International Dinner and IllumiNations Desert Reception About This Page:

[tinkerbellesmom]

Anyone ever done this?? any information anybody has on this would be great!!! Thanks

[Caldercup]

I did it in May 2005.

I was very much looking forward to the meal since I was told that it was a sampling from each country. However, due to the massive 05/05/05 Happiest Celebration press event, we were moved from the Oddyssey restaurant to the China pavillion. I think the food suffered because they had their "best" working the press event meals instead.

We had stir fry and egg rolls from China, some pasta offererings from Italy, some divine food from Morocco, and a kid table with chicken fingers, mac and cheese and PB&Js.

The "show" was a blast - we had Auntie Roz and DJ (a D.J.) who put together a skit with the kids about family. There was dancing and a big conga line. The interactions were terrific.

Minnie and Goofy showed up and joined in on the conga line and then did pictures with everyone (these were added to our PhotoPass cards!!)

Then we were led down to the base of World Showcase and allowed into a special waterfront area behind the gift shop. (You had to show the commemorative pin they gave at the meal to get in)

The desserts were out of this world!! Mouse and puddings and cake and petit-fours and tons and tons of fruit. Coffee, juice, tea, and water were in abundance.

The view of the globe and the fireworks was worth the entire price of admission!! Unbelievable.

After it was over, they were not in a hurry to shoo us off and made sure we all had plenty to eat and drink. We lingered around and chatted with our fellow celebrants. By the time we were ready to go, the park had cleared out pretty well, although the buses were backed up.

If the meal had been better the night we did this, I would rank this higher than the other two events we did (the safari and the fireworks voyage. They were soooo good that I actually ranked ID&DR as my third favorite -- although it was terrific!)

I wrote a LOOOOONG trip report about our Grand Gathering - thread one has the fireworks voyage and thread 2 has the safari and the fireworks/dessert reception. http://www.passporterboards.com/ubb/show...rt=1#Post813655 )

Eileen

[Nanci]

How do I find out about this? It sounds wonderful. I am going in Dec.is it available then? Thank you

[Caldercup]

If your group is a party of 8 or more, you are eligible to take part in the Grand Gathering special events (the International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Reception is one of them)

More info on the GG events is here:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/spe...ingsLandingPage

Good luck!
Eileen

[Nanci]

It is just the 4 of us so I guess we cannot go. Too bad sounds delightful.Thanks for the info, Nanci

[Marv]

[ QUOTE ]
It is just the 4 of us so I guess we cannot go. Too bad sounds delightful.Thanks for the info, Nanci

[/ QUOTE ]

If you're comfortable with it, you could post on the boards here. That's how I was able to do the magical gatherings fireworks cruise. A fellow PP posted she had 4 and were there 4 others who would like to go. We each paid for our reservations ahead of time with the magical gatherings people, so you wouldn't have to worry that you'd get left with a bill if someone didn't show up. Just a thought, if you really want to do it. I loved the fireworks cruise and thought it was worth it and a very special thing to do.

Eileen, I'm going to head over and read your TR on the magical gathering! Thanks.

[kathy320]

eilleen I coulnd't find thread 2 with your reviews of this......