LARGE family vacation tips... (HHI)

[csharpwv]

We are going to HHI this summer, staying in a Grand Villa.
There will be 12 of us, from 4 family groups.
8 adults (3 siblings and spouses with their kids, and Grandparents)
4 kids (3 boys all age 5, one girl age 8)

We will be eating/cooking every meal in our villa (we LOVE to cook and grill, so it will be so much fun!)

I'm looking for helpful hints for a family of our size, in terms of keeping the 'house in order', keeping laundry done...folded, and back to rightful owner....assigning small tasks to the kids, making sure that schedules stay in sync (say for instance, no one decides to eat out on the their own, leaving tons of food left over at the end of the vacation - and making sure that dinner time is set, and those who have taken on responsibilities for that dinner remember what they need to do...)

This is our first trip with this many people - largest trip so far has been with 7 people, and only one was a child!

I want to hear what works, what doesn't work, things to avoid, things to make sure we take, things to leave at home, things to make a day at the beach easier/simpler with so many people, activities for the kids, things to do on a rainy day, fun things to do for the kids to make it a memorable trip.

I know there are big families out there that take trips like this yearly, so PLEASE share what you have learned!

Thanks in advance! We are so excited for this trip!

 

[rocketriter]

My biggest tip doesn't relate to any of the questions you've asked: Don't overplan for the whole group. If everyone tries to go everywhere together, you'll always be at the mercy of the person who leaves or arrives late, the person who complains, the person who doesn't like that ride or that kind of food. Instead, plan several great activities or meals for everyone to do together, but leave plenty of time for small groups to break away and meet up later. Your people will have more fun and get on each others' nerves a lot less that way.

 

[ldo]

what I have learned:
let each family function as a family group except when help is requested-esp. with time schedules, sleeping, TV watching, deciding what to do, and discipline.
1. Maybe get a white board, etc. that each family can write where they are going for the day. We used to just say the evening before "we plan to do XX at XX time tomorrow, anyone who wants to join us is welcome." The nice thing is that everyone can come/go on the shuttle to DVC beach house, so no one has to wait for late sleepers, etc.
2.Have a set time for dinners together, but only every other night for the week.
the other nights leave open for a fluid time---we usually cook chicken kabobs on one of those nights--and make extra--that way whoever wants to show up and eat can at anytime from 6 on , and if there are a lot of leftovers, they are good on salads, wraps for lunch. That way, dinner every night doesn't become forced, and those who want to eat out, get pizza, etc. don't feel like they are being anti-social.

3. Realize your idea of a vacation is not everyone's idea. Ex., one day, we were ready to hit the beach and others announced that they were going to a 10:30am movie with their kids--I couldn't believe it, as when they got back, it was too hot to go to the beach--I might have planned it differently, but refrained from giving my (unsolicited) advice. Another "beach" AM, SILs kids decided they wanted to go to the pool in the AM vs. the beach.
We have somewhere between 8-12 going this summer, as well. Elaine

 

[ssawka]

Here's a few tips:

1. Consider renting bikes. The resort is about 1.2 miles from the beach house. There is a shuttle, but the kids might prefer having a bike. Also, I am not a cyclist, but I have heard that the salty air can be hard on bikes, so it is best just to rent them.
2. Do your food shopping off the island. It is cheaper.