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

[wdwnut]

Hi: We've done larger groups several times at WDW. There were 19 of us there for a week the beginning of October. We agreed not to try and do everything together, but did plan several meals as a group. Birnbaum's or other guide books are a good idea if they will use them. I also sent everyone links to websites with info for them. We are planning another larger group trip in 2010 already. Relax and have fun; you are not responsible for their vacation if they did not do any planning on their own.

 

[jade1]

Photo copy all the tickets.

 

[jade1]

Also order your from the "notes" area from G Grocer. We were very detailed and they were spot on.

 

[slindamood]

Go with the flow is the best idea. How things work out depends largely on the interest of your guests in Disney and their willingness to spend money.

I had to laugh at some of your examples. On our most recent family trip (first one with DH's family) we heard:

**Why do we need to get the car to go to Universal - let's just ride the monorail.

**they wouldn't let me walk through EPCOT without a ticket. All I wanted to do was walk to the other side and back - and they said I needed a ticket.

** Why do we need a ticket to get in for dinner reservations in EPCOT? Just tell them at the gate that we have dinner reservations and they'll let us in.

We have taken 3 large family trips to WDW - the first two with my family and the third with DH's family. Both were about 20 people.

My family was uniformly Disney fans. It worked out so well to do the parks and eat at Disney restaurants.

The third was for DH's family. in BWV the week before Christmas. We got the grand villa plus various two bedroom and studio units. Plenty of space for all. Took 3 years of points, but we wanted to treat and wanted people to come. I promised a home-cooked meal each evening, breakfast in the morning, and lunch ingredients in the fridge. We did not want money to prevent people from coming.

Before the trip we sent information on tickets, the parks, Birnbaum's guide, unofficial guide and lots else. I think it was ignored. When they got there, no one wanted to buy park tickets. One family got a one day ticket to MK and we went with them and all had a great time. Another day I took others on the free transportation system overview of WDW. We could look in but not go in. One family went to Universal one day (they wouldn't believe that the monorail would not go there) but they ended up not going in when they found the ticket price. And security was almost called on another who insisted that he should be able to walk through EPCOT without a ticket!

But - we had a great time! I had decided beforehand that I was not there to see the parks but to enjoy family. And we did. I cooked a great meal each evening with the help of various family members (I love to cook, so that was no burden). The BWV grand villa is great - we supplemented the dishes, chairs, etc. with some from a 2 BR unit. After dinner adults could sit around and talk - some played cards - while the kids watched the performers on the boardwalk from the balcony. We could see fireworks. And with people not running off to the parks in the morning, we would sit around after breakfast reading newspapers and talking for several hours.

So - each family will be different and their idea of Disney might not be yours. The visits with DH's family and mine are different as night and day. Most of DH's family did not step foot in the park - my family was there from opening to closing. Different styles - both fun.

Go with the flow.

 

[disneynutz]

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!

What a shame... we check out of BWV on the 22nd. I would have loved to follow you guys around.

I don't know how you do it. We had a party of 6 last Christmas and I won't do that again. Not fun for us, and they could care less.

Hope that you have a good time. Please post your stories when you get back.

 

[crisi]

slindamood - I laughed about your trip. We just got back from going with my family - only the two and four year old had never been before, and they weren't making decisions. My parents were easy - I worry about my Dad because he can get a little confused and overwhelmed - but as the week wore on he picked up the ropes again. My sister listened to what I said - didn't always take my advice - but took the time to understand why I was giving it. But my brother in law is one of those people you can't tell anything - he KNOWS - and if you try and tell him he is wrong - well, it isn't worth it.

But we went with the flow - usually we flowed a different direction than by BIL (on occation, his own family flowed a different direction than he chose to go).

One of the things that does make a difference is if your guests show gratitude. We've had less than perfect trips with guests - but if they appreciate what you are sharing with them, you are willing to overlook all sorts of inconvience. The guests we have brought (my BIL) who had a critique to make of every experience without ever saying "that was really something" - that was much less fun.

 

[DisneyMama27]

We will have a party of 12 at SSR for Thanksgiving. No one's first trip, but we are the definite experts - being the hosts, we are also expecting them to look at us for the "what do we do now?" decisions. So we are pre-empting by planning ahead. If they want to do their own thing, they are more than welcome. We are using DDP, and I made ADRs on the exact 180-day mark (with some changes since then ) - Dh and I organized a "dining rotation" so that we could eat with different family groups each day. DH has also created an Amazing Race-ish "scavenger hunt," dividing us into teams and creating a fun, interactive game that will keep our focus from standing in lines and fighting crowds!

We are very excited - my parents have gone with us before, but never with my DB or DSis's families - this is our first time all together!

DSis went with her in-laws a few years ago and they had no idea what they were doing - it was the stereotypical "why do people DO this?" kind of trip. She is excited to go with US this time. And DH is a former CM, so he is always full of interesting tidbits about everything!

Good luck with your huge party! That is a LOT of people! I am just so thrilled to get to share my favorite place with the folks I love!

 

[Anal Annie]

We will have a party of 12 at SSR for Thanksgiving. No one's first trip, but we are the definite experts - being the hosts, we are also expecting them to look at us for the "what do we do now?" decisions. So we are pre-empting by planning ahead. If they want to do their own thing, they are more than welcome. We are using DDP, and I made ADRs on the exact 180-day mark (with some changes since then ) - Dh and I organized a "dining rotation" so that we could eat with different family groups each day. DH has also created an Amazing Race-ish "scavenger hunt," dividing us into teams and creating a fun, interactive game that will keep our focus from standing in lines and fighting crowds!

We are very excited - my parents have gone with us before, but never with my DB or DSis's families - this is our first time all together!

DSis went with her in-laws a few years ago and they had no idea what they were doing - it was the stereotypical "why do people DO this?" kind of trip. She is excited to go with US this time. And DH is a former CM, so he is always full of interesting tidbits about everything!

Good luck with your huge party! That is a LOT of people! I am just so thrilled to get to share my favorite place with the folks I love!

What a great idea! Sounds sorta like the one VMK used to do before they closed up shop! My DS would probably love to work on a project like that for our group next summer... Might have to "borrow" that idea if you don't mind!

 

[tjcj]

"DH has also created an Amazing Race-ish "scavenger hunt," dividing us into teams and creating a fun, interactive game that will keep our focus from standing in lines and fighting crowds!"

What a great idea, would you be willing to share the details on this??

 

[photobob]

I don't have any real suggestions, but I hope you guys have a wonderful time. I've been the tour guide on several of my trips, but not for that many people. Stay positive and enjoy the fact that your are in the happiest place in the world with people you care about. Since these are WDW newbies hit the big attractions. You may want to email everyone with tips on the basics of how to do WDW or even send them all links to the DIS.

Again have a great trip and I'd love to read a detailed trip report from a group this large.

Bob

 

[KelNottAt]

We're back. I posted a trip report here: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29010749&postcount=22

It was a great trip.

 

[jns]

good to hear it all went well

 

[jblrn2b]

My advice? Take a big bottle of Advil.

Better yet plan on a big "Adult Drink" bill .

Remember you planned this so YOU could have fun. Don't let the negative ones spoil it - if they don't follow your lead that's their problem.

Good luck!!!!

Oh Silly me - I didn't see you were back!!! I'll read your TR - How was your drink bill?