The Downside to Planning a Disney Vacation for a Large Group

I am still very much excited about our upcoming trip - but...I'm doing all the planing myself - planning for 5 adults and 3 kids and everyone is coming and going on different days.

Photo Credit

Now that we're down to the wire and I have the details to plan, I'm feeling a bit frazzled. I'm also a bit disappointed about something that I have no control over. See, one of my very best friends, Cherie, is coming on vacation with us. She has not been to WDW since she was about 12 years old. She has one child, Damon, who is 15 and he has never been to WDW. Of course I invited him along but he's declined, more than once.

Damon loves to go hunting and the beginning of May is turkey season. He'd much rather go turkey hunting than go to WDW. As a Disney FANatic, I of course, don't understand how anyone wouldn't want to at least go to WDW at least once, (hahahahaa) especially a kid! Hey, I realize WDW is not for everyone, but what 15 year old doesn't want a week off from school to go to Florida on vacation? Damon.

However, the other day he posted this question on his Facebook page:
"what would you rather do, May 1st-7th, go turkey hunting or to disney???"
Of course all his friends said Disney. Then he posted:
"Go Big or Go Home!!!! anyway, Turkey hunting or Disney? where would you go??"
Again, everyone replied with DISNEY!

When I saw his Facebook updates I thought he must be contemplating going, if he posted that question twice. We are going to be in a 2 bedroom villa so we'll have the room, the 'problem' was dinning reservations. I know you can't just show up with an extra person and expect to have no issues. So, I decided I'd rather be safe than sorry. I called Disney dinning to add him to our meals. I only had to re-arrange 4 meals:

Tuesday May 4th 'Ohana was at 6:30 and now dinner is at 8:20

Cons:

• That's very late for the kids but I will make sure they have something to eat around 5pm and that they are rested before dinner
• I was contemplating a Wishes Cruise after this meal - perfect timing and we'd be where we need to be to get the boat.

Pros:

• We will have more time to get to our dinner reservation. We  will be at Animal Kingdom that day and it's open until 5pm. We'll be able to stay the day if we want and still rest and freshen up before diner at 8:20
• We will be able to see Wishes fireworks from 'Ohana, if we get a window seat. If not, we can still take a peek out the window to see the fireworks. In fact, we may even be done eating by the time Wishes starts and then we'll be able to see the fireworks from the Polynesian beach.

Wednesday, May 5th Sci-Fi Dine In Theater was at 4pm and now reservations are at 3:45pm

Not a big deal so this day won't really change.

Thursday, May 6th San Angel Inn was at 6:30pm and is now at 6:45pm

Again, not a big deal - WHEW :]

Friday, May 7th breakfast was at Chef Mickey's at 10am - I could not reschedule Chef Mickey's, it was booked solid.

Photo Credit

I went with Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness Lodge. It was that or 'Ohana and we'll already be eating at 'Ohana this trip.

Cons:

• The kids really love Chef Mickey's so they'll be grumpy about this

Pros:

• CJ and I don't like Chef Mickey anyway, LOL
• Whispering Canyon is an okay place to eat, the food is good and the Wilderness Lodge is nice. We ate breakfast there on our last trip and liked it.

So, all in all, there weren't many changes to our 'official' 2010 itinerary and I'm glad I was able to plan for the off chance that Damon decides to come along. However, his last Facebook update said:
"Only 46 days, 2 hours, 56 minutes and 39 seconds till turkey season!!!! yes i'm a little excited"

Guess I shouldn't get too excited about him coming along, huh?