Late June 2001 report with a LARGE GROUP!

[suevee]

I had started trip reports when I got back last June but sort of dropped the ball. But now I am seeing a lot of questions for June. So I thought a quick overview of our trip and experiences might help someone. So here it goes.

Time of trip : June 1, 2001 to June 10, 2001

Weather : Mostly hot with scattered afternoon showers. The rain showers were mainly in the late afternoon and did put a damper on two of our evenings. One night had substantial lightening but parks still open and still had fire works. The children were not up to going to the parks with the lightening (and neither was I)

Hotel: Shades of Green. I know not everyone can take advantage of this wonderful resort. I also know that some do not like it because of it's lack of Disney theming. However, I liked the quiet atmosphere. It was nice to escape from the hubbub of the parks and relax. Also the pools were never crowded. In fact sometimes we had them all to ourselves! In June! It is so small that there just is no crowd. This is the second time I have stayed here and I love it. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and the staff very nice. We also get a concierge service for booking PS ressies. I felt quite spoiled.

Basic plan of attack: Park early, leave park for resort and lunch (some took naps, some went to waterparks, some went to Disney Quest), then back to parks.

Park hours: Were not as late as I originally planned, this was a bummer. We went in June 2000 and the park hours were about 1 to 2 hours later. I assumed they would be the same. I was wrong. In 2000 we went from June 7 to until June 17, in 2001 we went from June 1 to June 10. That one week made a difference in the park hours. So don't assume anything and keep an eye on the hours right before your vacation. They were increased around June 8.

ADUTS: 70 and up -- two (only spent 2 nites)
45 and up --two (myself and hubby)
30ish ------ four (bil and sil, stayed 4 days, and good friends in for the entire trip)
20 and up--five (my beloved children and spouses, one is 6 months pregnant)
Total adults at any given time --- Eight to Twelve


Children: Four - 2 five year olds, 1 six year old, 1 eight year old and me (oh --I'm supposed to be with the adults. OPPS.)

Our ratio of 12 adults to 4 children was perfect!!!!!


MAJOR TIP for a large group: Plan a few group meals at character dinners. These are particularly fun with everyone. We went to Ohana's (Poly), Chef Mickey"s (CR) and the Villian's Dinner (GF) for Dinner, Garden Grill for Lunch, and Chrystel Palace for Breakfast. These meals were the highlights of our trip. They gave us fun time to be together with no hassles. We did the rides separately and compared notes at our meals. Also work out a schedual ahead of time for breaks from the kids. Allow every adult some alone time. HAVE FUN!

We started with a very flexible schedual. I planned everything I wanted to do and the others were welcome to join or not. It worked great. We did arrange some shared babysitting so every adult got at least 2 nites out without the kids.

Day 1 (Friday)- We all came in at different hours. Settled in our hotel (Shades of Green), went to Wal-mart, swam, went to Ohana's for dinner. This was the best way to start our vacation. At this time there were 13 of us (3 children, 10 adults). The food, atmosphere, and service was great! It was relaxing and the children had so much fun!!!! Listening to ukelele, children doing hulahoops and rolling coconuts, ....I can not stress how much fun we had. Definitely a to do with a large group. There was something for everyone. We spent 2 hours there and left a generous tip for the wonderful service.

Day 2 (Saturday)-went to Seaworld. We had a great time. Feeding the dolphins, petting manatees, feeding seals....everyone loved this place but food was awful. Also park opens 90 minutes before any attractions open. Shops and eateries are scarce so you just stand around. Came back to the hotel, around 3 for a rest and planned to go back to Seaworld at 6 for fireworks but had an unfortunate accident which took us to the hospital. SiL pulled his arm out of socket in the pool. Between emergency rooms, medications, etc didn't make it back to hotel till about 9:30 pm. Starving we went to Kona's Cafe for a LATE dinner. Again staff was so accomadating and the food was wonderful.

Day 3 (Sunday) -saw us at Epcot. We had PS at Garden Grill for a late lunch, the whole gang (13 of us at this time) The children enjoyed the little water parks dotted throughout Epcot. WARNING - bring bathing suits or change of clothes and plastic bags. Kids will get wet. We saw all the Land rides, Honey I shrunk the kids, some went on TT. Then it was lunch. We had a surprise for the newlyweds with us. They were remarried by Mickey at the Gardin Grill!!!! One of the highlights of our trip.

We went back to hotel around 3 to rest and planned to go to MK in the evening, but the lightening kept us at the hotel. We all went to the screened in porch at the Gardin Grill and had a very reasonable dinner and just talked the nite away. This night it rained all evening. 3 more member of our party joined us (brother, sister-in-law, and nephew, age 5)

Day 4 (Monday)- saw us at MK for ee. (I will miss this!)We saw all of Fantasyland. Met up at a group at Chystal Palace at 10:50 am for a late breakfast. Four went to Cindy's Palace for breakfast. Couldn't get us all in but we really enjoyed Chrystal Palace. After we stuck to our routine and went back to resort or waterparks, then we went to a PS at Chef Mickey's. Again we really enjoyed both places and got lots of pictures. All the characters were very interactive. Then we went to Epcot to tour the world, and we were rained on yet again.

Day 5 (Tuesday) - this was our built in rest day. Some chose to do the Water parks, some DD and DQ, my DH and myself went to visit family who lived in the area. We were back at the resort around 5 and took the kids so the others could have an adult night. We went to MK to watch the parade then back to resort for swim. Then we went to the Poly. We had dessert at the Kona Cafe then went down to the beach to watch the fireworks from MK. It was perfect for the kids (and any older people in your group.) Not crowded, great view of fireworks, and easy exit. We loved it.

Day 6 (Wednesday)- we went to AK in the morning and to MGM in the evening. We had been to AK before and there were only a few things we really wanted to see (Tarzan Rocks, Lion King, Bug's Life, and the Dinosaur ride) we were done by noon and at lunch at RFC. That evening we did Fantasmic at MGM with a dinner package at Mama Melrose.

Day 7 (Thursday) thru Day 9 (Friday and Saturday) - were left open on purpose. I loaded up on all the parks in the beginning of our trip (did a sort of laid back kamikazee) then on the end of our trip we all revisited the parks we especially liked. Everyone had a different one and different things in each park. Our young people particularly like the Tower of Terror.

Day 10 Sunday - Slept in, packed and had our last big meal together- Brunch at Spoodles and checked out the Boardwalk until it was time to leave.

Everyone had a great time and are still talking about this vacation. My husband and I are planning to go back in Feb 2003 for our 30th. It was supposed to be just the 2 of us. However word got out. So even though we are planning private time, I am again planning for 14 (8 newbies and 6 returning from first trip.)



Will edit later and add more later if anyone is interested. I would like to help anyone who is planning to go with a large group, but if no one is interested, that is okay too.

 

[pumba]

my hubby and my mil who will be almost 86
my daughter and her two children.....her hubby isn't able to join us this time
my son and his wife...
and ME.....
Thanks so much for the great report....I am making plans to do like you did.....a little at a time....and take breaks.....thanks again

 

[kenman64]

Suevee,

very informative thanks.

Just want to see if you have any other advice or point you can give. I am planning a family vacation at WDW this coming august 25-31/2002. The group contain 25 member 3 seniors, 5 (10-11yrs), 2 (18 to 24 months), 2 (4-6yrs) and 13 adults, we flying down and stayed at Vacation home 15 min from MK. Any advice you can share for such a large group like this.

what to avoid?
What to do first?
What to do last?
What the best park to go?
What park shouldn't go?

Thanks,
kenman64

 

[suevee]

kenman

I hope you have a great time. I will try to answer your questions.

what to avoid? - The main thing to avoid is getting over tired or overstressed. Everyone in our group did hit all their "must sees" When I made my schedual I tried to keep everyone in mind, but mostly I made my schedual to please myself with a standing invite to anyone who wanted to join in. I listed the restaurants I wanted to do and everyone signed on the ones they were interested in. (which was practically all) I made all the PS's . When a schedual is make by committee no one is pleased. This way if people wanted a structured day it was laid out or they could just fly. I made sure there were built in breaks. Also I made sure everyone had a copy of the daily schedual with PS numbers and times for the parades, fireworks, and fantasmic. There were a few snafus, but we didn't sweat them. Like someone not making a PS or Fantasmic on time. If they weren't there by a certain time we just assumed something else came up and went on without them. We made our rules at dinner before the trip so there would be no misunderstandings or hurt feelings. And we worked out in advance on what nights which adults would take the kids so everyone over 16 got some adult time. DO NOT try to go on all the rides together. Break up and meet for meals or in the evening at the pool to compare notes.

What to do first? - Our first day we spent getting organized and just casing out the joint. We did plan a meal all together at O'hana's and it was great! It was an amazing start. The kids had fun, the adults visited, the anticipation just grew.

What to do last? We really enjoyed the Disney Dining experience. I am not sure if it was the food or just being all together in a fun place or both. Our last day was spent on the Boardwalk. Everyone was leaving at different times. We ended with our last all together meal at Spoodles. Again it was great. Then we just checked out the place.

What the best park to go? The best park totally depends on the age. The kids will like MK hands down. The teens will like Disney Quest and the Water Parks. People who like shows like MGM, and Epcot is Epcot. My favorite is Epcot. We spent one morning doing the rides in the front. The kids really enjoyed innovations. Then in the evening we would do the World Showcase. The sidewalk entertainers are awesome. And the Tapestry of Dreams parade is NOT TO BE MISSED!!!! This brought tears to the adults and you should see the kids faces. This is pure magic. Especially when one of the puppets brush a child's hair. Each park has is own signature rides, but I've been told if you really are a ride freak then IOA is a better park. I don't know as I have never been there.

What park shouldn't go? The hottest and most difficult to navigate is the AK. The safari is okay. It is worth it to go see Tarzan Rocks,The Lion King, Bug"s Life, and the Dinosaur Ride (scary for little ones) But on a really hot day this is the park to avoid.

I hope I answered all your questions. Remember planning is half the fun! My daughter made graphics and binded our daily itineraries for everyone. They are great keepsakes. I would recommend you try to get in at least one character meal as a group. We did Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace and had a blast. Good Luck

 

[suevee]

kenman - one more thought. What made my planning work is that we were onsite and it was easy to get out of the heat for the little ones and the older ones. The ones with more endurance could just keep trucking. This may be more difficult off-site. I understand that 15 minutes offsite means 15 minutes just to the front gate. Dependng on traffic that could mean another half an hour until you get into the parks. Take your commuting time into consideration when you are making your plans. Make sure you have plenty of water, plan in advance to utilize the park hours, and do your character meals at lunch to be out of the heat in the middle of the day. Could one person in your group get an onsite room so your elderly and young could crash if the going gets to tough? Just a thought.

 

[TeresaNJ]

suevee, I enjoyed reading your late trip report. We're going in July with a group of eight, staying at the BCV. We last did this with this large a group in July 2000. The group includes DH and I, my three kids ages 16-22, and three of their friends, same ages. We had a blast. We all used our cell phones to keep in touch, most times the groups split up for awhile, DH and I, the girls and the guys, then we all met usually for lunch or dinner at one of the parks. It worked out great. Except this time my sister and her husband and my brother and his fiance, his son, and her daughter will be meeting up with us three days into our trip. They'll be staying at the Beach Club. Not sure yet how we're going to handle the get togethers. I like your idea of making a schedule according to what you want to do, and if anyone wants to join, great, and if not, so be it. I'll ask them now if they want to do any PS's together. I think O'Hana's sounds like a great idea. Thanks!