Call for tips for successful group/multi-family trips!

[100acreHiker]

Hello Dis-ers! We are planning our third trip to WDW and this time we are going with our dearest friends, also big fans of the World. Both families have "planners" in them; there will be 7 of us in all, kids are between 7-10. I am looking for tips for a successful, non-stressful group trip. There is already a small hiccup in choosing a resort and timing, but good communication is prevailing and we're moving forward. So, I'd love to hear from anyone about how they managed/approached a great trip with another family. We're really excited about this prospect because I know it will be awesome to be in one of our favorite places with some of our favorite people, but I know Disney planning can be complicated just planning for a single family! Thanks in advance.

 

[kaybird]

Plan to have a GREAT time!!! We have been many many times with multiple groups. Plan times together, and times apart. We make some ADRS together, some not, same with FP. Know that not everyone will like everything, and make a plan that includes something for everyone. Our rule was always that we were as excited for what the little ones picked, as for what the others wanted. Makes everyone feel a part of a wonderful vacation!!!

 

[karenklo]

Do not make plans to be together every moment. It is ok to go do your own thing and meet up later!

 

[Pucka1378]

I am curious as well, we are doing our first WDW trip with another family. I am the planner and they pretty much have given all planning over to me. I do ask for input and have been incorporating things. I have spread sheets galore that both families can edit to add any plans they have made themselves to the schedule. I am also going to do all the FP+ reservations. The other family is just enjoying me doing all the work.. Which I am completely fine with.

 

[Pucka1378]

Our plan of attack is that we all have ADR's together for dinner every day and we for sure are spending our morning together..then we will split from there on what every one wants to do. The other family has small kids and one teenager and we have 2 teens. So I am assuming after lunch the littles will need some down time and the teens will go off on their own and we will do whatever we feel like and all meet up for dinner and then go from there.

 

[Jennasis]

Dont do it! Lol...that seems the only way to guarantee no stress.

seriously though, large group trips or multi family trips are very tricky to pull off successfully. The best way to approach is as a previous poster suggested, and to be sure not to plan to be together every minute. It is ok to separate into smaller groups and go off and do your own thing.

 

[JanaDee]

Do not make plans to be together every moment. It is ok to go do your own thing and meet up later!

This would be my advice, too. Plan to do different things during the day sometimes.

 

[Dani4girls]

I tend to agree with Jennasis. We had a trip with extended family and some friends. And it was very stressful at times. When you pay as much as you do to go to WDW, the last thing you want to be doing is standing around waiting for somebody who insisted on going on this ride with you but they got delayed; or worse, just standing around waiting for someone to make a decision about where to go next! The most enjoyable times were when we were all sitting together at a meal....like CP or Boma's.

 

[ZoZo]

Do not make plans to be together every moment. It is ok to go do your own thing and meet up later!

I totally agree with this. You're likely to run into different types of interests and "habits" (some folks are early risers, and some are not). Plan to spend part of your time together, but not every minute. That can really help to avoid conflicts and frustrations.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

biggest tip. Do not plan to do every single thing together, and do not anticipate that your entire group will want to tour the parks the way you do. don't know how many times I have read "we always do rope drop but so and so likes to sleep in and it's so frustrating having to wait for them." It's OK to split up, expecially now in this era of instant cellphone communication.

 

[Pinkos]

I agree with the others! Do NOT plan to do everything together. I would pick some big attractions that the kids might want to enjoy together and try to arrange a few FP together, and 1/2 of your ADR's together. Don't forget, you will also have some time to hang out together during "down time" @ the pool, etc. No matter how great friends you all are, its best to schedule some time apart or you may want to kill each other. The main goal of the trip should be to make some wonderful memories that you will treasure but still maintaining the friendships at the end of the trip!

 

[100acreHiker]

Wow--Thanks everyone. I agree with the idea of together and separate time. My feeling is we are both rope drop families, and we'll probably have many meals together, and some apart. We'll probably split up for a few of the rollercoasters, since my kids are not hardcore about them. I think another key idea that I loved to see here in the first comment was to plan to have a great time. Half of it is being zen and positive, I think!

 

[JennyDrake]

Do not make plans to be together every moment. It is ok to go do your own thing and meet up later!

DITTO! DITTO! DITTO!

 

[Shmily01]

We've done several trips with big groups. I would say that communication is the key. I was the planner and they always "said" whatever you think is okay with us, but I knew I didn't want to be blamed if anyone had a bad time. We made it clear up front that we didn't have to be together every moment and that if they wanted to follow my "plan" then they could, if not, they were free to do it how they wanted to. We didn't have any issues. That being said, I still stressed a little worrying everyone was having a good time. But, then again, how could you not? It's DisneyWorld! Good luck!

 

[Bluegrrl]

We went with my brother, SiL, Uncle, cousin, and my mom, husband and me. Not as large as your party seems to be, but still a big group. We planed several meals together, but otherwise, we went our own way. It was still a fun time, especially the group meals like Hoop-Dee-Doo and Boma. Try to find big family style places where you can all eat different things and have lots of fun. Breakfast and dinner are the best, since it's hard for people to meet up for lunch. Maybe plan for a park a day, like one day everyone will go to Epcot - but what they do there is up to them? Staying at the same hotel is helpful.

But don't expect everyone to go in a group with each other ride by ride.

 

[DisneyCAL]

We had planning meetings before our ADR making day. The agreement was to do some specific meals together such as one character breakfast and several dinners. Other than that we were on our own with what we wanted to do. We will do Splash Mountain and SDMT together on one day, but other than that it was agreed that we didn't have to stick together. This way we get to come together at dinner time to share how our day went. You should also try to plan for a Fireworks all together at least once during your visit (special moments that majority of people would want to do at Disney). As long as you make expectations for yourself and not others, I think it will go fine. Good luck!