I need help planning for two families, please...

[05ChristmasSurprise]

We are bringing our friends as a suprise next year.

I want to know what my best value would be.

DH wants all-inclusive (So that would be a Gold package) becuase he hates stressing about saving up money ahead of time to be sure we'll have enough on vacation...and worrying about keeping track of every dollar spent on meals. So, I definitely understand that.

However, if we do that, we're looking at around $14,000 for the two families.

Another option would be to buy APs and rent points through the DVC to get a villa that we can all stay in together...which could be fun and would save us several thousand, I'm sure. But, then we won't have the all-inclusive package. You can't add the packages to the APs, right? And you can only buy the gold package if you are staying at a Disney Resort, right?

We stayed off site our first time and we'd like to really live it up for this trip. I want to be able to take Disney transport to everything, pop back into the hotel midday for naps, etc. But, I also don't want to get ridiculous and end up paying too much money unnecessarily either.

So, what would you do? Should I wait for package sales to come out for that time period (they usually come out in late September for the Nov/Dec time frame). And if we have to wait for the package specials, we can't "give" it to them for Christmas this year - and we have to do that so they (and we) have time to save for spending money and airfare and planning for the vacation time (hers resets in january and I want to make sure she has enough saved up for the trip)

Thanks for any advice!

 

[gigi1313]

i would simply make a "voucher" or "gift cert" for the trip w/tentative dates and maybe some brochures, the wdw planning video, maps, etc as the Christmas gift for this year w/a little "discliamer" that says "details to follow" and then as you decide what package/plan/accomodations/etc you will have, share the info along the way...

for me, half the fun is in the planning... perhaps you should ask your friends to plan along with you as the year progresses? (i.e. print out menus of five restaurants and ask them to select two... print out resort facts of three diff't resorts and ask them to select one... thereby getting a feel for what they like in a vacation as well, and that way you are giving a gift they will enjoy, not one you "foist" on them, kwim?)

i would look into meal vouchers and maybe a lesser plan (silver?)... the gold plan is very broad and very few families (esp larger groups) run out of time before they can use them all... yet w/the vouchers you will have accomplished your dh's request of having things paid up ahead of time and not fussing w/money...

good luck... looks like you've got ALOT of planning ahead of you!

 

[05ChristmasSurprise]

Yes, I considered that, too.

We've talked, at length, about what they want to do - and I'd never plan all of the specifics without them. But, I also know that if we wait and let them help plan, they'll insist on paying...and that's not an option

It has to be something we have already paid for, in a sense, so that they cannot have the opportunity to dispute us on this one

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

It is really hard to get your money's worth with the gold plan, or even the silver plan.

If you are planning on 8 or more park days, then the AP is worth the $$$ (or a second trip within the year); otherwise, go with PHP tickets.

You can treat them without having to prepay---you could do vouchers, buy tickets in advance, Hoop-Dee-Doo can be prepaid, Cirque tickets, etc.

You could also just have all charges on one card (yours/husbands) and take care of all bills. Or, you could give them an American Express gift card or something.

I would not go with the package---they are not worth the $$$. And renting a grand villa will be quite costly unless you are only planning on a Sun-Thur stay at Old Key West.

I would get two rooms at one of the MK resorts or at the Epcot resorts if it were me.

Good luck!!!

 

[gigi1313]

they don't have to know that it's not paid for yet, kwim? just tell them you want their input on the variables (and once you know what the variables are you can decide what to pay for!)

 

[4greatboys]

Price wise I think you can book it yourself cheaper than a package. If you buy atleast 1 AP then you can get some good room discounts usually.
We are DVC members and I cant say enough good things about the DVC resorts. The resorts are awesome.

 

[05ChristmasSurprise]

Which DVC resort would you recommend?

Can you take the regular disney transportation from them?

Thanks!

 

[4greatboys]

The DVC resorts are onsite: Old Key West, Boardwalk Villa's. Beach Club Villa's, Villa's at Wilderness Lodge and Saratoga Springs.
They all have some great points. VWL--so beautiful there. If you like Wilderness Lodge the villa's are for you. Quick boat ride to Magic Kingdom and Ft Wilderness if you are doing Hoop Dee Do.
BCV and BWV have a great location in the Epcot resort area. Just a boat ride or short walk to Epcot and MGM. BCV has Storm along bay that is like a mini water park. BWV has all the cool stuff on the Boardwalk.
OKW rooms are HUGE. When we first stayed in a 2 bdrm there it was almost the size of our house. It has a utility room (the other resorts have a small stand up washer and dryer in a small closet).
Havent stayed at SS or really had a chance to go see it yet but it is close to DD. Every resort on property has access to Disney transportation.

 

[ajksmom]

How many of you are going? How long do you plan on being there? Are you going in the Nov/Dec of 2005 timeframe?

Check to see how the AP discount can be used. I'm not sure if it can be used in conjunction with DVC rooms, concierge level rooms, or any of the packages you're considering. Do you have a Disney Visa card? If not you may want to look into getting one as they do quite often offer discounts on packages. AAA also offers package discounts.

Since you're even considering a package use the cost of them as a price to compare to/beat. Make a worksheet up with all costs you plan on paying for (accomodations, meals, etc.) and check out the cost of your many options.

Gold plan and Silver Plan takes care of accomodations, tickets, meals, and perhaps some entertainment outside the parks.

Concierge rooms take care of breakfast and snacks as well as accomodations. Use a combination of vouchers and pre-paid character meals for lunch and dinners. Price shop for ticket options. Consider adding the silver plan here.

Any other way you would need to plan the accomodations, tickets and meals separately. Room only discounts can be had in numerous ways - AP's, AAA, Disney Visa, Public Codes. Tickets can be priced through Disney's website, AAA, ticketmania.com, mapleleaf.com, discountorlandovacation.com, and hotwiresavingsclub.com. Meals can be priced using allearsnet.com, visit the menu area to see actual prices for the restaurants you'd like to go to. Vouchers can be bought through hotwire also.

Your friends won't be aware of when payment is being made. I agree to gather a ton of information for them and present that with some kind of "gift certificate" stating what you will be giving them. Make sure they are aware up front what you will not be taking care of so that they may plan accordingly.

 

[leebee]

My heavens...can we be your friends too? What a generous gift! I'd get the AP for at least two people, if not everyone, rather than spend the money on a gold or silver package. I just love being able to pop in and out of the parks, even if it's a "non-park" day, to catch an evening show or fireworks. FYI, the AP discount that I got for savannah view at AKL 12/8-12/15 was $168/nt, tax included. No, we are not staying there, we are renting a condo at Windsor Palms...