The inlaws are coming....need to vent...

[Harryo]

Is it too late to cancel !!!!! LOL Have a good trip and I'd have a few cocktails if I were you!!

 

[dsnycrzy]

And I thought I was going to go crazy with managing 12 people. I do agree with Donald23, I have been trying to plan a family vacation every since my 1st time I went to DW in 98' and finally in 03' I've done it. Only thing is we will be missing one very important person who needed the trip more then us all, my mom. She passed away Oct.01'.
I will be making our T-shirts with her picture on it saying "taking you on vacation with us".

Have fun and any frustrating moments at the time will be funny memories later

 

[tmli]

You are raising 6 children, including triplets and twins---this group will be a piece of cake for you !! Like others said only organize some time for group activities, and leave lots of time for your family and smaller group outings.

I also have to say as the parent of only one child I am in complete awe of you!!! God bless.

 

[mrssalvaggio]

First, you definitely are not responsible to try and make everyone else happy. You should stay focused on your first objective, which was getting your DH and BIL together. Concentrate on doing things with his wife and kids. Try and do an adult evening at PI with them. Also just DH and BIL could maybe do a boating/fishing activity. Also, maybe all the moms could take the kids to a park or pool while dads go off, but only if the dads take the kids while the moms go off (maybe GF spa ).

Keep smiling

 

[pixiemomma]

Holy Moley! You are my hero. Well, I think it going to be VERY difficult keeping 31 people together. We went as a group of nine to USF and that was crazy enough for me.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Everyone has already said what I was going to say (about some get togethers for all but not all together all the time)- but I have to also agree.... you're amazing already to be raising 6 children of which 3 are triplets and 2 are twins!
Let me just bow down to you now. *bowing* I couldn't handle that! I'm sure you'll do fine with the extended family on the vacation.

(ps. I also agree with the idea of making lemonaide out of lemons- take advantage of the extended family if you can for a night or two without your children- sounds like you probably deserve it. You have to be very busy with those 6 kiddos. )

 

[BethC1952]

I don't have a problem if they all know that this is for the KIDS

Don't go with that attitude! This trip is for everyone--your kids, their kids, older "kids-at-heart".

I'm one of those people who doesn't think WDW is for kids. They can't enjoy it nearly as much as those of us who have a bit more "experience".

That said...plan your days, and tell everyone else what you're doing, and invite anyone who wants to join up with you at any time.

That's how we're handling our trip in December, which has grown from just DH and me for a romantic anniversary trip to 18 people and growing!

Beth

 

[mickeyfanz]

BevS97 had some good ideas. I would make up your itinerary and send it out to everyone long before the trip. Tell everyone that you don't want to force anyone to follow your schedule but that if they'd like to join you for any part that they may do so. That way you can make sure you included all who want to be for PS reservations, etc. Plus you may want to schedule some time for your family away from everyone if you think you need it.

Definitely plan a couple of events that you all will attend together. You may want to call WDW because they have some specialists for large groups that could give you ideas. I would think a waterpark day would be fun where you could all plop your stuff down together for the day. Maybe meeting at SpectroMagic and sitting together would be a good idea as well.

Definitely use the radios to communicate throughout the parks. You will spend your whole day waiting for people otherwise. This way you can see if anyone is in your area of the park and you could meet up at a ride.

You will definitely want to make sure you try to schedule the most time with the Australian crew since it is a rarity to see them. Plus they must have spent a small fortune on airfare alone.

I'm always the "planner" but I also don't want to become the vacation nazi that everyone hates so I let everyone know up front that I want everyone to do what they want but offer my plans to them. I think everyone appreciates that. Good luck!

 

[neverlandclub]

This seems to happen to me nearly every trip until we finally put our foot down that we needed alone time with our kids.
Take my advice if you wish to remain sane and enjoy the trip-

1.) Don't try to be the organizer (or let them make you the organizer) for everywhere you go or eat, etc... There is always someone unhappy and it somehow becomes your fault.

2.) Take time for yourself! Get away from the entire group with just yourself, or just your husband ( you should have no problem gettting a sitter) or just your family. You will really need the break.

3.) Don't try to get everyone together for every meal- size of group and varying tastes and budgets will make it a nightmare. Do a big group dinner the first night and maybe the last, the rest should be up to each individual family.

4.) Most important--- Have fun! Big groups can be lots of fun as long as you avoid allowing them to make you their personal "cruise director". Take it from me- I was the honorary "Julie McCoy" for over 10 years!!

I hope this helps. Don't overstress yourself and have a great vacation!
Melissa

 

[BrerMom]

Wow! As long as everybody's willing to go off and do their own thing once in a while, this could be your best vacation yet!

The last time we were waiting for our names to be called, there were three sisters(?) absolutely fuming. They didn't seem to have a problem with the policy that the greeter wouldn't accept their PS until everybody in their party was actually present, but they were furious with the members that hadn't shown up on time. I'm guessing this could be a common problem with large groups? Maybe meeting for breakfast is easier than lunch or dinner.

What a cool thing for your DH and BIL. If you have triplets, twins, and a singleton to boot, we already know you have impressive organization skills. It would go with the territory! I'd organize your family, makes others aware of your plans, and have fun.