What is the benefit of the Magical Gatherings?

[gary4jenn]

Is there a price break, any special things? We are traveling with 9 people (5 adults-(2 grandparents, 3 parents) and 4 kids ages 8,5,5,3).

Just want to know if it's something to look into. We are going in Jan 2006 and didn't know what it was or what the benefit was.

I wil probably book room only w/ AAA discount and get my passes at AAA. We would maybe like to do one nice sit down character meal.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[mommytutu]

I don't think there is any discount, but you are able to schedule special things http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...roducts?id=GrandGatheringsSpecialProductsPage

Something else to consider...if one person has an AP you can get the AP rate on three rooms. The AP discount is usually more then the aaa discount. For our stay, I figured I would spend about $180 more for an AP but the savings on two rooms would be well worth it and my friends who are traveling with us said since she would be getting a discount on her room she would be willing to split the difference on the AP. The only negative is that you can't get the MYW Dining Package with an AP discount, BUT you can get the DDE which gives you and guests 20% off of sit down meals. I'll tell ya, running all these numbers is making my head spin.

 

[mdmbfly]

Thanks for posting the question. I'm curious as well.

 

[Albertan mom]

Bump

 

[rileyroosmom]

We are a "magical gathering" party traveling next month. Besides being able to book cruises and things, I don't think there is any other benefits. Do get a magical gathering number through CRO though. I booked 2 rooms using a AAA discount. I booked our ADRs and it was difficult to seat 9 people. Most places had us a 2 separate tables or couldn't confirm we'd sit together. I called CRO to change something on our reservation and that's when the CM assigned us a number. She went into the systerm and put this number into all of our ADRs saying this would make it possible for our party to sit together. She also gave us a different number to call CRO which seems to get us through faster.

Hope that helps

 

[tictoc]

I have been on two different magical gathering trips. You do not get discounts, but there are some things that you can buy if you are part of a gathering. There are also four special events taht you can participate in. I have been to WDW 47 times and these events are incredible! The first is a safari at AK--It is a private very slow tour of the Safari with a guide to tell you a lot of the behind the scenes info. The second is a breakfast at Tony's. There are some main characters there along with Tony. Tony sings and dances and it is a lot of fun. There is also a Fire Works Cruise that leaves out of The Contemporary and is led by a pirate. There is a desert buffet before you leave with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee. The cruise ends with a greet and meet with Peter Pan. The last is an International Dinner and private viewing of Illuminations at Epcot. These were all very expensive and the competition for getting ADRs was almost as bad as for CRT. They were all worth it though! They were some of the best things I have ever done at WDW. Info on all of the merchandise and the special events is on the official Disney website. Hope this helps.

 

[tictoc]

The only negative is that you can't get the MYW Dining Package with an AP discount, BUT you can get the DDE which gives you and guests 20% off of sit down meals. I'll tell ya, running all these numbers is making my head spin.

I also have an AP but love the MYW Dining Plan. I am going in AUg and am getting the free plan. The way I am doing it is by purchasing a one day base ticket per person. They are less than $200.00 for my whole family but I am saving a lot more than that!