Trying to plan trip with the Disney Naive/aka Normal People

[bookworm61]

I am going to WDW this fall with my extended family. I am trying to let everyone know about the planning we need to do, but they aren't Disney knowlegable and it is very hard getting them to understand the planning needed.
I have just about convinced them that we need to have ADRs everyday for a group of 12, but my Dad thinks that we could just wake up and decide that day what we want to do. Now I tried to explain to my Mom that we need to put in room requests, but she thinks that we can just divvy up our 6 rooms as we want and assumes that they will give us 6 rooms all in a row. I tried to tell her that we may not even be in the same building, but I don't think she gets that.
I am sure they think I am crazy, but getting them to agree to planning ahead is like herding cats!!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

bookworm61:

Sounds like a big undertaking. Are you working with grand gatherings? They do the large groups. Yes, I would definately keep trying to plan. You don't say when your going But with 12 and alot of people on the dining plan, you will be burgered out, and eating fast food every meal to stay togther, with adr's.

Hang in there, and proceed, your heading the right direction.

 

[plutolovr]

If you haven't booked through Grand Gatherings, I would call NOW and have them convert the bookings over there. They are great in trying to get the rooms together, and you can utilize group dining for a large group.

 

[bookworm61]

Thank you compassionate Disney folk!! Can I do that if we booked through AAA? We do have a grand gatherings number, but I thought that was just for ADRs.

 

[bookworm61]

PS I don't know how I posted this in Codes and Rates?!! I thought it was Disney Resorts. Sorry for any mixup........still early/need more coffee!

 

[Hoopfamily]

I know what you]'re going through. We are not going with such a large group, but my inlaws are joining my family as well as my parents for this trip. The inlaws have never been, and are going only because my daughter is begging. They have no clue and further they don't grasp disney for what it is in size and scope. My advice is to make the decisions you need to how you feel to and just let the rest ride along. The next time they'll listen oh man will they listen.

 

[PortieOwner]

This is my nightmare. Trying to arrange a WDw vacation for the clueless, especially those who don't understand that you have spent hundreds or thousands of hours on research plus previous trips to WDW. Many people here have more hours of WDW training than realtors or stockbrokers have for their professions.

I'd tell the relatives to **** and let you arrange everything or you will make your own arrangements and see them whenever you have a break in your plans.

Portie

 

[Tracey1974]

I'm trying to do that now with 7 cabins booked on DCL and a total of 14 adults, 4 kids in December. I thought it was going to be fun as I love planning but sometimes they just don't get it. I feel like if something goes wrong it will be all my fault.

As long as nobody misses the boat, I did my job!

 

[drewswife]

Iunderstand - we usually go with 10 to 15 people and I do everything. The only thing I require is that 1 adult form each household gets up and tries for ADR for Cinderellas castle breakfast.

 

[barbeml]

I have been the designated planner for many trips involving various combinations of friends & family, with the added challenge of different arrivals/departures/overlaps. It helps that I am a professional event planner, but some tricks that work for me with "clueless WDW newbies" may be helpful.

1. I share park maps & the latest planning DVD with the newbies. This gives them a pretty good idea of the scope of offerings at WDW...and usually blows them away.

2. I give them a link to the AllEars menus section, and a print out of the Food & Wine Festival offerings (we always go at that time of year).

3. I ask them to review the material and note attractions & dining options that appeal to them so that I can plan accordingly...this gets them involved right from the start.

4. I share a packing tips list that DH and I have used over the years, and put a special emphasis on comfortable clothes & shoes...since they will be walking up to 12 miles per day. That really gets attention!

Our last trip involved 7 adults. The two who traveled separately and wanted to "wing it" most days (which was fine by me...I don't force anyone to follow my lead) admitted that the best parts of the trip were those I had planned, and that they learned their lesson about winging it.

Good luck!