Traveling with family(10)...any good tips?

[jmatias]

We'll be at the World in 9 days!!!!

This trip will be with DH's family for a total of 11 people. We've never done a trip with so many.

Any good tips to get us through the parks and still be smiling

 

[karebear1]

Don't expect to do everything together! Actually- for you sanity- I would suggest you have some seperate alone time. Touring parks all day everyday with the same people can get to be too much! Alone time is good and healthy for everyone.You will inevitably run into wanting to leave at a certain time and someone will not be ready. Plan on having an alternative place you can all meet so you don't have to be late because of someone else. If you are bringing children- see what you can do to make the spending limits the same all the way around. When some kids (even from another family) get to spend more then others- it can make for an unpleasant situation. Most of all- go with the idea that you're gonna have a fun time. try to let things roll of your back if you get annoyed. Please post when you get back so we know how it went!

 

[Grumpy92]

I totally agree with Karebear1. Dont expect to do everything together. The group may break up and then make a PS for a nice sit down restaurant and have everyone meet there. You can sit down, cool off, swap stories and have the cms take lots of pictures.

We did a trip with 10 family members a few years ago. My Aunt insisted on checking on the kids and we spent the first day or two worrying about meeting times. We finally convinced her this was not a good idea.

 

[kilee]

We did this in Oct./Nov. 11 people as well. To boot, 9 of them were newbies!!! The first day we tried to stay together the whole time in spite of all the advice I got on the boards to split up. We all ended our first day stressed and w/o any magic. It wasn't how I wanted them all to feel about WDW. Trying to get 1 11 people through the crowds and walking at the same pace is very, very difficult.

For the remainder of the days we split up--- we'd arrive together and would do 1 attraction together we picked the night before and some character greetings. Then we'd split until lunch. After lunch same thing-- 1 attraction, then split up until the parades. Then we'd follow this pattern throughout the day. Everyone knew which rides/attractions we were doing together so they "saved" them. Wait times (10-15 min)were low so we didn't have to coordinate FP's in there-- which helped.

Some people met up at other points to shuffle kids around. Like my DS (10) liked to stay w/ grandma & grandpa. While I often took my 15 mo old neice for the afternoon so my Sis & Bil could ride the "thrill" rides which I would already do in the morning.

After instilling the "new" plan everyone had a great time. Everything went well enough that we are planning on trying it again in Fall 2005!

 

[Mortlives]

I can't stress this enough, make sure you have either radios or cellphones for every subgroup in your group. There's nothing worse than having to wait while someone grooms for 2 hours, is a late riser, has to go back to the resort to change for the second time today, etc. If you're not dependent upon meeting times for even coordinated activities, you'll be much better off. That way, even if you were all going to do EMH, you don't have to wait for the person with the intricate hairstyle, and miss it. Just have them buzz you when they get to the park.

Kungaloosh!
Mort.

 

[jpd3]

I've gone with my extended family twice now. I concur with splitting up. My DW and I are able to move out with the kids, and being more familiar with the parks, can get more done in a shorter period of time. Our parents like to move a little slower so it works out for us to split up.

I think the key to keeping the sanity in a large group is communication. There is nothing worse than running around with your hair on fire trying to make it to a rendevous and the other group isn't there. We used handheld radios, GMRS with sub-channels 5mile range, to keep in touch with the members of our group. Made scheduling easier once we were in the parks and eliminated most if not all of our communication difficulties.

Patience and planning are the keys. Have fun!!!!

 

[Hootiss]

My best advice p/u a few 2 way radios!

 

[dougsmom98]

We went with a group of ten at Christmas two years ago. We split up a lot. We did find AK to be a good park to stay together as a large group though. It is a pretty laid back park and most everything besides Dinosaur and Primevil Whirl can be enjoyed by anyone of any age. On the days we split up, we tried to meet each other in time for the parades or the evening show. Because you have to arrive a little early for those events, it gave us time to connect with one another while we waited.
We didn't have good luck with two way radios. If you have cell phones, I recommend those.
Have a great trip.
-Amy

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Make sure everyone knows and understands "the rules".

We have done a big family trip twice, our third is coming up.

This time around I am printing up some rules/guidelines and everyone gets a copy!
There is nothing more frustrating than being ready to go and having to wait on one person. (namely my oldest brother, who sleeps late, messes around instead of getting ready----then as we are all standing by the door he says "Oh, I guess I should go shower and get ready." Makes me want to strangle him!)

This time, the rule for us is We will not wait for you! You can meet us later at --designated spot.

Also make sure everyone knows the PS times, perhaps even nudge it by 15-20 minutes. That way everyone shows up on time.
Again, referring to my older brother-----he would show up 15-20 minutes late for PS's. Very frustrating.

Also, use the cell phones or Motorola's to keep in touch. Make sure you bring extra batteries!

Split up. Too hard to make your way through the parks as one big group.

Use swim time to get together.

Try and keep a sense of humor when things don't go as planned.
I stress and stress, but last trip my BIL pulled me aside and told me to relax, breath and reminded me that things don't always go perfectly. Then he proceeded to joke with me the rest of the trip and it helped me relax.


kilee
Your plan sounds great. I think we will try it!

 

[jmatias]

Thank you for all the great ideas.

We will have cell phones so that is good.

I have a feeling that because of all the kids ( 15, 11, 9, 8, 6, and 6 months) it will be a little difficult to break up the group.

The 3 oldest kids are our nephews and the 3 younger ones belong to me. But I know the kids are gonna want to stay together. So either DH & I take all the kids or we all stay together to help out!

DH's parents probably won't go on all the coasters so I'm hoping they'll watch the baby for me so I can go.....sooooo looks like we'll be one big happy family

We'll see how that goes and then adjust to keep the sanity

karebear1: I like the idea of the equal spending $. I did give all the kids Disney dollars for Easter so that should help out until that runs out...then we'll see.

Thanks again for all the replies and I'll be sure to post after we return.