planning for a group of 18

[dpratt68]

Has anyone ever tried to put a trip together on their own for a group this size using the DIS board tips...? We are in the very early stages of thinking this through and I was looking for some input. I know Disney does "Magical Gatherings" for large groups but I also keep reading here that Disney packages usually cost more-HELP!!!!

 

[cynjam]

How many of the 18 are age 23 or under? I haven't done it, but I know they offer deep discount tickets to youth groups. I found out when I was looking into taking a Girl Scout Troop. I was surprised when they said "youth" was 3-23 yrs old. You only need 10 to be a group.

Good Luck with the planning, sound like fun!

 

[TINKTWINS]

You want to let them know you are a Grand Gathering. I dont suppose anyone is an Annual Passholder? There are now CM's that specifically help to accomodate large partys of more than 8. Im doing my second Grand Gathering in August with 12 people.

 

[dpratt68]

do you think you are getting good rates booking your grand gathering through disney? What hotel are you staying at?

 

[Disbug]

I did a group of 17, last summer! Woh! and that was without the Grand Gatherings...

I have not had much luck using the Grand Gatherings planner program and have used them twice this year. So I am not in favor of using them, because it turned out everything was more of a pain than not! LOL! The only thing I used them for was in case we wanted to plan a Magical Gathering which was not offered then to the general public.

I am in favor of downloading their Magical Gatherings online planner however. It is a great way for everyone to share their favorite ideas of the dream vacation! You should try it!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

We have a party of 18 and will be there the first week of August. The Grand Gatherings thing is a good idea, but it's been a little unorganized IMO. I've had to call back and check on every little thing, they've lost ressies twice, mixed up addresses, the list goes on and on. They're always very nice, and have come through and fixed everything so far though. We do have one Grand Gatherings "experience" booked, the fireworks cruise for the first night we're there. I thought it would be a good way to "kick off" our vacation. It is difficult to plan with so many people, since everyone likes to do different things and everyone has their own pace. The way I did it was to just book one thing for everyone per day. After that, they can pair up with whoever they want, or go off and do their own thing. It's just too hard keeping a group that size together in a place as big as WDW. We didn't get a group rate on our ressies or anything for being a "magical gathering". You have to book at least 10 rooms for that. We all have different discounts. DH and I have AP's, my parents have AAA, my sister has the 7 for 5, and DH's family has AAA package deal. Not everyone has to have the same type of room rate, nor do you have to stay in the same resort, although we are because we thought it would be easier. HTH!

 

[dpratt68]

where would I download this planner????

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

You can download it at www.disneyworld.com It is a good tool, but it didn't help me much since none of my group ever read it!