Large Family tips and discussion

[theyoungs07]

I see all kinds of threads in the family section for homeschooling, BF'ing...etc. I'd like to kick off a new one that is a discussion of how to do Disney with something larger than a standard American family. In other words, how to make Disney work when you have more than would fit into the standard rooms and suites.

I'll start off with some info/tips and questions for those who are more seasoned than I at this.

I have 7 children ranging from 12 down to 8 months, so obviously onsite rooms have been off limits for a while. We have taken the kids 3 times, all offsite, two of those times we actually visited and bunked with other families (sounds crazy...right?). I make a modest income, so staying at the DVC locations is still out of reach. I love the 15 minute drive to Terra Verde, or Emerald Island (more expensive but closer), as it gives the kids a comfortable time to fall asleep . I also appreciate being able to stop at a WalMart on the way home as we always need something.

We drive since 9*(any number) is much more than the cost of driving down, even with a hotel stay on the 20+hour route from IL.

I have found the AAA parking pass to be immensely helpful! I don't need to break down my stroller to get on a tram and can cram whatever I need into it...knowing that I'll have to get bags out for the security check. We walk a short sidewalk to the park and back to our van...so convenient.

I would love to get there more often than every 2-3 years, but the time and expense is hard to come up with...although it would be worth it in my book.

Anyone have any pointers on how to get there more often with a large group?

Does anyone have tips they use with a large group/family? Any good stories?

 

[Schmeck]

I see all kinds of threads in the family section for homeschooling, BF'ing...etc. I'd like to kick off a new one that is a discussion of how to do Disney with something larger than a standard American family. In other words, how to make Disney work when you have more than would fit into the standard rooms and suites.

I'll start off with some info/tips and questions for those who are more seasoned than I at this.

I have 7 children ranging from 12 down to 8 months, so obviously onsite rooms have been off limits for a while. We have taken the kids 3 times, all offsite, two of those times we actually visited and bunked with other families (sounds crazy...right?). I make a modest income, so staying at the DVC locations is still out of reach. I love the 15 minute drive to Terra Verde, or Emerald Island (more expensive but closer), as it gives the kids a comfortable time to fall asleep . I also appreciate being able to stop at a WalMart on the way home as we always need something.

We drive since 9*(any number) is much more than the cost of driving down, even with a hotel stay on the 20+hour route from IL.

I have found the AAA parking pass to be immensely helpful! I don't need to break down my stroller to get on a tram and can cram whatever I need into it...knowing that I'll have to get bags out for the security check. We walk a short sidewalk to the park and back to our van...so convenient.

I would love to get there more often than every 2-3 years, but the time and expense is hard to come up with...although it would be worth it in my book.

Anyone have any pointers on how to get there more often with a large group?

Does anyone have tips they use with a large group/family? Any good stories?

You can get more than one room onsite. We are going to be a family of 8 on our next trip, and we are getting 3 rooms.

 

[1000HappyWishes]

Love this thread! My immediate family is very small, but the people who have taken me to Disney is the past like to include lots of others, so we're always a lot bigger group that most on-site places allow.

 

[Mersmom98]

Love this idea as well! This will be my first trip with my BIG family. I have been before when it was just my dd and me. Easy peasy. I got married 4 years ago and quickly went from a family of 2 to a family of 9. Then SURPRISE we were blessed with our sweet ds almost 2 years ago. Now there are 10! So we are headed to WDW on Saturday with our party of 7...The other 3 are either in college summer classes or working/living on their own. Would love to hear how other large families were able to accommodate everyone's different tastes in rides/attractions.

I'll share the money saving tips that I mostly received right here on the Dis to allow us to actually make this trip!

We only had to actually purchase 3 plane tickets. My dh and I both signed up for Southwest Visa card when they offered the 50,000 points. We charge everything on our cards and pay them off at the end of each month. Racked up lots of Rapid Rewards points this way. We purchased our park tickets through Undercover Tourist before the price went up. We are staying offsite with a full kitchen so breakfast will always be in the room as well as most dinners. We are on vacation so I have budgeted in 3 TS meals in the parks and we have gift cards to Outback Steakhouse + I found some coupons for them as well. We will bring sandwiches for lunch and everyone has their own Brita water bottles (even the baby) to use in the parks. I bought Disney gift cards at Kroger when they were offering 4x fuel rewards for buying gift cards. These will be used on our meals so my dh doesn't have a coronary when he sees the bill come to the table. The money's already spent, honey! I also have a $25 gift card to give each child when we get there so they can have some spending money in addition to their own money that they bring. Also bought during 4x fuel rewards promotion. I drive a Suburban so this saves us significantly on my fill ups.

My biggest concern is keeping everyone on speaking terms despite the crowds, heat and teenage mood swings! I have planned/organized this entire trip so I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders to make sure everyone has a great time.

 

[Schmeck]

Love this thread! My immediate family is very small, but the people who have taken me to Disney is the past like to include lots of others, so we're always a lot bigger group that most on-site places allow.

I don't get this - you can get more than one room, you know? At check-in they will try their hardest to get the rooms close together, if not connected. We've gone down with groups of up to 18, always stay onsite, and our rooms are always together.

 

[xipetotec]

I see all kinds of threads in the family section for homeschooling, BF'ing...etc. I'd like to kick off a new one that is a discussion of how to do Disney with something larger than a standard American family. In other words, how to make Disney work when you have more than would fit into the standard rooms and suites.

I'll start off with some info/tips and questions for those who are more seasoned than I at this.

I have 7 children ranging from 12 down to 8 months, so obviously onsite rooms have been off limits for a while. We have taken the kids 3 times, all offsite, two of those times we actually visited and bunked with other families (sounds crazy...right?). I make a modest income, so staying at the DVC locations is still out of reach. I love the 15 minute drive to Terra Verde, or Emerald Island (more expensive but closer), as it gives the kids a comfortable time to fall asleep . I also appreciate being able to stop at a WalMart on the way home as we always need something.

We drive since 9*(any number) is much more than the cost of driving down, even with a hotel stay on the 20+hour route from IL.

I have found the AAA parking pass to be immensely helpful! I don't need to break down my stroller to get on a tram and can cram whatever I need into it...knowing that I'll have to get bags out for the security check. We walk a short sidewalk to the park and back to our van...so convenient.

I would love to get there more often than every 2-3 years, but the time and expense is hard to come up with...although it would be worth it in my book.

Anyone have any pointers on how to get there more often with a large group?

Does anyone have tips they use with a large group/family? Any good stories?

I don't know if it's been said. But DVC!

In our case, it's not so much that we have a lot of kids ( we have 3 ), BUT it's the grandparents that like to take not only their kids and grand kids, but also their goddaughter and HER kids and sometimes her sister and HER kids. Having a DVC membership has enabled them to comfortably do this on a regular basis. Our group can be anywhere from 12 to 24 ( at our biggest ) people. Room configurations allow for a lot of flexibility. a 2-bedroom suite can accommodate 8 people. There are grand suites that accommodate I think 12 people.

 

[lovemygrowingfamily]

Currently I have 6 kids between ages almost 3 and 13. In December #7 will make his or her appearance. We go to Disney every 2 years and we drive 32 hours 1 way from northwestern Minnesota.

Our 1st trip in 2010 we stayed at OKW and we loved the space. This past August we did 2 rooms at the Carribean beach and it worked for us but we would like more space so this past May we bought DVC and the 2 bedrooms sleep up to 9. For us knowing that in 2 vacations it is "paid" for and for many years to come we dont have to worry about paying for our rooms. It is 1 less thing to worry about.

We shop at home for non perishables and have our meals planned out. Once we get to where we are going in Florida we stop at grocery stores and get what we need. The slow cooker is our best friend when we are on vacation.

 

[RoosMama]

I don't get this - you can get more than one room, you know? At check-in they will try their hardest to get the rooms close together, if not connected. We've gone down with groups of up to 18, always stay onsite, and our rooms are always together.

I'm assuming that the OP means that multiple onsite rooms is going to cost them an arm and a leg, so that is why it is not do-able?

 

[1000HappyWishes]

I'm assuming that the OP means that multiple onsite rooms is going to cost them an arm and a leg, so that is why it is not do-able?

Yes, this is true. And partially because when we did go, we had very young children with us and didn't want to separate them from us. I was too young to really watch them at the time, and we went with my elderly Great-Grandma, so it was important that we were all in the same room simply because there wasn't a way for everyone to be under a careful eye if we had split up.

 

[Schmeck]

Yes, this is true. And partially because when we did go, we had very young children with us and didn't want to separate them from us. I was too young to really watch them at the time, and we went with my elderly Great-Grandma, so it was important that we were all in the same room simply because there wasn't a way for everyone to be under a careful eye if we had split up.

Connecting rooms have a door that you can leave open. I don't get the part about 'being too young to really watch them'? Are you their parent? If not, then the parents should be watching them? If the elderly Great-Grandma was the only adult, who the heck watched the kids all the rest of the time?

I do understand the concern about price. We have found Pop Century to be really accommodating and pretty inexpensive. Considering the added price of either gasoline and parking (rental car) or the infrequent hotel shuttle, you could lop one day off an onsite stay (with EMH) and have as much time in the parks as you would get staying offsite.

 

[Timandalicia]

I love this idea. Way to start this thread. I am one of 7 (9 with the parents). We would take our favorite aunt with us. Having a third adult sure made things go a lot easier. She loved it too. If you can find one of those (a single aunt that loves kids), I recommend it.

 

[disneywalkers]

I'm a work from home, homeschooling Mom of 6. Ages 15, 13, 8, 6, 4 and 2. We go every September for 10 days to Disney, 2 days to Universal Studio's and 2 days (or more) of just enjoying Florida. My 2 year old, this will be her
3rd trip to the World. There will be 10 of us, as my parents always go with us.

We always stay off-site. We have rented houses for 5 or more years from the same management lady. We pay around $100 per night. This will vary based on how many nights you stay. But we are paying $1800 WITH POOL HEAT, without it would be $200-300 less with a check in of August 30th, check out September 14th.

It's a 4 bedroom house, one level, full stocked kitchen, washer dryer, crib, high chair and private pool.

I refuse to pay on site pricing.

I sell on eBay full time and have for 12 years. My money goes to pay for our yearly trip to DW.

We do splurge on food and have a TS ressie every day we are there, sometimes 2.

We buy our tickets from Undercover Tourist and I always get them before the price increase each year.

We drive from Houston Texas and split it up into two days.

I bake muffins and cupcakes though for breakfast because most of our meals are lunch. I will make these the night before in the house. I also buy things we will need for the trip long before the trip to spread out the cost.

We have a set plan when we get to Disney and everyone just follows me their tour guide.

 

[kmb584]

Connecting rooms have a door that you can leave open. I don't get the part about 'being too young to really watch them'? Are you their parent? If not, then the parents should be watching them? If the elderly Great-Grandma was the only adult, who the heck watched the kids all the rest of the time?

I do understand the concern about price. We have found Pop Century to be really accommodating and pretty inexpensive. Considering the added price of either gasoline and parking (rental car) or the infrequent hotel shuttle, you could lop one day off an onsite stay (with EMH) and have as much time in the parks as you would get staying offsite.

Connecting rooms means more than one room and Disney resorts aren't notorious for their inexpensive lodging. You also aren't guaranteed connecting rooms or even rooms right next door to each other. What family of 10 (in the OP case) wants to split up into 2 different rooms that are apart from each other? We also can't forget that while good deals on Values are sometimes to be had, the rooms are tiny. I stayed ASMu with DD for 1 night in 2011 before upgrading to CSR.

There are a lot of spacious, beautiful and inexpensive options off-site, which is where we stay if extended family joins us. There's a lot to be said for a resort less than 5 minutes from the gates that is completely updated, has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room, full kitchen and lanai for $1300 for 10 nights. We don't rent a car (my aunt lives in Florida and joins us), we are all AP holders therefore no parking fee. Bigger families would benefit even more from renting a house or townhouse. Often times you're able to get 5+ bedrooms for around $100/night. It's a great way to vacation together but not be crawling in each other's hair.

 

[Schmeck]

Connecting rooms means more than one room and Disney resorts aren't notorious for their inexpensive lodging. You also aren't guaranteed connecting rooms or even rooms right next door to each other. What family of 10 (in the OP case) wants to split up into 2 different rooms that are apart from each other? We also can't forget that while good deals on Values are sometimes to be had, the rooms are tiny. I stayed ASMu with DD for 1 night in 2011 before upgrading to CSR.

There are a lot of spacious, beautiful and inexpensive options off-site, which is where we stay if extended family joins us. There's a lot to be said for a resort less than 5 minutes from the gates that is completely updated, has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room, full kitchen and lanai for $1300 for 10 nights. We don't rent a car (my aunt lives in Florida and joins us), we are all AP holders therefore no parking fee. Bigger families would benefit even more from renting a house or townhouse. Often times you're able to get 5+ bedrooms for around $100/night. It's a great way to vacation together but not be crawling in each other's hair.

Yes, by having a car big enough to fit the entire family, and having an AP to get the free parking, you save money. But an AP costs how much now? More than $600, right? Now, if you have a group larger than 7-8 people, you need two cars, and two APs to get the parking.

For the amount of time we spend in the room (just to sleep) we can stay onsite with our AP discount, get EMH time, and do everything in 4 days. We get 3 trips in each year on our APs, drive down because I hate to fly, and bring breakfast and snacks with us.

Our 2 APs are getting us 3 rooms this next trip, so the 8 of us are all spread out and comfy, with 3 bathrooms, 6 beds, lots of space to stretch out. We are going moderate this time, we usually stay at Pop Century. It's costing us a bit more, but it's for my birthday/wedding anniversary and we haven't all stayed at a moderate in a long time.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

We are a family of six and our expecting our fifth child. We love Disney because it is such a great family vacation with something all age ranges can enjoy together. We have been to WDW twice so far, on our first trip in 2011 our children were 2, 4, 9, and 9 (twins) and we stayed onsite in a family suite at AS Music. That was very doable budget wise because we went in late August during value season, we had our pick of either free dining or kids stay/play free (which saved us more than free dining), and our youngest was free and our oldest two were still at child prices. On our second Disney trip this past May our kids were 4, 6, 11, and 11 (no longer a free 2 year old and two kids now at adult prices ), and we opted to stay offsite in a 3 bedroom condo at Windsor Hills and it was a great experience and our overall costs (minivan rental, gas, parking fees, condo rental) was still hundreds of dollars less than it would have cost us to get two standard rooms at a value resort -even with the room only discount that was being offered for the spring. Plus we had a full kitchen and our own vehicle to go to the store, so being able to have most breakfasts and dinners in the condo saved us a lot as well. We packed our own snacks, juice boxes, and water to the parks and split counterservice meals for lunch in the parks. We had a total of three ADRs which included only one character meal this time because they are so much more expensive with our kids ages now and we found that with our kids they still want to do the character meet and greets in the parks anyway even if we do character meals with the same characters We also set very clear expectations with our kids in regards to souvenirs - they were each allowed to get one ($10 or less) souvenir at the beginning of the trip and two souvenirs at the end of the trip because they already have Disney stuff that we bought from our last trip two years ago as well as low priced Disney merchandise from places like Walmart, Target, and Family Dollar. For our next trip, getting a condo or townhouse at Windsor Hills is at the top of our list again because it is a very family oriented community, it took us no more 10-15 minutes to drive from our condo to the parks, and we found so much value in the space, amenities, and savings of staying there (with our own washer and dryer too ) that I can't see us staying anywhere else unless Disney offers a really exceptionally great offer that brings us back onsite. We also got our tickets through Undercover Toursit, which offered a deal at the time that allowed us to get five day base WDW park tickets for $25 off gate price! We also used a discount link through Mousesavers.com to get our Legoland tickets and our children absolutely loved that park too!

 

[theyoungs07]

Great conversation so far. Keep it up!

I certainly don't want this to only be for those with lots of kids, extended family trips can use the same tips.

I don't like the idea of connecting rooms as they're not guaranteed...boy that would not be good. Our oldest is 12, and my wife and I would not appreciate being separated. With a crew of 7 kids that I'm responsible for, I go with a sure thing...there's enough that could go wrong anyways .

One other tip that is a lifesaver for us...we go off-season. We home school, so we pick the time of year based on what we want. So far, early November is my favorite, this past year we were there at the end of April and it was great as well. Losing a child because they get separated in a crowded in the summer is my personal nightmare.

With little kids, we DO NOT go commando. We get 10 day passes and some days we only spend a few hours in the morning, then a few hours at night and watch the closing show. I've found long days work ok, but not 2 or 3 in a row.

I'm intrigued by DVC, but can't imagine how it could be cost-effective, especially compared to houses that are $150 a night max. I would like to take the family onsite sometime, but I'm not sure even then if I'd use the buses.

This past time, I bought ONE AP and TIW as we do end up eating TS in the parks at least 4 or 5 times each 10 day trip. The AP and TIW were paid for by the 20% discount on table service dinners, 10% discount in stores, and free parking at $14 a day. We eat out more at WDW than at home, I think it's because the restaurants are much more accepting of larger families and little kids than the average chain restaurant at home...plus we're on vacation of course.

Who loves piling into Main Street for Wishes? I DON'T. That is why I sprung for the Dessert Party the last two trips. My children are close to me, safe, and we get a good view of the show...coupled with the wonderful desserts make this worth the money to me. Kids in strollers unable to see due to adults in front of them, is something that the dessert party lets me not have to worry about.

Another tip for large groups...
TAKE THE BOAT!! We love taking the boat, especially when leaving the park. There is much more room to spread out and the ride is a calming way to exit. The monorail is cool, but the boat is relaxing...there is a time for both.

 

[kmb584]

I was just using my family as an example. In the case of the original poster, figuring in the cost of a rental van and the daily parking fee, they're still going to come out ahead in terms of the bottom line. Car rentals can be had fairly cheap with the use of a coupon. Parking is $14/day. The mean of those two numbers is going to be pennies compared to an extra $200+ per day (depending on the on-site resort) they'd be spending if staying on-site.

Then there's also the fact that they aren't guaranteed connecting rooms. There's a solid chance that they will receive them but what happens if they don't?

Yes, by having a car big enough to fit the entire family, and having an AP to get the free parking, you save money. But an AP costs how much now? More than $600, right? Now, if you have a group larger than 7-8 people, you need two cars, and two APs to get the parking.

For the amount of time we spend in the room (just to sleep) we can stay onsite with our AP discount, get EMH time, and do everything in 4 days. We get 3 trips in each year on our APs, drive down because I hate to fly, and bring breakfast and snacks with us.

Our 2 APs are getting us 3 rooms this next trip, so the 8 of us are all spread out and comfy, with 3 bathrooms, 6 beds, lots of space to stretch out. We are going moderate this time, we usually stay at Pop Century. It's costing us a bit more, but it's for my birthday/wedding anniversary and we haven't all stayed at a moderate in a long time.

 

[theyoungs07]

I forgot a few tips we use...

We dress in shirts that are the same color...if we ever get into the horrible situation of losing a little one, we'll know for sure what color they are wearing. It makes it easier to do a headcount...every 90 sec or so .

We also put dog tags on little kids shoes...small ones with our cell numbers.

Keeping kids together...two can hold the stroller, two can hold hands...plus the two in the double stroller. We go during slow times so we can be lax at times...but end of night parades/shows, they'd better be in their spots.

We use a Disney Visa to earn points toward Disney Dollars.

Our kids were given cash from their ggma...we turned into gift cards for kids souvenirs...etc.

AAA tix saved us some $$ as well.

 

[maxiesmom]

I was just using my family as an example. In the case of the original poster, figuring in the cost of a rental van and the daily parking fee, they're still going to come out ahead in terms of the bottom line. Car rentals can be had fairly cheap with the use of a coupon. Parking is $14/day. The mean of those two numbers is going to be pennies compared to an extra $200+ per day (depending on the on-site resort) they'd be spending if staying on-site.

Then there's also the fact that they aren't guaranteed connecting rooms. There's a solid chance that they will receive them but what happens if they don't?

While you can find cheap car rentals, cheap van rentals (which you need for a family that has 6 or more people) are hard if not impossible to find. I've tried! And usually the cost is so much that it wipes out most of what we would save by staying off site. And you still have to add in the cost of parking (unless you have an AP).

Connecting rooms are not guaranteed. So if you book them and don't get them, the adults have to split up. If you are only in your room to sleep, it really isn't that big of a deal. It is a bit of a pain (been there, done that too!) but definitely do-able.

I think that what some of us are trying to say is on site is not out of the question just because you have a large family. There are ways to make it work and make it more affordable if your heart is set on on site.

 

[Lilliputian]

We have 5 boys, so we're a family of 7. We also homeschool and travel during the off-season. I love the low prices and smaller crowds. I also like having an excuse to keep on doing school in the summer when it's too hot to have any fun.

We generally stay off-site. We like having a big pool home. We stay in Windsor Hills, and we get a 5 bedroom home. 4 bedrooms are generally the same price, so why not get 5? We'll be staying in Windsor Hills this fall for 7 nights, and the 5 bedroom house cost us about $1400 including tax and pool heat. The low price, plus the extra space, plus the full kitchen (important when you have food allergies like we do), plus the full-size washer and dryer, plus the game room for the big ones to play in during nap time, plus our own private pool makes it too good of a deal to pass up.

That said, we're also staying on-site for a few days this time. My husband has to go to a convention at the Swan, so we're going to move on-site after our week at Windsor Hills into a suite at AoA. We can just barely squeeze in since the baby is under 3 right now. My kids have really wanted to stay in one of those rooms since they found out about the resort when it was being built, so we decided it's a good time. The kids and I will take Disney transportation, and my husband will be able to use our car. We couldn't get 2 rooms at any of the Boardwalk resorts since we found out about the convention after they were all booked, so it's the only good way for him to be able to get around like he needs to.

Until recently, my husband worked from home and could work from anywhere with an Internet connection. Our last two trips involved us renting a house for 4 or 5 weeks. He took some vacation days and joined us in the parks in the evenings and on weekends, but a lot of the days I took them myself. We had a blast. We all got APs and spent over 20 days in the parks on each of the trips. We couldn't ride anything with a height restriction when my husband wasn't with us, since my older ones weren't old enough to ride without an adult (in my opinion--not Disney's), so we stuck to the rides without height restrictions and fun activities like Kidcot stations and Agent P adventures.

We drive to WDW, and one of the reasons is that I need my big van. Technically, our family would fit in a minivan or large SUV, but we can't get all of our luggage into one. Also, because of the food allergies, we take a lot of strange items with us, like a crock pot and bread machine. (No, we won't use those when we're on-site. We'll eat in restaurants.)

I love dressing the kids in the same color. It makes it so easy to find them in the crowd. Head counts are super-quick. We haven't ever lost any of them yet, but I'm sure it would help having them all in the same color if we did. We also find that people are more likely to talk to us when they're all in the same color, and we love having conversations with people about our big family.