Confused about booking for a large group

[Figaro928]

We are in the super beginning phase of possibly booking our next trip

We are thinking of going the last week of October 2016. (basically a year from this week) Our party will be 7 adults and 3 kids (I'm expecting #3 this spring, so yes, first time with an infant!!!) We would really like to stay at Pop Century and are hoping to snag a Free Dining QS.

Here's my problem: When I plug in on their website how many are in our party, it kicks me back, saying My party has exceeded the room occupancy. No kidding. I know we'll need 3 rooms. I would like 2 of those rooms adjoining. So when I'm ready to book, do I
#1 book the 3 rooms individually & somehow try to link up everyone in the family afterwards
#2 Call Disney to set up the package
#3 Despite being a control freak, get a good travel agent

I was just on to get a base price to start to talk about with the rest of the family. Frustrating that I can't figure this out myself. I really thought I had Disney's website down. Thanks for any help!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

#2 Call Disney to set up the package
#3 Despite being a control freak, get a good travel agent

Either ring Disney directly and get their prices directly, or, contact @Kingdom Konsultant

 

[CaptainAmerica]

#1 book the 3 rooms individually & somehow try to link up everyone in the family afterwards

This, and it's not difficult at all. Link everyone as friends and family before you make the reservations. Make sure the "primary guest" in each room has their own profile on MDX and is not "managed by" you. Then, when you make the reservations, everyone will be able to see everyone else's. Note that it's the PROFILE that gets linked, not the reservation. For example, your MagicBand will only work as a room key for the room you're actually staying in. You can't actually link the reservations to each other beyond putting a room request in with Disney to have adjoining rooms.

 

[Figaro928]

This, and it's not difficult at all. Link everyone as friends and family before you make the reservations. Make sure the "primary guest" in each room has their own profile on MDX and is not "managed by" you. Then, when you make the reservations, everyone will be able to see everyone else's. Note that it's the PROFILE that gets linked, not the reservation. For example, your MagicBand will only work as a room key for the room you're actually staying in. You can't actually link the reservations to each other beyond putting a room request in with Disney to have adjoining rooms.

Thanks so much. I knew there had to be a way, just couldn't figure it out.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Thanks so much. I knew there had to be a way, just couldn't figure it out.

Note that when you initially link your profile to theirs, there's a question that asks something like "Does this person travel with you frequently?" That question is what categorizes someone as your "friend" versus your "family." If someone is set as a family member, the default is for you to see all of their reservations on your main reservations page. If someone is only a friend, there's a bit more navigation to get to it. If you want to see everything in one space as a default, indicate that each person you link does travel with you frequently. You can always change it later if you plan a future trip with a smaller group.

 

[Rob562]

For the room request, I believe there's a section of the reservation during the checkout process that asks about special requests (this includes connecting rooms and nearby rooms) and if you're travelling with anyone to put the last name in the blank. As you make each reservation, put the name of the lead guest for each of the other two reservations in those blanks, selecting "connecting" and "nearby" as appropriate.

-Rob

 

[wannabeBelle]

I still vote for #3, We do large groups all the time and it is so much easier when someone who is experienced is involved. You can still do all your own planning, link to each other on My Disney Experience etc. but we keep track of the reservations and handle the messier part of the process. Marie

 

[PinnySmart]

In this case of a large group with 3 rooms I would definitely contact Kingdom Konsultants. There are so many moving parts when traveling with a group this size. Using them would practically guarantee that things are done correctly and the trip flows smoothly. My niece used them recently because I have been swamped at work and really couldn't lend a hand. She raves about the experience she had.

 

[MickeyMomV]

I would simply call Disney! About 2 years ago we went with a group and we had 7 adults and 4 kids, needed 2 of the 3 rooms adjoining, and everybody had different arrival and departure days. They took care of everything! We could not have been happier.

I have never used KK and have heard only good things about them but personally if I book a Disney trip through Disney and something gets screwed up at Disney guess who is going to fix it.... Disney. There is no 3rd party to get involved.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I would like 2 of those rooms adjoining.

To Disney, adjoining means "near each other", even if across or down the hall.

Connecting is where 2 rooms are next to each other with an inside connecting door.

 

[MickeyMomV]

By the hotel definition Adjoining Rooms are "Two guest rooms located next to each other which are connected by a door between them. They may be booked together for one traveleing party, or they may be booked separately by two different parties."

We have requested adjoining rooms twice and they have accommodated both times. Regardless of the terminology just let them know what you need and I'm sure they will take care of you.