a hard lesson learned~large group-inlaws @wdw

[tanyaandallie]

We did the big trip with the family when my dd was a baby. Both of my sisters, their kids, my dh and I and my mom (in a wheelchair). I'm so glad we did the trip b/c my mom really wanted to take my niece and nephew but it was a ton of work dealing with my dd in a stroller, my niece and nephew sometimes in a stroller, my mom in a wheelchair and the insane crowds at Thanksgiving.

Now when we go it is just our family. DH, me, dd and ds. We do what we want to do and it makes it so much easier!!! Oh, and we do consider our trips mostly for the kids. So, we do miss doing some things I really would like to do. But, dh and I do switch off and ride some of the rides the little ones won't ride. That helps a ton.

My only advice for those going with a big group is to not feel like you have to plan for everyone and direct everyone and to not feel like everyone has to be together all the time.

 

[halld6479]

we provided studios at SSR for each family so we did have our space to get away from each other but did plan one set down meal each day. Thank goodness for photo pass because the last day we had them combine all cards into one and I purchased the cd and when we got home DH had hours and hours of work but he made copies of all pictures taken by everyone and the guys in the parks too and gave each family a copy for xmas. And guess what they announced at xmas they want to do this again in two years. I told them we are going to do things alot different if there is a next time.

 

[dougsmom98]

Sorry to the OP that she had a somewhat frustrating vacation with a big group. We have also done the big group thing and we are doing it again in February. We stay off site and the rule is that we have to rent a house with as many en- suite bedrooms as there are couples. There is nothing more frustrating to me as an adult than having to wait for the shower or a bathroom. The other rule is that everyone needs to have their own transportation to and from the park. The third rule is that if people want to tour with us, they need to know that we make our plans for the children. That means even though I would very much like to, we don't go shopping or spend lots of time in sit- down restaurants because our kids get bored with those things. Our upcoming trip in February has me nervous because it will be my family of 6, my MIL and FIL, my SIL and BIL. My parents will likely come over for a day or two from Tampa, and my SIL and BIL parents will also come down for a day or two. My dad and my MIL will need wheelchairs. My dad will rent a scooter by my MIL insists that she only needs a manual wheelchair and that my FIL will push her. We also will have my DD in a stroller. What I keep reminding myself is that this vacation is a a gift of memories for my parents and in-laws and my own children too and that means that perhaps I won't have as good of a time as I would normally. Last year, we took our first trip to Disney with just my family and no other adults and we had the best time ever. For some reason though, we keep inviting other to join us. I hope someday, my kids will invite me and DH to go with them and the children.

 

[rrsafety]

I have an extended family trip planned for January. I'm going to surprise the family with it in a few hours as a christmas present. My parents, grandmother, sister and her 2 sons, my brother and GF, me, DH and our 2 DDs will be going.

This freaks me out just reading about it... lol

 

[airhead]

We're going this sumer with my BIL and his wife and 4 kids. I hope its not a big mistake...

 

[eliza61]

We're going this sumer with my BIL and his wife and 4 kids. I hope its not a big mistake...

Naw, my biggest piece of advice..
1) Don't try to do every thing joined at the hip. Plan a few family meals together and maybe decide on a loose itinerary (what park each day) and that's it.

2) If there are first timers, clue them in on ADR's fast passes, crowds and heat. Make strong suggestions that they get guide books and check out the Dis.

3) You are not responsible for every one having a good time.

 

[Aliceacc]

Aside from everyone gathering for dinner, it'll have to be clear that not everyone can stay together as a large group in the parks.
QUOTE]

I'm pretty much a Disney novice; my last trip was in 1990. So take it for what it's worth.

But what makes the most sense to me is to get everyone on the meal plan, and agree on group reservations. So Monday we all have breakfast at Chef Mickeys at 8 and Tuesday we all have dinner at Le'Cellier at 7.... The rest is up to each individual group. Throw in some hotel things-- "pool party" lunch at the resort each day from 1-3. And then leave everyone to their own devices.

I can't imagine having to accomodate a large group and deal with all the other variables-- who needs a bathroom break and who is hungry and whose feet hurt and who NEEDS that particular souvineer and who just needs to sit for a few minutes.

I come from a large family and we all get along really well. But I think that it's how I would approach a group trip to Disney. Too much group planning would just make me crazy.

 

[myprincessgirlisa]

wow

its so interesting to read all the stories!!!

i agree ...the commercials make it seem so easy, but its not...i think that if you go with a large group that splitting up & meeting up every so often is a much better plan, but for us we had to lug around EVERYONE ...lol

no one get scared!!

it was just a lesson learned

we had a fun trip...it was just alot "different" than what i envisioned.

thanks for all letting me "vent" a little...im glad I DID bring them & made it memorable for them all...honest.

I hope all of you that have future trips planned have a GREAT time!!!

 

[irene_dsc]

I haven't done a big group at WDW - heck, next week is our first trip anyhow! But, last summer, my family did our first big family vacation, to Cape Cod, which worked out pretty well. It was my parents, my sister and her hubby, and the 4 of us. We were visiting my parents' best friends, who retired out there, and staying at his sister's summer house. So, 8 adults & 2 kids in one semi-4 bedroom, 2 bath house (and in the end, both kids slept in the same bedroom with us, since ds didn't want to be all alone in the den downstairs.) But, there were definitely some moments! I ended up doing most of the organizing, and told everyone else they were free to come with us (we had rented a big minivan) or they could do their own thing. Most days we had a pretty big group, but sometimes it was just the 4 of us, and that mixture was pretty much the saving grace of the vacation.

BUT - this vacation is our 1st vacation just the 4 of us, without visiting family or bringing anyone with us. (A lot of our other trips have been to visit other family members who are halfway across the country, in various locations.)

I've only done one trip with someone in a wheelchair, back when my Grandma was still alive, in the early 1980's (pre-ADA). I can only imagine that 3 wheelchairs would be a major hassle, esp. while trying to keep up with little kids at the same time. We have a term that comes to mind - Herding Cats...

 

[airhead]

...I did insist that we rent 2 cars so my BIL and his wife and 15 yr old can go golf a few mornings(they're golf addicts!). I'll take the other 3 kids and go to the parks. we're going to get together Saturday and plan the things we'll do together(parks and meals). July 4th we will all be at Discovery Cove,no problems there! Thanks for all the tips on how to get along!!

 

[LilGMom]

I feel your pain!!!

We have done two trips with BIL, SIL and their two kids, one trip with other BIL, SIL and their three kids, and MIL & FIL, and a few trips with MIL & FIL. We've always done all of the planning since we go a few times a year and we always tell people "We are not going to be joined at the hip, you have the times of the ADRs so be there on time or early, see ya later" but the ILS haven't always listened to that or followed that. With my DH's sisters, and families, it wasn't that bad being with them all day because we all tag-teamed the kids to ride the thrill rides. My MIL & FIL basically ruined our much anticipated trip this past Oct. and I feel cheated out of a vacation. I love my ILs and get along better with them than my own family but after the last trip I have vowed to never to another trip with MIL & FIL again, ever. My DH finally sees my point and understands my frustration and has agreed that we will vacation as just a family of four from now on. Whew! I wished I could have put FIL in a wheelchair to push him around just so he would have stopped whining about his feet!

Family.... gotta love 'em.

 

[Mia'sMom]

Okay your story scares me just a little. There are 13 of us going in 24 days. But all of us are paying our own way and we did the DDP. We are going to tell each other it's okay to go our separate ways during the day so that all of our kids can see what they want to. We can all get back together during meals and talk about what exciting things we did that day. Younger sister has already gone with family and is playing as our guide. Did your little one enjoy the trip?

 

[myprincessgirlisa]

Did your little one enjoy the trip?

She LOVED WDW!!!

the good thing is that shes young so she didnt "see" the frustrations i saw...so that didnt ruin her magic at all & she never knew what we missed..so now I can do that in a future trip!!!!
She did have a few moments of crankiness, but that was expected & easilt controlled

thanks for everyones input...& i hope all you "big trip" people have a GREAT time & I would love to hear about them!!!

 

[Goofydiane]

I know what you are feeling. I just returned from 10 days with 7 other people (I usually travel solo, or with 1 friend). I was amazed at how little I saw and did during this last trip. In our group, we had 1 person in a wheelchair, motorized, so no pushing and 1 person with a cane (very slow walker). Everyone did the DDP and meals took about 60 minutes for a counter service and 2 hours for a table service! I just don't ever spend that much time around food on vacation.

Sounds like you need a 'do-over' trip for just you, your DH and DD!

Diane

 

[5 blind mice]

We are taking our first trip to WDW in 6 weeks. When we started making our plans, I was amazed at how many relatives wanted to join us. At first, it seemed like a great idea. After all, we'd have built-in babysitters! Eventually, though, my husband and I decided to delicately relay the message that we wanted this to be a trip just for us and our kids. I think it'll be busy and overwhelming enough with the 5 of us. Still, I've felt somewhat guilty for not wanting any of our relatives to join us. After reading your post, I feel much better about our decision.

 

[trivial]

For a first trip, I definitely think it's better to keep it just within your immediate family. Despite the OP's unfortunate experience, I've heard many stories of large family trips going great with no problems. Of course, not everyone's going to have the same experience; I think it pretty much depends on what kind of people your extended family are, and what expectations are given.

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

We brought my parents along on a trip in Aug. 2006. It was a disaster. My father had no patience. He hated waiting for the buses, he hated waiting for us when we did the baby swap. It would have been better if he could have said I'll meet you over here in 30 minutes. Sometimes he would wander off and we would have to go looking for him.

After 4 days, he lost his temper and yelled at me and my daughter and said we were ruining his vacation. We decided we had enough and changed hotels.

I don't recommend traveling with extended family. Hopefully things will go better for the rest of you all planning big family trips.

 

[rwrocksme]

Traveling with other people is hard. I went with my best friend five years ago, and it was a disaster! We yelled and fought the whole time, plus I got sick. We tried a year later at the beach, however, and it was wonderful. After that, we were able to have a WONDERFUL Disney trip, and we are taking our other best friend next September! Once you do it, I think, your expectations change and it's easier to have a good time. Wait a few years, and try again--a little differently.

 

[acourtwdw]

We have done several of the large family trips to WDW. That means 12 of us. On one trip we stayed at FW so that was 12 people and 2 dogs. The best advice I can give is to spilt up and meet for meals or shows. Don't try to be the tour guide. It's your vacation too. Some of our best family memories were made on those trips. Good luck to everyone traveling with large groups, but remember to have fun also. It can be done.

 

[Disney 'Ohana]

First off, Happy belated Anniversary!


Good news is there will be another trip! Hope you get to enjoy your dd enjoying such a wonderfully magical place!