Preparing the rest of the gang for the trip

[Brandie]

I'm taking some of my friends on a Disney trip this summer. We're at about 96 days out so I'm getting pretty excited about putting all the pieces together. (Disneyland 90 days out = WDW 6 months out) One of those pieces is preparing my traveling partners.

I've warned them that we'll be up early in the morning and I've given them an idea about the costs involved. Any other suggestions for what I can do to help them get ready? And, any suggestions for involving them in the planning?

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum! Feel free to move it to the Disneyland Forum when it opens. :RpS_flapper:

[Brandie]

I take that back . . . 60 days is when I need to be ready with my plans, which is good because I've still got lots of planning to do.

So, if you were taking a group to WDW how would you have them help decide which places to eat at, or which attractions are "must dos"?

[blyday]

So, if you were taking a group to WDW how would you have them help decide which places to eat at, or which attractions are "must dos"?

I start with the basics at first......I sit them down, look at our trip and let them know how many full days (I never plan anything for arrival or departure days this far out......those are decided when we all get flights, etc in place AND even then.....we usually go with waiting until we are there and seeing how we feel!!!) I then give them recommendations (for example if we have 6 full days, I'll mention that we can go to each park once and 2 parks twice. I usually recommend MK and Epcot with Epcot being a late start so we have that sleep in morning. If you are going to do water Parks or have a day off.....then budget your days accordingly.

OK.....now that I know how many days we are going to each park.....I tell them to select one restaurant from each of the park areas for each day we are visiting that park. (Example: for MK day, any restaurant in MK, on the monorail, WL or FW. And since we have 2 days, then they get to select 2 restaurants in that are.) I do not even give them options of places that are not by the parks or where we are planning on being that day. Now, I can put together a good plan based on the crowd calendars. Oh and if you have favorites or must dos.....let them know right up front!!! (I do this myself......they always follow my lead!!!!) After putting together the itinerary, I send it out to all parties to look over and get there final approval.

The actual attraction selecting part I do closer to the trip. Usually about 3 months out, I'll send them a list of all of the attractions in each of the parks with a basic description of the attraction. I have each member of the traveling party rate each attraction as: 1- "Must do", 2- "would like to do", 3- "don't care one way or the other", and 4-"don't want to do". I have them just write out the number (I actually put together a spreadsheet for the ratings!!) and they are limited to no more then 3 "must dos" per person per park. I then put together the park touring plans making sure to get in everyone's must do and then moving on to the would like to dos if there is time. Occasionally, we even get a few "don't really cares" in there. Oh and if there is an attraction that is a don't do for one or two people but a must for others......those "don't dos" get to be FPV while the rest go on the attraction!!!

Then, I have learned to make copies of all itineraries and park plans to give to each person in the party. That way they know what time you need to leave in the mornings and what the day has in store for them!!! It also makes each person (little kids of course I exclude from this) responsible for getting themselves to the right place at the right time!!!! And if they choose to go off course during the day, they know where you will be and can catch up later. I will never again try to work around anyone who doesn't stick with the group at all times!!! Oh and make sure they understand the basic rules: If they wander off from the group, you will not wait for them. You will not save them a spot in line (no line jumping!!!!) You will not follow them to see what they are doing, etc. And (this is important with larger groups especially!!!) when one person goes to the bathroom.....EVERYONE goes to the bathroom!!!

[Brandie]

Thanks for your response, Brenda. I know you've got a lot of experience with this!


I tell them to select one restaurant from each of the park areas for each day we are visiting that park.

I'm doing this all via e-mail. (Well, actually I've set up a "Secret Group" on Facebook, thanks to you!) Would you suggest I send links to all the menus for all restaurants I'm considering and have them weigh in? For this trip (3 park days, 2 travel days) I think we'll pick two in a park and one DTD or resort meal.


The actual attraction selecting part I do closer to the trip. Usually about 3 months out, I'll send them a list of all of the attractions in each of the parks with a basic description of the attraction. I have each member of the traveling party rate each attraction as: 1- "Must do", 2- "would like to do", 3- "don't care one way or the other", and 4-"don't want to do". I have them just write out the number (I actually put together a spreadsheet for the ratings!!) and they are limited to no more then 3 "must dos" per person per park. I then put together the park touring plans making sure to get in everyone's must do and then moving on to the would like to dos if there is time.

I think I'll have fun doing this! And, I'm three months out . . . better get started!


Then, I have learned to make copies of all itineraries and park plans to give to each person in the party. That way they know what time you need to leave in the mornings and what the day has in store for them!!! It also makes each person (little kids of course I exclude from this) responsible for getting themselves to the right place at the right time!!!! And if they choose to go off course during the day, they know where you will be and can catch up later. I will never again try to work around anyone who doesn't stick with the group at all times!!! Oh and make sure they understand the basic rules: If they wander off from the group, you will not wait for them. You will not save them a spot in line (no line jumping!!!!) You will not follow them to see what they are doing, etc. And (this is important with larger groups especially!!!) when one person goes to the bathroom.....EVERYONE goes to the bathroom!!!

So, for my group, it's me and three of my friends. No kids, no spouses. For the most part, I think they'll all follow me around. Would you suggest individual itineraries for them anyway? And, do you think I need to set rules for a group of adults?

[blyday]

I'm doing this all via e-mail. (Well, actually I've set up a "Secret Group" on Facebook, thanks to you!) Would you suggest I send links to all the menus for all restaurants I'm considering and have them weigh in? For this trip (3 park days, 2 travel days) I think we'll pick two in a park and one DTD or resort meal.
Yep....that is exactly what I'd do. You can do the All-ears thing and give them a list of possible choices, let them look at the menus to those places and you are good to go!!!


So, for my group, it's me and three of my friends. No kids, no spouses. For the most part, I think they'll all follow me around. Would you suggest individual itineraries for them anyway? And, do you think I need to set rules for a group of adults?
Yes!!! Adults are the worst!!! In fact, it was on the trip that we took our parents that I finally have decided to do this from now on. (This started after our first park day, my birthday trip, my mom and FIL not playing by any rules and us missing attractions that I really had wanted to do because of them. It took me sitting in a bench by myself in front of the castle in tears before I realized that I needed to establish boundaries or the whole 2 weeks would be a nightmare. Yep......adults need to have basic ground rules!!!) Of course, you might want to present it as "OK, here is the itinerary and the schedule. You can follow along, or go off on your own....but this is what I will be doing. If you want to go off and do something different, I will still continue along my schedule, feel free to join up with me again at any point!!" The bathroom one you can decide.....I've usually found that if we are all staying properly hydrated that everyone tends to do this anyway!!!

[Canwegosoon]

Brandie-I have only done my very large extended family(which has included children)-But I have found by limiting choices(to your favorites most of the time) it is easier for them to make a decision. Example would be if you need 2 MK area dining pick 1 in the park and one out but only give them 2-3 choices for each (MK in park: our choices are Tony's or Crystal Palace and for MK out of park our choices are Ohanna, 1900 or California Grill)-then I ask them to look over the menu and choose how they would rank the restaurant based on menu. This way you can see what your friends would perfer-but you have already culled out restaurants that you do not think would give your group the best experience.

I also warn our group that we will be leaving 1 hour before schedule park opening but we will only be staying in the park until noon. Then we can catch a lunch/snack rest in room and then we will be heading out for dinner at 5pm(adr for 6pm). There is plenty of time for shopping/spa/or other activities like reading that people can schedule last minute. Being that this is an adults only trip I would schedule later ADR's (maybe more like 7pm)and plan nothing for after dinner so you can enjoy a few drinks or other entertainment(bands/shopping) before or after dinner if they are running on time.

I would do a Calif Grill for wishes seating on what ever night you are planning your AK day. I would try to leave a day for what ever strikes you while you are there(maybe this could be a resort dining night). I always made an excell schedule(color coded) so everyone knew what was going on- but left the actual park itinerary a little flexible
Hope you have a great trip

[Brandie]

Thanks for the advice, Terri! I've been trying to give them some ideas of the options we have, but they are saying "that looks good" and "whatever you think" I guess I need to say "We can eat here, here or here. Which do you want?" and "We can go here or here. Which do you want?"

[blyday]

Thanks for the advice, Terri! I've been trying to give them some ideas of the options we have, but they are saying "that looks good" and "whatever you think" I guess I need to say "We can eat here, here or here. Which do you want?" and "We can go here or here. Which do you want?"

That is a good idea!!!! I never take "that looks good" or "whatever you think" as an answer. DH's oldest sister did that and then when I'd go ahead and book things and sent her an itinerary....suddenly she had an opinion and this or that "just won't work"!!!! Make them take some ownership right from the start!!!!

[Canwegosoon]

Thanks for the advice, Terri! I've been trying to give them some ideas of the options we have, but they are saying "that looks good" and "whatever you think" I guess I need to say "We can eat here, here or here. Which do you want?" and "We can go here or here. Which do you want?"

That's why I like the ranking...they don't actuallly have to pick, just put them in order-I'll pick(imo-wdw food is not that different-you can get a chicken, steak or fish almost everywhere)...I think they are just trying to be accomodating(you might want to have a few back up choices- or even save resort choices- for last minute swaps)

[whitestavern]

Awesome thread! We are going with another family and these are exactly the kinds of tips I've been looking for!

[Brandie]

Hey! Whitestavern needs more tips! Bring 'em on!