Coordinating a family trip for 17!!!

[ashely612]

I am in the early stages of planning an extended family trip for this coming summer. Seventeen of us total. Parents, four siblings, and their families. The kids range in age from 5 to 21. The only thing we know is that we would like to stay in the cabins at Fort Wilderness like we did when we were kids. I will be an AP holder after my December trip. Any tips for a group this size? If I book three cabins will I be able to use an AP discount? Could we guarantee the three cabins be next to each other? Any special things you can suggest we do?

 

[tabrizia]

We have between 13 and 21 going in January. One thing I did was mKe a basic itinerary of what park we are doing each day and I organized 1 meal each day for those interested. About half our possible number is doing the meals.

Our general plan is we'll meet for meals and a few other times but while at the park everyone will likely split into groups that work best for them. So some may do the roller coasters while some stand in line for princesses and still others see a show. Our main goal is to have some together time, but to have time so everyone in our group can do things they like.


We also have my parents, me and my 3 siblings, our families and kids, and possibly a few extras coming.

 

[cjparker0110]

We will be doing a large family trip as well but in 2017. I don't know anything about AP and discounts, but I agree with tabrizia about the idea of meeting for meals and a few other times (perhaps shows or something). We are expecting to have anywhere from 15-23...perhaps more if some of the cousins will join us to surprise my parents (we are celebrating their 60th). All of us have different priorities and only my family and my niece's family have young children so our plans will vary a lot from everyone else. My mom is mostly in charge of the planning, but I am doing all of the research for her because she hasn't planned a trip for small children since the early 80s when I was a small child!

 

[sunflowerfields]

We are going in May 2016 with a total of 16. Our plan is to eat our sit down (table service) meals together. One of these will be breakfast at the castle. We are staying at All Star Music mostly in family suites. One group will be in a preferred room because of a disability. We have been planning this trip for well over a year and meet often to discuss all details we can think of now so hopefully it all goes smoothly. Many of our fast pass choices are the same and we are trying to work out times for those that will allow most of us to ride at the same time. Our ages range from 63 to 6 mos. with 4 being children. For the most part we plan for everyone to go their own ways but enjoy a little time together at the resort in the evenings and the ts meals.

 

[NKHarris329]

Agree with the others. When coordinating large groups we have always had a general itinerary (We will be at X park on this date and plan on eating at Y restaurant at this time). Then let everyone do their thing. It works so much better than having to try and keep big groups on the same page constantly.

 

[Gracie09]

Do not expect everyone to be together all the time. Plan a few meals and book them the minute they become available. Have a plan for hotels but have every family unit book their own (you can then tie them together later). Decide on fp+ that you need to book as a group. Friend everyone in the group and have one person responsible for booking those FP+ attractions.
we just did this in June. If you have any questions about it let me know.