Planning strategies for large groups

[Rubygoose]

We've been to DLR 4 times as our family of 4 and we are now thinking of going during spring break with DH's sister, her 2 kids (my nieces), maybe my mother-in-law and maybe my other niece. The kids will be 9, 7, 7, 5 and 5 (all girls except for my DS5). I am a real over planner and like to have a park strategy for each day of our trip, since it really helps us maximize our time. I know how to plan for a family of 4, but I'm not sure how to do it for a group of 9! We'll be splitting up a little bit, as SIL wants to see WOC and I've seen it before and don't want to bother. Also, I have a feeling she won't want to do as many character meals and table service meals as DH and I.

Any tips from anyone who has traveled with a large group and with 5 kids in tow?

 

[DisneylandPlanner]

This is how most of our trips go My recommendation is to make 1 TS meal reservation a day. I recommend eating late lunch. I ask who wants to join us.
I send out a general itinerary like Mon start at Disneyland Lunch at Carnation evening WOC, Tues start at DCA Lunch Carthay evening Fantasmic.
I do find it is best to let everyone tour the park on there own.

 

[crystal1313]

Hi, I traveled with 2 of my SIL and their combined 5 kids plus my own 2 and my MIL. It's a big group. I would guess that you probably aren't going to hang out all day together (and that can be a good thing sometimes!).

I think it's a good thing to take breaks from one another. They might want to eat somewhere different, or go on different attractions, etc and that's fine! You can always meet up later. Or maybe plan to do one meal a day together or something. It can be hard to all agree on the same thing at the same time too.

It gets tricky with budget as well. They might have a lower or higher budget then you and no one wants to feel uncomfortable about that either. I would talk to them and see what their expectations are. Tell them how your family tours and see if they are interested in doing the same or want to do their own thing.

I would also prepare yourself for everyone to be looking at you as to what to do next, etc. My family knows I am DL obsessed and always look to me for advice for everything and sometimes that can be a lot of pressure, especially if they don't go to the parks as often as you do.

It can be really fun! It can be trying at times too! Also, I would think about if you have a different parenting style then your SIL. We had some issues pop up with that on our trips in terms of behavior we do not allow in line, but SIL did with her DS that became increasingly frustrating as the trip went on.

Make sure you take lots of photos while you are all together too! No matter what you will have a good time because you will be at DL!

 

[ehrawn]

We did this in Aug: our family (DH, DW, DD5, DS3), MIL, FIL, SIL*2, BIL, DN2, DN9, DN12 and my brother. We started together in FL, got through two rides together before the older ones wanted to do things the younger ones weren't up for. We did a sort of slinky thing where groups would ride atractions, adults would make coffee and FP runs, and then everyone would meet up afterwords. It didn't work- too much standing around. smaller groups, especially if you are going for multiple days, is better. Just meet up for meals or breaks back at lodging instead of trying to herd all those cats.

 

[scrapshappen]

So I'm an planner too. (I feel like I'm at some kind of DL Planning Support Group Meeting). I usually just go with my DH and 2 sons, but last month we did it with my DB, DSIL, their 4 kids (ages 2-9), her brother (no relation to me), my cousin and her toddler. My DH baled on us at the last minute for a work trip so it ended up being 12 all together.

What I did might be a bit of over kill, but I had everyone who had been to DL before rank each ride and attraction on a scale: 0 (you couldn't pay me to do that), 1 (I'll go if everyone else is going), 2 (I want to do that once) or 3 (I love that ride and would do it over and over if I could). For the little ones, we just entered a number based on whether they could ride it or not. I put it all on an elaborate spread sheet. Then I totaled everyone's score for each ride and made a plan based on that.

We did not stay together the entire time, but we would often split up in less obvious ways than just my family and his family. More often we'd split up by who loved certain rides and who didn't.

For meals, my brother and I discussed what TS places were on both of our lists. Then I gave my cousin the link to those menus and told her to let me know if she wanted to join us before I made the reservation. For the other meals, we kind of just planned on eating counter service in general areas like Pacific Wharf so everyone could find something that they wanted to eat.

Good luck! I loved spending time with my nieces and nephews and my cousin and her son in DL. It was fun to see it through their eyes instead of just my own little family. (However, I will say that I am looking forward to going back next month with just my family too.)