What am I getting into?(A June 2012 PTR)[Updated 7/21/2011]

[RWilcox91]

Hi all! This is my first attempt at a pre-trip report. Next June(I know a whole year away), my parents are planning on taking my entire family to WDW to celebrate my dad's retirement and their 40th wedding anniversary. Neither of my parents have ever been to the World. Our family will consist of 20+ people ranging in age from 1 to 62.

The cast of characters include:
Mom & Dad[never been]
Rich(me), Renee(DW), Courtney(DD4)
Becky(sister 1), Gary(BIL), JT(11), Alex(7), Levi(2)[whole family has never been]
Jodi(sister 2), Luke(BIL) Allyssa(11), Olivia(7), Colin[never been](2)
Tom(brother 1), Carissa(SIL), Lily[never been](1)
Rob(brother 2), Shannon(SIL), Jordan(7)

I'm not 100% certain on the date yet.

A Little Backstory
My DW and I spent our honeymoon at the CBR in November 2006. I was the "yeah we're going to Disney since that's what you want guy" right up to the moment we got on the Magical Express at MCO.(Well it sorta started on the flight down when the flight crew comped my beer due to us wearing the Wedding Mickey and Minnie ears.) From that moment on I was hooked by the magic. That same year on New Year's Eve we were discussing our recent trip and the upcoming trip that my brother Tom and his wife were planning for the following June. Out of nowhere my dad told us that when he retired in 2012 he was going to take the whole family to Disney World.

Flash forward to last May when my DW's nieces' dance competion was changed from Virginia Beach to Orlando. My wife planned a five day Disney trip that just so happened to fall on my DD and my birthday. We went with her parents, aunt, grandma, sister, and nieces and nephews(for a total of 13 people). We stayed together for the most part and didn't get to do as much as we wanted due to having such a large group.

Just recently we were discussing the logistics of the upcoming trip and my parents told us that they would like to have 1 meal per day as a group and that one day they would like us to stick together so that my mom can get pics of all the grandkids together on rides. We are planning on doing that adventure at MK since it has the most family friendly rides.

So keep checking back for new updates. I will post more info as I get it.

 

[teekathepony]

Jumping on!
Sounds like quite the organisational feat, keeping 20+ people on track! I'm having trouble with 8 Best of luck, I look foreward to more updates!

 

[RWilcox91]

So we officially have dates for the big excursion. We are going June 9-16, 2012. Our travel party of 20 has become 21 as my sister's husband will be going after all.

We are staying at the All-Star Movies with a 7 day Park Hopper and the Deluxe Dining Plan.
DW has informed me that the only thing that we must do is see the Lights, Motors, Action show at DHS. We seem to have missed it on both of our previous trips and it's the only thing that she has left on her must-do list from our 2006 honeymoon trip.

As far as park strategy goes, until the hours are posted I really have no plans set on that other than one day early in the week we will be going to MK as a group so my mom can get photos of all the grandkids together on rides.

Since we still have almost six months before we can book ADRs, I have no clue as to where we are going to be eating as yet. There are a couple of places I want to eat this trip that we couldn't fit in last trip since it was on short notice and we only had the standard dining plan. I know that breakfast at CRT and most likely Akershaus are on the agenda since DD loves the princesses. I'm pushing for the Rose & Crown for the Imperial Sampler and the fish 'n' chips. That however is still to be decided.

That's all I have at this point in time.

 

[RWilcox91]

After a little bit of discussion we are shooting for trying all three of the Grand Gatherings that can be covered by DxDP credits. My youngest sister and I are also trying to coordinate a little bit of mayhem for Dad that involves a haircut at the Harmony Barbershop. It seems that we are the most excited about the trip as we've spent a couple of hours of phone time making plans. My DD4 and her DD10 and DD6 can be as thick as thieves at times so touring with her family won't be too much of a hassle.

My BIL and I also are planning on taking my dad "Drinking Around the World" at Epcot. We have jokingly said we need to get Dad a wheelchair because the first drink in Mexico will do him in.

The only day we have set in stone will be Tuesday at MK. That is the only day that the Grand Gathering Breakfast at Tony's is offered while the older of my sister's will be there. Since my Mom wants to have one day with all the grandkids we will be doing MK that day. Apparently there will be matching t-shirts involved. I have no idea what they will look like but if you see us coming , run the other way.

More info to come as I have it. Fortunately I'm not planning the whole trip for everyone and we will have some "alone" time for just me, DW and DD.

 

[RWilcox91]

It looks like the entire party might be getting bigger. I'm not 100% sure on the details but it appears that if we get 10 rooms there is a discount on the rate. So now it looks like one of my sister's friends and my sister-in-law's parents and grandparents may be joining in on the trip. That gives us 9 rooms and another 10 people right there. At this point I am so glad that I am not trying to coordinate plans for what is turning into a "Brazilian Tour Group." I'm not quite sure who will be room 10 but my parents are currently trying to convince a couple of my aunts and uncles to come along.

Meanwhile on the ADR front we are looking at doing breakfasts at Chef Mickeys, 1900 Park Faire, Tusker House(Donald's Safari Breakfast), Akershus, Cinderella's Royal Table, Hollywood & Vine(just for a DHS morning), and Tony's for a Grand Gathering. Dinners look to be the Safari Grand Gathering in AK, International Buffet at Epcot(for IllumiNations), Rose & Crown, Liberty Tree, and Hoop De Doo for certain.

Arrival day is going to be a Magic Kingdom day. We are planning on finding the earliest flight out that we can get. Then it's grab the ME, check in at ASMo and hop a bus to MK. There is nothing that beats the look on DW's face when she sees the castle. Our first stop will be PotC since it was somehow missed on last summer's trip. I'm not too worried about rides on arrival day since we will have another day at least at MK.