Large Group

[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.......

 

[isla bonita]

We travel twice a year with almost that many people. We do things together but not everything. I make an itinerary about what parks to do certain days which are mostly not the days of EMH. We decide what restaurants to do a few times while away just not every day and go from thee. It is not easy to think all can be together every minute. Just don't beleive it can be done and every one enjoy themselves.

It is great sharing a large home especially in EI LOL we own there so I am very partial. Really it is great at the end of the day to recap on the day with every one. We always do this out by theo pool. We also break out the cards and play a little while retelling about the day.

I also think each group needs their own vehicle. It is something I do not share with any one. I like to be able to have the flexability and in Florida rental cars are pretty cheap. We stay in constant contact by cell phones so if there is a glitch we can work around it. It works for us.

All that have joined us at our home have returned or plan on it when room is available. So it must be pretty good. I also like that we have built in baby sitters for each other. Our children are a bit younger so I am sure you will not need that. Hope you have a wonderful time and let us all know how it went and the big question would you do it ever again or not in your life time? LOL Deb

 

[Pooh1215]

We travel twice a year with almost that many people. We do things together but not everything. I make an itinerary about what parks to do certain days which are mostly not the days of EMH. We decide what restaurants to do a few times while away just not every day and go from thee. It is not easy to think all can be together every minute. Just don't beleive it can be done and every one enjoy themselves.

It is great sharing a large home especially in EI LOL we own there so I am very partial. Really it is great at the end of the day to recap on the day with every one. We always do this out by theo pool. We also break out the cards and play a little while retelling about the day.

I also think each group needs their own vehicle. It is something I do not share with any one. I like to be able to have the flexability and in Florida rental cars are pretty cheap. We stay in constant contact by cell phones so if there is a glitch we can work around it. It works for us.

All that have joined us at our home have returned or plan on it when room is available. So it must be pretty good. I also like that we have built in baby sitters for each other. Our children are a bit younger so I am sure you will not need that. Hope you have a wonderful time and let us all know how it went and the big question would you do it ever again or not in your life time? LOL Deb

I am truly hoping that we can make a tradition out of this trip as in theory I think it will be wonderful to spend 7 days together in the SAME house in the happiest place on earth........LOL

That said, I will be travelling with 2 adult daughters and MY mother!!!!!

Thanks for the tips on itinerary. We plan on perhaps doing the same parks on the same day but NOT together as I am sure our younger ones will have MUCH more stamina than our seniors.

I have been thinking each FAMILY needs to have its own rental car, we can do with NO less than 3, perhaps 4 cars.

Any restaurants offsite you can recommend near EI. Breakfast and dinner.

Thanks so much,
Pooh

 

[crjack]

I think a good restaurant for a large party is Macaroni Grill. I know some people try to avoid chain restaurants on vacation but we really like it and find it to be a good value. The closest one to us is about 30 miles away at home though so we like going to the one on 192. We went with a large group (10) about 2 weeks ago and everyone enjoyed it.

Sweet Tomatoes always gets great reviews here but we have yet to make it there. Fresh food and a good price.

Bahama Breeze is nice too. My Dh went to Texas de Brazil on a work trip and loved it! Kind of expensive but if you sign up on their website a few weeks before you leave they will email you a coupon to use on a week night visit that is a pretty substantial savings. We're hoping to try that next time as well.

Have fun. Our first time in a rental home was two homes in Windsor Palms for a total of 14 people. We had a great time and at the end of the day we always met up at the house we rented and caught up as well. The kids loved the private pool and we loved the lanai area for relaxing. Enjoy your trip!

 

[isla bonita]

Less then 5 minutes away from EI on the corner of 192 and Formosa Gardens Blvd is a shopping center with
TGI Fridays
Outback Steak house
Carrabbas
Taco Bell
Giordanos
Dairy Queen
Winn Dixie
Package Store
Doc in a Box if you know about it you will not need it.
Chinese but not very good IMHO
Cracker Barrel
Red Lobster across from center

Some sujestions if you want

I use the Publix at black lake rd which is at corner of 192 and FGB take left and I think 2nd light is the Publix.

We have a membership with Sams club and I do a click and pull order so when I get4 there they have it on pallets for me all ready. Call to make sure once they did not get the order. Do this 24 hours before you are arriving

Fill in with Publix you might need some butter but not 3 lor 4 lbs but the cases of water, soft drinks and breakfast type stuff is great and every one can have their say in food items.

Most homes have blenders and if smoothies or cocktails are up your alley a trip to pick your own fruit might be a fun ice breaker for all. Trying to see every one try and pick a grape fruit off a tree is comical. Its about 15-20 minutes away. I can not wait to take my neice and nephews. My kids have been already and they had a fun time believe it or not and the best part is all the yummy stuff you get.
http://www.showcaseofcitrus.com/

We also have our best memories around the pool. My neighbors who are also owners get a kick out of us because we spend so much time out side our home then in. They saw us out side under the lanai in the rain and thought we were nuts. We live in NE and in Feb. I don't go out unless I have to. So when we go to Florida we are out more then in. We spend a lot of time just hanging out.

I am worse then the kids for my birthday this thurs. my mom bought us a basketball net/volley ball net for the pool. Most 46 yow would like something a little less juvenile.

Emeralsd Iand is beautiful and you can enjoy just taking a nice walk around. Not that you will have time but it is so beautiful to look at. Being there can be a vacation in it self. Have a picture by the Dolphins they are very friendly our next xmas pic will be of us with them.

When will you be there? We will be down in late Sept/early Oct. and again in Feb we might see you thee.

Have fun Deb

 

[Pooh1215]

Deb,

Thanks for all the info. Keep it coming........LOL

We will be there November 5th to the 12th (Jersey Week). We are also from the NE so believe ME, we will LOVE being outside in November.

Love the pick your own idea. I really think everyone would enjoy this and we are looking for some NON-Disney ideas.

I am so happy that I KNOW the Doc in the box is there because I surely do NOT want to use it

Pooh

 

[isla bonita]

Depending on what the home has to offer maybe a vcr tape of the family members at a cook out or some wedding that you all were last time together. It might be a hoot for all.

We have younger ones but if they are young at heart we play silly games. Cannon balls in the pool, bigest splash, black jack, texas holdem, I still need the cheat sheet but I kill when I have a good hand. We are a little competitive.

On our next trip I am having a contest of Mr. Pototoe head who can make the fastest head I bought all the disney parts and the reg. so it should be fun. Also it is my sons bday so we are heading to the choc. place and I am going to be in heaven the rest of the vaca. Fresh margaritas and good choc. I can not wait. LOL

I keep thinking of what we do but it is a little parks, dinners together, and lots of family laughs. It is nice to make a couple of reservations and enjoy the atmosphere. If I can think of any thing else I will pass it on. Deb

 

[dougsmom98]

I know you really want advice about restaurants, but I have traveled with smaller groups than yours and honestly trying to eat out with a large group can be a nightmare. We usually travel in a group of 9-12 and meal time can cause the most tension when we try to plan it, especially if you are going to eat out. The older people and the people with chronic heartburn want to eat early. My family prefers eating a little later. Deciding on a food everyone is in the mood for on a given evening is also a pain. Waiting for everyone to get ready and out the door is a major hassle. The beauty of a renting a home is not having to run out to eat all the time. If we get home early from the parks but some people are tired, they can order take out and stay at home. If other people want to go out, they do. Sometimes one group feels like a buffet dinner but others want a sit down meal so a group goes one way and another goes another way. There is so much time to connect with everyone when you rent a house, big dinners together don't seem to be imperative. That being said, if you do go out in a large group, go early. I have worked at the best seafood restaurant in our area and it is hard to give good service to large groups at the busiest times. They also start off the evening having to wait for a very long time for a table so they are not always in the best mood either. The best time to go with a large group is before 6:00 pm. The earlier the better (like 4 pm). When we have been to restaurants on 192, I always feel bad for people who look totally exhausted waiting 30+ minutes to be seated at a restaurant. I often see little kids passed out on their parent's lap too. We ordered take out from Outback and brought it back to the villa we rented in Windsor Palms which is near EI and we really enjoyed that. We ordered around 4:30 and we were eating shortly after 5:00.
Traveling with a large group is a lot of fun. Just be sure to be flexible and relax. I hope you enjoy yourselves!

 

[Pooh1215]

Thanks for the restaurant advice and I can really see the wisdom in your words. I was anticipating a few nights of take out at the house and doing our own thing the rest of the time.

Any of the BBQ places in the area good for BBQ?

Thank you,
Pooh