Large Family Group! Update Post #8 LONG

[MdmMim]

There are 12 of us heading down to WDW later this week.
Ages range from 24 y/o to 82, a mix of parents and grown kids.
BWV (the parent's resort)--2 std studios, 1 std 2-bedroom.
BCV (the kids' resort)--2 studios. (They want to try out SAB.)
(We all need our space, so a GV was out of the question!)

Our (very loose) itinerary:
Day1: meet/greet at Leaping Libations or 2 bedroom, depending on time of arrival.
Day2: "opening ceremonies" at 'Ohana (dinner)
Day3: Ladies' Tea at GF
Day4: MVMCP (We will probably do this together.)
Day5: Kid's Night Out
Day6: Gentlemen's Surprise (Steam Train Tour). HoB Cocktail Party. Dinner in 2 bedroom
Day7: "closing ceremonies" at 'Ohana

I have stressed that everyone is to do whatever they wish, so no park days have been planned. They'll be on their own to do whatever.

We have made up t-shirts and goodie bags (treats, shirt, brochure w/itinerary and other info). We have disposable cameras to hand out--and collect at the end of the trip. (We'll put the photos in an album.)

I think we're all set! I'll let you know how things go. (I'm crossing my fingers!!)

 

[bobbiwoz]

That sounds like a wonderful plan. DH, DMom and I took the Magic Behind the Steam Train Tour and we loved it, it's a great surprise! I like the ladies tea idea too!

Bobbi

 

[SeaWitch]

Please let us know how it goes!

We just came back (group of 12)... 8 in a 2 bd at BCV, the remaining 4 at OKW. We were still trying to 'stay together'... but it didn't always work out! Let us know how your more relaxed approach works!

 

[PBader]

Your plan sounds great. We were at OKW with 25 this June. 8 of us went early and stayed at VB in a BC, then 3 night DC, then met the rest at OKW for 5 nights. We had a GV, 1 2BD, and 2 ST's, worked out great. We only planned for a Father's Day BBQ (the first night) and one other big dinner. It would have been nice to plan some other events, but most of our group were still recovering from the outlay of park tickets. Our group ranged in age from 71- 3 mos and was a mixture of inlaws, outlaws and friends. I tried to talk as many of them as I could into at least 7 day MYW tickets so that the next time they go their tickets are taken care of. We also began planning this 2 years in advance. I sent updates several times throughout the year trying to encourage them to purchase things in advance such as tickets etc... I have found that with planning the only expense we have is our spending money.

 

[Nennie]

Your plan sounds great!! I'm sure everyone will have a wonderful time!!!

 

[AFMom]

Sounds wonderful!!! I would include with the itenerary a list of everyones' cell #'s and resort phone #'s - maybe on a small piece of paper - if you can get it laminated in advance - even better. It comes in really handy with a large group! 15 of us went to DL in CA this last April!

 

[wdwnut]

Hi- that sounds like a very relaxed itinerary. I think it will work out well. We went with a group of 15 in 2000. Six people in the group always wanted to be on the go, and would often do additional things. We only had about 3 or 4 things definitely planned. This spring when my son gets home from his second deployment in Iraq, he wants to get a larger group of family there for a vacation/reunion. There will be a few dozen of us there then. Let me know if you come up with any planning tips for the large group maneuvers.

 

[MdmMim]

We survived the trip! And we all had a great time!

We sort of broke off into 3 groups:
1) DH, DBro, his SO, and me
2) DS, his 2 friends, friend's DM (82 y/o)
3) DD, her DFiance, his parents

DH and I arrived a day early, staying in a studio. This was linked to the 2-bedroom, so we didn't have to move all of our stuff the next day. The 2-bedroom was great! Room 3135/3133. (It was a very long walk--I kept thinking about Richyams!)

On arrival day, we all met up at the pool bar and had a few welcome cocktails. Dinner was at the Big River Grille.

The next day, we hit the parks, broken up into our groups. I had stressed from day one of the planning/invitation phase that we were to do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted, so this worked out very well. The 82-y/o didn't want to do much except read and relax. She had a great room and could see the fireworks every night and the flowers during the day, which she greatly enjoyed. She told us she was very content and just needed to know when she'd be picked up for dinner.

DH cooked dinner one night for the gang in our 2-bedroom, which worked out very nicely. He likes to cook, and it shows. He owns just about every kitchen gadget/pot/pan, so he had to get creative with what was available. He did a nice job, and everyone commented how nice it was to have a home-cooked meal while on vacation.

The dinners at 'Ohana were great! Lots of space at the table, and the food was good, as was the service. DDE came in handy!

At MVMCP, we watched the parade and fireworks together, then some of the group returned to the hotel, while DD and I got to go on some rides together (a highlight for me).

We went to see the Osborne Lights as a group--wow! They were wonderful! I think better than last year!

The Ladies' Tea was really nice and enjoyed by all. For the guys--the Steam Train Tour was a definite highlight! They were talking about that for 2 days! And we were able to keep it a surprise!

The only thing we would change is to scrap the Kid's Night Out and have a totally free day, with no planned dinner. We had dinners planned when there were so many other nighttime things to see/do (Lights of Winter, Illuminations, etc.).

Having the (grown) kids at the BCV and the adults at the BWV seemed to work. They were able to use SAB a few times and really had fun! One thing that made me feel good was that most of the amenities at the hotels were utilized by someone in the group. I don't use the gym, and rarely the pool. The kids and a few adults used the gyms, had a massage, and swam. It was good to see them enjoying themselves.

The t-shirts were a big hit with everyone, including our dining servers. DD did a great job drawing everyone's likeness on the back. We wore them at the opening and closing dinners. Handing out the itinerary when people arrived worked very well, as most didn't bring their original copy with them.

Each of us having our space was a major thing, IMHO--at least for our group. 12 of us were spread out over 4 studios and a 2-bedroom. I truly believe this was a major contributing factor to the success of the trip. It used a lot of points, but for a "once in a lifetime" trip, it was worth it.

Another factor: cell phones! We used them a lot! I normally use a cell phone twice a year, but during this trip, I felt like I was running a communications center!

All in all, it was great!! (Now I'm ready for my solo trip in January!)

 

[crazywig]

sounds great!!!!

we did a group of 11 offsite in a pool house one year (pre DVC obviously)...now that we're DVC i look forward to doing something like you just did. although i admit i lust after the BWV grand villa

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks so much for the update! It's nice to hear that everything worked out so well for your large and disparate group.

Best wishes -

 

[canwegosoon]

Sounds like a great trip!

 

[Nanajo1]

Glad you had a good time. We just got back from a T'giving trip with 19. 10 adults and 9 children ages 6y to 7months. We got together for one meal a day but everyone did their own thing. Funny most of them met up anyways.

 

[westjones]

Great report! We are having our first extended family trip in June and I am so excited. I hardly ever use my cell phone either, but I was thinking they may be handy at WDW, glad you mentioned that they worked out nicely.

We are all staying at BWVs in 2 studios, but I liked the idea of us having seperate rooms rather than all being in a 2 bedroom (that and the fact that I had enough points for two studios, but not enough for a two bedroom anyway).

I hope our trip goes as well as your did. If ours goes well, I would like to save up points and try for a GV at OKW in a couple of years (but first we will see how this trip goes ).

DJ