Help..better value?

[mdcousins]

I am trying to plan a trip to Disney in December for my immediate family and extended family. There will be ten of us. I am the only one that has been to Disney out of the group.

I have only been once for two days so I need some help.

I am debating between keeping my reservation for two Fort Wilderness Cabins in WDW with the dining plan or...

Staying in a three/four bedroom at Bonnet Creek Resort without the dining plan so we can all stay together.

Staying at the resort would be about 1500.00 less, but how far will that go in Disney to feed 10 people for a week? I would like to take the kids to T Rex and Chef Mickeys...I have never been to either.

Thanks!

 

[nicki.momof3]

Personally I would stay on site with that many people just for transportation reasons alone - you don't want to load up numerous cars a number of times a day. I would also hate to have 10 people stay together. I love to travel with my family but for a week we need seperate rooms (at the same resort).

I would personally check out one of the moderate resorts. Have each group get their own room. I would also highly recommond the dining plan. It is so nice to not have to pay out of pocket for everything.

I have traveled with a large group to WDW and this is what workds best for us:

1. We all get our own room at a moderate resort (we like POR).
2. We all get the dining plan
3. One person is in charge of planning - always me - I love WDW planning
4. We always book a sit down dinner as a family and than spend the evening after dinner together seeing a parade, fireworks, illlumiations, or whatever. Dinner is usually around 5pm so we have time to do stuff after as a family.
5. The mornings are spent with our individual families (together if people want but not a requirement). Some people like to get up early, some sleep in, some have little kids that nap son don't.

I love to travel with others but it is hard to spend all of your time together (done that - never again). Every individual famiy functions different and has different routines. Personal family time is very important. It makes everyone happier.

 

[Hootch]

your scenario correctly, the $1,500 is the difference between lodging and dining plan at WDW and just lodging at Bonnet Creek. Is that correct?

If you have ten people over a week that's 70 people days of food. Cooking at Bonnet Creek will be cheaper but food for that many people will cost something and avoiding snacks or meals in the parks will be hard without time traveling to and from the parks.

The difference in price works out to be about $21/people day for food. If you eat at only CS locations with a snack a day you might get away with that amount of spending but not likely. (If you add in parking at WDW for two cars - $28/day - the $21 drops to less than $19 per person day.)

Your probably trading off some comfort for more time in the park and convenience. My family may be odd but whenever we get together for a group vacation people want to do different things. We'll have some common get togethers but there are times, especially with difference in ages of adults and kids, when people want to do their own thing. Having Disney transportation available to you really simplifies life.

 

[earljam]

There is no doubt that staying on site is your only option!!!!

Price aside, having everyone on site just makes sense logistically. Bonnet creek might only be a couple mile away but in Disney a couple mile out of the gate could easily take 45 minutes or longer. where as the cabins are accessible from buses and boats. People can go do there own thing and still be able to meet up for a meal or family down time with ease.

Seems to me the only way to keep that many people together and on the same page is to stay on site. The PP put the cost analysis into perspective for you.

I hope I helped.

 

[tzolkin]

You said 10 people, but I'm not sure of the make-up of the family.

Is there a particular reason for the cabins? (I think one of the advantages of the cabins is being able to cook, but if you're doint the dining plan you won't need to use the kitchen.)

You could get 3 rooms at a value for less than half the price of the two cabins. Or two rooms at POR for over $250/night less. Or two family suites for $180/night less. (Of course the best room arrangements depend on the family make-up) That would save a lot of money that you could use for food OOP or the DP.


Personally, with extended family on-site would be great since you'll likely want to split up and do different things. Disney transportation would give you more freedom to have a few members of the group head back to the resort for a nap, hop to another park for dinner, etc.


(Also, T-Rex does not take the dining plan.)

 

[kchughes]

Another vote for on-site, however you choose to do it (cabins, value. moderates), for these reasons:

1. Transportation-not everyone will be on the same schedule and will need/want different things.

2. Dining plan just makes life easier.

3.(and what I consider the most important) everyone needs their own space. As much as I love and want to spend time with my family, sometimes I just need some alone time.

10 people equals alot of personalities in one space. Assuming that some of these are family by marriage, not everyone will want to be around the extended family all of the time

 

[tonums]

On site with dining plan. Food still costs money, so you won'y have the whole $1500 savings, by a long shot. PLUS, with a kitchen, who will cook on a DISNEY vacation? Mom? Dad? Grandma? It will be unfair to someone thats for sure. Get your meals/transportation/etc from Disney. There will be more then enough to do withoput thinking about making lunches for everyone. ( I go on the super duper cheap, so I know, I make breakfast and pack a lunch in our value hotel room every day) NOT something I would recommend for a once in a lifetime-or once in this decade type trip, YKWIM? Plus, 10 people? $1500 for food, thats (obviously) $150 a person for food over the duration of your stay? CHEAP.

PLus, who the heck wants to do dishes at DISNEY?