Now I really need help choosing a property

[HonestAbe]

Its amazing how quickly things can change. Long story short, our story has changed from our (DW and I) hectic days of running around the parks to basically a family reunion at WDW. Her and I will go hard all day then rest at night. But now, we have got everyone from the little 8 yr tykes to grandpa wanting to come. Kinda cool, eh?

But that changes things up. I don't know what anyone elses budget is for this but Im guessing that we're looking at some families who are coming wanting to do value since they don't have the discretionary funds that we do...

We used to stay at All Star Sports back in the day simply because it was the first property on the route, but the last time we were there maybe 2005 it was getting pretty tired in appearance. I don't even know if that's the case anymore with some of the new properties. Looks like a gaggle of kids will be coming...come to think of it they are all girls! I'm sure they all want to feel like princesses so any Value tier recommendations are now more than welcome.

Never having kids ourselves and now trying to plan this has me stumped. Planning for me and the DW is frustrating enough trying to balance money vs what I think she will like...but with a grouchy penny pinching grandpa and mom's / dad's that are going to spending tons of coin on souvenirs...AARRRGGHHH!!! Please help!!

This seriously has sapped my will power. Last night decided I was going to trade my car in for a GT500 which is a really really nice mustang if you're not familiar, then I called her dad at dinner to tell him about it. That's when he sprung the whole idea of the reunion on our trip. Any excitement I've had about that really cool car has faded and I'm just kinda wanting to crawl into a dark hole somewhere right now.

 

[latexscooter]

I say that you all collectively agree on dates and then work with a TA to make arrangements. Just because you're all going together doesn't mean you have to be on top of each others heads 24/7. Also, by getting a TA you're taken out of the equation as being the answer for everything -and being the one to blame if something doesn't work out.

When we did a family trip we all met ahead of time to manage expectations. Everyone got a turn sharing what they wanted from the vacation and then using that, we decided our touring approach. In the long run it was decided we'd at the very least meet for a big table service meal each evening to discuss our day and see one another. In the end we spent more time with each other than that but it was because we chose to not because we had to.

I hear your exasperation but do your best to shift perspectives. This can be fun too! Good luck!

 

[HonestAbe]

I say that you all collectively agree on dates and then work with a TA to make arrangements. Just because you're all going together doesn't mean you have to be on top of each others heads 24/7. Also, by getting a TA you're taken out of the equation as being the answer for everything -and being the one to blame if something doesn't work out.

When we did a family trip we all met ahead of time to manage expectations. Everyone got a turn sharing what they wanted from the vacation and then using that, we decided our touring approach. In the long run it was decided we'd at the very least meet for a big table service meal each evening to discuss our day and see one another. In the end we spent more time with each other than that but it was because we chose to not because we had to.

I hear your exasperation but do your best to shift perspectives. This can be fun too! Good luck!

This is really good advice. I'm spending too much time ruminating on the negative than the good too so I'll work on the perspective shift

 

[latexscooter]

This is really good advice. I'm spending too much time ruminating on the negative than the good too so I'll work on the perspective shift

Oh, I feel your pain but having been down that road I now realize that so much was out of my control and it wasn't my job to ensure that everyone have a great time -even when it's in their nature not to. In the end it was great and although we haven't done a huge family trip in several years, I'm open to doing it again.

 

[TwistGrl101]

What about renting one big house in Windsor Hills?

 

[Forensicmom]

I also agree with the original poster about talking to the other people first. A TA will help too but you can come up with a "guestimate" of prices. Go on the Disney site and pick a few places, like one or two Value, then a Moderate and a Deluxe or two. That way, you can tell them the prices and see what price range people are open to. Then you can narrow down your field.

 

[gijules123]

I am planning for myself, dd(almost 2), dh, mil, fil, and sil and even with that small amount of peole it is getting hectic, so i can understand your concerns. I agree with talking with a TA my inlaws went on a trip like the one you are talking about it was 6 brother and sisters their spouses and children and my mil said she wouldn't have gone if it wasn't for the travel agent!

 

[AudreyLovesTheMouse]

Hi! I agree about the travel agent... but my advice would be to stay open to staying at different hotels. We did this once... traveled with another party who had different $/kid situations. We stayed at the Polynesian, and they stayed at Fort Wilderness. Their resort was perfect for them... ours was perfect for us... and we met up every day, had meals together... but also had our own time. One night we ate dinner at their hotel, one time they swam in our pool. It was PERFECT.

 

[RookieLady]

I traveled with extended family, and we stayed at three different resorts---CSR, Wilderness and Shades of Green. We did fine. We met in the park at an appointed time, and if you weren't there, you got left. It actually worked out fine because we all had cells to catch up, and we met for ADRs. My parents got tired before my boys, and my boys lost patience with the crowds before my parents. We were there at rope drop, had some mid morning time, and left them at the park for our afternoon break. We always had lunch and dinner together, so that part was nice. My brother, bless his heart, slugged it through from rope drop to the end, always with a companion (just different ones).

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

What about renting one big house in Windsor Hills?

We have never stayed offsite yet, but I think this is potentially a good option. If you have a large group going with kids, the Storytime villas look nice. I also agree with the poster who said that you should be open to staying in different resorts. Our family love to meet friends and family at Disney but often find their resort priorities are different than ours. Staying at different onsite resorts can work well because it allows for some "guilt-free" separation time when needed.