Help! Planning a family trip of 17 people!

[kadaten]

I don't know how you're paying for your meals, etc. but here's a tip. To make things easy, we planned all of our "together" meals at buffet or family-style restaurants....basically anything that is one-price (or really 2--adult and kid). Since there will be no individual orders, ordering will be easier, we won't have to wait for 20 different plates of food to be ready before it's brought out, and dividing up the bill will be SO much easier...don't have to try to keep separate checks with the server and no "who had the steak? who got the extra drink?" to divvy up the single bill....just # of adults x the charge per person! Hoping this saves us time at the table and time waiting (don't have to try to keep the kids entertained while we wait for food since it's already ready for us!). Will pass along anything else I remember...

All the planning has been fun, but I'm ready to go! My family all got their pre-trip packets (made by me) this past week for our trip leaving in 9 days, so they're all psyched, too! One went so far as to appoint me family trip-planner for life since she didn't think anyone else could measure up to all the planning that's gone into this! (I hate to tell her it's only this good if we always go to Disney...I'm only good at it since we've been so much. And since she hasn't been since 1984, she doesn't realize how much I could be leaving out!) Our group is just looking forward to a true vacation, Disney-style!

Katie

 

[cocacolamom]

Katie,

If you don't mind me asking, what did you put in your pre-trip packets for them? I am in the process of planning the special bags that I always have for the car ride, but haven't planned for the adults.

I like your buffet only meals tip. It does make it easier when we all get together, and a special bonus if the characters are out during the meal.

9 more days! Wow! We have 55 more days until we leave and I'm wanting to go today! Ha! Have a great trip if I don't talk to you before.

Michelle

 

[kadaten]

The pre-trip packet was mostly information. We have lots of newbies going with us, and other haven't been since the 80's. . For instance, my mom just can't comprehend that it's nothing like Six Flags...nowhere close. She really has no idea. So they need info...they got--
--maps of all four parks and DTD
--our group itinerary
--my small family itinerary (so many were asking I just sent it to everyone)
--packing tips (importance of comfy shoes, fickle Florida weather, backpacks, cameras, types of clothes needed such as bringing a red shirt for family photo, etc)
--things to think about (rest of meals...counter service or sit down ...if sit down, how to make PS or call me to do it for them. ...extra ressies I'd gotten that were now open for the taking), etc.
--links to sites where they could look over menus to help them decide on their other meals (had sent this long ago but re-sent it just in case)

This week will email them all very good directions, and will send the kids travel books to keep them busy in the car.

Upon check-in they will get a tip book that I've put together. It includes stuff they'll keep asking about if I don't write it down such as....
--park hours, with fireworks and parade times
--location of baby centers in each park for nursing mom in our group
--transportation guides (how to get to parks, another resort for dinner, etc)
--contact info (cell numbers) for the rest of the family in case we're trying to meet up
--4 ways to make a PS
--Katie's picks and tips for each park (not-to-miss rides, good eats, and fun little details to look for like the key under the mat at muppets, ring in pavement at Haunted Mansion, etc.)
--holiday sights and sounds around WDW (carolers, santas, storytelling, etc); best resort decorations to go see
--"extras" like pressed pennies, hidden mickey's, epcot kid passports, sitting up front in monorail, pin trading, autographs
--different suggestions for out-of-park time (shopping at DTD and outlets, how to reserve tee times for the guys, place to watch the games, get ice cream, listen to music, etc.)
--getting to know AKL; list of extra activities offered in the hotel

They also have goody bags waiting for them (my little bribe hoping they'll want to do this again next year!)--
adults are getting baskets tailored to them--one gets Pirates DVD (his favorite ride), another an angel ornament from AKL since she collects angel ornaments, the beer drinker is getting a Mickey bottle opener, etc. Smaller gifts for everyone like animal notepads, mickey antenna toppers, coffee mugs, etc. Kids are getting lots of goodies (it is Christmas after all!)--t-shirts, games, coloring books, ponchos in case of rain, bubbles (for waiting in line), cheap hand held games (also for line waiting), princess jewelry for the girls, disposable cameras, etc. Everyone is getting snacks (Disney ones, plus others)!

Since we're staying at AKL I found some zebra-striped gift bags (67 cents at WalMart) to make up their welcome gifts. They'll look so cool when they're done! The kids' stuff will be in large beach pails I got at the dollar store that I'll paint their names on (too much stuff for the gift bags).

I think that's it. I sure hope so, since we have so little time left! The tip books aren't actually done yet, but are very close, so I'm sure they'll be done on time. I've spent so much time on the trip planning we haven't decorated our house for Christmas at all. No tree! And I'm usually the one with at least 2 full-size trees (one Pooh/Disney only) and 3 or 4 smaller ones!! Only thing we did was garland outside since our whole street does it...didn't want to look like a slacker! If only they know how busy we've been...

Hope that helps, and let me know if you need to know anything else!
Katie