Calling all experts I'm in need of advice

[JKW]

Here is the situation. We will be attending the National Gymnastics Competition at WDW from June 7 - 19, 2005. We will be a group of approximately 40 people - all ages. I need some advice on how to get this group from the airport to WDW and back. I also need some advice on which hotel should we stay at YC or Polynesian. The group has elected me to lead the travel committee for this trip. We have several families (3 out of 10) that have not been to disney ever. Do you think that staying on the monorail for your first trip is important or do you think that the pool is more important since we are going in June? I have been to disney several times and I have my preferences but have never travelled with anyone except my immediate family. Anyone that could give me some advice it would be greatly appreciated. If you have any great ideas to help me plan I sure could use some.

Thanks..............

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

I need some advice on how to get this group from the airport to WDW and back.

Charter a bus - contact Mears or another transportation company, see what they would recommend.

Can the group afford a Deluxe hotel for 12 nights???

 

[jennymouse]

I would contact Mears for your transportation, they have buses that you can charter for that many people. Here's a link to the Mears website:

http://www.mearstransportation.com/

As far as your resort goes, YC and Poly are two of the most expensive resorts at WDW. Are you sure all of the families would be able to afford a stay there? I think I would look into booking one of the All Star resorts so as not to put so much of a financial bind on the other families. I think there's a number you can call to get some sort of a group rate at the All Stars too.

Best Wishes!

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by ILoveWDW2003
Charter a bus - contact Mears or another transportation company, see what they would recommend.

Can the group afford a Deluxe hotel for 12 nights???

Wow! Great minds think alike!LOL Seriously, I would hate some of those people not to be able to go because of the costs. Just a garden view room, the cheapest room of the two resorts, at at rack rate of $344 a night would be $4128 for 12 nights! There's no way I would do that! All Star rack rate would be $99 a night and $1188 for twelve nights. A little more reasonable..... and if you could get a group rate, it would be even better.

 

[erikthewise]

For heaven's sake, use a travel agent!
There are a number of agencies that specialize in Disney vacations and give excellent service at no extra charge, in fact they are experts at saving you money. Dreams Unlimited is one such agency and a sponsor of these boards. There are several others such as well, and they aren't hard to find.

 

[GOODFELLA]

With that many people going get with a family gatherings agent at disney,they are awsome.They will send you a link for your computer were you can put all the familys that are going into the program.Then you can email everybody with suggestions and everybody could vote for the best ideas.You have to see it to really understand it better.And the the disney agent will help you along the way with group discounts,and even advance dinner reservations.
Have fun plannig the wait is always fun.Don't forget to do the count down ticker.

 

[Bob NC]

Do all those 10 families know how much the YC & Poly cost?

 

[JKW]

The families are aware of the cost. Some of the families have 5 people in them and would like to stay in one room. I'm afraid that the value resorts will be too small for them. I'm definitely not saying that by the time they add all the air,hotel, tickets etc... that they may change their minds. We all know how things add up. They would like to go down the trail of the deluxes first. A travel agent may be the right answer here. I'm afraid with this many people we may have some mishaps....I didn't stop to think about Mears. I will contact them today. The grand gatherings sounds kind of fun. I'll have to call today for more information. Thanks..........

 

[tar heel]

There's no reason to pay rack rate at either of those resorts at that time of year. We've stayed at the YC three times and Poly once in early June and have yet to pay over $200 before taxes.

My family prefers the YC. Unless the kids are pretty small, that is what I would recommend to your group. The kids will like the pool and the tired parents can enjoy the multiple hot tubs, which is not an option at the poly.