Big Surprise

[Pixeldust Fairy]

I just received a huge surprise. My brother calls me from out of the blue, and asks me when we are going to WDW for my sons competition. I tell him and he says okay we will book our trip at the same time. Now don't get me wrong, I love my brother and I would have a fabulous time with him and his family. BUT..... I have already planned my ADR's and I know they are going to want to hang out together alot. Has anyone ever had something like this happen to them? How did you handle it?

I told him that even though we are there at the same time, for him not to feel bad about doing something with us every single day. I told him that this was his family vacation too and to have a great time. One good thing is that he will be staying at POR and we will be at CSR. It will be kinda cool because all of the neices and nephews will be there at the same time ( talk about photo ops). But I really don't want to change my ADR's I have somekind of ADR every day that we are there. Last year was my first trip to WDW and I was not prepared with ADR's and this year I have made it my mission to be so prepared for this trip. Any advice would be welcomed.

 

[Belle1962]

Call and make ADR's for your brother's family at the same places at the same time (or as close as possible). Then--you can tell him that you made the ADR's for him but didn't want him to feel pressured so there isn't a penalty if they don't show but you just wanted him to have the option. If they do show you can ask nicely if your families can sit close to /next to each other. If not--you wil still see each other and can plan your day accordingly.
I've done this for other family members who have decide last minute on some of our trips. Or you can just try to change your ADR's to a larger party size if you can. I don't think Disney penalizes you if fewer people show up.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I've heard it's too much to do every meal with a large group. Maybe change 2 or 3 ADRs - whichever ones have openings for your larger party, and let each family try different things on the other days?

 

[Atchley]

If you are on the DDP make sure that you make all of your ADRs now. Most generally you aren't able to just walk in and wait at the TS restaurants. You can wait I guess, but it is a long wait.

 

[kristinanderic]

I just returned from a trip in January with 19 of us. What we did was we set aside certain things that we would do together.

Example: We all went to MK on the same day. We didn't stick together the entire time, but we were all there together.

We had reservations at Hoop De Doo together one evening. Again we didn't spend the whole day together, but we got together in the evening for the show, then we went to the campfire program.

Just let your brother know up front that this is your FAMILY vacation also and you had planned on doing some things with just your family. Sit down and talk with him about stuff that would be fun together with both of your familys together, like a character meal....or the Campfire Program.

I enjoyed going with my family...we didn't spend our entire vacation together and we had a awesome time!