Reviews on Epcot Grand Gathering Dinner Dessert

[Mel6197]

Hi All

Cant seem to find any reviews on Epcots Grand Gathering Dinner and Dessert and VIP Viewing of the fireworks..

Anyone been? What foods they offer? Where is the Dessert? How are the firework View? DETAILS Please

How many other Grand Gathering People are you with?

Photos, Tips, Details, I will take them all

Thanks all

 

[Mel6197]

No one has gone???

Im bumping..

 

[JKW]

We did this last year. The meal was ok - not outstanding. The entertainment was good. The best part and the part I believe that you are paying for is the Illuminations viewing and the desserts. The desserts were awesome however the viewing of Illuminations is the BEST. We have viewed Illuminations in several different locations and this was by far the best. We would do this again for the desserts and the view. Unfortunately, this year they have none of these going on when we are there.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi All

Cant seem to find any reviews on Epcots Grand Gathering Dinner and Dessert and VIP Viewing of the fireworks..

Anyone been? What foods they offer? Where is the Dessert? How are the firework View? DETAILS Please

How many other Grand Gathering People are you with?

Photos, Tips, Details, I will take them all

Thanks all

We went in May, a total of about 12 people. The dinner was a buffet in Odyssey, from several different countries. Some German, Moroccoan, Italian, and BBQ Ribs (I don't remember what country they were supposed to represent). There was a small buffet for kids-chicken fingers, pizza, etc. The food was just OK. However, the dessert and Illuminations part was fantastic! For that they walked us out to a special viewing area between the 2 gift shops where FW and WS meet. DH and I have seen Illuminations from many different spots, including R&C twice and 2 Illuminations Cruises. This was easily the best view we've ever had. The dessert was set up on tables. At the end, there was so much dessert left over that the CMs were encouraging us to take some back with us. But unfortunately, I'd forgotten ziploc bags, or any way to transport the desserts. Overall, it was a fun experience, well worth it. I don't know how to post photos, but if you PM me with your Email address, I could try to send a picture (I'm just learning this, though, so no promises!)

 

[Mel6197]

Im a DIS girl, Therefore a NUT for Details!

 

[disneymath]

Our Grand Gathering of 8 will be doing this on Aug. 18 - would love more details/pictures etc. Thanks!

 

[Mel6197]

So if no one else Posts about this.

Do me and the Board a Favor, and You take Lots of Photos, and Come Back with a EXTREAMLY DETAILED REPORT!!!



Deal??



I dont go till Sept 22

 

[disneymath]

Deal ... but hopefully a DISer who has been to it already will stumble upon this post before I go!

 

[bellenbuzz]

I know, not much on the DIS Boards about the Grand Gathering Events.
I asked several questions recently too, looking for details !!
We have 10ppl going this November and have the AK Safari Dinner Celebration Booked and the Epcot Dinner/Dessert Reception....
I got some replies, but not to many......I was sort of bummed out I couldn't get more responses & details.......I'm like you, I want DETAILS DETAILS!!!

I'll try & find my old post and fill you in on any information I got.

 

[logabbmom]

I would am also looking for information the Grand Gatherings Good Morning Breakfast - supposedly several characters there - would like to know if it is good and what characters are there?

 

[disneymath]

Any info you could dig up would be great!

 

[momof2disprincesses]

Is it true you can use dpp credits to pay for this?

Also, how hard is it to book this?

I just stumbled upon info about this yesterday on the official wdw website and we have 9 of us going on free dining next month. I would LOVE to do this!!!

We're also going in Dec. and I would LOVE to do it then instead, but we are going alone and won't have 8 people (only 4 of us Dec. 25-Jan. 4 ... any takers??). Is it possible to hook up with another group on these boards and book together?

 

[disneymath]

YUP ... we're using some of our Free Dining! credits for it - it takes two per person. Our TA booked it for us about a month ago ... she didn't indicate that it was a big deal ... however, if your package was booked by a TA then he or she has to book the MG - the people at Disney Dining won't let you do it yourself.

 

[bellenbuzz]

We have the Disney Dining Plan ( Not Free ) Going in November........
But Would get it Regardless, I thinks its awesome!
Anyway, each of the Grand Gathering Events takes 2 Table Service Credits. Just like the Dinner Shows, Hoop Dee Doo & Spirit of Aloha.
We have all done both the Dinner shows in the past & really enjoy them, and are trying the Grand Gathering events for something new & different.

 

[disneymath]

Hi bellenbuzz, glad to hear you like the SoA show - we're doing it on our August trip too ... this will be my 5th trip to WDW and I can't believe how much stuff I've never done! (And we do a lot while we're there!) Since this is the first time we've had a group big enough to be a GG, we figured we should try one of those events out!

 

[Suzepoo]

We've done all of the other dinner shows before, but never a Grand Gathering as this is the first time we've known far enough in advance that we would have more than 8 people....what we have heard is that it is no longer a buffet, but "family style", and that this dinner does NOT include beer/wine like all of the other dinner shows, so we need to find out if they have a cash bar, and how expensive the drinks are. If anyone out there knows or has been recently, we would ALL appreciate any applicable information you can provide....THANKS!

 

[Suzepoo]

We are still looking for information regarding wine/beer at this dinner and if anyone has been recently and recalls if there is a cash bar and how expensive drinks are.....thanks!

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

We're going to try and book the illuminations dinner for early december for our party of 16, and I promise an exhaustively detailed report when we get back.

Some questions I still want answered:

1. What characters were there?

2. Do you get commemorative pins?

3. Can you SIT for the illuminations show?

4. What time does the dinner start, is there time in between dinner and illuminations, etc.

I'll answer them and any others you have.

 

[Hopefully]

The only question I can answer (I haven't done this personally) is that I read that there is no sitting for Illuminations. It is a special area, but you are standing.
HTH

 

[heidica]

We are still looking for information regarding wine/beer at this dinner and if anyone has been recently and recalls if there is a cash bar and how expensive drinks are.....thanks!

This is probably too late since I see your Grand Gathering was for August 5th, but I will post it in case it will help someone else. Here is a scanned copy of the drink menu we were given on August 17th, 2007. Hopefully you can zoom in and read it better.