Can we do this....

[alayne]

Sorry it's so long. I'm not one of those people who can get straight to the point, but I could really use some help with the questions below so THANK YOU to those who take the time to read all this.

My family of 4 will be going to Disney World in November 2013 for Thanksgiving. We just purchased a 5th Wheeler last July so this year we get to bring our on camper instead of rooming with my DM. My DM and two DN will also be joining us and we are booking to sites next to each other.

(We have only been to the Fort 1 time in April 2011 and did not get to spend any time at the Fort checking out sites. We had 1 camper and 1 small tent on the site in April.)

Now our camper has one room in the back that has a bunk and a full size bed (sleeps 4 kids under 12 great - there have been 5 before with no complaints). Then we have a pull out couch that sleeps two adults. Plus our bedroom with a queen size bed. Most of the time we have one child who ends up between us at some point so I would even say this bed sleeps three. So what I'm saying is - our camper sleeps 8 to 10.

My DM has two bunk beds, a full size bed (where the table is), a twin folding couch and a queen size bed. Her camper sleeps 8 adults.

If we use the three bedroom tent it sleeps 8 as well.

In other words we have plenty of room for my total family of 3 Adults and 4 Children - leaving room to spare.

We will be arriving on Nov. 17 and staying until Dec. 2nd. My Family is doing the "Disney Package" that includes - Park Hopper Tickets from the date of arrival to the date of departure and the Deluxe Dining Plan. We love to do Character Breakfast and this year we would like to try several of the "nicer" dinning places that require 2 table credits.

I have a cousin (family of 2 Adults and 2 Children) who I would love to come with us, however, they don't have a camper, tent, etc. Plus they don't have the same "Disney Budget" that my family does. So this leads me to my questions below.

First Question:

If I book 2 sites (I'm requesting that they be next to each other) will there be room for the three bedroom tent?

Let's say the answer to the above question is YES: then I have plenty of room for my cousin and her family so that leads me to my next question:

HOW DO I INCLUDE THEM WHEN I BOOK?

Option A: If I tell Disney that between the two sites I have 5 Adults and 6 Kids (this would include my cousins family) and I book the "Disney Package" listed above - how is it priced? In other words - I only want my cousin to pay for the tickets and the meals not the site.

If she can't afford/or can't come the number of days we are staying:

Can we go with Option B without "Cheating" Disney?
I book the two sites and the "Disney Package" for my family 3 Adults and 4 kids. My cousin comes when she can and just pays for the tickets and her meals. If she has her park tickets and pays for her meals would I have to tell Disney that they are staying with us. How does Disney price a site? Does it matter how many people are on the site?

I hope you can understand all this and I'm not sounding like a crazy person. I guess the whole question is how can I get my cousin to come without it costing her an arm and a leg. If the price is not within her "Disney Budget" then she want come and I really want her to come.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ ALL THIS. I HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP ME.

 

[ynottony99]

Let me take a stab at a couple of your questions.

I do not know how long the 2 trailers are, but if you book a site with a coquina shell area to the rear, there will be space behind the trailer if you park it toward the front of the site.

You are allowed 10 people per site. Just include your cousin and family in the reservation, and there will be no charge to her.

 

[JWimberley]

The sites will be big enough for the tent as well as the campers. There won't be any additional charge for the sites for adding your cousin's family but you will have to have everyone that is on the reservation on the same dining plan.

The cost of the park tickets and the dining plan is easy to break out with the calculator's here on the DIS site. You can give your cousin a break down of what the trip will cost for their portion quite simply.

One thing you might consider is getting Annual Passes. You are going to be on property for 16 days. The break even for park hopper vs annual pass is usually right around 12-13 days for us but we have the DVC discount so you will want to run the numbers for yourself. Don't forget to include the discounts that AP holders get as well. You can pretty much bank on 10% for any merchandise purchased as well as 5-10% off of the campsite standard rate.

The only real problem I see with bringing your cousin's family in without putting them on the reservation is when you want to use the Extra Magic Hours in the parks they won't have a room key that allows them to get into the lines after the park closes to the general public.

That being said, you are going to be here during a great time of year. The Christmas decorations are going up and the weather is usually perfect! Hope you have a great time! Make sure you get those meal reservations in as soon as the dates open up. I missed ours by a couple of weeks and we are going to have my lovely bride's birthday breakfast at Chef Mickey's 13 days late...

 

[jonimce]

Everyone needs to be on the meal plan so put your DM & DN's on your reservation and your cousin on the site your DM's camper is on. Your DM can pay her for the site and they just won't have the meal plan on their package. They will just be buying tickets. Also if someone has AAA you can get a nice discount on the tickets.

 

[alayne]

Thanks everyone for the information. It sounds like I'm making something hard out of something really simple. I will run some numbers and see what works best for my cousin. I know we are going to have a great time. Thanks again.

Allison