Planning multi-family trip, need advice

[Staciebobacie]

I'd like to start planning for a multi-family (4 in all) trip for Oct. 2009. All the families have kids that will be about the same ages (a few 4yo and a few 2yo). So, I just don't know where to start. I'd like to stay off-site and be in the parks for 3 days. I'm assuming all the families will be driving in but I'm not going to try to factor gas into the equation. I'm more concerned with hotel/tickets/food. I'll work on the details later but I'd like to be able to start with a rough price estimate.

Does anybody have suggestions or resources I should check out? Also, anyone have experience going with multiple families?

 

[Mugglemama]

i would check getawaytoday.com for the hotel/tix packages first. it will give you an idea of what your cost will be, and familiarize yourself with the off-site hotels in the surrounding area.

there's another thread going right now, called "how much for food for family of 4" or something like that, and you can get a good idea of food cost estimates from that.

hope that helps!

 

[avalon451]

Here's a link to a map that shows all around the resort, and it's kind of nice because you just click on the name of the hotel, and the link takes you to their website where you can check out amenities, rooms, prices, etc.

http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

It's nice to stay within walking distance, because with kids, you can go back to the hotel midday to swim and rest. A lot of people around here like HoJo because they run really good Entertainment book rates, they're in walking distance across Harbor, and they have a spiffy new water playground, in addition to their regular pool.

Hope that helps!

 

[trodrigue]

Hi. I am going in Feb. with four, maybe five families. One has young kids, age 9 months, 3 years, and 5 years. I have a 5 year old and a 12 year old. The other families have two 12 year olds. So we are planning on all staying at Howard Johnson. My family will have 5 days in the parks, two other families are doing 3 days, and one family doesn't really know yet. We will probably do one character meal together, and beyond that it will primarily be passing in the halls, as we will all have our own priorities. I am looking forward to enjoying everyone's company, but not at all willing to stress out being responsible for everyone's fun.

 

[Staciebobacie]

Thank you all for the ideas. The prices I've found are much more reasonable then I had anticipated. I'll have to check with the group about how many days they want to spend in the parks. With such young kids I'm thinking even 3 days may be too much but I'll have to test the waters on that one.

Thanks again, I have a jumping off point now.

 

[silence]

The one thing I can tell you from my experience with a multi-family trip is, not everyone HAS to do EVERYTHING together.

We did a trip some time ago with 4 families, there were 17 of us.

Since we had been to the park numerous times, we went in with the expectation we were going to do what the other families wanted to do each day, since they had never been. It was so frustrating....

We'd get off a ride and stand around for 10-15 min why everyone would try to figure out "what's next". After the first day, I took charge. Told everyone "you can follow us, or go do your own thing and we can meet up for meals".

Anyways, it's hard to do the parks with a lot of people is all I'm saying without some sort of understanding of a "plan" or "leader" up front.

 

[Staciebobacie]

Good thing to keep in mind Silence. I was picturing the idealistic situation of the four 4 year old taking the place by storm . I should know better.

 

[Brady's Mom]

We did a multi family trip in March and are doing one again in Dec. It was really fun - BUT.

1. Be the leader - especially since you found this board. It will give you all of the tips you need to know. Don't be afraid to take charge, even if it is to have a touring plan and knowing what your family is doing. This solves a lot of frustrating problems like Silence said. Since everyone else has no idea what to do or how to do it efficiently, they will be grateful for a leader. Also, if someone wants to do something completely different than you, they can, and nobody has hurt feelings.

2. It is okay to make the reservations and dining PS's for everyone. As long as you are not locked in on being the one who pays and then needs to be paid back. I have made the ressies and everything - but am under no obligation to pick up the tab. We will not share bills and split the cost. Everyone is responsible for their share.

3. Keep a "fairly" regular schedule for your kids and you can enjoy the parks longer and better. I always put my little kids to bed fairly early. Even if it means we miss the fireworks or fantasmic. I enjoy DLR on my kids level instead of going with my must do's. (This is a great reason to take a couples only trip and enjoy the parks at a more grown up level)

4. Take a stroller and snacks. Things your kids like to eat. Also stuff the grownups like. This makes standing in line a whole lot more pleasant because no one is hungry and whiny (usually!)

5. Stay close by. Walk to the Parks. Nothing puts a damper on your enjoyment of DLR if you are waiting for someone else who is not as quick as you are in the morning. If you want to get there for rope drop - do it. Have everyone who doesn't want to or can't get going that early meet you later.

6. Make a list of everything you want to do. Plan the "best" time to do it. (Peter Pan first - always first) Youtube the rides you think you might like your kids to ride and show them to your kids and any other family/friends that are going so they can know what to expect.

7. Oh and did I mention - it's okay to be the leader. Everyone will thank you later for all of the hard work you put into their trip and all of the rides/shows they got to go on or see.

If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me. I am happy to answer those that I can.

Shannon