BIG groups

[Julia]

We are going in Jan. 2007 with our entire family---16 people.
We have reserved a grand villa and a 2 bedroom at Old Key West which is our home resort. We requested that the 2 be near each other. What are the chances that our 2 homes will NOT be together? Are there grand villa's and 2 bedroom right next to each other?
Also, are there any special things we can do or request with such a large group? Thank You!
Julia

 

[Chuck S]

I see this is your firt post. Welcome to the DISboards, and to the DVC boards. I'm moving your post to DVC trip planning.

Whenever we have requested to be "near" another party or vacation we have either been in the same building or conveniently adjacent buildings. However, this has been with two or three studios or one bedrooms, rather tha a Grand Villa, but hey should still be quite convenient to one another.

 

[Figment2]

16 qualifies you as a grand gathering which doesn't garner you anything except access to certain events. There are the safari dinner at AK, Illuminations dinner at EPCOT, breakfast at Tony's, Wishes Fireworks cruise, etc. There is an additional cost per person for each event.

I suggest you get a grand gathering number from MS since they will put the number on your reservation. There's a better chance that your units will be in the same building. Use that same number when you make ADRs.

I go with a large group every October. This year we have 30 and we're only doing the fireworks cruise. However, we also have planned two private tours, luncheon with an imagineer, lunch at Jikos with animal trainers (this program is actually cancelled but Disney will still do it for us) plus MNSSHP and two Party of the Senses.

Have fun!

Cyn

 

[SorcerersApprentice]

Welcome, Julia,

Last year we had 40 family members all staying at OKW for our 25th wedding anniversary. We had a GV, a 2 bedroom right below the GV and 7 studios all within 2 adjacent buildings. Disney kept us all together, no problem!

Mary

 

[Julia]

Wow! 40 is alot to accomadate!
Then I am sure we will get our 16 together

Another question: Our second request was to be near the main pool.
What are our chances of that? Last time we stayed there we were the farthest away and it was great for the adults (nice and quiet) but getting to the pool was quite the hike for the kids.

Thanks!

 

[Chuck S]

Just remember, the units closest to the main pool (for one bedroom & larger) only have one entrance to the restroom...through the master bedroom. That may be a concern to some members of your party. Buildings 30 and above had a design change, and have entrances through both the master bedroom and the laundry room. The 30s buildings (Turtle Pond area) have a nice pool, no slide though.

 

[spiceycat]

Another question: Our second request was to be near the main pool.
What are our chances of that? Last time we stayed there we were the farthest away and it was great for the adults (nice and quiet) but getting to the pool was quite the hike for the kids.

Thanks!

just tell the kids to get on the next bus - all the buses stop at HH before they leave...

walking back - they need to get to the Peninsular rd bus stop (building 23 - 26) then hop on....

 

[Mahusky]

Make sure you get your dining ressies in early... seating 16 can be difficult! We went down with 19 at TDay and got in early. I would recommend Biergarten, Ohana, and Cape May as good choices for big groups.

 

[gracelrm]

I think for a group that size, you need to call a different number for dining reservations. When we took a group of 17, we planned a dinner at Prime Time, O'Hana and one other place (can't believe I can't remember) but had to call a different number for ADR's. Although we stayed at VWL and had 2-2BR and 1 studio - we requested they be near each other and they were. We made our ressie at 11-month - don't know if that helps to request it early or not, but it worked out fine for us. Good luck

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think your request will be very easy to get, since all buildings with GVs have 2 bedrooms available on the first floor under the GVs. We have never had a problem getting rooms near each other when we have requested it.

We are doing a wedding at WDW and staying at OKW over Thanksgiving of 2007. I'm thinking of doing a couple of 2 bedrooms and a couple of studios. The GV is probably not going to work out for that trip.

Good luck, and hope you have a GRAND time!