"m not STRESSED yet...but I WILL be....

[disney's daughter]

Here is the scoop...I will have ten in my party...six adults and four children....We will be at the World...Feb 16th through the 20th 2005....and staying at a Disney hotel...So far...I haven't read too many good things about Magical Gatherings .....During the time we are there...I'd like to surprise my four "adult" children with the Segway tour...I'd like to arrange the Hollywood and Vine Fantasmic package....and at least one sit down dinner, character or not, each day...and LaNouba...I'd really like the Illumination Cruise or Dinner/Dessert, too..but, from what I have been reading...it's really hard to arrange....What do you suggest???...go on and contact Magica Gatherings and take my chances...or try to do it myself....(in all of this...I want my group to see Spectromagic...which I won't know for sure "which evening" other than that Saturday it will be showing at the time I begin making resrvations for everything 90 days before)

WHEW!!!!!...ANY suggestions............ANYTHING you can add........will be MOST appreciated!!!

 

[jstbcuz94]

We went to WDW for the first time this year. I too wanted to go on an Illuminations Cruise, but had heard they were hard to get. If you know what buttons to push so you dont have to listen to the automated voice, and you call just before 7:00 you have better luck. Try calling the reservation line after they are closed so you know the difference between when they are open and closed. YOu can also get the numbers you need to push this way. I got it on my first try, so there is hope.

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[disney's daughter]

Thanks, I'll try that...Of course, I can't nake any reservations until November....it seems like soooooooo far away...but, I will let everyone know how things worked out!

 

[Lori-n-NY]

Has everyone is the group been to WDW before? It sounds like you have alot you want to do and it may take away from park time. Will you have 5 full days and nights? Are you arrving on the 16th? And leaving on the 20th? or are those the days between arriving and leaving?

Segway tour could be on the day your going to go to EPCOT so the older "kids" can do the tour in am and every one else can enjoy future world until tour is over. If you get an Illumnations cruise for the same day..it works out great but if not do a dinner/dessert so you can watch Illumnations. That would be one full day.

Another day..Animal Kingdom character breakfast buffet at Donalds Breakfesturasus (sp?) and enjoy AK until mid afternoon. Go back to hotel and rest/change/ head to DTD for La Nouba
(you can book La Nouba now but if you need to wait until you get Illum. criuse then hold off.) That will be a full day.

On your MGM day you could sleep in a bit and get a later start based off the fact that the day before was a long day, and still get alot done and have dinner at Hollywood and Vine with Fantasmic.. Another full day

That would cover the three parks at one day each and leaves two days for MK. So you can watch Spectro and Wishes. Alot of character meals there. Crstyal Palace for Bfast or Lunch or Dinner, Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner is good too. And Tony's for dinner is an option too.

The dates your going to be there will be busy becasue of winter breaks and Presidents day and it may slow you down some but if all your reservations fit into place it can be done.

Make your self a few outlines and as you call for PS's be flexible as to which days for which things. ANd if something doesn't work out...thats ok too becasue you have alot of special things planned. Don't stress..your going to Disney...

I hope this helps and not adds to your stress....
Lori

 

[mmeb144]

Find out the Early Entry days for each of the parks. That way you can maximize your day. It will also help with all the PS you want to make. That's how I started my itinerary.

Marie

 

[Disnutty]

You can absolutely arrange the things you want to do yourself. I personally think it's part of the fun of going to Disney, but it helps if you can get the "others" involved too. You did not indicate the ages of the people going. Planning a full day such as the Segway tour or the Fantasmic dinner and show package is not hard if everyone in your party is old enough or young enough to keep up with a "full day" of walking and touring. Knowing the ages of the people will also come into play as to the restaurants you want to go too. For example if your Kids are parents or older teens then a restaurant like the Brown Derby (expensive but great) may be the choice. If the Kids are pre teens or younger then the Hollywood and Vine would be a perfect match. If you have toddlers who need naps or strollers or if you have seniors who may need a break every now or then, it adds a bit more complexities to the process. You can absolutely set up the tours yourself. There are a few software planning guides ( I like the one at intercot.com) because its easy to use and its free. Have fun planning and watching your dreams come true.

 

[disney's daughter]

Thank you so much for your responses...We will be arriving at night on the 15th of February...so we'd start the 16th (Wednesday) right on through Sunday and leave the next morning on Monday the 21st..So..we'd have five full days...My group consists of (Me)..My husband, My sister (we are between 54-61)...My two sons and daughter in law (in their 30's) and my grand children, 12,8,7 and 5. I figured we "older" "kids" could watch the grandchildren while the "children" who are in their 30's go on the Segway tour.....
I took the whole family before...and...everything I planned just kind of "fell into place"...I even amazed myself. Now, I think I am trying to "top" myself.....with a few "different" activities and it seems to be more of a challenge this time........I was already given a Magical Gathering number when I made the hotel reservations....but, after reading the boards, I have been thinking twice about utilizing their services... If I just called the dining number...I could just start telling them where and what I want, couldn't I?...or would they swtich me over the Magical Gatherings since I have ten people in my group?

You know, I am fortunate that I am able to go to Disney World more than once a year...but,....I can NEVER get enough of this board...The knowledge you all have just amazes me!

 

[Leota]

I think it's entirely possible - I arranged my DS's 10th Birthday in WDW for the whole family with no problem, as well as a couple fairly large DIS Meets. I did have to go thru Group Sales & guarantee one of the reservations with a CC (Spoodles, dinner for 18) While I have arranged Chef Mickey's for 21 & 28 respectively without Group Sales. This was before the inception of MG, which I have also heard bad things about.
When we did the Family Gathering for DS's birthday, we only planned a few events with the whole clan (16 people, varying ages from 6-70) the rest of the time, small groups formed naturally & worked out for the best. That way everyone could do what they wanted to do. Trying to get a large group to agree on where to go is impossible & doesn't always make for the best experience for all.
When planning meals for large groups, we were restricted to eat at off times in order to accomodate our group (except at Spoodles when I went thru group sales)
Good Luck & Happy Planning!

 

[Disnutty]

-What a great Idea, the Segway tour. Since the Segway tour is in WS and it will be closed to the rest of you, I would sugguest going to Wonders of Life to see Cranium Command and then to Imagination to see Honey I shrunk the Audience and the Living Sea. When the 30 somethings get back they will probably want to go on Mission Space and Test Track so I would not go on either with the grand kids until then. In fact you should have the 30 somethings tickets with you so you can get Fast Passes for MS or TT so you all can get on together when the Segway tour ends. Have fun planning and giving them the Tour is a just great idea.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

The Segway tour was our highlight! I just got back last night with my DH and we did several things that we'd never done before (our kids didn't go)--Segway, Cirque, Pleasure Island, and the Halloween party. If I had to choose just one of those things it would be the Segway tour. I'll be back in early December with my 4yo, my sister, and my 81yo mother and I'm going to encourage my sister to do the Segway.

T&B

 

[disney's daughter]

Wow! All your suggestions help to get me excited! The Segway Tour will definitely be number one on my llist....What would you suggest for seeing Illuminations?...try to get the cruise or dinner and dessert?