Planning a trip for 21 people in 2015

[spruce]

We've done 11, 19 & 21. It is fun but add a couple of days decompression for yourself at the end. You'll find that in your interest to make certain your guests see whatever or have a great time, you'll not really do what you want. Remember, it's your vacation too.
Oh, and don't book too many meals, it constrains your time and is difficult to "gather the group", and be prepared for personal stress as you spend your time worrying about everyone else.
It's a lot of fun but I predict we're not going with more then 8 ever again. We've taken them all already, more than once.

 

[jekjones1558]

We've done 11, 19 & 21. It is fun but add a couple of days decompression for yourself at the end. You'll find that in your interest to make certain your guests see whatever or have a great time, you'll not really do what you want. Remember, it's your vacation too.
Oh, and don't book too many meals, it constrains your time and is difficult to "gather the group", and be prepared for personal stress as you spend your time worrying about everyone else.
It's a lot of fun but I predict we're not going with more then 8 ever again. We've taken them all already, more than once.

This is great advice!

 

[Chuck S]

Right now, the only full group meals we've talked about is the Cinderella meal in the castle and the princess meal at Akershus, for the little girls...they are really into the princesses. Other wise, we'll probably do a lot of meals as smaller groups and utilize the kitchens for in room meals.

20+ is just too many people to try to do everything en masse, and some already are planning individual activities. Some want to do Segway, others (certified divers) want to dive in the Living Seas, the Richard Petty experience, the steam train tour and so on.

So overall, I don't think it will be as stressful as it could be with such a large group.

 

[nunzia]

Hope it all goes well and makes me feel like a wimp for only having 17 on our big family trip coming up! I just booked the rooms..right now I have 2 1br and a studio and DH and I don't have a room and I ran out of points! I had hoped my purchase of more VGC points that I started last April would be done by now, but nope! So we have all our kids, spouses and grandkids set up and hope points come through in time for us to get a DVC room.
I'd love a TR on your trip to see how all the logistics work!

 

[rocketriter]

I'd break this into as many separate rooms as possible. People will still congregate in flocks. But this way they can make their own messes if they want to without annoying other folks.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

It's quite a ways away but I'm already looking forward to your trip report! I, personally love hosting friends/family in the OKW GV's but I do it because no one has ever cancelled on me when doing these big reunions! Of course the most I've ever organized was 16 people (a few who came and went in between, 13 at any given time) I can see why people book smaller villas in case of cancellation!

You have enough to commandeer 2 Illumination cruises!

21, Chuck, good luck and yes, if anyone can pull it off, it's you!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Good luck, Chuck!!! We love doing the GVs and I especially like them at OKW!

 

[YEWDVC]

Wow! Been there, done that about 15 years ago. I can only take this number of kin/friends at Thanksgiving. Have a great time and looking forward to your trip report.

 

[goofygurlie]

Good Luck, Chuck!! Although I am sure you won't need it. We are taking out immediate family of 12 in May this year...our first DVC trip. Only a third of us are veterans of WDW, but I just love traveling with Newbies. It makes it all new again.

Have fun!

~ Laura

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[AnnaS]

Sounds like it should be a great trip. The planning should be a lot of fun too!!!! We have a cruise coming up with 19 of us - should also be a fun and interesting one

 

[dianeschlicht]

We've done 11, 19 & 21. It is fun but add a couple of days decompression for yourself at the end. You'll find that in your interest to make certain your guests see whatever or have a great time, you'll not really do what you want. Remember, it's your vacation too.
Oh, and don't book too many meals, it constrains your time and is difficult to "gather the group", and be prepared for personal stress as you spend your time worrying about everyone else.
It's a lot of fun but I predict we're not going with more then 8 ever again. We've taken them all already, more than once.

I totally agree. We have only once done a large group trip without taking a few days to ourselves, and we found those days were very necessary! It gave us time to tour our favorites at our own pace, and truly enjoy our "home" away from home.

 

[wildernessDad]

Have fun! So, you found enough people interested to make it a group of 21?

We have a challenge of finding a few, let alone 10's of people.

It's one of the nice things about having DVC, the ability to invite friends and family.