AAU Volleyball Nationals!

[KimP5]

Just found out our DD#2 will be playing at the AAU Volleyball Nationals this year in June. We've gone several times as a family, but not since I was a kid have we gone with a group. I need planning advice! Tournament is Sunday through Wednesday, and we're tentatively thinking starting on Thursday doing a 1 day two park Universal ticket (we skipped HP last time and have never been - promised next time would do HP). And then two days at Disney - probably an Epcot day and a MK day. I'm freaking out due to the six month window is closing in, but I know nothing about what the group might be planning to do together. Who's traveled like this & how did you do it? Also, I was thinking of some dining ressies at DTD (or did the name change??) during that week... how soon can I do this if I don't have a room or tix yet?

Thanks!!!

 

[minnie mum]

You don't need a room or tickets to make ADRs. But you can only do them one day at a time starting 180 days out unless you have an onsite room reservation. ( of course you will have to have a valid ticket to enter any park if your ADR is at a park restaurant).

DTD is now called Disney Springs.

 

[disneyorvegas]

I've never been with a group like that, but I would make whatever ressies that you wouldn't want to miss if things fall through. You can always cancel later. Most people aren't uber planners like us Disney folk (lol), and newbies who are going as part of a group might not understand the necessity of planning so early.

 

[dozeman]

We went to AAU basketball nationals with our daughter and her team. Fantastic trip!! The opening ceremony was on the wide world of sports baseball field with many characters and bands. Disney sold reduced rate park hoppers at the registration venue. We didn't do the parks until the competition was over. Girls played eight games in five days. The weather was brutal in July, some of the girls with breathing problems had trouble adjusting from hot humid air to air conditioned gyms. We went to five national AAU tourneys and WDW was the best by far.

 

[KimP5]

You've covered my biggest concerns - that nobody we go with will be a planner! I can't stand the idea of waiting on someone else to come up with plans for the group. Lol! I hope we can get the discount tickets - that would be excellent!

 

[Drusilla99]

We did the volleyball tournament last June. My daughter had to stay with her team for the length of the tourney, Monday-Friday afternoon, so my youngest & I did the parks when we weren't watching volleyball. Final night, the team & parents had dinner together at universal Citywalk. Next day, I took both my girls & we did all 4 parks in one day so she didn't miss out on anything. There was too many people to try to plan for the whole group. Team moms were in charge of all the players meals. Check with the coach and see if they have any panning preferences.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Having been on a club team for several years, don't look at this is your trip. This is very much about your daughter's volleyball tournament, which just happens to be at Disney World. Her team will likely make their own plans that they will probably expect parents to schedule around, and your daughter might want to spend time with her team in the parks. Don't try and plan anything, really. Wait until there are plans finalized with the coaches and then go, have a stress-free trip and don't worry about scheduling anything.

 

[KimP5]

Well, sure. Except it is also going to be the family vacation for four other people... We were thinking of doing the parks after the tournament is finished, but the thing is I don't want to purchase tickets and make ADRs and room reservations until I know what the team might be doing as a group. And the parent reps are terrible planners! I've known them for a while and they've been our reps on prior teams - they don't usually even plan a meal together or try to get a block of rooms at the same hotel. I have some concerns. I'm very worried that they will not make any plans at all until it is way too late. Anyone know what the AAU does to facilitate this type of thing? I've seen a closed day at the water park for tournament attendees and someone mentioned possible discount tickets... I couldn't find anything on the AAU Volleyball website that was too specific.

 

[WiscMomof2]

We did AAU volleyball nationals for 6 years. My guess is the team will be pretty low key during the tournament itself. When not playing or watching other teams from our club play, our girls could sometimes swim for maybe an hour and then have team bonding time (dinners, etc). Like a PP said, it's all business and about the tournament. Our family usually stayed after and went to Disney. As you get closer, AAU should post links for event theme park discounts.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

We did AAU volleyball nationals for 6 years. My guess is the team will be pretty low key during the tournament itself. When not playing or watching other teams from our club play, our girls could sometimes swim for maybe an hour and then have team bonding time (dinners, etc). Like a PP said, it's all business and about the tournament. Our family usually stayed after and went to Disney. As you get closer, AAU should post links for event theme park discounts.

I would definitely recommend staying after the tournament and doing your trip then.