Magical moment ideas for a group of 12 ?

[cpdrn7]

Dear hubby and I are taking 10 kids with us to disney..and we are looking for something that will really be a magical moment for all of the kids..yet not cost a bundle......yes, the fact that we are even going is a miracle in itself but...we wanted to do a character breakfast until we realized the expensive of just one meal...the kids are 9-17...and I thought maybe if we al put our heads together we could get some great ideas!! We are staying at the all stars--for 7 days in Sept. in case that helps.Thanks...all of the budgeting tips are being used here that I have seen!

 

[janette]

Have you checked into Disney youth programs? It's designed for school, churches & scout groups. There are classes offered that take the kids behind the scenes. Here is a link Disney Youth Groups

They offer some add on's that might be a little cheaper to do.

You can also plan things for the evening shows, shop at the dollar store for light up accessories like neon necklaces etc. They can get expensive in the parks but are a bargain before you go. I think nighttime is an especially magically time for kids and Fantasmic, Illiuminations and Spectro at MK are all great nighttime adventures.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Plan a half day to ride the monorail and visit the monorail resorts. After you get off at the Contemporary, take a boat ride over to Wilderness Lodge. Exploring these wonderful resorts is free and very enjoyable, as are the rides on the boats and monorail. Also, the Fort Wilderness area has a petting zoo and a delicious Buffet restaurant - Trail's End - that is reputed to be one of WDW's best food values.

 

[mad4themouse]

And don't forget the campfire and singalong at Fort Wilderness. Chip and Dale will be there. You can get marshmallows and sticks for very little and the usually show a movie as well. The campfire and movie are free, there is a small charge for the sticks and marshmallows. You could also bring your own.

Puchase inexpensive treats for each of them for each day. Leave them in their rooms with a note from Mickey. Glow necklaces for the night you will be in EPCOT, Disney Pez dispensers, animal crackers for the day at AK, autograph books with fat pens, lanyards from Staples and one or two pins to trade with CMs.

Decorate and wear matching shirts. Get a group photo taken by a Disney photographer on Main Street USA with the castle in the background. Purchase the photo and a nice frame for a great souvenir of your trip.

Look for hidden Mickeys in each of the parks and resorts that you visit. Give points for each one and keep track of everyone's points. Make a button declaring their success for the winner to wear the next day (have it say something like "Jones Family Hidden Mickey Champion"). Watch how many people comment on it.

Take the tour of the AKL. The kids will love it as much as the adults. There is also storytelling in the AKL lobby most evenings.

Have each person keep a journal either by writing about it each evening or by drawing a picture. Share the journals with each other once you get back home. It's fun to see what each family member found to be the most interesting parts of each day.

That's a start. If I think of more, I'll post again. The magic is in the time that you spend together, not the money that you spend.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Your family must be so special and you must be a very special mom. I agree, its not the money, its the magic and the memories. One sticking point in our family was who was going to take pictures. So you might either pick photographer of the morning, afternoon etc. Or maybe a disposable camera each and a small cheap photo album for each. The cheapest character meal would be the ice cream social for around $6.95. Maybe you could do a scavenger hunt thing but cheaply like candy. I think you could like divide them up in teams of 2 and get 1 thing. Bring it all back together and share. Like a bag of mickey gummies is less than $3.95. Maybe some mickey pops. My dss like the goofy unicorn ones I think they are called.You would have to think of things within the budget. I am not so creative. My favorites are poptarts and lots of gatorade powder. My dss also liked collecting the little cards they give you when they take your picture like at test track and TOT. Heah they are free. Depending on where you would be you could maybe have one team get a pressed penny etc. Get a certain character autograph etc. Good luck. The cheapest sit down buffet lunch is trails end. That also might be one special treat if your budget permits but no characters.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Just thought of a few more. For the littler ones how about making the masks at the epcot countries and doing the animal learning stations (I can't think of the name of it but they stamp your little book at Animal Kingdom. FREE. My dss liked that one time. Maybe a round of mini - golf. Does the birnbaums book have a discount cpn for that. You could chose either place. Also there might be the fishing option at Ol Man River at the Riverside/PO resort. Its like $6.95. Seeing the electric water paegent from the Poly beach is fun. Maybe bring along a snack etc. Also you can see the fireworks from the beach. (Please be considerate of the Poly guests first, see where they are standing sitting for viewing first) I don't know if you have park tickets for your whole stay so that would be a consideration too. Enjoy your resort pool. Maybe rent a surry bike at the Boardwalk etc. You can fit at least 4 people into a bike. So that would be about 3. I dont know the price/time etc. Then stop at the boardwalk bakery and get an ice cream cone. Or do this and have a pizza at the spoodles walk up window on the boardwalk. They also are suppose to have entertainment on the boardwalk at night. We couldnt check it out due to all the rain. Hope some of this might be a help. They are some of the cheapest things I know of.