$10,000 budget - plan me a trip!

[rmjkharrisfam]

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!

Yeah for Wisconsin!!

 

[Baloosgirl23]

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'm sending you a PM!!!!

 

[a1tinkfans]

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!!!!!

OH< LUCKY YOU!!
HAVE AN AMAZING TRIP!!!

 

[stingmom]

OP - have you called Disney and priced it w/ them? I believe 8 guests or more is considered a "Grand Gathering." Maybe they can fine tune this trip for you. Either way, have fun!!

 

[momxx5]

Definately call WDW Grand Gatherings. There are many perks that come with planning a trip for a group. Don't tell them your budget up front, but give them all the requirements you want.....

no smoking
view
3 rooms
meal plan on certain rooms

Also, decide if you want to be closer to Magic Kingdom or Epcot. That would help you decide which hotels you would be looking at.

Another tip, often corner rooms are King Size with connecting rooms. It may be nice for your parents to have the King room and your family have the connecting room. That way 1 or 2 of your kids could "sleep over" at Grandma's(most King size rooms have sleep sofas). Also with the connecting rooms it will give you more space and Grandparents could babysit, or your little ones could be tucked in and y'all visit in the larger room.
Having a family of 7(DH, me & 5 kids), we have stayed in the 2 bedroom villas. I don't really suggest y'all doing this. Three family units should each have their own rooms.

Good luck and happy planning.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

grand gathering doesn't include kids i think

 

[SandrA9810]

no, they're two short for a grand gathering. It has to be ten people. And they only offer significant room discounts if there's ten rooms or more. But with current promos, the deal is just as good.

I think you will get a lot of opinions, but i think you need to chime in with what things peak your interest. Like going deluxe or staying value.
As a once in a life time trip with the whole family, i'd sugggest going to moderate at least. Villas would give you even greater options. And well i thinkl your parents might enjoy a more relaxed place like a deluxe, where you can find relaxing spots around the resort. 8 days is a lot for any one.
personallly i love wilderness lodge, i love all the fire places and comfy chairs and couches. You can probably find me on the fourth floor couch in front the fireplace... It's my favorite place to be.
Yatch and beach club have those wonderful bench swings out on the beach, as well as several relaxing spots inside. With a large group, either an epcot resort or MK resort might suit you best for coming and going and meeting back up with each other.


What about the swan and dolphin hotel, it's like deluxe only a bit cheaper and you still get most the perks of being a resort guest, but you do loose out on the dining plan.

Beach club villa personally sounds like the best choice. And don't forget in a few years you're gonna have to move up in lodging because of family size. Of course if you get a taste of it now, you might not want to go back.

 

[ajh88]

Just wanted to chime in on the Grand Gathering thing:

A GG is 8 or more paying guests - kids count unless they are under 3 (in which case you aren't paying for them).

There are 3 or 4 activities you can do - all of them cost extra in some form (money or dining credits), but they may be worth looking into.

Here is a link to a very short spiel:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Grandgathering.htm

 

[NYPDwife]

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

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I say get the dining anyway. It's a great deal!!