First trip in YEARS!!

[nuttymomof4]

I so need help. DH and I grew up in FL but have only been to Disney a few time between the two of us. Last time we went my inlaws took care of everything. We now live in NJ and we're planning on TRYING to go down next summer when we do our yearly inlaw visit. We've asked the inlaws to go with us cause if they don't then I just don't see how we can go to WDW cause we HAVE to visit them.

Anyway.....here is the reason for my post. LIke I said, last time we went was YEARS ago and then my inlaws did/took care of everything. This year whether we go or not is up to me. I don't know where to begin. My family alone consists of 6. Then there is my inlaws, thats 2 more, my SIL and BIL and their kids, thats 4 more and quite possibly my other SIL and BIL and their 2 kids, yet another 4. I need to figure out the best place to stay, how to save money for this, what all to think about doing etc. Do we stay IN WDW? Do we stay outside? I've read on the boards where you can rent a villa for a week and possibly get one with like 4 bedrooms, kitchen, private pool etc for under $1,000 for the entire time. Actually I think I saw a post were it was like $675 for the week.

Anyway...I don't know what to do. I don't know where to begin. What are vouchers? Where do you get them? What are they for? I've read conflicting things on Disney gift cards in that some have said you CAN use them to purchase Disney Dollars which you can then use in the park but I've also read where some have said you can NOT use the gift cards to buy DD's. Can you use either one to purchase pass'? How much do annual pass' cost?

How much would ya'll think it would cost say just our family of 6 to go to Disney for 3 to 5 days? I'd like to say the entire week but we would have to go to my inlaws house for part of our weeks vacation to see my DH's grandmother as she won't be able to come to Disney w/the rest of us.

I so could use and would appreciate any and ALL help ya'll can offer, I'm at a loss and feel a touch overwhelmed!

 

[Amirah95]

In order to plan appropriately, 1. you will need to know who is going with you for sure (how many adults/kids/babies), 2. what dates do you have in mind?, 3. do you know which resort you want to stay on in Disney or how many bedrooms you will need if you stay offsite? 4. which parks will you all want to visit?, 5. do you really need an annual pass? Will you be returning again before the annual pass is due to expire?, 6. planning for a WDW trip is fun so don't panic!

I don't think you can use Disney Gift Cards to purchase Disney Dollars because you can turn Disney Dollars back into cash. Gift cards are for actual gifts.

There is a thread in the budget board that explains Meal Vouchers to it's entirety. See that board.

Have you thought about purchasing a Disney guide book like the WDW Unofficial Guide 2004 (you can wait until next year to get the 2005 since your going then) or Birnbaum's WDW or the Passporter at your local book store? These can help minimize the amount of questions you have. You will begin to develop questions according to your plan (it's more constructive this way). You can really learn from www.allearsnet.com if you don't want to buy a book just yet.

Answer these questions and you can start to begin to plan your trip.