Need suggestions and info

[jedspad]

We will be spending 6 nights at BWV in June. Our group will consist of DH and myself, our 3 grandchildren and 3 of their friends, so we will have 4-12 year olds and 2-17 year olds. We will be eating most meals out but will have some quick breakfasts in the room and would like some snack items on hand for our afternoon breaks and bedtime snacks. We will be using TIW on our meals for the most part. We have used Garden Grocer in the past but have heard good things about WEgoshop too. I have even thought of getting a cab and going to the grocery myself so I can pick what I want. Trying to decide which way would be the best as far as cost and time. We will be using Magical Express so will not have a car.Any one used a taxi and what store would be closest? How pricey was the taxi? Just trying to think this out, in the past we have basically got water and just a few things but with 6 teens, it will take a bit more. Thanks for any help you can give. Everyone keeps telling me I am one brave woman taking 6 kids and a husband who is legally blind and others just say I am stupid.

 

[NC State Tigger]

We will be spending 6 nights at BWV in June. Our group will consist of DH and myself, our 3 grandchildren and 3 of their friends, so we will have 4-12 year olds and 2-17 year olds.

When I first read this, I thought it said 4 to 12 year olds and 2 to 17 year olds. Was wondering how you talked the mothers of such young children into a trip with just the grandparents. Read it again the correct way!!!!

Think you are a wonderful and brave Grandma!!!!

Sorry don't have any answers to your questions, but bet a crowd like you will have will really be able to eat!!! Have a great time!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

A few years ago, I got a ride to Queen of the Universe for church, but had to take a cab back to the BCV where we were staying and with the tip it was close to $30! I mention that because the church is near the Publix that I go to when I have a car. Do you really want to leave the group & go shopping? If so, I'm renting a car for 1 day at the car car center and with taxes it's in the $40-45 range.

I have used WeGoShop and was very pleased if you care to go with a service. With your group, I would probably not be inclined to go off site myself, so I would go with the service. As I remember if you need a second order, the delivery charge was less than the initial one. You may need another order.

Have a great time!

Bobbi

 

[nabi]

I've been in a similar situation and hired Kids Nite out to help...its like having a nanny with you to help in various ways. They are Disney's approved childcare and can be with you in the parks too.

We will be spending 6 nights at BWV in June. Our group will consist of DH and myself, our 3 grandchildren and 3 of their friends, so we will have 4-12 year olds and 2-17 year olds. We will be eating most meals out but will have some quick breakfasts in the room and would like some snack items on hand for our afternoon breaks and bedtime snacks. We will be using TIW on our meals for the most part. We have used Garden Grocer in the past but have heard good things about WEgoshop too. I have even thought of getting a cab and going to the grocery myself so I can pick what I want. Trying to decide which way would be the best as far as cost and time. We will be using Magical Express so will not have a car.Any one used a taxi and what store would be closest? How pricey was the taxi? Just trying to think this out, in the past we have basically got water and just a few things but with 6 teens, it will take a bit more. Thanks for any help you can give. Everyone keeps telling me I am one brave woman taking 6 kids and a husband who is legally blind and others just say I am stupid.

 

[Alice Sr.]

I have done all, shopped myself (car rental not a taxi), used GG and WeGo. I would have the kids give you a list of snacks and drinks they want and forward that info to WeGo. I do not have anything against GG but they don't seem to have as much of a selection as I recall in the past. Kids that age can be pretty picky so if it's a different brand or flavor they may not touch it. It's not worth the time or hassle to go get the groceries yourself, just hang with the kids. I think that is why you are spending big bucks to take them all to WDE. You are going to have so much fun! And go home so tired!

This is all JMHO.

 

[jedspad]

Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions. Yes, we are spending big bucks to do this trip. It was a trip that we promised our younger 2 grandchildren 5 years ago and after battling cancer last year, I was determined to fullfill our promise. We are so looking forward to it.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions. Yes, we are spending big bucks to do this trip. It was a trip that we promised our younger 2 grandchildren 5 years ago and after battling cancer last year, I was determined to fullfill our promise. We are so looking forward to it.

wow! Enjoy this trip!!!

 

[Alice Sr.]

Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions. Yes, we are spending big bucks to do this trip. It was a trip that we promised our younger 2 grandchildren 5 years ago and after battling cancer last year, I was determined to fullfill our promise. We are so looking forward to it.

I'm glad you have the opportunity to make great memories together!

 

[mecllap]

Sounds like a wonderful and challenging trip. My last grandma trip was with just one 12-yo grandson and it was mostly fun with a few "moments." One of which was heat rash -- a good soaking in a lukewarm, cooling bath took care of that. Get lots of oranges and apples in the snack order. Take lots of hi-SPF sunscreen and get signed pledges from all them to use it every day and reapply it often (also have some aloe vera gel on hand), and encourage lots of water hydration in place of soda pop. (But it looks like you have lots of BWV experience, so you know all that). I found a folding "seat-cane" (ordered online) to be very handy for me on that trip, and even used a walker part of the time; it increased my endurance quite a bit, and kept me from over-hurting myself. My grandson is very familiar with WDW, so he could cope with some things by himself for a while and just keep in good touch by cell phone (like he would do Test Track and Mission Space while I was on Soarin' and Figment, then we'd meet in the middle; or he could do Space Mtn one more time then meet me up front at MK to leave).

Try to get some PhotoPass photos of your whole group a few times -- precious memories (I'm sure you know they will also use your camera, altho their photos are often (but not always) better).

If there are real specific brands or snack things some of the kids need, have them pack them and bring some along (they can probably stick enough in for 6 days) -- then that room will be available to take home what souvenirs they collect on the trip. Or even a box of their favorite cereal can be a good space saver for that purpose. Encourage them to pack light as far as clothes and shoes go (someone out of that bunch hopefully knows how to operate a washer and dryer so you don't have to).

Have a super wonderful time -- O Super Brave Grandma -- Enjoy, you deserve it!

 

[DMKEDM]

Your trip sounds like heaven to me! I took DS and his friends a number of times while he was still in school (he's in the work world now), and they were the BEST trips ever!

12 and 17 are old enough that they can be trusted w/minimal supervision (particularly if the "supervision" is hanging in the parks with them!)...no "bravery" required...just have a BLAST!!

(If one (or more) acts up (or you think he/she might), here's a trick I used when I chaperoned a group of seven 11-year-olds and it worked like magic from then forward...I told them "the rules"--go where you want (within defined boundaries--this trip was to a college campus for a school program event), but be back at the appointed meeting place at the appointed time...NO excuses (late buses, events that didn't end on time...NOTHING, whether your fault or not) will be acceptable to the "be there, on time" rule...if anyone was late--by even so much as 1 second (and we "sync'ed" watches)--they would have to spend at least an hour and maybe longer (depending on the severity of the lateness) wearing the "leash of shame"--one of those "baby leashes" that fits around the kid's wrist and I would hold the end)...Of course, no kid would risk that! And no one was late, ever! (They believed me when I told them I'd happily enforce the rule--told them I love them all and having one on a leash next to me would make me quite happy!)...I had a couple of red-faced kids a couple of times racing like mad to make the deadline (they did), but no one ever failed to show up, on time!)....

As for snacks & drinks: when I did this type of trip, I put them all on the dining plan and they pooled the snack credits and got in-villa food at the gift shop, using snack credits...since you're using TIW, you could just take them to the store (they have a pretty decent selection of munchies at the BWV store) and buy what they choose, using the TIW (they do take it there, or at least they did last time we were there, last year)...

Bringing some stuff along with you makes some sense, too...but like the other responders, I wouldn't mess w/going off-site to go grocery shopping...Garden Grocer and WeGoShop are just "too available" (and not that pricey)...remember you don't "have to" do the food order in advance...you can do it on site if the kids find they would prefer (and you're willing to provide) b'fast/snack items that aren't available in the store...

Last thought: We ALWAYS have a refrigerator-full of leftovers from meals...Disney meals (whether sit-down or quick-serve) are generously proportioned, and even with teenaged guys, there were leftovers...the kids loved snacking on those as the week wore on...so "stocking up" may not make a lot of sense, at least til you're a day or two into the trip...

Have a WONDERFUL time...I'm jealous (in the good sort of way)!