How to survive a large family holiday

[MrsChunkyBager]

We’ve found that the best way is just to make sure that people know that they don’t have to be together all the time, and allow people to split off and do their own things. Even with two cars there might be times someone wants to just stay in the villa or somewhere by themselves (as an introvert this is normally me), or get an Uber to somewhere else.

[Guest]

Our trip last year was 7 and the only thing that really grated on me was indecisiveness and waiting for them to be ready in the morning . Was no way around it without being blunt

[arosiem]

Tequila!

[Pumpkin Pie]

Originally Posted by MrsChunkyBager

We’ve found that the best way is just to make sure that people know that they don’t have to be together all the time, and allow people to split off and do their own things. Even with two cars there might be times someone wants to just stay in the villa or somewhere by themselves (as an introvert this is normally me), or get an Uber to somewhere else.

See more...

I'll echo this. We realised after day two that it would not work if we all waited to leave at the same time. We had two cars and arrived and left the parks at different times and did not feel we all had to keep together at the parks either. It was family with us and it only worked out because we had two cars.

[Guest]

We had a party of seven, five adults and two children.
We had a good sized villa on Emerald Island with enough bathrooms. We had two vehicles both big enough for us all.
I’d say trying to do everything all together for the whole holiday is a recipe for tension!
The getting out in the morning was a bit of an issue some days. My sil complained that we’d never made it to MK for the opening show. We all turned to look at her 😀.
We should have had more flexibilty at meal times and been prepared to split up for those times when some just wanted a sandwich and some wanted a full meal. At mealtimes we just split the cost between the five adults, so covering the cost for the kids. DH paid and we kept a tab which the others sorted out. We paid for our own snacks as we went along.
From our experience you need enough planning to get things done but not so much that people feel rushed. As the Disney veteran I was sometimes overly concerned with doing when it was sometimes enough for those who hadn’t been before just to be there and look.

[amandajane10]

I have done a plan for us all but i know MIL and FIL wont be doing some of the parks so they will just sort themselves out. I am going to be strict about getting out in the morning.

[novocastrian]

i admire family group for even attempting it

i really dont think i could do it, especially sharing a villa ...

im sure most have a great time but i know after a couple of days i would be reaching for the gin/luger ...

[stephy]

You have mirrored our holiday exactly. I am the organiser/planner. 11 people, villa, 2 cars, 1 pot for shopping. We are deciding where to eat at every meal time before we go so it saves people arguing over where to eat once we’re there. On my planner is the times that we have to leave the villa on a morning which everyone has agreed. We always do it this way and have never had a problem yet. Im the early riser so i have the downstairs bedroom so I don’t wake everyone else whilst showering etc. We love going in big groups

[Disney2010]

Accept the fact that you will fall out at some point. I love my family to bits but 2 weeks in a confined space is a recipe for even the best of friends to fall out. We find if we are honest & say "I'm a bit tired & cranky today, sorry." works wonders. I hate if everyone pretends to be fine - People will be too warm, people will have sore feet... It just happens. But you'll go to bed & get some sleep & everyone will be friends again in the morning

[duchy]

Originally Posted by novocastrian

i admire family group for even attempting it

i really dont think i could do it, especially sharing a villa ...

im sure most have a great time but i know after a couple of days i would be reaching for the gin/luger ...

See more...

I did look at the 2 car plan but it won't work for us (I agree it's the best way usually) so the budget has allowed for Uber's,The villa is very close to Disney so we can make it work, I may just need to slap OH occasionally when he gets grumpy (or just leave him by the villa pool to catch us up later). DIL and the kids are only with us for a week and the teen ogre has been informed any teenage strops will result in getting dumped in the pool already
I'll make it work , it's my wedding as well and I'm thrilled they can join us (even if when they get hooked it's going to cost us a fortune in the future lol)