Magical Gatherings benefits

[kidangel]

Inspired by a different MG thread, I'm motivated to ask - what, exactly, are the benefits of being a "Magical Gathering" other than the fact that you get the option to spend more money on a few special opportunities? (Wishes cruise, etc.)

We're going in Oct 05 with another family - there will be 9 of us (4 adults, 5 kids), possibly more, and I'm curious as to what benefit there would be having a MG id. I mean, it would be nice if Disney would kick in a t-shirt, or a tote bag, or heck, even a photo or something. The four "grand gathering" things really don't seem like they're a "benefit".

So, for those of you that have done MG - can you tell us about any special treatment, neat interactions with CMs, etc that you might have enjoyed because of it?

 

[MouseEars4us]

I've always found the CM friendly and helpful...so as I said in the other post...no big perks...

 

[perpetualplanner]

They try to put the rooms close together and I believe you get to view fireworks and possibly parades from a VIP area.

 

[InstImpres]

get to view fireworks and possibly parades from a VIP area.

I have not seen this listed anywhere as a perk.

Basically the help with rooms and opportunity to spend extra money on unique experiences.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

We did one in August with 16 people and didn't get any VIP treatment at all. We did do the Magical Fireworks Voyage which was incredible. All of our rooms were together, they gave us a special phone # to call to make ps's for our group (it's just the regular group sales # by the way), they let me as "the planner" have access to all of the ressies, not just mine, to make sure everything was in order, meaning, I could check to make sure everyone's rooms had their deposits paid, everyone was booked for the fireworks cruise, stuff like that. Other than that, no perks.

 

[bytheblood]

From my phone calls to a MG "specialist", nothing. I can do their job from my living room. There are no added bonues, everything, including PS, is on a first come-first serve basis.