Need to plan for a multiple family trip

[TheWags]

Hi all! I spent a lot of time here three years ago, planning our first family trip. Very recently we lost my mother. Dad has decreed that he wants to send all of us to Disney to lift our spirits.

All together we are three couples with six children (ages 3mo to 12yrs). One family has never been, one has been once before kids and once three years ago, and the third has the $$ to go often.

Challenges are my sun sensitive kids (and the fact we are a family of 5), brother's baby, and differing experience levels. Do we stay off site for space, cost and togetherness, or do we stay onsite for breaks, Magical Express, dining plan, ADR's? My sister generally stays at moderate and deluxe, but I don't want to take advantage of my father.

My dream vacation would be 5 days at AKL, a day at Universal (I have a Harry Potter freak) and a day at Sea World. I think my sister would rather a Disney Cruise and my brother would like to get through it without too much fuss and bother.

So I am starting from scratch, changing my mind and starting over. Right now I am thinking October or November, ASM suites and Dining. Or renting a house and three cars.

If nothing else, it's a big distraction from Mom's death, which I suppose is the whole point.

Looking forward to help and advice,
Tracy

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

I can tell you what we're doing!

Right now, we have 16 people going. There are only four kids (three of them mine) ages 2-almost 9. But we still have quite the age difference, since my husband's 78-year-old grandmother and her sister are coming with us! It's me, DH and family, my mom and her sister, my in-laws, BIL and SIL, Grandma and Great-aunt, DH's uncle, and DH's cousin and her god-daughter (the only other kid).

With that difference in ages, we're not planning on sticking together all the time. We're staying on-site (because SIL and I are the planners and Disney freaks and prefer to stay onsite) at CBR. We have linked our reservations via a Grand Gathering number, but are not participating in any of the extra activities with the Grand Gatherings (too pricey!). We are on the basic DP and have made 7 ADR's - 1 per day - at a sit-down restaurant where we'll all get together and catch up for the day. Other than that SIL and I are planning to give reccomondations for which days to visit which parks, and then everyone is on their own! My in-laws and my mom/sister have all made reservations to do things on their own. Uncle and DH plan to go together on at least one photograph/video excursion. DD and Cousin's god-daughter are going to the BBB one day while DH, older DS and BIL go to Disneyquest. Bottom line is, we're going to enjoy getting together for meals (and probably a few fireworks viewings), as we're from all over the country, but we're planning lots of time doing what WE want to do.

My advice is to get everyone's definite opinions, vote on where/when to go, plan the basics and then let everyone go their own way. You'll still have the distraction, you'll still see each other and have the vacation together...but you won't drive each other nuts!! Sorry this is so long - hope it helped!

 

[MSSANDRA]

First I would try to get an idea of what kind of budget your dad has in mind.

I can see a house a great way to spend time together if that is not a regular occurance, but we love staying on site and having each family their own room at night might be a welcome break. The chance to come and go at the parks might be nice too!! I might would save Universal and sea world for another trip and just stick to WDW.

If it's in the budget, AKL might be a perfect choice!!!!

Prayers for your family during this difficult time. Maybe you can find a special way to honor your mom on the trip.

 

[honeydiane1953]

LAWD I find it daunting to plan for three of us. Daughter, granddaughter and I are going in April. I want it to be as perfect as possible and anyone who plans the affair needs a lot of patience, knowledge and stamina.

 

[njgeneral]

Hi all! I spent a lot of time here three years ago, planning our first family trip. Very recently we lost my mother. Dad has decreed that he wants to send all of us to Disney to lift our spirits.

All together we are three couples with six children (ages 3mo to 12yrs). One family has never been, one has been once before kids and once three years ago, and the third has the $$ to go often.

Challenges are my sun sensitive kids (and the fact we are a family of 5), brother's baby, and differing experience levels. Do we stay off site for space, cost and togetherness, or do we stay onsite for breaks, Magical Express, dining plan, ADR's? My sister generally stays at moderate and deluxe, but I don't want to take advantage of my father.

My dream vacation would be 5 days at AKL, a day at Universal (I have a Harry Potter freak) and a day at Sea World. I think my sister would rather a Disney Cruise and my brother would like to get through it without too much fuss and bother.

So I am starting from scratch, changing my mind and starting over. Right now I am thinking October or November, ASM suites and Dining. Or renting a house and three cars.

If nothing else, it's a big distraction from Mom's death, which I suppose is the whole point.

Looking forward to help and advice,
Tracy

I am sorry for the loss of your mother. Hopefully this trip will bring smiles all around. I just posted on another thread the thought of renting DVC points. You could check to see what the cost would be for the time you are going and plan accordingly. You may even be able to stay at AKL villas. You could always do a 2 bdrm and studio or even, depending on price stay at a 3 BDRM villa somewhere else. Just depends on budget. I also recommend Sheraton Vistana Lake Buena Vista. It is very close to the parks, I-4 and DTD. Pretty central for what you want to do. You can do 2 BDRM or 1 BDRM villas with full kitchens. request the same building.

I have rented points in the past and are renting some in April for Vero Beach. Love doing this. Saves alot of $ this way.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

No, don't, stop! Drop the idea! You will regret it!

Too.many.people.

If you all want to go at the same time, maybe decide to stay at the same hotel and arrange one or two dinners together. THAT'S IT. You try and tour around together the whole time, you will hate it.

 

[RMAMom]

I am sorry for the loss of your Mother, I can't think of a better place to lift your spirits than WDW.

We did a Grand Gathering and it was tough. We are a very close family, we all go to each others children's sporting events, scouting events, dance recitals etc. Just about every Sunday after church we get together so the kids can play and we hang out, cook dinner and then after dinner we head for home.
That said, all of us together in Disney for a week was really hard and at times problematic. If we did it again this is what I would change. I wouldn't have us all tour together. Our kids are 25 - 4 yrs so we have very different needs/wants in the park. My immediate family would be happy to let me plan it and I would plan it in great detail for my family but for my sisters they would be happy to have me tell them which park on which day and then we could all meet for meals, parades and shows like fantasmic. I would welcome them to join us but they would have to follow me and the problem with that is that my Mother didn't raise followers! Eventually one of my 2 other sisters would want to take over, or their kids would want to do something not on my tour plan etc. We did have a Grand Gathering number so we were all together at ASM and the kids loved that and we adults sat around the bar in the evening and the kids did the activities they offered at the pool. Another regret is that we didn't take advantage of some of the activities offered for G. Gatherings. I love Tony's in MK and if we ever do this again I will book the breakfast.

Just my 2¢