2 days with a lot of people

[dupac]

My husband and I are taking a trip with my husband's family to Orlando the third week of April this year. There will be a grand total of 13 people including 3 children: 9, 4, & 3yo. Half of the adults are first-timers. I've volunteered to be coordinator/logistics. I say trip to Orlando because we're only spending 2 of our 7 days at WDW.

SIL is wanting to do BBB for the girls (9 & 3) and Pirates League for the boy. How long will they take? (Can we even get reservations at this point?) I'm thinking about the logistics of doing both in one day.

I'm just concerned about only having 2 days to do both MK and Epcot. I personally think that we'll need to split up as a group at points, but there seems to be resistance against that. I am taking a laid-back approach in that I'm not concerned with riding particular rides or hitting up shows, but I obviously want everyone to enjoy their vacation. My 18yo BIL will not be thrilled with riding Dumbo or Small World even though the kids will.

Any suggestions about touring with a large family group or with several first-timers are welcome!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Any suggestions about touring with a large family group or with several first-timers are welcome!

Just glad that you're not there in August when I visit !!!!!

Seriously - Two days in WDW is not enough for taking on the two biggest parks. There is a lot that you're going to have to miss in order to achieve your target.
My first bit of advice would be to get everyone together well in advance of your trip and list of everyones "must do" attractions. From here you should be able to choose the attractions which are most popular and which ones you're going to miss. You may also be able to work it into a couple of groups which would mean more must do's and less missed attractions.
My second bit of advice - plan any table service / buffet dining requirements now and book your ADRs (you're within the 180 day window) a party of your size will not get seated as a walk up

 

[dupac]

I've been to WDW 4 times in the past 10 years and have been on here for a while as well! This is not how I personally tour the parks, but my husband's family is slow to make decisions so we're a little behind haha. I've already booked a crack-of-dawn breakfast at Chef Mickey's so the kiddos can meet Mickey and friends.

We're staying in a vacation home off-site so we'll probably only book one or two more meals and do the rest at the house on the grill.

We're also spending 3 days at Universal.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

but my husband's family is slow to make decisions so we're a little behind haha.

Time to take the vacation by the reigns and kick some a$$. Otherwise you'll be visiting with nothing in place and a lot of very unhappy people

I've already booked a crack-of-dawn breakfast at Chef Mickey's so the kiddos can meet Mickey and friends.

Good move - Chef Mickeys or Crystal Palace with Winnie The Pooh

We're also spending 3 days at Universal.

Personally, I do 3 at WDW and 2 at Universal

 

[dupac]

Personally, I do 3 at WDW and 2 at Universal

I would too, but I am one of 13.

I am in no way expecting to ride all the rides or tour the way I've toured in the past. Just trying to figure out a good game plan.

 

[ladydi]

Maybe do Epcot first and keep everyone together. Then when you've ridden the Mexico ride three times in a row for the kids, there will be less resistance when you suggest splitting up for the MK day!

 

[dupac]

I like that idea. Honestly I think the idea of sticking together at all times will quickly be abandoned. We'll see.

I still am wondering about Pirates League and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Is this going to take up most of the day for the kids? We have a 7:05 reservation at Chef Mickey's (oy vey) so the plan is to make a B-line to MK after breakfast.