[Ryan C.]

What launched six months ago as a whole new way for friends and family to vacation as a group at Walt Disney World Resort is winning fans -- and making memories to last a lifetime.

Magical Gatherings is gathering steam.

And it validates the hot travel trend of "togethering," the growing tendency of leisure travelers to vacation as multi-household groups. Whether with friends or neighbors, classmates or cousins, more travelers are extending the family vacation beyond the immediate family.

In fact, momentum for this type of vacation is shifting into high gear, according to the results of a national survey conducted this past January by Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell, a marketing communications firm that specializes in the travel industry.

According to Peter Yesawich, whose firm co-authors the widely quoted National Travel Monitor, "69 percent of leisure travelers are now 'very/extremely interested' in 'togethering' on vacation with family, extended family or friends during the next two years. And 42 percent of them identify Walt Disney World Resort as the destination they would like to visit," he said, "the top U.S. mainland destination for survey respondents."

"Spending quality time with family and friends has risen right to the top of the list of things Americans want to do on vacation," Yesawich said, "and the right destination makes the experience magical."

To meet that demand, Walt Disney World launched Magical Gatherings in October 2003 -- a multi-faceted, unprecedented program of new products and services with extended travel groups in mind.

Guest response at Walt Disney World Resort has been so positive that at least one special Grand Gathering experience -- the "Magical Fireworks Voyage" -- added a third night and will join the other "Grand" experiences as a year-round offering.

And the gatherings are magical...
[list][*]So memorable was the Disney experience for the family of a Birmingham, Ala., bride, she and her groom returned to Walt Disney World Resort for a second Magical Gathering -- with his side of the family.[*]Guests from Tennessee who made regular treks to the Vacation Kingdom came back as a Gatherings group in 2004, named themselves the Coonskin Caps and, to quote one of the grandparents "had our best-ever Disney trip -- the time of our lives."[/list]The need to reconnect with each other is more important than ever. "Time together is an invaluable souvenir," said Walt Disney World President Al Weiss. "And thousands of our guests who have already had the Magical Gatherings experience are seeing why."

The Magical Gatherings program gives guests special opportunities to relive memories and make new ones at the world's most popular vacation destination. The program addresses everything from the details of planning an extended-family vacation to dining and entertainment, sports and recreation, and more features will be added over time.

Also included are some special experiences available only to guests who are part of a Grand Gathering -- a Magical Gathering of eight or more people staying at a Walt Disney World resort:
[list][*]The "International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception" at Epcot. A dinner featuring international cuisine, storytelling and entertainment ends with a special VIP viewing of "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth."
[*]The "Good Morning Gathering" breakfast at Magic Kingdom. Guests meet favorite Disney characters -- with special one-on-one time with Mickey Mouse -- and experience magical surprises to start their day.
[*]The "Safari Celebration Dinner" at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Guests enjoy an end-of-day safari followed by a dinner reception at the rustic Tusker House in the Africa section of the park, complete with live entertainment, Disney character appearances and 'up close' animal experiences.
[*]The "Magical Fireworks Voyage." An evening cruise on Seven Seas Lagoon, where guests enjoy entertainment surprises as Disney characters make special appearances and fireworks explode over Cinderella Castle during the new "Wishes" fireworks spectacular, created to bring to life the Magical Gatherings theme of spending time together.
[/list]"We're trying to create experiences that guests traveling in larger groups will enjoy -- and will remember forever," Weiss said. "We want this Magical Gatherings vacation to become part of family history."

And Magical Gatherings makes it easier than ever to plan the perfect group getaway. Among the new services and offerings that start now or will be launched soon, guests will enjoy:
[list][*]A Vacation Planning Kit, complete with video or DVD and step-by-step information on how to plan a Magical Gathering.
[*]Personalized Web-based planning tools to assist communication among the group and help build consensus on dates, accommodations, activities and other details. The tools also will allow guests to invite others to participate in their Magical Gathering.
[/list]In addition, Grand Gatherings (Magical Gatherings of eight or more guests staying at a Walt Disney World resort) will enjoy:
[list][*]A Walt Disney World team of specialists assigned to assist with every aspect of vacation planning -- dining, tours, spa treatments, recreation, special celebration events and more.
[*]Group dining options. Walt Disney World Resort has significantly increased the number of dining facilities that can accommodate larger parties.
[*]Other exciting options such as group souvenirs, two-way radios and photographic memories of their Disney vacation.
[/list]One thing hasn't changed for Magical Gatherings guests: The "Disney Difference" -- including legendary guest service, magical surroundings, lovable characters, spectacular live entertainment and incredible attractions -- will continue to offer something for everyone, from toddlers to teens to grandparents.

"Research shows that spending quality time with family and friends tops the list of things people want to do on vacation today," Yesawich noted.

"The emotional fabric of the country has combined with the growing sense of pressure most of us feel from the demands of our jobs to elevate the importance of spending time with the ones we love," he said. "And contemporary vacations are not just about rest, relaxation and entertainment. They're also seen as an occasion on which to reunite with our friends and family."

According to surveys, groups are increasingly looking beyond backyards and state parks for a more creative location that appeals to a majority of the attendees.

"With world-class theme parks, themed resorts in all price ranges, unmatched accessibility by air or highway, recreation aplenty from golf to water parks and the added plus of Disney Cruise Line, Walt Disney World Resort is ideal for the 'togethering' vacation," Weiss said. "And now with all the new value-added benefits for the group vacationer, a good thing gets even better."

What makes any Magical Gathering even more magical is all that's new across the 47-square-mile Vacation Kingdom. Mission: SPACE at Epcot takes guests where they've never gone before -- deep among the stars to a touchdown on Mars in a simulated space adventure. "Mickey's PhilharMagic" treats Magic Kingdom guests to an entertaining 3-D musical adventure with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and friends.

And, created especially for the Magical Gatherings, Walt Disney World Resort has launched "Wishes," the most spectacular fireworks show ever to paint the sky above Cinderella Castle.

On board Disney Cruise Line, guests can enjoy a sparkling new stage show, "The Golden Mickeys," a salute to Walt Disney and the animated films he created.

And loaded with enough way-back memories for any Magical Gathering, Disney's Pop Century Resort is a new value-priced resort celebrating the fads and fashions of the 20th century with giant icons such as a Big Wheel, yo-yo, jukebox and Rubik's Cube.

Guests interested in booking a Magical Gathering may call 407/W-DISNEY, or go to disneyworld.com for more information. To download the Magical Gatherings online planning tools, guests can visit disneyworld.com/magicalgatherings.

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[BDANtheman29]

I think the Magic Gatherings are a great promotion for Disney, except the banners are everywhere. Any column, wall, street or anything else that was at all bare has since been covered with a Magic Gatherings banner. I think they need to be a little less aggressive with the whole campaign because it just became annoying.

[j hawkins gal]

i think going together is a great idea but in my head with the size of my family im getting flashes of 'home alone' we'll probably leave somebody behind (what are the odds that it'll be me!) either that or we'll miss our plane or something-trust me nothing goes to plan in my house!!

it is a brilliant thing though but isnt it expensive???

say if i wanted one 9 yr old,one 16 yr old,one 20 yr old,one 28 yr old and one 40 yr old with the cheapest package how much would that be for say aweek or two??

[Walt-Disney]

I think its an awesome idea. Great concept to get peole to want to spend an unforgettable vacation with friends and family. I agree about the banner though. I think they take away from the essence of Disney there. The Banners are too extreme. And if you are already at the park, there is very little need to promote it atthe park. Great concept, but be more agressive with it outside the grounds.

[Holly21373]

If you book a vacation at WDW with 8 or more people you are automatically a Magical Gathering if it is a one of their resorts. The extra costs come from the extra activities you can choose from that Ryan C. listed. Such as the Safari dinner or Fireworks Voyage. They all have prices per adult and per child. You can also arrange for a photographer to meet your group a a specific spot for photos. You just need to have the 8 or more people to choose the same options in order to book them. This is all info the CM told us when we started planning our gathering. The dinners were around $59.00 per adult and the children were 24.99 I think. The fireworks were less expensive and so was the Character Breakfast. So basically as long as you stay at one of the disney resorts with your group, your added costs are your choices.