Forget cocooning; now we're "togethering". According to Disney planners, who know us best, multi-household travel by families and friends is on a huge upswing. And Disney's ready to meet the trend, with a new emphasis on group "Magical Gatherings". Find out about special services and entertainment choices for groups.

Magical Gatherings

It's Disney's new focus for 2004: "multi-household travel" by family and friends, and darned if they aren't right again-- on a recent trip to Walt Disney World, time after time I saw multi-generational groups having a whale of a time and clumping together for photo ops.

How well it all works: doing your Magical Gathering at Disney World, I mean. Planning a family reunion can be a nightmare of logistics for the brave soul who takes the lead, plus huge pressure deciding where to go: will Cousin Billy like the beach resort? the ski trip? the villa in France? Who knows? Cousin Billy's never been before; he doesn't have a clue.

But Cousin Billy, and Grandma, and mother-in-law, have probably all been to Walt Disney World, and already know if they like it or not. Plus the place is so big and varied, it really does offer something for almost everyone.

And now, along comes a bunch of online tools to make your vacation planning easier, plus special entertainment experiences.

Online Planning Tools

The "Magical Gatherings Planner" is a free downloadable tool that helps you plan a group vacation by:

• sending e-mail invitations
• chatting online
• polling your group
• creating group itineraries

You can also order a free Vacation Planning Kit, with video and more. And if you have a group of 8 or more, you're classed as a "Grand Gathering" and more services and even special vacation features are available.

Grand Gatherings

Just for the record, only kids age 3 and up count in your tally of 8 or more. Once you reach the magic number, you can use Grand Gatherings Travel Planners for help with hotels, tickets or dining, and arranging special products and services (-- see below) Call (407) WDW-MAGIC.

You can also schedule special "products", i.e. Grand Gathering Experiences. For example:

• an International Storybook Dinner at Epcot®. Cuisine from around the world plus a favorite Disney story and a special guest; afterwards, watch the unique lights-and-fireworks show, IllumiNations- Reflections of Earth, from a reserved viewing spot.

• Safari Celebration Dinner combines a VIP journey across Animal Kingdom's savanna plus dinner at the Tusker House Restaurant with live entertainment and characters.

• Good Morning Gathering starts the day at Magic Kingdom® with songs and classic Disney Characters at Tony's Town Square Restaurant for breakfast.

• Magical Fireworks Voyage takes place on the Magic Kingdom® Seven Seas Lagoon. Watch the Electrical Water Pageant and the new Disney Wishes™ fireworks show; the voyage includes a meet and greet with Peter Pan. (Seasonal.)

These special experiences don't come cheap: for instance, for the International Storybook Dinner, you need to have tickets to Epcot already, and then pay $59.99 for adults, $19.99 for kids ages 3-9. Nor does Grand Gatherings offer any discounts for travel as a group.

Now that would've been truly magical.

Read more about Magical Gatherings at the Walt Disney World site. Family cruises are a popular multi-generational vacation too, and Disney Cruises are top of the line. (Note: Disney websites reorganize frequently; if the above links don't work, just head to Disneyworld.com and use the site navigation to find Magical Gatherings and Grand Gatherings.)