Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest-ID-78283.asp" target="_blank"><b>Latest: Walt Disney World to Discontinue Grand Gathering Experiences</b></a> <p><font size="2">As of January 28, 2012, Walt Disney World will no longer be offering Grand Gatherings Safari Celebration Dinner, Good Morning Gathering and International Dinner & IllumiNations Dessert Reception. Reservations for dates prior to then can still be booked.</font></p>
Originally Posted By TP2000 But, Jay Rasulo said families like to vacation together and create magic memories in one multi-generational blob! How will magical memories ever be created if these reserved experiences are no longer available?!? Families won't know how to talk to each other, the fertility rate will decline, and society will break down. Without a proper marketing campaign and extra-cost dining options, family vacations will cease to exist as we know them!
Originally Posted By 3disneylocations Maybe next (hopefully) they'll discontinue South American tour groups or those god awful Pop Warner ambushes. STop The Insanity!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Maybe next (hopefully) they'll discontinue South American tour groups or those god awful Pop Warner ambushes<<< Oh yes, Pop Warner was one of the many things that negatively impacted our trip to WDW last time. But I seriously would be surprised if they did.
Originally Posted By CDF1 From post 2: How will magical memories ever be created if these reserved experiences are no longer available?!? Families won't know how to talk to each other, the fertility rate will decline, and society will break down. Without a proper marketing campaign and extra-cost dining options, family vacations will cease to exist as we know them! Never fear - Adventures by Disney is here to provide those important family events that, for all of the centuries that the species has existed, families have been unable to create without the help of Disney (well, at least in the mind of Disney Corp). Of course, such memories come at a steep price but if you are willing to trust only Disney to bring you your happy experiences, then you must be willing to pay the price.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Also means they have more expensive package plans with the all inclusive technological advanced trip planning minute by minute to offer and introduce as soon as our computers and minds can be wiped clean so we will not remember or realize we ever had any other types of fun or magic available.
Originally Posted By CDF1 Wonder if ABD will see if the National Park System will let them install AA bears at Yosemite or AA bison at Yellowstone so their paying tour customers will be assured of seeing the type of wildlife that sometimes is a hit or miss proposition, not to mention sometimes dangerous as well.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost In 2008, I had my own self established Grand Gathering. I brought my entire family, Daughters, Sons-in-law, and grandchildren to WDW. We were in the area for a week, rented a villa (off site), I bought 7 day non-expirational tickets for everyone and since I made no effort to set up on-site eating, with the exception of Hoop Dee Doo, we just all paid our own way for food. 9 of us plus my sister and her son (total 11). I had tried to price out the situation on-site and found that I would have to have been Bill Gates to afford it. Setting up off-site cost me around $7000.00. That wouldn't have covered the parking part of a Disney package. That was a first class villa, with private swimming pool, jacuzzi, 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, TV's in every room, game room with pool table, screened in Florida Room (pool was there as well). We did some off-site dining as a group, but a lot of times we went to different places as our tastes dictated. (had two rental cars plus my own) Amazingly, we still made memories that are going to be very lasting. I was talking with one of my grandsons the other night (he was 5 when we did this in 2008) and I was totally thrown-back by the details that he was telling me that he remembered. Bottom Line...who needs Disney to have a Grand Gathering. Just because you go together does not mean that you will always have the same desires to experience the same things. Just to put a fine point on this. While I was there, or in route, my car managed to blow two, count um, 2 head gaskets that I had to have replaced before I could drive home. Cost $3500.00 and it still came out less then the cheapest option that Disney had to offer.
