Looking for Advice - Blended Family

[CBMom01]

Hi all, I love this group and am hoping someone might want to give some advice. Most of my WDW trips have been just my DS and I, for all or part of our park days. We're experts at managing ourselves and each other.

On our next trip we'll be with my fiance and his three kids - so six of us total. We're going the week before Christmas. Two of his kids are adults, and one of them has some cognitive challenges. The other adult child is not only ok on her own, she'd manage all of us if we let her. Both my son and (soon to be) stepson are young teens on the spectrum, one of them has severe anxiety.

Whew. So, all that being said I'm normally a huge advance planner. That feels impossible with our new family group.

Now I'm rambling and don't know what my question was other than maybe: How would you all approach the trip? We're staying at the Cabins. I keep second guessing that decision (one bathroom!) until I remembering how good some quiet and social distance will feel during this trip. I think I'd want us to do at least one one character meal or other fun TS. Fiance says he's fine Not sure and it would be great to decide to do that on the fly but I know how unrealistic that is. We have park hoppers and I've always loved going to Epcot in the evenings for dinner and relaxation.

 

[Selket]

I'm not sure how much you would like to split up but when I travel with my two kids (who are young adults now - or even when they were older teens) we let them go off and do whatever they wanted (for the most part)...especially the adult. Seems like the young adult might want some independence from the group and perhaps their younger sibling (who is not on the spectrum) could tag along. I let my kids come and go as they please and we would meet up for dinner for sure and sometimes did the rides together - sometimes we were in different parks. It could work that you split up sometimes and get back together for things everyone wants to do. Maybe consider purchasing the Genie+ if reviews are decent as well as consider the DAS if the two teens on the spectrum have challenges waiting in lines and would benefit (or perhaps you have already used it so you know that part).

I personally would love to check out the new Space themed restaurant in Epcot. I don't know these days how far in advance you'd need to cancel any ADR's that you make but it may be worth making some and cancelling closer to your trip as you get more reviews on the new restaurant. My younger son has type 1 diabetes and multiple food allergies so we used to rely on TS dinner to give us that solid place and time to eat with a chef that could handle his allergies. Generally now I make TS reservations and hold on to them up until I need to cancel (which used to be...24 hours? 48 hours?). That new after hours Christmas party looks very cool and might have low waits for rides but yikes it is expensive. Between that and the Genie+ I'd think the Genie+ might be a better value.

 

[CBMom01]

Thank you!

i was going to buy tickets to the Christmas EMH event our arrival night to sort of ease us into the trip but the price is ridiculous.

 

[Narcoossee11]

I think 1 bathroom will be a HUGE issue. You need 2 bathrooms.
Not my budget /$$ , so easy for me to say.

 

[Bete]

First with one bathroom you should split taking showers with some doing it at night and some in the morning.

There is quite a time investment with doing a table service restaurant. I would say it takes at least double the time and I would say the norm is triple the time from doing a quick service meal. You will see characters around the park. Right now, character meals are not what they were pre-Covid with the interaction with the characters. I think there may be enough challenges without adding a table service meal. Infact, with the money saved here maybe you could do the party instead.

If you have what I call a flight risk in your group especially the one with cognitive issues get wrist bands with your cell phone number on it. Also, take pictures of those you are concerned about being a flight risk everyday; so, you have a current picture including the clothes they are wearing. The average distance walked in the park is about 6 miles. There will be opportunity for someone to get separated even by accident.

I would alternate thrill rides with calmer rides. If everyone can't get along with being together for rides you may have to split up but have a plan to meet up and call one one another here and there. Make sure you have a responsible party for each group to take charge.

You may want to consider a break early afternoon and go back to the cabin for a while.

If you haven't been on a group activity with everyone in your group it might be a good idea to do a zoo or museum or whatever together to see how it goes before your trip to Disney.

 

[mamabunny]

You can consider a Family Suite at AOA or Music. You get a bedroom, 2 bathrooms a pull down bed in the living area + plenty of room for everyone. It's basically the same square footage as the Cabins, but at AOA you have (easier) access to direct transportation like buses and the Skyliner.

I know that feeling of needing to plan everything out, but this may be a good trip to just "go with the flow". You have a very diverse group of people going, and it may be easier for everyone if you allow your more independent younger adults to have the opportunity to explore on their own (if they wish) while keeping some of your group closer.

The first time we went without a flight plan, I was so nervous, but it wound up being one of our best trips ever - and now we routinely plan little more than the dates we will be at WDW, and we each pick a couple of "must dos", and we typically get everyone's favorites done easily, and with little stress.

Our family has learned that by *not* planning, we have better trips - for us. The main thing we try to always remember is that Disney World will be there, in the future - so we don't have to try and do every.single.thing. in one trip!

 

[lanejudy]

With regards to the resort -- what are your planned sleeping arrangements? You have a lot of adults and teens, blended family, some may not want to share a bed. At the Cabins you'll have the bedroom with 1 queen and 2 twin bunks plus a queen murphy bed in the living room. Would his 2 adult kids share a bed and let the teens have the bunks? Or is someone willing to sleep on an air mattress - it won't fit in the bedroom but maybe in the living room/kitchen. One bathroom isn't ideal but if the sleeping arrangements work best and the Cabin fits the budget best, everyone may need to make the best of it by splitting up showers for some in the evening and some in the morning. (I grew up in a family of 6 with just 1 full bath, so it's do-able.)

I wouldn't do a family suite because that has only 3 beds and nobody would get their own sleeping space. It gets pricey for a villa with more beds. The other option would be 2 rooms - with value the most economical (maybe/maybe not less $$ than the Cabin), but no guarantee of connecting rooms. That would offer 4 beds, so again 2 of the kids will need to share or someone on an air mattress.

Have your fiance and his kids been to WDW before? If this is new, you may want to have a family meeting. Plan some "must-do" attractions -- maybe 1 for each person. Then try a more relaxed approach and consider splitting up if there are different interests. Character meals are expensive and still not back to usual. I might skip it this trip.

 

[sandrews0608]

I would consider renting DVC points and staying in something larger. Perhaps a 2 bedroom at Saratoga or Old Key West. I couldn't do that many people with just 1 bathroom and also a blended family in such a small space might not be great. A 2 bedroom would give more room to spread out and for people to have a bit more privacy if it is needed/wanted. Not sure if the 2 on the spectrum would qualify for a DAS or not, but something you should look in to.

 

[CBMom01]

Thanks everyone. I keep checking back