Attempting to plan a Grand Gathering

[rangermom]

DH and I are DVC members at AKL. We just joined and have been to both WDW and DL in the past 6 months. DH really wants he immediate family to join us for a trip. This will include 12 people. We will be providing the lodging (AKL studios Savannah View for 4 nights). We have chosen the studios so each family can have their own room (plus it came out cheaper than a 2 bedroom and more flexible if someone drops out).

Everyone will be responsible for themselves to get to WDW (from TX and NM), food and tickets. They have all said that they are interested, but some think it is too expensive.

My family will have AP, but everyone else will buy MYW tickets. We have left it open to each individual family to decide how many days they want and if thee want the DDP.

My problem is how can convince everyone to come on a limited budget. Most people will drive (as we always do), but one family will fly. We are planning this trip for sometime in 2009 (so we should have plenty of time to save). This really means alot to DH. After our DL trip and seeing a lot GP with GK and other extended families, he really got nostalgic about it.

 

[pyrxtc]

You sound like me writing. I have family coming with me next December and I will be booking in January for the rooms for all of us.

I don't understand your question though? You want them to limit their budget or you want to tell them nicely how much it will cost?

I sent them totals for everything and let them decide if they wanted to go or not. I'm kind of disappointed as one brother has said no but am still hopeful that the rest of us will have fun while we are there. My brothers and sister and I have have never spent 4 days together anywhere since we were little, and that's been at least 17 or more years.

For your family, you can just direct them to a good place to buy tickets and the the explanation of the dining plan and the menu's with prices on them and let them decide for themself.

The same person that will spend $6,000 on an ATV will not spend $1,000 on Disney.

 

[lalagrace]

there are ways, we are doing a grandgathering this Jan, and my sister is the DVC member. It is really not that expensive, if your careful. My sis and my parents will have AP, but my family will only have 4 day tickets. We are taking the non park days to enjoy the resort, DTD, Camp Wilderness ect.
Stress to them that if they cook their meals, and take lunch into the park, or come back to the resort for midday break and lunch, food costs don't have to be outragous either.
We are taking the train, since for us it came out to be cheaper than gas right now. Plus it has the added advantage really impressing my 3 yr old.
have a great trip!

 

[rangermom]

Sorry to sound confusing. I am looking for ways to show that it would not be that expensive, since they, as we all are, are on limited budgets. As I said we will be providing lodging. DH and I think everyone should be able to do it under $1000 for each family excluding transportation there.

We will be staying for 4 days during one of the value seasons so visitation levels will be so what lower.

Right now I am working on a spreadsheet that shows the costs of tickets from 1 day to 4 days, excluding and including park hopper. I am also giving them the prices for the DDP, if they chose to use it.

Are there any good websites for reduced tickets? We have always bought directly from Disney.