planning for extended family--need help!

[vacationplanner]

Hi! I have been put in charge of planning a trip for Jan 2003. There will be 8 adults, 9 year old, 4 year old, 2- 3year olds, 1 year old. The kids are in 2 families. So, there is an adult couple, and Grandma & Grandpa.

I haven't been since late 1980's, so I am clueless. I have 2 cousins that have been to WDW every year at least once since 1995, so they are a great help. They recommend we stay at the Boardwalk. I thought we may want to get rooms that have a separate bedroom for naps etc for the 2 families with the kids. I also thought those families may need a room with a regular refridgerator. After reading this, I am wondering how much do we need in a room???? I know the Boardwalk is very close to Epcot, but would we be better to be close to Magic Kingdom given the ages of the kids???

Cost is not a huge issue. Grandma and Grandpa are paying, but I don't want to take advantage.

Any suggestions would be GREAT!!!

Thanks!!

 

[Kermit]

That's a tough decision. The MK area is great for that age, but so is having a separate bedroom and a fridge. You could consider WLV. You wouldn't be able to ride the monorail to the MK, but you could ride a boat.

My preference would probably be to stick to a villa if you can swing it, even if it does mean you'll be by Epcot. The 9 year old will love it, as will the adults. Your little ones are so little that they'll enjoy the other theme parks if you do MK last.

 

[danicaw]

I think if you can swing a multi bedroom unit, either at BW or WLV you would be set. They should have a small kitchen or kitchenette and maybe washer and dryer.
Do you think you will want to tour the parks as a group or each go your own way? We we took the lead on planning a family trip end of 2000. It was all adults, but it was a tough thing. I know what I want to do and see but I didn't like making the call for everyone.
So, we planned a handful of days with all of us touring together and then ended with a couple free days. We gave everyone the plan early on, but ended up recapping every evening "tomorrow we are going to the MK". It worked out well. We are DVC members so our lodging was an easy one. We stayed in a OKW Grand Villa and had more room than we knew what to do with.
Good luck. I am sure you will all have a blast.

 

[ducklite]

I would suggest The Villas at WL. You can take the boat launch over to the MK. With that many adults and kids, a villa would be a really good idea, having the kitchen and washer/dryer will be very convenient.

Anne

 

[mikesmom]

There are Villas at VWL but I don't believe there is anything larger than a 2 bdrm, so you'd have to get 2 reservations and hope they could get them close together.

I'd go for what is called a Grand Villa at OKW or Boardwalk. That is three bedrooms, full kitchen, washer/dryer and plenty of common area for visiting. That being said, those resorts are Vacation Club and the Grand Villas are popular so you need to get after it quick to have a chance.

The other option at either of those or the WL would be a 2 bdrm and a studio nearby. The 2 bdrm would have the kitchen, washer, etc.

 

[vacationplanner]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Grandma & Grandpa want to get separate rooms for each family (4 total). I should have mentioned that initially. Oops!! They think that we will all get on each other's nerves and it would be better to have separate rooms so we can have time away from the group!! This is a once in a lifetime trip and they want to do it in a way to minimize the risk of getting on each other's nerves from being together day and night. I think that I am going to try to get 2-studio rooms at BW and 2- 1bedroom rooms at BW. I will request them to be close to each other too. BW sounds like it has a family atmosphere. right??? My cousin said they have a carnival-like setting outside with clowns, facepainting, magicians.

Knowing the situation with how we are planning to do the rooms, let me know if you all think that BW is the way to go, or if another option would be better. Thanks!!

Also, I am planning on putting together a day-to-day itinerary for the group. I think I will leave time for doing whatever you choose each day. Of course everyone will know and be reminded that they don't have to follow the itinerary. I think we would waste a lot of time with a group this size to decide after each site what to do next. Plus, if nothing else, my family can follow the itinerary ourselves!!! I want to put together a list of must do's and don'ts and then get input from the others. The others have had minimal to no visits to WDW so we are all beginners!!

Thanks again for all of your help!!! Maybe I will be helping others on this site once I have my WDW experience!!!

inkbounc

 

[Tiger Fan]

This will be a tough project, but tons of fun and if all goes well, extremely rewarding. This past Nov/Dec we went with a group of 8 people total (3 families) with an age range from 4 years to 65 years. I was so stressed that this trip would end friendships, but it turned out to be one of our best trips ever. You are on the right track with an itinerary. I becamse so obsessed that I even bound our group's schedule and gave each adult a copy. We had a couple of get togethers prior to the trip that we talked about what we all wanted to accomplish. Once the trip started we stressed that no one should feel obligated to stick to the schedule. Each family should feel free to "do their own thing". We ended up spending 80% of our time together and most meals and it was wonderful. The one day that the rest of the group ventured off without us at dinner they talked about how lost they were without their great guide (I was so honored!). Good luck and enjoy the planning. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

Lisa

 

[JerseyJanice]

This is a big trip, and you're not dealing with your money.

In such a case, I recommend you contact Dreams Unlimited here. You won't pay more than you would on your own, and I really think you could use their professional expertise.