Help! Family reunion trip in the planning stage and I'm in charge

[cpfolk]

I used this broker https://www.dvcrequest.com/ for a 2BR. It worked out great and the company was easy to work with. You pay up front - there's no cancellation like a regular hotel, so trip insurance may be a good idea.
To look into DVC rental, you need to understand the cost based on your stay dates (there are 4 price seasons)
https://www.dvcrequest.com/point-chart/villas_disneys_grand_californian_2018.htm
March/spring break time can be pricey.

Having the full kitchen and in room laundry was wonderful. The site I linked has floor plans so you can see the various room layouts. They also will chat with you and answer questions.

Good luck!
PM me if you have more questions specific to what I did. Happy to share

Thank you! I will be in touch. My experience with all things DVC is nonexistent.

Congratulations to your in laws! We just completed a family reunion trip at Disneyland this past President's Day. Although we had some issues with the construction at the Grand Cal, that should be all complete by next year. We are DVC members and stayed in the villas. Our party was kind of similar in size to yours. We took 1 2BR where two family units stayed, and 2 studios for the grandparents and the final family unit. Although the rooms weren't that close to each other, the 2BR was the natural gathering place for the group. We have also stayed in the Grand Villa in the past, but it's a pretty hefty number of points, and the kitchen is only slightly bigger than in the 2BR. One thing it does have is a table that can seat at least 8. We had to use both the table and the kitchen bar seating to accomodate everyone at once in the 2BR. There may have even been a couple of people on the couch? I can't quite recall.

As a group, we planned to eat most of the meals together, whether it be cooked in the unit or reservations at a restaurant. Beyond that we would stick together for some things and go off independently for others. Some of our meals prepared in the unit included, frozen lasagna or rice casserole with salad, Korean BBQ, and breakfast sandwiches. We also brought microwave popcorn and other snacks and beverages for the group. The restaurant reservations included Naples, Carthay Circle, and Ralph Brennan's for brunch. We also did one meal at Uva (they don't take reservations.) It all worked out beautifully, and it was pretty crowded even by holiday weekend standards.

This is the second time we've done a large family trip to Disneyland, and both times we ate at Carthay Circle, they put us in the wishing well room when we showed up. This is the private room in the cupola tower of Carthay Circle. We didn't request it, but that's where they put our party of 12. It was absolutely an amazing and luxurious meal. If you're interested, I would mention it's your in-laws 50th anniversary, and perhaps you could also get this room. My father in law was so happy with that meal with the family all together like that. A fantastic experience.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I did a quick check, and the grand villa was a hefty number indeed.... almost $20000 for the last week of March 2018. That, my friends, is officially a deal breaker . We all want the trip to be special and the parks to be close and convenient, but I think we can do a lot of other great things with that kind of cash.

Unfortunately for us, I am a teacher and SIL is a food services director for a school district. Our hands are tied as to vacation times, and honestly, my kids have reached the ages when a week out of school is a real challenge.

Carthay Circle is the only thing on my daughter's bucket list. She has talked about those firecracker duck wings for three years! I think it would be a great place for a celebratory dinner for our family. We also plan to let the teenagers and one Dad handle the younger cousins for a pizza and movie night in the hotel while moms and dads celebrate at Napa Rose.

Again, thanks so much to all for the great advice and for sharing your experiences! You are all so helpful

 

[Nonsuch]

...Carthay Circle is the only thing on my daughter's bucket list. She has talked about those firecracker duck wings for three years! I think it would be a great place for a celebratory dinner for our family.

You have the right size group for the Premier Room
Accommodates groups of 8 to 12. Book directly with Carthay Circle, a deposit might be required -- there is no extra cost, just the usual meal prices.

 

[smartlabelprint]

We really enjoyed the HomeWood suites. Free breakfast

Only the three disneyland owned hotels have early entry.

Also look at Hyatt house.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...ce/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2 This one is also brand new and right across the street form the park. Although I don't know all the ins and outs of the transportation center/gateway project during your travel time.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

I suggest you look at lmtclub.com for tickets. You will save lots of money on the tickets. If you are NOT staying on Disney property, but have a three+ day ticket, you will get one early entry to Disneyland. I am the "travel agent" for my extended family, so I plan for 10 people. The boards have been so helpful for DL, WDW, and DCL.