Early Planning for October 2014 Trip with Daughters, Sons-in-law, and 5 Grandkids

[rpw2014]

Not sure how faithful I'll be with my first TR, but figured the more I post about my thoughts and plans, the better the chances of getting timely advice from others and minimize bad decisions on my part.

Previous Trips
April 1993 - Stayed offsite - Wife and I with our 3 daughters (18, 16, 11) along with my sister, her husband, and their son (11)
April 1995 - Dixie Landings - Wife and I with 2 daughters (18, 13) along with my sister, her husband, and their son (13)
April 2000 - CBR - Wife and I with youngest daughter (18) along with my sister, her husband, and their son (18)
Sept 2003 - Offsite Marriott Resort - Wife and I along with another couple
April 2007 - Polynesian Resort - Wife and I along with sister and her husband.

On Christmas Eve my wife and I announced to our 3 daughters, 3 sons-in-law and 5 grand kids (15, 12, 12, 10, 1.8) that we were planning to take the entire family to Disney. Oh my, were they excited. This is sort of a final hurrah before my wife and I retire in a couple of years at which point we won't be able to afford to to such a thing. (Not sure we can now, but oh well.

After a little discussion we decided on the first week of October 2014. To minimize school days missed for the four older grand kids...as well as m youngest daughter who teaches 2nd grade, I think we'll fly down after school hours on Tuesday Sept 30 and return on Sunday October 5. All four of the grand kids are good students and should have no problem missing 3 days. Actually, we are keeping to 3 days more for my teacher daughter than we are for the grand kids.

The oldest two grand kids have been to Disney once before (2007) and the next two oldest grand kids went in 2009. Both families stayed at an All-Star resort so my initial thought is that we would stay at Pop Century this time which would be a new place for all of us. (Budget calls for a value resort)

No reservations made yet. Spending time perusing the DISboards and reading the 2014 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Plan to attend a local AAA "Disney Day" next Sunday (Jan 7) to see what they have to offer.

So, that's where I am today. Advice always welcomed.

 

[rpw2014]

While most aspects of planning a Disney trip remains the same after 7 years, it is still pretty daunting catching up on things. Trying to recall the old acronyms / terms and learn the new. Some of the new ones that I've come across in my 2 days of getting back into the Disney planning saddle are:

MNSSHP
MDE
FastPass +
Magic Bands
AoA

 

[rpw2014]

Based on my readings on the DISboards regarding WDW's cancellation policy, there would be no problem if I went ahead and made resort reservations soon for our planned October 1 arrival and continue to look for deals through AAA and travel agencies. If I find a better deal for the resort and/or a package, I can cancel the initial resort reservations with no penalty as long as I do so more than 45 days prior to our arrival. Anyone disagree?

 

[rpw2014]

A special New Year's Eve where the grandkids and I had a Disney planning session for our October 2014 trip. I created a spreadsheet of attractions and had them each give their ratings (1-5). They really got into it.

 

[rpw2014]

Here's the entire crew that will be going to Disney in October '14.

 

[lsenquiz]

following along. We are also taking a big crew to Disney this September.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

You have a lovely family. Pop Century would be my pick from the values. There if no reason not to book now. If a discount does come out for your dates it will likely show up in August, but you'll want to have dining reservations long before then.