4 Families (Total 18) to WDW Nov 2006

[JF4300]

Hi, I am brand new to these boards and need some help from all the experienced Disney Divas!

I will be taking my whole family (kids, spouses, grandchildren (total 18) to WDW this November 7th - 13.

So far I can only find accommodations for 5 at the Port Orleans Riverside. We have 2 families with 5 to a room & 2 families with 4 to a room.

Any suggestions on other resorts that may accomodate 5 in a room or any other suggestions for housing in the area where maybe we could all stay together.

Either way will work for our group. Also, coming from the PHL area. Any suggestions on how to get all 18 on the same flight?

Sorry for all the questions, but appreciate any suggestions.
:veryconfu

 

[Nemo14]

I'm sure you'll get lots of replies about this, but I thought I could give you my $.02 worth first. We just came back from vacation with a group of 10. We rented a house in Poinciana that was absolutely amazing. We had 7 bedrooms, 4 full baths, a pool table, foosball, air hockey, Playstation 2, our own heated pool with hot tub, washer & dryer, and fully equipped kitchen. although we didn't need them, there were cribs and toddler beds stored in the closets as well as high chairs and strollers. We had a blast, and it was great to have that much space. We split the cost in half, so it cost us a little over $800 per family, plus about $200 for food. You might want to look into something like that. You'll have to rent vehicles too, but even with that, it was well worth the cost. PM me if you want more info about this.

 

[kal1484]

I would try first going with a travel agent, Kingdom Konsultant is an expert in this.

Depending on the ages of the children, 5 in a room at PO-Riverside is fine. My family did this up until I was about 16, my sisters being 13 and 9. I got the trundle then the others slept with either mom or dad. We are all girls and never had a bathroom problem. I really enjoy Riverside. It's my favorite place to go.

You could also try some suites, villas, or offsite places. However I would go with the Riverside. If there are too many older kids to be in one room, maybe get an extra room and have the teens stay in that one, granted they are old enough.

As for the plane. Why don't you have one person book the flights, then all the others give money to that person. This way everyone is on the same flight. However, you could also just book the flight, give the flight numbers to the rest, and do it that way. I did this one time when my sister was flying back with us, but not when we came up. I just booked ours, and then did her seperatly by booking the same flight number.

 

[Cherub0914]

Good Luck on all of your vacation planning,,,, I don't know how much you want to spend, but I know the Wilderness Lodge has Jr Deluxe Suites that will sleep up to 6 (2 double beds and a pull out sofa)... hop ethis helps!!

 

[Yellow Shoes]

I am assuming that you all get along pretty well.

Vacation homes sound perfect for your group.

If you'd rather stay on-site, I would suspect that 5 rooms at a value or moderate will be less than any suite situation, although Port Orleans will work with 5 per room.

With 5 rooms, you could have some flexibility. You'll want as many as possible to be connecting. (Adjoining at WDW means they will be close together, but won't have the door between rooms.)

Perhaps the girls would want to be in a room together?
Maybe the older kids who are staying out later should be together so as not to wake the younger ones with earlier bedtimes. (see where I'm going with this?)
Believe me, this will be a highlight for the kids--to sleep in different rooms with different relatives.

 

[JF4300]

4 Families (Total 18) to WDW November 2006

Appreciate all your answers. Does anyone have more information on housing rentals for a group our size. Probably would want to be as close to WDW as possible.

Also I have heard that the value resorts may offer "family suites". Does anyone have new information on this? When I called Disney they were very vague and couldn't tell me anything about prices or when they might be available.

Thanks again

 

[trainertj]

I'm sure you'll get lots of replies about this, but I thought I could give you my $.02 worth first. We just came back from vacation with a group of 10. We rented a house in Poinciana that was absolutely amazing. We had 7 bedrooms, 4 full baths, a pool table, foosball, air hockey, Playstation 2, our own heated pool with hot tub, washer & dryer, and fully equipped kitchen. although we didn't need them, there were cribs and toddler beds stored in the closets as well as high chairs and strollers. We had a blast, and it was great to have that much space. We split the cost in half, so it cost us a little over $800 per family, plus about $200 for food. You might want to look into something like that. You'll have to rent vehicles too, but even with that, it was well worth the cost. PM me if you want more info about this.

We do the same thing!! This is a must with a big family. I usually will not go to Disney unless I stay in a Disney Resort, but with a big family its not as fun when you are split up in seperate rooms

 

[nemobruce]

Try the cabins at Fort Wilderness, I believe you can put six to a cabin the down fall is that there is only one bathroom. I know the suites at the allstars should be open by then and what i have read they have two bathrooms

 

[Nemo14]

I just sent you a PM about home rentals. Hope it helps! :wave:

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

With a party that size your trip is going to take some SERIOUS planning.
Accomodation - I would suggest renting a large home between all of you (it should work out cheaper than staying on property AND it means that everyone has more room to themselves instead of being cramped 5 to a room).
Driving - You're going to be looking at renting 2 or 3 mini vans - price all the major rental firms.
Even after splashing out on rental vans, the money you save on accomodation should still represent a saving compared to staying on Disney property

 

[NOLADisneyFan]

Not that its worth much, but here is my opinion.

I think you should try to stay on property either POR or the value resorts...I just don't see the purpose of renting a house off property.

The money you will spend on renting SEVERAL mini vans will probably come close to killing any money saved.

Disney has its own transportation.

Honestly, the "space" issue seems worthless to me. A big house off of property allows you more space. So what? You only sleep there.

If you are bringing younger kids or older folks, they may want to have the ability to go back to the room and rest...if you drive...you have a logistical nightmare of who is staying, who is riding with whom, etc. etc. If you stay onsite...its just hop a bus and go to the room to relax.

Their is a possibility that staying offsite will save you a little $$.

The convenience of staying onsite with a group that big outweighs the money that may be saved.

Just my take...

Johnny

 

[shadsdad]

We went with a group of 17 two years ago, stayed in two 2 bedroom suites in old key West. there was plenty of room for every one. You should call USAIRWAYS group travel desk. We got a good discount , You need 10 or more flying on the same flight for the group discount. they will book the tickets for you. We also had shirts made and everyone wore them on a the same day in the parks. It helped keeping track of everyone in the crowd.:wave: