I Screwed Up - Planning a Group Trip

[mythreeboys]

I did a grand gathering 2 years ago. I planned everything out, let everyone on what we (meaning my family of 5, we had a total of 20) were doing. I gave them each our schedule, which told them which park we would be at and what dining we had planned. I let them know they were more than welcome to join us if they wanted, but nothing was mandatory. I made all the arrangements for everyone (resorts, tickets,etc). Everything went as smooth as it could with that many people. I say your best bet is to plan for your yourselves and let it known that they are welcome to join for as much or as little time as they wish.

 

[AThrillingChase]

I am planning for 9, with 3 generations included. Having gone to WDW so many times, this time I just gave myself a mini pep talk. I usually go commando style, and my mom and I could run back and forth between RnRC and TOT for hours probably! But, my grandparents probably cant do that. I know I will be back, so I told myself look, this trip is about memories. So I just lowered my own expectations a bit.

When they want a break, I can go commando during that time. Or, I can take grandma to the main street shops and let her get lost in there while some of us do space mtn. Or, I can stay for late EMH or go earlier than some of the group while they sleep in. In the past I have even split, so while some wanted to watch beauty and the beast, I went next door to TOT to get my fix .

So my advice, dont let a couple rides ruin once in a lifetime memories. I know its stressful and aggravating when someone is walking slow and you can feel the ride line getting longer in the meantime. If you go in with relaxed expectations, it should help that feeling though! But someone getting upset could ruin the trip a lot more! Splitting up can work, but then you dont want to miss all the memories at the same time.

GL! It sounds like you will have a great time!

 

[Minnesota!]

I would schedule rope drops for only MK and HS. The other days, plan a nice breakfast with the family. Let everyone ease into the day. Then, tour leisurely. If he is going back in 2 years...no need to see and do "everything" this time. I would say each day you take a break mid day. That could mean going back to the hotel for naps, for swimming, or just getting on the WDW Railroad and riding it round and round for an hour or so while the kids chill out (my kids usually would fall asleep here...). Then, plan on a nice family dinner somewhere, winding up the day with a dip in the pool.

Just really take it slow. Go ahead with the spreadsheets - they are addicting! But don't over schedule, don't try and fit every little thing in. At 2 and 4, the kids are going to be wowed by everything....and your bro/sil will be wowed by the kids reactions. No fancy stuff has to take place

 

[TDC Nala]

Part of the way to get through a group family trip is to know when to let the other family members go and do what they want to do, and not necessarily what you have planned for them to do.

DDP is easy if everyone is going to want to eat together for at least one meal a day, or if the other party understands how they can use their dining credits. If you're going to get the dining plan, make sure they know what the plan entails, and that they'll need to show up for meals so they can use their credits. You'd also have to decide if you are going to treat them to the dining plan or if they are going to pay you (or whoever adds the DDP to the reservation) for their share of the plan. If they choose not to go to scheduled meals, give them a DDP brochure so they know what they can do with their leftover credits, and let them go. If they want to break off from the group because their kid needs a nap or they're just tired, let them go do what they want, don't stress over how they are going to make up whatever attraction you had penciled in next on your spreadsheet.

 

[Silver19]

I'm a psycho (like many of you). I do spreadsheets with each day and select best parks based on crowds predictions, then plan breaks/adrs around where we'll be each day. With little kiddos, I like character meals and table service bc it's just easier...but it does make a day less flexible.

All I have to say is that panning a Disney trip without spreadsheets chock full of crowd level information and ADRs is no fun at all.