I have a Grand Gatherings booked for next year. I am a DVC member and a few of my groups reservations will be via my DVC membership. However, I will also have folks in my Grand Gatherings group who are not DVC members and thus will have cash reservations through the WDTC. I thought I should contact the Grand Gatherings Department directly in order to find out how reservations should be handled between the DVC members and the non-DVC members. This is the response that I received:
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DVC Member Services only needs to be involved to establish the initial Grand Gathering ID as you stated. Then you can call directly (toll number) to the Grand Gathering Itinerary Planning office to make all your arrangements. You can also choose to book the dining arrangements directly through DVC member services 800# in which case it will then be sent to the Grand Gathering Itinerary Planners to be incorporated into your itinerary. SO the real answer is you can book dining whichever way you prefer but you don't have to go through Member Services and be transferred each time.
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I hope that helps. Im excited to see how this new program unfolds and grows over the next few months. Right now it is definitely filling a need that I have whenever I plan a group vacation the need to plan at least one unique event that will stay in the minds (and hearts) of my guests throughout the years. Something that they will remember fondly whenever they reflect upon that vacation. Hey, remember that Safari Celebration Dinner that we had on our vacation? The one where Janet just about jumped out of her skin with excitement when the giraffe walked up to our safari vehicle? And then at dinner afterwards, she spilled her soft drink all over the table at Tusker House when she was reliving the experience?! Oh, yeah, my guests always leave my vacations with some very memorable moments. But with the new Grand Gatherings program, Im hopeful that their lasting memories will be a little kinder on dear ol Janet, the group vacation planner.
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DVC Member Services only needs to be involved to establish the initial Grand Gathering ID as you stated. Then you can call directly (toll number) to the Grand Gathering Itinerary Planning office to make all your arrangements. You can also choose to book the dining arrangements directly through DVC member services 800# in which case it will then be sent to the Grand Gathering Itinerary Planners to be incorporated into your itinerary. SO the real answer is you can book dining whichever way you prefer but you don't have to go through Member Services and be transferred each time.
- - - - - - -
I hope that helps. Im excited to see how this new program unfolds and grows over the next few months. Right now it is definitely filling a need that I have whenever I plan a group vacation the need to plan at least one unique event that will stay in the minds (and hearts) of my guests throughout the years. Something that they will remember fondly whenever they reflect upon that vacation. Hey, remember that Safari Celebration Dinner that we had on our vacation? The one where Janet just about jumped out of her skin with excitement when the giraffe walked up to our safari vehicle? And then at dinner afterwards, she spilled her soft drink all over the table at Tusker House when she was reliving the experience?! Oh, yeah, my guests always leave my vacations with some very memorable moments. But with the new Grand Gatherings program, Im hopeful that their lasting memories will be a little kinder on dear ol Janet, the group vacation planner.
