$10,000 budget - plan me a trip!

[micheleq]

Just to add to what others have said, I would def. get three rooms. Last December myself, DH, DD4, DD2, my parents and my brother (single guy) all stayed together in a 2 BR at SSR.

We loved the villa, but my brother slept on the pull out sofa (smaller than you'd think) and he had no privacy. It was fine for us, but if we had another adult and another child, it would have been way too close for comfort.

Maybe if you had the 45% off code for the villas, you could get a 2BR for your family and your parents, and a studio for your brother and his wife?

Happy planning!

 

[ajh88]

Actually it sounds like they want to stay Deluxe...which may change the budget slightly. I have NO idea what has gotten into them......

As for dining plan - I love the dining plan and definetly want it because my kids LOVE character meals. It won't be worth it to my parents as they will eat smaller meals. I think my brother will go for it though.

Ooh, deluxe - I'll add a 4th option then!

Option 4:
Animal Kingdom Lodge (standard view)
8 day park hoppers
1 room - 2A + No DDP = $2062.38
1 room - 2A + Regular DDP = $2650.24
1 room - 2A/3C + Regular DDP = $3365.68
TOTAL = $8078.30 - still under budget. Maybe figure $500 for food for your mom and dad and you're still at around $8600, plus airfare and you should be about on budget.

I love planning in case you couldn't tell.

 

[rmjkharrisfam]

Ooh, deluxe - I'll add a 4th option then!

Option 4:
Animal Kingdom Lodge (standard view)
8 day park hoppers
1 room - 2A + No DDP = $2062.38
1 room - 2A + Regular DDP = $2650.24
1 room - 2A/3C + Regular DDP = $3365.68
TOTAL = $8078.30 - still under budget. Maybe figure $500 for food for your mom and dad and you're still at around $8600, plus airfare and you should be about on budget.

I love planning in case you couldn't tell.

What about the Poly? I've always wanted to stay there. Too much? You're sooooo good at this!

 

[Evi]

that's so sweet of your parents. But since your not paying and you want people to share rooms why don't you share your room with your brother and let your parents who are paying for the vacation enjoy some privacy.
To be honest you may want to really think of how to plan a vacation that is enjoyable for all and you. You would be surprised it probably won't cost 10k. You can probably have a fab vacation on dining plan in a disney deluxe resort with everything you want for less. But then again i mean you could always put mom pop and your brother up in the pop and get a deluxe suite for you and your kids and eat at victoria and alberts every night I mean that's what it sounds like you want to do.

Wow I wish people would read what they type and think about it a little first.

 

[ajh88]

Why thank you - flattery will get you everywhere.

So, Polynesian eh? OK, here goes (take a deep breath here):

Option 5:
Polynesian, Garden View
8 day park hoppers
1 room - 2A - no DDP = $2653.00
1 room - 2A + Regular DDP = $2240.90
1 room - 2A/3C + Regular DDP = $3956.34
TOTAL = $8850.24!! Hooray, under budget! Except that there is no food for your parents (and they may not need an entire $500 budgeted - I suppose it depends on where you'll eat). I did a very quick check on airfare for 8 tickets (assuming 1 year old is on a lap), it looked to be about $1500 for all. That puts you slightly over the $10K, but not too bad.

Option 6:
Wilderness Lodge, Woods view
8 day park hoppers
1 room - 2A - no DDP = $2180.54
1 room - 2A + Regular DDP = $2768.40
1 room - 2A/3C + Regular DDP = $3483.84
TOTAL = $8432.78 - only a little more than AKL and closer to MK.

We may be splurging on our trip too - right now I have Magic Kingdom view rooms at the Grand Floridian booked. My DD is so excited she can hardly contain herself. The Poly is where I really want to stay, but I have a trip planned for 2011 there. Barring the Poly, Wilderness Lodge is the other deluxe I'd really like to try. (GF has never been my "style", but we've visited there the last couple of trips and DD is in love with the place!).

 

[ajh88]

that's so sweet of your parents. But since your not paying and you want people to share rooms why don't you share your room with your brother and let your parents who are paying for the vacation enjoy some privacy.

I don't believe the OP ever said she wanted to share rooms - in fact, I think that's the exact opposite of what she said. Maybe I missed something...

I've done this before with my parents. They says here's X money - plan us a trip. We've never failed to have a good time, whether we were at All-Star Sports, Caribbean Beach, or (next time) Grand Floridian.

ETA: I do see in the very first post where she said "maybe we could get my parents and brother to share" - but subsequently agreed that it wouldn't be a good idea. It would be "easier" for 4 adults to share one room than 4 adults and 3 children, so perhaps that's why they got lumped together. Regardless, a more recent post indicates that after more thought, 3 rooms is better than 2.

 

[cmrules]

I would price it out with Small World Vacations and Dreams Unlimited. A 2 bedroom is not enough for everyone, I agree on that. I would try a 2 bedroom for you and your brother and a studio for your parents.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Also if you book 3 different rooms under 3 different ressies you will get 3 giftcards!!!!

 

[Evi]

I've been given $10,000 to plan a week at WDW. I'm not kidding! HELP!!!!!

I posted last week to get opinions on which trip was a better deal. That trip was going to me our immediate family. Since then, my parents decided that they would like to take our entire family and PAY FOR IT!

So - here's what I've now got to plan and I need YOUR help!!!

Requirements:
- Onsite - Probably 3 rooms although we may be able to get my parents and my brother to share
- 9 people:
Me, my DH, our kids (DS7, DD5, DD1)
My brother and his wife
My mom and dad
- Park hopper tickets
- Meal plan for me, DH & kids for sure - it's not worth it for my parents - they just share meals anyway

Dates: April 13th - 20th, 2010

Budget: $10,000 - that has to include airfare from Wi (currently running about $200/person)

Ok.....GO....PLAN ME A TRIP!!!!!

Perhaps I read it wrong it just sounds so inconsiderate to me.....not trying to argue anyone's point just surprised me to see it to start with. I'm glad that after rethinking it would be better for more rooms. It just surprises me that one would have to rethink such things when its not your expense and how someone can plan a vacation with someone else s funds and not think of there comfort and enjoyment of that vacation.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

If the children enjoy character meals and your parents want to go with them, they will each have to pay full price since all of the character meals are either buffet or all you care to eat family style and they can't share a meal. If you are doing DDP, I would plan on it for everyone in your group. They can still split a sit down meal if that is permitted where you are eating and only use one credit between them (and have credits left for some 2 TS things or more sit down meals).

 

[ajh88]

I guess I just read it differently - I assume the OP knows what makes her parents happy. My in-laws often share meals - the dining plan would NOT be a good value for them because neither one of them would eat an entire meal. They would be better off paying OOP for whatever they ate. That was the assumption I made when I saw that part.

As for the rooms - when we go as a party of 8 - my parents, me and DH, my DD and step-son, plus my niece and nephew - my parents will have to share with a couple of the kids. Are they paying? Yes. Do they "deserve" to have a wonderful vacation? Yes. But logistically, they have to share on this trip. It means the difference between Grand Floridian and All-Stars for us - to my parents, it is a sacrifice they *want* to make. Will we keep the kids one evening so they can have some privacy? Of course, if that is what they want. I suppose that having calm and privacy is of utmost importance to some and a vacation just isn't a vacation without it - I totally understand. For me, it is not as high up on the list of things I need to make me happy on vacation, so perhaps that is why it didn't strike such a chord.

Regardless, I hope the OP and her family have a wonderful trip!

 

[rmjkharrisfam]

Why thank you - flattery will get you everywhere.

So, Polynesian eh? OK, here goes (take a deep breath here):

Option 5:
Polynesian, Garden View
8 day park hoppers
1 room - 2A - no DDP = $2653.00
1 room - 2A + Regular DDP = $2240.90
1 room - 2A/3C + Regular DDP = $3956.34
TOTAL = $8850.24!! Hooray, under budget! Except that there is no food for your parents (and they may not need an entire $500 budgeted - I suppose it depends on where you'll eat). I did a very quick check on airfare for 8 tickets (assuming 1 year old is on a lap), it looked to be about $1500 for all. That puts you slightly over the $10K, but not too bad.

Option 6:
Wilderness Lodge, Woods view
8 day park hoppers
1 room - 2A - no DDP = $2180.54
1 room - 2A + Regular DDP = $2768.40
1 room - 2A/3C + Regular DDP = $3483.84
TOTAL = $8432.78 - only a little more than AKL and closer to MK.

We may be splurging on our trip too - right now I have Magic Kingdom view rooms at the Grand Floridian booked. My DD is so excited she can hardly contain herself. The Poly is where I really want to stay, but I have a trip planned for 2011 there. Barring the Poly, Wilderness Lodge is the other deluxe I'd really like to try. (GF has never been my "style", but we've visited there the last couple of trips and DD is in love with the place!).

Thanks! I've never stayed deluxe so the possiblities are endless to me.

 

[rmjkharrisfam]

I guess I just read it differently - I assume the OP knows what makes her parents happy. My in-laws often share meals - the dining plan would NOT be a good value for them because neither one of them would eat an entire meal. They would be better off paying OOP for whatever they ate. That was the assumption I made when I saw that part.

That's correct. I'm not trying to spend more money on my family and stick my brother in parents in a value. The whole point is to spend time together. I'd be fine staying at Pop - which is where we normally stay - going deluxe was my parents idea since we've never done it. As for the dining plan - it totally wouldn't make sense for them and they agree. Both like to share meals it would be a waste of money.

 

[bunny]

I haven't priced it out but if I were going with a group that size I would get a 2 bedroom villa plus a studio in one of the DVC resorts. The 2 bedroom villa would give your family a living room to hang out in together when you are not in the parks. OKW has the largest villas. Also your parents could make food in the kitchen if they wanted to. Put your parents' names on the studio reservation but in actuality have your brother and his wife sleep there. Then you could share the 2 bedroom villa with them. Do the dining plan for the 2 bedroom and no dining plan for the studio.

You may even be able to rent points to do this trip. If so your cost would be significantly less the renting directly from Disney.

 

[DISdreamin']

I would definitely use a travel agent for a trip like that - there is just too much to arrange for me to want to tackle something like that on my own. Also, if something goes wrong you won't be the one responsible for straightening it out. JMHO, of course!

 

[Misty89]

Oh! this will be fun.........I am a fellow Wisconsite, and i am not planning any trips for my family
but i will sure have fun planning for you!

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

no one is factoring in airfare! Id definetley go to Dreams Unlimited or TheMagicForLessTravel(I always use Marie there) they can factor in airfare etc

 

[livie1205]

that's so sweet of your parents. But since your not paying and you want people to share rooms why don't you share your room with your brother and let your parents who are paying for the vacation enjoy some privacy.
To be honest you may want to really think of how to plan a vacation that is enjoyable for all and you. You would be surprised it probably won't cost 10k. You can probably have a fab vacation on dining plan in a disney deluxe resort with everything you want for less. But then again i mean you could always put mom pop and your brother up in the pop and get a deluxe suite for you and your kids and eat at victoria and alberts every night I mean that's what it sounds like you want to do.

Wow I wish people would read what they type and think about it a little first.

THAT was really rude and it did not come off as her being greedy! She even came back and said she DID think everyone should have their own room... if you did not have a idea about what she asked why answer at all?

 

[SandrA9810]

i've only read the first page, but i have some ideas.

get a studio or 1 bed villa for your family, and get a 2 bedroom villa for your parents and brother. Since it's all adults in that room, you don't have to worry about cranky kids, and they'll still have privacy and a bathroom as if they had their own room, just slightly cheaper. you'll also get a full kitchen, so you can all have breakfast together.
Maybe get the regular dining plan for your family, and the quick service for the rest, that way your parents can still share meals. And any extra credits your b/s can use if they have a bigger appitite. In the mornings, i like to go get food from the food court and bring it to the room, then leave from the room, because i always wind up going back to the room for one thing or another.


You'll wind up with two 750$ gift cards and you can use that towards a family meal together. And any other special things you'd like to do.

You could also get just MYW base tickets, and use the gift card for upgrading. That'll cut down on your initial cost.

Once i can play around on the disney site i'll post some quotes. But disney is really good at making plans. Well unless you come across some one that doesn't know a whole lot. I hate being smarter than the DRC person.

And i totally agree, don't make all your plans together. You'll wind up frustrated at each other. Plan morning breakfast get togethers, maybe a couple dinners. And if you plan on being in the same park, maybe a couple shows like lion king, nemo, fantasmic, light motor action. Those that have a set schedule. Give yourself break and let the relatives take the older kids for an hour. It's always fun to see disney through the eyes of a kid.

 

[quentina]

I've been given $10,000 to plan a week at WDW. I'm not kidding! HELP!!!!!

I posted last week to get opinions on which trip was a better deal. That trip was going to me our immediate family. Since then, my parents decided that they would like to take our entire family and PAY FOR IT!

So - here's what I've now got to plan and I need YOUR help!!!

Requirements:
- Onsite - Probably 3 rooms although we may be able to get my parents and my brother to share
- 9 people:
Me, my DH, our kids (DS7, DD5, DD1)
My brother and his wife
My mom and dad
- Park hopper tickets
- Meal plan for me, DH & kids for sure - it's not worth it for my parents - they just share meals anyway

Dates: April 13th - 20th, 2010

Budget: $10,000 - that has to include airfare from Wi (currently running about $200/person)

Ok.....GO....PLAN ME A TRIP!!!!!

I planned for a family of 7. I did a 2 bedroom at BWV, park hopper and dining...this wa around $7500. Got Southwest airfare for them. I think it was around $8700 total. Good luck.....I had a blast doing it.