goofy4wdw59
Long Time Disney Fan
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2000
- Messages
- 545
Our Family Thanksgiving trip began Sun Nov. 24th and ended Sat Nov 30th. Planning for this one took a good deal of time and energy--We planned over a year in advance and bought extra points at HH. That's what makes for a terrific vacation though, advance planning--especially for larger groups. There were some frustrating moments right up until hours before the trip began...("yes, I'm going...no, I'm not!!...no...I am going!" Bang your head against the wall!) YES, it was worth it in the end!
We reserved a Grand Villa (for my family), and two 2-bedrooms (for DH's-Johnnie Fedora's family) for a total of 18. There were 11 in the GV, 3 in one 2-bed unit, and, 4 in the other 2-bed unit.
My family included: My parents(I haven't seen in over 2 years), my sister--going thru a divorce, my other sister and her two kids (ages 11 & 8) and me, DH, DD age 5, DS age 3 and DD 3-mos!
DH's family included: first 2-bed, his parents and mentally handicapped sister, other 2-bed was one brother, and the other brother with DS, age 17, DD age 13.
I split out the ages to show the various ages, etc of our group. I sometimes had my doubts how it would work out with so many different people.
The 2-bed units were very spacious for DH's family, and a big success. The Grand Villa was just great. Disney definitely knows what it's doing in designing space for family gatherings.
Many of you already know these things--I'm going to list some of the reasons that the rooms worked so well for us:
(In no particular order/would depend on your own preferences!)
BATHROOMS: Everybody (almost) gets a bathroom. I grew up in a house(s) with my parents & four kids and ONE bathroom-largely dominated by my father. "Don't tie up the bathroom, I may need to get in there" or..."Are you going to be in there long?" In his defense, he had physical conditions that caused him to focus on the bathroom. I was surprised to find a shower in the GV first floor/main bathroom--my lone sister used this one.
SPACE: Everyone has some space...their bed and TV. My dad & mom were able to escape upstairs to their room for quiet time, naps, TV, bathroom!, etc. The fold-out couch in the living room wasn't used--we had our kids in the big bedroom with us (on a double air mattress and portable bassinet for baby). That way, when our kids went to bed, the main area was open for people to use. The only one who didn't exactly have space was my lone sister--she slept in the other queen bed in my parents room. She spent much time on the deck as the only smoker in the group...so...I guess you could say she had her space too!
The deck is huge and has a full-size picnic table and rocking chairs. My other sister & her kids shared the remaining bedroom and it worked very well for them.
FULL KITCHEN: Great for the comings & goings. Some eat breakfast, some don't, etc. For Thanksgiving day, we ordered the deep-fried turkey dinner but also baked a turkey & other stuff. We had wwwwway toooo much food. We will know better next time!
BIG TABLE/SITTING FOR TEN: The Grand Villa has a nice big dining table and I brought a tablecloth and napkins I never use. It's rare that we all eat together, so, it was very nice to have Thanksgiving with most everyone there. We still ate "buffet" style/somewhat in shifts but we were all there together. I don't know if we will have that opportunity again!
FULL SIZE WASHER & DRYER: This was used alot. Everyone had a chance to do some laundry if they wanted.
KIDS' PROGRAMS: The kids ages 5 and up had several doings they could attend. Some required a fee. My 5-yo DD attended a few of these, including making a christmas wreath and pizza & movie night. With the kids involved in the programs, they weren't always underfoot. Even the teens enjoyed the teen nights out! Grandma got to spend alot of time with baby.
Well, these are some main reasons for success that I can think of off the top of my head. We also used the fireplace, and when requested, a CM brought us more wood to burn!
We also did the "Private Affair" (GREAT CRAB CAKES) but that's for another post...Sorry so long!!
It was so good to have many family members tell us how much they liked their vacation. It really made it all worthwhile!
KEENERCAM--I wanted to post something on your earlier HH post, but, haven't been able to be on the DIS much! DH (Johnnie) wanted to attend the DIS meet, and me and my sister were thinking of going too, but, unforeseen family issues took over, HA!
We reserved a Grand Villa (for my family), and two 2-bedrooms (for DH's-Johnnie Fedora's family) for a total of 18. There were 11 in the GV, 3 in one 2-bed unit, and, 4 in the other 2-bed unit.
My family included: My parents(I haven't seen in over 2 years), my sister--going thru a divorce, my other sister and her two kids (ages 11 & 8) and me, DH, DD age 5, DS age 3 and DD 3-mos!
DH's family included: first 2-bed, his parents and mentally handicapped sister, other 2-bed was one brother, and the other brother with DS, age 17, DD age 13.
I split out the ages to show the various ages, etc of our group. I sometimes had my doubts how it would work out with so many different people.
The 2-bed units were very spacious for DH's family, and a big success. The Grand Villa was just great. Disney definitely knows what it's doing in designing space for family gatherings.
Many of you already know these things--I'm going to list some of the reasons that the rooms worked so well for us:
(In no particular order/would depend on your own preferences!)
BATHROOMS: Everybody (almost) gets a bathroom. I grew up in a house(s) with my parents & four kids and ONE bathroom-largely dominated by my father. "Don't tie up the bathroom, I may need to get in there" or..."Are you going to be in there long?" In his defense, he had physical conditions that caused him to focus on the bathroom. I was surprised to find a shower in the GV first floor/main bathroom--my lone sister used this one.
SPACE: Everyone has some space...their bed and TV. My dad & mom were able to escape upstairs to their room for quiet time, naps, TV, bathroom!, etc. The fold-out couch in the living room wasn't used--we had our kids in the big bedroom with us (on a double air mattress and portable bassinet for baby). That way, when our kids went to bed, the main area was open for people to use. The only one who didn't exactly have space was my lone sister--she slept in the other queen bed in my parents room. She spent much time on the deck as the only smoker in the group...so...I guess you could say she had her space too!
The deck is huge and has a full-size picnic table and rocking chairs. My other sister & her kids shared the remaining bedroom and it worked very well for them.FULL KITCHEN: Great for the comings & goings. Some eat breakfast, some don't, etc. For Thanksgiving day, we ordered the deep-fried turkey dinner but also baked a turkey & other stuff. We had wwwwway toooo much food. We will know better next time!
BIG TABLE/SITTING FOR TEN: The Grand Villa has a nice big dining table and I brought a tablecloth and napkins I never use. It's rare that we all eat together, so, it was very nice to have Thanksgiving with most everyone there. We still ate "buffet" style/somewhat in shifts but we were all there together. I don't know if we will have that opportunity again!
FULL SIZE WASHER & DRYER: This was used alot. Everyone had a chance to do some laundry if they wanted.
KIDS' PROGRAMS: The kids ages 5 and up had several doings they could attend. Some required a fee. My 5-yo DD attended a few of these, including making a christmas wreath and pizza & movie night. With the kids involved in the programs, they weren't always underfoot. Even the teens enjoyed the teen nights out! Grandma got to spend alot of time with baby.
Well, these are some main reasons for success that I can think of off the top of my head. We also used the fireplace, and when requested, a CM brought us more wood to burn!
We also did the "Private Affair" (GREAT CRAB CAKES) but that's for another post...Sorry so long!!
It was so good to have many family members tell us how much they liked their vacation. It really made it all worthwhile!
KEENERCAM--I wanted to post something on your earlier HH post, but, haven't been able to be on the DIS much! DH (Johnnie) wanted to attend the DIS meet, and me and my sister were thinking of going too, but, unforeseen family issues took over, HA!
