Magical Gatherings & PS

[sandieb]

Hi, I am feeling a little (lot) frustrated. We have a group of 11 for a trip in May...the idea came from all the hype about Magical Gatherings. So, I call for Priority Seating and get connected to Disney Dining before 7am exactly 90 days out. I ask for PS at the Whispering Canyon Cafe, and I was told 5pm or 9:20pm. What! I said those times were unacceptable, and the CM basically said "Tough". The same thing happen with Ohanas.

I called WDW Customer Service to complain. How can I not get PS when no one could have possibly asked for them before me? And why push Magical Gatherings only to deny us the chance to eat together? The person I spoke to connected me directly with the restaurants, and I told them my story, and I got PS for more reasonable times (but no confirmation number).

Has anyone else had this experience?
Sandie

 

[bmoc_ny]

First of all, you were not denied eating together you were given two times to eat. Whispering Canyon Cafe is not that Big and a party of 11 would need two or three tables put together I have gone with groups as large as 12 and was always told when I made my PS you might not all be at the same table. The fact you got a PS but no # would worrie me because thats what they go by in the computer. And if you don't have a name of who you spoke too it's like you never called.

 

[wdwstar]

i thought when you book a mg you get a special # and phone # to call and they are suppose to help you with ps for dining?

i was given a # and a phone # to call, but i have to wait until late sept. to start calling

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

We had a "magical gathering" in January. I was all pumped up about special planning and events. When we started to make ps, we dicovered that as a "magical gathering" you either had to take the first seating or the last seating of the meal. We ended up not doing "magical gatherings". We had better luck just making regular ps's. Yes, we did have to sit at different tables at some meals but it was worth it to get a better dinning time. The only problem you would run into doing this is if your party consist of 13 or more people. If your party is 13 or more you must use group dining.

 

[nigel-bigel]

If your party is 13 or more you must use group dining.

Can't you just call and make PSs for a party of 6 and another for a party or 7 (or 8 and 5, or whatever), both at the same time?

This has me concerned, there are 15 of us going in October.

Nicole

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

I tried that on our last trip. Luckily, I called 2 days before we left to confirm all our ps's. The cm said that if they have two ps's in the same name for the same place the computer may kick out the ps, because it will think it is a mistake. We ended up putting ps's in different family member's names. Everything worked out o.k. I would have been really upset if we had gotten there and they had canceled our ps's.

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by nigel-bigel
Can't you just call and make PSs for a party of 6 and another for a party or 7 (or 8 and 5, or whatever), both at the same time?

This has me concerned, there are 15 of us going in October.

Nicole

Yes, you can, but they will not guarantee that you will sit together. Also, make sure you use 2 different names (I used mine and DH) as they sometimes won't let you make it, or the computer may not take it.

We had 20 people in December and were offered either the frst or last 20 minutes of each meal period...nothing else...if we wanted to sit together. Like the OP, 5:00 was WAY too early, and 9:40 was WAY too late (especially for the 3 preschoolers in our group). So I made 2 separate PS for 10 and always checked in early, telling the CM at the podium that our 2 groups were together and would REALY appreciate it if we could be seated together, we would even wait a bit extra if it could be accomplished. We were seated together for every meal and the CM's couldn't have been any nicer about it!! We were VERY lucky!!

(By the way...separate issue all together: there is one particular CM at group dining who has a rather UN-Disney attitude. It got to where if she answered I'd just politely say I dialed the wrong number and try again later. She was rude and nasty no matter how pleasant and easy-to-work-with we were. I loved calling for all my ressies, PS, tours, etc....always seemed to learn something new from a CM, but her....ruined my day every time I had to talk to her....Hope you don't have to deal with her....but I digress.)

I wouldn't give up on Magical Gatherings all together. The Grand Gatherings experiences that you are eligible for are awesome and really worth the time and money!! Read some reviews here...

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

HTH! Let me know if you have any other questions!!
Katie

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

I'm glad to know that the cm's attitude wasn't just my imagination! I thought maybe I was the only one that thought the attitude was very "snotty". The worst thing is that you are spending your own dime to call Disney.

 

[sandieb]

Ah, Ha! Now I understand...I was offered the first or last seating only for our party of 11. Unfortunately the CM didn't even suggest that we make 2 PS and split our party. That makes sense, and then try (politely) when we get there to be seated together or adjacent to each other.

IMHO I still think that Disney needs to rethink this...if there is so much promotion and hoopla over Magical Gatherings, then there should be more friendly dining options.
Sandie

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by sandieb
Ah, Ha! Now I understand...I was offered the first or last seating only for our party of 11. Unfortunately the CM didn't even suggest that we make 2 PS and split our party. That makes sense, and then try (politely) when we get there to be seated together or adjacent to each other.

Yes, that's what happened, Unfortunately, it shouldn't have. Most restaurants at Disneyd don't send you over to group dining until your party reaches 13 people!! I'd call again...the regular dining number...407-WDW-DINE....and try to make a PS for your party of 11 at your restaurant of choice. There are a FEW that make you do group dining for 11 or more, but VERY FEW. The CM will say something to the effect of "let me see if I can book 11 at this restaurant..." If she can, she may tell you it will be at 2 different tables since some places do not push tables together (like LTT, Garden Grill, CRT, etc...but they will make you one PS where you should be at adjoining (side-by-side) tables. If they say you have to call group dining, then I guess you found one of the exceptions. I'd do the split PS thing (have 2 PS's) and hope for the best.

IMHO I still think that Disney needs to rethink this...if there is so much promotion and hoopla over Magical Gatherings, then there should be more friendly dining options.
Sandie

I completely agree. It seems as though the Magical Gatherings program was rather rushed through, both from my own experiences and hearing from CM's and seeing posts from CM's on different boards. When it launched in October, it was a complete mess (think 3 1/2 hours on the phone to make ressies, multiple times the CM had to call me back, etc.). It also didn't help that they installed a new computer system and hired lots of new CM's all at the same time. And when it launched, they were saying they *would* do these things, but had yet to really figure out how....(like make sure your rooms were connecting/nearby, group dining, etc.) You were supposed to be able to use the Grand Gatherings planners to do everything, but I still had to call the Tours line to book a tour, group dining to book group dining, golf to book golf...it really wansn't all that integrated. They were due for a computer upgrade (to the new system!) in January, but when I called for my May ressies and asked about it, the CM basically chuckled and said it wasn't any better.....

Sending Pixie Dust your way as you get your plans done....and some to the Disney computer system as well....it seems to be a good bit of the problem!!

Katie

 

[Parrothd]

The first thing to remember here (whether calling for large groups or small parties)......there is NO need to call long distance. DO NOT CALL 407-WDW-DINE. Why waste your money when you can call on Eisner's dime? Do it this way instead......call 800-828-0228. You'll get a computerized menu prompt, then you simply press "5" to get connected to the WDW dining reservations. It's as simple as that.

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by Parrothd
The first thing to remember here (whether calling for large groups or small parties)......there is NO need to call long distance. DO NOT CALL 407-WDW-DINE. Why waste your money when you can call on Eisner's dime? Do it this way instead......call 800-828-0228. You'll get a computerized menu prompt, then you simply press "5" to get connected to the WDW dining reservations. It's as simple as that.

Well, I have unlimited long distance on my home phone, so I use the one that's easy to remember!

(ATT Unlimited...$29.99/month = completely unlimited calling domestic (and Canada, I think) But I pay $24.99 since I signed up for it when it was first offered...they've raised the prices since then.)

 

[sandieb]

Thanks for posting this way to save on telephone calls! Great idea. Also thanks for posting the link to the reviews of the Grand Gatherings entertainment/events, Katie. I am tempted to do that Wishes cruise...it sounds like so much fun.

True confessions time. I haven't called the Gathering planners...I did invite all 5 grandkids, and both my kids and their spouses on this trip in response to the idea. Lucky us, we own DVC so it is possible without going completely into the poor house - just almost there! Since I don't forsee taking everyone on many trips, I have tried to make this one special with fishing tours, the Family Magic Kingdom tour, and really fun dining options. I usually try to plan buffet meals with kids. It eliminates the wait for food, and everyone usually makes it through the meal in good humor. I am going to call the planners today. and see what they can offer. I did download the Magical Gatherings planner, but can't open it. Sandie[

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

Your family will have so much fun on the Family Magic Tour! Be sure to bring the video camera!

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by sandieb
Thanks for posting this way to save on telephone calls! Great idea. Also thanks for posting the link to the reviews of the Grand Gatherings entertainment/events, Katie. I am tempted to do that Wishes cruise...it sounds like so much fun.

We did the Wishes cruise and loved it...especially since Peter Pan is my kids' absolute favorite! One of the reviews that you read was mine We'd really like to do the Safari and dinner at AK, too, but didn't want to force our whole group of 20 to pony up $60/each for it since when we were booking there were no reviews out yet. When we finally saw reviews we tried to get in but they were booked solid while we were there. Maybe next time....

[

I did download the Magical Gatherings planner, but can't open it. Sandie

Wish I could help you. Mine worked, but I didn't have to do anything special to get it to work, so I don't have any tips. I do know LOTS of people have reported problems with it, though, so it's not you or your machine.

Although I haven't done Family Magic tour, I've done several others and they were all fantastic! I only hear rave reviews about Family Magic, though, so I'd say it's a good bet for your crowd.

There's also Illuminations cruises you could do....boats seat up to 12 (if at least 2 are kids), 10 if all adults, and go for $120. You can add birthday cake and decorations or any food from Beach/Yacht Club Catering if you want to. You'd call the recreation dept for that one...407-WDW-PLAY, or listen for Sports/Recreation option on 1-800 number given above.

I don't know the ages of your kids/grandkids, but everyone in my party (ages 5-65) loved looking for Hidden Mickeys. I got the Hidden Mickey book and also gave them a few starter hints to get them going. At AKL, especially (they have their own Hidden Mickey Hunt typed up) it kept the kids busy while the adults looked around in the lobby, waited for the rest of our party, etc.

We had a blast on our family trip in December, and hope you do, too!
Katie

 

[sandieb]

quote: "I don't know the ages of your kids/grandkids, but everyone in my party (ages 5-65) loved looking for Hidden Mickeys. I got the Hidden Mickey book and also gave them a few starter hints to get them going. At AKL, especially (they have their own Hidden Mickey Hunt typed up) it kept the kids busy while the adults looked around in the lobby, waited for the rest of our party, etc."

Wow! What a great idea about getting the Hidden Mickey book. I have 7 & 11 year olds that would love it. I am going to order it tonight! The others are 1,3,&4 years old. I'm a "very young" 54 year old...Ha! Well, I feel that way. I didn't get a chance to call for the Wishes thing today (I am a busy nurse). Will try Saturday though. Thanks for all the wonderful tips. Sandie