Magical Gatherings?

[mkymouse4ever]

Are you planning a magical gathering? Where you doing this before disney started promoting the idea? Who is involved in your gathering, family, extended family, friends, neighbors?

Just curious, just watched the magical gathering video from wdw and interesting. But do not have enough people that can be off at the same time.

MKY

 

[bridegirl]

We signed up for it last year with a group of ten and it was a DISASTER. Magical Gatherings was totally unorganized - no follow up - lost our reservations twice - and when we got to the parks IT GOT WORSE.

We showed up for our "fireworks cruise" - which had been paid weeks in advance in full on our credit card - NO BOAT. And no one to "make things right" - and no matter how much we complained we just got excuses. Everything from "the guy who booked your MG did it wrong and no longer works here" - to "the head of the entire program will call you to make it right"

We never got ONE PHONE CALL from anyone to help us out - but we spent alot of precious vacation time trying to get some attention from anyone who could help.

Five months later we are still arguing with Disney about the events we had PAID IN FULL for that we never got.

A true nightmare that lives on and on!!!!

 

[travelitis]

We did our own Magical Gathering without any Disney Assistance, and it went beautifully. I booked absolutely everything including a Fireworks cruise, PS's every day, and the Pirate Cruise. We met family for Thanksgiving, and I got both CRT and LTT that day. This was 2 Thanksgivings ago, right before they started marketing the idea. The idea of gathering with family or any group at WDW is not new, but Disney marketing it is.

 

[mommystieg]

When we returned from our trip last June, we convinced DH's extended family to come with us this June (since we are DVC, we had to book the room ressies 11 months in advance). I was excited when the MG was announced. We have the MG fireworks cruise booked for June 7th

 

[bigbabyblues]

No way! I did think about it briefly when MIL (whom I really like and get along with, she's great, I'm VERY lucky!) said something about going to WDW if DH decided he couldn't go at the last minute.

Then I really started to think. Umm, I would have to do all the planning, which is fine, I like to plan. BUT, the IL's, um, well they don't plan. We are going to the beach in less than 2 weeks and invited them to join us for a few days since we have extra room. We asked them in February and they still don't know if they're going. HELLO! Less than two weeks, you really need to decide! There is no was I could make PS for us, they change their minds too much, and I started to dread the trip while I was thinking about it, so forget that one!

Steph

 

[mkymouse4ever]

 

[mkymouse4ever]

 

[minmate]

Disney Marketing considers 8 or more "paying" individuals a Gathering... well, with six people in our own immediate family (granted two are under three yet) -- making it a party of 8 doesn't require many additional bodies!

I have to concur w/a previous poster about if we did an MG, I would be the planner in the bunch. We happened to fall into a short trip to WDW here in June where there will be 9 of us going. I tried to book the Fireworks Cruise b/c my kids LOVE Peter Pan and Hook, but I didn't have an MG#. I tried to get one but b/c we had booked our rooms under a conference rate (the reason we are going -- my dad is attending a conference then) -- we would have had to switch to the full price MG package for a minimum of three nights I think -- or something like that... well, as much as my kids would love that personal attention from Pan and Hook, etc... I didn't think it was worth exchanging our $199/night GF rooms that would normally be $380/night plus... NO THANKS!

It has been difficult to book the PS's b/c I never know how many to make it for. I had all of them booked for parties of 8 when the 9th person in our party decided to join us, with only about a month left to plan... It is not easy to book tables of 8 or 9 that close!

Basically, I think the special events (cruise, safari, etc) are a nice incentive, but I don't know that it is really necessary to go through MG -- but then again, if you have a larger party it could be more helpful.

7 years ago, we had a Disneyland wedding and my experience with Disney planning is that they are not that flexible which can make things kind of difficult if you want something different than what they offer. That was a long time ago and the other coast!

 

[ttichenor]

I started with it, then realized I could probably do a few things with more flexibility myself.....and save a few bucks.

 

[CamColt]

While we have gone to WDW in the past with parties of 8(neighbors), 9, & 10(extended family), this year its only going to be 5, possibly 6 of us, so no Magical Gathering for us.

 

[HunnyPots]

Anyone who knows my extended family would never use the word "magical" to describe our gathering. I can think of a few other words that would fit better.

 

[mirlow]

Most of our trips to WDW have been with friends or family. This time it's just the five of us. I love traveling with other people. I keep hoping I can find some friends to go with us so that we will have enough people to do some of the special events.

 

[mommystieg]

Originally posted by HunnyPots
Anyone who knows my extended family would never use the word "magical" to describe our gathering. I can think of a few other words that would fit better.

After we bring DH's bunch with us Disney may have to change the name to "Maniacal Gatherings."

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

We are planning a Magical Gathering with our group of 18 in August. The only thing we have booked as a "gathering" is the Wishes cruise, which the OP now has me worried about! I have booked all of our ps's, and know which park which days, but other than that, everyone is free to do their own thing. I have found the planners to be helpful and very friendly. Also, you don't have to book "rack rate" just because you're a MG group! You only need the #. We have 6 rooms booked right now, all under different things. One has the 7 for 5 deal, one has a 5 day basic package, one has room only, and ours has AP rate.

 

[Mrs. Toaster]

We had already made room reservations for our gathering of 11 before the Magical Gatherings program came out. For us, it's kind of a bonus. It gives us some more options, and like the previous poster, we have found all of the MG cast members to be very helpful. What's nice is that even though each family group has their own room ressies, we are all under the 1 MG number, which means that all ressies can be viewed at one time under that number. It makes it easier for me, the planner, to keep track of who has paid their deposits, etc..