Tell me your tips for travelling with large family group

[supersuperwendy]

My biggest tip.... stick to one resort!!!! Trying to resort hop with a large group is stressful!!! Plan 1 or 2 big meals together as a big group...then let all the families do their own thing for the rest of the trip. I've learned that everyone vacations differently....so I let everyone know what my plans are for the day. They are welcome to join me or do their own thing.

[NewJerseyDVCMembers]

Our big tip.... Don't do it.

[rocketriter]

Don't create chains of events (First we'll all go here, then we'll all go there). When you do this, if one person is late getting out of the shower, then all the dominos fall one after the other, making everybody late for everything and irritable the whole day.
Allow plenty of time for smaller groups to informally join and disperse. Only require total togetherness for major events like a large family dinner.
Make a clear rule that when everyone is supposed to meet somewhere at a certain time, within 10 minutes the group will move on without waiting longer for stragglers. The stragglers can connect by cell phone and catch up with the group as a whole. It's not a bad reflection on them (plenty of things can make someone late at WDW that are outside of anyone's control), but it also won't stop the action for everyone else.

[NDAMomX2]

Originally Posted by papertraveller

You know how the DVC guides always try to sell you on how wonderful it would be to bring your extended family down for a visit -- right at the point where you're touring through the Grande Villa and they tell you where people usually put the Christmas tree?

Well we're going to take the plunge, and are bringing 11 people for a hot, humid week-long August vacation. It started as a trip to bring one family for their first visit. Now we have four in their 50s, four in their 30s, and girls 13, 7 and 5. We all get along extremely well.

I really want to do some things as a family, including some Photo Pass pics and dinners at favourite restaurants. We're thinking four days at the parks, after which people are on their own, whether it be more park time, shopping, golf or a trip to the beach.

We're planning to get a two-bedroom villa, and two studios. Food will be a combination of restaurants onsite, and cooking in (each family responsible for one meal).

Please tell me how you manage with your large travelling families? Do you have frank discussions about the ground rules? Expectations? I don't want everyone to follow a spreadsheet for their visit -- I want them to enjoy themselves. But I'm also hoping that we don't end up as four independent groups, either.

TIA -- I'm looking forward to hearing your tips and tales!

We have taken four large family trips all with the same people so I guess we all enjoy them. Months before the trip we have a planning party. Everyone gets to nominate one can't miss item. We talk and decide which ones to do. No complaining is allowed after that. Then we make dining reservations based on our decisions. One daily meal as a group is mandatory so we all get to see each other. Other than that we break up into subgroups which change daily depending on who wants to get up early or stay up late. Also post dinner or lunch also has new groups forming. One thing we do is a scavenger hunt. We make up teams of two or three and at the end of the day we all gather to see how many items we found and took a picture of. For example, a picture of a team member on a Segway, a picture of teammates eating dole whips, answering the phone in England etc. we have found ourselves passing other teams in the parks and it is hilarious. There is a Mickey trophy for the winners. We started when our children were young and the next trip in 2014 will include grandchildren. Cell phones are great because we can check in with each other. We all make a determined effort to relax and have fun. These are great times and memories, even the year we left two of the children at the hotel and didn't realize it until we were on the bus to the MK. But that is another story.

[papertraveller]

Originally Posted by lisaviolet

Honestly, I think I did mine perfectly.

We've done many trips with friends and family.


*water parks - they still talk about everyone going to TL - don't forget that option- and no forcing/coercing - two stayed back and that was fine. (People always forget that half the joy is telling others what fun you just had - I liked that part when we had moments split up). I think it still remains everyone's favourite memory. Funny - we always think parks and I think mine would say SSR pool time and Typhoon Lagoon


My best piece of advice: I booked us for two or three days after most left. Great choice.

Have fun - listen - just do it - I won't go on and on with this part - but we went that time after a couple of deaths to just be together and now some on that trip can no longer go - so precious times. Ours was nowhere near a horror story. And they still talk about it with joy.

Have a wonderful time!

Why thank you so much! And greetings from the west end of the GTA!
We also are gathering after the death of a much-loved family member, who also loved Disney.

We will be having a bit of a break at the beach before the hordes descend!

Originally Posted by disneynutz

Depending on your family, you may be alright, we have tried to do the same thing a couple of times and it isn't worth the headache.

50 year olds have their own way of doing things and it may not be your way. In addition, some people just don't get Disney.

This made me laugh out loud, since I'm in that cohort. I'm the younger, better looking one of the bunch, of course!

Thank you everyone for your wonderful suggestions and advice. I love the scavenger hunt idea.

We all started talking about this trip last April, and uber planner here has been writing a monthly newsletter to acquaint everyone with everything Disney. So far we've covered the parks, and next month will be DTD and the water parks.

The family with the little kids has surrendered (lol!) to our vast Disney knowledge and asked us to plan their days. It's been fun thinking about exploring the parks through a seven-year-old's eyes again! On one day, DD and I are thinking about taking the little ones just ourselves one morning to MK -- giving their parents a chance to sleep in and just lounge by the pool if they wish. (This will likely be necessary, also, because apparently Captain Morgan will be in attendance as well.)

We were at WDW last month and I bought two postcards before we went to Chef Mickey's. I asked Mickey and Minnie to sign them for the little girls, and sent them off as a special treat telling the girls how much M&M are looking forward to seeing them.

I also bought some packs of magnets and am mailing one each month. I especially love the parts of Mickey (hand, foot, etc.) Too bad it doesn't make a whole mouse! I am also threatening to make matching t-shirts. DD is already asking if she can rip hers up into a crop top.

Closer to departure day, I will send everyone official WDW luggage tags. And no doubt I'll find a few more treats along the way to build the magic momentum!

My thanks again. The DVC member community is terrific!

[PSU]

Love the idea like the scavenger hunt...seems like a good way to connect at night...any others like this? My DH and I couldn't have kids so need some help on how to keep all engaged...given diversity in tastes...I learned this the hard way a few years ago when we went with the other side of the family - (my SIL loves the mouse) and my nieces (17, 14 and 8) were - bored, engaged, overwhelmed respectively. Too much "we all do this together" - My DH and I who have DVC were sad that we we're trying to show them a good time but stress emerged as well.. This time we have followed much of this advice on the thread ...but interested in other ideas like the hunt that'll appeal to a 2.5, 4.5 and 11 yr old....

[lilpooh108]

Originally Posted by papertraveller

Why thank you so much! And greetings from the west end of the GTA!
We also are gathering after the death of a much-loved family member, who also loved Disney.

We will be having a bit of a break at the beach before the hordes descend!



This made me laugh out loud, since I'm in that cohort. I'm the younger, better looking one of the bunch, of course!

Thank you everyone for your wonderful suggestions and advice. I love the scavenger hunt idea.

We all started talking about this trip last April, and uber planner here has been writing a monthly newsletter to acquaint everyone with everything Disney. So far we've covered the parks, and next month will be DTD and the water parks.

The family with the little kids has surrendered (lol!) to our vast Disney knowledge and asked us to plan their days. It's been fun thinking about exploring the parks through a seven-year-old's eyes again! On one day, DD and I are thinking about taking the little ones just ourselves one morning to MK -- giving their parents a chance to sleep in and just lounge by the pool if they wish. (This will likely be necessary, also, because apparently Captain Morgan will be in attendance as well.)

We were at WDW last month and I bought two postcards before we went to Chef Mickey's. I asked Mickey and Minnie to sign them for the little girls, and sent them off as a special treat telling the girls how much M&M are looking forward to seeing them.

I also bought some packs of magnets and am mailing one each month. I especially love the parts of Mickey (hand, foot, etc.) Too bad it doesn't make a whole mouse! I am also threatening to make matching t-shirts. DD is already asking if she can rip hers up into a crop top.

Closer to departure day, I will send everyone official WDW luggage tags. And no doubt I'll find a few more treats along the way to build the magic momentum!

My thanks again. The DVC member community is terrific!

Awh! How sweet! I can't wait until my kids get older and can participate/understand more stuff. Right now I plan, they follow.

It would be fun to build momentum to the trip.

[MomofStitchandLewis]

I have a done quite a few trips with family and have had the best of times and the worst of times.

The worst of times was in the beginning when we did not plan anything other than the accommodations. We ate counter-service for 3 days straight and I thought I'd die. Not to mention, we had a forced march through 3 parks in 3 days when all I wanted was some time to chill by the pool. And then there was the time when we were told that the accommodations were not up to snuff and that they really didn't enjoy the trip. (No, we have never invited these specific family members on another trip.)

The best of times was when we planned the accommodations and then some dinners with ADRs. I always planned dinners that could be cancelled at the last minute. We just told the rest of the group what the plan was & they were included and could join us but did not have to - no pressure. This worked the best for us so that others could go their own way if they wanted to.... and so could we.

It's kinda like planning but allowing the others an "out" so you can still enjoy the things you want to on your vacation. Because after all, it is your vacation too and you have paid for those points.

So there's my 2 cents for whatever it's worth to you - hope you have a great time!

[Pirate Granny]

We've done two all family trips...one at PO FQ with four rooms (8 adults, 2 toddlers), and the other in the GV at OKW (rented points) 7 adults and 4 kiddies under 4. We scheduled one table service every day. First trip we had TIW or whatever it was called back then, and since FQ didn't have a table service, we were able to use for breakfast and lunch ... HOWEVER, that meant I was at the food court almost two hours every morning waiting for the various family members to show up so I could purchase the food...never again...so, we got the dining plan for the next trip...worked better, less stress for me and everyone could eat wherever. We had breakfast in the GV every morning except one at 1900 park fare. We had one night where everyone ate dinner seperatly in the middle of the trip. We pooled our choices for ADRs and since there were still grand gatherings we did two of those meals...nor sure why they stopped those, ADRs were hard to get for them. The EPCOT dance party, meal and Illuminations reservations were awesome. We went to the same parks and if you wanted, we stayed together. Had one SIL who could be trouble, but we walked on eggs a few times and got through it without any "discussions". We (grandparents), paid for everything, air, dining plan, tickets, rooms....will we do again...yep, plans for 2014 in the dreaming stage, hoping for a full house again, with a GV at OKW (HH hopefully, although we loved, loved, loved Bldg 13, this year -- 2 bedroom with 2/3 of the family, 4 adults and 2 kiddie under 5; but no GVs there) with a few nights in the beginning at BLT GV MK view or a couple of 2 bedrooms at BCV. Time will tell. I will buy 4 10 day adult and 4 10 day kid tickets when I go next month...as an inflation measure (and I have already a good amount saved for that 2014 trip). It was a great experience, many great memories that I would do every year if the cost wasn't more than my daughters weddings! oh yea, the first night of the trip with 2/3 family this year was in a MK view, 2 bedroom BLT, 12th floor...what a GREAT BEGINNING! Well worth every point! As you may tell, we bought into OKW DVC after our rented family trip a few years back...wanted to make sure the family loved OKW as they will have it for years after we're gone. Then we bought a few more points at BCV, and I'm in the hunt for a small VWL contract...although I think one DD would prefer BLT instead, it was that nice, pool and walk to MK.

[BEASLYBOO]

I've done 3 big family reunions at Disney, all in GV's (we're all very close even though we come from different states and continents) #15 twice, favorite! #43 and 50 ? the 1st time!

The first time, they all wanted me to plan, plot schedule, do the ADR's and guess what it was a fiasco! Though we all still enjoyed ourselves, not everyone vacations, does theme parks, needs down time at the same pace! So I learned!

Now I plan one big fun thing for all of us to do ( We discuss the options and all have input) like an Illuminations cruise, bass fishing excursion etc. Then I get "would like options" from each family and then try to incorporate something from each, like character meals (my kids are grown but theirs are still young) in the vacation along with just a few special ADR's.

I've done Disney 50+ times so I'm open and easy going! The most important thing to recognize is that everybody needs down time, especially when travelling with little kids & grandparents! I know it's Disney & if you don't come often you want to do it all, but sometimes little kids (and even adults for that matter) just need to spend time at the resort pool and go to bed a bit earlier! The go, go , go till you drop (otherwise know as "commando" mentality) makes for cranky kids and adults too! I've found it's nice to grill out by the quiet pool, have drinks and hors doeuvres, the kids swim and spend energy, we eat together, and have a nice relaxing evening! Of course it can be capped off by a boat trip to DTD for Girardeli's ice cream!

I make an itinerary of what's reserved/paid for and then how we (the comsumate Disney travelers) intend to do the parks, what days etc. and then the rest can do what they want or tag along etc.!

Really the whole point is to have fun and not stress!

Then at the end I do a group photo album for each family (because I take the most pictures plus I ask for their photos too) to commemorate the wonderful time we shared together! Digital camera's are fantastic but nothing pleases people more than sharing printed photos in an album together!

[Aunt Peggy]

I'll be home at OKW in 8 days with 14 family members and another DVC friend with 3 family members will be joining our group. My niece & I started planning this last summer. Since that time people have dropped out totally, decided not to go for the entire week-my head has been spinning. I booked GV & 3 studios, more than really needed, but everyone should have plenty of space. My 1 SIL will be arriving late on Wednesday, departing on Sunday. She wants to do all 4 parks and have some pool time. Yippes!! I worked out a plan to do just that and then 2 days ago she tells me "We might not want to do EPCOT".
I'm flexible and have said this is a suggestion. I still have ADR's to modify, but will do so when I actually see who will be going to dinner with us.

The next family vacation is in the works for Jan 2014. I don't think I'll be planning so much.

[Chelley00]

My biggest tip is that you don't have to spend every waking second together.

We usually plan to split up after dinner. Some stay in parks, some go to their resort to swim or chill out. Some days we might stay together after dinner for fireworks. Some days we spend the day together but don't have dinner together. This trip we're going to Seaworld the day they go to Universal. We just try to be flexible.

We never pick a time to meet at the park. We decide what park we are going to, and the early birds get there early and the sleepers (ME!) sleep in a little if they want. We just rely on cell phones to meet up once someone gets to the park.

[drummer1616]

Some great stories here. I must be an outcast based upon some trips here, I`d rather have a root canal and blood drawn before I`d subject myself and immediate family to a large number of EITHER side of the family.We`ve taken different members and met other family members there with their own DVC memberships,and that was great. I couldn`t imagine all the work that would be involved to put together a trip for 20 people. Our trips to Disney are sucha special event for the immediate 6, I wouldn`t want to take a chance of tainting anyone`s memory with a bad trip.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by drummer1616

Some great stories here. I must be an outcast based upon some trips here, I`d rather have a root canal and blood drawn before I`d subject myself and immediate family to a large number of EITHER side of the family.We`ve taken different members and met other family members there with their own DVC memberships,and that was great. I couldn`t imagine all the work that would be involved to put together a trip for 20 people. Our trips to Disney are sucha special event for the immediate 6, I wouldn`t want to take a chance of tainting anyone`s memory with a bad trip.

I think your experience is not uncommon. We've seen a lot of posts over the years from people who had a horrible experience with family. A recurrent theme seems to be that the problems were with people they could have predicted would have been a problem. If I had such family, I wouldn't travel with them. Fortunately we don't have much for drama on such trips.

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by papertraveller

You know how the DVC guides always try to sell you on how wonderful it would be to bring your extended family down for a visit -- right at the point where you're touring through the Grande Villa and they tell you where people usually put the Christmas tree?

Well we're going to take the plunge, and are bringing 11 people for a hot, humid week-long August vacation. It started as a trip to bring one family for their first visit. Now we have four in their 50s, four in their 30s, and girls 13, 7 and 5. We all get along extremely well.

I really want to do some things as a family, including some Photo Pass pics and dinners at favourite restaurants. We're thinking four days at the parks, after which people are on their own, whether it be more park time, shopping, golf or a trip to the beach.

We're planning to get a two-bedroom villa, and two studios. Food will be a combination of restaurants onsite, and cooking in (each family responsible for one meal).

Please tell me how you manage with your large travelling families? Do you have frank discussions about the ground rules? Expectations? I don't want everyone to follow a spreadsheet for their visit -- I want them to enjoy themselves. But I'm also hoping that we don't end up as four independent groups, either.

TIA -- I'm looking forward to hearing your tips and tales!

Don't.