Help with large 3 generation trip

[julesann]

I am looking for any and all tips and suggestions for doing a 3 generation large group 4 day trip to DLR. We (3 sibs) are celebrating db’s 50th and our cast will be a group of (5) 50 somethings (all in good shape); (6-7) twenty somethings; (2) 17 year olds; a 5 year old and 18 month baby. A few more friends and family will join us for a day or two. So far I have rooms booked at the FFI; will be making group reservations for a WOC birthday dinner at WCT and making matching t-shirts for my brother’s actual birthday.

I am the uber Disney planner—I love Disboard research and when at DLR, I am usually first at gate and do a lot of hopping and fp maximizing. On my last 3 trips, just db and I have gone. We did really well in the park as a larger group when I turned 50 but that was before grandchildren. I know we need to slow down, sometimes break into smaller groups, but I am really not sure how to best meet everyone’s different needs. We’ll be there Friday through Monday the first weekend of December (CP) so it will be fairly crowded. I am wondering what worked for you, what didn’t; any pre-planning ideas; fun group things to do and meal suggestions, etc. Thank you!!

 

[Geemo]

Try to have a plan the whole group is okay with.

The plan should not be set to definite times. Just an idea of when and where. Meal reservations are the exception though.

In the end it's going to be important to just go-with-the-flow.

You're there to have fun.

Enjoy

Geemo

 

[Swtonscrappn]

We travel to DL almost every time in a large group. What we do is make several specific activities together at specific times through the week, and the rest of the time, we let everyone do what they want to do. We do visit the same park together each day, but after that people are free to park hop.

So we will have breakfast together in the morning, make plans for lunch and maybe a specific show, and head together to the park. But if some of us want to go to Tomorrowland and some want to go to Fantasyland...we just do that. No hard feelings. What usually happens through the day is that we run into members of our group...ask them where they are heading, go hit a ride or two with them, then split off again. Its very casual and no one feels trapped by anyone else's plans.

Most the time we will talk over breakfast what are general plans are for the day, and see who wants to do what so no one is doing anything alone...there is always someone who wants to join in.

 

[julesann]

We travel to DL almost every time in a large group. What we do is make several specific activities together at specific times through the week, and the rest of the time, we let everyone do what they want to do. We do visit the same park together each day, but after that people are free to park hop.


So we will have breakfast together in the morning, make plans for lunch and maybe a specific show, and head together to the park. But if some of us want to go to Tomorrowland and some want to go to Fantasyland...we just do that. No hard feelings. What usually happens through the day is that we run into members of our group...ask them where they are heading, go hit a ride or two with them, then split off again. Its very casual and no one feels trapped by anyone else's plans.

This make sense. Some of us will be starting in different parks due to AP and EMH for those with 3 day PHs and some of us are early risers and other's aren't so I think we can make plans at dinner for the next day and figure out times to rendezvous maybe?

Do you plan specific activities ahead of time. I am the one everyone is looking to--so I thought some up front planning (before we get to parks) might be helpful? Anyone have ideas about how to make this fun for everyone?

Try to have a plan the whole group is okay with.

The plan should not be set to definite times. Just an idea of when and where. Meal reservations are the exception though.

In the end it's going to be important to just go-with-the-flow.

You're there to have fun.

Enjoy

Geemo

That all makes sense--I am wondering how to translate that into practical steps especially as everyone will be looking to me.I want to go with the flow, but I do better with this when I have some structure in place.

Also, meal reservations are tricky with this diverse group. How have other's handled this? It is harder now with the charge for last minute changes--I don't want to be stuck with either bugging my nieces and nephews to show up or pay, but I'd like to create opportunities for us to eat together at some enjoyable places.

 

[samserena]

Last year my DH and I had my in laws (49), my mum (59), step dad (63), 2 nephews (4 & 9), niece (7), step brother and his wife (39), our best man (22), my half brothers (44 & 47) and two of my best friends (25 & 28) and i will admit it was not easy.

And I too was the "go to girl". Half of them were first timers as well.

There wasn't many things we did as a big group, but beforehand i just tried to gauge what everyone's top priorities were and what DH & I (the two "vets" compared to everyone else) really wanted to experience with different people in the group (i.e. taking someone for their first time on ToT is one of the best feelings).

Meals were hard too, and we had to split up for most of them due to differing tastes or timing but it made the meals we had together really special (like BB).

Side note: my step brother and his wife dragged my step dad and their 3 kids to the shopping mall in anaheim for the last day of their 3 day park hopper - CAN YOU IMAGINE

 

[ehrawn]

Posted this in another thread. We had a larger group of 7 adults and 5 kids. There were too many competing desires: the age difference between the kids, the grandparents and parents seeing the little ones experience DL for the first time, the adults having a little fun for themselves, etc. We started in FL and did a couple of rides together before the kids wanted to do different things (DD5 wanted Alice, DS3 said it was too scary, DN2 got drawn to Casey Junior, etc.). Add in Starbucks and FP runs and the group turned into a slinky- splitting up, waiting, rejoining, discussing the next move, and a whole lot of waiting and wasted time. What made it worse was that I was leading the group and everyone else (DL novices) deferred to me to decide for them what they would enjoy the most (so much easier when I'm with my DB who "gets" it- no discussions or justifications). Anyway, a better plan would have been to split up and just meet for meals, parades/shows and breaks back at lodging- too many cats to herd.

 

[julesann]

Thanks ehrawn and samserena,
It is good to be prepared for conflicting needs especially with one 5 year old and so many ages groups. It is helpful to hear your experiences so I can be more prepared for splitting up and then meeting up for meals and shows and breaks.

My db wants everyone to stick together for his actual birthday, but I think this will be fairly doable as we will just do what he wants and he is an old DL hand like me.

I really appreciate all the input!

 

[Swtonscrappn]

Do you plan specific activities ahead of time. I am the one everyone is looking to--so I thought some up front planning (before we get to parks) might be helpful? Anyone have ideas about how to make this fun for everyone?

I would start with what you want to do and on what days. Ex: "I want to see the 12:40 showing of Aladdin on Thurs...if you want to join me, lets meet in front of the mad t party area at 12:15 to get in line." or "Lets get a group pic on Tower of Terror....anyone interested, lets meet at the fast pass booth at 11am" (I do send out emails about this before hand, or we talk about these things at breakfast)

We are doing a huge breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen in 2 weeks. I have sent out an email asking if anyone who wants to join can pay me $50 by Oct 1st. Then I will pay for everyone's meal there. That way I can also plan the reservation accordingly. Basically, make it like a reunion...allow everyone to "buy in" to what events they want to do. Then you aren't waiting to hear and you have the money if someone chooses not to join. (Don't forget to include tax and gratuity)