For those who have traveled with family...

[melk]

We are in the midst of planning our trip for next August. Our plan is to spend five days in an OKW grand villa with extended family (SIL, BIL, 2 kids, MIL) and also have about a week to ourselves at a different DVC resort (we're leaning towards BWV).

Question I have for you is do we do the family portion at the beginning or end of our vacation? My thoughts are: if we have them first, then we get to relax the second half, not so much "entertaining" to do. Or, have our own time at first, do everything we want to do, then have them come down the second week, and be able to see the things they want, satisfied that we've already done what was really important to us.

Any thoughts??? Thanks!

p.s. Any good ideas out there as far as something special for all of us to do as a group? I wondered about a fireworks cruise, but know nothing about it. Do we get a DVC discount on anything like that?

 

[goofy4dvc]

We tried to do some family time each day, especially the evening fireworks, etc. We started off separately, met back at the room late afternoon, and went together to view the evening shows, then if we wanted to split up again, we did.

 

[Mike]

I'd say have the family down at the beginning. If you go on your own first you might find yourself repeating a lot of things when the family shows up. If you have the family at the beginning then you can do things that you missed with the family or just repeat the things that you want to do. I think you'll find that you'll have a lot more time to relax this way. Plus, you may need to relax after spending time with the family if they are anything like mine

 

[snyderla]

We just did this! No kidding, got home last Monday night. DH & I arrived at WDW on Aug20th, stayed at BWV until the 25th just the two of us. On 8/27 my brother and his family (niece 4 & SIL) & my dad came up from southern FL to join us at OKW. We were all supposed to check out on 9/01, they were going to go home & DH & I were going to go over to VWL for a couple more nights. I only get to see my brother once a year or so (usually at WDW), so I asked him if they could stay until Sunday and moved them over to SSR when we moved to VWL.

The reason we did it that way is because DH & I were celebrating our wedding anniversary the first week. I really recommend doing the first week by yourselves, for the reason you mentioned and so you can look forward to their visit, rather than feel guilty because you get to stay and they have to leave! Just be sure to do those things you really love, but the rest of the family may not, before they arrive. Once you add the extra people, things move much more slowly. We enjoyed 2 days of cookouts and swimming at the quiet pool! Then we went to the parks in the evenings for fireworks. The plan was to get up early and go to a park at opening, then come back for a meal, swim & rest, then head back to a park. Didn't work out that way, but we had loads of fun nonetheless. If possible, I also recommend splitting up part of the time. We didn't because I don't get to see them very often.

PS, We went to Trail's End to eat a couple of times and I recommend that. It's at FW, maybe on a MK day when things get hot & crazy head over there for lunch (open until 2:30 for lunch) taking the boat launch. It's a nice relaxing ride. TE is an inexpensive buffet with great fried chicken.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Before you actually make those reservations, make sure you read a few of the threads on these boards about making reservations based on others joining you. Read the "morons" thread. That's a good one. Another DISer had one just the other day, so look for that.

Get it in writing, make them help pay for the villa. Let them know what it is costing you to get this reservation. Anything to get them to understand that this isn't free. You might not be charging them anything, but it's still not free.

 

[lisaviolet]

Hi,

We just did this in May. We booked three extra nights for us at the end and we were glad that it came then.

So that's my vote....the end!!!! Worked well.

Have a wonderful time.....

Lisa

 

[lisaviolet]

Ideas as a group. Nice free one. We watched the fireworks from the beach at the Poly with some of our group.

Also, a large group went to TL and had a blast.

Wanted to rent a boat/or some boats but ended up doing that on our own after....reasonable with DVC discount. AP is even deeper.

Hanging out was great. My partner cooked breakfast for 13 in our suite at OKW. Hung out at CP's pool at SSR for an entire afternoon (most were there at SSR)

Whoops I guess these aren't "special" but if I think back hanging out were the best memories...

 

[ACDSNY]

We normally travel with 6 - 25 family members on our Disney trips. That's why Disney is so special to us, we have many wonderful memories over the years.

We usually meet up for breakfast or dinner a few times and I usually will set up one special event for the group. Other than that everyone goes their own way.

The Wishes fireworks cruise is great. They run $200/$250 depending on if you want the music piped in and hold 10 people per boat.

As others have mentioned just make sure you're clear to everyone what you expect them to pay and when. That's always worked for us. Don't try to schedule too much and be flexible.

Have a great trip!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

If it were us, I'd do the family portion first. Three reasons:

(1) This way if they're not as advanced tourists as you and your family (versed in everything Disney) you could kinda give them some 'training' the first five days while touring with them. When we took my Mom and her boyfriend (newbies) I know they appreciated our tips, direction, etc. and were able to go off and do their own thing comfortably within a minimal period of time. ALSO, this enabled us to spend some quality time with them and without them. It was nice.

(2) It's difficult for us to tour with those beyond our immediate family. We have our own style, tastes, likes and dislikes. When you're touring with others, you often end up doing some things you would have never done without them.

(3) The above could be good and bad. But overall it could be exhausting. At least with the second half of your vacation, you'll be able to do everything you and your family want to do. I think that'll be a great way to end the vacation.

I must applaud the fact that you split your vacation like this instead of feeling obligated to spend the entire time with them.

Whenever we've 'taken' family and friends, we got a 2BR and planned a few meals with the others so that we'd have some time together. We also enjoyed our late nights in our villa tv room with the adults sharing beers, watching tv and recapping each other's adventures of the day. Always a good time.

Although it could be quite stressful traveling with others, we've lucked out the few times we've done it. Now, there are certain family and friends we would NEVER invite to stay with us!

Enjoy and have a wonderful time!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I think a agree with Mike's assessment best. Do the family visit first and avoid redundant touring, and then have time to relax and unwind. Large family events/vacations can be real stressful when you're the coordinator. Like others have said don't plan too much and/or feel obligated to keep guests occupied. Have a wonderful trip.