Advice for family

[gracelrm]

We have an extended family trip planned this summer, with about 30 of DH's family. We're staying at BCV using all our points for 3 years!!!!! We did this in 2004 with about 20, but the families have grown. DH & I have APs and go to Disney once or twice a year. Most of DH's family haven't been since 2004 and several have never been at all. We are trying to "guide" them without planning their trip for them. The last time we went as a family - we all had park hoppers - as times were good and not as many going. This time, money is tighter for everyone and DH and I are disagreeing on what tickets to suggest for them. He thinks park-hoppers for everyone, but I kind of feel like if you don't go that often - hopping is not that big of a deal. For first timers and people who don't go that often - don't you think just doing one park in a days time is good? We have 6 villas at BCV and everyone can still come back to the room to rest/swim in the middle of the day - but I think if they want to return to a park in the late afternoon or evening - that going back to the same park won't be that big of a deal. What do you guys think?

 

[spiceycat]

give them the prices w/parkhopper & w/0

would let your guests choose - on what they can afford.

just make sure they understand the park they first visit is the one they are stuck at - no matter how crowded. w/o park hoppers.

(took some teens once they did not understand this)


they only go visit another park -if they have the park hoppers.

 

[Chellymouse]

We're having the same discussion with our family right now also. DH and I had PAP and while we don't have as many people going, the rest of the family are first timers and our niece and nephew will be 7 and 5. My BIL thinks park hoppers are a good idea and my SIL think they are a waste of $$. DH and I are firm believers in park hopping. My suggestion is to give them the basic information and let them do their homework. If anything, they can always purchase the base tickets and upgrade if they decide they want the hoppers.

 

[eliza61]

He thinks park-hoppers for everyone, but I kind of feel like if you don't go that often - hopping is not that big of a deal. For first timers and people who don't go that often - don't you think just doing one park in a days time is good? We have 6 villas at BCV and everyone can still come back to the room to rest/swim in the middle of the day - but I think if they want to return to a park in the late afternoon or evening - that going back to the same park won't be that big of a deal. What do you guys think?

We always hop, from the first trip to now. What time of year are you going? During the summer and fall, parks are open until 10, 11 or some times midnight, that leaves us ample time to go to another park.

You are also staying at the BCV's. That is within spitting distance (as my grandmother would say) of Epcot. Park hoppers will allow you to spend the entire day at one park and have all the dining options of Epcots world show case.

Lastly, I love the fact that if one park is unexpectedly crowded for whatever reason we can leave and go some where else.
I have teens (boys) even with us returning to the room to swim and chill out, they are ready for another park.

I'll cut back on treats and meals before I let go of my hoppers.

 

[CarolMN]

I agree with spicey - give them the options and let them decide for themselves.

 

[alanapapa]

One of the Supervisors in another department where I work came by to ask my opinion on this as he was taking his DD15 for the first time (he had not been since early 90's). After telling him he should have asked much earlier, he was leaving in a week and had nothing planned except room ressies, I told him to look at the options. He said he was thinking of commando park stay and not going to more than one a day. He came back saying that he had a great time and had purchased the Park Hopper Plus and one day had breakfast at MK and then went to one of the Water Parks for 5 or 6 hours, and later went to Epcot. He had not realized that with Park Hopping it is AND rather than either/or.

 

[Inkmahm]

If you're having any meals as a big group and they are in a park restaurant, you'd have to make sure that all family members went to that park on the same day if they don't have Park Hoppers. When I planned the family trip for DH's side of the family in 2007, I was careful to pick restaurants at the resorts for our family dinners instead of in the parks. Good thing I did because one brother and SIL didn't buy park tickets at all. They spent their 3 days essentially going to see movies at DTD and sitting at a restaurant on the Boardwalk doing people watching.

 

[gracelrm]

I have given them prices and explained the differences in the tickets - but they still ask us what to do. I'm a penny pincher (most of the time) and just don't know if it's worth the extra money for people who would probably be fine just doing one park a day. We really like to park hop so it is worth it for us (when we need that type of ticket). Last time we went - they bought 7 day tickets because we were going to be there 7 days - several of the families got tired of going to the parks and didn't even use all their days. That was in the days of length of stay passes - so it's not like they could be used at a later time. I felt terribly guilty for the money they wasted - thinking I could have advised them better.

We have made reservations for the entire group for two meals. We did schedule those in resorts instead of parks for the very reason that Inkmahm mentioned. We think that a few of those going won't even purchase park tickets and will just hang out around the pool/resort.

I think it is just my own personality flaw - I want everyone to be happy and for no-one to be aggravated about making a bad choice. I think I need therapy! (or no more family trips!!!!!)

 

[LIFERBABE]

If you're having any meals as a big group and they are in a park restaurant, you'd have to make sure that all family members went to that park on the same day if they don't have Park Hoppers. When I planned the family trip for DH's side of the family in 2007, I was careful to pick restaurants at the resorts for our family dinners instead of in the parks. Good thing I did because one brother and SIL didn't buy park tickets at all. They spent their 3 days essentially going to see movies at DTD and sitting at a restaurant on the Boardwalk doing people watching.

Agree! When we hosted out family reunion, many without children chose not to go to the parks at all! The heat was a factor and 2, they loved the resort so much they just relaxed and took it all in. I didnt plan any meals inside the parks and was glad I did not. We would have never made it and i would have lost my deposit (required for large groups) for sure!

Only the teens in our group would have benefitted from hopping and none of them chose to go the park every day. Anyone over 30 felt like 1 park was enough in those crowds and heat.

Some purchased tix, some did not. All had a blast and could not wait for the next reunion!

I agree with Spicey too, I would recommend the base tix and they could always upgrade if they decide to hop.

 

[DenLo]

gracelrm - It looks like you have it covered for your family members even considering their different life styles. Have a wonderful family gathering. And here's a little to make it all go well.

Please don't feel guilty if your family members decide to spend money on something they later don't use. It's their decision even if you recommended that they buy it in the first place. You've already told the family what you like and some of them have experience from the last family gathering so they are more informed.

 

[raenyny]

We used to spend our money on park hoppers as a kid we park hopped all the time we would go to one park go back to the hotel swim dinner then another park for fireworks...I tried this with my kids and we never used the park hoppers so now we buy basic...I plan it out so we are at the park we want to see fireworks in and we can come and go knowing thats the park we are returning to it works for us everyone has there own ways

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Wow! 30 people is a lot of people, and they are not going to agree on were to go on any given day. Some will love a park and want to go back for some time, but not a whole day. We did 16 people last year and we had park hoppers. This allowed people to go to whatever park they wanted and meet up in another park if they wanted. With that many people I think you will need to have as much flexibility as possible. Definitely PH passes. Otherwise, it could be excruciating, even paralyzing. Good luck and hope you all have a great time.

One other piece of advice. Get everyone's cell phone number and have everyone put them into their cell phone address book. It really made communications much better for us. Not just in the parks, but through the whole trip people are coming and going in different ways. We did this and were sooo thankful we did.

 

[dmoore22]

The general rule is any stay up to ten days you should consider the MYW. Anything more than ten days the AP is more cost effective. Visit MouseSavers.com, sign up for the newsletter and receive exclusive access to Undercover Tourist discounts on MYW tickets.

 

[Sandisw]

I have given them prices and explained the differences in the tickets - but they still ask us what to do. I'm a penny pincher (most of the time) and just don't know if it's worth the extra money for people who would probably be fine just doing one park a day. We really like to park hop so it is worth it for us (when we need that type of ticket). Last time we went - they bought 7 day tickets because we were going to be there 7 days - several of the families got tired of going to the parks and didn't even use all their days. That was in the days of length of stay passes - so it's not like they could be used at a later time. I felt terribly guilty for the money they wasted - thinking I could have advised them better.

We have made reservations for the entire group for two meals. We did schedule those in resorts instead of parks for the very reason that Inkmahm mentioned. We think that a few of those going won't even purchase park tickets and will just hang out around the pool/resort.

I think it is just my own personality flaw - I want everyone to be happy and for no-one to be aggravated about making a bad choice. I think I need therapy! (or no more family trips!!!!!)

We have always park hopped and would not like doing the same park each day. Just was you enjoy park hopping, I thnk so do your guests. If you have given them the prices and they are still asking for your opinion, I would tell them that going with the park hopper does give you flexibility. And, for only about $54.00/pp for the entire trip, it is worth the flexibility, IMO.

As someone else said, if you end up at a park and find that it is extremely crowded, or say, some of the key rides are not working, you are stuck. With the park hoppers, you can leave, go somewhere else, and then adjust your schedule to make up for what you couldn't do.

 

[edk35]

Okay here is my suggestion if you want to save money and do the basic ticket.....MAKE SURE YOU USE TOUR GUIDE MIKE for your trip. We have used him for EVERY TRIP for the past several years.... let me repeat.....several years. He gives you the best park days of your specific trip. SO that way you go to the park that is the least crowded and this would work to your advantage if you are ONLY able to go to one park per day.

You need to have a game plan on park touring with that big a group if you are all planning on dining together and such. Good luck and MOST OF ALL........HAVE FUN!!!!!

Let me add..............WE ALWAYS DO HOPPERS. However no matter what...we always use TGM.