Planning trip for 10+, have questions

[starsweeper]

My mom plans to invite her 2 sisters, their 4 children and 3 grandchildren, along with my family, on a WDW trip this summer. We've never gone with such a large group, and usually not during the summer. We plan to stay on property so everyone can get the full WDW experience. We would love any tips on the best weeks to go in the summer, any special group rates, special things we could do as a group, hotel suggestions, etc. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[m_fancher]

If you haven't already, you should look into the grand gathering experiences.
There is one at AK that sounds amazing! I believe you get a safari tour right before the park closes, then dinner at Bomas with character interaction and African performers. There are a few other options also just for large parties.
Have fun whatever you decide to do!

 

[mjkacmom]

Stay on different floors. We were a family of 10 (but just our family and my parents), and we NEEDED breaks from each other. We had a 2 bedroom BCV, they has a studio, and being on different floors helped to force breaks. Also, the larger the group, the harder it is to get ADR's.

 

[starsweeper]

Stay on different floors. We were a family of 10 (but just our family and my parents), and we NEEDED breaks from each other. We had a 2 bedroom BCV, they has a studio, and being on different floors helped to force breaks. Also, the larger the group, the harder it is to get ADR's.

Different floors may be a great idea. We will definitely have some different, and strong, personalities mixing. My mom was thinking villas, but they are super expensive and I'm having a hard time placing everyone in one comfortably. I'm thinking 3-4 moderate rooms would be cheaper and more convenient for everyone.

 

[mjkacmom]

Different floors may be a great idea. We will definitely have some different, and strong, personalities mixing. My mom was thinking villas, but they are super expensive and I'm having a hard time placing everyone in one comfortably. I'm thinking 3-4 moderate rooms would be cheaper and more convenient for everyone.

I rented points - so worth it!

 

[tictac]

I went this past Aug. with a group of about 19 the best tips I can share are to start now with a mindset that 1. not everything will go as planned 2. kids will be kids LET THEM ENJOY the trip 3. People sometimes want to wander around the stores or just the park if they have not been there (especially to take pictures) 4. make sure everyone knows your resort, how to board the bus, and how to get back so they are not dependant on you 5. Try to get everyone to use the RR at the same time..that is a big time waster. Kids tend to want to go in spurts. Make them all go in even if they dont think they want to go. My main thing was I made a list of the must see..if we got to see that in each park we were good. Other than that no big deal if we missed some stuff, everyone had a blast the kids loved it. I didnt want them to get overly fussy or tired being dragged and rushed. No one will have a good time with crying kids!! I did do A LOT of planning as to which parks were less busy on certain days and such and alternate plans in case something didnt work out with our ADR's. In the end we did everything and more with no meltdowns That is all i can remember for now feel free to ask for anything else

 

[starsweeper]

I went this past Aug. with a group of about 19 the best tips I can share are to start now with a mindset that 1. not everything will go as planned 2. kids will be kids LET THEM ENJOY the trip 3. People sometimes want to wander around the stores or just the park if they have not been there (especially to take pictures) 4. make sure everyone knows your resort, how to board the bus, and how to get back so they are not dependant on you 5. Try to get everyone to use the RR at the same time..that is a big time waster. Kids tend to want to go in spurts. Make them all go in even if they dont think they want to go. My main thing was I made a list of the must see..if we got to see that in each park we were good. Other than that no big deal if we missed some stuff, everyone had a blast the kids loved it. I didnt want them to get overly fussy or tired being dragged and rushed. No one will have a good time with crying kids!! I did do A LOT of planning as to which parks were less busy on certain days and such and alternate plans in case something didnt work out with our ADR's. In the end we did everything and more with no meltdowns That is all i can remember for now feel free to ask for anything else

Some great advice. Thank you!

We have very different groups - one family has no grandchildren, one family has 3 grandchildren ages 2 through 7, and I have two 3-year-olds. I'm sure we will want to plan time for each group to do something another group wouldn't choose. So I'll build time for that as you suggested. I like the RR idea as well, especially for the little ones.

 

[HannaBelle]

ITA with the PP, if someone stops to go...everyone needs to go! lol

Don't try to spend the entire day together.

Do check into Grand Gatherings and do the AK Safari, it is the best! (IMPO, the Epcot one is horrible! lol)

Try to have 1 meal a day together...don't expect to all sit together at the same table. WDW is not large group friendly, but they will try to sit you close together.

Make plans, but don't wait around for the late people...there will always be someone coming late...just go on without them and they do not get to be mad!

Relax, take it easy and make sure everyone knows they are incharge of their own schedule and maps! You do not want to be the tour guide.

You will have a blast!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Try to get everyone to use the RR at the same time..that is a big time waster.

I was stuck for a bit thinking you meant everyone to use the railroad together, lol.

We've done three 10+ trips now with a range of successes and failures. My best advice, sit everyone down and agree you do not have to be together every minute of every day. (repeat often!) I also do not recommend alot of "you do Peter Pan, we'll do Space Mountain,and then we'll meet back here." One group or the other inevitably does more time just waiting for the other group and that's not fair.

Plan out things you definately want to do together (maybe a few meals, or you want a group castle picture, whatever.) Plan a time for those, then let each subgroup plan the rest of their time. Some may be together, some not, but that is OK!

 

[nicki.momof3]

.

(IMPO, the Epcot one is horrible! lol)

Could you fill me in more on why you don't like the international dinner and illuminations dessert reception. We like the firework, characters, and movement idea for the kids.

We think it sounds so much better than the AK - you can ride a safari any time and with a group of 15+ you are close to your own truck anyway.

We booked the international one for April and would love to hear a little feedback. We are a group with 6 kids ages 3-7.

Thanks