Making the most of our big trip

[lilrddancer]

For Christmas, we suprised our three kids, my neice, sister and parents with a trip to Disney World for all. The 9 of us leave on Saturday. I've done journaling pages, we've done themed activities each night, I have goodie bags for everyone and the princess dinner scheduled for the girls (I couldn't get Pirate Cruise for the boys )!

You guys seem to have Disney down to a science, and I'm catching the bug! Am I missing anything? The kids are really enjoying making their must dos lists, planning a mad hatter tea party to share them, and doing all the activites....

How do you make the most of your Disney trips for a large group?

Grandma
Grandpa
Curtis, 9
Carter, 8
Hannah, 3
Jon/Dad
Charisse/Mom
Cassie/Sis
Maddie, 4

 

[LynnTH]

We went a couple of years ago with my family (DH, DS2 and me pregnant) and with my brother and wife and his 3 kids, my other brother and his wife and my parents. There were 12 in all. One of the most important things I can tell you is don't feel like you all have to do everything together. We would get up and go have breakfast together at the hotel then ride the bus to the park and then we would separate and meet up later for a parade or for dinner. Since we had a young child and their's were older it was much easier this way. We also had those walkie talkie things to keep in contact as well as our cell phones. It was a great family trip.

 

[dzneelvr]

Totally agree with LynnTH: schedule some "events", maybe 2-3 where the group is all together--dining PSs are easiest because the eatery is able to handle larger groups-- but be prepared to do your own thing most of the time. Although it is never anyone's intention to be negative, there will be melt-downs, preferences, opinions, and different energy levels within the group that could be a nightmare for you if you try to do too much together. I've read horror stories on the trip reports board from travellers who did too much too often together.
Ask your family what they would like to do so that you can make your own traditions to come back to in future years.