Traveling as a large group --- about 16 people

[drwadadli]

I own a small business and as reward / team builder for my staff, they picked a trip to WDW. That deal was made when we were just starting out and I said sure when reach a goal of 40%. We reached that last year so I am now cashing in on that deal. So that my staff can get the most out of WDW, we are driving down Thursday morning, checking in at the hotel, and heading to MNSSHP. For Friday and Saturday, we are likely doing Animal Kingdom and EPCOT but the whole team hasn't voted yet so it will be either HS or EPCOT; definitely heading to MNSSHP and AK.

We would like to dine as one group at a Quick Service restaurants when we are at the parks since this is still kinda a work trip. This one meal will be paid through the business. We are thinking: Pecos Bill at MK, Flame Tree at AK, and Backlot Express at HS. When we arrive at the parks, I don't plan on us staying as one group. My wife and I have been to WDW MANY of times while some of my staff have never been. We don't want to influence their experience by doing only what we want to do. I am sure some of them will stay in small groups but mostly I see the large of 16 breaking down to 3 - 5 smaller groups. The plan would then to meet back up as one large group for either lunch or dinner and have the business pay for that one large meal.

1.) how large of a group is possible to do through Mobile Ordering?

2.) What is the best way to cover this meal if we all order at one time? (I am guessing someone out there has done this before)

Thank you....

 

[MICKIMINI]

Pecos Bill used to be a favorite, but is now oldy moldy IMO. It is dark and cave like.

Backlot Express has good food IMO. Maybe a Star Wars themed "day" which even non SW fans will get into.

AK is our least favorite park, but would recommend Flame Tree as you can pull tables together outside (behind the take out).

Having made more than 3 dozen trips, hundreds of days in the parks I would choose MK and EPCOT and HS. Personally, there is not much exciting going on at AK, especially for adults building camaraderie. We are former small business owners and I often brought my manager with me on trips.

Why not place two mobile orders? Just place the orders simultaneously on two different credit cards using two different names. Look at Allears.net menus and have everyone figure out what they want and have it ready to go.

Energy is what it is all about. Can you have a few "theme" days at work? Hat day? Tee shirt day? Have a Disney trivia contest and give away a few Disney gift cards... Build the excitement starting asap. You don't want this to be a dud at a low energy park.

Enjoy!

 

[Mathmagicland]

1.) how large of a group is possible to do through Mobile Ordering?

2.) What is the best way to cover this meal if we all order at one time? (I am guessing someone out there has done this before)

I have done mobile order for 12 or 13 before, so don’t see where 16 would be an issue. Everyone can call up the menus to decide, and since the business is covering this one (if I am understanding your post correctly), you can order on your phone and easily cover the expense. Maybe consider writing them down, to get any exceptions, to help with sorting it out when it’s ready for pickup.

Enjoy the trip!

 

[Mary Pops In]

Can I come work for you?

 

[drwadadli]

Pecos Bill used to be a favorite, but is now oldy moldy IMO. It is dark and cave like.

Backlot Express has good food IMO. Maybe a Star Wars themed "day" which even non SW fans will get into.

AK is our least favorite park, but would recommend Flame Tree as you can pull tables together outside (behind the take out).

Having made more than 3 dozen trips, hundreds of days in the parks I would choose MK and EPCOT and HS. Personally, there is not much exciting going on at AK, especially for adults building camaraderie. We are former small business owners and I often brought my manager with me on trips.

Why not place two mobile orders? Just place the orders simultaneously on two different credit cards using two different names. Look at Allears.net menus and have everyone figure out what they want and have it ready to go.

Energy is what it is all about. Can you have a few "theme" days at work? Hat day? Tee shirt day? Have a Disney trivia contest and give away a few Disney gift cards... Build the excitement starting asap. You don't want this to be a dud at a low energy park.

Enjoy!

Thank you for your reply and advice...

Like you have been a few dozen to WDW but this is the first time I have ever been with a group this big. Usually, it is with just a couple of family members or just my wife and I.

The main reason we are going to AK is because we are a veterinary clinic, and since this is a "work" trip, it was only fitting that we go to AK. I agree with you that I would pick MK, HS, and EPCOT but since we are a clinic, we are doing AK instead.

Since some of my staff have never been to WDW and trying to fit in as much as possible in such a short time period which is why we planned for MNSSHP on arrival day (which I just got tickets for ----- YEAH!!!). My wife, one of my managers and I are driving so the rest of the staff can sleep if they want to so they can stay up till midnight. Then again, since they are all much younger than me, I am sure it will be me trying to stay awake that late.

We let them pick the other park and currently, the vote is HS 6 and EPCOT 5 but still have 2 votes left to get.

Thank you for the GREAT ideas of things we can get the staff to do between now and then. I just printed out your post and passed it to my managers so they can start planned some planning events.

 

[drwadadli]

I have done mobile order for 12 or 13 before, so don’t see where 16 would be an issue. Everyone can call up the menus to decide, and since the business is covering this one (if I am understanding your post correctly), you can order on your phone and easily cover the expense. Maybe consider writing them down, to get any exceptions, to help with sorting it out when it’s ready for pickup.

Enjoy the trip!

Thank you for that hint.

The first thing on the list was to get the MNSSHP tickets which I just got this morning.

Next is to get the hotel rooms / rent a house ---------- still haven't decided which is better. House is likely cheaper overall.

I have already printed out the menus for the QS restaurants and with your suggestion, I could actually have them write their orders ahead of time. That way if they are stuck on a ride, I could still place the order and have it picked up when they arrive.

Thank you

 

[drwadadli]

Can I come work for you?

Sure ---- we are currently in the hiring process for a kennel personnel.

 

[Dug720]

Next is to get the hotel rooms / rent a house ---------- still haven't decided which is better. House is likely cheaper overall.

Would room-sharing for non-couples be expected? If so, finding a house with enough separate sleeping surfaces might be a challenge for 16. Whereas hotel rooms - especially at Disney - would be more likely to have 2 separate beds.

 

[drwadadli]

Would room-sharing for non-couples be expected? If so, finding a house with enough separate sleeping surfaces might be a challenge for 16. Whereas hotel rooms - especially at Disney - would be more likely to have 2 separate beds.

No --- room sharing is not expected. We did find a few house that are within 16 - 24 minutes drive from the individual parks that have 12 - 14 rooms. Of the 16 people, we would need 12 rooms at least but could make 11 work if absolutely have to since one is only staying one night as has to get back for a wedding.

I have points through the business credit card that I can convert to dollars to pay off the Disney purchases through the card. I also have Choice Hotel points that would get everyone a free room. As I am writing this and thinking of your comment more, I could try for All-Star resort and still see if I have to credit card points to cover the cost......but that would be 12 rooms!?!?

 

[Mathmagicland]

I have already printed out the menus for the QS restaurants and with your suggestion, I could actually have them write their orders ahead of time. That way if they are stuck on a ride, I could still place the order and have it picked up when they arrive.

Start a practice order on your phone to see what customization is possible, ie things to add or take off, so they can know for when they give you their orders. Different places sometimes have different options to do so,

 

[Headless]

I don't know if this will save you money but you can look at renting DVC points and get a couple 2 or 3 bedroom suites. Every time I price things out for possible trips that I won't be using my own DVC account renting seems to be one of the cheaper options.

Or just buy a bunch of points and write it off as a business expense. I know people do that for this very reason.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Awesome that you got the MNSSHP tix! The park opens to ticket holders at 4 pm, so try to be there asap.

Regarding hotel vs house, I would go for Value rooms. Normally, that would not be my choice, but privacy is important. Letting people have their own rooms and not sharing bathrooms will let everyone chill out. Pop might be a good choice. Make sure you look for any discounts going forward until you arrive. Book through WDW so you are all in the same "block". There are stairs on the second and third floors so make note if that is an issue with anyone.

A 20 minute drive can turn into a nightmare with traffic, plus you will have to pay to park. Being on property gives you more security, no parking fees and people can take the bus back from a park if they need to.

There are no coffee makers in those rooms FYI (desperate folks can bring a coffee maker). I'm not sure if they even have mini fridges, but since you are driving, you can bring small coolers so everyone can have cold water, etc in their rooms.

What a great reward for your crew!

 

[Disnsyncey]

I vote the cheapest on property, just for ease of transport and moving about and not having to worry about cars or even waiting on people to leave. (on top of all the points the person above me made)

Such a great reward!

Be sure to head to Rafiki's Planet Watch to see if they have any veterinary procedures scheduled (does anyone know if there is a way to check that in advance?) at AK.

 

[Lewisc]

There are stairs on the second and third floors so make note if that is an issue with anyone.

There are no coffee makers in those rooms FYI

The value resorts, at least POP and AoA,have elevators. They have coffee makers, the flat Cuisinart pods.

Edited to add Allstars have elevators.

 

[MICKIMINI]

The value resorts, at least POP and AoA,have elevators. They have coffee makers, the flat Cuisinart pods.

Edited to add Allstars have elevators.

We only stayed in a Value in 1996 and then bought DVC on that trip! There were no elevators or coffee makers on that trip. Great to have an update!

 

[drwadadli]

I vote the cheapest on property, just for ease of transport and moving about and not having to worry about cars or even waiting on people to leave. (on top of all the points the person above me made)

Such a great reward!

Be sure to head to Rafiki's Planet Watch to see if they have any veterinary procedures scheduled (does anyone know if there is a way to check that in advance?) at AK.

They WILL have to go to Rafiki's Planet Watch. We are planning some type of scavenger hunt while at AK and most of it will be focused around Rafiki's Planet Watch...ie: what do they have in their surgery that we have?, do they use the same anesthesia we use?, etc...

 

[drwadadli]

I don't know if this will save you money but you can look at renting DVC points and get a couple 2 or 3 bedroom suites. Every time I price things out for possible trips that I won't be using my own DVC account renting seems to be one of the cheaper options.

Or just buy a bunch of points and write it off as a business expense. I know people do that for this very reason.

I will look into that....but we would have to get 4 grand villas

We can get a big house so that everyone has their own bedroom and bathroom for around $2500 - 3000.

 

[Dug720]

They WILL have to go to Rafiki's Planet Watch. We are planning some type of scavenger hunt while at AK and most of it will be focused around Rafiki's Planet Watch...ie: what do they have in their surgery that we have?, do they use the same anesthesia we use?, etc...

Some of that information may not be available unless you're arranging a private meet and greet with one of the vets. I doubt they're telling just anyone the anesthesia they use for example.

 

[drwadadli]

Some of that information may not be available unless you're arranging a private meet and greet with one of the vets. I doubt they're telling just anyone the anesthesia they use for example.

The anesthesia used in on the vaporize and usually the anesthetic machine is sitting out...or at least it has been the last several times we were there. They would have to look and/or ask questions which is why it is a scavenger hunt.

 

[Dug720]

The anesthesia used in on the vaporize and usually the anesthetic machine is sitting out...or at least it has been the last several times we were there. They would have to look and/or ask questions which is why it is a scavenger hunt.

If it's out that they can see, that's fine.

Asking questions...unless it's general information the CMs back there may not know specifics. It's not the vets or vet techs that are generally outside the surgery window. I'm just trying to help you set expectations and tasks that can be accomplished.