Traveling with extended families

[kpk89]

I'm very encouraged by this thread! I too had seen primarily negative posts about traveling with larger family groups, and also had a negative experience with such a trip (but I was a teen at the time so I not only had no control over it, but also may have been particularly moody and thus part of the problem!!)

Anyway, we're going in Jan. with me, dh, ds6, dd5, dd2, and also FIL +wife, BIL+ wife and their 2 boys, 12 and 5. Right away when we invited them I let them know that I would be the tour guide, but not dictator/drill sergeant. In other words I would share our plans and they were welcome along, but not obligated to follow our routine. Everyone seemed good with that, and I do know that these folks are not the type to just "go along" and then whine about not getting to do what they want. I'm looking forward to it!!

 

[minkydog]

We have only taken one trip to WDW with extended family, my mom. But we all stayed together for the week in a pop-up camper. Very close quarters. However, we all took turns with the cooking & watching the kids. sometimes one of the adults would take the kids off and give everyone else a break. It worked out very well and we had a great time.

 

[HeatherC]

I'm sure you're trip will be wonderful!!! We have done this before with 14 people and had an awesome time. Since I am the planner, I just planned for my dh and kids. Then everyone else just kind of either went along with what we were doing or did what they wanted to do.

Since we had three small children, we had to do things a little different than just the adults. By keeping it "low key" everyone had a wonderful time.

We met up for a few meals and fireworks, but didn't have the "stay together" mentality. This seemed to work really well for everyone.

Another thing we did was take walkie talkies. This worked great! One day my sister her dh and kids wanted to go the MK with us. But...they fiddle around in the morning while we hit the road early. So we left and then when they got to the park later we just "connected" with the walkie talkies and met up when we were all ready to. Plus...they were fun to use.

Have a wonderful, awesome time!
HeatherC

 

[tlbwriter]

I figured I would have to plan our way through the parks and always have an alternative ready for when the kids don't want to do the 4-year-old's stuff and vice versa. I am really busy at work right up until the time we leave and will really be in need of a vacation myself. Having to make all these decisions does not get me excited. Also, my BIL is the pickiest eater in the world and my husband and I love eating anything new and different. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions to help me?

I'd tell them the truth. Well, a kinder version of the truth. Tell them "I have plans for our family, but I know your 4-year-old isn't going to be able to do all the things my kids do, and you know how DH and I like to eat weird things that you don't really like. So I think it would best if we got together in the morning, had a nice breakfast, and then split up for the most part to do what we're interested in. I've got a list of the thing we're planning to do and places we'd like to eat, and you can look at that and see what interests you." Then, when you're on the trip and a conflict comes up, you can just cheerily say "Okay, we're going to go do this, and we'll catch up with you guys later!"

 

[psiprez]

With a large group, it's kinda like a class trip - you all go there and leave together, break off into cliques, and have fun crossing paths throughout the park!

Just have those agreed meet-up times a few times a day. We always start out together, then break off for a bit and rejoin for a meal. This is soooo important! Some people want to dash through the parks, others can't handle such a fast pace. Some want e-ticket, some want to watch. This way, everyone gets to enjoy their vacation.

We will be down for a BIG family wedding in January. We decided that everyone would make independent room reservations, since arrival and departure days differ. Then, we will all be at MK and Epcot on the same days, and have dinner ADR's for the whole group. Otherwise, there is no way we could tour together as a group!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We went in '96 with my three cousins, my aunt and uncle, my brother, and mom and dad. The kids ages (which I was 14 at the time) ranged from 11-18 with four adults. We had a great time but they are a HUGE water park family and we were not. So several days they went to a water park and we did our own thing. When we did eat (which we ate all Table Service meals) they never sat us all together (don't know why, or even if my mom requested it--which now that I think about it she probably did "Excuse me, I'd like to make a PS for dinner. And could you put my kids as FAR away as possible? My sanity thanks you" ). My cousins and I all sat at one table together and the adults had their own table. At several restaurants we were on opposite sides of the place but we thought it was so cool like we were grown-ups. It was a fun trip, but they weren't that impressed with WDW. I think other trips have been better but I'm glad they had the chance to go with us.

 

[Tigger714]

I'll be there right with you! We are a group of 14 from October 29-November 8. We have all chosen to stay at different resorts for the most part and have group dinners planned for only 3 nights. We have adopted the policy that if you don't want to do it then just say so and that we don't have to do EVERYTHING together. (We did vacation with just 4 of the others 2 years ago and it was GREAT!) Good Luck and JUST HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[Cinderella94]

I am sure you will have fun! You just can't let it turn into all of you standing in the middle of the MK screaming at each other....but I am sure you won't! Good luck!