My Tips for Vacations with Groups

Hopefully your group isn't quite this big!

Traveling in a group with family or friends can be a great way to experience the Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line.  There's something pretty great about spending time with your loved ones in these special places.  I personally have great memories of family trips, from seeing my baby cousin get his first haircut at the Barber Shop on Main Street in Walt Disney World, to having a "just us girls" cruise on the Disney Dream.

However, it can be challenging to travel in a large group to Disney (or anywhere, really).  Even though there can be issues, there are things you can do to cut down on the chaos and make sure that everyone is enjoying their vacation.

1.  Have a discussion before you leave about everyone's expectations.

If you can, have a quick discussion with your group before you leave on your trip.  If you're not all in the same area, have a video chat or send out a group e-mail.  What are the expectations you all have for your trip?  What things are must-dos, and what can you skip? Are Grandpa and Grandma OK with watching the kids in the evening so the parents can go out, or would they rather join in on the fun, too? Whatever your group decides, this helps to cut down on disagreements and misunderstandings later in the trip.

2. Do your own thing; don't plan on being together 24-7.

One of the hardest parts about traveling in a group is moving around with a lot of people.  Even the simplest task (where do you want to eat lunch, what ride should we go on next) can turn into a major discussion.  We've all seen those groups who are standing around, waiting for someone to make the decision about what to do next.  When I've traveled in a group, we all discussed (see tip #1) that we should all feel free to do what we wanted during the day, so no one felt bad about striking out on their own.   

Also, not being together all day every day gives everyone a breather, because sometimes too much togetherness is not a good thing.  Tempers can flare up if everyone is together all the time, so be sure to give everyone the space they need.

3. Meet up once a day for a group activity, like an attraction or a meal.

I think this is one of the greatest group-trip tips.  This allows each person or smaller group within the larger party to do their own thing, while still having time together, which is why you went on vacation together in the first place!  If you're at one of the Disney parks, make table service reservations before you leave on vacation, or plan on all doing an attraction as a group.  If you're on the Disney Cruise Line, perhaps your activity is all coming together at the evening meal, or doing an excursion together at one of the ports.

4. If sharing hotel rooms or ship cabins, give some thought to who rooms with who.

Since you're traveling with a group, you're going to have multiple hotel rooms within your resort (or multiple cabins on the ship, if you're cruising).  If you're traveling with family, you might have a college-aged or single adult on the trip or grandparents who might not get their own room but want to share with another family member.  

If you're vacationing with friends, some might be couples but there might be single people, as well.

Or, you might have people looking to room together in order to have fewer rooms in order to save money.

In any of the events above, group like-minded people together.  For instance, your cousin Lucy might be a night owl who likes to hit the evening Extra Magic Hours and prefers to sleep in.  It would probably not work out to have her room with your Great Aunt and Uncle who like to get to bed by 9PM and wake up at 5AM.  

You know your group the best, so if room sharing is a necessity, work out those details when you book your trip so that everyone has the kind of vacation they're looking for.

5. HAVE FUN!

This is the most important tip of all.  You're vacationing as a group because you want to spend time together, and create memories that you'll all talk about for years to come.  Enjoy yourselves, and cherish that time together.

Share your tips with me and other readers: what are your best tips to enjoying a vacation with a group?