Don't talk us out of this--Very large family of 32 planning a trip

[mommyofthreeboys]

Yes, 32 immediate family members (my mom and dad, their 6 kids (I'm one of them) and their kids are planning a trip to WDW in June 2008.

I've searched the board for advice and the largest group I found was 23. With a group of our size- do you have any advice?

We all will be driving down separately (probably in 6 cars) but since we live in the same town, we more than likely will try to follow each other. I'm also thinking we should stay onsite so everyone can come and go as they like. Any ideas where? Money is an issue. It needs to be affordable…meaning no more than $800 per family for accommodations. Is there any place that gives a group discount?

I'm the planner so I like the idea of creating a newsletter to send out to everyone once a month to keep them informed.

I also know it will be impossible for us to stay together at the parks but we all plan to go to the same park each day.

We all rented 1 house down in Gatlinburg 10 years ago (and about 5 less kids) and it was blast. Everyone gets along very well so I am so excited.

I like the idea of eating together once a day. Especially at places that can serve family style and maybe even get us at one table…like Hoop Dee Doo. Any other place you can think of?

So help us out--any ideas???

 

[LuvOrlando]

A WDW Grand Gatherings rep will probably be your greatest asset. The stickiest part of the trip would be plunking down alot of $ for meals others might not feel obliged to attend. I bet WDW has strategies for this so the planner would probably be the best place to start.

Best of luck tou you

 

[Darcy03231]

Depending on the time of year you're planning on going and how long you plan to go for, it may be hard to stay on-site for $800/per family. You'd do much better with renting houses or condos off-site. By staying offsite it also gives you the advantage of having breakfast and other meals in the house as you'd have a full kitchen. Also, you'll have much more room to spread out in a house or condo. I'm doing a family trip this summer (although there are only 10 of us) and I rented a house off-site for our trip. Its 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, with a pool for $550/wk. A house this size will easily accomodate the ten of us and give us plenty of room so we won't be on top of each other. Have a great trip!

 

[dfarner]

I Would Definitely Talk To A Disney Travel Planner Or Check Online About "grand Gatherings". My Understanding Is It Is For Large Groups.

 

[mrsltg]

Several things come to mind -

DO NOT plan to stick together in the parks. Moving 32 people to the same place at the same time (and having them WANT to go there) will be a logistical nightmare. Instead, plan to do whatever you want and meet up at certain times for meals.

32 people is not enough for a group discount (a big part of my job is planning corporate meetings). Figure that's about 8 rooms total, not enough business to justify a discount.

Don't plan to do a sit down for most meals. Trying to seat 32 people together is difficult if not impossible depending upon time of year. If you are all willing to break up into groups you'll fare much better.

Pack your sense of humor! It can be a lot of fun if you realize some of your planning will go out the window and if you plan to just relax and roll with the punches.

Have a great trip!

 

[dreamalittledream]

sounds like it could be fun!

you could use the foodcourt or a counter service place as a meeting place for a meal and to get info out to everyone for the day/ next day. that would let everyone gather together and be budget friendly. They could choose to eat or not to eat as they wished. (some could just have a snack and so a sit down meal later)
If you can, select ones with lots of seating together, Cosmic Rays, Electric Umbrella, the Land are some good ones I can think of.
and an off time 11:00, 4:30, 7:30

maybe you could get there first and make up some "reserved" tent cards to hold a few tables in a corner. I would check with the CM's though.

If you want to gather everyone together, also pick some meeting places in each park like the water area by Imagination. it would give everyone something to do while waiting for the others.

You could make up scavenger hunts or triva sheets to be done as a family or small group that could be turned in for a prize. there are lots of great sources here on DIS.

 

[bnf2]

Wow!!! How fun for your family and what memories this trip will create!

I agree with all the previous posters- my biggest piece of advice (having vacationed at Disney with my whole family- small compared to yours though, just 14) is 1. agree to disagree and 2. discuss up front that there may be days each individual family would like 'alone time' or time with the grandparents with just their family. You may think now you want to be together 24/7, but when you throw kids, long days, heat and overstimulation in the mix it could get ugly

When we went we did spend a lot of time together, but because of age differences in children we spent some time apart from my siblings. My kids also wanted time with "Mammy & Pap" that they didn't have to share with the cousins. I am extremely close with my brother and sister, but we all 3 agreed up front that when we wanted to part ways for a while it was not to be taken 'personally'. Fortunately we were all on the same page there and the trip was wonderul! My sister has since had a new baby and we're thinking we just have to do another big family trip since it wouldn't be fair to the baby not to have that same experience!!!

Enjoy the planning and have a magical trip!

 

[mcco5543]

I have a big family as well (although not THAT big) and when we've "gathered" at places for things like weddings/funerals/reunions, we have had very much luck with renting a few houses close by eachother, Family members all sleep in their respective rented places, but during the day you can float back and forth between eachother's houses and you'll be sure to get time in with most if not (all) family members.

checking out the "grand gatherings" info and talking with a rep sounds like a good idea too.

Also, another thing my family does, if we all want to eat together, instead of trying to book a resturaunt (although a very fun idea!) pick one of the rented houses and have everyone do a pot luck (every family brings something to contribute to the meal). You don't even really have to coordinate it. Pot Lucks work out themselves! (they really are lucky!) and it's a much easier (and more gaurunteed) way for your WHOLE family to have a meal together.

Have a Blast!

 

[LizzySwan1022]

My only suggestion that hasn't already been mentioned is to order or make a small brightly colored flag.

 

[BarbWB]

I went with my dh's whole extended family, but we were only 22.
There ARE some places where you can eat together.
If you are a FUN family, you can all dine together at the Biergarten in Germany. It's a buffet and there's fun dancing to an oompah band. My kids love it. The food is typical German (think sausages!) Decent, but not fantastic. But they have great beer!!

You could probably also get tables at Hoop Dee Do. BUT, for HDD, you have to pay upfront when you make your reservation. That's gonna hurt!

We stayed at Shades of Green and my in-laws had a condo/timeshare. That was okay, but if I did it again, I'd get 2 huge vacation houses nearby. I've seen a couple of AWESOME 6-7 bedroom places with disney-themed kids rooms that are NOT expensive at all when you divide it between several people.

Have fun!!

-Barb

 

[Lisa Anne Colling]

We are in the process of planning a grand gathering for August. With that many people it's hard to agree on the weather let alone a place to eat. Have a meeting before hand, have everyone come with a list of places they would like to eat. Pick some places you can all eat togehter and there will also be some dinners with just half or a few of you. We just made our bookings and had to go through group bookings, they were very helpful. To be able to sit together, we were told that we had to have the early sittings or very late sittings otherwise we couldn't be guarunteed to be close together. So our dinners where we are together are between 5 and 5:30 and lunch 11- 11:30. We are a group of 21 and it is still hard to get a table all together, some places like Hoop dee doo have us at 2 tables side by each. California Grill we had to get a private room to accomadate our size, which was OK as my in laws are celebrating thier 45th that night and it makes it special! We also planned a grand gathering wishes cruise to do all together for something special and different. Just remember to book everything as soon as you are able.We will also meet up for fireworks and parades. As for rides it takes to long to go through the park with that many people and the kids are all at different ages so we will be slpit up most of the time there. Good Luck and happy planning. I almost forgot, I believe it is 10 rooms in a block at the same hotel that qualify as a discount. I know that is what they do for special group events like Magic Music Days, but I do not know if they give that to everyone whom reserves 10 rooms together.
Lisa

 

[mamacatnv]

For New Years 2000 we went with DH's entire family/extended family. There were 36 of us. We had 14 semi-adjoining rooms at ASSp.(some were upstairs and some down)

My MIL planned this shingding.
She arranged 3 meals together:

Mickeys BackYard BBQ where we had a blast and a big group picture. We ate, drank, danced and just had a really good time.

Ohana's for breakfast which due to some scheduling snaffu was a disaster as we were spread out at tables of 4 all over the restaurant. It has been 6 years and the poor woman is still not over it and will not return there for a meal.

Rose & Crown for NYE, then for the non crowd types we met back at the resort where we had hats, noise makers and drinks.

She also assigned each room a "snack" or "drink" that we brought with us to have available to all for the evenings when we all sat around the pool and visited or when we just had the munchies. Since some of us were in FL. ahead of time or in her case lived in FL. the big/bulky stuff was assigned to us and for those flying in they brought a couple of boxes of crackers or beef stick etc...You could go knock on a door and obtain a mixed drink, wander a couple of doors down and get some fruit and cheese to go with it!

She arranged for a large group photo at our resort - everyone knew to be there or forget ever getting another Christmas present

Some days we grouped up and went to a park, some days we went alone as a family and occassionally we invaded the place in mass.

One evening we were asked to all meet at MK for the parade and another we all met at Epcot for Illuminations.

This was a wonderful family trip. Whenever someone asks where were you for the turn of the century we can say WDW with our entire family.

Some of the singles roomed with each other to bring down the costs.

There were 4 sets of grandparents amongst the group and they took turns watching the small munchkins so the older kids and adults could have some together time.

2 of my kidless brother in laws took a bunch of the nieces/nephews to Blizzard Beach one day while us adults enjoyed a kidless afternoon, our goal, to have a drink in every country of Epcot!

We have amazing memories of that trip and since we live so far from the rest of the clan we really got in some serious bonding time.

Have a great time and happy planning

 

[Familyofsix]

Grand Gatherings is the place to start. WE have been planning a trip with our Girl Scout troop for this June and started with Grand Gatherings. How long are you planning on staying? Value resorts will be around $119 per night per room, so depending on your length of stay your $800 budget for hotel is OK. How many kids 3-18 will you have with you? Forming a "youth group" may be an answer for saving money also. Group rates for rooms need 10 or more.

Its nice to deal with the Grand Gathering folks and we have also been dealing with group sales and the YES Program. One phone call can answer almost all questions or they will get you on the line with someone that can answer any question that comes up and i have made alot of calls due to the fact that our group will total 35.

My biggest word of advice start planning early like you are and dont be afraid to ask Disney what they can do for your large group, they can make things easy without busting the budget.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Remember, with Grand Gatherings, the majority of the group must be staying on Disney property. They won't help if you all stay offsite.

Value resort rooms have an occupancy of 4 plus one under the age of three. Except for the family suites which hold 6 plus one under the age of three.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Thanks everyone!! I had no idea about the Grand Gatherings! I'll have to research that.

My mom reminded me last night that her and dad will be celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary while we are there! I'm excited about that! I'll have to find something special to plan for them.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Any ideas how to celebrate an anniversary???

 

[Familyofsix]

If you are looking for a special dinner call Group Dining and they can help make it happen for you.

 

[pigget74]

For New Years 2000 we went with DH's entire family/extended family. There were 36 of us. We had 14 semi-adjoining rooms at ASSp.(some were upstairs and some down)

My MIL planned this shingding.
She arranged 3 meals together:

Mickeys BackYard BBQ where we had a blast and a big group picture. We ate, drank, danced and just had a really good time.

Ohana's for breakfast which due to some scheduling snaffu was a disaster as we were spread out at tables of 4 all over the restaurant. It has been 6 years and the poor woman is still not over it and will not return there for a meal.

Rose & Crown for NYE, then for the non crowd types we met back at the resort where we had hats, noise makers and drinks.

She also assigned each room a "snack" or "drink" that we brought with us to have available to all for the evenings when we all sat around the pool and visited or when we just had the munchies. Since some of us were in FL. ahead of time or in her case lived in FL. the big/bulky stuff was assigned to us and for those flying in they brought a couple of boxes of crackers or beef stick etc...You could go knock on a door and obtain a mixed drink, wander a couple of doors down and get some fruit and cheese to go with it!

She arranged for a large group photo at our resort - everyone knew to be there or forget ever getting another Christmas present

Some days we grouped up and went to a park, some days we went alone as a family and occassionally we invaded the place in mass.

One evening we were asked to all meet at MK for the parade and another we all met at Epcot for Illuminations.

This was a wonderful family trip. Whenever someone asks where were you for the turn of the century we can say WDW with our entire family.

Some of the singles roomed with each other to bring down the costs.

There were 4 sets of grandparents amongst the group and they took turns watching the small munchkins so the older kids and adults could have some together time.

2 of my kidless brother in laws took a bunch of the nieces/nephews to Blizzard Beach one day while us adults enjoyed a kidless afternoon, our goal, to have a drink in every country of Epcot!

We have amazing memories of that trip and since we live so far from the rest of the clan we really got in some serious bonding time.

Have a great time and happy planning

This was great advice. We have only gone as big as 19.

I would suggest---Staying at a Value. You could have breakfast together at the food court. With group dining in order to eat together as someone mentioned earlier you need the earliest or latest seating. Ohana's is good for dinner. I really like Crystal Palace for breakfast. Could you guys do the dinig plan--that way you would all know how much food would cost. Another idea--I am doingthis for DH in May for our anniversary. We are dining at COral Reef and I am getting a diver to hold up a sign that says Happy Anniversary and so forth. If you want that information let me know and I will try to find it for you. You cannot request this through dining--you have to call Coral Reef. They also do a special menue for you as well. Same food--but a keepsake menue with pistures and such. Good luck.

 

[TheDizMom]

Why on earth would we talk you out of it. How wonderful that you are planning such a special get together and during such a momentous occasion as a 45th anniversary! We leave at the end of the month with 11, not of course nearly the same amount . We are just so excited. I think you should plan to a point ahead of time. We had a family get together at my IL's cabin in October and we had fun filling out survey's that I had made up for everyone about the things that were important to be able to do and what people didn't want to do again. This way we were able to determine what parks to go to more then once, where we could just go for half a day, thus leaving everyone a free morning to do what they want til time to go to the park. We have a day for waterparks, which was one of the things I refuse to do again, so I am looking forward to hanging at the pool and getting some sun. We also planned for a day half way through the trip to just stay at the hotel and swim, boat and relax. We planned what day of the week we will be there we were going to each park, a kind of rejuvination day. We'll head out together and then go out to hit some rides together and some on our own. We decided to avoid the nightly discussion about where to go the next day we would have a set day to hit each park. We will all have our cell phones to keep in touch for the times we have split up to meet up again. We sat down as a family and decided on this together and where our TS meals would be so we could get ADR's
My MIL designated me as the go between for the family with Disney. I made all the arrangement and ADR's. I have all the notes the reservation numbers etc, but I also made a calendar with the basic trip plan, restaurants for the day and everything they need to know and I e-mailed it to them and update it as things get added or changed like flight times etc.
I think you can certainly have some TS meals together too. There are several restaurants where we will be at tables next to each other, but we are ok with that and figure as a big group that will happen. I think if you really want to stay on site you could get accomidations at one of the value resorts. I think it's ASMo that has a family suite now that has a living room and kitchenette that would work as a central gathering place and central location for snacks a drinks. I think it's a good idea to have your own space to go to be alone every night. It gives everyone a break from each other for a while. But if a house works better and it helps to save money on lodging and food then go with that.
I think one nice thing to do would be to order a cake for your parents to celebrate their anniversary. They have made it 45 years, no easy feet, so don't forget to really celebrate that.
Anyway, just go enjoy your family time, go with the flow and don't sweat the small stuff. I keep telling myself this because my SIL and 2 of my nieces can be a real source of aggravation for me at times. Hopefully I can take my own advice .

 

[Grandmouse]

We had a GG last summer for 55+ and it was great. Most of us stayed at the Caribbean Beach and really enjoyed the courtyard with the tables and chairs right outside our doors. We were all ground level and it was a great gathering place for the evenings. Others stayed at their DVC or other vacation club, Beach Club, and Value, but we had enough staying onsite to get the room discount. Not everyone arrived and departed on the same days, but we all had to be there over the same 3-day period to get the room discount (and it was good) but other than that 3-day weekend, it did not matter how many days earlier you arrived or stayed later, you still got the room discount. On Saturday morning, we all at breakfast at the Crystal Palace at 8:05 a.m., and then had our photo taken in front of the Castle. It was very special being in the MK that early with no one else walking down Main Street but us. Another night we had dinner at Hoop Dee Doo, and another at the Biergarten. All are great for large groups. Otherwise, we were on our own. You can't keep a group that size together, and with so many various ages and interests, people want to do different things. Of course, smaller groups met for other lunches, dinners, parades, etc., but basically we only planned three big events.

Also, we made up a chart listing names and numbers in the party, their arrival and departure dates/times, whether they were driving or flying, where they were staying, and their cell phone numbers. That really helped everyone
keep in contact as we were all arriving/departing so many different days and staying at various places.

Have a great trip. It is a wonderful experience that you all will enjoy and remember for a long time and want to do again and again.