Grand Gathering

[honeymooner05]

Has anyone ever planned a grand gathering with WDW? Can you tell me how it went? Also, has anyone ever tried any of the special excursions that you can do? We're thinking of doing the seven seas lagoon Wishes boat ride. Thanks in advance! :wave:

 

[coltow]

I too am interested in this one. We are hoping for a Grand Gathering in 2008. We'll roughly have 25 family mambers traveling.

 

[blackerbys17]

Well, I am doing a Grand Gatehring, sort of...

Well, I am doing a modified version of a Grand Gathering in late October. I say modified because not everyone in my family could afford a Disney hotel room, even at value rates, so we wound up renting a 7 bedroom 4.5 bathroom villa with a pool and game room instead. I only paid $795 for 4 nights and that includes taxes and the cleaning fee and it is only 10 minutes away from WDW!

As for private events in the parks, I went through Epcot catering and we are having a private IllumiNations party to celebrate my son's 3rd birthday on the lower terrace of the UK pavillion. Blair from Epcot catering has been an absolute doll! I got quite the bargain and a MUCH better deal then if I had gone through the Grand Gatherings people. To give you an idea, I think I am paying about $25 per person for the private party in the UK and that inludes 4 hot entrees and a few simple appetizers, all you can eat and all you can drink (soda and water only) for 2 hours + $250 for the site rental. I will also have to pay a $50 small party fee if I have less than 20 people show up but right now, I don't think that will be a problem either way.

You get a Disney security guard for your event in order to make sure that only people invited are allowed in, an event coordinator to assist with your event, and 1-2 people manning the food stations. There is even an option of allowing guests who don't have park tickets to attend your event. For $12.50 each, Disney security will escort your guests who don't have tickets to the party location starting at 1 hour prior to the party.

So far my experience with them has been nothing but pleasant! Whatever you do, have a great time!

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I have booked about a dozen grand gatherings (maybe more) does that count?

I will tell you that Disney does do their best to keep the grand gathering rooms together at the hotel. You can have the Grand Gathering named whatever you would like it to be called.
Disney also offers t-shirts that you can have emblazened with the Grand Gathering name for each guest at a price.
On the Grand Gathering Experiences. It seems that the Safari Celebration dinner is very popular. I have had quite a few clients book it and I have had very poitive feedback on it.

If anyone has any questions about Grand Gatherings or if you would like to book a Grand Gathering please feel free to e-mail me at pam@kingdomkonsultant.com

Pam

 

[blackerbys17]

Well, we just got back from our big "grand gathering" to celebrate my son's 3rd birthday and all I can say about Epcot Events Catering is WOW! Our private IllumiNations party was incredible, the decor, the food, the atmosphere, all amazing!

I highly recommend it. If anyone wants pictures or info, let me know and I'll be glad to help! :wave:

 

[coltow]

Was your villa on property?

 

[blackerbys17]

Nope, couldn't find a 7 bedroom villa on property. The largest accomadation they had was a 3 bedroom on Disney property. We could have had seperate hotel rooms at any resort but the point was to spend time together and have privacy. If we stayed at a hotel, we could have gone down to teh lobby to seat 16 people just to talk but then you have to deal with others, hope that there is enough seating, etc. I tried but I coukdn't do what I wanted on property.

So.... I found an amazing 7 bedroom villa in the Terra Verde resort just 10-15 minutes away from Disney, about 2.5 miles away from 192. It had 7 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, a pool, and a huge game room. It was perfect and it was a bargain! Put it this way, I couldn't have afforded to stay at the WL in 1 room (let alone 7) for 3 nights for what I spent to stay at the villa for 4!

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[octoberbarry]

Our trip in October 2005 was a Grand Gathering staying in cabins in Fort Wilderness, which worked out great! The Grand Gathering folks were very helpful with all planning. We did a few of the special events, notably the MK Good Morning Gathering at Tony's, which was a hoot. We had also signed up for the Epcot dinner buffet before Illuminations, but we got a phone call a few weeks before going that they had cancelled our night of it because of the Food and Wine Fest, so that was a pretty big disappointment.
We opted not to do the Wishes boat cruise, but would probably do it if we went as a Grand Gathering again. I heard very good things about it subsequent to our trip.

 

[Dwarful]

can you give me more info on the breakfast at Tony's?
I can confirm that Pam is a gem w/the grand gatherings and all the quirks that come with them.

 

[JPVonDrake]

Grand Gathering Experiences

Good Morning Gatherings
Tony, the proprietor, (from Lady and the Tramp), welcomes Guests to Tony's Town Square Restaurant for a fun-filled breakfast with plenty of character.

Mickey Mouse will be on hand to mingle with our Guests upon arrival and Guests will enjoy and "all-you-care-to-eat" breakfast served right at their table. Guests will enjoy songs and the opportunity to dance with the characters, along with plenty of interaction time tableside. Tony will be happy to recognize birthdays and special occasions along with a special serenade of "Bella Notte", for anniversaries. At the end of the experience, our Guests will be invited to proceed to one of the most popular attractions at Magic Kingdom Park -- Mickey's PhilharMagic -- for reserved seating at the very next show.

Prices: Adults (age 10+) $39.99; Children (age 3-9) $19.99

International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception
Grand Gathering Guests will meet at the Odyssey Restaurant in Epcot for a celebration of international friendship. Guests will be welcomed by well-traveled and fun-loving Auntie Roz while they experience the colors and tastes from around the world. Guests are treated to an evening of international cuisine that is served buffet style, allowing them to enjoy seconds of the foods they love. With the children's and the dessert selections, a Guest would have to dine at five different countries to enjoy all the food choices of this International Dinner.

In addition, live musical entertainment and storytelling activities will be shared by Auntie Roz. Children and adults will be delighted as some of our famous Disney characters provide fun and excitement when they invite Guests to dance and interact with them. Auntie Roz will be happy to recognize birthdays and special occasions anniversaries with special songs and personal attention.

Afterward, everyone is escorted to a special reserved area for a private VIP viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth where they will enjoy an amazing dessert buffet.

Prices: Adults (age 10+) $59.99; Children (age 3-9) $24.99

Safari Celebration Dinner
Guests who are enjoying our Safari Celebration Dinner will gather in Asia at the "Flights of Wonder" theater to meet their guide for an end of the day tour on the Kilimanjaro Safari.

Following this exciting safari, the adventure will continue in the Tusker House Restaurant with a delicious African inspired dinner menu that is served family style and all-you-care-to eat. You'll taste a full range of delectable foods that will please even the children. Special Disney Characters will be there for fun and autographs and you'll be invited to have an "up-close" experience with some exotic wildlife brought to the courtyard of Tusker House just for you. Guests who are celebrating special occasions such as family reunions, birthdays and anniversaries will be recognized.

Prices: Adults (age 10+) $59.99; Children (age 3-9) $24.99

Magical Fireworks Voyage
Upon arrival at Disney's Contemporary Resort, please check the Daily Event Board inside to see where to meet Captain Hook and Mr. Smee to start your adventure. Then join them to "shove off" on an evening voyage around the Seven Seas Lagoon, providing the perfect viewing location for the Wishes fireworks spectacle at the Magic Kingdom Park.

Your evening will begin with snacks and beverages served prior to boarding the boat. You'll set sail with a "Pirate" as your host, for this unforgettable journey filled with Disney trivia and songs.

After enjoying the delightful Electrical Water Pageant and Wishes fireworks show, which is set over Cinderella Castle, your on-board Pirate host will narrate a story of Peter Pan on the return trip. To the delight of Guests of all ages, the story's namesake is waiting on shore to greet them, sign autographs and pose for photos. Guests who are celebrating special occasions such as family reunions, birthdays and anniversaries will be recognized.

Prices: Adults (age 10+) $34.99; Children (age 3-9) $19.99

To book a Grand Gathering Experience
There must be a minimum of eight paying Guests (ages 3 and older) attending the experience. Infants are welcome to attend and must be included in the booking process but are not counted toward the minimum requirement. All Guests attending must also be staying at a Walt Disney World owned and operated resort, the Walt Disney World Swan, the Walt Disney World Dolphin, or Shades of Green and be booked as part of a Grand Gathering Reservation. To book both your room reservation and to book these experiences, please call 1-407-WDW-PLAN or contact your travel agent. Guest who book through Disney Vacation Club or Shades of Green must contact them to book rooms and experiences.

Grand Gatherings Experiences can be booked 180 days in advance and up to three days prior to the Experience date. Once booked, Guests can cancel outside of 5 days prior to the event for a full refund. The penalty for canceling within 5 days of the event is 100% of the price. There is no deposit due in advance; however, full payment is due 45 days prior to arrival.

For Guests on the Magic Your Way Plus Dine Package, each event count as two table service entitlements per person. For Guests on the Magic Your Way Premium or Platinum Packages, each event count as one Dinner entitlement per person.

Theme park admission is required for all experiences except the Magical Fireworks Voyage.

Prices and entertainment is subject to change without notice, and may be cancelled due to inclement weather or other reasons beyond our control. All above prices do include tax and gratuity.

 

[phichi17]

I just got off the phone with the Grand gatherings folks, if you are on the Dining plan, they now only charge you one table service credit for the Good Morning Gathering!

How awsome is that!

 

[Dwarful]

Yes I think our Girl Scout troop is going to try to do that one at Tony's. I looked into the other ones, but each of them would cost us $2000 for each event. While they may be amazing, that $2000 would give each of the girls in our troop $200 each in spending money. I just cannot justify spending $2000 for the safari vs. giving them $200 in spending money...as some of the girls will have very little financial help from home.

 

[H20Babie]

I'm part of a gathering in ... 56 days! I'll be sure to write up a report, etc. We have several ADRs and tours booked, with everybody also taking time away from the group as well. In addition, one family could not stay on Disney property, so I'll let you know how that works out (this family is so un-disney, I have no idea why they're coming)!

 

[phichi17]

Yes I think our Girl Scout troop is going to try to do that one at Tony's. I looked into the other ones, but each of them would cost us $2000 for each event. While they may be amazing, that $2000 would give each of the girls in our troop $200 each in spending money. I just cannot justify spending $2000 for the safari vs. giving them $200 in spending money...as some of the girls will have very little financial help from home.

That sounds like a good bet to me. Does anyone on here know anything more about the breakfast? Is it worth it?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I just got off the phone with the Grand gatherings folks, if you are on the Dining plan, they now only charge you one table service credit for the Good Morning Gathering!

How awsome is that!

That is great to know!! Do you know if any of the other events are only one credit now? There was an uncomfirmed rumor that the cruise would be offered for one credit. I wish that were true!

H20baby I would love to see your grand gatherings report! We're planning one in September or October - depending on the free dining plans this year!

 

[coltow]

I'm part of a gathering in ... 56 days! I'll be sure to write up a report, etc. We have several ADRs and tours booked, with everybody also taking time away from the group as well. In addition, one family could not stay on Disney property, so I'll let you know how that works out (this family is so un-disney, I have no idea why they're coming)!

Please so remember to let us know how it worked for you. We're not planning on our gathering until August 08, but there are some things that we'd like to know more about. Specifically if they were able to get you all rooms close together. Also was it difficult to get your ADR's? And when you all eat together were you able to be seated together or did they make you sit at separate tables? We are anticipating 13 people in our group, with 3 toddlers, 1 teen, 3 mid-20's, 4 mid-30's and 2 late 50's. Our current plan is to pick a "park of the day" and all start out together. We figure we'll separate after the first ride or 2. We plan on scheduling 1 meal together every day to get us back together to talk about our day and maybe ride/see a few more things together at night.

 

[phichi17]

I booked ADR's on the 26th of Jan for Apr 20-22 and here are the results for a party of 8

Boma- no problem getting our party together at one table. I got the exact time I was shooting for - 7:30pm

Good Morning Gathering- tried to book for Sunday the 22nd- they don't hold the breakfast on Sundays, but I got 8 together no problem on the 21st (Saturday). In fact the reservationist said there were 50 spots available before I booked it.

Liberty Tree Tavern - This one we had to compromise - they said the only times we could be guaranteed to sit together was around 7:50, we opted for an earlier time - 5:40, and was told they do their best to sit us together. Hopefully we will be finishing up close to Spectromagic's time (7pm) to walk out and see the parade.

I hope this gives you some idea on the ADR situation for a large group.

 

[burrmark]

We did a Grand Gathering last May. We did the Safari dinner and the Illuminations dinner. When we went to the Illuminations dinner, 1 of our families was not on the reservations. It took about 1/2 hour but they finally let them in. When we went on the Safari we were told when we booked they would stop and let you see the animals and take pictures. They did none of this and it was the fastest Safari I was ever on. The tour guide did not even point out the animals. I would not recommend the Grand gatherings to anyone. They charge you 2 dinner credits on your dinning plan and it was not worth it. We are going back this May and we will not be doing a Grand Gathering.

 

[Dwarful]

Thanks for the info Burrmark. I was glad they bumped Tony's breakfast back down to one credit, we are going to do that one, but not the others. I just can't bring myself to spend $2000 on a meal instead of giving the girls that cash to spend on souvineers.

Side note: for anyone with a BIG grand gathering, some restaurants you must contact directly. Others won't seat groups of more than 35. The girls really want to do Garden Grill in Epcot, but we are going to try to do groups of 10-12.