trip to wdw

[dreamteacher]

we are planing on taking our family to WDW in four years which consist of 18 people. what resort and how much do you think we will need? we will be going in June or July. for between 5 -7 days, and 4 different familes going will stay in the same place but different rooms.

 

[AkiraRaptor]

You question needs some more specifics to answer properly, but let's take a look at it.

First, the prices will be higher most likely in four years than they are today. So at the end of all the calculation, at add for the inflation cost of rooms and tickets.

But your first dicision is what type of resort; value, moderate, deluxe, or villa. As the names suggest, the costs are appropriate for the type.

So, is this one big 18 person party, or several parties paying seperately? How many rooms do you need, or do you want one of the multi-room villas?

Those questions can help you decide to do a regular room or do the villa, which cost more, but with a larger group will be more ecconomical.

For example, OKW 3-bedroom that fits 12 people cost about $1070 (2005 prices) a day during value season, and an All Star, 4 people cost about $77 for 4 people. So $231 a day for 3 rooms is a heck of lot cheaper. You can get connecting rooms on two of them, so you can try to keep everyone together.

It all comes down to the experiance you want.

So answer a few of these questions and you can get a more precice answer:

What time of the year are you going?
What kind of budget are you looking at?
How many days?
What will be ages of the people going?
How can the group be broken up, or do you want to stay together (villa versus multi-rooms)?
Does everyone want to stay at the same place?

I'd also talk to Pam from Kingdom Konsultants, she moderates this section of the board, and I'm sure she'll be more than happy to help you out.

Have fun!

 

[The Mom]

I'll advise with the information given.

If you have a choice between June or July, choose June...the earlier, the better. The heat/humidity peaks in July and August. This doesn't mean that it'll be cool in June; just slightly better. Avoid 4th of July, unless you love crowds, and/or have been many times, and don't expect to see everything. (or anything!)

As raptor said, 4 years is pretty far out to be making reservations, but not too early to be thinking (and saving) for your trip.

It sounds as if you want to stay on site. As mentioned, the family ages and composition will make a difference. There are no standard rooms anywhere on site that will sleep more than 5, unless one child is still in a crib. Also, it's possible to get adjoining rooms, but not guaranteed. It's first come, first served. I've gotten them, but was prepared to split up, also.

So the question remains as to how many rooms you'll need, and how will you divide the 18 people to fit into them. Is there some way that one or two of the 7 can go in with someone else? When my daughter's bf came to WDW with us, I put him in a room with my son, and my daughter in with us. Don't forget that guests over 17 count as an extra adult, and how many people do you REALLY want sharing one bathroom?

I usually spend about $1,000 every time I go to WDW...for a weekend. That's for room (around $500 at a deluxe...it varies upon time of year, special rates, level of service) I have my AP, but figure it costs me about $30/day/visit x 3 people = $90 Meals and "refreshments" average $150/day...but we eat at least one sitdown meal at a high end restaurant/day, and have wine, etc with the meal. The rest goes for misc. items.

I'm not the MOST extravagant guest, it can easily be done for much less, but I can't imagine staying on site for less than $200/day for a family of 4 (including admission but excluding travel cost), and it would require lots of planning and scrimping.

 

[hbrady77]

One of the questions to ask yourself is how much of a "family" trip is this going to be? If you are talking about 4 families with children (no matter how close you are) you will have some differences in "who wants to do what and when". You may find the "majority" vote for Animal Kingdom on Tuesday with lunch at Rain Forest makes most people happy but some may want to do something else. I planned a trip last year and found out that 10 other family members would be going at the same time. We planed ONE evening together (dinner) and we kept in touch here and there but not having to worry about meeting at a "certain time and a certain place" made the trip MUCH more enjoyable. I would suggest (and this is just what I would do) stay far enough apart so each family can get some down time on their own (if you have young children). The same resort would be cool with me but I would prefer being spread out a bit.

With a group that big you may find 5 days is not enough (due to all the "get together" planning). I would go with the 6 day ultimate park hopper and plan on spending 7-8 nights.

I've been 7 times but I have only stayed at the Royal Plaza and the Contemporary. I would definitely suggest staying on site with a group that big IF you are only planning to do Disney. 10 years ago my wife and I rented a condo in Kissimmee and it was great (because we did other things aside from Disney). MUCH less expensive that way!

Just my opinions

 

[Loretta]

One thing you can do now to save some money is to start buying your 7 day passes. You can count on them being more expensive in 4 years. Passes never expire so now would be a good time to buy them.

 

[Scooter]

Based on your information, and the current rate of price increases, if you stay at a Moderate resort for 7 nights, air fare and meals included, your trip will cost you about $30,000.

Ya better start saving your pennies.

 

[DisneyWood]

Upcoming trip in 4 years

I had a friend that recently visited WDW (April 2004). His family actually rented a house off the property w/a screened in pool for $1,000 for the week. The house had 3 bedrooms and 2 bath.

I myself wouldn't ever recommend staying off the property but this didn't sound too bad, especially if you plan on going to other parks. I have always stayed on the property and loved it. The transportation, theming, etc. is so nice on Disney property. We started saving about 1 year ago for our trip and have most of it prepaid. :sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:

I think that if you make your reservations a year in advance, get the total rate and start prepaying, it makes it a lot easier. Just my thoughts.

Time is obviously on your side.

 

[dreamteacher]

Thank you for helping me out!

 

[Thorphin]

Four years is a long time - who knows how much accomodations will change during that time, and remember that you can't book your vacation until a year before your arrival date.

I don't want to add a lot to what has already been said, but I thought I would remind you of an often overlooked option: The Fort Wilderness Cabins. They actually sleep 6 each for $229 a night at current rates. That starts to look really attractive when you are looking at a $30,000 bill as one alternative... I've not stayed in the cabins for about 20 years, but I remember the atmosphere being very nice, and they have renovated these building many times since then (actually, they very well may be completely different buildings). Since it is Fort Wildnerness, things are toned back a bit, but it's still a Disney resort with daily housekeeping and other standard perks.

Take a look....
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...ldernessCampgroundResortGuestRoomsListingPage

Oh, and good luck dealing with the anxiety of having to wait soooo long before you can get there!