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

[Tiffany]

I have pm'd my info to Penny since I booked through DU.

 

[Penny12]

Ack! Come on Disney...after making me jump through I don't know how many hoops to set this up...can't you just cut me some slack!

I'd appreciate it if someone who hasn't booked through DVC but rather CRO could try this to see if they get the same result - as I mentioned previously it was DVC who seemed to know the least about Grand Gatherings so it might just be them.

For any DU clients feel free to send me your information (ie your Dreams reservation number) or contact your agent giving them the GG number I listed in the email me/them with the potential headache

If you are booked through Dreams Res (which includes the Swan & Dolphin) you'll need to contact your agent direct with the GG number as that is a slightly different set up. All the agents know how to contact me if need be anyhow.

With regards to payment, I am still talking to Disney about the specific dessert menu - once that is finalised then I'll be able to confirm the exact balance left to pay.

Oh, and I think someone asked earlier about whether they need to register for the Grand Gathering if they are only doing the Dessert Party - the answer is no. The Dessert Party is a private event, if that's all you are interested in you don't need worry about registering anything else with Disney.

Let me know about how the rest of you get on with the GG thing!

 

[MrShiny]

Penny - I just called WDWPLAN after adding my GG# to my DVC res and was told categorically that ONLY DU can book events under that GG# since they set it up!

Help!

 

[Tiffany]

I have sent an email to our DU agent, Bob, to try and get the AK dinner and Fireworks Cruise on or reservation inaddition to going to the Illuminations party on Saturday night.

 

[Penny12]

Ok, this is definitely NOT what I was told when I set up the GG, has anyone else tried yet? Considering DVC said the other day that they wouldn't add the GG to reservations without the personal info of the lead Grand Gatherer and then promptly did for somebody else without batting an eyelid then we can only take this as gospel when we get it confirmed.

I mean, it just doesn't make sense - what person in their right mind would give a travel agency all their personal info, inc credit card details without being booked through them...they may have never even heard of them! On the flip side, what travel agency would agree to travel plan up to potentially 40 people's vacation whilst not being booked with them? It's crazy, just crazy.

Oh and by the way, if Grand Gatherings give you the name of a Dreams Agent to contact please just contact me with the questions/problems arising from this rather than a random agent - GG have no clue who is doing what, just a list of all Dreams names apparantly - so it just results in the poor agent contacting me with a bit of a 'Huh?' when someone they've never heard of mails them

I am so seriously not having fun with this whole GG thing anymore *sigh*

 

[WDWLVR]

Ok coming in a little late on this end. I called the other day and had not problem adding the Grand Gathering number to my reservation.

Right now we are only booked for the Illuminations party? We were interested in one of the backstage tours - are those still being planned or was there not enough interest?

 

[MrShiny]

Ok coming in a little late on this end. I called the other day and had not problem adding the Grand Gathering number to my reservation.

Note - I had no problem adding it to my reservation, they just wouldn't let me book a GG event because they said DU had to do it! So I'm still without an event at all. Has anyone been able to actually book the AK Safari Dinner?

 

[RachelTori]

Note - I had no problem adding it to my reservation, they just wouldn't let me book a GG event because they said DU had to do it! So I'm still without an event at all. Has anyone been able to actually book the AK Safari Dinner?

So now I'm confused - they let you *add* the GG # to your ressie but you can't book any events????? I have my trip booked thru DU and my agent is working on the AK Safari Dinner for us. I'll let you know how that goes! Otherwise, maybe Penny will book it for you?

Laura

 

[MrShiny]

So now I'm confused - they let you *add* the GG # to your ressie but you can't book any events????? I have my trip booked thru DU and my agent is working on the AK Safari Dinner for us. I'll let you know how that goes! Otherwise, maybe Penny will book it for you?

Laura

I hope so! I haven't heard back, but WDW-PLAN told me in no uncertain terms only DU can book GG events with that number, because they are the ones who "own" it! Hopefully, Penny will get back to me.

 

[RachelTori]

I hope so! I haven't heard back, but WDW-PLAN told me in no uncertain terms only DU can book GG events with that number, because they are the ones who "own" it! Hopefully, Penny will get back to me.

Penny? Are you still with us?! Can you believe that after all your time on the phone this is still *screwed up*?!

Laura

 

[Johnny Quest]

Ok - Here's what I did:

I have reservations through CRO but called the grand gatherings number first to inquire about the events.

Initially, they were a bit ambiguous because I wasn't set up in the system. Asked me a few questions about the organizer and what group we were with and initially said that person should really set everyone up. My feeling was this was a routine to field the call. I basically let her know this was a fairly large group and because of this we were given this number to contact them directly. I said I was surprised they hadn't gotten a ton of calls by now. I was asked if I had a room rsvp. Once I gave that number and everything seemed legit, they accessed my information and brought it over directly.

I was now in the grand gatherings system and could book events. I was also told that only two others are entered under this GG# so far and they only had room reservations.

So, as of about an hour ago, nobody was signed up for any events - and the person from GG suggested we get things moving because events can fill up pretty quickly!

 

[RachelTori]

Ahhhh - have you been *lurking* all this time?

Thanks for posting and updating us. I think I might be one of the room only ressies and my DU agent is in the process of getting us (3) registered for the AK Safari Dinner. I know there are several others who are attempting to get registered. Hopefully things will go smoothly!

Which GG's are you planning to attend?

Laura

 

[Johnny Quest]

Hey Laura,

Thanks for being my first reply. Yes, I was a long time "lurker", and 1st time poster. I was considering the safari dinner. Not sure yet. I haven't seen a menu, but I've heard there are live small animals and "critters" involved.

I really liked the Epcot international buffet event but it includes an Illuminations dessert party. It would have been great if they were offering the buffet on its' own on the same night as the private dessert party Penny organized.

J.Q.

 

[gcphil]

I just found this thread! Don't ask me how I missed it.

We will be at WDW during this time and I am so interested in the Illuminations Desert Party and the Animal Kingdom Safari Dinner. Please tell me that I can still register!!!

It seems Penny has done a great job putting together some unique events and I don't want to be left out.

 

[RachelTori]

J.Q. - So you haven't *signed up* for any GG yet? I have no idea what the menu is for the Safari dinner, but it sounded like such a great experience, I figured "go for it!" Other than that, all we're planning to do is the Illuminations Dessert Party - you are doing that, right?!!

gcphil - Welcome! I'm glad you found this thread! You're not too late!!! Send a PM to Webmaster Penny with your information (who you are and what events you'd like) and I'm sure she'll get back to you. If we can get this GG # problem straightened out, I'm pretty sure you can still get in on the Safari Dinner; and I believe there were still openings for the Dessert Party. We all sent Penny checks for the deposit, but haven't made any final payment arrangements yet.

Laura

 

[westjones]

I just found this thread! Don't ask me how I missed it.

We will be at WDW during this time and I am so interested in the Illuminations Desert Party and the Animal Kingdom Safari Dinner. Please tell me that I can still register!!!

It seems Penny has done a great job putting together some unique events and I don't want to be left out.

Welcome! Just so you know, Penny is arranging the Illuminations party as a private party (only DIS people and family/friends will be there). The Safari Dinner is now part of the Grand Gatherings events and requires park admission and $59 per person for the event (we aren't going). Penny tried to arrange an after hours party, but didn't get enough people.

If you only want to do the Illuminations Party, then you have to arrange that with Penny. If you want to do the Safari Dinner, you will need to contact Penny for the Grand Gatherings # and get set up for that in order to schedule it. Eight people from the group need to register for the event in order to be able to attend (but I think there will be 8 for this).

We are only going to go to the Illuminations party (had wanted to do the Wishes Cruise on Monday night, but couldn't get my reservations changed through DVC to be there--we are going to Vero beach that night).

You can read about the GG events that are available here:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...roducts?id=GrandGatheringsSpecialProductsPage

Hope you join us!
DJ

 

[Johnny Quest]

Hi Laura,
Actually, I am going to the dessert party. It sounds like a really great time. Can't wait. J.Q.

 

[MommytoMJM]

Ummmm, local AP wants to know, what the heck is Project X?

 

[westjones]

Ummmm, local AP wants to know, what the heck is Project X?

Basically, Webmaster Penny has organized an Illuminations buffet for us at Epcot on Sat. June 18th. Then she registered for a Grand Gatherings number and people are signing up as part of the Grand Gatherings. If you want to join in, you need to contact Penny and let her know and she can give you the exact details.
DJ

 

[doodlebugs-mom]

Do you do these projects often? If so do you do them in the winter time? Dh, DD and I always go the last week of January to mid February and would definitely be interested in something like this when we are there.