Oh No...

[DonaldnDaisy5]

So we went on a large family trip with dh family. I played tour guide and trip organizer. I may as well have had a flag as I was leading the group around. It was an ok trip. Not my ideal. Not my kids ideal.

BUT apparently everyone else had such a wonderful time they want to know when WE (as in all of us) are going back....

 

[NEDisneyFans]

So we went on a large family trip with dh family. I played tour guide and trip organizer. I may as well have had a flag as I was leading the group around. It was an ok trip. Not my ideal. Not my kids ideal.

BUT apparently everyone else had such a wonderful time they want to know when WE (as in all of us) are going back....

I do most of the planning and organizing for our extended family trips -- my in-laws use their DVC points to take everyone to WDW every five years. This trip will include 13-month and 30-month old toddlers, an eleven-year old, and eight adults. The plans will be a bit different than our usual trips, so my wife and I will be staying on for a few days to tour "our way."

If you take on the family trip, tack on a few days for just you and your immediate family and enjoy yourselves!

 

[rajahfan7]

i've always wanted to do a big family trip but every thread on dis makes me question that hahah

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

It was fun, don't get me wrong...however, once was enough.

I felt like it was my job to keep everyone entertained. I like to plan and "boss" my own family around, but its easier to keep the 5 of us happy then 14 people. When I am paying that much for a vacation I want what makes me or my family happy all the time, I don't want to be worried about other people.

Maybe that is wrong or selfish...but there was one point in our vacation when all I wanted was to walk through the gift shop and look at something (I don't remember what at this point) so I said to DH I'll just run in. I took the stroller and went in. I turned around behind me at one point and saw the entire line of family members were behind me, with my DH at the end of the line looking sheepish, because he knew I just wanted a few minutes...

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Maybe they'd all be more comfortable venturing off on their own this time. I'm sure you can't be the only one who felt like breaking from the pack.

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

Possibly...one family did a bit (usually the family that drives me the most crazy). Ds son and I stayed in park last day and they stayed with us while dh and girls, his parents, and other brothers family went back for a break. We had fun with them for those hours because being a smaller group we could walk forty steps without someone needing the bathroom!

But I really just want family time with OUR family. We spend many weekends at the family cabin with inlaws (minus the family that lives out of state) so I feel like we do a lot of extended family time and feel like some just us family time should be important too.

 

[wiigirl]

Maybe they'd all be more comfortable venturing off on their own this time. I'm sure you can't be the only one who felt like breaking from the pack.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

It was fun, don't get me wrong...however, once was enough.

I felt like it was my job to keep everyone entertained. I like to plan and "boss" my own family around, but its easier to keep the 5 of us happy then 14 people. When I am paying that much for a vacation I want what makes me or my family happy all the time, I don't want to be worried about other people.

Maybe that is wrong or selfish...but there was one point in our vacation when all I wanted was to walk through the gift shop and look at something (I don't remember what at this point) so I said to DH I'll just run in. I took the stroller and went in. I turned around behind me at one point and saw the entire line of family members were behind me, with my DH at the end of the line looking sheepish, because he knew I just wanted a few minutes...

I know exactly how you feel and I don't think it's wrong or selfish to want to enjoy your hard earned vacation. I felt the same way when we took my MIL last year. She had a fantastic trip, but I, the planner, I had just an okay trip. I found it stressful trying to make sure that she was having a good time. I would imagine that stress would be 10 times worse if there were 14 to plan for instead of just 1 extra.

Last week we took a trip with my parents. We added on a few days at the end of the trip just to enjoy our little family. I really liked that extra family time and would recommend doing that if you must do a big family trip again.

 

[mm1971]

So we went on a large family trip with dh family. I played tour guide and trip organizer. I may as well have had a flag as I was leading the group around. It was an ok trip. Not my ideal. Not my kids ideal.

BUT apparently everyone else had such a wonderful time they want to know when WE (as in all of us) are going back....

It was fun, don't get me wrong...however, once was enough.

I felt like it was my job to keep everyone entertained. I like to plan and "boss" my own family around, but its easier to keep the 5 of us happy then 14 people. When I am paying that much for a vacation I want what makes me or my family happy all the time, I don't want to be worried about other people.

Maybe that is wrong or selfish...but there was one point in our vacation when all I wanted was to walk through the gift shop and look at something (I don't remember what at this point) so I said to DH I'll just run in. I took the stroller and went in. I turned around behind me at one point and saw the entire line of family members were behind me, with my DH at the end of the line looking sheepish, because he knew I just wanted a few minutes...

Sounds like you did an awesome job and should be proud everyone had such a great time!

My suggestion would be to plan something a few years out. In the meantime you can take more private vacations in the middle. Be honest, explain how much work it is and the time that goes into planning. Let them know you would like a more private vacation first and then you'll be ready to go again. We have a large family and took back to back trips. We all go our separate ways though. We will spend a couple of days together, meet up for certain events and meals. Other than that, everyone splits up to get some more free time without everyone together. With all that, it is much better to take other, more personal trips between family/group outings.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Would it be possible to PLAN some alone time? Make separate ADRs for each family for example and steer everyone to where the need to go eat before going for your own meal? You could plan to meet up at a certain place later on so your family gets a little park time after eating.

We're planning to go with my cousin and her husband again next January. That only makes five of us and we do plan to spend a lot of time together, but we also know there are some things we want to do separately. She wants to watch Wishes from the Poly beach with her hubby and my family plans to go back to AKL to try out the night vision goggles and spend some time around the campfire. We are booking at the same resort, but we aren't linking the reservations. That way, we'll be close enough to meet up at the pool or the bus stop, but my daughter won't think she can come and go from their room any time she wants.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

Would it be possible to PLAN some alone time? Make separate ADRs for each family for example and steer everyone to where the need to go eat before going for your own meal? You could plan to meet up at a certain place later on so your family gets a little park time after eating.

Exactly my thoughts! I was working on a large vacation plan (trip didn't happen) for last year, but after a while I was feeling overwhelmed with the idea of sleeping near each other, eating with each other...I knew the grandparents wouldn't want to miss out on any of the kids' adventures, but can you just imagine...4 adults crowding the lines and not riding. So I asked each couple/family for a couple of REALLY WANT rides, shows and restaurants.

I was planning the ADR for those meals for them. It also knocked down that obligatory tip on parties of 6 or more.

I read a few articles on the PassPorter website and that really helped. I'm willing to plan it again in a few years--hopefully it will work out this next time.

 

[erddig]

Would it be possible to PLAN some alone time? Make separate ADRs for each family for example and steer everyone to where the need to go eat before going for your own meal?.

Yes it is possible and IMO makes for a much better trip for everyone! What I do do is plan the overall schedule: which park on what day, group meals, water park day etc. then I share information about touring each park etc. At each park we plan some group events- meeting for a parade or show, riding a ride, eating etc. Then off we go as individual groups in that park. Sometimes kids switch adults and some of the older kids group up and head off alone, the grandparents will often go with the family with the youngest or largest "brood" but they do a great time spreading themselves out amount us. I feel everyone is happier being a little independent in the parks ( they will text questions

 

[roscoepc1]

We took my mom last time, AND she is going again this time...

Last time the girls were 6 and 10, this time they will be 11 and 15, big difference! Last time we did Princess everything AND it was the first trip for all of us. We met for supper every night. Too much! It WAS nice in that Mom took the girls to her room for one night (she had a king bed) so dh and I got to go see the fireworks by ourselves, etc.

This time we're even staying in separate resorts. Mom feels confident enough that she's sticking with a Value resort and we're doing POR as we got a PIN. I *think* we will meet for dinner every third night this time or 3 times in the week. Cinderella's Happy Ever After meal, 50's Primetime, and one other...they're the most fun in a group!

The rest of the time we'll do our own thing. Mom's stamina isn't great, so I know she'll be going back to her room for a lot of rests...she has end-stage cancer; still mobile etc, but not up to keeping up with us full-time.

If I was planning for a group, I'd still stick with this kind of model...meet up every once in a while, but do your own thing the rest of the time.

 

[millerpjm]

I had a similar experience on a DCL cruise. IMHO, unless the relatives are paying for you to be "tour guide", you are within your rights to have your own vacation. Disney is too expensive to have to compromise that much.