50th Wedding Anniv planning Help!

[wdisneelvr]

I have been planning my own disney trips for a long time now...booking everything seperately, doing the code thing etc etc. Since I have done this for other family members as well, I have been asked by my parents-in-law to book their 50th wedding anniversary for next April 2003. That's fairly easy too do...but the whole family wants me to handle everything. There are six family members, all with spouses and children included.

Anyone have any great ideas/suggestions on how to book all their rooms. They do want to stay at the same resort. Do they all have to book seperately? How many rooms can you book at one time under one name?

How do I make this as uncomplicated as possible?

Anyone ever do something like this before?

*thanks*

 

[Terk-1]

Congrats to your in-laws 50th!!! If this was me, I would probably do the following. Write down each family and the number of adults & children. Depending on the size of each family will be a big factor in determining what type or how many rooms they will need. Since I am not sure financially what can be afforded by each family, I would pick a resort or 2 from each of the catergories (value, moderate, deluxe & home away from home). Once you have a total count per room, do a comparison between piece meal and packages. Pick up some brochures and jot down next to each person the cost per person and what is included. Then compare it against doing it piece meal. I would then either have everyone get together to discuss what you came up with or if they are a distance away, send them a copy of a brochure and your estimates for their family. Also, have them give you their preferences of resorts. This way you'll know what people can afford and where they really want to stay. Also, ask them for a credit card to reserve this for them. This way each family pays for their own and can make payments on it as they see fit. Each reservation will be under their name and will make it easy upon check-in. Drop me an e-mail if you would like some more help.

 

[kidzmom3]

My own family were going to do something similar and I found out that you can get a group discount if you book 8 rooms or more.

 

[wdwphanatic]

... renting points from a DVC owner and staying at BWV, BCV, WLV or OKW? My family and I all met at WDW last Feb. and were able to stay together at BWV in a block of rooms of varying sizes. I think this might be a lower cost alternative than hotel rooms for a variety of reasons. First of all, you could group two families together in a 2-bedroom unit that would afford both a living room and full kitchen so they didn't have to eat at the parks all the time. It also makes for a more family-type atmosphere to be able to have that extra space. Also, I think if you get a good per point price from a DVC owner it might be a bit less expensive and more luxurious than staying in a value or moderate resort.

Just a thought... Let me know if you have any questions!

--Sarah

 

[wdisneelvr]

I have to tell you...my PIL are so cute. They have been saving all their spare change in jars for this trip for five years. My DH and I were married at WDW in 97' and they were there (their first time ever) and fell in love with WDW. They said that if they made it to their 50th they wanted to celebrate it at WDW.

Sooooooooo, I'm hoping to be able to help make their anniversary *extra special* and that it will be *magical* as well.

What I do know is they stayed at PO-FQ last time and fell in love with it because of it's size. My FIL will need a ECV this time around...so a small resort is what they want. The rest of the family pretty much does it's own thing when they get there, so seperate rooms for everyone is great.

What I need to know is can I get book all their rooms using their own credit cards for the deposits?

Alot of the families will be coming and going from the airport or driving in...so will have different dates.

What kind of discounts can you get for booking "group rates" ?

Thanks everyone, keep the ideas coming...they're great!!!!

 

[wdisneelvr]

Any other suggestions?

 

[disneychic]

I agree with WDWphanatic, you may just want to check into renting DVC points. As a DVC member I can tell you that with the number of people you have coming/going you can get different room sizes for different families, and I'll bet you anything that your PIL would just love a one bedroom at one of the DVC properties. I can tell you from experience that the 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom's are BEAUTIFUL at all of the DVC resorts. If MK is your favorite try the Wilderness Lodge Villas. If Epcot is your PIL's thing than either try the Boardwalk Villas or the new Beach Club Villa's will be open. Plus, remember with all the families/children you get a full size washer/dryer in the DVC units, plus a wonderful kitchen - fully stocked with silverware, dishware, pots/pans a dishwasher etc.

Check into it, it can't hurt.

 

[wdisneelvr]

Thanks bunches everyone, ya'll are so wonderful!!!!

 

[PamOKW]

I agree that everyone needs to sit down and discuss what the budget will be and how the costs will be covered. Set some groundrules and then you can begin to plan. For instance, you say everyone wants to be in the same resort....decide which resort is affordable for everyone. It sounds like a moderate might be the way to go although I would give the Home Away from Home resorts consideration. You might want to have the parents stay in a one-bedroom and everyone else can get their own studio. I'd also discuss how park tickets and meals will be paid for, how much time together, any special meals or dinner shows you'd like to attend as a group, would you want to plan a special reception, etc., etc.

WDW does this type of thing all the time. Once you know the type of accomodations, I'd contact Disney and see what group discount might be available.

While I would consider the villas I would caution against doing it by renting points. With such a large group and the potential for people dropping out due to sickness, work, etc., etc. I think it would be risky dealing with rentals. For this big a group, you'd probably have to deal with several people who you will rent from. This is not dealing with Disney but with these individuals. The ability to cancel or to pay with a credit card is not the same as dealing with Disney. It is more like renting a cabin/summer home. Once you commit, you really need to stick with that commitment. That may be hard to do with a large group.

Found this article that might be of some help as well.
WDW Family Reunion