Grand Gethering experiences to be discontinued

[CaptainJackNO]

They are not removing the location, if it was such a great spot that was reserved for people paying extra, and now it is not, then this is good news. Now we all can have a shot at it.

On the other hand, these seemed to be a bit of a waste and were redundant. What if in Epcot the kept the illuminations desert spot reserved, only now they opened it to ALL people as a desert party. Like at MK for the wishes desert party. You could still take your group larger than 8 people to it, but it would not be exclusive.

I bet an illuminations party like the wishes desert party would be a huge seller.

I find all this extra fee stuff kind of silly. What next? You pay a different fee on an attraction based on whether you want to sit in a seat, or straddle the edge of a ride vehicle. For an actual seat you have stay at a DIsney Resort and pay five extra dollars per day. Otherwise, you just jump onto the edge of the vehicle once those paying have boarded. I mean, really. I am sure I am in the minority, here. But, golly, there is not much they won't be charging for in the future. Already, magical gatherings, preferred and non-preferred rooms, "desert" parties for Illuminations and wishes, possibly fastpasses in the future. Who knows, maybe a special walkway, right down the center of all the streets around the Magic Kingdom, so those who pay a premium price do not have to walk with the "regular" people? I mean, it's just absurd.

Go ahead, flame me. lol

 

[Master Yoda]

Exactly. But, I would argue that if you are staying at Boardwalk, you are already paying 400 bucks or more a night. So, whether you are wealthy or not, paying that amount of money makes it seem absurd to have to pay ALOT more, additionally, to enjoy one of these experiences.

There are usually benefits offered by resorts in different places across the U.S. to lure these large family gatherings, and usually at no additional charge due to the amount of money these folks will spend over their trip. Now, I am not an entitlement centered person, before that garbage gets tossed around. My point is, it's kind of ridiculous to sell these experiences as special to large groups and then level them with the opportunity to shell out even more bucks.

As stated above, at least make the prices reasonable. 60 bucks to watch fireworks? Really? I laughed to myself when the Grand Gatherings rep was explaining the experiences on the phone. You don't push benefits of having a large group, and the drop the price bomb. I would imagine that people, most in fact, were turned off immediately upon hearing the prices.

I have thought the same thing myself. At the end of the day the only real included perk with a grand gathering is getting all of your rooms located together. Past that the only benefits costs a lot extra or could be done without having a GG.

 

[MMFanCipher]

We went on two grand gathering events in 2007, the Pirate Cruise to watch the Electric Water Parade and the Illuminations Desert Party. We enjoyed them. My wife made the reservations so I never knew the cost, maybe that was her plan since I can be a bit tight with the coin at times. We are going again in 2012 and was looking forward to doing these again. I guess Disney won't get those dollars now. :shrug:

 

[MickeyPeace]

We're doing the breakfast at Tony's in October. The only reason any of us even knew the option existed was because my mother was a travel agent. Disney doesn't seem to promote these experiences at all.

Can you give more info on the Tonys breakfast? I didn't know about it either. Googled but nothing came up.
Thanks

 

[Mrs. Jobson]

So Glad!!!!!!!!!!!!:sohappy:

 

[slappy magoo]

Shame!

Got left into an illuminations reserved area 3 years ago and the view was amazing, would love to have tried the dessert party!

My guess is the area will still be a reserved area, just not for Grand Gatherings, but for any group willing to shell out the dough.

 

[SleepingMonk]

...Who knows, maybe a special walkway, right down the center of all the streets around the Magic Kingdom, so those who pay a premium price do not have to walk with the "regular" people?...

I like it!

I'll be sure to run this by Meg at our next meeting of Evil Geniuses.

:drevil:

 

[CaptainJackNO]

I like it!

I'll be sure to run this by Meg at our next meeting of Evil Geniuses.

:drevil:

:lol:

 

[Tigger1988]

Can you give more info on the Tonys breakfast? I didn't know about it either. Googled but nothing came up.
Thanks

We're doing it mostly so we can finally have breakfast at Tony's again, still can't believe they stopped offering it.

I googled a bit and found this description:

Breakfast enters a whole new realm of wonderment with this Grand Gathering Experience served up with plenty of morning merriment at Tony's Town Square Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom® Park. Experience the magic of breakfast at one of your favorite Magic Kingdom restaurants.

During this experience, guests are escorted from the front gate of the Magic Kingdom® to Tony's Town Square Restaurant where they are welcomed by the restaurant's proprietor himself, Tony.

As they enter the restaurant, smells of a hot cooked breakfast fill the air. Once guests are seated, Tony welcomes them by singing with, of course, an Italian flair!

Pure hilarity ensues as Disney characters Chip, Dale, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and more enter the dining area wearing comical outfits and carrying baskets of warm muffins, fresh out of the oven for the guests to enjoy.

The characters then disperse into the restaurant to meet-and-greet guests with music playing throughout the restaurant during breakfast, which consists of a wonderful assortment of pastries, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and much, much more!

As another special treat, Gatherings have an opportunity to spend one-on-one time with the big cheese himself, Mickey Mouse, for photos and more. Then it's off into the park with memories of this once-in-a-lifetime Grand Gathering!

The Good Morning Gathering experience is available Tuesdays and Saturdays at the Magic Kingdom® Park at 9:30 a.m., at a cost of $24.99 for guests ages 10 and older, and $11.99 for guests ages 3-9.

I seem to remember reading we also get a preferring viewing of Philharmagic. Which...I guess is nice?

 

[CaptainShortty]

We went on the Safari Celebration dinner in 2008 for my graduation vacation with my family. We were a party of 15 and we had a blast! Definitely some memories I'll remember forever. Sorry to see them go. I agree that they are expensive and poorly advertised which led to their downfall. I wish they'd try to change their advertising campaign or make them available to everyone instead of getting rid of them completely.

 

[NikiMouse]

I would have loved to do any of the grand gatherings and would have been happy to pay the price that was being asked, but usually travel as only a party of 4 so we never had the opportunity.

Bet they would see more interest if the let anyone attend these special events.

Seems they would rather cater to those who come every year and maybe even more than once a year just as much as they would to those who may only come once or twice as a group of 8 or more. \

?? just a thought

 

[andi95]

I'm disappointed they are discontinuing these. I wanted to do the safari one. Now that you can use the dining plan to pay for them, I thought it would be much more popular, especially with all the free dining they have!

 

[DVCOwner]

My guess is the area will still be a reserved area, just not for Grand Gatherings, but for any group willing to shell out the dough.

Slappy got that right - I have been doing events at WDW for my group every time we go to there. Before Grand Gatherings started we did them and we will do them again. If you want to write the check, WDW will host the event for you. The bigger the check the bigger the event.

 

[coachwnh]

did this once over thanksgiving last year in epcot. i would have loved to have been able to do others as i think the experience was one of the best (if not the best) dining experience at WDW. i thought it was so good to have food from every country in epcot at the same time. im surprised if its lack of participation as we tried several times when we had the 8 people to be able to book it but is was always filled. oh well, im sure they will come up with something to replace it

 

[coachwnh]

Just reading through these replies again and I'm confused. The Epcot grand gathering was more than just the dessert and fireworks. We had dinner first, then the dessert fireworks viewing. At dinner they had a story teller on stage with the kids, a dance party and two characters. The dinner featured foods from every Epcot country. If you had the dinning plan it was two credits. We just used TIW card as we are AP holders. Again I thought this was one of the best dining experiences in all of WDW. Sad to see it go!

 

[Biff215]

They are not removing the location, if it was such a great spot that was reserved for people paying extra, and now it is not, then this is good news. Now we all can have a shot at it.

Those viewing areas have been private for quite some time, and definitely before GG existed. I knew a security guard back in 2000 who let me watch IllumiNations from there. It was awesome, but I'm not sure I would pay much extra for the opportunity as there are so many great viewing locations around WS. We booked a Candlelight Processional package this December that includes fireworks viewing, so I imagine this will be in a similar area.

 

[toolsnspools]

I've never been to a Disney Dining Experience I didn't like, but I have to say these left a bad taste in my mouth. One of the biggest reasons I go to WDW is the nighttime shows. Every trip ends with either Illuminations or the MK Fireworks. When I noticed how all the "good" real-estate was sold off at a higher price, I was quite annoyed. It would be one thing if the shows had plenty of good seating, but we almost always watch them packed in like sardines. Seems to me that if they want to sell off a "better" experience for those with deep enough pockets, they could pick a place that was already off limits to the general public. Put them on a roof-top, or some other out of the way place.

 

[MMFanCipher]

Just reading through these replies again and I'm confused. The Epcot grand gathering was more than just the dessert and fireworks. We had dinner first, then the dessert fireworks viewing. At dinner they had a story teller on stage with the kids, a dance party and two characters. The dinner featured foods from every Epcot country. If you had the dinning plan it was two credits. We just used TIW card as we are AP holders. Again I thought this was one of the best dining experiences in all of WDW. Sad to see it go!

This is why I never saw the bill, we used our 2 DDP credits. I thought the dinner show was very good and very fun.

 

[fabulousdisney]

Just reading through these replies again and I'm confused. The Epcot grand gathering was more than just the dessert and fireworks. We had dinner first, then the dessert fireworks viewing. At dinner they had a story teller on stage with the kids, a dance party and two characters. The dinner featured foods from every Epcot country. If you had the dinning plan it was two credits. We just used TIW card as we are AP holders. Again I thought this was one of the best dining experiences in all of WDW. Sad to see it go!

Sorry, my husband is slightly mistaken ... the TiW card was not accepted but it was a fabulous experience!

 

[drysdaleo]

i find all this extra fee stuff kind of silly. What next? You pay a different fee on an attraction based on whether you want to sit in a seat, or straddle the edge of a ride vehicle. For an actual seat you have stay at a disney resort and pay five extra dollars per day. Otherwise, you just jump onto the edge of the vehicle once those paying have boarded.

Go ahead, flame me. Lol

:roflol: