Senior trip details--lots of ?s & hotel help appreciated!

[firecracker]

Well, here are the details of the (insane) Senior trip I'm planning!

30 kids, total of 6 chaperones

We are coming down in a huge double-decker bus (www.lightrider.org if you're interested in seeing it!) filled with sofas, card tables, folds out into beds for 36 people! Even has a 46" plasma TV!! Anyway, we will have no other transpo once in Orlando and it's a monster to drive, I hear. Hence, being near the I-drive trolley may be a good thing.

We're driving straight thru from Indiana to Orlando on Friday May 21, leaving IN about noon so we should arrive in Orlando Saturday morning.

Arrive Sat a.m. 5/22
Spend "free" day on I-drive/shopping, putt-putt, see a movie, etc.

Sun 5/23--spend the day at Cocoa Beach, Ron Jon. return to Orlando in the afternoon, clean up, Dixie Stampede for dinner

Mon 5/24--spend all day and evening at US/IOA. Buying 2day/2park passes thru group sales. Will use only one day, but kids can keep the other day for some other time in their lives...at least we'll have park hopping privileges for the day. 2day/2park is cheaper than 1day/2park.

Tues 5/25--spend the day at Wet n Wild. Board the bus about 5pm for the trip home.

So, my questions---where's the best hotel on I-drive for our needs? We were supposed to stay at the Rosen Plaza, but it's full due to a medical convention. The tour director has us now booked at a Quality Inn near the Rosen, but that sounds scary to me. I've got some suites held at HI Family Suites, but it's off the trolley line and totally at the other end of I-Drive.

We are a small Christian school, so we've got "good" kids. I'm not *too* worried about them being stupid on Senior trip, although I wouldn't be shocked to find some pot or a bottle of Schnappes in somebody's bag! I'm trying to say that I don't think we'll have to babysit too awful much...we'll allow them some freedom.

Any *must do* things on I-Drive for teens? Anybody know how much a taxi would be from HIFS to the outlet malls? Is a taxi our best bet to get around I-Drive if we stay at the HIFS? Any way for us to get some of those great pizza coupons for a large group like ours?

Thanks so much for your help! Looking forward to all your replies!!

Carmen

 

[WDWisTheBest]

First, Carmen, let me congratulate you and the other 6 chaperones for bringing the high school seniors to Orlando.
Second, let me say that I have a total bias toward WDW in comparison to Universal.
Third, I am going to assume that your group wants to keep the budget as low as possible.

With that in mind, I am biased toward recommending something that will get the group to visit one of the theme parks at WDW. And, I am biased toward trying to suggest lodging that could get your onsite at WDW so that you could take advantage of using WDW transportation as much as possible.

Would something like this be totally out of consideration? This is taken from the DIS boards Walt Disney World Resort Codes:

"There is also a “Trade Show Flier” discount available for booking through March 31, 2004. This is for Ft. Wilderness ONLY and is for travel dates with check in dates from April 18 – June 5, 2004. The following are the nightly rates for this offer before taxes:
- Ft. Wilderness Cabin: $169
- Basic hook up: $37
- Full hook up: $47
- Preferred hook up: $52
- Ask for code CIE

Disney also has new package discounts for springtime travel. They are calling these their "Springtime Dream Maker" packages. The discounts are including the silver, gold and prince/princess package add on features (note the separate discount code for the additional add on packages.) These must all be booked by February 9th. You can book directly through Disney at 407-WDISNEY, or through Dreams Unlimited Travel. "

Here is the thought process. Here is your first day:Arrive Sat a.m. 5/22 Spend free day on I-drive/shopping, putt-putt, see a movie, etc." If you could use a combination of the Lightrider bus for sleeping for the bulk of the kids with a full hook up priced at $47 per night and one or two Ft. Wilderness cabins at $169 each per night, you could stay ONSITE at WDW. You are probably aware that there are movies at FT. Wilderness and lots to do and see on the Disney properties, using free Disney transportation. If you had at least one cabin, you could cook for the group and have bathroom facilities for everyone. With buying groceries at a local Publix or Super Walmart, you could save tons of money. Shopping could be accomplished at Downtown Disney with free time totally taken up easily Fireworks at the Magic Kingdom can be viewed and there is campfire singing etc. at Ft. Wilderness. For those who would want to go to the MK, it will probably be open later on that Saturday.

Sunday, with patience, you could go to Cocoa Beach in the morning, hit Ron Jon's and get back in time to go to Dixie Stampede. Or, you might even want to try the Ft. Wilderness Hoop De Doo Review. There also is lots of food at the Hoop De Doo buffet.

Monday, UA/IOA. as planned.

Tuesday, if you choose Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, rather than Wet and Wild, the bus does not have to move offsite and the bus can be prepared for the trip back home later that day. The kids can go to the Disney water parks using Disney transportation.

Maybe this is totally off base for your plans, but it is just a thought to consider. Maybe your tour director has already rejected something like this, but it could work.

 

[Lewisc]

Call group sales in Universal and ask for some suggestions. Since you're on a budget I'd look for places that include continental breakfast.

You might consider splitting your group and letting some people use their extra Universal pass Sat.

Some schools make the seniors drop off their luggage the day before and they are inspected. Even look for people putting liquor in shampoo bottles.

HIFS is the wrong end of I Drive for you. There are numerous hotels off I Drive.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Lewisc has a good idea as well for Universal group sales.

Usually for large group sales at WDW, lodging is at the All Stars. They can be contacted through the WDW CRO number.

You are certainly right about the trolley not running to HIFS. I would imagine that the bus would have to be used for any trips to the outlet malls, UA, Wet and Wild, and Dixie Stampede. Another possibility would be rental of a van to ferry students around.

What is the approximate daily budget for lodging? That influences the hotel recommendations.

 

[firecracker]

Thanks for your quick replies.

WDWistheBest--thanks for your insights. I, too, am completely biased toward WDW and especially staying on property. But, alas, I am NOT the one choosing the attractions. These kiddos want thrill rides and unfortunately many think WDW is for little kids. We know that's not true, but you can't tell an 18yo anything 'cuz they already know it all! I am all for your itinerary, but it just won't happen...thanks for trying!

Budget for lodging: at the Rosen we were getting an unbelievable $65/night/room. Right now at the HIFS, I'm at $150/night/room (includes tax). But that includes bfast.

I definitely want a place w/bfast...a hot buffet is preferred over continental.

My top priorities are a pool, breakfast, location on I-Drive (not necessarily in that order). All for $65/night or less...asking too much? Dreaming? I don't know. That's why I'm so happy to have experts like you all to turn to!

TIA!

Carmen

 

[Lewisc]

None of us are "experts" on group reservations. Some properties will be happy to have you and will give you a great deal. Other place may not want your group at all.

Call your contacts at Universal and Rosen and ask them for suggestions. Get a few names and post here and ask for opinions.

If you want to do some detective work get a list of PL hotels from the biddingfortravel.com website. DON'T USE PL but those are hotels that give deep discounts to PL. They might also be willing to give good discounts for a group. Go through the list, pick the places that offer a hot breakfast and then get a group rate. I'd call the hotel directly (not the 800 number) and ask for group sales.

Some of the Quality Inn properties offer an OK hot breakfast.
Keep in mind the students probably aren't interested in a 4* property.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I know that I am not expert on group reservations, but Lewisc gave some good tips. FWIW, the Wyndham on I-Dr and the Holiday Inn on I-dr. have been reserved on PL for around $35 per night, according to biddingfortravel.com. As Lewisc said, your tour director might want to check with these chains. I would do it asap though. Since the Rosen Plaza is booked, that means many spillover hotels/motels on I-Drive will be booking soon.

If you haven't seen this before, this is the web link for the trolley service and locations of motels along the way:
http://www.orlando-internationaldrive.com/trolley/default.htm

Good luck.