Thanksgiving Booking/Planning for 13 - Help!

[jillmc40]

Hi Everyone! I am in a bit of a stew over here...

My Aunt has decided that she wants to take ALL of us to Disney! That is 13 people! WOW! I have 100 pts at VGF (they are all used up already), but I am in the middle of buying 160 more VGF resale (YAY!!). I have done the point math and I will have enough points to book a 2br and 2 studios (my Aunt wants us to have 4 private bedrooms), standard view at VGF for Thanksgiving.

I am cutting it very close for the 11 month window for my contract to be completed, it looks like I could not have the points until the 10 month mark - yikes!

We do not HAVE to stay at VGF, we could stay somewhere else, but I don't want to be homeless until the 7 month window. Do you think I will be able to get at least SOMETHING at 7 months? I would want all 3 rooms to be in the same resort. I love VGF, BWV, AKL, but I am not even opposed to SSR because of Disney Springs, it could be fun for all of us to go over there. I am pretty flexible, but I really do not want us to be separated, and I do not want a split stay. We will have 5 kids there (none of the free kind), and I just see a split stay as being a disaster (although I love to split with just my family).

She has asked me to plan the whole thing (while some may cringe at this, to me this is awesome!!) and I want it to be amazing as this will probably be the only time my cousin will ever bring her 3 kids! Any tips on planning for 13 people, especially when it comes to saving money?

 

[magicaldisney]

I'm assuming you are speaking of the actual week of Thanksgiving. You should be able to find something at the 7 month mark, but after that it will get tougher for sure.

As for planning for a group, I've done for 11 and it was no problem at all. However, that was just before magic bands and FP+. The biggest problem will be getting your FPs for all 13 people at the same time at a week that is already challenging to get some FPs. You should read up on the strategies to get those hard to get passes (some rides and some meet/greets). For a big group, if you will want to do any table service, you will want to get those ADRs right at the 180 day mark. And, for Thanksgiving day, you'll want to be on top of that. I'm not sure what your exact days will be, but the Candlelight Processional and MVMCP are offered during that time frame. Extra money for MVMCP. CP could be done with no dining package, but I would recommend it with that big of a group.

 

[jillmc40]

Yes, we are going the Wednesday before to the Sunday after.

Thank you for your advice! I'm going to hope for the best!!

 

[TXMemaw]

I have a group of 26 family members going this Thanksgiving (Sat to Sat). We are in 6 rooms (1 2BR, 1 1 BR and 4 Studios) and had no problem at all getting rooms for us at the 7 month mark at OKW. We weren't trying for anywhere else as I have done group trips before (although never this many) and like that the studios in OKW have 2 queen beds. As for dining, we have one TS each day and I did make those reservations right at the 180 day mark and we are listed as one reservation for most of those to insure that we can be seated at least in the same general area. I was also online exactly at midnight (10 pm in my time zone) on the 60 day mark to get our FP's and while it took me 3 hours to do, I was able to get everything that everyone wanted including A&E, 7DMT and TSMM. I was even able to get our FP's to overlap so that everyone who wants to, can ride together. MDE now asks if you are planning a trip for a large group and gives you a phone number to help get MDE set up for everyone. That didn't come online until after we had done most of our planning, but I have read where some people have found it very useful to call to be ensure that everything is set up correctly. Good luck with your planning!

 

[jillmc40]

26? Wow - that is amazing you could get everyone together! That is going to be so much fun!! Thank you for the input, I am happy to know that I will have a pretty good shot! Have a great Thanksgiving!