Any tips on traveling with another family?

[1rockinmamato2]

Another family has decided to join our trip!

I'd love any advice or tips on making the touring plan I have work smoothly and to make this the most enjoyable experience possible for all.

(I've done lots of planning and made decisions already about what parks and when, so I don't want to seem like bossy flossy when we're there).

Thanks!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Just show the other family's "designated planner" what you already have, and say something like. "This is what we were planning on doing before, but I wanted to let you see it, in case there was something important you wanted to ad, now that you're coming too." Also, reassure them that it's OK if they want to split up for parts of certain days, or even a whole day.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

1st and foremost remember this is your Vacation.

Then explain to them your plan and let them know if they need to they can always meet up with you later.

The biggest problem with multipul families going seems to be the one family waiting on the other. Don't give them (or yourself to feel rushed) that option. Say we will be here at this time your more then welcome to join us if not we will meet up later.

We have do it with up to 4 different families at a time this way without a problem. Heck we do it within our own family now DW gets up when she wants and meets up with us. Then late nights if shes tired she just heads back to the room . No one waiting ,no one rushed.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

We travel with our really good friends quite a bit and a few things we have always done that help us all enjoy our trips.

1. Dont plan on spending every waking hour together - everyone needs there space once in a while.

2. Dont spend your time "waiting". if your family (or theirs) are early risers & out the door quickly - not a big deal we all have cell phones now. if your ready to go in the moring and they are not, just tell them to call you when they get to the park.

3. Dont be afraid to seperate for a few hours and 'meetup" with them later in the day or the next morning. If you want to stay to watch the fireworks, then give them a hug and a kiss and send them on their way.

4. Lay it out before you leave for this trip; I love you, i'm so excited your coming with us BUT at some point during this trip we may want so "lone" family time, please dont be offended as i wont be offended if you say you want some 'lone' time either. This may never be an issue but its a good idea to discuss it before you go. A good friend will understand that everyone may need their "space" every once in a while.

5. Share your plan, invite your friends to join you but make it clear that its fine if they chose to do something different on any given day, aski if they had something special they wanted to do

We always have a ball when we bring friends along and i'm sure you will, infact for NYE we are bringing 15 our nearest and dearest with us

 

[luvtogo12]

I am traveling with my sister and her family in just a few weeks.
We made it clear that we will agree to disagree with no hurt feelings. Whatever time we can spend together is great but if we need to go in different directions for what ever reason, so be it, we will catch up with one another again.

I have made some ADR's and included them in only one so far. I did insist that they join us at CM's. She did not make any ADR's (won't she be surprised).

I would have been more than happy to include them in more but she wanted to look into all the restaurants reviews. That never happened.

 

[princessrunner]

I have run into this issue a few times and what works best for us is to have a meeting of the minds. Get together with the other family or IM or whatever works best in your situation. Talk about favorites and easy skipped attractions to decide what works and when. It is also nice to have a day separate from the other family for some R and R time. We chose to take a day and swim or golf while the other family does their thing.

 

[eliza61]

I am traveling with my sister and her family in just a few weeks.
We made it clear that we will agree to disagree with no hurt feelings. Whatever time we can spend together is great but if we need to go in different directions for what ever reason, so be it, we will catch up with one another again.

I have made some ADR's and included them in only one so far. I did insist that they join us at CM's. She did not make any ADR's (won't she be surprised).

I would have been more than happy to include them in more but she wanted to look into all the restaurants reviews. That never happened.

Ok, you've done your part as far as ADR's go. I would mention to her that usually in late August/early september I've had good luck getting adr's at the last minute but this year it is free dining. Entirely new ball game. suggest one more time for her to call and see what if any thing is available.
Have a great time.

 

[princessrunner]

I totally agree with a gentle reminder about free dining and the # of people who will be making ADRs. There are some things you can last minute but none of the shows or character dining and EPCOT is food and wine too.

 

[luvtogo12]

Ok, you've done your part as far as ADR's go. I would mention to her that usually in late August/early september I've had good luck getting adr's at the last minute but this year it is free dining. Entirely new ball game. suggest one more time for her to call and see what if any thing is available.
Have a great time.

Entirely new ball game for sure. I have sent her daily e-mails, called her on a regular basis, offered suggestions, directed her to these threads, etc. She just does not get it.
Yesterday, she finally said I could go ahead and add them to our ADR's. I will try but it is a long shot.
I do feel bad though. My BIL loves his food and may miss out on some great sit down meals.

 

[catherines_mama]

Awesome recommendations from everyone. I think OP can take these and have a great vacation.

We traveled in Dec with some friends of ours and it was their vacation first (we were the "oh can we come to" ones LOL). But both families agree that it was one of the best trips to DW for either of us. My friends DS even said he's looking forward to spending time with us again next year.

We basically did what everyone suggested. Had 2 ADRs together, where we ate as a big party. Another ADR (CRT) we couldn't get for the entire party. So they went to CRT and we went to CP (one of OUR favs) and we met up after breakfast to enjoy the parks.

We spent chunks of the day together, then seperated for down time (we were at different resorts), but then met up later for evening parades/dinners etc.

It also helped that we arrived a day before them and had a day to tour alone and they stayed 3 days after we left. So we each had our own family time.

Anyway... just relax and enjoy your vacation!

 

[marcyinPA]

We went to Disney for my DH's birthday in 2005. Friends of ours decided to join us. They brought along my friends' mom. Then my mom asked to come along. There ended up being 11 of us in all.

We all stayed at All Star Movies in 4 rooms. We met up for dinner every night (free dining made it very easy!). Other than that, we didn't really see each other. It worked out GREAT. We actually talked about it before we left on our trip, how it would be difficult to stay together all the time. This was only their 2nd trip, but we had been there MANY times prior...they wanted to see and do different things than we did. There was no stress involved at all. It was a very nice time.

So, my tip would be to not feel like you need to spend every waking moment together. Plan a lot of "alone" time for each family.