Tips for LARGE family groups?

[pigletgirl]

Just wondering if you have all 21 on MDE and if that includes children in different families? I like the idea of everyone managing their own FP+ but I also like the idea of mixing up the groups a bit, especially since some of us have young kids, some have teenagers, and some are just adults. This way I could get my little kids on the same FP+ with my sister's young kids. Does this make sense? It did in my head

Whew, that would be hard for me to keep up with!

 

[Brancaneve]

Just wondering if you have all 21 on MDE and if that includes children in different families? I like the idea of everyone managing their own FP+ but I also like the idea of mixing up the groups a bit, especially since some of us have young kids, some have teenagers, and some are just adults. This way I could get my little kids on the same FP+ with my sister's young kids. Does this make sense? It did in my head

Yes, totally makes sense! There are only two of us managing all the Fast Passes and we have all 21 on MDE. Due to the age of the kids, I don't think we will need to separate. For example, our two youngest are tall enough to go on all the rides and like rollercoasters, etc. I can see, however, how it would make perfect sense to do that.

Honestly, this is my first time using FP + and MDE, so we are making it as easy as possible. I swear that I still don't know the difference between the family list and the friends list and it's been explained to me several times!

 

[Jake & Crew]

We have 19 going this summer with an age range of 3 to 70.

We booked two 2 bedroom and one studio at BLT. My two sisters and I are room captains of each of our rooms with full access to MDE accounts for those in each of our rooms( I have my family and my brother's family as we are one room, one sister has her family and our parents as they are in a room and the other sister has her family in the studio). The family in the studio is on the DDP and all others out of pocket. The week before we go anyone who wishes to have control over their MDE will be given it.

The captains have made the ADRs which consist of some meals together, some twin reservations ( 2 ADRs each for 10 but same place and time. This way we can change if needed. In a few cases we have third reservation same time but somewhere else), and some meals distinctively different ( for example one ADR at DHS for lunch for 10 at H&V for families with littles and the other almost same time at Prime Time for older families). We have one adult night out. We called Chef Mickey directly for reservation so we all could eat there together and called the Luau directly as well. We also have same place,different times such as two reservations at the Wave each for 10 but 45 minutes apart in case some want to eat earlier and some still in the pool or park on arrival date.

I created a chart with park hours, ADRs, emhs and so forth. This gives an outline for which parks which days but with the exception of the chef Mickey breakfast, luau and adult dinner any family can go off the outline at anytime. We will booking FP to the outline but individuals able to change if they so desire. We expect to spend about 50 percent of the time together or at least in the same park and the rest broken off in groups based on interest....teens in one direction, toddlers in another and those of us lucky to be teen parents will be sipping some adult beverages around the world.

Our philosophy is fun and flexibility!

 

[Squggl3]

We have a group of 25 this year ( we have had as many as 32 family members come along!) we have a group text message with all the adults going on the trip, and we hold monthly "Disney Meetings". This year we decided to split fastpasses up into "like" groups. the people who like thrill rides and the people who like slow rides are grouped together as well as anyone who wanted to make their own can do so. We made a schedule of park days and dining reservations and everyone who wanted to join was included. We make a general outline ( which park we will be at and dining reservations) then kind do the rest of the day by ear. sometimes we all stick together and sometimes we split up. You need to be organized and go with the flow all at once! but its a lot of fun!! We have been doing these large group trips since 1999 and we always have a great time!

 

[iheartdisney44]

Honestly, this is my first time using FP + and MDE, so we are making it as easy as possible. I swear that I still don't know the difference between the family list and the friends list and it's been explained to me several times!

I don't think there is a difference...if there is, I hope someone tells me right away!

Our philosophy is fun and flexibility!

Me too!

We have a group of 25 this year ( we have had as many as 32 family members come along!) we have a group text message with all the adults going on the trip, and we hold monthly "Disney Meetings". This year we decided to split fastpasses up into "like" groups. the people who like thrill rides and the people who like slow rides are grouped together as well as anyone who wanted to make their own can do so. We made a schedule of park days and dining reservations and everyone who wanted to join was included. We make a general outline ( which park we will be at and dining reservations) then kind do the rest of the day by ear. sometimes we all stick together and sometimes we split up. You need to be organized and go with the flow all at once! but its a lot of fun!! We have been doing these large group trips since 1999 and we always have a great time!

I think this is how we will handle the FP+ too...those with small kids or who don't like thrill rides, and those who do. Also, I am loving that we can make additional FP+ now from MDE...I think it will be much easier! Happy to hear these large trips are very doable!

 

[jawa7400]

I'm planning a trip for 15 for June. Here is what I've done.

1. Group conference call to discuss everyone's expectations of this trip. We decided that we wanted to stay in the same resort, have 3 group meals together during the week, and overlap our plans where it was natural, but not try to do every step of the week together.

2. Booked villas using our DVC points at BWV. Put each villa in a family's name making it their reservation so they can check in no matter what the arrival time of everyone else. Group conference call to discuss everyone's group meal suggestions. Link all MDE accounts. (7 month prior to trip)

3. I called and made the 3 group ADRs (180 days prior)

4. Group started making a general plan for their individual families of what parks on what days. They also started deciding which attractions they wanted FPs for. Make sure everyone has park tickets linked to their MDE. (3 months prior) We will start an email thread with our final choices so that families can overlap plans if they want to.

5. Each family will make their own FP reservations. Each family will order their own magic bands. I will make DME reservations for those flying. (60 days prior)

6. After all families have made their FP reservations, they will send them to me and I will make a spreadsheet with all plans on it. This will serve as our guideline, but we plan to have a group text going while we are there.

Remember, that each family has spent a lot of money on this trip and they all don't get to go as often as others. Make sure that each individual gets to do what's on their must-do list by allowing freedom from the large group.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Do not spend 100% of your time together. Have some free time just with your own family.

Also, alcohol.

 

[Brancaneve]

Do not spend 100% of your time together. Have some free time just with your own family.

Also, alcohol.

 

[pa. dad]

I am coordinating a multi-family trip for January of 2017. Wondering if any of you have any helpful tips/tricks when it comes to planning? Is there any way to get FP+ for all of us? Any tips for restaurant reservations? There are 19 of us total! Any help is appreciated! Thanks in advance-

I've always gone with my family (4 of us). One year I went with my brother and his family (5 of them). Another year we went with my father in law and his group (just 3 of them). It is harder to tour with a larger group. When one person has to go to the bathroom or is thirsty, everybody must wait for that person.
So I would try to do some things together such as eat meals and some rides but try to split up to do some things in smaller groups. Probably the boys don;t want to wait in line to meet a Princess anyway (just the older boys want to).
You might split the group into older kids in one group - maybe doing thrill rides and younger kids in another. Or boys and girls. Or those who want pizza in one group and those who want hot dogs in another. But splitting up into smaller groups for at least parts of the day is much easier and it might allow more people to get in more of their favorites.

 

[iheartdisney44]

Also, alcohol.

Absolutely this!

 

[Annadesu]

I went on a large family trip a few years ago, and noticed the following:

1) If people are a pain in the you-know-what normally, they will also be that way at Disney (and sometimes, because of the atmosphere, they are worse than usual). Don't let them ruin the trip for you.

2) Don't force everyone to stay with the group 100% of the time. Get together for a few rides, a few meals, but in the end, just let everyone go do their own thing.

3) If you happen to be the couple with no kids yet, nobody cares about what you want to do or say. This is somewhat unfair (we paid a lot of money, too!), but that's just how it goes. As I said before, don't be afraid to separate from the group and do your own thing, every once and a while

4) Some people take way too long to get ready in the morning. If you need to be somewhere by 8am, tell everyone it's 7am. lol

Good luck We are doing a solo trip in May, and are very glad it's not another giant group. lol

 

[jvz82]

We went with 17 people Christmas of 2013 (8 kid ages 8 and under) and it was tough. We made two big mistakes. First, we tried to stay together the whole time. It was sort of a special family reunion trip and my mom really wanted us to be all together. It got really stressful and we had a couple family feuds that could have been avoided. I wish we had separated with our own children more often. Our second mistake was not having things planned out enough. We should have had a better idea of the order of rides. We spent too much time trying to make decisions, which is obviously hard to do when you have 8 kids who are amped up and several adults trying to decide what to do. There were a lot of good things too, but those are the things i wish we had done differently.

 

[hockeyprincess25]

I am in the beginning stages of planning for our family and my sister in law's family as well... We are waffling between 9 and 12 people.

So far I have priced out our options and am presenting them to her tomorrow.

I will be watching this thread for more tips...

(my SIL wants me to go because I am an obsessive planner and know a lot more about Disney than she does) It will be the first trip for 9 of the 12 going...

 

[Smbmoyers]

I'm right around 9 right now, probably will be 12 by the time it's all said and done. Its overwhelming to me. My brother and his gf don't seem to understand that we have to make reservations 180 days out and don't want to commit to anything so I'm about to drop them. I already have an idea of what were doing etc. But it can be frusteraring

 

[pigletgirl]

I'm right around 9 right now, probably will be 12 by the time it's all said and done. Its overwhelming to me. My brother and his gf don't seem to understand that we have to make reservations 180 days out and don't want to commit to anything so I'm about to drop them. I already have an idea of what were doing etc. But it can be frusteraring

I can so relate to this!

DH's younger brother, wife and 2 kids also don't understand that I'm needing input now. Because I'm planning for parties of 12, I can't be switching ADR's around.

If they don't like my choices they can go somewhere else.

 

[Smbmoyers]

I can so relate to this!

DH's younger brother, wife and 2 kids also don't understand that I'm needing input now. Because I'm planning for parties of 12, I can't be switching ADR's around.

If they don't like my choices they can go somewhere else.

I'm at the same point. His girlfriend is even supposedly a "disney expert" but every time she has gone she hasn't had the dinning plan and I think they pack so she probably has little idea about why I want the adrs set so early Since we're on ddp. That and I booked our rooms and now everybody's apparently like why are we staying at wl when they're the ones that agreed to stay there! Grrrrr. I'm this close to making plans for Just my small family (3) and my mil (she's been great!) And letting EVERYONE ELSE fend for themselves!

 

[pigletgirl]

I'm at the same point. His girlfriend is even supposedly a "disney expert" but every time she has gone she hasn't had the dinning plan and I think they pack so she probably has little idea about why I want the adrs set so early Since we're on ddp. That and I booked our rooms and now everybody's apparently like why are we staying at wl when they're the ones that agreed to stay there! Grrrrr. I'm this close to making plans for Just my small family (3) and my mil (she's been great!) And letting EVERYONE ELSE fend for themselves!

Unfortunately if you don't plan ahead, you cannot get into the more popular spots. My SIL finally got back with me not too long ago and she has given me the go ahead to deal with dining here in about 8 weeks.

I'll let her book their own FP's though. I just cannot do that much micro managing.

 

[iheartdisney44]

Everything has been pretty chill for me lately, which is annoying! NO ONE has an opinion about ANYTHING!! I don't know which is worse-the over-opinionated, or the under-opinionated! With 21 people, you'd think someone would want to have a thought about the super expensive vacation they are taking! Grrrrr. I told them all I am going to make them sign a contract stating that if they have no opinion about the planning, they give up their right to offer any "feedback" they may have later HaHa

 

[Brancaneve]

Everything has been pretty chill for me lately, which is annoying! NO ONE has an opinion about ANYTHING!! I don't know which is worse-the over-opinionated, or the under-opinionated! With 21 people, you'd think someone would want to have a thought about the super expensive vacation they are taking! Grrrrr. I told them all I am going to make them sign a contract stating that if they have no opinion about the planning, they give up their right to offer any "feedback" they may have later HaHa

And if anything goes wrong, it's ALL your FAULT!

 

[pigletgirl]

Everything has been pretty chill for me lately, which is annoying! NO ONE has an opinion about ANYTHING!! I don't know which is worse-the over-opinionated, or the under-opinionated! With 21 people, you'd think someone would want to have a thought about the super expensive vacation they are taking! Grrrrr. I told them all I am going to make them sign a contract stating that if they have no opinion about the planning, they give up their right to offer any "feedback" they may have later HaHa

My SIL texted me today and asked if her parents could join our vacation. About a minute after asking, she says, they're booked at AKL with all of us. I'm really trying to keep my cool. Her parents are not kid folks so I'm hoping they'll go off and do their own thing.