Am I CRAZY???!!???

[chip91]

Our trip grew from 11 people to 14 + 2 for two days..

HOW THE HECK DO I MAKE TOURING PLANS FOR 16 PEOPLE!! of course they are all looking to me for the "plan" because I'm the one who is planning out which park days, where we eat, which rides, pretty much everything.

WE aren't doing PH option so it's 1 park per day with the MNSSHP 1 night, all 14 of us are doing 5 1/2 park days & the MNSSHP, the other 2 will do 2 park days & possibly the party.

Some are on the DDP (11 total ) the rest are not, so I just plan to tell them we are eating here i.e. Crystal Palace for breakfast on Tuesday xx, if you want to join us let me know by xx so I can make the correct ressies..

How do I handle things and make them go as easy as possible.. 11 of us are flying in on a Sunday about an hour before 3 in our crew, (all 14 of us are staying at POP Century) so we will meet up with them at POP before going to MK that afternoon, the other two are joining us for Monday & Tuesday (not staying on sight so we have to hook-up with them in the park)..

Any thoughts would be great! I'm getting a little overwhelmed!!

 

[Mr. N. Credible]

Our trip grew from 11 people to 14 + 2 for two days..

HOW THE HECK DO I MAKE TOURING PLANS FOR 16 PEOPLE!! of course they are all looking to me for the "plan" because I'm the one who is planning out which park days, where we eat, which rides, pretty much everything.

Any thoughts would be great! I'm getting a little overwhelmed!!

First, and most importantly, don't forget to pack your Xanax.

Second, I can't imagine assuming planning responsibility for that many people. I'd try to politely tell those who aren't in my immediate family that they are free to do what they wish (unless they're kids, of course).

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I agree with the above poster. Don't try to plan for everyone all at once.

Make plans for your immediate family. Then give the plans to the others in the group and let them decide if they want to go along with them or not. You don't have to schedule a minute-by-minute account of what you'll be doing. Just say something like "Going to Magic Kingdom today...6:00 p.m. dinner at Crystal Palace."

If people want to join you for dinner, give them a very strict deadline to let you know. It will be hard to change your reservation from 4 people to 10 people at the last minute. If they don't respond by the deadline, they'll have to be on their own.

I would also e-mail everyone your plans before the trip (meet at Pop bus stop at 8:00 a.m. for bus to Epcot, etc.). If they have the plans in hand, you won't have to worry about coordinating with 16 people everytime you make a move.

I think the key is to plan for your family, give everyone the information and then leave them on their own. Don't stress out trying to make everyone happy because it's probably impossible. If they don't like the plans, they're free to make their own! I also wouldn't expect (or even want) all those people to stay together all the time. It would be a nightmare trying to navigate the parks and make decisions with all those people (and opinions) in tow. Breaking up into small groups and meeting up again later is a good thing....in fact, it's a very good thing. Good luck!

 

[LynnTH]

A few years back there was 12 of us that went to Disney. It was Me, DH our DS2 and I was pregnant at the time. Then there was my Mom and Dad, My Brother and Sister-in-law, and my other Brother and Sister-in-law and their 3 kids (ages 16, 14 and 7).

We all stayed at POP and had 4 rooms all in a row. The night before we would decide what park we were going to and the next morning we would get up and have breakfast at the hotel. Then we would all meet and take the bus to the park. Once we got there we split up and usually wouldn't see each other again until we were back at our hotel. We would occasionally meet up during the days (we all had cell phones to keep in touch). But, we had the youngest and I was pregnant so didn't do alot of big rides - Mom and Dad hung out with us most of the day and the rest usually hung out together. It worked out great. A few days we would stay at the hotel and go swimming and just relax with our son and some of the others went to Seaworld.

I think the main thing is - "don't try to do everything together". It won't work. Let everyone do what they want to do and have meeting places or keep in contact by phone.

 

[jenrein]

Well I do not envy you, let me start by saying that! I have had enough planning for 8 - my family of 5, my parents and my sister. No one likes to plan anything and if they had it thier way we would show up, maybe eat, maybe see a parade on accident....you know. I am an over planner so I am trying to come up with a plan that is open to change and just highlighting reservations and parades. I wish you luck!