Post your large-family-group-trip lessons learned here

[crisi]

Set realistic expectations - especially regarding crowds, early mornings, cost, and together time.

If someone thinks that 22 people are going to roam the parks together for a week, they need to be clued in (gently) to the logistical problems in such a move. We do it in writing ("because of the variety in ages and interests, plus we all know how much Dad likes to sleep in, it isn't practical for us all to spend every minute together. We will be collecting ideas for a few group activities.")

Cost: "We will pick up the cost of the rooms. You will need to pick up food, transportation, park tickets, etc. Attached are sample costs for this year." Put together a spreadsheet of sort of minimum costs (lots of counter service, eat in room, non-hoppers, magical express), recommended costs, and a budget buster cost (signature meals, special events).

Crowds and Mornings: "We are going during one of Disney's busiest times. Expect lines to get long by 11:00. If you want to see a lot of WDW on this trip, you'll probably want to plan on getting up early during this vacation and you'll probably want to do at least a little research on how to use Disney's Fastpass system, what rides are popular and which ones you can walk into even when its busy...."

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Hi! We've done this, but with a group of 10-11, 3 times, only staying in regular hotel rooms (Beach Club and Poly), so I have a few thoughts:

We had basically two families--DH and I and our (then) 2 kids, DBIL and his wife and 3 kids, then MIL, who brought a friend along. MIL and friend either went with the flow or ent on tours. What we did to plan meals was, everyone provided input to BIL or myself. All opinions were considered. Then DBIL and I locked ourselves in a room--nobody else was allowed--and came out with the meal list for making ADRs. Nobody got everything they wanted, but we did our best.

We were on the 3-meal-a-day plan, but it's next to impossible to get that many people eating together 3 times a day. Once a day is more practical.

We agreed to be in the same park on the same day, but didn't hang out together. We did run into each other at times.

As the parents of the youngest kids, DH and I were firm on nap time daily. Although we got eye-rolls the first trip, they stopped. Why? Our DS loses conciousness when overtired/overstimulated. Nobody believed it until they saw him pass out at a wedding. Now they believe!

Good luck to you--this can be fun, but does require a lot of planning.