Family Trip

[went503]

So some of our family members are service men and women. We are actually going to have a chance to have all the family members back in the states for a couple months and they want to have a big family trip to Disney sometime in Feb 2012. So i have a few months to plan and get things organized. So there will be 10 adults and 3 kids ages 4, 3, and 2. I just dont even know where to start. I know each family will need there own room and as long as they dont reallocate again for 2012 i will have enough points for 5 rooms at AKL with a couple points to spare. Im sure each room will have to have the family members name on it. Now from here anyone with big group experience have any suggestions or recommendations. One of the hardest things i would have to believe is finding dining for a party of 13. Tickets would be easy to figure out. Im just looking for insight or anyone with experience for some pointers.

 

[perpetualplanner]

Don't have any real advice since I'm in the middle of planning our first large family get-together also. The one thing I've learned is to make sure everyone understands that not every second of every day needs to be spent together. Breaking off into different groups and meeting up later in the day will probably go a long way in keeping different people happy. At least that's our plan..

 

[Cherokeezebra]

I know Disney's definition of a group is over 8. If you call them they have staff to help you organize those types of things.

 

[MAO]

We discovered that letting the different families go their own ways worked best for us. I did ask that the entire family get together once for dinner -- that was my "thank you" from them. We ate at the steakhouse at the Yacht club (I think that's where it is.) There were 14 of us.

My mother had been in a car accident a few months prior and didn't leave the room very often, so the other members of the family would go out, have some fun, then stop by and show her pictures or talk to her about what they'd done that day. You might consider designating one room (particularly if you have enough points to get a one- or two-bedroom) as the focal point for the group -- keep food there to share, maybe any info on what's available at WDW for people to look at, etc. We got a game or two from the Community Center and played in that room sometimes, so you might think about that for folks that have worn themselves out. Don't forget that, while you can ask for the rooms to be close to each other, I don't think you can get a guarantee on it.

I personally can't recommend "forcing" people to try and do the same things together, but your family may be different. Good luck and have fun!