Big group; same resort?

[Deb & Bill]

If you stay at different resorts, you won't be able to go for a swim together. You can't pool hop.

 

[dansdad]

Did you all stay I different levels?

Yes.

Value/Moderate/Deluxe, etc? If so, did it cause any churn?

Not at all.

 

[mom2travel]

We've done a couple of extended family trips... Once, had 5 rooms at the Poly, all in the same building along the same hallway - 4 were connecting, one down the hall. Another time, my parents stayed at one resort and we stayed in a different one; we just picked places and times to meet - no problem. Most recently, we had 4 rooms at CSR, 3 were in one building (2 a couple doors away from each other, and the 3rd around a corner) and the 4th was on the other side of the lake; again, no problem, we just decided on a time to catch the bus and had a backup meeting spot if we all didn't end up on the same one. So basically, anything that works for each of you is doable

 

[poohgirl6]

My family is going in August and there will be 8 adults and 4 kids. This is not the first time we've done a big family trip (although our family has grown by a few members since the last one). We stay at the same resort; don't make a big deal about placement as far as rooms. If we're at the same resort, we can enjoy pool time together or just down time at the resort. A few adults volunteer to take kids to pool or watch cartoons in the room while parents of young ones get away for a rare meal out together, or go ride "big rides". We definitely don't try to tour together or stick together in the parks; that would be a nightmare trying to tour with that many people of differnt ages and interests. We usually plan 2-3 sit down meals together over the week, and let various groupings of family members do their own thing. We have a few planning meetings before we go, to discuss meals and preferences. For our purposes, staying at different resorts would defeat the purpose of us going on the trip together. But only you know the dynamics of your group and what would work best. Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip

 

[cmarsh31]

We've done both. One trip we were split between All Stars & Cabins, just had designated parks/times - with cellphones it's easy. Last trip was all at Beach Club (but split between Villas and Resort), met up all over, including accidentally at Market Place every morning, then Contemporary for us and OKW for our friends, coordinated park times. There's a bit more waiting around if you're meeting at the parks, because bus timing is tricky, but it was never a big deal.

 

[bochnikm]

We've done three trips with 22,25 and 25 and stayed at the same resort. We usually start the day together but then break up into smaller groups. Its also easier to regroup for the evening when you stay at the same resort. Our last trip last year we had 25 together plus another 5 who stayed at a different resort and we never saw them!

 

[rosiebean]

I always travel with extended family, usually with a smaller group (8 - 10), sometimes with a larger one (19). Sometimes we stay in one resort, sometimes two, sometimes each family picks their own resort and we meet up in the parks.

Personally, with the huge group, it was easier (and necessary) having our own space in our own resorts. With smaller groups, we were fine staying at one place or two (sometimes in connecting rooms, sometimes not)...we just text and meet up when we can.

Best advice, whether you stay in one resort or different ones, set expectations ahead of time.

What my family does is make a schedule...we plan ahead of time which parks we'll visit on each day, and then the night before that park visit will basically say, "We plan to leave for the park at this time. If you want to leave later, fine, just text us when you're leaving the resort so we can plan to meet up with you." The bulk of us usually leave on time (or meet up at the scheduled time if at different resorts), while those who sleep in meet up later via text. Even the late sleepers make sure to stick to our ADR times as we all like our food, lol. So far, it's worked fine for us.

 

[wfjeff]

Very interesting comments and things to consider for big groups

 

[MagicallyMom]

I definitely appreciate everyone's input! You all have encountered some things I wouldn't have thought of without you all sharing your experiences.

My group mostly loves to eat, and the kids who are less about eating are about characters, so I think Character breakfasts are going to be our bread & butter. Based on your input and experiences, I'm thinking the same resort for the same pool is ideal, but not adjoining rooms so that kids aren't interrupting aunts and uncles and grandma & poppy...probably best.

Thanks, everybody!

 

[margot31]

So last time I did a big family trip it was 9 adults and 2 kids...we stayed at WL villas. Split the cost of the big one between each adult. We kind of split up in groups each day and had designated meals to all come together.

I am planning a trip in a few years for who ever wants to come...knowing some family they wouldn't stay at a value they want to be at a deluxe but not all of us can afford that. So my plan is to say here are the dates. We would love for you to come down and celebrate but you do some of your booking so that you get what you can afford. We will have designated meals so we can all be together or at least try to.

 

[MagicallyMom]

So last time I did a big family trip it was 9 adults and 2 kids...we stayed at WL villas. Split the cost of the big one between each adult. We kind of split up in groups each day and had designated meals to all come together.

I am planning a trip in a few years for who ever wants to come...knowing some family they wouldn't stay at a value they want to be at a deluxe but not all of us can afford that. So my plan is to say here are the dates. We would love for you to come down and celebrate but you do some of your booking so that you get what you can afford. We will have designated meals so we can all be together or at least try to.

Wouldn't stay at a value? Shoot, if Disney didn't have value resorts, we couldn't afford to take such a big group!

 

[margot31]

Wouldn't stay at a value? Shoot, if Disney didn't have value resorts, we couldn't afford to take such a big group!

For our next trip in Oct its 3 adults and 2 kids and we are staying at AOA suite cause its what we can all afford....but my husband aunt and uncle just wouldn't do that--but they also have the money to stay where every they want. His aunt is a bit.....