Traveling with 9 people, 5 are kids...Please Help!!

[Miniefan]

I have been planning to go to WDW for the last year and because of several different reasons I have had to change plans numerous times. I have finally got the dates and been planning everything for the last few months and now in addition to me and my family of four (me,dh ds8,dd6) my bil and his family (bil,sil,ds5,ds2,ds9mos) is coming on the trip. Technically I have absolutely no problem with this at all. We all see each other daily and spend lots of time together get along great, but......This is the first trip to WDW for their family and they have smaller children and we don't. The Bil and Sil both ride all of the big rides and I won't ride ToT, or RnRc, or MS so the problem I am foreseeing is a couple of things.....First, I don't want to be stuck watching the kids while they ride all the rides, I don't mind a couple of times but Hey, It is my trip too and I don't want to spend it standing around. The other is that I am afraid that the schedule we are wanting to do will be too demanding for them with the baby. I know that they will probably be ok and if it is too much then they can go back to the room I guess I am just freaking out because it is coming up very soon and my worries are getting the best of me. Could someone please tell me what rides sil will be able to bring the baby on?? He will be 10 mos old at the time we travel. 4/28-5/5
Thanks
Kim

 

[rileyroosmom]

I am in a similar situation. We are a family of 5 (me, dh, ds12, ds9, dd5) traveling with my bil's family of 4 (bil, sil dn4,dn 11months). We have made it clear that we do not have to stick together. We have cell phones that will keep us in contact with one another. Like you I don't have a problem staying with their kids a couple of times, but I will be introducing them to the concept of baby swap! This is everyone's vacation that everyone has worked hard for, so I intend to be very honest upfront. I think that will avoid hurt feelings.

Here's good luck to both of us!!!

 

[4greatboys]

I suggest you guys plan some days together and some days of doing your own thing. That way you dont have to watch the little ones everytime you dont ride and everyone needs some park time with their own families.

We went with my BIL/SIL, niece and nephew a couple of years back. We all get along great but planned some seperate activities. We just have different park styles. We stay in the parks a lot but they didnt want to spend as much time there, so often we split up early and met back for lunch or stayed together til after we ate then split up for a while.

 

[paigevz]

I would all go to the same park, then, knowing they'll want to head to the big stuff right away, just say: We're going to Fantasyland now to ride Dumbo...........we've got ADRs at Crystal Palace at 11:00, so we'll meet you there..................then let them take their kids and go. If they choose to go with you, then fine, you're doing the rides you want, right? I bet most of the time this strategy will work great. Just keep telling them your plans. Most folks will either split from you or go along. If they say, "Can you watch the kids for a minute while we run over to Space Mountain?" Say, "I would, but I promised Billy I'd go on Barnstormer with him and then I have to do X with so and so, and I can't watch little Timmy and Grace while I do that...........and Bubba is so little, he can't ride Or Bubba is so little, I wouldn't be comfortable taking him away from hismama. Then tell them about Baby Swap.

If the trouble starts in the hotel with them not being ready to go when you are, just tell them there where you're going and where and when they should meet you.

I doubt if they're so rude they won't take the hints, but if they are, make your hints stronger by giving them a copy of your schedule and then walking away.

Oh, and for the baby: My 10 month old enjoyed:

Buzz Lightyear, Pooh, Dumbo, Small World, Peter Pan, Carrousel, Toontown playground, Splash Mountain playground, Country Bears, (Fell asleep in Haunted Mansion), Tiki Birds, Railroad, Aladdin's Carpets, Pirates, Jungle Cruise, all face characters and only the Pooh cuddlies (at 2, though, it was the opposite) at MK.
Couldn't ride the mountains or Barnstormer, chose not to take him on Snow White.

Living Seas, Living with the Land, Lion King environmental show, fountains, boat rides at Epcot. Hmmm, he didn't like much here. He couldn't ride Test Track, chose not to take him on Ellen, thought the dinos might scare him, he was scared of HISTA.

Safari, Festival of LIon King, Triceratop Spin, Boneyard, dinosaur garden (statues on paths), animals, Pocahontas show at AK.
(It's Tough to be a Bug scared the bejeezus out of him at 10 months and 2 and 1/2.)

Playhouse Disney, Fantasmic (yep, he liked it at both ages), Histk playground, and Mermaid (thunder and lightning scared him, but he calmed easily) at MGM. Hmm, not too much here either, or at 2 1/2, but it's my "big boys" favorite park. Was scared of the Muppets show, too small for most else.

 

[Miniefan]

Thanks for the replies everyone, and don't get me wrong I love my nephews I just don't want to spend my vacation standing around and trying to pacify the kiddies while the other adults enjoy themselves. Thank God that there is fastpass and child swap. I am kind of worried because this is the first time they have ever been to WDW and they are going to want to do everything we do I, I guess I am just obsessing. I am sure that their kids will probably dictate just how much and when they will be able to do what we are doing.
Thanks
Kim

 

[disneynutsss]

Hoo boy, we just went in November with 17 of us. Kids ages (9m, 7, 7, 7, 12, 12, 13, 14) and 9 adults (3 in ECVs). Talk about diversity!!!

The most important information I could give any larger group of people traveling together is the following:

The main thing that I can tell you is that before the trip make sure that everyone agrees that you WILL NOT be able to spend all of your time all together. I think that if we had all agreed on this beforehand, the stress of everyone trying to keep everyone together would have been avoided. You have the ones who want to FLY thru the parks but can't because someone is changing the baby - or an ECV isnt working properly... and with large groups, everyone has their own idea of what they want to see and do--it is soooooo difficult to get everyone to agree on every decision.

Bring lots of cell phones. We brought walkie talkies, they were useless!! Even using the cell phones to call eachother in the parks didnt always work. Finally in the middle of the vacation one of us used the text messaging. This was the best way to stay in touch and figure out if we were all going to the same attraction or not - or where and when to meet up for meals or leaving the park. It was great!!

Baby swap is great and easy! Best of all most of your party can ride twice! And as long as it isnt a wild ride, a 10 month old is too young to be scared on anything (like snow white or haunted mansion). Traveling with a young one is alot easier than people think, and they can go on most of the attractions. Our 9m old little princess had a BLAST on our trip!


Have fun!!

 

[purplepixie]

What about having one night during the stay for each couple. You could watch their kids for an afternoon/evening then they could watch yours. That way they could get some of their thrill rides in and you would also have a little couple time.

As for traveling with another family in general I would recommend setting limits before you get there. Find out what their expectations are and tell them yours. If your up front with them before hand it will make things easier on the trip.

Enjoy!

 

[Markstudy]

You will get the short end of the stick unless you take charge before you get there .
I wrote-out all the plans and handed them out ahead of time.

Plan one day where you don't see the other family all day (not even for dinner). Call it "family day".

Plan a half-day to watch the kids while the guys do their own thing. Then dump the kids on the guys and do a girls day for the second part of the day.
Or
pick your ideal combo (maybe just you & your husband or you and your favorite kid ) and let everyone know- you watched the kids while they went on the big rides... now its your turn to have some care-free fun.

Maybe, you want a night alone with your husband at Disney (other couples turn to watch the kids)


Another good idea, is to never wait for the other family to get ready. Leave for the park if they are not ready at 9:05. Then give them two chances to meet you..... We will meet at 11:00 at the HM or if you are not there by 11:10 we will look for you at 1:00 at space mountain. If we don't see you there by 1:10 we won't wait.

Nothing is worse then standing in front of HM at 11:45 wondering if you should wait longer or where they are? I've wasting time waiting while I could have been going on rides and it is qutie painful.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I say go ahead and draw up an itinerary for your stay so it's more than clear when you'll be together and when you won't be. That way you can agree on the group versus family times before you even get there. And you can easily schedule in group meals and firework/parade times.

 

[Karnak]

Y'all need to get your heads together and agree upon which parks to visit on which days. Having done that, I would recommend that you make reservations where necessary (for the entire party), for some of your key meals in the parks. For example, if you decide on the Crystal Palace for lunch at the Magic Kingdom, or the Flame Tree Barbecue in the Animal Kingdom, you can all plan to meet there at meal time. That let's y'all talk about what's going on and share laughs; but other than those meal times, each family should do its own thing in the park.

Enjoy.

 

[Miniefan]

Thanks again for all the replies, I am still going to have fun and enjoy my vacation no matter what happens. I have a itching feeling that the little ones will be sending them back to the room early on some of the evenings. I really don't mind watching their kids while say for instance they ride ToT and RnRc, just as long as my doing this is not abused. As for the splitting up biz, they are booked for every meal that we are, together, and we have ajoining rooms. I think it is going to be pretty hard to shake them, besides as I said earlier we all get along really well. We as adults hang out alone a lot together also. I am just anxious on how it is all going to work out with this being our 6+ trip as a family and this being their very first trip. I am very excited but just nervous too. I feel like a total nut sometimes because I am always talking to them about the trip but I guess they will either catch the Disney fever when they go or else they may be immune to it.
Thanks guys, you never disappoint me.

Kim

 

[Tegra89]

I am in a similar situation. We are a family of 5 (me, dh, ds12, ds9, dd5) traveling with my bil's family of 4 (bil, sil dn4,dn 11months). We have made it clear that we do not have to stick together. We have cell phones that will keep us in contact with one another. Like you I don't have a problem staying with their kids a couple of times, but I will be introducing them to the concept of baby swap! This is everyone's vacation that everyone has worked hard for, so I intend to be very honest upfront. I think that will avoid hurt feelings.

Here's good luck to both of us!!!

I agree with you too. As I am too going with family, large group of 15. I have told them that we don't have to do EVERYTHING together and that we can all have our OWN schedules or they can do mine, LOL! We have decided to meet at dinner (we're on the meal plan and doing TS together at the end of the day) as that we can at least share with each other what we've done and maybe plan something together.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

Oh, and for the baby: My 10 month old enjoyed:

Buzz Lightyear, Pooh, Dumbo, Small World, Peter Pan, Carrousel, Toontown playground, Splash Mountain playground, Country Bears, (Fell asleep in Haunted Mansion), Tiki Birds, Railroad, Aladdin's Carpets, Pirates, Jungle Cruise, all face characters and only the Pooh cuddlies (at 2, though, it was the opposite) at MK.

A bit off of the topic, but just wondering what and where (obviously it must be near SM) is Splash Mountain playground...I've never seen it. DS2 might like it!

 

[Schmeck]

The baby can go on any attraction that does not have a height requirement.

Be warned that baby swap is for rides with height requirements only, and the whole group will not be allowed to ride twice, just the parent that stays with the infant and 1-3 others.

 

[seashoreCM]

A good time to meet up together is for a parade or for a meal. You will appreciate having all of you to hold places at a curb or places at a table.

One thing to keep in mind is that one group has one boss. You have a right to be it. If they don't agree, they can go their own way. If they want to be together they can submit to you.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[owensamo]

Probably not too helpful, but we're planning an extended family trip - 14, with 8 adults and 6 kids aged 1-8. I'm doing 99% of the planning, which is fine by me - the anticipation and planning for the trip is half the fun!

One of the families we are travelling with will be going to WDW for the first time (their DDs are 6 and 8). We *know* that they're going to want to hang out with us or one of the other families (everyone else has been before), so in planning the trip, I added 2 extra nights just for my immediate family (me, DH, dd4) at the end just to make sure we get to do what *we* want to do. That way we can enjoy our time with the rest of the family, do what the first-timers want to do (or can do) and not worry about missing what we want to see. I'm sure we'll do some splitting up, and I know we'll be the first ones out on the bus in the morning (some of the party are late risers), but this gives us some flexibility.

Also, since we're DVC members, we go often enough that we've gotten to the point that if we miss something, we know we'll just hit it next time. Even if we didn't have the extra days planned, I like to think we'd take a laid-back attitude. Fortunately for us, we'll have grandma with us, who is very anti-thrill ride and loves to watch the kids, so we'll have built-in babysitting!

Mur!

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

Usually everytime we go somewhere it is in a big group. I read the comment about telling them ahead of time about what you will or won't do...this is a great idea. Like you said it is your vacation too, and I would just explain that, otherwise you will end up the babywatcher. I dont' know how many times this has happened to us. You might also think about having some adr's together and some with just your family. I know for me I want to have my own family time as well. We also learnt that when we want to do something we just had to do it, the more people in a group the harder it is to get everyone to agree. Cell phones are great too.

 

[Miniefan]

I can't believe how many people are or were in a similar situation. I know that this trip means alot to me and my family and I am definitely not willing to give up any of the things that I have planned to do. This will be the first package that my family has ever done. We have an 8day magic your way package with waterparks and more option plus dining. This will be the first time that we have ever been to any of the waterparks, disney quest, and the first time we have ever used the dining plan. I have also chosen a lot of restaurants that we have never been to before. This is also a first time trip for my bil and sil. I have taken away all of the worry for them by booking and planning everything we will be doing, which I don't mind because I like planning and such and they were also willing to trust whatever restaurants and activities I choose to do, so I guess after reading all your thoughts and ideas and experiences with this dilema, I am just going to tell them that they are under no obligations to stay with us and that our plans will stay the same should they deviate. I have already let them know that we will be getting up early every morning and leaving early. They have my itinerary and info I guess now I will just let it all pan out. Thanks

Kim

 

[seashoreCM]

Also a good idea -- Have separate rooms. This way you can lock up and leave as opposed to have to wait for them to get ready to exit your room.