Last summer we tried to book one week for eleven people: two grandparents, four parents, and five kids ranging from a baby to a teenager who communicates exclusively in sighs. The regular resort quote made my brother-in-law put his head on the table. Then my mom, the family's unofficial deal-hunter, discovered preview packages and rebuilt the entire trip. We went. It was chaos. It was also cheap, which for a group this size is a small miracle.
How do big families save with preview packages?
The savings come from the room rate, and rooms are exactly what a big family needs the most of. A $49 Orlando or $97 MRG Orlando package covers lodging for the nights included, and because each qualifying couple can typically book their own package, you can spread a large group across several cheap stays instead of paying full price for a block of rooms. Each adult couple sits through their own presentation, but the kids and grandparents never have to.
Orlando is the classic big-family pick because there's endless stuff for every age, and the Orlando packages run cheap. The MRG Orlando option around $97 is a solid mid-tier if you want a step up from the bare-bones room. Start on the deals under $100 page and sketch out how many packages your group needs.
Who has to attend the presentation in a big group?
Only the qualifying adult(s) tied to each package attend, not the whole family. That's the key detail. If three couples in your crew each book a package, each couple attends their own 90-120 minute presentation, ideally staggered so someone's always free to wrangle the kids. Grandparents can babysit during one couple's slot, then swap. Nobody drags a stroller into a sales room.
| Package | Rough price | Why big families like it |
|---|---|---|
| Westgate Orlando | $49-$59 | Parks, pools, space, all ages covered |
| MRG Orlando | $97 | A step up in room for a mid-size crew |
| Gatlinburg | $49 | Cabin country, drive-to, kid-friendly hikes |
| Branson | $49 | Shows grandparents love, cheap Midwest drive |
For a multigenerational trip where grandparents are part of the fun, Branson is underrated, the shows keep the older crowd happy while the kids burn energy at the attractions. Gatlinburg works if you want everyone in cabin country within driving distance.
One big crew. A pile of tiny prices.
The eligibility gotchas for family groups
Each package's qualifying adults usually need to be 25 or older with household income around $50,000, and couples must attend together. Here's the catch big families miss: not everyone in your group can necessarily book. A young cousin under 25 or a single adult might not qualify for their own package, so plan the room assignments around who actually qualifies. Have each qualifying couple confirm their own eligibility before you build the whole trip around a room that might not materialize. Their are enough moving parts already, you don't want a surprise at check-in.
Honest cautions for big families
A couple of straight-up warnings. First, coordination is the real cost here. Multiple packages, multiple presentations, multiple check-ins, it's more logistics than a single booking, so appoint one organized family member to run the spreadsheet. Second, the reps know families are emotional buyers, and "imagine bringing the grandkids back every year" is a powerful line. Timeshares carry long-term maintenance fees, so decide as a group that nobody signs anything on this trip. Third, budget past the stickers. Resort fees, parking for several cars, and taxes add up across multiple rooms, so a stack of $49 packages realistically lands higher all-in. Still cheap per person, but do the full math.
Keeping the kids busy while adults handle the presentations
The logistics live or die on childcare, so plan it before you go. Pair each presentation slot with a designated adult or grandparent who's on kid duty that morning, and rotate so nobody gets stuck babysitting the entire trip. Pack a "go bag" of pool toys, snacks, and tablets for the couple hours the parents are in the sales room, because a bored kid at a resort finds trouble fast. Pick a destination like Orlando or Gatlinburg where the on-site pool and easy attractions mean the kids are entertained without anyone driving anywhere. And build in one big group meal each evening so the whole crew reconnects after everyone's scattered doing their own thing all day. When we did our eleven-person trip, the grandparents actually volunteered for the pool shifts, they wanted the grandkid time, and it freed the parents to knock out the presentations guilt-free. A little coordination turns a chaotic group trip into the one everybody wants to repeat next year.
When it clicks, though, this is the cheapest way I know to get three generations under one sunny roof. The kids get pools, the grandparents get shows, and the parents get a bill that doesn't require a family meeting. When your crew is ready to plan, browse the full set of vacation deals and start assigning rooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a big family save money with vacation packages?
The discount is on the room, and each qualifying couple can typically book their own $49 to $97 preview package. Spreading a large group across several cheap stays costs far less than booking full-price rooms.
Does the whole family have to attend the timeshare presentation?
No. Only the qualifying adults tied to each package attend a 90-120 minute presentation. Kids and grandparents never have to sit through it, so you can stagger slots and swap childcare.
What is the best destination for a multigenerational family trip?
Orlando is the classic pick for all ages, with packages from $49 to $97. Branson suits families whose grandparents love live shows, and Gatlinburg offers drive-to cabin country.
Can everyone in a large group book their own package?
Not necessarily. Each package's qualifying adults must usually be 25 or older with household income near $50,000 and attend as a couple. Confirm who qualifies before planning rooms around them.
How should a big family schedule multiple presentations?
Stagger them across different mornings rather than all on day one. That way each couple gets one admin morning while the rest of the group keeps the vacation going and covers childcare.
What extra costs should a big family budget for?
Resort fees, parking for multiple cars, and taxes add up across several rooms. A stack of $49 packages lands higher all-in, though the per-person cost stays low.
Is Orlando a good value for a large family?
Yes. Westgate Orlando packages run about $49 to $59 and the MRG Orlando option is around $97, both near endless activities for every age from toddlers to teens.
Should a big family buy a timeshare to bring everyone back yearly?
Be cautious. Timeshares carry rising annual maintenance fees, and reps often pitch the family-reunion dream. Agree as a group that nobody signs on this trip and revisit any purchase later.