family of 11

[IamErica]

My family is planning a trip in a year or two for our entire family of 11. There will be 2 kids under 5, 3 kids over that, and 6 adults. We are thinking what would be the cheapest? How does the magical gathering work? We could do seperate rooms for each family, or the family suite at the all stars, or stayy off site. What would be the best option? My mom will be the hardest to convince to stay on site. I was just there with my son at Pop and we LOVED it. I keep telling her it is so much better to stay onsite, but she thinks we can find something cheeper off site. Augh!! I have a few years to convince her. Any input on the obvious and not so obvious perks to staying on site would be great. Thanks

 

[cart-mom]

With a party size like that you need to stay on-site. Value resorts are great if you are on a budget and isn't everyone these days? Just think about transporting everyone from an off site resort to the parks. I have a headache just thinking about it. Disney transport allows everyone to come and go as they please. The food courts at the value & moderate resorts can please just about everyone in one shot at reasonable prices. I haven't stayed in one of the suites, but I'm sure someone will have feedback on them here.

Good luck with your planning.

 

[MouseFan71]

I agree with Cart-mom. Stay onsite at Pop-Century or another value and book connecting rooms as a Grand-Gathering. The only true benefit to a Grand-Gathering IMHO, is they will guarantee connecting rooms. You will really enjoy the perk of the Magical Express and the Disney Transportation. You will get to experience the Disney magic 24/7!!!

 

[mr.mike]

Fort Wilderness cabins are another option. They sleep 6 per cabin.

But i agree with others with that large a group and with kids you need to stay onsite

 

[IamErica]

so how do you book a grand gathering? I looke donline and it looks like if we try to book online, it doesn't let us book for all at once. I probably will go through Smallworlds vacations like last time... is it only the joining rooms that is the true benefit of the Magical gathering?

 

[Disneydenise]

We were going to be a party of 10 last year so we were booked for a magical gathering then 2 had to back out so we lost our magic. When I called to change the gathering the CM told me that we wouldn't be able to have the Pirate crise for the fireworks at the MK. We just booked a private cruise and it was a little bit cheaper but much nicer. I think if you know your way around Disney you will not need the MG at all. They had our rooms connecting and it turned out to be a great vacation. I would use SmallWorld if that is who you usually use but you can do it by yourself just as easilyI like to call but maybe I am a controll freak.

 

[jngwright]

We booked as a grand gathering on our last trip. (our AAA agent did it-you can also call Disney direct) There were 11 of us. We didn't take advantage of any of the grand gathering events, as they cost extra. We weren't guaranteed connecting rooms either. We stayed at POFQ, which was great for all ages!!! We had 3 4 year olds, and one year old, 6 adults, and one senior citizen.
I highly recommend staying onsite and taking advantage of ME and internal bussing. Maybe with the money you save not renting cars-you could upgrade to a moderate?? My grandpa never stayed onsite before in the interest of cheaper accomodations off property. After the last trip-he says he will never stay off property again. (and that's saying something for a guy who NEVER admits to being wrong )
Have fun! Extended family trips are a great way to make memories

 

[Rylee]

so how do you book a grand gathering? I looke donline and it looks like if we try to book online, it doesn't let us book for all at once. I probably will go through Smallworlds vacations like last time... is it only the joining rooms that is the true benefit of the Magical gathering?

Hi,

Your mother is probably right about finding cheaper accomodations off-site, but convenience has a price... and is worth it, especially when traveling in large groups. Continue to talk to her about the resort guest perks... EMH, Magical Express, free park transportion and/or free parking, etc., and especially those relating to travel with large groups... the ability to split-up with ease, for afternoon breaks/naps/swims and or late nights when some want to stay in the parks and others are tired and want to return to the resort, etc.

Magical Gatherings also has a few special offerings for parties over 8. These various special events can be pricey.

 

[IamErica]

ok, so I know I am putting the horse WAY out in front of the cart.. I think I miss planning a trip that I am looking for any excuse to start up again.
Anyway...like I said earlier, this trip isn;t going to happen for a few years, but it is never to early to start planning right?
so what I have looked at SO FAR.. is the
Fort wilderness cabins, only fits 6 and the more expensive of the few I have looked at . would need 2 cabins....
then there is the Old Key West. the 2 room suites can fit 8 adults, would trying to get the 3 younger kids (under 6 years) in be too much? the square footage is the biggest of all!!!
then of course Pop Century and getting 3 joining rooms. This is the cheepest, but I am thinking the perk of the kitchen and W/D in OKW might be worth it.
What are your big family stays been like?
Thanks

 

[ElizabethB]

A party of 8 or more qualifies for a "Grand Gathering". Staying on site is convenient. But, for a large party, an off-site home with private pool might also appeal. You would need to rent a couple of vans, however, and coordinate times, etc.

 

[Lynne M]

then there is the Old Key West. the 2 room suites can fit 8 adults, would trying to get the 3 younger kids (under 6 years) in be too much? the square footage is the biggest of all!!!

You'd need a 2 -bedroom plus a 1-bedroom, or a 2-bedroom plus a studio at OKW.

The occupancy limit for a 2-bedroom isn't 8 adults, it's 8 persons over the age of 3, plus one child under the age of three. Even if you have a child under 3, there's no way they'll let you put 10 people plus a baby in a 2-bedroom. And even if they did, it'd be really uncomfortable. You'd only have 1 king bed, 2 queens and a sofa bed. 3 members of your party would be without beds.

How about 2 Family Suites at ASM? That'll give you plenty of sleeping space, and kitchen facilities, and even 2 suites would be less than a 2-bedroom villa plus a studio at OKW.

 

[Reginak]

First of all, STAY ONSITE. Everyone will be able to come and go as they please without having to coordinate schedules, meeting places, times, vans, etc.; and if someone doesn't feel well or just wants a break then it is a short hop to the room and they won't feel as if they are spoiling everyone else's trip. Disney transportation makes everything so much easier especially for a big group.

Seriously consider renting points for a grand villa. I don't know when or how long your trip will be so it is difficult to estimate the cost, but points rent out for $8-$13/pt. and the GVs at OKW start at 356 points a week (which works out to $169 per family per night if you figure with and average cost of
$10/pt. and you won't have to pay any taxes.

My family did a Grand Gathering a couple of years ago as a group of 13. It was wonderful! We stayed in a GV at BWV; it was basically three hotel rooms with a huge living room, kitchen and laundry room in the middle. It was perfect. Look at the pictures at allearsnet.com under accommodations.

Regina

 

[IamErica]

First of all, STAY ONSITE. Everyone will be able to come and go as they please without having to coordinate schedules, meeting places, times, vans, etc.; and if someone doesn't feel well or just wants a break then it is a short hop to the room and they won't feel as if they are spoiling everyone else's trip. Disney transportation makes everything so much easier especially for a big group.

Seriously consider renting points for a grand villa. I don't know when or how long your trip will be so it is difficult to estimate the cost, but points rent out for $8-$13/pt. and the GVs at OKW start at 356 points a week (which works out to $169 per family per night if you figure with and average cost of
$10/pt. and you won't have to pay any taxes.

My family did a Grand Gathering a couple of years ago as a group of 13. It was wonderful! We stayed in a GV at BWV; it was basically three hotel rooms with a huge living room, kitchen and laundry room in the middle. It was perfect. Look at the pictures at allearsnet.com under accommodations.

Regina

Ok. I am still pretty new at the whole abreviated names.. what exactly is the BWV? How do I go about renting points for a grand villa?
Thanks for the info

 

[Deb & Bill]

First thing you have to do is wait until a year before your trip. Then you find an OKW member with enough points to make the reservation for you. Then you pay that member to make the reservation, maybe the entire amount at 11 months out. Who knows what the DVC rental market might be by then? DVC could be really cracking down on renting by that time. Points might be $15 a point by then (or more). You won't get a member to rent you a reservation based on points for $8-10 a point for that many points and that far out. Figure on $12-15 a point at least by that time.

The Boardwalk Villas (BWV) are probably out of your reach because there are so few of them. You really need to be a member there to get them.

Go over to the DVC Rent/Trade Board and read the stickies at the top of the page. Those are important. You will have no control over this reservation at all. Cancellation may be impossible, same with any changes. You won't be able to call to confirm this as you cannot contact Member Services for any reason if you are not a DVC member.