Large group extras

[Aliceacc]

We've just booked our trip for next summer. This time, for the first time around, my brother in law and his family, and sister in law and her husband, will probably be joining us. We'll be 11 in all.

I'm trying to think of things we can do as a group. (Note: I'm notnecessarily looking for "free" extras, just large group extra activites. So I'm open to anything... kind of like the discountinued Grand Gathering stuff.)

So far I'm thinking we should definitely do the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert party-- we're hoping to do that again, with or without the group.

What else do you suggest? Any restaurants that are particularly large group friendly? We'll probably be at different resorts, and aren't planning to do the water parks (though, again, I'm open to other ideas.)

My 3 kids are 10, 13 and 14. Their cousins are in their late 20's.

 

[mollybug2]

We've just booked our trip for next summer. This time, for the first time around, my brother in law and his family, and sister in law and her husband, will probably be joining us. We'll be 11 in all.

I'm trying to think of things we can do as a group. (Note: I'm notnecessarily looking for "free" extras, just large group extra activites. So I'm open to anything... kind of like the discountinued Grand Gathering stuff.)

So far I'm thinking we should definitely do the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert party-- we're hoping to do that again, with or without the group.

What else do you suggest? Any restaurants that are particularly large group friendly? We'll probably be at different resorts, and aren't planning to do the water parks (though, again, I'm open to other ideas.)

My 3 kids are 10, 13 and 14. Their cousins are in their late 20's.

Not sure where you book this but I did a cool pontoon boat cruise during Wishes two years ago. I think the boat held 10-12. Very fun.

 

[coolbrook]

Hi, We went with a large family group of 16 in June, 2011 and had the dining plan. One place that was not good for us was the lower level restaurant in the France pavilion in Epcot. We were seated in two groups in completely different rooms in the restaurant. The food was good, but we were celebrating my daughter's birthday at that meal would have liked to be together. Good for our large group were Boma, Yak and Yeti (upstairs), Raglan Road (too loud to hear people talk at the other end of the table, they did seat us a one big table and we all loved the music and dancing), and 50's Prime time (all at one big table, easy to talk and hear each other because of the smaller rooms.) At Magic Kingdom we ate lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern where we were seated at two large round tables next to each other.

 

[Aliceacc]

Hi, We went with a large family group of 16 in June, 2011 and had the dining plan. One place that was not good for us was the lower level restaurant in the France pavilion in Epcot. We were seated in two groups in completely different rooms in the restaurant. The food was good, but we were celebrating my daughter's birthday at that meal would have liked to be together. Good for our large group were Boma, Yak and Yeti (upstairs), Raglan Road (too loud to hear people talk at the other end of the table, they did seat us a one big table and we all loved the music and dancing), and 50's Prime time (all at one big table, easy to talk and hear each other because of the smaller rooms.) At Magic Kingdom we ate lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern where we were seated at two large round tables next to each other.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[coolbrook]

We had a large group of 16 and I highly recommend dividing into smaller groups for theme park touring. We would start the day together to hit a few headliners, have an adr at a restaurant together, then divide up for the afternoon. Some people wanted to tour together the whole time, but it was frustrating for others waiting for late arrivals, bathroom breaks for that many people all at different times, slow walkers, thrill riders, etc. So I would suggest discussing how much together time beforehand, so no one is disappointed and expectations are managed.

 

[Aliceacc]

We had a large group of 16 and I highly recommend dividing into smaller groups for theme park touring. We would start the day together to hit a few headliners, have an adr at a restaurant together, then divide up for the afternoon. Some people wanted to tour together the whole time, but it was frustrating for others waiting for late arrivals, bathroom breaks for that many people all at different times, slow walkers, thrill riders, etc. So I would suggest discussing how much together time beforehand, so no one is disappointed and expectations are managed.

Oh, that's most definitley part of the plan. We'll have that conversation in the coming months. I don't think anyone is planning on being joined at the hip for a week.

But I was looking for new ideas of things we COULD do as a group....like the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party.

 

[coolbrook]

Hi again, When we visited with 16 we stayed in two of the two bedroom villas at Kidani Village at AKL. We enjoyed having a living room to all visit together in during afternoon breaks or evenings we weren't going back to the park. The food court or pool at a value or moderate could serve the same purpose. I also enjoyed our illuminations cruise one year. We had a smaller group that year but I think they have larger boats. With the large group we saw Cirque du Soleil and sat in two rows one behind the other. Grandma paid and it was expensive, but everyone enjoyed it. The shows in the parks are fun things to experience together like Lion King, Laugh Floor, Finding Nemo, etc. I don't know where you are staying, but most of the Disney resorts have free marshmallow roasting in the evening. Have a wonderful time making memories with your family.

 

[Aliceacc]

Well, this is mostly an adult trip.

My 3 kids will be 11, 14 and 16.

My two nieces will be 25 and 29.

My brother in law will NEED a round of golf... and if he's going to get up his courage and get on a plane for 5 hours, he certainly deserves one.

We'll be staying at the Beach Club. My brother in law prefers Carribbean Beach. (It's not a financial issue, just personal preference. And, as a family of 5, it's not an option for us.) I have no idea what my Sister in Law (wife of the golfer) is thinking.

We'll probably do dinners together, and do the evenings as a group. I KNOW we'll be at rope drop; I imagine my nieces will sleep in and do evening EMH.

We have a whole year to put this together, so I'm just brainstorming here. What I may do for Christmas is get everyone (but me) Lunch with an Imagineer. I got it for my husband for last year's trip and he loved it. (I'll stay with my kids at Storm Along Bay or in one of the parks.)