Family Reunion

[Twende]

We are just in the early process of planning a trip for a large group of our family.

We took an approximate head count of 25 people ranging in age from mid 60's to a babe in arms.

One couple in the group has a time share condo at Silver Lake. I assume that some members will want to stay there.

DH is spoiled by staying on site with the meal plan. He says he will not change what he knows works for him. Last trip we rented a can and he really enjoyed that freedom too.

The couple who has the time share says they have been to Disney before but they then lumped it all together with Universal so I really have no idea what parks they have done. The younger family did DL years ago for one day with an under 2 year old. They have never done DW.

How do we begin to plan this without stepping on toes? Can more than one person plan the trip and then just coordinate when to meet up? Would that work?

I need advice from anyone who has put together such a large group. What worked and what did not?

We are thinking it has to be a time when the school age kids are out of school so that leaves mid summer...yuck too hot I think? ....maybe second week of June?(schools here are not done until then) ...or somewhere in the two weeks before Christmas. I am guessing it would be about an 8 day stay.

Help!

 

[Twende]

What no one here has planned a family reunion and can give me some hints?

I am afraid that it is going to be a disaster with this many people. How do you keep them all happy?


HELP!

 

[wendy46001]

...start off with the plan of not trying to keep them all happy….its not your job…and they will drive you crazy if you try……plan maybe a dinner here and there ...but don’t expect them all to hangout...If your a planner and they are not...say this is what my group is doing your welcome to come along...but give lots of space and don’t make anything mandatory

 

[NotUrsula]

You are going to have serious difficulties if your group is split between onsite and off. In a situation like this, I would plan all "reunion group" activities on non-park days, and either do the "reunion" days before or after the "vacation" period. You will have fewer headaches if each family group has a vehicle available for private transit offsite on those days.

If you have kids that you wish to plan group experiences for, DON'T make those experiences meals, unless it is a picnic. Kids really don't get the "let's all have a meal together and that is our together time" idea; their idea of spending quality time with cousins is spending time PLAYING with cousins.

 

[Twende]

Thanks for the replys!

These are exactly the kinds of things I am looking for.

Keep 'em coming!

 

[BooScout]

You are far braver than I! I've done one WDW family trip with 14 people, ages 2-69, and it was a really trying experience for most of the trip. There was lots of complaining from everyone because no one wanted to do the same things. All plans to share moments together failed. Most of the people on this trip had not been in a long time or had never been, so most of the complaints were in the "well, if I had know ___ I would have ___" category. Not the share-the-joy kind of experience I had hoped for.

And we were not going for a reunion, since we see each other with some frequency throughout the year. If what you are planning is an annual or semi-annual get-together of family that are scattered all over the country, Disney might not be the place to do it. The kids and teenagers will want to go-go-go, not sit around visiting with grandparents. Adults with smaller kids will be separated into their own group while the older ones run off. And if you split up into groups staying on- and off-property, that adds another division.

Of course, if your family members are all Disney-savvy, the trip could work out fine. Just be sure everyone is clear about their expectations.

And DEFINATELY make dinner plans ahead, and early! A group that size will require about 5 tables, and plenty of time to schedule meals and events.

I hope it all works out!

 

[disneyohana]

I agree with all other posts. We are planning another family gathering next year. After the last family trip here is what I learned. If you have a cel phone, try to get free long distance for a week. This worked great with my sister & I meeting up if we got separated. Don't wait for more than 15 min. for a group, that ruined some of our vacation. Separate into smaller groups if not everyone wants to go to the same place, that way you may get a little time with close family members. If doing a big group at a park, meet in the morning, then separate as everyone wants to do something different.
Next year my sisters & I are going to make a list of what rides we want to go on and where we want to eat. Hopefully that will help a little.

 

[Armandocme]

I tried to put together a family reunion at Disney. There were a lot of people very interested early on (I started planning almost 2 years in advance), but the only other family that attended was my sister and her family. It was fun anyway but here's a link with some helpful information:

http://www.passporter.com/articles/reunions.htm

You can also get some information from the official Disney website about Magical Gatherings:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...erings/landing?id=MagicalGatheringLandingPage

Good Luck!

 

[sameyeyam]

I agree with previous posters about not trying to keep everyone happy. I would set up the dates and maybe a couple of planned meals.

Give everyone your "suggested" schedule, ie MK on Monday, TL on Tuesday, etc... But let them know it is only a suggestion, everyone can feel free to enjoy time with whomever and wherever they want.

Also, give everyone a list of different on and off-site recommended hotels. Give them your phone number to call if they would like to discuss plans with you. Some people want to plan in detail, others just want to play it by ear. Refer them to allearsnet.com or the disboards for further recommendations.

I learned the hard way, if you try to plan for everyone you will be totally stressed. If everyone plans for themself, then they will be happy and you won't be responsible for their happiness!

Family reunions can be fun and they should be. But forcing everyone to adhere to your wishes and schedule is a disaster waiting to happen.