Can 18 people travel together to WDW? We'll find out....

[dvcmember00]

This will be my first ever trip report, and THIS is my first PRE-trip report. I hope to have pictures once all is said and done, and I'll use this thread to post my final plans and projected schedule!

Just a little background.....there will be 18 of us going, and we'll be going in October:

Myself - dvc member: 35
Roommate - dvc member: 36

Mother - dvc member: 69

Brother - dvc member: 45
Sister-in-law: 45
Nephew - 21

Sister: 39
Brother-in-law: 40
Niece: 9
Nephew: 9

Brother: 40
Sister-in-law: 41
Niece: 2

Brother: 38
Sister-in-law: 32
Nephew: 13
Nephew: 2
Nephew: 4 months

Most of us have been MULTIPLE times, but we have some newbies also. We'll all be staying at SSR in various vacation homes.....some 2 bedrooms and some studios.

We're all leaving and arriving on different days, but will spend 5 days together in the World. Not necessarily all together all the time, but we'll be down there together. Our one main gathering will be the MNSSHP on October 13th.

I've pretty much helped everyone get things going, but have stressed that at the end of the day, it's each families vacation so they should make sure they have family time together. I think things will run smoothly....we'll see!

Just about time to make our ADRs and I think most of us are getting the counter service dining plan.

Questions? Thoughts? Opinions? Throw em at me!

 

[dvcmember00]

can't seem to get my vacation countdown ticker to work....how do I embed it into my signature.....?

 

[dvcmember00]

scratch that, it's working!

 

[melimel2100]

How exciting! I can't wait to hear more details about your trip! I know you'll do a great job on your Pre-trip report!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi!!
I'm here!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!!! Subbing!!

 

[MomofCKJ]

18 of you, wooooweeee that is one big group! All going to MNSSHP together, that sounds fun! Are you all planning to dress up?

Allyson

 

[dvcmember00]

Hi!!
I'm here!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!!! Subbing!!

Welcome Kristen!! I hope to become a TR whiz like you! LOL

 

[dvcmember00]

18 of you, wooooweeee that is one big group! All going to MNSSHP together, that sounds fun! Are you all planning to dress up?

Allyson

Not sure if everyone could be talked into dressing up, but I would think the kids definitely will!!

This should be interesting, with 18 people.....!!!

 

[dvcmember00]

SO FAR - our tentative ADRs are:

10/10 - breakfast @ Crystal Palace bright and early so we can get some nice pictures in front of the castle minus the DROVES of people!

10/12 - dinner @ Yachtsman Steakhouse - this will be a first for me, I have never eaten here!

10/?? - lunch @ Mama Melrose's - this was my mothers choice......I would be ok either way with this place.....

10/?? - breakfast @ Kona - I know I ate there YEARS ago, but I barely remember it. Looking forward to this!!!!

We're going for the $29.99 counter service meal plan this time around.....going to try it out. So we'll just pay for the above meals OOP.....

 

[princess&her4princes]

SO FAR - our tentative ADRs are:

10/10 - breakfast @ Crystal Palace bright and early so we can get some nice pictures in front of the castle minus the DROVES of people!

10/12 - dinner @ Yachtsman Steakhouse - this will be a first for me, I have never eaten here!

10/?? - lunch @ Mama Melrose's - this was my mothers choice......I would be ok either way with this place.....

10/?? - breakfast @ Kona - I know I ate there YEARS ago, but I barely remember it. Looking forward to this!!!!

We're going for the $29.99 counter service meal plan this time around.....going to try it out. So we'll just pay for the above meals OOP.....

You have some great choices here! Good luck getting everything you want, will all 18 of you go to these ressies?

Looking forward to hearing about the counter service meal plan...never done it, so it will be nice to hear your review!!

Do you have a plan of attack for what days will be what yet?

 

[dvcmember00]

You have some great choices here! Good luck getting everything you want, will all 18 of you go to these ressies?

Looking forward to hearing about the counter service meal plan...never done it, so it will be nice to hear your review!!

Do you have a plan of attack for what days will be what yet?

I don't think we'll all be able to manage to get together for a meal, so this will just be about 8 of us doing these reservations.... the 8 of us who are arriving on October 9th. The rest of the family will either be arriving on the 10th or 11th, so their 90 mark is not until a few days after ours. It's all so confusing and I'm working it out in my head as I write this PTR!

Once I know everyones ADRs, I'll post them for you all to enjoy!

I'm looking forward to the counter service plan, because #1 I end up spending SO much time sitting at a table service meal, and #2 I don't devote enough time to some of the better counter service selections. It will be fun trying out new places. There are some hidden gems out there!

As far as park plans go.....4 of us have Annual Passes so we can pretty much do what we want....

So far, the 9th will probably be a relaxing evening, we don't arrive in MCO until about 6pm.

October 10th will probably be MK for a little bit and then go back to SSR to meet up with the family members arriving that evening.

October 11th will probably be another relaxing day, where it's Columbus Day weekend, I know it's going to be jammed, and we have the remainder of the family members arriving that day, so we'll probably hang out or head to DTD to shop while we wait for them.

October 12th will probably be an EPCOT day for me - my favorite park!!

October 13th is the MNSSHP, but maybe during the day we'll hit DHS

October 14th might be a morning to sleep in and then maybe another EPCOT day.....or even a lazy day at the pool.

October 15th might be a rope drop at AK, one because I hear it's nice and 2 because that means we can go on the very few rides that we like there and be out of there before most of the crowds arrive!

October 16th will probably be a MK day again or just a day to run back through a few parks to ride the rides we don't want to say good bye to yet!!

October 17th is the day we come home, and we leave just after noon, so it'll be breakfast and then the airport!

This was all just off the cuff, I have to sit down with my handy spreadsheet and figure it all out...............decisions decisions decisions!!

 

[melimel2100]

Will you and your family be going on Expedition Everest this time around?

 

[melimel2100]

Ok I won't play games, I'm going on Everest...I'm part of this trip too!

 

[dvcmember00]

Bout time you came clean!! I think I might (MIGHT) get on Everest this year. I've successfully chickened out of it for the past few trips.....

 

[scoot241]

Wow 18 people! I have enough trouble coordinating six.

I've heard mixed reviews about the counter service dining plan, but I'm looking forward to hearing your experience.

 

[princess&her4princes]

I was wondering when you would come clean Mel!

Great plans!! And phew for not trying to get all 18 of you a ressie, that would be tough! We did 10 in December and made out pretty good....but 18! WOW!! I had a hard time just staying together walking the parks with 10 (although 6 were children!) so I can't even imagine touring with that many!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[dvcmember00]

Well today is the day I am to make my ADRs.....I should be on the phone right now, but I'm not. I am trying not to let meals stress me out this time around. I will be calling in about an hour and will report back tonight on what I got (no internet access at work, boo!)

I think for the most part, we'll split up most days and maybe a few families will tour together, but I stressed to everyone that this is a family vacation that they saved up their hard earned money for, and I don't want anyone feeling as though they NEED to hang out with each other. Just enjoy yourselves and have a great time with your family!

Right?

 

[dvcmember00]

I don't know why this says 92 days................I am pretty sure today is the 90 day mark! I will have to get out my calendar and manually count! LOL

 

[princess&her4princes]

Well today is the day I am to make my ADRs.....I should be on the phone right now, but I'm not. I am trying not to let meals stress me out this time around. I will be calling in about an hour and will report back tonight on what I got (no internet access at work, boo!)

I think for the most part, we'll split up most days and maybe a few families will tour together, but I stressed to everyone that this is a family vacation that they saved up their hard earned money for, and I don't want anyone feeling as though they NEED to hang out with each other. Just enjoy yourselves and have a great time with your family!

Right?

Good luck getting everything you want! And BOO is right about having no internet at work..we have to wait all day long to fin out!?!! You have the right attitude about thing and good for you for waiting until later to call...I'm always calling at 6:58 a.m and completely stressed out calling!! Looking forward to hearing you how made out!!!

And weird about your ticker!!!!!

 

[dvcmember00]

Well - my signature is correct, I won't be at my 90 days until Saturday!!! Which is fine, this gives me more time to get my ducks in a row!!

So I will go ahead and post what I get in just 2 days!!