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

[westjones]

Thanks Penny,

If I were you, I would be very reluctant to get tied up with the resort bookings. That sounds like it could be a mess and would make me nervous. We are staying at CBR on the 16th and 17th but after that we have DVC resorts booked. Just MHO (based on all the interest you got in doing these activities and then so many backing out). It sounds like YOU could lose money if people back out.

Also, would others be interested in doing the Wishes fireworks cruise on Friday night (since the AC is out)? We are a family of 4, so if 4 others would be interested, that would make 8 from our group. I heard (but can't confirm) that the boat they use for the MG groups has the music piped in so you and hear and see the fireworks. Friday is the only night we could do this because Saturday is the Epcot buffet and Sunday will be the AK Safari dinner.

DJ

 

[westjones]

Penny,
Could you also check to see if the MG breakfast at Tony's has characters and if they offer it on Saturday mornings.
Thanks!

DJ

 

[4greatboys]

DJ they have info on the Grand Gathering events and days on the Disney website. Just incase you want to look it over before Penny gets back with the info

 

[westjones]

DJ they have info on the Grand Gathering events and days on the Disney website. Just incase you want to look it over before Penny gets back with the info

Thanks! I found the information here:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...roducts?id=GrandGatheringsSpecialProductsPage

I think we will skip the MK breakfast because they will be charging adult prices for 11 year olds (and if we go to the Cinderella breakfast or the Crystal Palace one, they would be able to pay kids rates still).

I already know that I have to pay adult rates for them for Sunday night's safari dinner. Oh well.

I would still be interested in the firworks cruise on Friday, but I see that minijeanie is suggesting we meet at AC. That would be alright, but I thought the program was usually 'adult' oriented, and that Penny had tried to arrange for our group party to be more 'family' oriented. So that would be why I would hesitate to do AC on our own. I don't know just how 'adult' the program is since I have never been there before.

Anyway, thanks for directing me to the Disney site for more info on the Gatherings.

DJ

 

[RachelTori]

Our family wouldn't be interested in AC, but the fireworks cruise and the MK breakfast at Tony's both sound good. Just 3 of us - DH, myself and DD, Tori (11) who now insists on being called *Victoria*!!

We have our room at YC (@ discounted AP rate) so that's all set. We're arriving June 15th and staying 7 nights.

I sure missing having the countdown timers and I haven't figured out the tickers yet! Oh well!

Laura

 

[westjones]

Our family wouldn't be interested in AC, but the fireworks cruise and the MK breakfast at Tony's both sound good. Just 3 of us - DH, myself and DD, Tori (11) who now insists on being called *Victoria*!!

We have our room at YC (@ discounted AP rate) so that's all set. We're arriving June 15th and staying 7 nights.

I sure missing having the countdown timers and I haven't figured out the tickers yet! Oh well!

Laura

Maybe someone else will want to go the cruise also. Actually, I am still thinking about the MK breakfast (since we would never have the chance to do that one again, and we have never been to Tony's). Saturday would be the only day we could do it though, because that is the only day we are going to the parks.

DJ

P.S. I miss my counter too!

 

[minijeanie]

I could do breakfast at Tony's. although I have heard the food there is awful ...but that was lunch/dinnner....

possibly breakfast is better.....
anyone know????

 

[minijeanie]

another ? maybe someone knows....

now that we are doing grand gatherings at AK.. does that mean it is not after hours, but rather during the time the park is open?

couldn't get a handle on this when I looked at the website westjones posted...

so if anyone knows, clue me in

thanks

 

[MrShiny]

Hate to add another question to the mix, but since we are under 90 days to go, when can we expect to get the GG# so we can book the Safari Celebration Dinner?

 

[MrShiny]

That would be alright, but I thought the program was usually 'adult' oriented, and that Penny had tried to arrange for our group party to be more 'family' oriented. So that would be why I would hesitate to do AC on our own. I don't know just how 'adult' the program is since I have never been there before.

The 'adult' nature of the AC is generally innuendo, and probably no worse then most prime time TV comedy. For instance, ther Colonel (a puppet permently perched in the main salon) will sometimes make remarks about the advantages of being 90% prosthetic. That sort of thing. Also, it does tend to get more risque as the night goes on. Early events (like the Balderdash Cup) are pretty family friendly, IMHO.

 

[RachelTori]

I could do breakfast at Tony's. although I have heard the food there is awful ...but that was lunch/dinnner....

possibly breakfast is better.....
anyone know????

While I've heard mixed reviews about the food at Tony's, I think this *character* breakfast sounds fun! We love the character meals and this is one we'd never even heard of before - so would definitely be a 1st for us!

 

[westjones]

Hate to add another question to the mix, but since we are under 90 days to go, when can we expect to get the GG# so we can book the Safari Celebration Dinner?

That's right! We are at 90 days now. I guess before I make any PSs I want to see what GG things we can do first.

As for the AK Safari Dinner, I don't know if that is during the park hours or after. That's a good question because that would mean we need to go to the parks 2 days (we were only planning to go the day of the Illuminations Buffet since we would have had to pay the extra $15 per person if we didn't use a park ticket that day).

DJ

 

[minijeanie]

well, for me was hoping it would be after hours...I thought the whole idea of being in a park after hours with just our group was worth any price....

unfortunately, not other people saw it the same way. I am so saddened it came to this. Penny would so extremely hard....and I know she shouldn't take another chance...but just wondering if now that is so close, if many more people would jump on the band wagon because they are really finalizing their plans...

Not that I think she should do the outreach thing again...just have to believe that these events are so out of the ordinary that I personally thought she wuold of sold out in less than a month.'

go figure...

anyhow...everyone, hope you had a pleasant Easter (if you celebrate)
and really would like to know if grand gatherings during park hours. If so I am going to back out ...We had not planned on AK this trip at all.
so will just wait and see.

would like to do tony's though and think my family is still going to try the AC on friday nite if anyone interested. probably the early show

 

[MrShiny]

OK, so theme park admission is required for the Safari Dinner. That's OK, but is it available on Sunday 6/19? 6/19, 23 & 26 are the dates (at least while I'll be there), but we can't find out if there is availability until we get the GG#.

 

[RachelTori]

After reading the 3/28 Update from Penny, we definitely want to try The Good Morning Gathering @ Tony's. Tori (11) is hoping some of the other girls her age will be there too! Sounds like fun!

Laura

 

[westjones]

Penny,
We will need the GG# to check on available for us to do these events. Looks like the Fireworks cruise is out for us because we will be at Vero Beach on Monday. But we may try the Tony's breakfast on Saturday morning.

As for the AK safari dinner needing park admission, that does change our plans a bit, but we can deal with that. If we decide to order the 2 day park hopper tickets listed on your forms, do we need a number or code and a phone number to order these. Those tickets are a good price and my kids love Disney Quest, so it may be worth saving the ticktes we already have and using those (have to talk with DH about this too, but would like to know how to order them).

As for the checks, I think that once you you fold the AC deposits with the already Illuminations deposits, wouldn't the AK dinner deposits put us 'over' the amount we would owe? If that is the case, then I think it would be best to shred the AK dinner check (we sent seperate) and for you to give us a total that we owe for the Illuminations buffet so we can send the exact amount for that. How does that sound?


------------------------------------------------------
So bottom line:

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

 

[westjones]

After reading the 3/28 Update from Penny, we definitely want to try The Good Morning Gathering @ Tony's. Tori (11) is hoping some of the other girls her age will be there too! Sounds like fun!

Laura

My 11 year old twin DDs will probably be there. I need to talk with DH. We were hoping for the Fireworks cruise, but we will be at Vero Beach on Monday, so that is out.

Things have changed now that I know we have to have 2 days parks admission (since you need that for the AK safari dinner now). So once Penny gets back to us on my other questions, DH and I need to talk, but Tony's does sound good for Saturday.

DJ

 

[westjones]

According to the info on the Grand Gatherings website, we WILL need theme park admission to attend this:

Safari Celebration Dinner
Set off on safari in Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Enjoy a spectacular VIP journey across the rolling savanna. Then dine family-style on an African influenced cuisine at the Tusker House Restaurant with a side of live entertainment, characters and up close animal encounters. Theme park admission is required.

Price:
Adults and Juniors - $59.99, Children (ages 3-9) - $19.99 (available 90 days prior)

Unless Penny gets another answer. So this is something everyone should consider when making their plans.

DJ

 

[westjones]

OK, I just called WDW to find out what time this breakfast is served.

They said that this is at 9:00 and that everyone in the Grand Gatherings is seated at the same time.

We always like doing the early breakfasts (that get you into the parks early so you can eat and then head to a ride before the crowds hit). So this breakfast would cut into 'park time'.

Also, those of you with 10 and 11 year old should know that you will pay adult rates (even though at Crystal Palace you can still pay child rate for those ages). Here is some info:

Good Morning Gathering
Begin your day with a Magic Kingdom® morning filled with special songs and fun for kids of all ages. Here, classic Disney Characters join you for breakfast and fun at Tony's Town Square Restaurant. You'll even get some one-on-one time for your group with Mickey himself. Theme park admission is required.

Price:
Adults and Juniors - $24.99, Children (ages 3-9) - $11.99 (available 90 days prior)

This may or may not make a difference to rest of you, it does make a difference to us. We won't be doing it. If they had it at 8:00, we would have tried it, but not for 9:00.

Just thought I would pass this along to the rest of you. I am trying to figure out all of this so we can figure out our plans.

DJ

 

[westjones]

DH and I need to figure out our plans. I have another question as we figure this all out:


Is it still possible to go to the Epcot Illuminations Buffet WITHOUT park admission? Earlier you mentioned that a $15 per person charge would be added. Is that still available?

Thanks,
DJ