Report: Vacation with 16 ppl, most not DVC.

[Anal Annie]

We want to plan an extended family trip for late summer '09 for my parents 50th anniversary...but I KNOW my brother's going to be a pain in my butt. He's never had a vacation and he has no money. But that's why I brought it up 2 years in advance...so he can SAVE up for his park tickets. I figure if we provide the PLACE to stay that's a lot, right? And then maybe we'll use the DDE card to help with a couple of dinners. But we should not be expected to foot the entire bill for everything, right? None of you do all that, do you?

I know that finding a DATE that's agreeable to everyone is probably going to be the hardest challenge. I would like to go in mid-August when the points drop - plus my parents anniv. is really Sept. 5 but we can't go then 'cuz of school...so late August would be the closest thing. I have NO INTENTION of trying to stick with the group all day. They need to figure out how to manage their time on their own or else Dateline will be doing a special on "What went wrong with this family at WDW". I am debating if we should try to get (2) 2 bedroom units or just several studios 'cuz I'm already thinking we'd probably be better off to each have our own space. (Plus it would use less points.) I don't want to hear them fussing all the time. Let them go complain to each other in peace.

My other thought was to try out Vero Beach instead of the parks...that would be cheaper for them to not have to buy park tickets...but I didn't know how the availability would be say for (4) studios / inn rooms or (2) 2 bedroom units. Anybody ever try booking like that at VB for late August with the 7 mo. window?

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Grand Gathering Planner/Attendee/Survivor checking in here.

I second TIP #3 - We just could not have don it if we all stuck together. We gathered for some meals, caught fireworks and fantasmic together... but mostly we were with our own families. It worked out great.

 

[grizbuzz]

Love your tips...especially tip #5

We brought along the family (a group of 11) this past February on a 4-day Wonder cruise and 3-day WDW stay. I now really appreciate how lovely it is to travel with just us four. I think someday I will be ready to once again brave bringing along the extended family, I think. But ONLY if they really really want to go. No more dragging reluctant participants through Disneyworld.

 

[DisFlan]

We've done it a couple of times with a group of eight and had a blast - but I wouldn't want to go any larger!

DisFlan

 

[Off-The-Deep-End]

Such good and true tips!!

I hope all newer members and anyo0ne planning a large pilgramage to the world read, understand and follow the invaluable advice presented here.

This advice will prevent disasters, and save relationships. The heat and humidity (and cost) of WDW can bring out the worst in many otherwise sane people!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We do family reunions every year, different states and settings. 3 Families, sometimes 4 = 6 Adults and 5 children. The kids have grown up knowing eachother through these reunions. We cover Florida, New York and Tennessee. I've hosted it twice with my DVC, this year will be the third. We love being together, the GV at OKW is the perfect accomodation for a large gathering. We love one another and no amount of cranky kids, argueing, heat or exaustion would prevent us from staying together. By the same token we know each other well enough to know when some one needs a break or needs some alone time. Our family albums are full of these memories and it's a tradition that continued even after my parents passed. Disney has a big place in my heart, many many years full of special times...and I can't wait for Jun 6th to get started on the next set of memories.

 

[BroganMc]

Looks like I'll be doing the 17 people thing next June. Tip #1 is what I've been pushing for since I know it'll be a disaster otherwise. (My brothers think they can just stay offsite that week and have the family togetherness.) I don't even want to contemplate the conflict that breaks out when some of the kids get to do EMH and pool hopping and others don't because their offsite.

We've traveled together before and will do so this summer (to our nearby beach). Having the little cousins together makes it all worthwhile. Especially to see the influence they have on each other. (I envision them growing up to be college roommates at some point.)

But it is almost always stressful for the adults. You simply cannot get that many people talking at once without confusion and frustration.