Taking a group trip to Disney World can certainly be a challenge, there’s no doubt about that. We recently ran across an article by Leap at Undercover Tourist that offered 10 tips to reduce the hassle of a group trip. We like most of them, and have a few of our own to add.
- Appoint a team leader. Definitely have a point person so everyone knows who to talk to if an issue arises.
- Wear the same color. This is a great idea in theory: it makes it easy to keep an eye on each other. Unfortunately, it’s not always practical. With 10s of thousands of other guests in the park with you, chances are good that there will be plenty of other people wearing the same color you choose.
- Have a schedule, but be flexible. It’s true that finding the balance between no schedule and too much of a schedule can be a challenge.
- Have designated meet-up times every day. Indeed, scheduling group meet-ups ahead of time is much easier than making a dozen phone calls while you’re in the park.
- Arrive early for shows. If you have a large group, then you will need to be at shows very early to assure everyone can sit together.
- Assume that everything will take longer. From character meet and greets to meals, it makes sense that it takes longer for a large group than it would if you were traveling only with your family.
- Break up into subgroups. This is a great idea to assure that most people get to do most of the things they want.
- Have a back-up plan. Some people in your party will want to be in the park all day, while others will want time to relax at your hotel or vacation home. Be flexible and have back-up plans in place.
- Don’t hang on to resentments. Disney World is a magical place, but it can also be stressful. Don’t let a few tense words ruin the trip for everyone.
- Take time for gratitude. Get everyone together once a day for pictures and a time of general reflection on the fact that you all managed to get to Disney World at the same time.
These are great tips, but it’s missing our top tip: for large groups staying in Orlando, vacation homes can be a life saver. You’ll have plenty of privacy, it’s much more affordable than staying in resorts, and each one features incredible amenities like private pools, full kitchens, and washer and dryers.
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