Best way to book when going with extented family

[babydoll65]

I will going to wdw in September 2015 with my husband's sister and family. This will be there first time going to Disney so we're pretty excited. When it comes to booking which would be the best way to do this? I have a Disney visa so I was thinking it would be better to call and book a pkg with two rooms and six day parkhoppers for all of us. If I put the 200$ deposit on each room with my visa when the pkgs for 2015 comes out,what happens if they offer free dining next year? Do I just call to add it for all of us? If they offer the free dining for Disney visa customers ahead of time,will they see I already put the required deposit down already? My plan was to wait till the 2015 pkg prices come out in a couple of months so I can pay alittle each month till we go. If they offer free dining next Sept which probably won't be till next April or May,I will have payed down my vacation by quite a bit. Can the cms see on there computer that my initial deposit way already paid with my Disney visa so I can get a jump on the free dining promo. I'm trying to help my sil save some money on this trip that is the reason why we're going in September since that month seems to offer free dining consistently. Personally I prefer Nov for the weather and don't care so much weather we get the free dining or not. For anyone who have gone with other family members,do you book the rooms for all or have them book there own then link the ress? Can I use my visa for her deposit if we book separately?

 

[Mrsjvb]

when it comers to money and relatives.. let everyone pay their own way and handle all their own arrangements. otherwise you use a TA and let everyone go through them.

that way you avoid the drama( hopefully) when family A suddenly drops out, Family B never seems to have the money to pay and you are stuck with all the planning crap

 

[mi*vida*loca]

If it were me everyone would be responsible for their own arrangements.

I would call SIL or send her an email and say we are staying at X hotel, for X dates with X tickets.

I would also tell her about any deals that may be coming out and if you see it you will call her to add to her package.

I would not use my card for their trip even if points are involved. It could just leave a sticky situation IMO.

 

[babydoll65]

Thank you both for your suggestions. The only thing I'm using my card for is the deposit only and she has already given me the cash. We have sat down and I explained about how much each family will need to pay for room and tickets and she has all the money put aside to pay it all in full the day I book so I'm not worried about getting stuck with her expenses. Sorry to say I could never use a ta when it comes to my wdw trips. I love doing all the planning since I'm not new to this. If done adr bookings and fps with my last trip in November so the craziness of planning doesn't bother me. My sil doesn't mind spending the money that's needed to go on this trip,its her husband that needs the convincing. He thinks Disney is like going to a glorified six flaggs and doesn't understand that it can be done without spending thousands of dollars. They have an 11yr old son who needs to see Disney at least once.

 

[SM101]

Was it wrong when my first thought to the thread title was "by not telling them when you are going"?

 

[Mommymarie]

We have a trip booked for this year. I paid the deposit for 2 rooms for different families on my Disney Visa. I was able to get Visa cardholder free dining for both rooms Hope this helps!

 

[Mommymarie]

Was it wrong when my first thought to the thread title was "by not telling them when you are going"?

I love this.....this is usually my thinking!

 

[babydoll65]

Was it wrong when my first thought to the thread title was "by not telling them when you are going"?

Funny but I actually like this particular sister. They have struggled alot and are finally where they can do more for there son so I admire that alot. My husband comes from a family of seven and I would go on this trip with her over any other family member. I usually go to wdw every other year since my son was eight (now 17) she has seen my pictures and videos and I even took her mother a few years back. After her mother went on and on about how wonderful it was she has been trying to save to do this.

 

[babydoll65]

We have a trip booked for this year. I paid the deposit for 2 rooms for different families on my Disney Visa. I was able to get Visa cardholder free dining for both rooms Hope this helps!

Excellent this does help. We're probably are going to stay at POP for our next trip so I know you get the qs plan. Iv done both plans and actually prefer qs over the regular dining plan. They want to be in the parks as much as possible and not be tied down to many ress. My plan was to keep the qs but spend the extra money on parkhoppers. We will probably do one character breakfast and the wishes dessert party as a surprise.