Calling all experts

[MNDisney2268]

I have a couple questions.

1. What is your recommended Disney Travel agent. I have a large group, several rooms, obviously looking for discounts (including military). So tell me what you think, who you worked with, and why. I will be forever grateful!!!

2. Tell me your number 1 piece of advice for traveling with 4 families and 16 people. (I grew up in South Florida so have been to Disney a million times, and now being in Minnesota have done it as a true tourist yearly as well but it is just the 5 of us)

3. What do you think would be a MUST DO as a special treat?? This is in celebration of my parents 40th wedding anniversary, my brother and his entire family (grandkids and all) are coming from Germany to be with us. Want to blow their socks off!

Ok.....go!

 

[MNDisney2268]

P.S. I am the UBER planner, figuring it all in advance is not difficult. Also we are rope drop people (lol that made me laugh) and at least some of us are pretty commando (schedule in hand). Just wanted to let you know in case it was info needed for recommendations.

 

[TreeSapp]

I have a couple questions.

3. What do you think would be a MUST DO as a special treat?? This is in celebration of my parents 40th wedding anniversary, my brother and his entire family (grandkids and all) are coming from Germany to be with us. Want to blow their socks off!

Ok.....go!

I haven't done this myself (or ever been with a large group) but I've heard of a private boat ride in the lake @ Epcot during Illuminations. I think maybe it includes a meal or treats or something? I know it's geared towards larger groups

 

[sephorachick]

you could do a private dinner at Tower of twerror after park closes? somesone of DIS did it & it looked amazing!

 

[RedPanda]

If you have the option, since you mentioned military, staying at Shades of Green is very nice with a large group. The rooms are HUGE, are right on Disney property (across from the Polynesian), and qualify for some of the on-site privileges (EMH, for one). I know nothing about booking there, though, as I was not the one who did it when we stayed -- price depends on the person's rank, I think.

 

[Alesia]

I have a couple questions.

1. What is your recommended Disney Travel agent. I have a large group, several rooms, obviously looking for discounts (including military). So tell me what you think, who you worked with, and why. I will be forever grateful!!!

2. Tell me your number 1 piece of advice for traveling with 4 families and 16 people. (I grew up in South Florida so have been to Disney a million times, and now being in Minnesota have done it as a true tourist yearly as well but it is just the 5 of us)

3. What do you think would be a MUST DO as a special treat?? This is in celebration of my parents 40th wedding anniversary, my brother and his entire family (grandkids and all) are coming from Germany to be with us. Want to blow their socks off!

Ok.....go!

1. We used Beth C. at Dreams Unlimited. I would definitely stick with a travel agent that only does Disney.

2. Don't try to spend every minute of every day together.

3. How much money are you willing to spend?

 

[MNDisney2268]

1. We used Beth C. at Dreams Unlimited. I would definitely stick with a travel agent that only does Disney.

2. Don't try to spend every minute of every day together.

3. How much money are you willing to spend?

For sake of argument....lets say number 3 has no limit. I want to see whats out there that maybe we haven't thought of.

 

[JennyDrake]

I have a couple questions.

1. What is your recommended Disney Travel agent. I have a large group, several rooms, obviously looking for discounts (including military). So tell me what you think, who you worked with, and why. I will be forever grateful!!!

2. Tell me your number 1 piece of advice for traveling with 4 families and 16 people. (I grew up in South Florida so have been to Disney a million times, and now being in Minnesota have done it as a true tourist yearly as well but it is just the 5 of us)

3. What do you think would be a MUST DO as a special treat?? This is in celebration of my parents 40th wedding anniversary, my brother and his entire family (grandkids and all) are coming from Germany to be with us. Want to blow their socks off!

Ok.....go!

1. I have not traveled with a group nor used an agent, but I hear good things about Small World.

2. Will echo PPer--don't spend every minute together!! And you are uber planner--that seems to work great for you and your family. For everyone else--RELAX. LET PEOPLE SLEEP IN and do some exploring at their own pace. TRUST ME. I went commando with a family group of 5 and it was MISERABLE.

3. I would hire a WDW photographer and get lots of pictures for everyone to enjoy for many years.

 

[MouseMomx2]

I have a couple questions.

1. What is your recommended Disney Travel agent. I have a large group, several rooms, obviously looking for discounts (including military). So tell me what you think, who you worked with, and why. I will be forever grateful!!!

Sorry, I can't help with this. We never use one. It is super easy to book everything ourselves so we always do that.

2. Tell me your number 1 piece of advice for traveling with 4 families and 16 people. (I grew up in South Florida so have been to Disney a million times, and now being in Minnesota have done it as a true tourist yearly as well but it is just the 5 of us)

You do not have to spend every minute together. We often travel with a large group of families. We have one get together to start planning. During this meeting we get everyone's must-do restaurants. We then use that list to make one ADR per day for the entire group. After that I make loose plans for our family and tell everyone else they are invited to join us. Once we are there everyone is free to do as they please each day.

3. What do you think would be a MUST DO as a special treat?? This is in celebration of my parents 40th wedding anniversary, my brother and his entire family (grandkids and all) are coming from Germany to be with us. Want to blow their socks off!

We celebrated my parents' 50th at WDW last year. We booked dinner at Kouzzina at the Boardwalk and had the bakery there make a cake for them. It was delivered at the end of the meal. It was a fantastic evening - dinner was amazing and our server was fantastic - and one that my parents still talk about. You could do something similar at any WDW restaurant, although it is easier to get a specialty cake at some.

Another thing we love doing is WDW Scavenger Hunts. I have made up several and they are always a big hit. This year I even had shirts made up for the two teams (we're doing boys vs. girls). Feel free to PM me if you'd like more info.

Some other options...

• Book a couple of Illuminations Cruise boats
• Cirque du Soleil with dinner at one of the Westside restaurants
• Tea at the Grand Floridian (my dad and DH love this, as do the kids...it is a lovely way to spend the afternoon)
• The Hoop Dee Doo

Ok.....go!

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

1. I don't use a TA. However, Pete, the owner of DisBoards, also owns Dreams Unlimited Travel.

2. Learn how to herd cats! But don't plan to stay together all the time.

3. The Queen Victoria's Room at V&A has a capacity of 16 people. The only potential problem is normally nobody under age 10 is permitted in the restaurant.

 

[MNDisney2268]

Thanks so much everyone. I'm going to contact Dreams unlimited and give it a shot. I've never had to use a TA but think it's really gonna be best. If you think of anything else let me know

 

[AK_Christina]

I use Holly at Hi Ho Vacations. She's been a doll for our last two trips.

We did a family reunion a few years back and did a firework cruise. Everyone LOVED it.

Plan one or two things to do as a group a day and then let everyone do what they want in between.

 

[Kristibo42]

We have the best TA. Can't tell you who it is in here or I get my hands slapped. We are going December 3rd to 10th. She has done everything for us. We just tell her where we want to stay and eat and she does all my leg work. She is even getting my mom a scooter.
We will be doing a large family (about 100) trip in 2016 and she well be setting it up for us. WE love her. I can email you the info if you want. Just let me know.

 

[MNDisney2268]

We have the best TA. Can't tell you who it is in here or I get my hands slapped. We are going December 3rd to 10th. She has done everything for us. We just tell her where we want to stay and eat and she does all my leg work. She is even getting my mom a scooter.
We will be doing a large family (about 100) trip in 2016 and she well be setting it up for us. WE love her. I can email you the info if you want. Just let me know.

Yes please send it to me!

 

[Kristibo42]

Yes please send it to me!

I would have to email you the info. I tried to send a private message and the took out the info. So if you send me your email I will send it to you.

 

[peachiepie]

2. Tell me your number 1 piece of advice for traveling with 4 families and 16 people. (I grew up in South Florida so have been to Disney a million times, and now being in Minnesota have done it as a true tourist yearly as well but it is just the 5 of us)

3. What do you think would be a MUST DO as a special treat?? This is in celebration of my parents 40th wedding anniversary, my brother and his entire family (grandkids and all) are coming from Germany to be with us. Want to blow their socks off!

Ok.....go!

#2 - Never underestimate the power of the afternoon nap!

#3 - V&A would be amazing, depending on the groups ages or Fireworks cruise.

 

[jennylyn_b]

I would use Dreams unlimited for the TA. They are great and respond to emails and phone calls quickly.
How about ordering a custom cake for the special occasion?

 

[Jadeey]

I would have to email you the info. I tried to send a private message and the took out the info. So if you send me your email I will send it to you.

Who took out the info? Pete always tries to make sure that this board isn't an advertisement for only Dreams Unlimited so mods shouldn't be removing information about other TA's.... Should they?

 

[bjgonzo]

Check out Military Disney Tips there is a TA he recommends that is familiar with the military discounts. I booked myself by figuring out what we wanted, then called WDW to book it. I don't like losing control by having someone else do it lol.

 

[Alesia]

Who took out the info? Pete always tries to make sure that this board isn't an advertisement for only Dreams Unlimited so mods shouldn't be removing information about other TA's.... Should they?

The info is only filtered if the company or agent in question violated the terms of the disboards.