Grand Gatherings - suggestions?

[MagicMom]

Hello to my fellow WDW kin!

I was wondering if anyone could help me gather information? I have a group that is currently booking a Grand Gathering through AAA. Currently we have about 40 people booked so far and could be a group as large as 60. Our group coordinator has heard lots of different information on things that we can do, or have done for us from booking one of the 4 events listed on the Grand Gatherings web site to having a character meet us at our hotel. I have questions for some of you who have been through this before:

1) Is our group too large to book something like the Auntie Roz dinner or the Safari tour?
2) There is a Photopass photographer available to take us for several poses. Do we have to pay for that or do we just pay for the photos?
3) Can anyone tell me of anything really "special" that might not be listed on the web site? Perhaps one of those situations where you meet the right cast member...
4) Is there a Pirate/Princess party during November; our boys (and some girls) are desperate to take pictures with Capt. Jack!

I was hoping to find something really special for our girls. To give some background, we are a group of 13 families who traveled together to China to adopt our daughters in November of 2003. Our Grand Gathering is the 5 year reunion of our girls. For most of us, our oldest child is 5. We do have two families with teenage kids, but many of us have adopted again and have younger children. I was hoping someone could recommend something really spectacular for our princesses.

Thanks to everyone for your time and suggestions.

[MandaBella]

4) Is there a Pirate/Princess party during November; our boys (and some girls) are desperate to take pictures with Capt. Jack!

I'd highly doubt there would be a Pirate and Princess Party in November. In 2007, the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party extended into early November and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party got started earlier in mid November.

If you want pictures of Captain Jack, he makes appearances in Adventureland near POTC. He puts on a little skit, but I never stayed around to try and get a picture with him so I'm not sure he does that.

[GalPal]

I don't know if they are still doing it but last time I was at the Magic Kingdom, there was a Captain Jack Meet & Greet at the old Veranda Restaurant. You won't find any P&P parties during November - MNSSHP will end on Halloween and a couple of weeks later, they usually start MVMCP.

If your group is registered with Disney as a Grand Gathering, you can work with one of their Coordinator CMs to arrange for special plusses to your experience. As for photos, there is a new package available through PhotoPass with a professional photographer.

Grand Floridian Portrait Sessions Offer One-On-One Photo Moments

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- There's a new occasion to "say cheese" at Walt Disney World Resort: during individual portrait sessions now available at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Guests who desire a more one-on-one photo experience during their Walt Disney World vacation can book a shoot at the majestic Victorian-style resort where a Disney PhotoPass photographer escorts the group through some of its most picturesque backdrops. Consultations are available prior to the shoot to discuss wardrobe, session location and theme options.
Guests can create a portrait package that suits their individual needs with two current offers: a single sitting ($49.95), and a package that includes a sitting and a PhotoPass CD with all of the digital images taken by theme park photographers during a guest's vacation ($124.95). For more information or to book a portrait session, visit Disney's PhotoPass desk on the second floor of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or call 407/824-1700.

I'm thinking that the PhotoPass CD option might be a great cost effective way for you to capture some of the special memories!

[Thumper10]

We've seen Captain Jack in Adventureland a couple times but never stopped to see if he does autographs. I know that the little skit he does involves children from the audience so maybe someone from you party will be lucky enough to get picked. What a very special trip, I'm sure all of you will make tons of memories!