[craziebabie1]

I booked a trip for 10 people, and we are planning on the Grand Gathering... I was wondering if anyone has done this. If so what suggestions do you have for us as far as a Grand Gatherings must do list?
I had thought about the Kilomanjaro Safaris' or the Mickey's Philharmagic. And what kind of Dinners' could anyone reccomend for it?

[BDavis932]

I would recommend the Magical Gatherings cruise for several reasons. #1) It is the cheapest of all the gatherings (but still nothing to sneeze at!!) #2) It is AWESOME!! Our entire family LOVED it and it was one of the BEST things I have EVER done at WDW! I highly recommend it. #3) Character interaction. Before you depart on your "Wishes Voyage" you get to meet up with Capt' Hook and Mr. Smee for a yummy snack table of meats/cheeses/desserts/etc (eat a very light dinner if at all!) and after photo opps, they wisk you away to enjoy your own private viewing of the electrical water parade. Then they "park" your boat in front of the train station and pipe in that wonderful wishes music. All the while you are entertained by a hilarious and a bit corney pirate who tells stories and plays games with everyone aboard.

Upon your return to land another visitor will be waiting for you at the dock...Peter Pan holding his sassy fairy tinkerbell in an adorable little lantern. He poses with everyone for photos and they give all the kids the "golden book" of Peter Pan II, which we had autographed.

Just my two cents worth...I'm sure the others choices are great, also, but the Wishes Voyage is super!!

[royorb1]

B, this sounds great, my sister's family would like to come out to WDW when we are there and they will even be staying at the PC. How much is this cruise and is it hard to get?

[DougiesMommy]

Here is the information on the cruise

Magical Fireworks Voyage
Cast off on a moonlit voyage around the Magic Kingdom® Seven Seas lagoon, which provides the perfect viewing location for the Electrical Water Pagent and the all new Disney Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams. Your evening will begin with a mouth-watering array of sumptuous Nestlé® Toll House® cookies and desserts. You'll then enjoy your moonlit voyage and have fun with Disney trivia and tales of pirates and Peter Pan along the way. Your evening will end with a special Disney meet and greet with Peter himself. Available on a seasonal basis.

Price:
Adults and Juniors - $29.99, Children (ages 3-9) - $14.99 (available 90 days prior)

Schedule:
Please call (407) WDW-MAGIC† for dates and times.

I would recommend calling right at the 90 day mark. I tried at about 87 day mark and couldn't get anything until our last night. And we are going in off-season the 1st of Dec.

You MUST be part of a Magical Gathering in order to book this.

[BDavis932]

AT the time we went, they only offer it on Monday and Saturday nights, so that is why it fills up so quickly.

[craziebabie1]

Is that the one that is over near Contemporary or something like that? Not the actual cruise line?

[woohoo]

Originally Posted by craziebabie1

I booked a trip for 10 people, and we are planning on the Grand Gathering... I was wondering if anyone has done this. If so what suggestions do you have for us as far as a Grand Gatherings must do list?
I had thought about the Kilomanjaro Safaris' or the Mickey's Philharmagic. And what kind of Dinners' could anyone reccomend for it?

Make sure that when you call 90 days in advance that you call the grand gatherings reservation line. It is a seperate telephone line with no silly questions and wait time. It made a huge difference in getting Cinderellas breakfast. You can use this same # for all of your other reservations as long as they are over 8 people. This does not however include the whoopdeedoo or the luau- they have to be booked through group dining if over 8. Another thing to know is that its like jumping hoops to get reservations for planet hollywood if your party is over 8- think about making more than one reservation.

[BDavis932]

Originally Posted by craziebabie1

Is that the one that is over near Contemporary or something like that? Not the actual cruise line?

Yes, we left from the Contemporary. We ate upstairs on the 4th floor near the gift shops since it was raining outside. Nomally they meet outside near the dock for the buffet and characters.