good hotel stays for magical gatherings???

[cruellalvr]

i am starting to plan a trip that will include 12. It is my family. Does anyone have any ideas where we might find a good deal while staying on site. I am thinking that I might be able to find better deals than purchasing 3 single rooms. We are not interested in camping, but any hotel is of interest. We really would like to stay on site. With all of the extras you get. :mickey:

[TammiMcMan]

I'm guessing the trip is for 2008 as indicated in your countdown. At this point, I don't think the rates haven't been released yet, so unfortunately there's not much information on discounts. My suggestion is to work with a Disney specialist TA like Magical Journeys (http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/). They'll take a lot of the stress away from planning such a large gathering.

One of the first things you'll want to do is get a budget from everyone going. If you all want to stay in the same resort, then you'll need to know what everyone can afford. What MJ can do for you, is to book the rooms when you're ready and continue to look for the release of discounts. Again, just one less thing for you to worry about.

[Mariaºoº]

Our Grand Gathering will be staying at CBR. With a Grand Gathering of 12 you won't find any discounts, but they do make sure your rooms are close to one another. When it comes time to assigning rooms Grand Gatherings are considered first. You also get special perks of being able to book certain events that not just anyone is able to do such as an Illuminations Dinner and Dessert Party at Epcot. I also had no trouble at all in making ADR's for our party of 15 for Free Dining. We even got Le Cellier. :mickey:

[kakn7294]

In December, our Grand Gathering of 11 stayed in 4 rooms at POFQ. If you are booked as a Grand Gathering, they will attempt to assign your group to the "better" room locations and keep the rooms all together. Our rooms were all in a row on the ground floor literally just a few steps away from the bus stops and the main building housing the food court and gift shop. There are no group rates on rooms until you need to book 10 (I believe) or more rooms and that's only something like 10%. AAA will get you 10 to 20% off depending on the season. Whatever deal Disney is offering at the time (if any) can be applied to your trip regardless of whether you are a Grand Gathering or booked individually. Using MJ might be the best solution for you unless you want a package with a AAA discount. MJ can book a AAA room-only discount but only a AAA agent can book a package with a AAA discount.

[jedimick08]

Also, once you have at least one confirmation for someone in your party you can request a "travel with ID". It is an identifier that is used to keep all the parties in your MG together in the Disney system.

I was told that if doesn't matter who you book through. You can even have different parties in your MG book at different places. They should still be able to assign you with a "travel with id".

We are going with about 11 in May of 08. 5 of us will be at Beach Club Villas (my parents have a timeshare) and 6 of us will be at CBR.

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Grand Gatherings is a convenience, not a discount.
2) You do not get room discounts, etc.
3) Room discounts start at 10-rooms per group.
4) Grand Gatherings does have
. . . special events, at regular prices
. . . convenient planning and ADR planning
5) As mentioned by TammiMcMan, a travel agent can help.

[cruellalvr]

Thank you guys. I had no idea what a magical gathering even was and know, thanks to you, i have an idea!