Need Your Help/Expertise...

[amykissangel]

Ok, so here's the situation:

Whole family is going to Disney, total of 17 people. Three families (out of the 5) REALLY need this trip to be as cheap as possible. They DO know they're going to Disney, and all three are saving, but to help them out as much as possible, I'm doing everything I can to find the cheapest prices.

We want to go in June of 2008, from a Saturday to a Sunday. We will get the 6 or 7 Day Park Hopper Passes, and there's where I'm stuck.

Here is who's going:

My family (5): Dad, Mom, 25 year old, 21 year old, 16 year old
Simon's (3): Dad, Mom, 25 year old
Baker's (3): Mom, 23 year old, 21 year old
McMahon's (2): Mom, 8 year old
Caliaro's (4): Dad, Mom, 5 year old, 3 year old

I looked into the suites at the All-Star Music, and we would need 3 suites. This cost would be around $2170 per suite, or $1302 per family. While this would fit everyone, it would be much cheaper to get individual rooms, ie. $986 per room times 4 rooms. (This way, only four families would have to pay for a room, and my cousin Missy and her little girl Britt wouldn't need to pay for a full room for just the two of them.) If we do this, everyone has a bed except little Carter, the 3 year old.

Can he be put in a crib?
Can a c0t be pulled in for him?
Though it wouldn't be honest, could we not count him and then the only bad thing would be he couldn't get in for extra magic hours in the morning? (He would need a bracelet or something, right? Or do they not give 3 year olds bracelets?) We would of course still get him a ticket to the parks. (His would just be purchased seperately.)
Any other suggestions, honest or otherwise?

We don't care about space - we fit all 17 people plus Grandma, Grandpa, & another aunt and uncle in my grandparents four bedroom house every Christmas for the past however many years. (And one shower. Ah, the memories...)

You guys are all great, and I appreciate all the help :~)

 

[Nemo14]

Have you considered staying off-site? You might save quite a bit by renting a villa.

 

[amykissangel]

We've talked about it, but those Extra Magic Hours are just so great - especially if we have little kids along. This way, when everyone goes home at 9 to take them to bed (AND we've had a slower day because of the little ones), the rest of us cousins can stay out til 1 or 2 at the parks :~)

Also, we're only going to rent one van which obviously won't hold everyone, and we've also had great luck with the Disney bus system. A little slow, but why complain!!? You're at Disney :~) Besides, trying to get everybody up at the same time to be ready to hop in the car and go will be a disaster. If we're on site, this way families can hop the bus whenever anyone's ready, and we can meet up.

Thanks though!!

 

[Nemo14]

We've talked about it, but those Extra Magic Hours are just so great - especially if we have little kids along. This way, when everyone goes home at 9 to take them to bed (AND we've had a slower day because of the little ones), the rest of us cousins can stay out til 1 or 2 at the parks :~)

Also, we're only going to rent one van which obviously won't hold everyone, and we've also had great luck with the Disney bus system. A little slow, but why complain!!? You're at Disney :~) Besides, trying to get everybody up at the same time to be ready to hop in the car and go will be a disaster. If we're on site, this way families can hop the bus whenever anyone's ready, and we can meet up.

Thanks though!!

NO problem - just a thought.
We travel with a group of 10 every February, and staying off-site works much better for us. We do other things besides WDW though, so that makes a difference.

 

[tigsmom]

May I suggest you contact Kingdom Konsultants (they are a sponser here), they have been know to work wonders. They are up on all of the latest deals and the ins & outs because they are big fans too.

Sounds like you guys are planning a great trip, good luck! :wave:

 

[RiversideBunny]

Have you looked into rooms at Port Orleans Riverside in the Alligator Bayou section, which can sleep 5 if one of the 5 is little?
Or the cabins at Fort Wilderness.
Good luck.
Have fun.

 

[Master Yoda]

I highly recommend booking with Kingdom Konsultants. If you are not booking with a package I would not buy your tickets in advance. Tell Pam, Marie or who ever you talk to at KK to book you with the an AP rate if it is available or to rebook you if one does become available. If it does then the member of you party whose name the rooms are under will get an AP instead of a MYW ticket. The AP will be more than the MYW ticket but the amount you save on the rooms will more than make up for it. (A safe estimate would be 20-25% off of your room) If an AP rate never comes up (which in June it is doubtful that one will be available) just buy your MYW tickets as you normally would.

Having an AP will also allow you to get a DDE card which will get you a 20% discount on nearly every table service restaurant on property as well as some of the counter service ones (in you case the food courts at all the value resorts) This is up to 10 people per card so you will also need to get a spouse/companion card as well to cover all 17 people. You will need to order the DDE card about 2 or 3 weeks before your trip.

 

[DisneyMarg]

Auuugh! I had typed in a long response but it got lost in cyberspace somewhere. I was also suggesting staying offsite. You could look at it this way... by asking every family to pay the price of onsite housing, your Extra Magic Hours are VERY expensive. You will be shocked at how much less offsite housing costs. One offsite I recommend is Quality Suites Maingate East in Kissimmee. We stayed there before - 4 families - and it was like $150/night for a 2 BR suite (w/ kitchen) that slept EIGHT! (It was quite a few years ago so I'm sure it's more now) Plus that included a continental breakfast daily. Here is the website and phone # in case you just want to check with them: http://www.qualitysuitesmaingate.com/ 800-268-6048 or 407-396-8040

Many offsite hotels do offer transportation, although I agree that it isn't always the fastest way to the parks.

Another consideration for this trip is to forego the Dining Plan. While I do love it, you can eat more cheaply and that will be important to some families. You could plan a just a few meals together at nice restaurants during the week, and the rest of the time people can do what their budget allows. If you are offsite, cheap food is more accessible. There are all the fast food places, plus, many offsite restaurants have great deals.

If you drive down and stay cheap and eat cheap, then your biggest expense is the tickets, and there is just no way around them as far as I can tell.

 

[serena]

Seconding the high cost of EMH by staying at Disney, some other incredible accomodation options....

Windsor Hills resort (1.5 miles / 5 mins from the maingate) http://www.windsorhillsrent.com/ where you could get a luxurious 6 bedroom home with it's own pool, whirlpool, gameroom, free long dist calls and house loaded with every ammenity for about $1500 FOR THE WHOLE WEEK!

The resort itself has lagoon pool with 2 story waterslide, cinema, clubhouse with pool tables, fitness room, etc., b-ball & tennis courts, etc. You can also get free rental car or 100 grocery or gas card in the deal.

Another similar place Windor Palms resort (3.5 miles / 10 mis from the maingate) http://www.windsor-palms-florida.net where the prices are a little lower (no waterslide though, but all the other above resort ammenities and backed up to a wooded nature preserve). You could get a couple of 4 bedroom homes each for $1000 PER WEEK with their own pools and etc. with all the ammenities.

At both places there are lots of listings to search through all the way from 2 bedroom condo through 6 bedroom home... individuals rent their condos and homes and take great care in caring for their guests.... I was amazed at all you can get for such little amount $ and so close to Disney!

Sounds like it's going to be a really fun family trip!

 

[coltow]

Just a little of topic, but I assume you are flying to Orlando. Did you think about flying mid week? We had planned on going last year from Sat to Sun. By changing our travel dates to Wed to Thurs we saved almost $100 per airline ticket.

I also agree that you may want to contact Kingdom Konsultants. I haven't used them but they get great recommendations from people here.

 

[amykissangel]

Thank you all SO much for the great suggestions...but does anyone know if a 3 year-old would need a bed, or could he go in a crib? If he buys a ticket for the parks, does that mean he's too old for the Infant/Crib thing? I will ask Kingdom Konsultants - thanks for suggesting it folks! How much do they cost? :wave:

 

[WTBAD]

KK will be able to give you great advise & help with booking everything. However, with so many adults going you should be able to get discounted rooms and save a lot over the suites. Especially staying at a value resort. Check out www.wdwig.com for planning tips and advantages of AP's & the DDE. The only problem I see with the dinning card, its only good for 10 guest & you can only have one card per table. But if you get a second card you can get around that by splitting your party.

 

[slappy magoo]

Not to get all personal, but by any chance, are the Caliaro's one of the three families that needs to keep costs down?

Here's why I ask...while it wouldn't be nearly as much fun as being all in the same resort, and it may involve some awkward commingling, if the Caliaro's are OK with the expense, they could stay at the PO-R while everyone else stays at the All-Star Suites, They could bring the McMahon's 8-year old with them (with their 3 year old sleeping on the trundle bed), Momma McMahon could bunk with you in one AS Suite, and the Simon's & Baker's can share a suite (off-topic, but Simon Baker? Highly underrated actor). Don't know how creepy the sharing may be, but if none of you feel it's a Springer episode waiting to happen, it would cover all bases, AND give you all a nicer resort (and nicer pool for the kids) to hang out at during the down time. Alternate, the Caliaro's and 8 year old McMahon could still go to PO-R, and the rest of the family split up 3 Value rooms as opposed to 2 AS suites, if that helps. Still keeps everything up to fire code safety.

 

[KZevchik]

I agree with you, there is something very magical about staying onsite, sometimes it is worth every penny scrunched to be able to. For value and larger groups your best bet is the Fort Wilderness. The cabins are very nice, accomodating and you can fit a lot of people in the cabin comfortable. We fit 6 adults and 2 children in the cabin with lots of room to spare, the greatest thing is that, even though you only have 1 bathroom, you have the shower houses located throughout the campground so that everyone can be ready in an hours time. You can get these cabins sometimes for about $160 a night.

The other option at the Fort Wilderness, since you are driving down, is rent an RV, you can do this at many locations in your area. They can be as cheap as $300 a week. This way you have your hotel already on wheels. Full hookup at the Campground is very cheap and if there are a couple of stragglers you have, pitch the tent outside!

The best way to save the most money is reserved for Florida Residents. I am certainly not telling you to do this, but you asked for all means. Let's say for instance that the leader of your group was a FL resident, they would be eligible for all the benefits. WDW gives great resort rates to residents and since FL is the only state that allows dual residency your leader does not have to give up residency in their home state. I don't know what you need for the DMV to get your FL ID, but I know it is easy. Now for residents to receive ticket discounts (3 day park hopper $119!) each person must be a resident, so this probably isn't feasible in your case of 17 people. But the resort just needs to be checked in by the resident him/herself. You just call the WDW reservation line and ask about their FL resident rates.

As far as the dining option, I have done it with it and without, but I was not able to figure if it was money saving. For when you have the dining option, you usually don't care about price anymore and eat the best and the most that you can, whereas if you don't you tend to be a little more concscience of what you are spending. If you have kids, keep your backpack filled with snacks, fruit boxes, and the such, that way you can avoid the unexpected "I'm Hungry!" followed by a $5 ice cream cone (times 17). Most of the time if you are entering the park with children and you have water bottles or juice they will not hassle you at the gate.

 

[Monty]

I will ask Kingdom Konsultants - thanks for suggesting it folks! How much do they cost? :wave:

KK is free! They make their money from commissions and the vacation cost you the same amount whether you book through Disney or KK, but KK take care of your needs before and after booking!

 

[amykissangel]

Here's why I ask...while it wouldn't be nearly as much fun as being all in the same resort, and it may involve some awkward commingling, if the Caliaro's are OK with the expense, they could stay at the PO-R while everyone else stays at the All-Star Suites, They could bring the McMahon's 8-year old with them (with their 3 year old sleeping on the trundle bed), Momma McMahon could bunk with you in one AS Suite, and the Simon's & Baker's can share a suite (off-topic, but Simon Baker? Highly underrated actor). Don't know how creepy the sharing may be, but if none of you feel it's a Springer episode waiting to happen, it would cover all bases, AND give you all a nicer resort (and nicer pool for the kids) to hang out at during the down time. Alternate, the Caliaro's and 8 year old McMahon could still go to PO-R, and the rest of the family split up 3 Value rooms as opposed to 2 AS suites, if that helps. Still keeps everything up to fire code safety.

Yep, the Caliaro's are one of them - and I kept thinking if they would split the room cost with Missy and Britt (McMahon's), then that'd be perfect! But still didn't know if Carter would be allowed in a PacknPlay or crib.

Those ARE some great ideas, but I think we want to stay together as a family; Missy (single Mom) would need to be at the same hotel as her little girl; they're so cute - they're like the Gilmore Girls ;~)

Simon Baker, huh? I'll have to look him up

I agree with you, there is something very magical about staying onsite, sometimes it is worth every penny scrunched to be able to. For value and larger groups your best bet is the Fort Wilderness. The cabins are very nice, accomodating and you can fit a lot of people in the cabin comfortable. We fit 6 adults and 2 children in the cabin with lots of room to spare, the greatest thing is that, even though you only have 1 bathroom, you have the shower houses located throughout the campground so that everyone can be ready in an hours time. You can get these cabins sometimes for about $160 a night.

Totally appreciate the suggestions, KCevchik, but we are SO not a camping bunch, hehe! My mother needs carpet and an indoor shower/toilet facility just to function ;~) The Florida Resident thing sounds interesting...but if you've never lived there, you can't just magically say, "Hey, I wanna be a resident," can you?

We are thinking of the Dining Plan for 2 main reasons:
With a group this big, it's much easier to all hand over your card and be done, without figuring out who owes what and tip, etc.

My Dad and My Uncle Frank would probably end up paying for everybody most of the time if we DIDN'T do it...not that they would especially mind, but 17 people = a LOT of $$, and this way, no one feels bad or gets taken advantage of.

The only reasons we DON'T want to do it is because we don't do a lot of counter service - mostly just sit downs, and I KNOW most say if you do this to DEFINITELY go with the Dining Plan, but to ask the whole family to pay that much up from is a little much, and they can save a little with what they do for food :~)

KK is free! They make their money from commissions and the vacation cost you the same amount whether you book through Disney or KK, but KK take care of your needs before and after booking!

Sweet! I'll have to go and ask for their expertise!:wave:

 

[KZevchik]

Totally appreciate the suggestions, KCevchik, but we are SO not a camping bunch, hehe! My mother needs carpet and an indoor shower/toilet facility just to function ;~) The Florida Resident thing sounds interesting...but if you've never lived there, you can't just magically say, "Hey, I wanna be a resident," can you?

As far as the Fort Wilderness Cabins being "camping" or even rustic, that isn't the case at all. Very nice cabins, basically a hotel room in it's own entity.

You can basically walk into a FL DMV and say "I am a resident here I need my FL ID now." I think they will just ask you for an address, but I am not sure if they need some sort of proof (utility bill?), you just have to make sure you tell them that you are a part time resident.

 

[LoriMistress]

Look for codes or book the trip on AAA.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Sweet! I'll have to go and ask for their expertise!:wave:[/QUOTE]

Send me your information and I will be happy to help you find the most economical way to make this trip happen. While the package pricing is not out yet for 2008, we can guesstimate at what the cost will be with this years pricing.

I have quite a few Grand Gatherings under my belt which is what your large group qualifies for.

My e-mail is pam@kingdomkonsultant.com

And yes we do not charge you a dime for our services. We look for any and all discounts that may be available to you and when they come out we try to get that discount applied to your reservation. We are very persistant and it does pay off 99% of the time.
We also offer itinerary services also free of charge which is like getting free concierge since we will help you by setting up your dining and putting it in an itinerary along with a lot of other informatio to help make your trip as stress free as possible.

Pam

 

[dvcnut39]

We want to go in June of 2008, from a Saturday to a Sunday. We will get the 6 or 7 Day Park Hopper Passes, and there's where I'm stuck.

Here's my two cents- when we go to WDW for an extended stay, we usually only hit the parks 4-5 days. We do park hop a couple of those days. We are able to hit all of the main attractions and a lot of the smaller ones. If you do it that way, you can save a lot on park tickets.

On our "free" days, we like to resort/pool hop (if permissible), walk the Boardwalk, and check out DTD.