Report: Vacation with 16 ppl, most not DVC.

[gorilla]

I hope this report helps people who go with large groups or other non DVC members.

We got back this Monday from our trip. This time we went with a bunch of other families we know. We had booked our trip first at Wilderness lodge. Then our friends decided to go and booked Port Orleans.

Tip #1: Stay at the SAME resort!
No buses direct between resorts. You have to take bus to park,transportation center, or often DTD then transfer to other resort bus. Its a royal PITA!

Room size Jealousy. My son walked into their rooms to use the bathroom and the first thing he shouts out is "Wow, you're room is small." At this point I realized we may be a bit spoiled :)

Tip #2: After 7 days, they get a little tired of seeing you get DVC discounts on food/merch. Make sure the others have the meal plan so they feel they get at least some perk.

Park Days: This is where it gets bad for my family. My bro works for the mouse. He main gates us. We are used to a casual stroll thru the parks because we didn't spend $$ to get in. Not everyone has this perk. Even when he's working and we do pay, we do it casually now. Slow pace. Not when you have 11 other people (5 kids) that paid! They want their money's worth.

So while pushing thru at warp speed, someone will always be: Tired, cranky, shopping, need a bathroom, want candy, ect.... Be ready for that!

Meals:
"How many in your party?"
"16"
*blank stare*

Even with reservations weeks in advance, dining with that many people can be a hassle. (Mama Melrose at the studios handled us with no problems!)

You won't be able to move your reservations easily, if at all. So make sure you get a good time! Many places will give you an earlier or later dinner res because of the amount of ppl in your group. Guess why they can give you these times............ Because they are usually DURING some big show! Like Lights Motor Action at the Studios.

Tip #2.5: Grab a show schedule BEFORE making dinner res. And make those weeks in advance!

Tip #3: Don't be afraid to leave them! Split up! You just can't keep that many people happy and together. Cell phones are a must. After 5 days together we left them completely, we went to Vero Beach Resort :)

Tip #4: Demand a poolside resort day! We never do 2 parks 2 days in a row anymore. Most of your friends who don't go as much will try to cram the parks in. Poolside/resort days will keep you from killing each other!

Tip #5: Just let the women have a few hours at the spa. Watch the kids for them. Trust me on this.

Tip #6: Keep everyone hydrated and have snacks! NEVER skip lunch! People can get really cranky!!

You can have a lot of fun with a big group, but it won't be as relaxing as most other times. The kids had a blast together. That said.... we prbly will never do it again!

[bellazachmom]

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! Tip #5 :rotfl2:

Then again, I am a mom with 3 kids under the age of 4!

Your tips are wonderful, please keep them coming if you think of any more. We have only gone with one other family(my sister, BIL and their 2 kids) and we all stayed in a 2BR at OKW but we have been thinking of asking a few more family members to join us next time ... maybe we'll rethink that!:laughing:

Thanks again! Jennie

[makthompson]

We went on vacation with another family to WDW a couple of years ago, although they are good friends of ours..not again!! we had 3 adults and 2 children and they had 2 adults and 5 children. because we had been several times and this was their first trip, they didnt know what to do and relied on us for everything, then expected us to watch their kids at every waking moment, because they were paranoid someone would take one of their kids!! come on it's DisneyWorld. if a child is missing they shut the park down til the child is found and no one is allowed to leave. needless to say this was no fun. when we got back home they told another family we know that they didnt have a good time because they didnt get to do everything they wanted to do. well people if you go with someone else speak up!!! go your seperate ways if not everyone wants to do the same thing.
3 years later they brag about how they got to go, and how much fun they had because they never would have been able to have the "Disney Experience" (staying on property) if it wasnt for us taking them on our timeshare.

[gorilla]

Yeah, they relied on us for EVERYTHING!

We even made dinner res for them on the days we went to Vero... and they FORGOT about them :mad:

I honestly don't want to vacation with another family again, never mind 3 families! It wasn't horrible, but it just wasn't relaxing.

Tip #7: If you can, put all the kids at their own table during meals!

Tip #8: Some places like Vero Beach will have kid only events that include a meal. They can be 2-4 hours long. (Cooking class and Pirates adventure are others). This allows the adults some time together. Highly recommend doing this, but its almost impossible to get large group of children signed up for it unless WAY in advance!

[spiceycat]

heck not even a group just a few friends - not going again in a while.

people can get jealous.

despite not even being interested in timeshares - both groups of friends - were very much interested in DVC.

that say they don't love disney enough to enjoy DVC. there are other timeshares at half the cost (or more).

family - well still go with my brother and his family. We don't stay at the same resort. so we meet at the WDW resort I am staying at or the parks. We generally will part company even then (this did bother him at first - but heck I am allergic to the sun - nothing is worth breaking out for)

since I have to return to the rooms before lunch and generally can't go back until after dinner - don't generally have the problems that others do.

[kimberh]

We tried this with a few families in the past, their pace is just not ours. It never works out. It's not just Disney. We now only travel to Disney with our married Children, it works better this way. Even then it can get testy once in a while. We will split for a few hours, let everyone do what they want, then we meet back. All is well.;)

[dianeschlicht]

AFter 11 years of DVC, we have learned WHO we should invite and who not to invite. We now know to inviet people who can keep up with us. I expect someone who has never been to Disney before to want to be on the go all the time, and knowing that, we always plan for a couple of days to ourselves at our DVC resort AFTER the guests have left. We also make sure they understand that they don't HAVE to go everywhere with us, and even encourage them to go on their own after a day or two. I know those first couple of days they need indoctrination, but after that, we EXPECT them to be on their own a bit. I enforce that by stating right away either the night before or in the morning that we are doing S,Y, Z today. If you want to do that, you are welcome to come along, otherwise, we'll meet you at such and such a place and such and such a time. It works well!

[makthompson]

I tell you what. my mother went to Branson Missouri on our timeshare and while she was there she bought a timeshare, sounded real good, looks great, less than half the cost of dvc, however we tried to book on it and you have to make ressies 1-2 years ahead of time and pick 3 different places and you dont get your first pic usually, so sure, it was a good buy if you plan your vacation 1-2 years in advance and dont mind that it may not be where you want to go. i personally would never buy outside of DVC EVER!!! we have 300 points and should have it paid off in 3 years and let me tell you, we will be adding points. In my eyes Disney is a luxury and people who cant afford to go without people like us, sure they get real jealous. But cant they just be happy that we shared it with them.. come on, it would have cost that family like $2500.00 just for the room, i am sorry, but who just gives that kind of money away, to people who dont appreciate it.

[moredisneyplease]

So far I've brought a few different groups (one was sister, BIL, niece) and one was two dear friends. Each time we had a blast and there weren't any problems! Maybe I should quit while i'm ahead!!!! :rotfl:

[bobbiwoz]

My biggest problem has been mentioned and it's only a problem if people aren't willing to go off on their own. I have less energy than lots of my friends, and I'm satisfied with fewer activities. So, if my friends are happy to go off and do things solo while I go back to the room, fine. Don't try to make me feel guilty for not doing commando. DH and I never did that. I won't keep anyone from getting their "money's worth" but don't expect me to have to do everything you want to do!!!

Bobbi:goodvibes

[gorilla]

At one point I sat back because I was tired of agreeing on going some where only to have people stop by every gift shop, photo op, ect. I just sat back and said "What do you guys want to do next?"

We sat in the sun for 10 minutes until I finally got up and started walking to the next ride.

Jealousy... when one of the other moms asked us what we did last night as my wife answers "the hot tub" and she asks "Where?" and without thinking you reply "In our room."..... ooohhhh evil dagger eyes!

[jimmar6419]

AFter 11 years of DVC, we have learned WHO we should invite and who not to invite. We now know to inviet people who can keep up with us. I expect someone who has never been to Disney before to want to be on the go all the time, and knowing that, we always plan for a couple of days to ourselves at our DVC resort AFTER the guests have left. We also make sure they understand that they don't HAVE to go everywhere with us, and even encourage them to go on their own after a day or two. I know those first couple of days they need indoctrination, but after that, we EXPECT them to be on their own a bit. I enforce that by stating right away either the night before or in the morning that we are doing S,Y, Z today. If you want to do that, you are welcome to come along, otherwise, we'll meet you at such and such a place and such and such a time. It works well!

We have invited friends many times and this is the best advice. We have the best time with our friends and an even better time when they leave and we stay on. It sure takes the pressure off of me if I feel that they made the decision to attend my activity plan.

[wdwnut]

Hi: Definitely time apart. We have gone with larger groups (15-25) a few times. Every group gets a list of websites to check out as well as a guidebook to read well in advance. Some ADRs are made for the entire group. For our upcoming trip with 17, my DDIL made 3 ADRs - Chef Mickey's, Boma, and Le Cellier. We are waiting to see what the others want to do. I will be spending a fair amount of time with the grandkids, but also have let it be known that I will do any of the rides/parks with those whose families aren't willing/able to do them. I encourage all to read the books & visit the websites and make a list of all their "must do" items. Also, we all stay at the same resort thanks to our DVC points. It's usually a lot of fun.

[jns]

when we went with all my family their first time
the best thing was everyfamily having hired a car each instead of one big one for us all
this let everyone have some freedom to do there own thing

[Chester's Mum]

As a mom tip #5 is the one I like best, but tip #3 - don't be afraid to split up is a great one.

When we used to travel with my sister and her family this was the one rule that we agreed to up front. We would do some things together but at least half of the time we split up to do different things, even switched kids a couple of times because their kids wanted to come with us and vice versa. It worked out well. We would meet up at the end of those days for a drink by the pool, some chatter and to ooh and aah about each others experiences. It kept everyone from getting their nose out of joint the way "majority rules" would.

[bmoncher]

WE LIVE by tip # 3
We travel at the same time as family (note I never say we travel together to disney)
We meet for lunch and or dinner on occasion - not everyday.. and maybe will hang poolside together

[ACDSNY]

Hi: Definitely time apart. We have gone with larger groups (15-25) a few times. Every group gets a list of websites to check out as well as a guidebook to read well in advance. Some ADRs are made for the entire group. For our upcoming trip with 17, my DDIL made 3 ADRs - Chef Mickey's, Boma, and Le Cellier. We are waiting to see what the others want to do. I will be spending a fair amount of time with the grandkids, but also have let it be known that I will do any of the rides/parks with those whose families aren't willing/able to do them. I encourage all to read the books & visit the websites and make a list of all their "must do" items. Also, we all stay at the same resort thanks to our DVC points. It's usually a lot of fun.

This is our game plan too! We've done DL with up to 25 quite often and are planning Nov 2009 for WDW. I'll set up a couple of meals for the group and any other extra must do items, otherwise they're on their own. It's amazing and fun how often you run into each other at the parks.

[MinnieGi]

With the right mix of people either family or friends WDW can be a blast traveling together!! We almost always have people along with us. This upcoming T-week we will be traveling with a group of 18 and counting. However our plans are kept loose for park touring and resort swims. I'll make a few ADR's for the whole group and a couple of meet-ups in the parks, but have plenty of split-up time as well. We are lucky in that the friends and family who meet us down there are usually Disney vets too and know how to tour without it being exhausting and also understand if your group wants to go another way.

BTW, I like point #5 also on your list. And all the women for our upcoming trip will be doing exactly that, some time at the spa!!! Not to leave the men out they will have some guy time doing a BASS fishing excursion which they have all done before and liked a bunch.

[photobob]

For the first time since 2001 my family is traveling to WDW without other family members or our traveling friends. While I've really enjoyed the trips with others I'm so excited to be just us this time. This is also the first time my son has gone with us since 2004, he is bringing his GF who is like family and probably will be before to very long.

Back to the topic, patience is very important when you are traveling with a large group. I also agree with splitting up, and keeping in contact by cell phone. Some time away can also very therapeutic, especially if some nerves get a bit frayed. I've enjoyed our trip with our friends and family very much and hope they have provided some lifelong memories for my children.

I still think that our "just us" trips have been my most memorable, because we do everything together for a week. We go in so many different directions when we are home, but at WDW we do everything as one. That is why I like going to WDW.

[Nikisha421]

:laughing: HONESTLY I WOULD NEVER GO ANYWHERE WITH 16 PEOPLE. NEVER

[Anal Annie]

We want to plan an extended family trip for late summer '09 for my parents 50th anniversary...but I KNOW my brother's going to be a pain in my butt. He's never had a vacation and he has no money. But that's why I brought it up 2 years in advance...so he can SAVE up for his park tickets. I figure if we provide the PLACE to stay that's a lot, right? And then maybe we'll use the DDE card to help with a couple of dinners. But we should not be expected to foot the entire bill for everything, right? None of you do all that, do you?

I know that finding a DATE that's agreeable to everyone is probably going to be the hardest challenge. I would like to go in mid-August when the points drop - plus my parents anniv. is really Sept. 5 but we can't go then 'cuz of school...so late August would be the closest thing. I have NO INTENTION of trying to stick with the group all day. They need to figure out how to manage their time on their own or else Dateline will be doing a special on "What went wrong with this family at WDW". :lmao: I am debating if we should try to get (2) 2 bedroom units or just several studios 'cuz I'm already thinking we'd probably be better off to each have our own space. (Plus it would use less points.) I don't want to hear them fussing all the time. Let them go complain to each other in peace.:rolleyes:

My other thought was to try out Vero Beach instead of the parks...that would be cheaper for them to not have to buy park tickets...but I didn't know how the availability would be say for (4) studios / inn rooms or (2) 2 bedroom units. Anybody ever try booking like that at VB for late August with the 7 mo. window?

[TenThousandVolts]

Grand Gathering Planner/Attendee/Survivor checking in here.

I second TIP #3 - We just could not have don it if we all stuck together. We gathered for some meals, caught fireworks and fantasmic together... but mostly we were with our own families. It worked out great.

[grizbuzz]

Love your tips...especially tip #5 :thumbsup2

We brought along the family (a group of 11) this past February on a 4-day Wonder cruise and 3-day WDW stay. I now really appreciate how lovely it is to travel with just us four. I think someday I will be ready to once again brave bringing along the extended family, I think. But ONLY if they really really want to go. No more dragging reluctant participants through Disneyworld.:headache:

[DisFlan]

We've done it a couple of times with a group of eight and had a blast - but I wouldn't want to go any larger!

DisFlan

[Off-The-Deep-End]

Such good and true tips!!

I hope all newer members and anyo0ne planning a large pilgramage to the world read, understand and follow the invaluable advice presented here.

This advice will prevent disasters, and save relationships. The heat and humidity (and cost) of WDW can bring out the worst in many otherwise sane people!

[BEASLYBOO]

We do family reunions every year, different states and settings. 3 Families, sometimes 4 = 6 Adults and 5 children. The kids have grown up knowing eachother through these reunions. We cover Florida, New York and Tennessee. I've hosted it twice with my DVC, this year will be the third. We love being together, the GV at OKW is the perfect accomodation for a large gathering. We love one another and no amount of cranky kids, argueing, heat or exaustion would prevent us from staying together. By the same token we know each other well enough to know when some one needs a break or needs some alone time. Our family albums are full of these memories and it's a tradition that continued even after my parents passed. Disney has a big place in my heart, many many years full of special times...and I can't wait for Jun 6th to get started on the next set of memories. :yay:

[BroganMc]

Looks like I'll be doing the 17 people thing next June. Tip #1 is what I've been pushing for since I know it'll be a disaster otherwise. (My brothers think they can just stay offsite that week and have the family togetherness.) I don't even want to contemplate the conflict that breaks out when some of the kids get to do EMH and pool hopping and others don't because their offsite.

We've traveled together before and will do so this summer (to our nearby beach). Having the little cousins together makes it all worthwhile. Especially to see the influence they have on each other. (I envision them growing up to be college roommates at some point.)

But it is almost always stressful for the adults. You simply cannot get that many people talking at once without confusion and frustration.