[skwak]

I remember from the DVD that if you have a party of 8 or more that you can sign up for special Magical Gathering events. One was a fireworks cruise near the MK. Does anyone know where all the different possibilities are listed?

[mickey]

This should be most of them:

"Magical Fireworks Voyage" -- After bidding farewell to Captain Hook and Mr. Smee on shore, your group will sail with Patch the pirate along Seven Seas Lagoon by Magic Kingdom. This memorable evening includes ideal "seaward" viewing of the "Electrical Water Pageant" and the spectacular new "Wishes" fireworks extravaganza over Cinderella Castle. The voyage features group trivia and song activities and a celebration for special occasions like birthdays, reunions or anniversaries. The irrepressible Patch regales you with tales of Peter Pan on the trip back to shore. Speaking of Peter Pan, he awaits your return to pose for photos and sign autographs. Ages 10 and older, $29.99; ages 3-9, $14.99.

"Safari Celebration Dinner" -- You'll gather in the exotic African coastal city of Harambe at Disney's Animal Kingdom for high adventure on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Your group will journey through the park's authentic jungles and across the sweeping, baobab-studded savannah as you spot giraffes, elephants and other wild African creatures. The experience continues at Harambe's Tusker House Restaurant for an African-inspired dinner, Disney character appearances, "up-close" animal experiences and live entertainment. Ages 10 and older, $59.99; ages 3-9, $19.99.

"International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception" -- There's no need to jet around the globe to experience dining around the world. At Epcot, international culinary favorites are on the menu for adventurous groups looking for a storybook ending to their day. Children can join in the dinner's special storytelling experience, which is punctuated with a surprise character appearance. A special viewing area is reserved for the evening finale, the nighttime Epcot spectacular "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth." Ages 10 and older, $59.99; ages 3-9, $19.99.

"Good Morning Gatherings" -- Breakfast with famous Disney characters enters a whole new dimension with this new group gathering served up with plenty of morning merriment at Tony's Town Square Restaurant in Magic Kingdom. Your group will not only meet favorite characters but will participate in song-and-dance numbers. Mickey Mouse makes a one-on-one appearance with each guest for photo sessions. Ages 10 and older, $24.99; ages 3-9, $11.99.

[Dana]

Here is what in my little vacation planner thingy on MG:

Safari Celebration Dinner:
Private Safari with your group at AK and then dinner at Tusker house with characters and live entertainment

Good Morning Gathering:
Begin your day eith a Magic Kingdom morning filled with special songs and fun for the kids of all ages. You have breakfast with characters at Tony's.

Magical Fireworks Voyage:
Basically a boat to watch wishes with cookies and a visit from peter pan. There is also trivia games listed and stories.

Illuminations Dinner and dessert reception:
Dinner , live entertaiment, private viewing area for illuminations and a dessert at the show.

disclaimer: availability is limited. Experiences will be shared by multiple gathering parties. reservationd made 90 days and full payment for the events due 45 days prior. Modifications and cancellations can be made up to 6 days prior....events subject to change.

[Dana]

opps mickey types faster...sorry for the double post.

[MickeyMac]

Skwak, the only thing I wanted to add was that all members of your party need to be 3 and up (can't include a 2 year old as one of the 8 since they are a non-paying Guest)

Oh wait, yes, another. :D 80% of your party or more must be onsite Guests. :D

[BDavis932]

I highly recommend the magical gatherings cruise.

It is the cheapest of all the gatherings (but still nothing to sneeze at!!) The experience is Top Notch -- In a word....it's AWESOME!! Our entire family LOVED it and it was one of the BEST things I have EVER done at WDW!

You get 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!!

[woohoo]

Im not meaning to be so negative but we are traveling with a total of 18 and we started this thing with the whole "Magical Gatherings" thing in mind. I was rather disappointed to hear how expensive the different offers were. I kind of felt like- hey, we went to the effort of coordinating so many people- guranteed guests- Lots of guaranteed money spent- the least you could do is offer something special for our efforts. Instead we are told that with our Grand Gatherings number (btw- we were origionally told that we had to pay for this untill the single room thing got out of hand) does not even gurarantee that we will have rooms together at the hotel, we have broken dining at some of the restaraunts because of our party size and to be honest for all of the publicity I would think that there would be better things offered- just my 2cents.

[skwak]

Woohoo,

You are not being negative at all. This is exactly why we all post here, to learn from each other. Is there a web address with some of this information that you know of?

[MerlinMatt]

Here's Disney's Grand Gathering Special Products page:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw...alProductsPage

I agree that it's expensive. HOWEVER, I have yet to be disappointed by anything that I've spent at Disney. The experiences for me have consistently outpaced my expectations.

When Disney does fall short (and they do, because I think they're doing a less-than-adequate job of training reservation CMs) my uber-planning kicks in and I find ways to either compensate or compromise.

[woohoo]

I second the training thing- Its such a pain when I call to ask a detailed question- long distance mind you on one of the many numbers that you have to call ie. golf,tour,dine, master starter line,central reservations,group dining,grand gatherings (did I miss any?) And then when I get them and ask my questions- I seem to know more than they do. And I hate that they dont have some accurate listing as to what wishes do or dont cover. Everything is vague in the books sites and brochures (selected spa treatments etc..) And when you ask they have no idea and have to look into it. ARGH! But at least they have cool hold music..

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by woohoo

Its such a pain when I call to ask a detailed question- long distance mind you

You didn't know about the toll-free number???

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...25&postcount=1



That's one problem solved. Anything else?