What to do? What to do?

[AMG]

There are 9 (yes nine ) of us heading to WDW next year. 4 adults 5 children ages 8 to 18.

Doubt we will spend the entire time as a group, but does anyone have any suggestions as to what would be the best thing to do as a group. We want to make the most of this trip.

PS.
This is the first trip for the children.

 

[Fantasmic23]

I'm clearly no expert here (especially since there's only 4 of us when we go to WDW), but if I was with a group I would probably want to do Fantasmic at HS all together. Get there EARLY so you can (hopefully) all sit together.

Definitely all meet up for "Wishes" (fireworks) at MK and for Illuminations (more fireworks) at Epcot.

 

[Fantasmic23]

Nutmegger here, too!

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

Our son is 12 and our daughter is 6 so they are really into different things. I think MK is the best park for doing things together, no matter what the ages:

BuzzLightyear ride, Monster Inc Luagh Floor, Speedway Cars, Pirates of the Caribean, Haunted Mansion, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Fireworks show

At Epcot we all enjoy Soarin and Test Track. Some of us do Mission Space the easy version and some the advanced version...And thecountires are good to do together...

At AK and HWS we seem to be more separated. THe safari ride is good for all ages and ToyStory Mania at HWS is as well. Fantasmic is AWESOME! Be sure to see that !!!


have fun...

 

[MichelleinMaine]

My best advice with a large group/several families- before you go, sit everyone down and all agree that you do not need to spend every minute together. (I know you said you know that- but make sure everyone "knows" it!) Our first trip, there were hard feelings when people wanted to go different ways. It was the end of the week before everyone accepted that was ok- and even a good thing- to split up at times!

 

[susykt4]

Twelve of my family members went last year. I was really worried because my sis-in-law is pokey and likes to sleep in and we are commando, get to the park at rope drop people. My parents and my youngest (still single) brother can go either way. Oh, and the rest like staying out late and watching fireworks. My youngest is terrified and pretty much HAS to be in bed by 8:30. Plus, my kids are grade schoolers at the roller coaster age and my brothers' kids are preschoolers. We ended up going to the same park each day, each individual family arriving when they wanted. We agreed to meet up at (wherever) for lunch at (x time.) We'd eat lunch together and then split up in various ways depending on the park. Sometimes the guys would go off together, sometimes the girls. Sometimes we'd swap kids. Sometimes the grandparents would watch all 5 kids so the adult kids could go on a big ride together. It turned out to be a great time and much less stressful than I had imagined.

 

[mjkacmom]

Our son is 12 and our daughter is 6 so they are really into different things. I think MK is the best park for doing things together, no matter what the ages:

BuzzLightyear ride, Monster Inc Luagh Floor, Speedway Cars, Pirates of the Caribean, Haunted Mansion, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Fireworks show

At Epcot we all enjoy Soarin and Test Track. Some of us do Mission Space the easy version and some the advanced version...And thecountires are good to do together...

At AK and HWS we seem to be more separated. THe safari ride is good for all ages and ToyStory Mania at HWS is as well. Fantasmic is AWESOME! Be sure to see that !!!


have fun...

I have 5, and we took the grandparents on our last trip (technically they took us), and I agree with this. This is exactly when we split up, with the grandparents taking the younger kids. Your younger kids are older, but it's a nice break to split a bit, just like you'd do at hmoe.

 

[Tiana]

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[powellrj]

We are going as a group of 8 in June. We have never gone with a large group before. We decided to split into 3 groups and let each group decide what we are doing.

We have guys group, girls group and old people group. My mom and I are the old people group!!!! While we haven't made exact plans yet, we will met for evening meals and the rest of the time the groups will be on their own. My DDIL is the only one who has never been before and my DD is an old pro, so she is excited to show her the ropes. They are going over all the books and making lists. I am not sure what the guys are doing, but they are on their own to make their own plans!!! Mom and I are only planing 2 park days and then we are shopping and sunning the rest of the trip!!!