Magical Gatherings

[gtrist4life]

Saw this on a thread in the Rumors and News forum. Thought it should be posted here, in case people don't frequent that area. Plus some of the posters there can be a bit negative.

Can't wait to hear the details as we have a large group going in December

FROM Al Weiss, President Walt Disney Parks
August 4 - Announcing Magical Gatherings

I'm thrilled to tell you that soon we'll publicly announce a new way for guests to experience the Walt Disney World Resort, and it's called Magical Gatherings. I wanted to tell you about it first, because I'm very excited about its potential to enchant our guests and drive our business.

Magical Gatherings is the theme we'll celebrate property-wide starting in October and continuing for 15 months. It will focus on the magic of reconnecting with family and friends, and it will help us tap into the most dynamic trend in travel - extending the family vacation beyond the immediate family.

More than ever before, people are choosing vacations that let them spend quality time with those they love. What better place to do that than here at the Walt Disney World Resort? We've been bringing people together for more than three decades, because we know that more is always merrier. But no matter what size the party is, everyone visiting us will have a Magical Gathering during this time frame.

When our guests travel in parties of eight or more and stay in a Walt Disney World resort, we'll give them the designation of Grand Gathering. For them, we'll offer an array of new products and services such as itinerary planning, a vacation-planning kit for larger parties and custom-designed experiences just for these gatherings, to name a few.

In addition to all this, we'll roll out Mission: SPACE at Epcot and Mickey's PhilharMagic at the Magic Kingdom Park as part of Magical Gatherings, as well as Disney's Pop Century Resort and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. At the Magic Kingdom Park, we'll debut a fireworks show called "Wishes." There's much more to this event, and you'll learn all the details soon.

One element that sets Magical Gatherings apart is that, even at the end of the 15 months, the products and services we're developing for larger parties will live on as part of our everyday business. We'll make sure it's always fun and easy to vacation with loved ones at the Walt Disney World Resort.

I look forward to helping our guests celebrate the joy of families and friends coming together, and the power of their shared experiences. We know the Walt Disney World Resort is the most magical place on earth. Now with Magical Gatherings, it will be, quite simply, magic multiplied.

Peace,
G4L

 

[mommystieg]

I saw this somewhere yesterday, too. What a great coincidence--we are taking DH's extended family next June--there will be 13 of us and none of them have been before!!!

 

[zulaya]

I am anxious to hear more about this as we are for sure taking the in-laws with us next December, but am hoping to get my side of the family to come. If so, we will have 10-12 people going.

 

[Terry S]

This sounds wonderful since we have a big family trip for May 2004. I wonder if this will include those staying on points? Our big family trip is all on points, but there are 21 of us going!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have a trip planned for 12 in a GV coming up October 2004. I will be anxious to see if this will really be an advantage for DVC members.

 

[gtrist4life]

Bumping this with an update on the new Fireworks show at MK

Disney's "Wishes" Lights the Night with Color and Sound

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The power of a wish combines with magical moments from cherished Disney films and dazzling pyrotechnic effects to create "Wishes," a new story-in-the-sky fireworks spectacular debuting October 2003 at Walt Disney World Resort.

Narrated by Jiminy Cricket, who memorably served as Pinocchio's conscience in Disney's animated masterpiece, the new Magic Kingdom show tells a thrilling, heart-tugging story about making wishes come true.

"I bet a lot of you folks don't believe that -- about a wish coming true, do ya?" Jiminy says as "Wishes" begins. "Well, I didn't either. Of course, I'm just a cricket, but let me tell ya what changed my mind. Ya see, the most fantastic, magical things can happen -- and it all starts with a wish!"

At several times the size of "Fantasy in the Sky," Magic Kingdom's previous fireworks show, "Wishes" is the biggest, boldest pyrotechnic display ever staged in the theme park that celebrates fantasy and the fantastic.

The 12-minute spectacle takes guests through treasured tales of adventure and romance from classic Disney films, accompanied by brilliant bursts of color and light above -- and around -- Cinderella Castle.

" 'Wishes' takes us into the heart of Disney storytelling and shows us that wishes can come true if you believe in them with all your heart," said Steven Davison of Walt Disney Creative Entertainment, who created "Wishes" and Disneyland's popular "Believe... There's Magic in the Stars" fireworks spectacular.

"The goal of the show is to move guests in a very special way, to fill them with a magic only Disney can create and, most of all, to give everyone a magical memory to treasure for a lifetime."

The story of "Wishes" blends classic Disney songs and character voices with pyrotechnic effects never seen before in a Disney theme park, including several new sites for launching fireworks that create moments both breathtaking and intimate.

The warmly emotional presentation provides the perfect "kiss goodnight" for Magic Kingdom guests and is a key element of Magical Gatherings, a new program that makes it easier than ever to plan a Walt Disney World vacation for large groups of friends and family.

"What 'Wishes' is created to do is bring everyone together at night," Davison said. "They all may have different experiences during the day but at night we're asking everyone to come to the Magic Kingdom to watch what happens when family and friends all make a wish together and see what happens in the sky."

While "Wishes" replaces "Fantasy in the Sky," which premiered in 1976, one fondly remembered element remains -- a certain mischievous pixie who flies high above Magic Kingdom to demonstrate the power of believing in a wish.

"We'll make people cry, we'll make people laugh," Davison said. "It's a show about emotions, and really what Disney does best."

Peace
G4L