The Happiest Place on Earth--- Extended Family Style!

​Edition 1:  Before you book

​Many of our family’s favorite trips to Walt Disney World have been when we’ve travelled with our extended family.  While Disney is ALWAYS amazing, I am definitely of the opinion, “The More The Merrier"!  With multiple generations travelling together, experiencing the magic is that much more fun!

However, when you get multiple families together, trying to plan a trip could be a little overwhelming.  The typical Clark trips include 9 – 12 people from three or four different families; over the years I’ve picked up a few tips for how to make an extended family Disney vacation truly a magical experience!
 
This blog is the first in a series to help you plan your extended Walt Disney World family vacation!!!

We’re going to Walt Disney World – who’s coming with!
 
When it comes to Disney planning – there is no such thing as “too early”.  When you start thinking ---“Hmmmmmm – I would LOVE for everyone to go to Walt Disney World” – I recommend contacting everyone you were thinking would LOVE to come along, right away!  I know it's January 2018 but I totally just booked our next extended family trip to Walt Disney World for New Year’s 2019 -- let the phone calls begin!!! 

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​By letting everyone know what you are thinking, you give your extended family the gift of time.  This will allow everyone to take a leisurely look at their calendars; you can coordinate when your nieces and nephews are off from school and even how much vacation time everyone has left at work :) 

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​Another advantage of deciding on a time frame super early is the ability to take advantage of lower prices and increased availability.  Walt Disney World vacation packages are often open for booking over a year in advance; this is when accommodations and theme park ticket prices will be at their lowest!  Disney could raise their rates and ticket prices at any time; by booking the year early, you can lock in your room & ticket rates at the lowest prices. 

Additionally, the earlier you book your package – the more options there are for resort availability!  Many of the Standard rooms in favorite locations (like the resorts located near the monorail) tend to book quickly, so totally check out your calendar early!

Family “togetherness”!?!?
Trying to decide what type of rooms to book is the next conversation to have.  I recommend everyone being open and honest with how close they would like to be :)    We’ve learned it’s better to discuss this on the front end to avoid any hurt feelings at the theme parks.
 
Are we all at the same resort?          
A big decision is to determine if everyone would like to stay in the same style of resort.  Walt Disney World offers accommodations for Value, Moderate and Deluxe level resorts – each with varying price levels.  If everyone is wanting to stay at the same resort – be sure that everyone is comfortable with the location and price. 
 
Are we all in the same room?
OPTION #1:  A Disney Villa or Suite
Walt Disney World offers one, two and even three bedroom villas, as well as Suites so that everyone can stay under one roof.   These have different sleeping capacities so that even a group of 12 can be accommodated!

     Three Bedroom at                         One Bedroom at                      Two Bedroom at
       Bay Lake Towers                      The Wilderness Lodge                 The Boardwalk 

​ A positive of a Villa / Suite option is that everyone is in constant communication with each other – super easy to coordinate plans and use all family members as a support network for getting kids out the door on time!  Questions like:  “Where are we going today?”, “Can someone brush Kara's hair?”, “Can I borrow your hairspray?” … and most important…  “Who’s making coffee in the morning?”,  are easily answered!  If there are plan changes, the villa gives everyone the ability to easily coordinate.

Another side of the Villa / Suite option
is that while the area is spacious – you are ALL TOGETHER ALL THE TIME.  At 5:00 am your 4 year old niece could come running into the bedroom, sword in hand, letting everyone know it is time to wake up and play!  In a Villa or Suite – finding some alone time could be challenging. 
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OPTION #2:  Separate (but nearby) rooms
Another option is to book separate rooms.  This gives everyone their own space and downtime.  If you are still looking for a little more “togetherness”, you could put in a request for connecting rooms at the time that you book.  However, while Disney tries their best to accommodate requests – they cannot guarantee connecting rooms. 
 

                                                                                  My Dad invading our "space" at the 
                                                                                             Grand Floridian!!!

With OPTION #2, you are able to request a “Travel With” number.  This allows cast members to see that you are a large group traveling in multiple rooms – but still together.  When you check into your resort, Disney will try their best to place your families in rooms close together!!!  ​​

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Watch for next month’s edition of “The Happiest Place on Earth – Extended Family Style!” as I talk about linking your My Disney Experience accounts and activity planning
 

​If you have traveled as a large group- I would love for you to add your advice to families traveling together!!!