[BuzzLightyear]

Hi,

Looking for a little advice.
We are planning our 2004 trip and are going to be going with 2 other families this time around.
Should I / Would you - just give everyone instructions on how/when/where to book ? So we are all booked same place same time ?
Or, do the whole 9-yards myself?
My big issue would be with all the money that need to exchange hands through the process.

Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!

[quartz7]

Hi Buzzlightyear,

I think I would have a disney dinner and discuss everything!! Maybe make a list up of things you want to talk about. Get feed back and go from there.

I think if you tried to do it all withour input, someone might not like it. You can be the one to make the calls and reservations after your group has made decisions. Just like a travel agent. When we went to DL, I made reservations for my father-in-law and I could make changes on this ressie as needed. But the room was in his name and he recievied the reservation deposit payment. It worked out great.

How fun is it to plan for that many people!!:D

Janelle

[Willbegone]

Buzz,
I agree with quartz have a Disney dinner. I would also play the DVD/video for them and collect info on the resorts and let everybody put in a favorite, majority rules. Then I personally would use a TA like Mousketrips to do the planning it would really take a load off of your shoulders!

[dismum]

with this number have you thought of renting a vacation home they are great and can work out real cheap I know of one that sleeps 12 that starts at $102 per night.

[tinkerbell]

I am going to be very interested in how this works out for you, Buzzlightyear. Since our trip next year we are wanting to get several friends from different parts of the USA and England together the same time we will be there. I know I have mentioned to Dixie that maybe she and her family (which includes her wonderful in-laws) might stay at the cabins at Fort Wilderness.. She liked that idea alot. And thanks to Mickey and info from him helping me out with our plans .. I would like to suggest that you may want see about getting at least 1 premium or regular annual pass. Because you can get other rooms at a discount on just that one.

[BuzzLightyear]

Originally posted by dismum
with this number have you thought of renting a vacation home they are great and can work out real cheap I know of one that sleeps 12 that starts at $102 per night.

This is a great idea dismum, but, we really wanted to have the privacy of our very own rooms to go back to for time away from each other. Also, the one thing for sure is that we all want to stay on-site.
Thanks for the idea!!!!

[BuzzLightyear]

Originally posted by tinkerbell
I am going to be very interested in how this works out for you, Buzzlightyear. Since our trip next year we are wanting to get several friends from different parts of the USA and England together the same time we will be there. I know I have mentioned to Dixie that maybe she and her family (which includes her wonderful in-laws) might stay at the cabins at Fort Wilderness.. She liked that idea alot. And thanks to Mickey and info from him helping me out with our plans .. I would like to suggest that you may want see about getting at least 1 premium or regular annual pass. Because you can get other rooms at a discount on just that one.

Tinkelbell,

I will surley keep you posted. I am sure I'll be on these boards a LOT over the next year, after our May vacation and planning the big one for 2004.
I am seriously considering the annual pass, but am wondering if they'll let me upgrade the 5-day hopper that I have right now to an annual pass that I can use this trip and for the next trip. Any idea?

Thanks!!

[tinkerbell]

Originally posted by BuzzLightyear
Tinkelbell,

I will surley keep you posted. I am sure I'll be on these boards a LOT over the next year, after our May vacation and planning the big one for 2004.
I am seriously considering the annual pass, but am wondering if they'll let me upgrade the 5-day hopper that I have right now to an annual pass that I can use this trip and for the next trip. Any idea?

Thanks!!

I aint sure, they might, but I bet ya dollars to donuts Mickey would know :)

[mickey]

Originally posted by tinkerbell
I aint sure, they might, but I bet ya dollars to donuts Mickey would know :)

You shouldn't have any problem doing that. They will credit your with the value of the pass that you have left, and apply that to an AP. You can do that at any guest services window at the parks, or quite possibly, at your resort.

Tink just won a dollar, or a donut, I am not sure.

[tinkerbell]

Originally posted by mickey
You shouldn't have any problem doing that. They will credit your with the value of the pass that you have left, and apply that to an AP. You can do that at any guest services window at the parks, or quite possibly, at your resort.

Tink just won a dollar, or a donut, I am not sure.

lol see told you Mickey would know !!!! give me the dollar .. unless the donut is sugar free which in that case I will take the donut !!

[Sniff Snow Dog]

Discuss with the other families which resort you'd all like to stay at (hopefully you'll all agree on one) and then reserve a block of rooms with that resort. The major advantage of this is you'll all be staying in the same building and floor, resulting in the major advantage of quickly and easily getting together for events. Also, doing group reservations may result in a lower rate. You'll have to give up a single credit card number to hold the group reservation but ensure all participants call in immediately afterwards to place their card number against their room(s). Follow up on this by getting the individual confirmation number so you know everyone's holding up their end of the bargain. If you think anyone appears to be dragging their feet in being personally accountable for their room(s) or acts/talks like they're not totally committed to making the trip, give them a "drop dead" date to give you their final answer. Eliminate their room(s) from the group reservation if you don't get a response by the deadline. Call Disney reservations back to get the payment status on all the rooms to ensure everything's on the up-and-up. Don't get caught in a messy family financial fiasco! Good Luck!

[mickey]

I am pretty sure that to book a group at WDW, you need to have 10 rooms or more. I think they are only looking at about 3 or 4 staterooms. I do like the suggestion of making everything separate though, I think it is the only way to do it.

[BDavis932]

In 3 weeks there will be 17 of us going! We have been planning this for over a year now. We are DVC members. and we are treating the accomidations for my parents at the Wilderness Lodge Villas (my sister is buying their park tickets). My sister, her inlaws, and her friends will all be staying at All Stars Sports.

I ordered videos for everyone and had them sent directly to their house. We had two planning parties and I emailed them tips and notes on a regular basis. I booked my ressies thru DVC for us and mom and dad, and everyone else booked their own ressies, with my suggestions that I had put together for them ahead of time.

We all realize we are taking individual family vacations....so we don't plan on being with each other 100% of the time. We will get together for several meals, and get together some nights to go swimming, and some parades, and shows.

This way we will all accomplish "doing our own thing" and also sharing a trip of a lifetime with family.:)

[JOANN]

I remember going with 6 families. Those were some of the greatest times!!!! The kids were at an age that they were able to go out on their own!!! OHHHH the fun we had.
We stayed at Dixie Landings, and I can remember the resort being quite accomadating!!! We were all in the same building!! All you have to do is ask. Of course, they say they can't promise you, but it never hurst to make your request early!!!!
I agree with you, we were not with everyong 24-7, and we talked about that before our trip. We always had those Disney Meetings before we would leave. This way we warned everyone about our plans before hand. It always worked out.
Now, how many years later, we are still going back to DW, with our children and husbands. No grandchildren yet, but can't wait for that to happen!!! JOANN:)