Going to WDW with 32 of our closest family and friends... (most 1st timers)

[ChairborneRangr]

My wife and I have been there twice (2000, 2002)
Got Birnbaum, got Unofficial guide
age range 6 - 65

Any specific advice for taking a large group of first timers?

How about ways to make some birthdays special?

Thanks!

 

[SoonerKate]

Well, definitely get birthday badges for those who are celebrating!

You might want to try tentatively planning two or maybe three itineraries during the day, and dividing up into smaller groups. Maybe meeting for lunch and dinner, or at a specified time? With such a wide range of ages, different groups of people are definitely going to want to do different things!

Make sure that each person with a cell phone has a list of numbers: definitely everyone in the group, and ideally restaurants and the hotel. This could help solve problems with stragglers and last-minute plan changes. Maybe print out a small list before you leave home?

As a service to my Full Service F&B brethren, please please please always call restaurants in advance. Even if they don't take Priority Seating, when you have a group of 32 something can always be arranged!

Other than that, good luck and have fun! I've seen groups as big and bigger than yours, and they always seem to be having a ton of fun. The more the merrier, right?

 

[songbert]

WOW - you are very brave and very sweet to undertake such a daunting task!!

With a large group, it's fun to have a T-shirt made in advance for everyone with names and a picture or logo from your destination. I have friends that "name" their trip when they go with a large group. You don't have to wear the shirt every day, but it's great for a group photo and makes a wonderful souvenir.

Have a Magical time

 

[lentesta]

You may be able to get discounts on lodging at WDW. Have you contacted Disney Group Sales to see if you qualify? I'm sure many off-site hotels have similar deals.

Len

 

[Harambe]

We have gone with family/friends twice. One thing you must do is to designate one free day in the trip, that each family can do their own thing - have a meal by themselves - get up however early or late they like - etc. Go to whichever park they want. You need this break!!!

Last trip, we had a family that did not allow us to do anything without them and it caused a problem. They had a 3 year old, and would constantly make us wait for them at each park, only to be told that their little one couldn't go on any of the rides we planned on going on! By weeks end, I was so upset because I felt like I was in the middle (my friends and my extended family).

On our next trip, DH, DD, DS, and myself are going by ourselves and I am so looking forward to it! Of course, everyone else is upset because I am the "cruise director" of our trips!

 

[donac]

Just remember that eating with a group that size takes more than time a small group. Even counter service will take longer because of everyone waiting in line. By the time the last is served the first is done and waiting around.

You may want to split up and go according to ages.

My parents spent an entire afternoon in Epcot and only went into two or three WS exhibits. LUckily they went by themselves because the kids would never have tolerated the waiting.

 

[donna in Oz]

songbert . . . .

The last time I was at Disney with a group, we had shirts made for us. Since we all seemed to break into fits of uncontrollable laughter frequently, our shirts read, "The Hyena Family Does Disney".

 

[LAWalz23]

When are you going? Lets us know how you make out?

 

[ChairborneRangr]

June 9-16

made resies through youth group sales. Staying at ASM. Amazing savings! And the people (David and Darlene) have been awesome!

Can someone explain birthday badges to me?

Thanks!!!

 

[Susiesnowflake]

You are so very brave!!! My only suggestion is that you allow alone time for each family....half days, whole days, or maybe even multiple days. Some people are early risers. Some are not. Some people can go, go, go. Others cannot. Some people are willing to try each and every attraction, and others may be more particular. Some people can deal with the stimulation, crowds, and heat better than others. Be aware, and allow time for everybody to do their own thing. Teens may even want to split up for an hour or two within the park and meet the rest of you later at a designated time and place. We did this with our 12 and 15 y.o. during our fall trip. You would have thought that they had been given the keys to the kingdom! They thought they were pretty special to have this alone time, and my husb and I also appreciated our time alone.

I wish you all a wonderful time! I can see all the smiles already, and I'm sure many magical memories will be made. Have fun!

To add to the anticipation and excitement, order the WDW vacation videos for each family.

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

Two words: SPLIT UP!!!
If you don't, you won't accomplish anything. I would copy pages from one of the guides that you say that you have of the description of the rides and shows. Have people highlight the things that they are interested in. Also, find out what kind of schedule they want to follow: wake up times, whole day in the parks or not, money they want to spend on food, if they want to do rides only or do they want to see the shows, etc. Then I would suggest groups. Wearing the same color shirts is also a good idea.

 

[Jillpie]

Whatever you do, don't think that you will do the parks all together. (Plan that well ahead of time, so people won't have expectations) You WILL get very frustrated quickly if you try to stick together. That number of people will never agree on the same rides etc. and time is precious. I suggest to stick with your immediate family for touring, meet up for lunch and continue touring on your own. Also, buy the two way radios. They're invaluable, especially for the kids that can go off on their own. And when you make the PS for the whole group, DON'T WASTE PRECIOUS TIME if people don't show up on time. If anything drives me more crazy, it is this. Have your meal anyway and continue having fun in the park. Enjoy!!

 

[K P & J's Grandma]

WOW ---
Remember that this is 'everyone's' vacation. They are all probably spending the same amount of money & if someone wants to stay back at the hotel to sit by the pool - let them, that is their choice!!
Hopefully you are staying on grounds - that way everyone can come & go as they please. With that many people, you will never get everyone to decide on the same thing - don't waste time trying to figure out what each one wants to do - have some sort of game plan - if some don't agree - let them do what they want & meet up later in the day - maybe back at the hotel to discuss what each one did!! I went with five over '50' year old high school friend who had never been there before - I was the 'leader'. We had fun - but - it got frustrating trying to figure out what each one would like & not like! I hope that everyone will relax & be able to enjoy themselves. WDW is AWESOME!!! Hope that we will get a trip report from you !!! RELAX --there is no way you will please everyone!!!!

 

[tjkraz]

I'm with LovesHauntedMansion (and others) all the way...split up!!!

I've never done Disney with that many friends and family, but a few years back about 20 of us went to Las Vegas for a cousin's wedding. We made scattered plans throughout the week together (dinner a couple of nights, shopping in the afternoon, shows, etc), but other than that, we let the smaller family units do their own thing.

It couldn't have worked out better.

Plan a few highlight attractions that you want to share with the entire group...things like a Character Meal and a showing of Fantasmic! But don't try to micromanage the trip for everyone. People really can survive at WDW with just a map and show schedule.

Use the Birnbaum and Unofficial Guides to plan YOUR trip, and make sure that your immediate family has the vacation that you are expecting. Let the others in your party know that you are ready and willing to offer advice/suggestions if they so desire, but don't force it.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

Since there are so many first timers, I have actually written down and detailed more of our plans that we would usually have "in our heads". I've also tried to provide some good highlight and overview info. At this point I also provided our (my wife, myself, and youngest 2 DDs) plan to give them an idea and told them anyone is welcome to join in on what we are doing but feel free to roam and do anything they want. My oldest 2 are in high school. They and their other teenage friends will be cut loose as a group at times, with cell phones of course.

Any suggestions for fun group dining for a wide age range?

and again... what are birthday badges?

Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep 'em coming

 

[Hayley]

I've done this - and there were really wonderful things and some big mistakes we made. <i>Please</i> heed the advice of those who said to split up - we had some little skirmishes that broke out among brothers-in-laws , mostly about the pace (the kids never fought all week!). Some people were poky and some wanted to race through the parks - we never should have tried to stay together.

We had a great time together at the Hoop-dee-doo review. That's a great place to spread out a little and have a great time together. You might look into a backstage tour; you'd get the group rate. I would have something like sign-ups....for Cirque du Soleil.....for special dinners....etc.

All have breakfast with plans to meet up someplace for lunch or at the pool.

You'll have a wonderful time, but ....take a deep breath and roll with the punches. It could be a little stressful.

I can't wait to hear about it!

 

[K P & J's Grandma]

I would agree with Hayley about the Hoop Dee Doo!! Some might think that it is a little 'spendy' but we think that it is worth the money!! LOT of laughs - we love it!!! The character breakfast that the Polynesian is good & fun - they have a 'parade' around the restaurant with the kids & characters. The food is served family style. Are you staying on Disney property?? -- You asked about birthdays - we asked at the front desk when we checked in if they did anything special for birthdays - they asked the birthday persons name & their favorite character - a birthday card was left in the room signed by the favorite character. Mention the birthday to the server when you are eating - there may be a 'free' birthday dessert. They used to have 'birthday badges' at the Magic Kingdom in the Town Hall. I don't know if any of the other parks have them. It is good that you are planning for your family & then sharing you plans with the others & letting them decide if they want to tag along with you. It will be more relaxing if everyone does their thing at their own pace!!! Hope that everyone will "Remember The Magic"!!!

 

[erinch]

I would make sure you schedule a few minutes each day for a "group meeting" of the "leaders" to head off any concerns/frustrations before they build up (I once took a youth group of 38 teens and 10 adults for 2 weeks to South Carolina and then 5 days at Disney -- in AUGUST.)

Lots of times frustration starts to build and no one says anything out loud but lets their body language say it, which can sour the undertones. Set a group policy that everyone gets to be honest about their preferences, and no one should feel "forced" to a schedule they'd prefer not to have.

PRINT (and have extra copies) of all Reservations where everyone is expected to be and check and double check that everyone knows what day it is and where they are supposed to be before they scatter for the day.

Set a CONTINGENCY PLAN where folks can check in, reconnect, if they get separated or detained.

Make sure the first timers know IT TAKES MUCH LONGER TO GET PLACES than they expect. (Very frustrating if the whole group is waiting to be seated in Germany at Epcot and 3 newbie teens aren't on the monorail yet in MK to get there). Make it clear that if any in the group ARE detained, the rest of the group will proceed with a meal.

MAKE SURE ALL CELLPHONES HAVE CHARGERS.

Make sure you discuss what to do if somone has a medical emergency (with a group that large--"when").

Refuse to let anyone else's petulances spoil your good time--it can be horrendous to be the chief planner if you feel responsible for the time everyone else has.

 

[Harambe]

The whole crowd could enjoy Hoop Dee Do! The teenagers will find it hokey, but it's still a great time for all. And the food is tasty!

 

[Hayley]

I just thought of something -- I think the most fun our group had of all -- all together -- was at the prime time cafe. We got a really good "big brother", and even my ornery brothers-in-laws laughed until they cried!