Down to the wire - 5 BW villas, 23 people. What am I overlooking?

[KelNottAt]

We check in 11/23. Four 2BR and one 1BR @ BWV. 5 nights for them (and a 6th for us ).

They're all newbies. (Think Magic Kingdom and Disney World are the same thing. Wonder why "park hoppers" don't work at Universal.) DH, DS, DD and I are the DVC member veterans.

What should we make them aware of? What should we plan for? I've been sharing info emails with them. But they ignore. I don't know if they're overwhelmed or apathetic.

Any tips from former family reunion organizers? What pitfalls can I avoid once were all together?

Thanks!

 

[MEK]

Wow - that's one big group! My advice - hire a tour guide for them! Kidding.

I would just go with the flow. Don't expect to please everybody. AND take some time each day to do what you want to do. Some personal space time. I admire you - have a good trip!

 

[Deb & Bill]

My advice? Take a big bottle of Advil.

 

[KelNottAt]

My advice? Take a big bottle of Advil.

Well, I was already planning on that. Plus :

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Send them off and on their way. We're planning a large group in 2010, but honestly, I don't plan to be their tour guide, at all.

 

[KelNottAt]

Nope, I'm not gonna be a Julie McCoy. But, there will be times when I'll probably step in and make suggestions.

For example, FIL already said he'll drive the rental car to Disney Hollywood Studios because he thinks it's easier than taking the boat. I just had to speak up and discourage driving.

 

[hellerjw]

I would just suggest a few "must see" attractions at each park and plan one big meal together, but for the most part let them go their own way. With that many people there is no way to please everyone or coordinate that many schedules. Just let them know you are willing to give them advice when asked but that they are free, and encouraged, to do their own exploring.

 

[dis-happy]

My advice? Take a big bottle of Advil.

Forget the Advil, you'll want Xanax.

Hope it's all fun when all is said and done and they appreciate your hard work!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Well, I was already planning on that. Plus :

I was going to suggest my personal fav - a bottle of Captain Morgan! That is a HUGE group.

Seriously...you might want to pick up a copy of Birnbaums (sp) just to offer for them to look through... We are planning a trip with some extended family for next summer...so far I have told them how much CS meals usually run in the parks and I have emailed them current park ticket prices so they can budget. I just want them to make an informed decision about the cost involved before I book anything. I told them we can cover the accomodations but they're on their own for getting there etc. I don't plan on trying to keep us all together for much of anything other than a little park time here & there & a couple of meals. GOOD LUCK!


(ps) where are you in maryland?

 

[crisi]

Get a tour guide mike subscription or use the park info from unofficial guide. Use it to determine green yellow and red parks. Develop your touring plan around the green parks - send your touring plan to everyone with "this is where we anticipate being - and this should be your best bet for avoiding long lines."

 

[Tinkerbellcrafter]

U know what, the pp had a good idea, plan a couple of meals together and give highlights of parks but I did the Birbaum's guide, planning e-mails, etc with a large family group in 2007 and I swear, no one read anything I gave them!! We had the party I planned for my mom and the party planned for dd's 7th b-day but basically DH, DD and I got up , decided where we wanted to go and gave others the option to follow. That is basically what they did!! I was exhausted by the time we got home.....I won't work that hard again!!

I totally understand the phrase "people think that the Magic Kingdom is Disney World!"

 

[KelNottAt]

Get a tour guide mike subscription or use the park info from unofficial guide. Use it to determine green yellow and red parks. Develop your touring plan around the green parks - send your touring plan to everyone with "this is where we anticipate being - and this should be your best bet for avoiding long lines."

Check. Did that in August.

 

[shortypots]

Let us know how things turn out. I am planning a big trip for the family (12 total right now) in 2010. We are looking at 1-2bd and 3 Studios so everyone has their own room. However, even the time of year is becoming a problem since we have a teacher in the group. Then we have 1 child that goes to his mom's before the teacher is out for the summer. I don't want to restrict anyone from not being able to go, but looks like someone might only be able to go for a couple of days. I am sure it will all work out.

 

[KelNottAt]

(ps) where are you in maryland?

I bet you've never heard of Eldersburg. But maybe Carroll County rings a bell. I grew up in Olney/Rockville.

 

[crisi]

How about a top ten tips list:

1. Anyone desiring to ride Dumbo should arrive AT the MK fifteen minutes before opening and head straight back to Dumbo at rope drop. This will save you an hour or longer over delaying.

2. Toy Story Mania is insanely popular right now - get fastpasses first thing in the morning - they are often gone by 11am!

3. Understand how to use Fastpasses - a common strategy is to assign a fastpass runner to get fastpasses - they should have all the park passes.

4. A Dole Whip is probably big enough to split - if it isn't, you can get another one.....


etc...

 

[Doug7856]

I bet you've never heard of Eldersburg. But maybe Carroll County rings a bell. I grew up in Olney/Rockville.

My brother in law and his family live in Eldersburg!

We are planning a family trip of 10 over Thanksgiving. Grandparents, dad, sister and family. Looking forward to a great time. We arrive November 25th at SSR.

Enjoy!

 

[TinkGirl]

I just moved to Texas from Carroll County. We lived in Westminster for 9 years. My dentist was in Eldersburg. Kind of a small world.

 

[ACDSNY]

I totally understand the fun you're having. I've had 25 family members for DL in 2005 and I don't think they read a thing I sent them. We're up to 24 for Nov 2009 at WDW & cruise and they're already being crazy & squirrelly.

Have a great time!

 

[Anal Annie]

I bet you've never heard of Eldersburg. But maybe Carroll County rings a bell. I grew up in Olney/Rockville.

I've heard of it! Never been there tho! We are in upper Montgomery County....my MIL lives in Olney...but I'm thinking you must mean sorta like the Aspen Hill or maybe the Flower Hill area?

Anyway, hope you have a great trip! I cannot imagine THAT many people in a group! I think "go with the flow" will have to be your motto that week!

 

[KelNottAt]

Actually, my address was strictly Olney. We moved there when the Georgia Ave./108 intersection was a blinking yellow. At that time my address was zoned to Magruder HS, in Rockville. So most of my "stomping grounds" were in the direction of Rockville, heck even G'burg.

I think the top ten list is a good idea. I'll start working on that.