Is it too early to plan now ?

[mommymonster]

We are trying to plan a huge trip with lots of family members...maybe 30 of us to go in 2011...is it too early to start planning now?

I have been to DisneyWorld 2x and Land 1x...we are thinking of going to World. I want to stay in a Deluxe resort this time. I am going to start a savings acct specifically for Disney and read this board like a lunatic to get tips.

I am already obsessing over it and it seems so far away!

Lisa (oh is my sig to big?)

 

[mommymonster]

I guess it is too big if it was chopped off...will try again with something else

 

[GusMan]

My 2 cents is that with an event like that the biggest thing you should start doing is planning a budget. It should include one for your own family and estimated budgets for everyone else to consider.

Include some "fudge factor" in the budget to account for inflation, etc, and update the budget numbers about every 6 months to a year to make sure you are on track. The numbers may not make sense now, but it will at least give others in your party an idea of what they will need to save for. That way, there is less sticker shock.

About 18 months before the trip, start narrowing down certain things such as lodging and transportation. Try to book things about a year in advance. Do ADR's at the 6 month mark. You know...the usual stuff.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[PADISFAM]

too early?????? Heavens no!!! We're juggling our next 3 trips right now
taking us out to 2011 & that's just for 5 of us---let alone 30! & I agree w/ LuvOrlando planning is 1/2 the fun

 

[Sherrkel]

Planning is what keeps you excited for the trip, and is half the fun
We are in the midst of planning our return GG for Feb 2009. We had 21 of us for our last trip in 2007. We've grown to 24 (maybe more) this trip. Since we're mostly all family (and four very good family friends) and very close (in proximity as well as likeness), planning our first trip was not too difficult. Currently, we hold monthly "meetings" to discuss what resturants we want to dine at next year. Since our resort has already been decided and rooms booked (returning to CSR, the best moderate resort IMO), that part was easy. We used AAA as our travel agent, it was nice to have someone local who helped us coordinator our arrangements. Also, we saved $ with our AAA discount, which was great.
Enjoy planning, and remember, sometimes there will be sacrifices made to try to meet everyone's needs; but the best part of the trip is being together.

 

[wilde_oscar]

that many people? to start with, consider staying off site... it will be way more cost effective. dreamsvillas.com they are close, they have great amenities... I believe it is double your money back if you are abducted by aliens during your stay.

Also with a group that large it will be like herding cats. Expect that people will break into splinter groups... plan meeting places and meals where people can meet up, then go separate directions.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[mommymonster]

Thanks for your advice....we have now changed our minds to sometime in November of 2010...so I guess that isn't that far away at all. Yikes. We have a possible of 23 going with maybe more on the way.

Lisa