Magical Gatherings Help

[kimbamickey]

Hi all- if this has already been discussed point me in the right direction please. But I was wondering about how this magical gathering program works. Is it a package where you can pick to do certain things like a fireworks cruise? Are there advantages to using this program rather than making all the ressies yourself? Any insight would be most appreciated!

Thank you.

 

[kadaten]

Magical Gatherings really isn't a program...it's more a way Disney is promoting the parks...almost just a catch phrase.

However, if you have 8 or more in your group staying at select Disney resorts, they'll designate you a Grand Gathering and give you a Grand Gathering number. This number will link all your reservations, PS, and any other plans together in their computer. It will keep your hotel ressies together so that you have a greater chance of being located near each other at the hotel. It will also allow you to participate in special Grand Gathering events that are solely for these large groups.

There are currently 4 Grand Gatherings Events....
--a breakfast at MK with Mickey Mouse ($25 adult/$12 kids)
--a safari and dinner at AK with animal anc character encounters ($60 adult/$20 kids)
--an international dinner and Illuminations viewing with character greetings at Epcot ($60 adult/$20 kids...I think!)
--a dessert reception and fireworks cruise for Wishes, hosted by Capt. Hook and Mr. Smee with a greeting with Peter Pan, which leaves from the Contemporary Marina ($30 adult/$15 kids)

Each event only runs 2 days per week and has limited seating. Events can be reserved 90 days out and must be paid 45 days out; cancellations can be made up to 6 days out for a refund; no refunds within 6 days.

Three of the 4 events have been reviewed on another thread...all but the MK breakfast have been reviewed. All the others have gotten RAVE reviews....we did the cruise and would love to do it again, but will probably do the safari next time we're with a group because everyone has said how wonderful it is! Here's the link....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=474814

Grand Gatherings also gets you some itenerary planning assistance and opportunities to buy special merchandise. We did ours in December, but all the merchandise said 2004 so we didn't get anything (t-shirts and hats were available, as well as 2-way radios....nothing cheap!). As for the itenerary assistance, we already had our plans made before the program began in October, so I didn't need it. But, they are very overwhelmed and the computer system is not ready for this program yet, so any assistance is likely to be marginal. Would I do the program again? Yes, just to do the special events!

Feel free to ask any other questions!
Katie

PS--edit was correcting prices

 

[ktglads]

If one person in your group has an Annual Pass, you can do the Magical Gatherings event without having to book your rooms and everything into the package. If you were thinking about getting an AP for your trip, you do not have to go through the Magical Gatherings stuff just to participate in the event.

 

[kimbamickey]

Thank you for all of the information! It looks like Disney has some nice stuff for groups to partake in. I wish they had had this stuff back in August when I was there with a group of 8!

Thanks, Kim

 

[gamomof2]

Where do groups get the t-shirts that all look alike and mention the groups name?

ex. "Smith Family trip 2004"

I see group pics in front of the castle or somewhere else and everyone has on matching disney shirts with specific group info.

Any info

Thanks

 

[kadaten]

They're from the Disney catalog!! Choice of 3 or 4 sets of characters, then 2 lines of personalization. They weren't in my last catalog, so here's the link to them online...

http://disney.store.go.com/DSSectionPage.process?Section_Id=11862&Product_Id=146145

HTH
Katie

 

[gamomof2]

thank you so much for the quick response.