Extended family adventure - tips?

[PrincessStinkerbell]

Hello everyone! Long time reader, first time poster!

I'm looking for advice on coordinating a larger family vacation at DLR. We are a family of five (me and DH, DS8, DD6, DD4) making our second trip, but on this holiday we are being joined by one set of 60-something grandparents (Disney newbies), and DH's aunt, uncle, and their 20-something adult kids (and a boyfriend). We are a group of twelve! Luckily, they are all fun-loving and easy to get along with, and everyone is very excited to make some great memories.

I'm the default organizer, and I really want to help everyone have a great time. Does anyone have tips for how to make a large group of all ages function smoothly? We are going to get five day hoppers, and we are all staying at the Hojo (we have a kids suite, others are in the same building.) Dates are April 18-25 - hopefully not too crowded! Thanks.

 

[Canuck16]

We are going in March with a group of 13 where we are the planners of the group.
With large group like this a key thing to do is to make your ADR's as soon as you are allowed to so that you are able to eat together at certain times on certain days if that is something that your group would like


Have a great trip!!

 

[mckennakendall]

We are going in March with a group of 13 where we are the planners of the group.
With large group like this a key thing to do is to make your ADR's as soon as you are allowed to so that you are able to eat together at certain times on certain days if that is something that your group would like


Have a great trip!!

I totally agree with this! Make ADR's as soon as you are allowed to.
Also, realize that you realistically won't spend every minute together. I went to DL and there were 10 of us. Because of the variety of ages, interests in rides, and sleep schedules, we had reservations for lunch everyday at noon at different restaurants. This was a chance for all of us to be together and a chance to regroup. After lunch, some would want to do more in the park while others were ready to head to the hotel for a nap or pool time. At our hotel, we had "happy hour" with drinks and appetizers from like 4-6 so we got together for that.

Also, realize that different people will have different ideas as to how to spend their time at the parks. My husband and kids were up early, at the parks before rope drop, and rode lots of rides the first few hours the parks were open. My brother and his family took their time getting to the parks and love strolling around because their daughter was scared of dark and/or fast rides.

Have fun!

 

[firefly87]

Our large group wears matching shirts for each day of our trips. It definitely helps keeping track of everyone. One time we had shirts personalized that we all wore. Each year we usually buy the $5 Old Navy 4th of July shirts so we take those to wear one day too. Sometimes we all just have the same color shirt on but not necessarily the exact style of shirt. (Like my husband prefers a button up shirt but the rest of us are fine with t-shirts)

Also make sure and get some group pics of all of you. It makes for nice memories to look back on!

 

[mich311e]

Also make sure and get some group pics of all of you. It makes for nice memories to look back on!

I'd say go in on the PhotoPass + together. I bought one for our group of 11 and LOVED being able to have a few group photos and not worry about asking someone to snap the pic.

 

[julesann]

I think the ideas so far are right on with my experience. We were there in December with 16! I think it is most important to find ways to gather at specific points during the day like a meal or happy hour (or pool time) to regroup and check-in (not at breakfast time though as this was one of the biggest frustrations as people might say they are going to leave for the park at a certain time, but they aren't ready). It is best to set a time for each grouping and leave at that time whether everyone is there or not! We could do this because we had a lot of teens and young adults and were, like you, in walking distance to the park. Include time to get coffee on the way if this important if you are the rope drop group.

It is important to realize that everyone has a different pace and way of enjoying the park. As the defacto leader, I think it is helpful to outline the options (rope drop at which park and why or why not) and then let each smaller group decide what works for them. I had a wonderful time going to rope drop with my son one day and one niece another and then a smaller group on a 3rd to do wide right for RSR. I loved the fact that my dh has always laughed that I do rope drop and lo and behold there he was each day joining me in line at the second rope drop before the park opened. I also think a general plan is helpful ie what night you might want to see fireworks, WOC, F! and/or parades so you can plan to make ressies or get FP and how this affects your general timing. As the leader, the more educated you are, the more you have answers that help provide flexibility. I think it is most helpful to know how the FP system works for rides and events and generally what are good options for meals.

I found it most frustrating when we tried to stay together as a group--it took ages to move through the park. It helps to have a few people holding tickets once you're in the gate and to gather fp. If you get fp for most members I found this gave us wonderful flexibility to have different group members go on rides. FP were very helpful for our group.

I also sent out information emails ahead of time outlining costs and options so I had everyone's buy in for our WOC dinner at WCT etc. This can also help you plan for dining if someone wants to make reservations for a character breakfast.

 

[ehrawn]

Also, realize that you realistically won't spend every minute together.

So true. The best advice I can give is don't try to force it. There is no way to keep everyone together. We did a trip recently with cousins, siblings, and grandparents. The most we could hope for was to start the day together, regroup for lunch, then return to the park for the evening parade/show/fireworks. The grandparents and parents wanted to make sure they got to ride FL attractions with the little one, while my DB was making coffee/FP runs, and the older kids were off on the E Ticket rides. The vacation rental and the pool was where the cousins, because of the spread in ages, could have the most fun together. We made sure to have a day off between park days to allow that time. It also allowed DW to take off with her sisters and me to hang out with DB, but still have family time in the park. We only did one ADR meal in the park, but did have a family meal in DTD (remember the restaurants there, too).

 

[abookworm]

Be prepared that it will be crowded because DL just IS most of the year. But since you have 5 days there is no need to feel rushed. Plan to get there first thing each morning to get on the most rides possible then hang loose the rest of the day. Aim for 1 show a day if that is of interest. Use the fast pass system for sure!
As was stated already, go with the flow, don't stress about be separated, and just enjoy the Disney Magic. I bet you will feel a bit rushed the first 2 days but then you will relax

 

[PrincessStinkerbell]

So glad I posted - this is fantastic. Thank you all so much for the great advice. I've decided to roll with the idea of anchoring the days around lunch and happy hour or dinner meet ups. Any suggestions for restaurants that can seat larger parties?

I'm so glad we have five days. We are rope drop people, but the twenty somethings are morning sleepers, I hear! So the ability to be flexible is going to be invaluable. I emailed my group today and let them know that I'd make an itinerary of meetups, book our Fantasmic dining, and let them know each day where they can find us, and then we can all just go wherever the winds blow that day. Everyone says that's great! So I think we are all on the same page. Woohoo!

(Thanks also for the group Photopass suggestion - something I hadn't thought of, and a great idea! Will do!)

 

[firefly87]

So glad I posted - this is fantastic. Thank you all so much for the great advice. I've decided to roll with the idea of anchoring the days around lunch and happy hour or dinner meet ups. Any suggestions for restaurants that can seat larger parties?

If you want to do some counter service type meals, there are plenty of places that will accomodate large groups. Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland, Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country, Village Haus in Fantasyland, Tomorrowland Terrace all come to mind. Everyone can order their own food and pull tables to sit together.

We tried getting a large group reservation at Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney and they said they couldn't seat us all together. However we have eaten as a large group at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen.

Over in CA, there is the Pacific Wharf area and there are many counter service places that circle around a very large seating area. We do like that place as everyone can order from different places but we can still sit together. There is chinese food, mexican food and the sourdough bread place too.