BIG group at WDW

[emnems34]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for planning a trip with a very large group at WDW? Literally ANYTHING will help! (17 people at least, probably going to be more like 25 since another two groups are talking about joining us) i'm getting married on the Disney Magic's 2/28-3/3/16 sailing and after that we are planning on going to WDW for a few days to celebrate the wedding and my birthday, which falls on the 4th. We decided that while we were at it we should do a family reunion (since really, how often do you get all of your family so close to Disney?) It's super exciting and I can hardly wait, BUT as the bride most of the planning is in my hands (yikes!) While this is really how I'd prefer it, I'm a little stressed out trying to coordinate all of these different groups and their different plans. My main problems are 3 things: 1) While we are one big group, we are really split into a few smaller groups. There's my Mom's side of the family, my dad's side of the family, and my Maid of Honor and a friend of mine and her husband, plus my fiancé and I of course! Because of this different people want to do different things and I feel like I'm torn because of course everyone wants the bride and groom with them at all times! 2) I'm traveling with my two grandmothers in the party, and both will need wheelchairs, but don't use them regularly. How do I get one for the parks? I've never traveled with someone in a wheelchair in my party before- can someone tell me what I should do in advance and how this works? Do I need to do something special with rides? They will probably ride a few of the gentler things. 3) Because we are traveling with such a big party, we have a wide range of ages. My party looks something like this:


Dad's side

Grandmother 2- 79, would also only ride gentle things, and would need rides that are friendly to heavier people. In a wheelchair (but can walk short distances)
Aunt 1- 60s- would ride gentler things, and would need rides friendlier to heavier people.
cousin 1- 50s- would ride most things, and would need rides friendlier for heavier people
cousin 2- 20s- rides everything

Myself and friends

me- 20s, rides everything
fiance-20s-rides everything
maid of honor-20s-rides everything
friend 1-40s- rides everything-
friend's husband-40s-rides everything

Mom's side

Mom- late 50s, likes to ride most things.
Grandmother1- 80, would only ride gentle things. (in a wheelchair but can walk short distances)
uncle-60s-will probably ride gentler things
aunt 2-60s-will probably ride gentler things
cousin3 -30-rides gentle rides
cousin's boyfriend-30-will ride whatever she does
cousin 4-late20s-rides everything but has a two year old with her
cousin's fiance- father of two year old but would ride anything
cousin 5-mid20s- will ride gentle rides
cousin 6-2- toddler friendly rides

...So as you can see I have literally NO IDEA Where to begin with a FP+ Strategy for this trip. I know I'm still eons away (and on top of this some are staying offsite and some on so I'm looking at two different dates to get them). I know there's no way we will all ride the same things, but I just don't know where to begin for some people. I ride everything and have only ever planned trips for people who do. Now with a toddler, two elderly women in wheelchairs, and several people somewhere in the middle thrown in the mix... I'm at a loss. ANY suggestions for FP+ for any member of the party would be greatly appreciated.

Dining

I have one ADR just for (by then!) hubby and I at the Italian place in Epcot the evening we disembark from the cruise (we have APs). Other than that the only other thing I have an ADR for is a Be Our Guest lunch with my dad's side and my mom and maternal grandmother, and maid of honor. I still need an idea (probably in MK or a resort but I'm open to anywhere) for a place to go with my mom's side. (maybe a character meal for my 2 year old cousin?)

I'm sorry, I know this post is a mess, but seriously, if you can answer even one question I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[Quellman]

1. You need a travel agent with experience with large groups if you don't have room reservations.
2. You can call Disney to be connected to large party planning.
3a. Do not even for a moment think that you can keep everyone together. Plan some together time and then some apart time. This is for everyone's sanity.
3b. Easy large group events are parades/shows/fireworks viewing. Most of those won't require a FP anyway. Dining is another way to bring people together.
4a. Wheel chair rental at the parks is first come first served, this is for electric and push. (Pushing sucks as you don't realize how many hills there are in the park until you push someone for a few days).
4b. There are many outside companies that will drop off wheelchairs to your resort. This allows you to use them even outside of the parks and will often be cheaper than renting from Disney.
4c. Castmembers can direct wheel chair guests to the proper loading station if the ride has one or if they need to transfer. This information is also available online.
5. Fast Passes. Good luck with a split party with folks at onsite and off, trying to manage those for 25 people is crazy.

Now my recommendation: Spend 1 day with each group of people. Leave them to their own devices the rest of the time. This way you can manage just one groups FP per day. If you want a few "everyone together events" suggest a few tables at dinner or an evening fireworks show. One thing we have learned is yes everyone wants a piece of the newlywed couple, but you won't have any good memories if you spend your time running around and trying to please everyone!

 

[emnems34]

Thank you so much! very helpfull!