Help!!Grand Gathering..bit off more than I can chew?

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

So my dear sweet Grandmother has decided to surprise the family this Christmas with a trip to Disney in September or October of 2008. She is paying for the tickets, hotel, and flights/cars. I have planned many successful trip for my family (DH, DS, DS) but never for so many.

Here is the Cast of Characters.

Myself
DH
DS9 - High Functioning Autism
DS6 - Sensory Processing Disorder
DD-14 months old (will be 2 when we go)
Mom (mine)
Sister 3
Sister 2
Sister 1
Nephew - PDD-NOS (Autism Spectrum)
Neice - Low Functioning Autism
Potientially sister 1's fiancee

As you can see, we have quite the little group. I have never planned for this many people before and I am wondering what the best way to plan this is. It is a definate must that we stay on site and I am trying to figure out what would be the best Resort and time for us.

Do they have connecting rooms that would run 3 across?

I know that the last few years running they have done the "free dining" is August and September..is there a solid time frame for that (a middle time that you know it will be offered)

For a party this large, am I better off paying for everything seperately and using a AAA discount or getting a package for everyone?

Any tips or help to keep me to as low of a cost would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks so much,

 

[mom2travel]

We had did a Grand Gathering in July 2006 - 10 adults and 4 children. We stayed at the Polynesian in the Tahiti building. Three of our rooms were interconnecting so we could walk from my family's room through my brother & SIL's to our parents. I think it was even four rooms connecting; so we had 4 in a row and another a couple doors down. I do not know about other resorts.

We booked through AAA as a package; definitely do that, don't piece together. Call or email a AAA travel agent for help. There is no cost to you to use a travel agent. I booked everything for the group under my AAA membership. I was able to make dining reservations myself by calling Disney dining, but any Grand Gathering activities need to be booked by the person who made the reservation - for example, travel agent booked our GG MK Fireworks Cruise.

If I think of anything else for the beginning planning stages that would be helpful I'll be back

 

[jtopp]

Did something similar for our group of ten, but not with some of the special needs that you have. Contact Disney travel and especially guest services- They are fabulous with making sure your special needs and requests are met. Good luck with your trip.

 

[8disneyfans]

The last three trips we took were GG, we are just a large family all by ourselves. I have never planned anything with such a large group, so others might have better advice. I do agree with one of the poster, don't do it yourself, get a travel agent or someone to help you. Sometimes GG can be a pain!
I did want to pass along this: I have a friend with a DS with special needs and she got a note from the doctor saying that it was hard for him to wait in lines. Disney has given him a special FF that the family can use. Now it isn't a for sure thing that you will be able to use it, it is up to each CM who works the ride. They have never been told no.