Our First Disney Family Vaca

[LiCollDis101]

I was put in charge of organizing a family vacation for 16 of my family members ranging in age from 4 - 60. We are approaching our arrival date, 16 more days and I am growing increasingly concerned that I have done a poor job at planning the trip for everyone I was wondering if anyone would mine taking a rough glance at our itinerary and letting me know if you think that it is a good idea or not... Here is goes
Day 1:
We arrive and drop luggage at AK Resort at apx. 11:30am.
We will head to MK and stay there for the afternoon and evening we dinner reservation at The Crystal Palace at 8PM and we plan to stay for the fireworks.
Note: We fly in the night before and are staying at a airport property so we should be well rested.
Day 2:
AK where we have a FP for Kilimanjaro safari @9:15am.
We will hang out for the morning and grab a quick lunch there, then head to our hotel for maybe a swim or a nap depending on the little ones.
We have dinner reservations @ Epcot @ Coral Reef @ 6:45 so we will eat and then just wander around there to get an idea of what it is about.
Day 3:
MK we have bfast @ Cinderella's Castle @ 8:20
We will do the same type of day again departing MK early afternoon and heading for a rest time.
Dinner @ our hotel @ Boma @ 7:15PM
Day 4:
HS we have breakfast @Hollywood and Vine @ 8:05AM
Again the same afternoon plan and we have dinner @ 5:30 in DTD @ Raglan Road and then we will explore DTD
Day 5:
Some people will be going to the waterpark included in our package and others will be staying at the hotel to rest and swim
We will head to Epcot late afternoon and explore then have dinner @ Biergarten @ 6pm then explore Epcot more.
Day 6:
Open in the AM maybe people want to return to a park or swim
Dinner HS @ Prime Time Cafe @ 8PM
Day 7:
Same as Day 6 in AM
Dinner @ Polynesian Resort @ OHana at 8:30PM

And that is all! What do you all think?
I really appreciate anyone's feedback!
THANK YOU!!!!!

 

[Aliceacc]

I think you've done a wonderful job!! It's HARD to plan for a bunch of people, particularly to a place you haven't been before!!!!!

I was put in charge of organizing a family vacation for 16 of my family members ranging in age from 4 - 60. We are approaching our arrival date, 16 more days and I am growing increasingly concerned that I have done a poor job at planning the trip for everyone I was wondering if anyone would mine taking a rough glance at our itinerary and letting me know if you think that it is a good idea or not... Here is goes
Day 1:
We arrive and drop luggage at AK Resort at apx. 11:30am.
We will head to MK and stay there for the afternoon and evening we dinner reservation at The Crystal Palace at 8PM and we plan to stay for the fireworks.
Note: We fly in the night before and are staying at a airport property so we should be well rested. If you'll be in town, I would plan for an earlier arrival if possible. Go to AKL, ask them to hold your bags until your rooms are ready, and head straight to the parks. Make some FP's
that everyone can enjoy: let's say Buzz Lightyear, Jungle Cruise, and Peter Pan???

Day 2:
AK where we have a FP for Kilimanjaro safari @9:15am. Get one for Kali River Rapids before you head home. You WILL get wet, but it's so much fun!!!! Also, try to see the Festival of the Lion King-- everyone will LOVE that show!!! Also, get the little kids some time at the Dig site-- maybe while the older crew is doing Dinosaur??? They're reasonably close, and the kids will LOVE digging!!
We will hang out for the morning and grab a quick lunch there, then head to our hotel for maybe a swim or a nap depending on the little ones.
We have dinner reservations @ Epcot @ Coral Reef @ 6:45 so we will eat and then just wander around there to get an idea of what it is about.

Day 3:
MK we have bfast @ Cinderella's Castle @ 8:20 It really is lovely!! Make some FP's-- maybe a character Meet and Greet? Or some of the Fantasyland stuff?
We will do the same type of day again departing MK early afternoon and heading for a rest time.
Dinner @ our hotel @ Boma @ 7:15PM

Day 4:
HS we have breakfast @Hollywood and Vine @ 8:05AMTry HARD, to get a FP for Toy Story Mania for everyone-- they'll ALL love it!!! We also like the Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, and the Stunt Show.
Again the same afternoon plan and we have dinner @ 5:30 in DTD @ Raglan Road and then we will explore DTD

Day 5:
Some people will be going to the waterpark included in our package and others will be staying at the hotel to rest and swim
We will head to Epcot late afternoon and explore then have dinner @ Biergarten @ 6pm then explore Epcot more.Even if it means doing it on two different nights, try to get everyone the chance to see Illuminations. (Maybe one set of adults can take all the kids back one night, then switch for the other?? It's one of my favorite parts of WDW!!! And fastpass Soarin', maybe Turtle Talk with Crush and Maelstrom???

Day 6:
Open in the AM maybe people want to return to a park or swim
Dinner HS @ Prime Time Cafe @ 8PM
Take a look at all the Frozen stuff going on at DHS. And make another FP for Toy Story Mania!!!!

Day 7:
Same as Day 6 in AM
Dinner @ Polynesian Resort @ OHana at 8:30PM

And that is all! What do you all think?
I really appreciate anyone's feedback!
THANK YOU!!!!!

Some other details: consider getting everyone a dollar store poncho or two, and include one for each of the strollers. The odds are good that you'll need them.

Also, try to get a few Misters-- we love the Misty Mate personal misters. (You can order them at amazon or walmart.com) They make the summer humidity in WDW bearable!!! You don't each need one-- one or two per family will be plenty!!!!

Consider making FPs for the group, either just before you break for lunch or around dinner time. If they choose not to use the FP, no harm done. But it's a huge advantage, and you may be sorry that you didn't pre-book.

I'm guessing everyone is linked to your My Disney Experience account, since you do have a FP or two already booked?? They why not book more, just in case you want to use them?

I love that you didn't give in to the compulsion to try to see it all and do it all!!!! You have the afternoons free-- those breaks will make a huge difference in the disposition of everyone in your group!

 

[Aliceacc]

My niece and I are the two planners for our upcoming trip.

If you want to PM me your email address, I can send you the whole document I gave everyone. It may help you a bit.

If you can't PM it, you could choose to post it here for 5 minutes; I'll keep checking back.

 

[PartOfYourWDWorld]

You are doing an excellent job! Planning for 16 is no easy feat!

Is there a reason you have only a couple fast passes booked? If possible, I would do three each day, and if you don't make them, oh well. But I think they'll come in handy, especially with a large group where people will probably want to split up to do different things.

The only other comment I have is that a half day at MK is not enough. Especially for the little kid/s. I would plan on going here on at least on of your two open days.

Oh, and excellent ADR choices. They appeal to different tastes, which is good for a large group.

Make sure you go with the flow while there. Things will happen that are beyond your control. Just sit back and enjoy

 

[LiCollDis101]

Thanks everyone. It has been very tricky I really appreciate all the positive feedback and advice. I have booked all of our FP just didn't include them as I am more concerned about the park hoping and restaurant choices I have made for such a large group!
Thanks again I really appreciate it.
Also thank you for the FP PM Alice that was very helpful

 

[LiCollDis101]

These are the FP I have selected some of the rides are for the teens only but just as an idea...
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Under The Sea Little Memaid
Enchanted Tales w/ Belle
Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin



Kilimanjaro Safari
Expedition Everest
Primeval Whirl
Dinosaur



Dumbo
Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain


Toy Story Mania
Star Tours
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular


Voyage of The Little Mermaid
Muppet Vision 3D
Fantasmic


Jungle Cruise
PeterPan's Flight
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

 

[Happyjen27]

It's so hard to plan a trip for other people. I did a trip with MIL/FIL and SIL/BIL and then our little family.

We decided to eat our meals together. We set a time each morning to meet at the monorail/bus stop. If anyone wanted to sleep in, or meet later, that was fine. We all had phones, etc. This way people could flex in and out of the group as needed for naps, exploration of other resorts (MIL/FIL enjoyed the GF on their own one afternoon).

I'm sure you've asked the parents of the little ones about the meal times and determined those times to be okay. My only concern about those times is how late it is for the littles, but, they can always skip if they need to. You won't have to pay the cancel fee, since most of your party will have shown up.

 

[LiCollDis101]

Thanks, yes for the little ones they are all mine So I am sure they will be fine as long as I allow them to snack in the afternoon, at home they usually eat around 7pm and as we are central time zone I think they will be able to handle it. It is tough though knowing what the teens and preteens that aren't mine will enjoy or even want to do.