Large Group Itineraries

[Pooh1215]

Hi everyone,

Been to Disney many times with just my family of 4, staying on-site. In November we are taking the trip with 16 people ranging in ages from 17 to 82.
How do you plan an itinerary for such a large group?

We are renting a rather large house in Emerald Island and plan on eating both on-site and off-site. Recommendations for offsite restaurants would also be a huge help.

Any and all suggestions for a LARGE crowd will be VERY welcome.

Pooh.......

 

[OKW Lover]

Short answer - don't even try.

Slightly longer answer:
Its just about impossible to get a group that size to follow a set itineraries. There will always be somebody that isn't ready yet, or doesn't want to do that particular thing. The best suggestion is to just make a couple of general suggestions (lets meet at the Castle at 1:00 for a group photo, lets see Illuminations this night) and leave it at that.

 

[kath1210]

I planned a Grand Gathering for 20 people last October - ages 6 to 78. For me, it was easier because we were all on the free dining plan.

First, using touringplans.com, I figured out the recommended park or parks for each day. Then, on the first available day for reservations, I called Group Dining (this was when you had to call every day) and made reservations for a late breakfast and a dinner for our entire group. This gave everyone choices for each day. I figured that early risers could get to the parks early and treat the late breakfast as brunch, and the late risers would not be rushed.

This worked out great for us. Everyone did their own thing most of the time - we went to various parks or DTD in various groups. If they did not want to eat a particular meal, I called to cancel or revise the reservation. We told people to get to the restaurant no later than the reservation time and if they did not show, we just told them to put us at a smaller table or less tables. Mostly, though, everyone told me ahead of time if they decided not to eat somewhere.

Everyone did come to dinner or the last night . It was at WCC and so much fun! It was an awesome vacation!

 

[Pooh1215]

Thanks for the suggestions.......I am thinking of the itinerary suggesting a park a day using touring plans with 3 meeting places during the course of the day.......we will all have cell phones for communication, in case a group leaves the park, etc.

I KNOW it will be difficult to stay together as a group considering the young adults are going to have A LOT more stamina than the seniors. I am figuring our TOGETHER time will be spent at the house AND on our first day there we all plan to go to the Magic Kingdom to have our picture taken as a group in front of the castle.

Pooh

 

[rigs32]

Do make sure that everyone understands the idea is to NOT do each and every thing together. The last time we went with a group, DH and I split off when they wanted to do something we didn't and there was a bit of "we waited for you during X, why can't you wait during Y". Well, we didn't ask they wait during X, but we were going to see them in 1-2 hrs for a meal, so I'd rather not waste valuble park time on a bench.