Advice required please

[CarolAnn]

I don't envy you the situation to be honest, you seem to have concerns already. How about making an itinery of how YOU would like to spend the trip and offer advice and support helping them plan theirs? That way you have laid the land before you get to the villa? 2 cars a must I think. Just be honest about what you do plan to do, and what you don't, that way you will not be worrying about their expectation when you get there People feeling free and comfortable on their trip is important I think.

[Matt]

I agree with Carol, a few years back we went as a party of 16, we had 3 homes between us, there were 3 families and some hangers on. We all sat down a few months before our trip and deceided on what we all wanted to do. Of course not all wanted to do the same things!!

But as we had planned before hand, whilst we were away we had a great time, no problems whatsoever as we all knew who where and when we would be doing things. For some of the parks just a few members from each family would go in one car, another group would go golfing in another car and the rest either stayed by the pool or went shopping.

Driving shouldn't be a problem for first timers, Florida is so easy to get around and everything is well sign posted, much easier than my first time driving in Spain last week!!!!! Now thats a different story[msnembarrased]. Also you need to think about and remember, thousands of us Brits arrive in Florida everyday and I would say 70% of those have never driven in the States before but they all manage to get through it.

So, there's my advise, plan plan plan WAY before you go and remember to get all your park tickets before you go.... from this site of course[msnwink].

[mizzy]

Vicki

you probably know what i'm going to say as i've said it before (albeit in dm) i think the key is to establish beforehand an expectation list and some groundrules

it is hard travelling with your extended family and trying to live up to everyone expectations as i know only too well!

i would definately have a get together before you go and perhaps after a few drinks broach the subjects that worry you the most (just don't get too drunk that you can't remember what you've agreed on)[msnwink]

a kitty is a good idea to for food/everyday items in the villa, we also had one for restaurants and eating out but personally i wouldn't do that again

and i agree with everyone else 2 cars is a must

you're going to have a great time Vicki [msnsmile2]

Mizzy

[sammibabe]

We went with friends a few years ago and only had one car. It wasn't too bad as we all drove to the parks together (we had worked out an itinery beforehand) and then usually went our seperate ways once in there. we sometimes met up at some point in the day for a drink or an icecream. We paid for our meals seperately which was never a problem. We did this as we had 3 children and they had one. When we went shopping we split every bill 50/50 as we went. We were lucky in as much as they were ok with that although our family was eating more of the food. I do think that any potential problem areas should be sorted before you go. You don't want a strained holiday because you're trying to sort it out there. As far as the driving goes if you do have seperate cars I really don't think your brother would have any problems because as someone said previously affter a day it is quite easy. I did it 3 times this time![clap]

[Albert the Frog]

I agree with the two cars,1 big,1 small-we did that this year and it allows you so much freedom. Definitely plan for separate time in advance. We had a planner (my daughter)with us who planned where we needed to be at what time in the parks so that we made all the shows etc. We all agreed in advance to follow her leadings without any moaning-it really helped. Don't be afraid of broaching ground rules and indeed taking the lead if you've been before. We've been a few times in those circumstances and afterwards (and at the Time) the people have said that they were glad that somebody was taking the lead otherwise they'd have been overwhelmed.

(We're not bossy ogres by the way....well my wife maybe-only joking!)

[MTP]

Just thinking about the two cars one large / one small option. Just thinking that if you go for this option it may result in one person always being the designated driver. This may not be a problem, but it is another factor to bear in mind.

[jovi]

I think that reading all these replies, we will definately have two cars, we will have the Chrysler 330c and my brother a 4 door regular car. I will definately advise him to hire a sat nav, I think we will hire one too.
I am the organiser of the trip, so I will arrange for him to come round before we go and go over what we want from this trip and vise versa, I keep on at him to get the kids to go on the Disney/universal sites to get ideas of what they definately want to do, we do the same, having been 3 times before my kids know exactly were they want to go and what they want to do it is up to me now to sort out an itinerary for us.
As we are going in July I have made everyone aware that when we do the parks it will be up early and at the park on the rides asap, then back to the villa for some r&r and back to the chosen park/parks again.
Thanks everyone for your advice, I know I probably have nothing to worry about but being the cheif organiser for my brothers first time to Florida, I do worry.

[domster]

I agree that 2 cars is the best option here. If you want to do something one day then you can do it without anyone feeling guilty.

Plus it might not be all that much more expensive anyway.

[Simon Ball]

Hi Vicky

We have just come back from holidaying with friends and we had separate cars,one people carrier and one large car.We decided over supper what we all wanted to do the next day,someday's they had all the kids and another it was our turn,we stayed together on occasions and others just us.
Our friends were 1st timers as well and we have been many times,I think you are worrying a bit too much,once you are all there it will come together,but it is your holiday as well so compromise is what you will all need to do not just you!

Pam

[saldisneymad]

[msnsmile2]WE go to Orlando on Nov 9th our family group is Mum & Dad; Brother, Sister in Law, Darcy 3 yrs old & Leo 18 months; Sister & William 2 yrs old. We have booked 2 large cars so that we can all do what we want when we want, stay at the park or take little ones back to the villa for a sleep. We have our intinery which can be a flexable. Hopefully all will go smoothly, we have booked a large 7 bedroom villa so there is plenty of space to chill out by yourself if we want to. We are so excited time seems to be whizzing pass our main concerns are long waits at the airport but we have bought lots of new things to keep the little ones entertained. The magic of Orlando should please everyone,
love Sally