Family Reunion --- HELP ! ! !

[clarkgriswold]

Help!

I've been "volunteered" to come up with options for a family reunion of about 45-55 people.

Any ideas, tips, sugestions?

Especially of interest is how to stage large gatherings for dinner etc when everyone is staying in a hotel room.

 

[franw]

Well, clarkgriswold, let me first extend my compliments to you. Anyone whose family trusts them to plan a reunion of that size and scope is either the family hero or scapegoat. I believe I fit into both of those categories in our family. Now if you are talking about a family reunion at WDW, there are probably others that can direct you far better than I. The largest group I have ever gotten together there is 14 and right now I am pulling out my hair for a group of 12 this November. They range in ages from 2 to 81. I know Disney deals with large groups on a regular basis so there might be a department dedicated to structuring this type of a group. It wouldn't hurt to call. I would simply say whatever you do do it early, early, early. Also on my limited scale, leave lots of room for people to do their own thing. You can't possibly navigate that many people except to a few well-planned meals, picnics. I know the All-Stars are supposed to have lots of places for group activities. Also, I think planning family reunions has become a bit of a religion these days and there are probably websites outside of Disney that will give you lots of direction and tips. Good luck and live up to the "Griswold" name.

 

[julfre]

More info on ages, where you are staying etc would help. If it is mainly adults, one easy plan would be to have a Pleasure Island night. That way everyone can go there together, but yet there are options for splitting up. I would also plan to go to a specific park on a specific day, but not try to do everything as a group or even arrive or leave the park at the same time. Even though the parks are large, you will run into each other while touring at your own pace. So Monday may be Epcott day and Tuesday MK day etc.

I've done family reunions on a much smaller scale and drove myself crazy trying to plan things to do "together". It doesn't work with that many people and you;ll only go nuts trying to make everyone happy. Plan a general schedule with a couple of meetings/meals and let people follow the schedule as close as they do or do not want.

good luck 'cause you'll need it

 

[jordanyosh]

Disneyworld will be starting a new celebration(promo) in October called Magical Gatherings. It is specifically geared for large groups and family reunions. So you can wait until then and see what they offer.

 

[swilphil]

I believe they have an office that deals with groups that require at least 10 hotel rooms.

Good luck, Clark! Is Cousin Eddie comin' to the reunion???

 

[clarkgriswold]

Thanks for the input so far.You guys are great. This is my first post in over two years, and while their are hundredes of new names out there,the spririt of the DISBoard Lives On!

Anyway....Ithinkyou are all "dead-on" right when it comes to part planning. Essentially,everyonewill be on their own. For the most part, the reunion groups ages will range from mid-teensto early 70s.

The idea of a Pleasure ISalnd night sounds GREAT, and those under age can always spin off to DisneyQuest.

As far as lodging, I'm guessing one of the All-Stars, unless WDW has an office for group events that can get us a good price on a moderate or (dare I say deluxe)

Anyone know of the office at WDW that might have info on large groups?

 

[lentesta]

Hi clarkgriswold,

Here's an article I did for WDWIG.com on large groups at WDW.

http://wdwig.com/authors_sehl3.htm

It's by no means an exhaustive account, but it's a start. For up to ten rooms, an annual pass might offer you the best discounts.

Sincerely,

Len "Though the Hindus speak of Karma" Testa

 

[Grumpy92]

I would go ahead and call CRO they can direct you to a coordinator who can help you with all your plans. They will probably give you to a special sales person. Just tell them you are in charge of a family reunion at WDW and your party is around 45 people. They will be glad to make suggestions on lodging and special dinners, perhaps a special viewing area for the fireworks or a fireworks cruise.
You are due a huge amount of respect for taking this on. When you return please do a trip report as we would all like to know how things went.

 

[disneyatl]

My only advice would be not to make yourself crazy planning activities, dinners, etc. Maybe you should just book the rooms, get tickets and plan on one large dinner for your reunion. It will be so hard to get everyone on the same schedule the rest of the time. I also think Pleasure Island would be a great idea. You'll be a lot less stressed if you let everyone come and go as they please. Just my two cents!

 

[figmentvi]

Another idea that will make for a very memorable evening is to have your own Illuminations Dessert Party. Prices start at $17.50 per person and the viewing areas are fantastic !!! The regular Disney Dining line should be able to help you.

The phone number for Group Reservations (They handle weddings too) is: 407-824-1383

 

[clarkgriswold]

Excellent thoughts, everyone. Does anyone have any guess as to when prices and availability for one of the All-Star resorts (or Pop Cenrtury) will be avilable. The date4s are firming up at June 24 through July 1, 2005

Am I nuts to think that I could get a rates of $100 a night during that period?

Thanks, again.

You folks are great

 

[timC]

Here's one tip, that might come in handy.

The Boardwalk has a private lounge called the Attic, with comfy furniture overlooking the BW, that you can rent. I don't know the cost (probably very pricey), or how to rent (might try calling the BW directly). It might be a good place for a reunion party...

Good luck with your planning!

 

[Pigsty333]

Hope this helps you out. This is a whole new package that Disney is now offering. It sounds just like what you are looking for:

Magical GatheringsTM to Multiply the Magic at Walt Disney World®

This fall, the Walt Disney World® Resort will kick off Magical GatheringsTM, a celebration of the special magic that happens when family and friends gather together. Offering something for everyone, the Walt Disney World® Resort is the most magical place there is to vacation with extended family and friends. It is, quite simply . . . "Magic Multiplied."

And as part of this celebration, Walt Disney World® will also launch a new line of products and services designed to make it easier for larger parties to travel together, appealing to this emerging travel niche. Grand Gatherings debuts at Walt Disney World® in early October for travel beginning Nov. 24, 2003, offering special products and services designed specifically for parties of eight or more traveling together as a group onsite, such as family reunions, extended family and friends, and leisure travel groups.

The Vacation Kingdom aims to tap into a series of trends that are making a mark on the travel industry. Coupled with a well-documented increase in multi-generational travel is a rise in the number of Americans electing to travel with extended family and friends, and an increase in the number of families incorporating a special destination into their family reunion plans.

"We've seen a continued increase in the groups of two, three and four families vacationing together at Walt Disney World®," said Randy A. Garfield, CTC, executive vice president of sales and travel operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and president of the Walt Disney Travel Company. "Whether it's a multi-generational family or the families of two or three friends, these folks are personifying the concept of 'the more, the merrier.'"

Grand Gatherings will offer several commissionable functions for groups of eight or more staying at a Walt Disney World® Resort eager to experience a special type of Disney magic together. These functions, to be experienced with other Grand Gatherings groups, include: International Storybook Dinner at Epcot® with reserved viewing of Illuminatinos: Reflections of Earth; Good Morning Gathering at the Magic Kingdom® Park that includes breakfast with Disney characters; Safari Celebration Dinner at Disney's Animal Kingdom® featuring a special safari experience with entertainment and characters; and the Magical Fireworks Voyage offered seasonally in the Seven Seas Lagoon outside of the Magic Kingdom®.

Grand Gatherings guests will also receive special reservation and itinerary planning assistance.

"This type of travel is much more complex to coordinate than traditional single family vacations, which plays right into the travel agent's power alley," said Garfield. Grand Gatherings will allow agents to accentuate their planning services as well as earn increased commissions by booking larger parties."

 

[clarkgriswold]

WOW!!! Very cool. Anyone know where the best place is to call. The info sounds like it comes from a travel agent newsletter.

 

[kadaten]

Clark,
Disney CRO has some basic information...better descriptions of the packages than stated above, but pricing has yet to be released. (I'm in the same boat....planning a reunion for December for 20.) Details will be rolled out sometime in October, probably as part of the big press event they're holding Oct 8-10 with the debut of "Wishes" and the other new attractions. It will be valid for travel beginning Nov. 24, I believe I read on another site.

So far, we're planning 2 whole-family dinners, one the first night and one the last. We have several small group activities through the week that people can opt-in as they wish...golf, backstage tours, special character meals for the kids, etc. Since we only had 8 rooms, we didn't qualify for group services, so we ended up getting an extra room to serve as our family hospitality suite. We're putting a refrigerator in there (to keep milk for the babies as well as tasty beverages for the adults) and will have lots of snacks to nosh on while enjoying each other's company each morning and evening.

I advise you to make full use of Disney group services, as they are used to dealing with large groups and will find ways to accomodate you. By the way, when you're making priority seating arrangements for meals, they have a new number for any group larger than 13. I don't have it on me at the moment, but if you call (407) WDW-DINE they can give you the number to group dining reservations.

With that number, you might think of having Disney do a family portrait for your family to remember the occasion! It runs $200 or so, I think, but with so many people to split the fee, it won't be so bad!

Good luck in your planning! I'm having quite a time with 20...not that they're hard to make happy....just that no one is voicing an opinion when I solicit them or give them choices. And I'm trying to have something for everyone rather than just my own favorites! But it's Disney, so everyone's bound to have a good time, no matter what!

ºOº kadaten

 

[dprobinson1]

I agree with calling Disney dining to help ... maybe the Biergarten in Germany .. they have very large long tables that seat MANY people .. The rule at Disney is "ask and you will receive" .. so ask for help from Disney, I bet they will have the answer!
Good Luck

 

[LBelle]

WOW!!! Very cool. Anyone know where the best place is to call. The info sounds like it comes from a travel agent newsletter.

My best advice for you is to use the toll free phone number!!! LOTS of planning to do, with many questions, changes, etc. You'll be on the phone to them more often than you think!!! It will get you to the exact same line as the other phone number already mentioned on the thread.

1-800-828-0228

If you need anything else, feel free to PM me.

Good luck!! You'll have a blast!!!

 

[cherylclt]

Did anyone notice this thread was started in September 2003! LOL

 

[Kira G.]

I know - I wonder how the reunion went!!