This was an event I could barely find anything on. I searched all over and found one negative review with little detail. Not knowing how all of this worked we decided to show up early. No need to do this. Doesn't matter when you check in, they randomly call people out by name. There's really nowhere to wait and the sun will beat you down, in August anyway. Enjoy your park time and show up about 5-10 minutes before it starts 'cause you will NOT get in early!
About 10-15 minutes before opening a lady comes out and does this spill. She's our hostess and her name escapes me now. She's a fun lady and sticks around for most of inside meal.
This event is held inside the old Odyssey restaurant. This is located on the bridge that connects Test Track with World Showcase. First Aid is along this same path. The restaurant itself is a hidden gem. Very well kept and set up nicely. This dinner looked more formal than the one over at the Animal Kingdom. It was set up like a wedding or banquet hall.
When you walk in the music is playing and excitement fills the air! Each table has its own center piece on the table, there's a huge dance floor/stage at the front center, and lights flash onto the walls making flashy pictures. It is done up right!
Here are a couple of pictures of our little group ~
We were of the first people called in. Of course Colleen and I ran up by the food and started taking pictures before it was hit. Doing this in a big hurry made for some icky pictures on my part. Sorry about that but at least you can see what's offered. I know Colleen took a bunch too.
There are tables set up, also banquet style. They have some sort of selection from each country around World Showcase. For example Canada offers its famous soup while the UK serves up fried fish! There is also a pasta station, compliments of Italy, where you can have your own special pasta cooked up. For those children and non adventurous adult eaters like myself there is a kids buffet.
Colleen and I were away doing the picture thing for about 10-15 minutes. We came back to the table and still, no server. The guys were getting fed up. After all we had been standing out in the hot sun for over an hour and everyone was thirsty.
Some guy had stopped by the table to drop off the Grand Gathering pins.
Another 10 minutes probably passed before the server showed up. Poor thing, she was nice, but terrible at her job. We noticed that the service wasn't very good at any of the tables. Maybe they don't care since gratuity is included but whose to say you wouldn't leave more money for a job well done? I was a server for a few years and I treated my grat tables just the same, if not better, and I always earned extra. Anyway, like I said, very nice lady but not very good at waiting tables. That about covers the service end.
Here are the kids having fun...
Towards the end of the meal the hostess came back out. Couples celebrating were called up to dance. The GG's were recognized. The children were called up to dance in the end and they loved this!
Then these guys showed up for the party!!!
At the end there was a little meet and greet with the characters. This was a little rushed, but it's a cute photo-op and there are photopass people on hand as well.
This part of the GG was coming to an end, but the best was just about to start! Stay tuned for part 2!