Grand Gathering International Illuminations Dinner
Our group of 10 attended this event at Epcot on January 7, 2008. We were very excited about this meal, and being on the
DDP, we used 2 TS credits to do it.
Let me start with the only good thing: We did get a nice view of Illuminations. There was no seating -- for some reason I thought there would be -- but the view was great and we didn't have to stake it out.
I would highly discourage anyone from this "dinner" event. First of all it is expensive, and the money would be better used at a myriad of places.
Second, the food was not good. Actually, the noodles they served were okay, but were lukewarm at best. Every single dish was almost cold. I had high hope when I saw them approach with a brand new container of spring rolls ... they were barely warm just like the rest.
Here is what I can remember that they served: Penne Pasta with alfredo sauce, spring rolls, fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, make your own fajitas, refried beans, a salad and fruit plate were on the table, bread sticks (very bad), Lasagna. There was more, but it is not coming to me. It was all barely warm and not very good.
The third reason was the service. Now the tables were all set with salads, fruit and ice water when we arrived. All the server had to do was bring us a drink. Maybe they were understaffed, but if that was the case, management should have been out helping. We saw our server after we had all finished salads, and had made a trip to the buffet. The first thing she wanted to know was how we were paying and to surrender our cards immediately. Then she wanted to know about gratuity. Now I had read the online 2008 DDP brochere before coming. It said that gratuity was included in this meal. I pointed this out, but she said it had changed, so I believed her.
Eventually she took our drink orders. Everyone continually went the buffet and we still had no drinks. Pretty soon everyone was done, and there were no drinks. I finally went to find someone, and when I got back, she was there with drinks. (I forgot to mention that before this, having drunk our glasses of water long before, my sister in law finally commandeered a pitcher and re-filled our glasses. There was no offer of re-fills, and we were all finished with our meal. The server brought the checks and of course the mandatory 18% gratuity. My sister-in-law could take no more at that point. When she saw that the gratuity was around $20 for each couple, she got a manager. We nicely explained that we had had no service and should not pay that kind of money. She said she would fix it ...I will be waiting to see the bill when I check out.
Now my husband and I were discussing it later -- sure it was expensive, but you are paying for the show seats as will. Then he pointed out that we had the same kind of thing for the Fantasmic Package at Mama Melrose. This was much cheaper, had the show seats, and had great service and fantastic food.
Could it have been an off night? For the service, maybe. But the food was definitely not worth even a CS meal...
Thanks for listening to my rant. If you are considering this as a GG event, considering taking yourself to a different place. I could name 15....
