Princess Kaylee
Well-Known Member
We are driving to WDW with 15 relatives in a van. Has anyone ever done this successfully?
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Has anyone ever drove to WDW with their extended family?
- Thread starter Princess Kaylee
- Start date
I honestly think I would rather slam a car door on my bits and pieces than do something like that and I really like my family.
Now if it is a 2-3 hour drive I could deal with it, but anything approaching double digits would be a nightmare.
There are just too many personalities to deal with and all it takes is that one person who needs to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes, or thinks the air is too cold, or the driver is going too fast or slow, etc, to make a trip like that turn into a Geneva Convention violation.
Now if it is a 2-3 hour drive I could deal with it, but anything approaching double digits would be a nightmare.
There are just too many personalities to deal with and all it takes is that one person who needs to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes, or thinks the air is too cold, or the driver is going too fast or slow, etc, to make a trip like that turn into a Geneva Convention violation.
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Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
That must be one big van!!! Are you sure it can fit that many bodies (AND their luggage)?
As for whether such a venture is "do-able," all depends on the length of your trip and the personalities of your relatives. If they're laid-back, upbeat people with some road trip experience and similar preferences in how to travel (what music to listen to, how often to stop and for what purposes, etc.), I don't see why you couldn't make it work. However, the stronger the personalities, the more they diverge, and the longer the trip, the more likely you'll be in for a difficult time!
If you are the driver, I'd suggest a brief family meeting with everyone, just to discuss things like: (1) when you're leaving and how much room there will be for bags, so you won't start the trip late or overpacked; (2) how long you'll drive and how often you'll stop; (3) what snacks/entertainment each person might be bringing; and (4) meals and/or hotels along the way, and who-pays-for-what
Starting everyone off on the same page, with realistic expectations, makes all the difference.
As for whether such a venture is "do-able," all depends on the length of your trip and the personalities of your relatives. If they're laid-back, upbeat people with some road trip experience and similar preferences in how to travel (what music to listen to, how often to stop and for what purposes, etc.), I don't see why you couldn't make it work. However, the stronger the personalities, the more they diverge, and the longer the trip, the more likely you'll be in for a difficult time!
If you are the driver, I'd suggest a brief family meeting with everyone, just to discuss things like: (1) when you're leaving and how much room there will be for bags, so you won't start the trip late or overpacked; (2) how long you'll drive and how often you'll stop; (3) what snacks/entertainment each person might be bringing; and (4) meals and/or hotels along the way, and who-pays-for-what
Starting everyone off on the same page, with realistic expectations, makes all the difference.
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JIMINYCR
Well-Known Member
With 15 people AND all their luggage... I'd do a trial run somewhere close by to check out how the suspension is going to hold up.
When I go somewhere with just a few friends we have quite a fight over what radio station we listen to, how much elbow room we have, and where and when we stop. Good luck managing 15 family members. This can be a need for family counseling after the trip is over.
When I go somewhere with just a few friends we have quite a fight over what radio station we listen to, how much elbow room we have, and where and when we stop. Good luck managing 15 family members. This can be a need for family counseling after the trip is over.
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rob0519
Well-Known Member
Never have and never would. We did an extended family DCL cruise a few years back and there was always someone complaining about something, one person who always had to have things his way (and then complained about it anyway) and a lot of differing opinions.
I can't say it was all bad, but in the end my family felt we missed out on some things we may never have a chance to do again.
Fifteen people in one van, even two vans seems like a recipe for disaster, at least for our family.
I can't say it was all bad, but in the end my family felt we missed out on some things we may never have a chance to do again.
Fifteen people in one van, even two vans seems like a recipe for disaster, at least for our family.
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DisneyPrincess5
Well-Known Member
You're so brave!! Never done this (do I even have 15 families members that I enjoy?)
How long will your drive be? What is the demographic of the crowd (elderly, young children, disabled?)
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It's a 22 hour drive with adults, one autistic child, young children, and teens. I never said I enjoyed all of them lol...
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DisneyPrincess5
Well-Known Member
Ok no you're not just brave, you're a Saint
In all seriousness, that's a huge undertaking. What led you guys to consider and/or decide on one van together? What about flying or breaking the family up into separate cars?
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Ok no you're not just brave, you're a Saint
In all seriousness, that's a huge undertaking. What led you guys to consider and/or decide on one van together? What about flying or breaking the family up into separate cars?
Although we can afford to fly they cannot, and they all want to go on " a family road trip ".
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dreamfinder
Well-Known Member
A 22hr trip with 15 other people in a single van? Yikes. Can you split it into two vans? Otherwise you may want to splurge on noise cancelling headphones for everyone. No two ways around it, that will be a long trip. Definitely want to lay out ground rules well in advance and then stick to them as you go. Restroom stops, food breaks, music/videos only with headphones, etc.
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ScottKC
Active Member
Wow, that would be an incredible trip, 15 people in one van! I say why not? Go for it...it certainly would be memorable! Navigating a 15 person party through Disney World must be like moving a small Army. When I was a kid I went on a big family trip(at least 15 people) to Disneyland...but it was a day trip and we went in several cars. I recall us splitting up into smaller groups all of the time in order for it to work. But it's a fond childhood memory.
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Nemo14
Well-Known Member
If you're planning to rent a 15 passenger van to do this, please please do your homework about them. They do not handle the same as a regular van, and some states even require a special license to drive one. Our church used to rent them for mission trips with our youth group until they realized just how unsafe they are. And as others have mentioned, where do you plan to put luggage for 15 people, even one bag per person?
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