could send me your details of both reservations that would be great because with just you and me we'd have the minimum party size and the rest should then be straight forward...theoretically!

 

[westjones]

Penny,
I sent you my information, but ours is a mess. We are resort hopping and switching locations almost every day. Sorry about that.

Hope things go better with your next call. Sounds like Disney needs to do something to make this GG registration better.

Good Luck!
DJ

 

[heidica]

Penny,
I also sent you our information. Hope it helps. Keep us updated.

 

[4greatboys]

Penny any info how when and how we can buy our park hoppers and vouchers??

 

[zippeedee]

Penny,
I just sent you my DU reservation info. Good luck on the phone. We all need to take you out for a drink or something to thank you for all your hard work for us!
Patti

 

[minijeanie]

sent my information too Penny....


hope this helps