Need advice having a 32 person grand gathering.

[rgoulette2]

We have booked 9 studios at OKW thanksgiving week. I am looking for any advice and any disney contacts to help with the logistics.
1. Transportation - Buses to the parks I think it might take two buses to get anywhere?
2. Dining reservations - will 32 people at one time will be tough to get seating looking at 1900 pf, Coral Reef, Chef mickey, crystal palace, mama mel?
3. Parades/Firewoks - How long before would we need to get a spot?
4. What is the best grandgathering events to try?

Any other advice would be great.

 

[wildernessDad]

I am assuming that you are the group leader and what a group it is!

Call MS and tell them that you have a Grand Gathering (GG) and give them the names and addresses of everybody in your party, if they don't have it already, noting any children.

MS will call the GG people and get a Grand Gathering Number back to you within a couple of days. Call the GG people and ask them all of your questions. They should be able to help you.

Please post back here with your experience with the GG process and have a great time!

 

[chepic]

I can tell you my experience before they had the GG and disney dining plans...we went with 26 of us and I did most of the planning. We were able to eat at the same time, with reservation, but never at the same table. At the hoop dee doo, they sat us at 2 tables in the middle of the room, at Prime time, we were all in the same kitchen. Our tables were always near each other. When I booked any of the dining events they just made note that we were all together.

As for the parades, we would send about 1/3 of us to take up some space about an hour before, and then the rest of the group came within a 1/2 hour of the parade, as to not upset other people and it worked out fine. We did have a child in a wheelchair, so some of the rides were easier to get on than others. Each adult was responsible for one child, and each time we walked away from an attraction, someone would yell "walking partner". By the 3rd day, we realized that staying together in the parks wasn't a must, so we separated into groups with specific meet-up times; which worked well.

We stayed at OKW in 2 different units, same building which allowed for us to have large dinners at the unit. The bussing worked fine, never had to take 2. We also went in January, so it wasn't quite as busy.

As for any GG stuff; again, they weren't doing that yet.

Have a great time!!

cheryl

 

[rgoulette2]

I will give disney a call an see if they can help. we got or grand gatehering # today. Its seems like a daunting task but I am sure it will be great. please keep the advice coming I can sure use it.

 

[IggyLans]

I have no advice, just wanted to say Good Luck !!!!

 

[wildernessDad]

I will give disney a call an see if they can help. we got or grand gatehering # today. Its seems like a daunting task but I am sure it will be great. please keep the advice coming I can sure use it.

Glad to see that you got the GG number quickly! Call them to make your arrangements when your plans are firm! Hopefully, everybody will fall in line and be fine with what has been decided.

 

[wdwnut]

Hi: Are you sure you're not taking my DH's family? We've done several trips with 15-25 people, but have never made use of the grand gatherings. I did look into it a bit for the last trip (19 this past October), but by the time I did my DDIL had already made the dining ressies. Let us know how you make out. I have 2 large trips being planned for 2010. Thanks!

 

[fishermouse]

We did my daughters Wedding at Disney last year and also booked the immediate families as a GG, All our rooms were in the same building and relativly close. Except the bride and groom we put them at a seperate resort. All I can say is make your reservations early and put your trust in Disney as long as you book as a GG they will take care of you. We even ate a Rain Forest one night and the Rainforest folks made sure we sat together. As many times as we go down to WDW I am still suprised at how everyone tries to make it another magical time. Of course there are bumps now and then but in retrospect none are worth mentioning.

 

[rgoulette2]

Thanks for all the advice. Has anyone herd of some one booking dining before there offical DVC checkin? We will arrrive the night before and stay off site and we are looking at eating at BCV. Can we start booking 90 days before the first requested dinner date of checkin date?

 

[chepic]

I don't see why not, I am certain that there are plenty of Floridians who hold AP that go into Epcot for dinner without staying there.

che

 

[photobob]

You are going with a group of 32! WOW! Hope you guys have a great time! No advice, just a WOW!

 

[fishermouse]

Thanks for all the advice. Has anyone herd of some one booking dining before there offical DVC checkin? We will arrrive the night before and stay off site and we are looking at eating at BCV. Can we start booking 90 days before the first requested dinner date of checkin date?

The 90 days is based on the date of your dinner reservation and in no way associated with a stay at any Disney resort. Would be a nice perk if they allowed DVC members to make reservations a few weeks early. We generally are more dedicated to WDW than the average person.

 

[Chuck S]

We have booked 9 studios at OKW thanksgiving week.

I have no advice. Just wanted to say that you are a much braver person than I am. I would never try to coordinate a group that size. Even for the times we've required 2 or 3 studios it is akin to herding cats.

 

[chepic]

I have no advice. Just wanted to say that you are a much braver person than I am. I would never try to coordinate a group that size. Even for the times we've required 2 or 3 studios it is akin to herding cats.

That's funny....my husband usually makes a mooing sound like cattle when we are with a group!!

 

[tigger2on]

What constitutes a Grand Gathering??
We have 11 people going to AKLV in Sept.2009 consisting of 8 adults 2 kids and an infant...

 

[sportsmom3279]

I just wanted to say that I hope you all have a great time. We are going in July and we have a group of 31 staying at the Beach Club. I am the planner and can't wait. We had a group of 23 last year and everything went smoothly. I am hoping adding another 2 families just adds to the fun.

 

[allshookup]

What constitutes a Grand Gathering??
We have 11 people going to AKLV in Sept.2009 consisting of 8 adults 2 kids and an infant...

You only need 8 people.