Booking Tomorrow for a Larger Group---PLEASSSSE HELP!

[lynninpa]

I AM QUITE STRESSED SO PLEASE BEAR WITH ME!

HERE'S THE DEAL. TOMORROW WE ARE BOOKING A SURPRISE FAMILY REUNION. 3 FAMILIES: OUR AGES WILL BE: 2 * 5 * 9 * 18 * 21 * 24 * 29 * 40+ * 50 *
WE WILL BE BOOKING...
3 DISNEY RESORT ROOMS
PARK TICKETS WITH EXTRA OPTIONS FOR 8 (2yo is free)
DINING PLAN FOR 8 (2yo is free) WE WILL WANT ADR's FOR ALL 9 OF USTO BE TOGETHER FRO DINNER!!

WE WILL NOT BE BOOKING ANY OF THE GRAND GATHERING EXTRAS.

****WE WERE TOLD THE BEST WAY TO BOOK, WAS TO BOOK EACH FAMILY SEPERATELY (Because of charging priviledges to room cards, etc.) WHEN WE CALL THERE WILL BE TWO OPTIONS:
PRESS 1 FOR BOOKING
PRESS 2 FOR BOOKING PARTIES OF 8 OR MORE
WHAT OPTION DO WE PICK??? I have been told it does make a big difference which option you pick-just can not remember what others told me to pick! PANIC

 

[FanOfStitch]

I think the option for parties of 8 or more are for the Magical Gatherings package. I don't know much about it, but it may be worth looking into. Good luck!!

 

[TheresaNY]

If you book through "Grand Gatherings" it gives you a lot more flexiblility of reservations......in terms of having one person making ressies for all families in party - even if they are in different resorts, on different plans, and paying seperately. I did that this summer and it made it SO MUCH easier. I strongly recommend it and also having everyone in your party download the Magical Gatherings software. Feel free to pm if you have any more specific questions !

 

[lynninpa]

I think the option for parties of 8 or more are for the Magical Gatherings package. I don't know much about it, but it may be worth looking into. Good luck!!

Thank you for your reply, FanofStitch!
I can not believe how stressed I am ! heeheehee

 

[lynninpa]

If you book through "Grand Gatherings" it gives you a lot more flexiblility of reservations......in terms of having one person making ressies for all families in party - even if they are in different resorts, on different plans, and paying seperately. I did that this summer and it made it SO MUCH easier. I strongly recommend it and also having everyone in your party download the Magical Gatherings software. Feel free to pm if you have any more specific questions !

Can I book just the resort rooms, tickets and dining plan through Grand Gatherings even if we are NOT going to book any extra Grand gathering events? Oh, the stress! me---> heehee

 

[TheresaNY]

Most definitely !! I booked everything for 5 families. The bills were sent to the individual families. We stayed at different resorts, some had dining plan, all had different park tickets. Then later on I booked the Grand Gathering breakfast for us, and made all ADRs. No one else had to do a thing. I could do it all for our group. Everyone had their own room/park tickets with their own charging privledges, etc. Don't worry ! The Grand Gathering Coordinators are fabulous !! They give you a GG number and you use that for everything that you do !! But make sure when you call, either call the GG phone number directly or ask for a GG coordinator when you call !

 

[50 anniversary]

yes you can. We booked without doing any grand gathering events 6 months ago and now we have 2 events planned. Over time, we decided we wanted to do some. I booked everything and used by credit card (i wanted the points) Know if you pay using this method initially, all of the packages will be mailed to your address but they will have everything itemized by room with the lead person of the other room listed.

Also each room can use a credit card at check in to charge more to the room. Actually grand gathering booking is the way to go, they were very helpful - this was my first time too!.

Have fun - we'll report when we return - we leave in 6 days!!!!

 

[FanOfStitch]

I don't know if this link will work, but there is additional information on the Disney website for help with Grand Gatherings. Have fun planning!!

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...s/ggLandingPage?id=GrandGatheringsLandingPage

 

[pepperw23]

I am with the other posters. Grand Gathering is best for you. Give them a call tomorrow, you will be amazed how some of the CM's can put you at ease. Tell whoever you talk to you are stressed. Bet they take it from there. Good luck to ya. Here is some pixi dust to get you going.....

 

[lynninpa]

Most definitely !! I booked everything for 5 families. The bills were sent to the individual families.

Ummmm...since this is a SURPRISE family reunion and my DH and I are paying for everything, can the bills for all parties be simply sent to us??

 

[lynninpa]

I am with the other posters. Grand Gathering is best for you. Give them a call tomorrow, you will be amazed how some of the CM's can put you at ease. Tell whoever you talk to you are stressed. Bet they take it from there. Good luck to ya. Here is some pixi dust to get you going.....

Thanks for the advice, pepperw23...and for the pixie dust.

 

[lynninpa]

I am obviously stressing over calling tomorrow.

Right now, I am going to have a nice glass of wine

Get some sleep

And check back in the morning for any more posts

Thanks everyone! Keep the posts comin'!!

 

[TheresaNY]

Ummmm...since this is a SURPRISE family reunion and my DH and I are paying for everything, can the bills for all parties be simply sent to us??

How nice of you....I thought maybe it was a "surprise" just for the kids. Hey, aren't my mother and your father's cousin's aunt related ?? That makes us family !!
But seriously, WDW will gladly send the entire bill to you ! I suggest you call Grand Gatherings and let them walk you through it. I must have called them a million times just to ask questions and they were great. You can always change things down the road but I would at least get your rooms locked in since that is a priority. They put us all together in WL - 3 rooms in a row right over the lobby on the 5th floor. It was wonderful ! They are so, so helpful. So please don't worry. They will make it work out for your family !

 

[elan]

I made ressies for 4 rooms (15 people) last month . I went through grand gatherings. I was told the chances of the rooms being close together are greater (you know disney they don't "guarentee"). We aren't planning any grand gathering events either but you never know....

 

[antkim]

Hi there!

For sure, the best way for you to go is through GG! You do not have to do ANY extras but your chances of being in rooms near each other much better and you will go through group dining which helps you get dining all at one table instead of 2. Actually, I believe that if you tried to book it the "regualr" way, once the CM is told it is a party of 8 or more, he or she will transfer you to GG...new rule and they are really sticking to it!

Good luck!

Kim

 

[GC&S]

Thanks for all the info on this thread! DH & I are taking my sister's family with us in March. They have 6 kids and there will be 11 of us total. I never even considered Grand gatherings. I'm giving them a call - I've had enough stress and lost sleep. And we are also footing the bill for this.