Magical Gatherings...What do you recommend?

[Magic4UsZ's]

What have you done that you would recommend? (or what you would skip)? and what was it like?

Thanks

 

[Magic4UsZ's]

still hoping some experts out there can help with this question!!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

The Magical Gatherings Fireworks Voyage is awesome! We've done this one and the regular pontoon boats, and much prefer the GG one. Worth every penny!

 

[Magic4UsZ's]

thanks for your reply....that is what i want to know . We have also done the "illiminations pontoon" but what is different about a GG boat ride that makes it better?

 

[bethann1970]

My group did a Grand Gathering Safari. We did it on our arrival day, and everyone loved it! We got to watch the parade before the safari started. And the dinner after was amazing! The African food was delicious..my husband said this was his favorite thing the whole trip!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

Don't get me wrong, both cruises are great (we have the pontoon boat, actually 2 of them, booked for our trip with 23 people in Sept. because the GG one wasn't available.) but we just like the fact that there is some sort of entertainment before the EWP and Wishes on the boat. The "captain" plays trivia games and hands out prizes to the kids, there are sing a longs, things like that. It was so much fun!

 

[Simba's Mom]

We did the Illuminations buffet dinner and preferred fireworks viewing. It was good, food was OK but fireworks viewing location was awesome. If I had to chose again, I'd chose the one in AK, primarily because that's my favorite park.

 

[Magic4UsZ's]

I like that you were honest about rating the food at epcot. when talking with disney the person said the "special viewing was between the two gift shops that are located at the entrance of WS (near the water). I sat real near there last year and it was a great spot,but not something you couldnt get on your own with a little planning. Im leaning towards the safari celebration and a wishes cruise. (We love Bomas & AK) My only concern is that I'm a huge wishes fan, and I cant imagine not seeing it "close up" so you can see all the effects on the castle. Do you miss the smaller/lower fireworks being out on the boat? Maybe we could cruise one night and go a second night for the close up view. I havent even been able to get myself to watch from the train station because i think even that is "too far" away? maybe im missing something there by seeing it a little farther away. do you still hear the music while on the boat?

 

[adisneylife4me]

We did 3 of the GG "events" last year. By far, everyone's favorite was the Fireworks Cruise. So much fun for the kids (& the grown ups too!). We had the greatest Pirate to lead our crew (Patch was his name!). He was so good at entertaining everyone and really put everyone in the "Pirate" mood - - lots of songs (competing with the other boat nearby) and trivia games. You still have a fantastic view of Wishes. Also, Patch got the kids very excited about meeting Peter Pan at the end of the cruise! We also did the safari dinner at AK. That one ranks a very close 2nd. The food was great and something about being in the park after it officially closed was very cool. As a matter of fact, it began to rain during our dinner, so when we were walking out the CMs gave us all Mickey rain ponchos - - FREE!! . We also did the Breakfast at Tony's. This one was fine, but we did it later in our trip (I believe it was day 5). So, by this point, we had seen most of the characters and our kids just really wanted to get out in the park instead of waiting to meet Mickey (we were actually held at our table for about 30-40 minutes after breakfast was over so that we could meet Mickey - - we were the LAST family!!). Have a great time!