Advice needed

[Neb]

Hello,
Hope some of you guys can help the new guy.
We are a family of 9. The kids are ages 18, 15, 13, 12, 8, 4, and 3. We would like to visit Disneyworld for about a week or so. We would possibly fly in from Oklahoma City. Bunches of kids, airlines, and $$$ is what I keep seeing in my head. What is the best approach for planning such an endeavor? Is one particular time of year better than another? Is there even a resort or place that can handles nine people? Best rates on airlines? Is there some sort of a deal including airlines, lodging, and Disney tickets? I'll leave it at that for now as the question is already complex enough. Oh, one more thing...can this be done for under a few billion dollars?
Thank you,
Neb

 

[Metro West]

 

[kath2me]

Dear neb + 8,

first , wow, i commend you for taking the challege, with the kids and school is there a certain time of the year better for them and u ? Do you have to fly , can you drive ?

 

[Goofy4]

Welcome to the boards!

You can stay off Disney property for a lot less during the "busy" season, but Disney has been frequently discounting rooms or offering "free dining" during "slow" times each year. While I don't know the exact slow times off the top of my head, basically you would need to think about going when most kids are in school. So, for starters, is that an option? And while staying on property is recommended (for the full Disney 'experience'), is staying off site something you would consider?

 

[Madisonsmom45]

The first thing you should do is decide a budget. That being said you are already thinking about taking that many people to the World for a week so you must be able to.
Some of the villas sleep that many people. It might be cheaper to stay off property, but my experience is that it's easier and cheaper to stay on property.
Get the free dining. That would save you tons of money.
You can also get connecting rooms. The 3 year old should be able to use one of the portable cribs.The vaule resorts do have adjoining rooms available.
With as many as you are taking, you have to do some serious planning.
Good Luck
Bonniehttp://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/cutie.gif

 

[Happiest mommy]

 

[Neb]

I think getting them out of school for a week would be a good option. Also, we thought about driving, but were not sure how much cheaper it would be because of motels, gas, food, etc. + the time it eats up. Haven't figured it out yet. Please keep the advice flowing!! Off season is when?
Thanks

 

[kath2me]

Neb +8,

Are you considering this year ? If so, I would do in Dec. in time to get in on the free dining, which would be a big big $$$$ saving, completely understand about the flying rather than driving, The Value and Moderate resorts have good prices. Also keep in mind, staying on property, use their transportation, no need for renting a car ( so thats a savings )

 

[Goofy4]

Off season is when?

Head over to mousesavers.com, specifically http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwstartplan.html

Item 1 has a link to "Disney World FAQ" where you can find an explanation of the best times to go. Have a look at that and post any follow-up questions.

The air fares are all over the place. Start with SouthWest or AirTran if they fly out of city near you. Use the fare as a guide for budgeting your trip, then try to go out and find a better deal. Sites such as Orbitz.com and PriceLine.com can help there, or you can download SouthWest's DING and/or just watch their web site for a while; you will notice prices in constant change, and that can be frustrating -- but you'll get a feel for what the prices should be and with any luck you can usually find a fare in the $70-$100 range (each way) if you are flexible.

Southwest does offer the vacation packages you mentioned, and the friendly folks at Disney can help you with questions and book your flight as well. Since you have such a large family, I believe you qualify as a "Grand Gathering". See http://www.wdwinfo.com/Grandgathering.htm.

Getting back to mousesavers.com, definitely spend some time there; I think you will find it very helpful.

 

[mickeystoontown]

First off, welcome! You could always get two family suites at the All Stars Music Resort. That way, you could split up your party and have plenty of bathrooms to accommodate everybody. You'd also have the benefit of kitchenettes which would have you money on at least your breakfasts.

Do you have a particular budget and time of year you want to go?

 

[Disn3y]

 

[Neb]

I'll check out the music resorts. We are thinking somewhere between late Dec. and maybe Feb. Money is always the downside. Hopefully will have between 6,000 to 8,000. Enough? We really need to go as cheap as possible, but want the kids to have a big time. Pleasing 7 of them ought to be a challenge!

 

[michael's mom]

Hi Neb! I'm guessing you already have a vehicle large enough to transport you all at once? I can't imagine driving possibly costing more than flying 9 people? We'll be driving down and are anticipating gas for our Explorer running about 5-600 for our whole trip, down and back. That would be the price of only one and a half plane tickets for us. Granted, we are limited as to when we can travel with my work schedule so we end up flying at expensive times.

If you do fly, I recommend staying on property because the cost of a rental large enough for your family will be high, and most likely off-set the savings by renting off-property. And then you're also surrounded by Disney Magic all the time

My parents have had great success renting places off property though. If you did choose to drive that may be beneficial.


Good luck and have a wonderful time planning. That's half the fun!

Oh, and I second trying to get in there by the December cut-off for free dining. That'll help you out big time. But, you have to stay on property to benefit from that.

 

[MAGGIED]

Neb... I did a little quick figuring for you... if you were to go Dec 11-18 and get one suite for two adults and the 8,4,3 yr olds and one standard room for the 18, 15,14 and 12yr old... at All Star Music... with 6 day tickets the cost would be about $4500... you would qualify for free dining... and you can upgrade dining to the table service I think for $10 a day for the adults so that would be $420... not sure what the cost is for the little ones... so this trip without airfare would be about $4920

if you moved that trip to January 22-29 say (I could only use 2010 rates) the room and tickets would be about $4400 but dining would be about $2000 for the regular dining plan.. so this trip would be about $6400...
or about $1480 more.... mind you that doesn't take into account ticket price increases which are rumored to be happening soon or 2011 rates... so it most likely will be over $1500 more...

 

[MAGGIED]

I just thought of something... last year they offered a great deal where you paid for 4 days and then got 3 free in January.... that could bring your January costs way down...

 

[Neb]

Thanks for the advice. The 4 paid, 3 free would be a great break. Will keep planning and watching.
Thanks

 

[michael's mom]

Thanks for the advice. The 4 paid, 3 free would be a great break. Will keep planning and watching.
Thanks

The buy 4 get 3 was a great deal. Just make sure you know that they may not make that offer again. If you are interested in the free dining deal, you need to make reservations by 8/14. You still have a few more weeks to make that decision though. I would just hate for your to miss the free dining opportunity waiting for a buy 4 get 3 deal that may not come.

 

[kath2me]

Neb... I did a little quick figuring for you... if you were to go Dec 11-18 and get one suite for two adults and the 8,4,3 yr olds and one standard room for the 18, 15,14 and 12yr old... at All Star Music... with 6 day tickets the cost would be about $4500... you would qualify for free dining... and you can upgrade dining to the table service I think for $10 a day for the adults so that would be $420... not sure what the cost is for the little ones... so this trip without airfare would be about $4920

if you moved that trip to January 22-29 say (I could only use 2010 rates) the room and tickets would be about $4400 but dining would be about $2000 for the regular dining plan.. so this trip would be about $6400...
or about $1480 more.... mind you that doesn't take into account ticket price increases which are rumored to be happening soon or 2011 rates... so it most likely will be over $1500 more...

neb +8 ,

this sounds like a perfect deal for you, its a great time to see all the hoiday stuff is a plus, highly consider it.

 

[Elmo888]

Along with mousesavers.com, I would buy or borrow from the library the book the Unofficial Guide to WDW. It will also help you weigh your options.

I agree that a Family Suite (sleeps 6) at All Star Music plus one standard room will probably be your least expensive option.

Also keep in mind that, if you decide to fly, you have free transportation to your resort if you stay on Disney property (Disney's Magical Express or ME). If you decide to stay offsite, you would need to factor in the cost of renting a vehicle that holds 9 people, which may offset the savings of staying on site.

Welcome to the DIS!