Going with another family, stay together or no?

[Ametista]

Paradise Palms IMO has the nicest clubhouse and resort amenities. If you go through the west entrance you are at Disney in under 10 minutes, traffic free. They have 6 bedroom houses and if you rent from Florida Scandi or Global Resort Homes they would be able to get you adjoining townhouses if you wanted that extra privacy.

My experience has taught me to get separate units near each other, but then it depends on your family/friends. We like to be able to turn everything/everyone off at the end of the day and that means getting away from the parks and other people.

 

[Jedimom]

My sister's family of 5 and my family of 5 vacationed together last year. We booked the same flight there and back. She booked a 2-BR condo in Windsor Hills for all 10 nights, I booked 2 nights at a hotel near Sea World followed by an 8-night stay in a 3-BR condo at Windsor Hills. We ended up being in the same condo building (she the first floor, me the second or third, I forget). We hadn't planned it that way, but that's just how it worked out.

Price-wise, I think our two condo units cost about the same as a shared 5- or 6-BR house would have. We really enjoyed having our own space. Even though we're family, we grew up together, and we are alike in many ways, we didn't care to risk getting on each others nerves. It'd be a shame to spend all that money on a vacation and end up being stressed out, you know?

My sister's group visited Universal for 2 or 3 days and Disney the rest; my group visited Sea World 1 day and Disney the rest. We met up for breakfast one day, had supper together once or twice, spend a few nights at the pool together, met up on and off at DHS, MK, and AK (she didn't do Epcot at all -- we did 2 days there). Just different touring styles. She's go-go-go (and she can be as her kids are older), I'm more go with the flow (have to be as my kids are younger).

Honestly it worked out GREAT! We're already planning another trip "together" but not "too-much-together."

 

[Jaegermouster]

It's a great way to meet new people and enjoy new experiences, so I say go for it!

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

We spend a good amount of time with this family and went on a 3 night/ 4 day SB getaway with them (it was only 4 hrs from home though). Our kids are pretty close friends and we have play dates probably once a week. We have a 6 bedroom booked at Emerald Island. They most likely will be flying and I'm not sure if they plan on renting a car. We'll have my minivan because we'll be driving down. I will say though I've already forewarned the other mom I'm a planning fool but wanted any suggestions of where to eat, rides for FP+, etc. She told me to just plan whatever and they're cool with going along with my decisions

 

[trishwal]

We are about to so this - myself, DH and DD (9) will be sharing a two bedroom condo at WBC with my sister, my brother-in-law and nephew (14 months). When we decided to do the group vacation we immediately agreed each family would have their own vehicle and at the parks or any where else we are not obligated to stick together. We have booked our fp + together and are making a list of rides we all want to do that my nephew can't go on so my sister and brother-in-law don't have to each ride alone when baby swapping (and dd will be able to ride twice, once with them and the again with me). Our financial situations are very different as DH is disabled. They both work and make good money. While I do work, my pay is about half of one of theirs so I plan to save money by eating in the room some. I also plan to head back to the room for afternoon breaks while they have no intention of going back to the room for lunch and a break or aside from breakfast and snacks, eating in the room at all. We have booked a couple of ADR's together for character meals but other than that we agreed to be on our own. I am a little nervous because my sister and I do have a tendency to start arguing when we spend to much time together but I think as long as we respect the others choices, it will be okay. This is sort of a need a break from real life trip for all of us. Our mom lost her battle with melanoma right after Thanksgiving and then our paternal grandma (last of our grandparents) passed right before Christmas. Grandma is buried next to Grandpa at the national cemetery in Bushnell so we were going down to pay our respects and decided to give the kids a treat since we are going to be down there.

Sorry to hear about your loss, I lost my mom to cancer when she was 60, 5 years ago, it still hurts but it's gotten much better, and I hope that you will be able to get thru the tough time as well. We are still SO fortunate to have our dad not only present on this trip, but it was his idea and he's paying for it. (he's also living with cancer) My brother and sister and their kids and our kids are all meeting up in Tallahassee this Saturday night at the La Quinta and then we'll be able to check into our villa any time after 10 am the next day.

We're taking turns on meals so we each only have one dinner and two breakfasts so that's pretty easy to plan. The hard part is going to be ME LETTING GO OF PLANNING!

Actually the hardest part is hearing my sis-in-law complaining about Dad's plans messing up her beach vacay (they're leaving early, so 4 days at Disney and 5 days in Destin. They did 6 days in Destin the two previous years but have never been to Disney World). It is hard for me to see her side of things. I understand that they had plans first but hey, she'll get a LOT more beach vacations. This could very well be Dad's last, you know? I've tried to talk to my brother but he's sort of caught in the middle. He knows that the reason they're able to go is because Dad is paying for it but also supports her point of view. What do I do?

 

[trishwal]

same post twice.. edited.

 

[trishwal]

Only 3 days until we start moving towards WDW!!!!!

 

[Portugal1000]

Only 3 days until we start moving towards WDW!!!!!

Hope you have a lovely time. We are 2 months tomorrow but only got back from Majorca (a Spanish Island) on Monday which was glorious so I can live with 2 months till the next one.

Do let us all know how it went.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

We try to stay in rooms next to each other. My motto is good fences make good neighbors. I would not share a condo. Once my family stayed at the boardwalk and my sisters at fort wilderness. That was a bit of a challenge visiting each other so we jus met up at the parks.