All Set - 14 day January Trip with 11 Family Members - Yikes!

[tiggerrr]

The last piece has fallen into place and we are all set for the family vacation in January. There will be 11 of us headed there for a 13 nights. We've got a Grand Villa at Kidani for Jan 2 - 11 and then a Grand Villa at OKW for Jan 11-15. We used up 3 years worth of points to make it all happen.

Now we just need to survive each other for that length of time. This trip has been discussed and talked about for almost a year now. My father set aside a portion of his inheritance from his parents to take the entire family on a vacation. It will be my mom and dad. It will be me, my wife and at least one of her sons (17). The other is moved out and doesn't know yet. It will be my brother and his wife. It will be my sister, her husband and their two boys (7 & 2). For my sister and her family, it will be their first WDW trip (everyone else has been at least once before).

Our family normally gets together for 4 or 5 days every year, but this will be the first time since we were kids that we will spend this length of time together, so I will admit to being a little nervous.

We've agreed to set times when we will do things together and set times where we must do things apart, with other times just to wing it.

I'm excited, but I don't think I've ever been this nervous about trip to Disney.

 

[sjs314]

I think it would be absolutely fantastic to have a family grand gathering like you will be doing in January.

Unfortunately for me our imediate family is so small now it could never be, We would only have 6 if we could talk my Mil to go, oh well such is life.

The grand villa's at AKL are great from the pics I have seen, DH and DS loved how they have a pool table.

Have a great time !

 

[spiceycat]

hope everything works for you. and everyone comes to it.

 

[dopeygirl76]

We just did a trip with 14 of us and the time for everyone to do their own thing was key!! It was awesome to do some things together but it was also nice for everyone to explore/relax/etc on their own!! We did separate rooms - we had concerns about bathrooms and wake-up times!!! But I must say it was one of the best times in my life (not many adults get to take that kind of trip with their parents/siblings!!!) Enjoy!!!

If you are interested my TR is in the link below - it shouldn't scare you!!

 

[Crystal_27]

I'm sure it will be an amazing trip (not to say there won't be hurdles along the way but that's with every trip). Happy planning!

 

[dianeschlicht]

As a veteran of several tips involving up to 11 people, I can't implore you enough to make sure you have some definite time schedules for things done together and things done alone.

We did a lot of cooking in the villa the times we had those type of trips. We told each family group they were responsible for a main meal on a given day. It was their choice if they would have that be midday or evening, and it was their responsibility to inform everyone when and what was to be served. Then we let each individual decide for themselves if they wanted to be there for that meal or not. It turned out well, and it meant that we had one "home cooked" meal a day without a lot of hassle, and everyone helped clean up. It was a lot of fun sharing those family meals too. That was the part of the day where we all checked in and talked about what each person did or got to do that day.

We also scheduled one place each day to meet up and do something together. Usually it was midday somewhere and at an attraction in one of the parks that could be shared by all in the party. We did spend a little bit of time sitting around waiting for some of the less prompt folks for that one event occationally, but it was a good break in the day, and we found folks usually broke up into different groups afterward.

Our nights back at the villa were spent playing games and recaping the events of the day as well as planning what groups were going where the next day and what our "meet up" event would be.

Suffice it to say, that those were Wonderful TRIPS! We remember those times so much more than any other group trips we have done, and we cherish those times that can't be duplicated so easily once all the kids grow up.

 

[wildernessDad]

You could make it a Grand Gathering. Call MS if you want to get the ball rolling.

 

[toniosmom]

Sounds like a wonderful trip and that you've thought it out. I like the idea that you have all agreed that you should have time apart. So important!

Relax and don't make too many plans. Have a great time!

 

[Cee]

The last piece has fallen into place and we are all set for the family vacation in January. There will be 11 of us headed there for a 13 nights. We've got a Grand Villa at Kidani for Jan 2 - 11 and then a Grand Villa at OKW for Jan 11-15. We used up 3 years worth of points to make it all happen.

Now we just need to survive each other for that length of time. This trip has been discussed and talked about for almost a year now. My father set aside a portion of his inheritance from his parents to take the entire family on a vacation. It will be my mom and dad. It will be me, my wife and at least one of her sons (17). The other is moved out and doesn't know yet. It will be my brother and his wife. It will be my sister, her husband and their two boys (7 & 2). For my sister and her family, it will be their first WDW trip (everyone else has been at least once before).

Our family normally gets together for 4 or 5 days every year, but this will be the first time since we were kids that we will spend this length of time together, so I will admit to being a little nervous.

We've agreed to set times when we will do things together and set times where we must do things apart, with other times just to wing it.

I'm excited, but I don't think I've ever been this nervous about trip to Disney.

You are a brave individual! Have a blast and enjoy your family!