How to plan Budget Trip for Large group.

[momto4cs]

Grandma bought week at Orange Lake and will provide another condo at Orange Lake for May-Or June of 06. We are a large family, around 25 will be going. We are driving from Missouri in car and motor home. I am in charge of finding cost. Is there any way to buy group tickets to save money. Also do you have to stay at WDW to do grand gatherings. ANy ideas or suggestions to help plan this 1st time trip for total of 7 family"s age 4-65. Thanks

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Welcome to disboards. Buy and study Guidebooks -- Passporter, Official Guide to WDW, Unofficial Guide to WDW -- are probably best.

Group Tickets at WDW is 407-824-6750 (Per the current phone book). They might be able to help you out.

As far as Grand Gatherings, there is a requirement that at least 80% of the people attending a particular event must be staying at a Disney Resort. I know this for sure as I have been able to "tag along" with some friends when they have had GGs.

Unless you have a couple of people in your group who have experience at WDW and are willing to take command, you may have a difficult time. This will include coordinating sleeping cycles and meals at the very least.

Also, go to www.allearsnet.com which has lots of information about trip planning. It also has menus from all the eating places on WDW (full service, counter service, fast food and carts). Especially if you are from outside the St Louis area you may get sticker shock at the food prices.

Good Luck

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

You might want to think about how you'll do theme parks. If you wait for everyone to get up and go it will be slow. The biggest groups I've traveled had about 10 people. If you don't decide in advance how people will get to the parks you will get there in the time frame of the slowest moving person. ...And then there is the problem of who can ride what. With that big a group I'd probably think about...
a) getting space for the motor coach at Fort Wilderness (gives everybody someplace to take a break during the day.
b) create touring plans complete with projected departure times. I had my most worthless theme park trip ( SixFlags) this summer with my nieces. I didn't realize they would roam the park endlessly without getting on anything. Eventually I made them stop and get on something and thereafter it was ok. The plans probably should include where to eat and when to either go back to Orange Lake or over to the motor coach for a midday break.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Thanks to the OP and those that responded! I learned something new.
And I like the link! Thanks again. I love the DIS!