[Storm59]

Originally Posted by tink10

We are going to WDW the first week of October for 7 nights. We have the dining plan ( we are arriving on the 30th of September so we got it FREE ), we have an 8 day park hopper that includes the water parks and Disney Quest. There is a large group of us going at the same time. A total of 28 people. Since there are so many of us going we want to have a good plan in place before we go. I didn't realize until I started reading the threads in all the forums exactly how much planning we would need to do. I guess I need to get to my questions!! Is is a good idea or not to go to the parks on the days that have the EMH? Also on the EMH, are the night time hours always three extra hours after the closing time listed on the calendar? I had thought it might be a good idea to have an ADR for our evening meal at a park that had EMH but after reading some of the posts it seems that some people don't think that is a good time to be at the park-or maybe I misread that. Is it necessary to have an ADR for any sit-down meal or just for the character meals? I have seen some mention of MNSSHP but have not seen the cost for those tickets. Does anyone know the cost and is it worth it? I have a DS who will be 10 when we go and a DD who will be 8. The oldest child in our big group is 12 and the younges is 4. I am sure that I will have many more questions as I continue to try to plan this trip. Thanks in advance for all your help!!

Hi, and welcome to DC! Where will you be staying for your trip?

EVeryone else has given good advice, so let me just add that with younger kids, having am ADR should be a must. If your kids are anything like mine, they don't take kindly to being told 'you can't eat for another hour because there's a wait'. I make ADR's according to my kids's eating schedules. For example, when they're in school they eat lunch closer to 11 than noon. That works out well for ADR's since getting one for 11 is infiniately easier than getting one for noon. And the same goes for earler dinners.

Have a wonderful trip!

[llama]

Originally Posted by Cavey

Welcome to DC.

I don't know what your group dynamic is like, but in most cases, I would not plan for 28 people to do everything together. Just getting everyone to get started on time in the morning would be an amazing feat! Then you have park and ride preferences, park navigation, even trying to get everyone onto the same bus or monorail!!!

If I were planning a major event like this, I would take the pressure off of everyone by allowing each family set their own agenda, with common events 2-3 during the trip. I subdivide meal plans so that everyone is having meals with smaller groups and rotating through the masses.

I would purchase each family set a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW as a gift. I would have each family group take 2-3 months to read through the Guide and select the plan that they want to pursue (the "up early's" vs. the "sleep in's," the "park commando's" vs. the "take it easy's"). Then see who's preferences mesh. Perhaps they'll want to do things together. Perhaps not.

My point is, you can't create magic for 28 individuals. So rather than becoming the "scapegoat," give everyone the knowledge they need to find their own magic at their own pace.

I absolutely hate it when Cavey's right But he is. Trying to please 28 people at WDW will just result in frustration and tears. Believe me, there won't be any "magic". I'd also have a group meeting before you leave, where everyone can speak their piece and some plans can be laid that you can all agree on. Nothing can ruin a vacation more than hurt feelings and arguments. The "mini" group dinners is a great idea, with perhaps one special event (say the Hoop-de-doo) for everyone, to either start or finish your holiday.

[tink10]

I love the idea of making sure everyone has lots of information about WDW. I sure don't want to be blamed if or when something doesn't go right. I think I will plan my family's trip and then share with the others and just go from there!

[Boss Mouse]

Welcome Tink! For the EMH; we follow the advice of avoiding that park on those days. Many families take advantage of the early hours, which fills the parks. If we are going to attend the EMH (evening), we will go to the park late.

[tink10]

Thanks so much for all the advice! I am going to buy the Unofficial Guide Book to help with our plans!

[gingles]

Originally Posted by Cavey

Welcome to DC.

I don't know what your group dynamic is like.....their own magic at their own pace.

More superb advice from the the cave guy (I hate to admit)! 28 people cannot follow a single touring plan with any efficiency. Good advice on splitting up according to interests.

An yes, EMH is debated even here at DC. The UG generally suggests avoiding any park that has EMH or if you use it, leave that park after you do the headliners because it will be the most crowded park at WDW that day (that's also my experience).

BTW, I'm going during the promotion as well, and I found out when making AR's at Cinderella's Royal Table (princess lunch), you DON'T have to do the usual paying in full in advance if you tell them you're on the DDP! I would imagine this applies to the dinner shows (e.g., HDDR) as well.

And welcome to DC!!!

[Cavey]

Originally Posted by tink10

I love the idea of making sure everyone has lots of information about WDW. I sure don't want to be blamed if or when something doesn't go right. I think I will plan my family's trip and then share with the others and just go from there!

Good plan. And "blamed when something goes wrong" could be changed to "blamed I didn't make everyone happy." Everyone on DC has their own favorite park, favorite attraction, favorite place to eat. Making everyone happy just isn't going to happen.

There was a thread a few months ago about someone who had booked ADR's for CRT. When she booked DBIL didn't want to go. So she left him out. Then, a few days before the trip, he wanted in. The poster was beside herself, because she'd have to cancel her current ADR's--and risk not getting new ones--in order to try to add the late comer. DBIL didn't understand what the big deal was BECAUSE he hadn't been the one doing all the planning, research, and work.

I tried to do a Magical Gathering for my family of 10 just before my mother died (Her illness cancelled that trip.). DB wants to sleep in--and complain about the long lines in the afternoon. My family knows to be at rope drop. So as I was planning, I told the family I would book our resort, and we would do dinner together each evening. The rest of the trip was up to them to plan for themselves.

Anyway, I would start directing each family involved with your group to this website, the UG, and other resources. That way everyone has a clue, and the clueless one's won't dominate the planning phase.

[Amelia's Man]

Originally Posted by Cavey

I told the family I would book our resort, and we would do dinner together each evening. The rest of the trip was up to them to plan for themselves.

Anyway, I would start directing each family involved with your group to this website, the UG, and other resources. That way everyone has a clue, and the clueless one's won't dominate the planning phase.

This is very, VERY sound advice! Like Cavey says, everyone is gonna want do do his or her own thing, and that's normal! Just have everyone on the same page for dinner reservations! It will work out for the best!

[BuzzLightyear]

Hi and welcome!!

Yes! Take caveys advice.
Sometimes it's pretty tough to get 6 or 8 people on the same page during a vacation.
Everyone has their own ideas as to how their vacation should run.

[Cavey]

Originally Posted by llama

Cavey's right...he is.

Originally Posted by gingles

More superb advice from the the cave guy

Originally Posted by Amelia's Man

This is very, VERY sound advice! Like Cavey says...

Originally Posted by Buzz Lightyear

Yes! Take caveys advice.

I'd just like to take this moment to thank all the little people who acknowledge my greatness. One day your adoration will be rewarded. Even the Canadian, despite her cheekiness, has garnered a small (almost miniscule) measure of my favor.

[Peppertink]

Originally Posted by Cavey

I'd just like to take this moment to thank all the little people who acknowledge my greatness. One day your adoration will be rewarded. Even the Canadian, despite her cheekiness, has garnered a small (almost miniscule) measure of my favor.

Enjoy it while you can Cavey....

[tink10]

Well, we will definitely be splitting up some of the time but the kids LOVE hanging out together so there will have to be some time that a bunch of us will be together. We are staying at the All Star Movies--someone asked that earlier and I never did answer!

[tink10]

Okay I have another question.....well need some help....I have tried to add the countdown calendar to my signature but I am obviously doing something wrong. Can anyone help???

[Ready2Go]

Originally Posted by tink10

Okay I have another question.....well need some help....I have tried to add the countdown calendar to my signature but I am obviously doing something wrong. Can anyone help???

Check the year

If you copied and pasted it ...it will be 2005 and not 2006


Welcome to DC

[llama]

Originally Posted by Cavey

I'd just like to take this moment to thank all the little people who acknowledge my greatness. One day your adoration will be rewarded. Even the Canadian, despite her cheekiness, has garnered a small (almost miniscule) measure of my favor.

Oh, THANK YOU CAVEY. Now the cheeky little Canadian can fall asleep happy.