What is the "Good Morning Gathering" all about?

[abwdreaming]

Hi I'm new and still learning from all of you. This morning I was in the Walt Disney World -Special Events site and saw dates listed for a "Good Morning Gathering"! What is this? I could find no information. Also, listed are an International Storybook Dinner and Safari Celebration Dinner? We are going to be in WDW Dec 19 - 25th and these events are available during our stay. Can any DIS veterans please explain what they are. Do you think these events are something a first timer should do? Thank you again for all your help

 

[zulaya]

These are new special events that is part of Magical Gatherings. You have to be a designated "Grand Gathering" to be eligible to do these events. A Grand Gathering is 8 or more people staying at Walt Disney World Resorts. These events are catered to the families that are travelling together.

So unless you are travelling in a group of 8 or more, AND staying at a Disney Resort, you can't take advantage of these events.

 

[wedindis'00]

Do all 8 have to be on the same reservation???

 

[ReneeDisney]

I'd love to know more about this. I am traveling with my whole family - there are 9 of us-- including 3 kids and we would love to do something special while we are there. What website did you find this information on .. disney.com??

Any further info would be great!!!!
THANKS

 

[sters]

Me too. OUr cousin and his family will be joining us for part of the trip and we'd equal 8!

 

[zulaya]

Call 407 WDISNEY and ask about Magical Gatherings and if you can be considered a "Grand Gathering".

Keep in mind that these new events, if you are eligible have a per person cost. Kids costs can be $14.99 -$29.99 and Adult costs can be $24.99 - $59.99 PER EVENT.

There is some information on disneyworld.com

Click on the Magical Gatherings icon onthe left when you get to the main page .

 

[DisneyKidds]

Just a couple if notes.................

Limited info is available on the Disney website. Here is a link..........http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/special/magicalgatherings/index?id=MGlanding.

You have to have 8 or more people in your party. Children under the age of 3 don't count toward the 8 person requirement. Somehow (I don't know how) you have to be designated a grand gathering. I am guessing that designation is attached to your reservations when you make them for the group. According to the Disney website the entire party doesn't have to even be at the same resort. Not sure if everyone has to be on the same reservation, but I'd think different resorts would mean different reservations, no?

It will be interesting to see what kind of planning services are offered and what the special events end up being like. I'm sure we'll see lots of feeback on the boards as things get going.

 

[zulaya]

I called and got limited information yesterday, only because I am DVC and won't be making my ressies till January for my group.

That being said, SOMEONE CALL! Especially those of you who already have 8+ people and ressies in place.

This program only started yesterday (October 6) so this is VERY new.

You won't know what you can get out of it unless you call, because they want you to be assigned to a planner in the Grand Gatherings department, someone to help you with whatever you need.

 

[abwdreaming]

WOW, thank you all for the great info. I am going to suggest WDW for our next Family Reunion. We are going to Glacier National Park, June 2004 so I think WDW for 2005 will be different and fun for all ages.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

We are planning our family reunion at WDW in Aug. 2004, so I'll call about this when I get a chance. I'll be sure to post what I find out! We'll have a lot more than 8 people!

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

I had been eagerly awaiting 10/6 to find out about Grand Gatherings ( we will have a group of 17 for our 12/31 to 1/5 trip). I was so excited... until I started talking to CM's. I was more informed than they were. The only thing they knew was what they were reading off the computer. It was the same info that is on the web site. They could not tell me about specific times, menus, or basically any specific details. Only two of the events had specific characters that the CM's could name. I am still really interested in the events, but because Januaray hours and firework schedules were not out , they really were not able to schedule anything. The International Storybook Dinner sounds really interesting, but without some details no one in my group is willing to shell out BIG BUCKS to reserve these special events. I will keep trying to find out more, but I didn't really feel a whole lot of "magic" happening over the phone yesterday.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I just got off the phone with a CM who planned my "magical gathering" for our reunion next year. The first person that I talked to didn't have any information at all, even though I called the number on the web site. So, he transferred me to someone who had been trained in this new program. He was very nice, although he told me that we would be doing this for the first time together. He took my name and the number of people in our group, and gave me a "gathering number". The way it was explained to me is this....everyone in your group has to give this number when making their reservations in order to link them to the gathering and give them access to the special events that you decide on. It also gives your personal travel planner the info that the planner for the group (me) has suggested for group activities and that planner then conveys to everyone that calls and gives that number "this is what ------ has suggested as a group activity. Would you be interested in that?" Then, when you get within your 90 day window, your personal planner can call you and tell you if you have enough people or not. You must have at least 8 or the even cancels automatically. This sounds like it will cut my planning in half! I think it's great, especially since everyone doesn't have to be in the same resort or on the same package or whatever to be "linked" together.

 

[chrisnjessie]

I don't have the prices in front of me, but they aren't hard to find. What other people have said about needing 8 people is true. They must all be staying at an on site hotel. Events can be booked 90 days in advance, payment is due 45 days prior.

The International Storybook dinner is held at the Odyssey restaurant in Epcot. The restaurant is decorated in the colors of the International Flag and there are globes for centerpieces, with a large storybook on the stage. The MC greets people in several different languages, and tells stories with the kids invited up on the stage. The story of Sleeping Beauty is told and then she comes out for a character meet and greet, then leads people in songs and dances. The event ends with a burst of colored streamers, and everyone goes outside to watch Illuminations from a VIP viewing area. The event takes place on Mondays and Fridays.

The Good Morning Gathering is a breakfast in the Magic Kingdom. It's held at Tony's restaurant and is hosted by Mickey and friends. It is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

There is a Safari event held in the Animal Kingdom. The group meets up in Harambe where they are on the final tour of Kilimanjaro Safari for the day. After the ride they return to the Tusker House for dinner with an African inspired menu. There are characters and close up animal interactions. This event is held on Sundays and Thursdays.

There are also Fireworks Voyages. The group is greeted by Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, then are led to a boat. On the boat is a comical pirate named Patch who helps the group find the perfect place to weigh anchor for viewing Wishes. On the voyage there will be trivia and songs, with trinkets being distributed from a treasure chest. After the show, they return to land where they meet and greet with Peter Pan. This takes place on Saturdays and Mondays.

 

[zulaya]

Thanks chrisnjessie! I had all that info except the location of the Epcot Storybook dinner. You seem to have a lot of details - that's great!

Did you talk to a knowledgable CM? Or do you know someone in the know ?

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Wow , some of these things sound so magical, I like the fireworks thing most , but guess what. There are only 5 people in my family. Just wondering that if people post to share illuminations cruises here, do you think it would be possible for familys of other dis'ers to link up and share magical gatherings? I need a family for next august with 3 people.

 

[DisOrBust]

I am hoping to do the pirates cruise and the Safari Nov 2004. Anyone know if this is for package holders only. Our family is AP holders and I would hate to be illiminated from this because we book room only.

 

[zulaya]

I know it's not for package holders only...I am DVC so I never get a package.

This is such a new program, I don't think anyone has all the details yet.

So far, all we have seen is that you have to have 8 or more people (ages 3 and up) staying at Disney Resorts at the same time.

So as long as you have 8 or more AND are staying in property, it looks like you are covered.

That being said, you should call yourself and get the info when you book the ressies.

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

I talked to Grand Gatherings again this morning. The only restrictions are that you must be staying at a Disney owned hotel (CM said Swan and Dolphin are included) and you must have 8 paying people (age 3 and up). I tried to book the magic firework cruise for dd's birthday in Jan, but they couldn't do it because the schedules for Jan are not out yet. I'll just have to watch for the schedule to post. I can't wait!

 

[SJ1252]

I LOVE THIS BOARD! I LOVE THIS BOARD! I LOVE THIS BOARD!

I would have never know about this without you guys! I just booked the special fireworks voyage for December the 1st. It's our first night arriving in Disney (after 3 days at Universal). With my girlfriends family we just make 8! (They don't include anyone under 3 years toward your group count).

This sounds like so much fun! The kids love Peter Pan and Captain Hook and this will be such a magical way to start our Disney trip. The CM I spoke to gave me a description of each event just about word for word - as to what 'chrisnjessie' just posted. I think we are going to try and do the dinner in Epcot and Animal Kingdom too!

By the way if you are calling - BE PATIENT! There was alot of checking and re-checking since this is such a new thing. But as always the CM's are so nice and helpful.

 

[chrisnjessie]

Actually, I'm a travel agent, so I think sometimes the CM's will tell me more than they will the average person who calls.