Help with planning for a group plaese!!

[zuly]

Helle everyone!!!
Here's my dilemma:
My DH and I have always gone to the world alone,
we always spend twwo weeks in Disney and went to the
parks on one day-all day at each one and is good because
we are able to see all that we wanted and take days off in between parks...
But this year we leaving in july with four adults (45 to 55 yold)
four young adults (20 to 35 yold),one teen(17),niece (4),nephew (3) my dh(30) and I.
And I'm doing all the park planning ,which park,which day,which attractions ect. I'm a DISer freak ,and I'm going nuts anyway Im so stress out ...I need support because Im used to the magic slow pased vacation that Im beginning to think its a bad idea to go with a group this large...
but I want to share with everyone because we are a great family..
...see now Im confuse!!!!
Anyway can you tell about your experiences more or less people?

Thanks for reading me

 

[zulaya]

First off, take a deep breath.

Realize that you can't spend all day-every day with all those people at the same place. The 3 year old is still going to nap so midday breaks for him and at least one of his parents will probably be happening unless they let him snooze in the stroller and he lets that happen.

Probably your best bet is to pick a park for the day and maybe one event that you all do together for that day. That may be tour Fantasyland together, it's may be eat a sit down dinner together, it may be watch fireworks together.

Pick one thing everyday to do together. Everyone has their own ideas of what they want to do. You may be a thrill seeker, whereas others may not be. Odds are their ideas of what to do may not be your priorities.

To make sure everyone is happy, have them all sit down and pick out the top 3 things they have to do at each park. Help them realize their priorities so they can set their plan. When everyone's priorities coincide - bingo! you have an activity you can all do together.

Maybe even plan a free day where everyone does their own thing. And be prepared to be flexible enough to throw the plan out the window for one day.

I am going with 11 people in December, but only 5 of them will be with us for 4 days. Still with me after all those numbers ;-) ? We will have 2 whole days and parts of 2 days together. Our plan for day 1 is to hit MK first thing in AM for a character breakfast and then do MK in the AM. Followed by a pool break in the afternoon, dinner at 'Ohana and Illuminations at the end of the night. 2nd day is flexible, but will probably be MGM in the AM, relaxing in the PM and MVMCP that night.

I am planning locations, but not a commando tour of each ride/show because not everyone in my party wants to do the same things. That's probably the attitude you need to take with your group as well.

Best of luck.

 

[mbelec]

Well, we're heading there 5/28 for 9 full days - 10 of us total (DH, me, my sister-in-law, my sister and her husband, and 5 children total, ages 14, 2-13, 11, and 7), so we will see how it goes. You have a younger mix, which might present more of a challenge!

My sister thinks we'll stay together in one large group, no doubt moving en-mass; some riding while others wait it out on benches when they don't want to ride (like my DH, who had neck surgery 4 years ago, and just isn't into jerky rides). I don't think this will work, myself. So, we're bringing walky talkies and plan to split up some, if need be. Maybe DH will take the 7 year old to rides more his speed while my sister and I ride those I'm talking myself into.

We've planned each day at a different park with a loose schedule (I'm an organizer), but fully intend to head out if it gets too crowded - to one of the water parks or DQ in the afternoon to unwind before returning to the original parks in the evening for parades, shows, etc. We even built in days to "do whatever you please." My daughters love the Buzz Lightyear ride, so no doubt, on these days, we'll head there in small groups, ride until the ride gets busy, then head elsewhere.

I want it to be relaxing, if possible, so will play it by ear. We have made PS ressies for all but 2 nights, when I guess we'll do counter svc., or eat in the hotel if need be.

So, although your vacation might be different than what you've done in the past, I bet you'll have a great time, and maybe start a new tradition!

 

[kilee]

This past fall I took a group of 9 newbies, plus my family to WDW. I did all of the planning.

#1 mistake, trying to stay together too much. We all wanted to share the magic. By the 3rd day we finally realized that for everyone to have the best time, WE HAD TO PART WAYS. So, we began the day by doing 1 or 2 attractions together. Then meeting for lunch, then again for the parades, and then again for the night show/fireworks. This made for a much better 2nd half of the trip.

It is way to hard to keep groups that large together and at a nice pace.

Give them all lots and lots of info. Try to get together at night and make a general game plan. We'd split for the afternoon, but might be like we'll I'm doing such and such then I'm headed to TOT. And we might make a plan to meet 1or2 of the group there. While a couple other people might make side plans to do Indiana Jones. You get the picture.

Make PS's. Groups that large wouldn't most likely get to sit together as walk-ups. It's a great way to touch base during the day. Really liked doing the character meals together.

Try to remember it's your vacation too!

 

[zuly]

Thanks everyone!!
Its I was planning on go together and split at times during the day but make the parades and fireworks together...
gettin the mayor rides together and then split to our own most likes and in every family reunion that we are having I bring more and more info that I get from you guys!!!!......
....your the bests DISers

....Wishing to see a lot of lime green!!!!



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[disneymania]

Sometime in April I (the planning person & only one who had been before other than my kids & DH) sent out a list of PS & special event options. I told them to email me back by end of week with list of items they would like to participate in. We all agreed no hard feelings or guilt trips if you didn't want to do something. I didn't get a huge response so for a couple of character meals, I booked the whole group, thinking that once they got there, they would want to be in on it. We tried to start out the day together but agreed that if you didn't show for the early bus, we were leaving anyways. We usually spent the first couple of hours together & then met back at hotel for dinner, swimming etc. We did all go to Chef Mickey together, which was fun. It went so much smoother than I had anticipated because everyone had heardso many horror stories about big group Disney trips & tried hard to not have too much together time. On departing day, my parents & I (we live half way across the country) said, I feel like we didn't see each other enough!!! We are used to being together 24/7 at holidays. I guess we were relieved we didn't bug each other tho~ It was great & I would definitely do it again in a second!!!