Message:
(posting this again - first time did not pick up FLORIDA ) Hi -
My entire family (16 people!) are going to disney for a week , leaving in about 6 days. (13 adults ages 18 - 68, 3 kids 10-12-13)

We really don't have any set plans for the days, but the closer we get to it , I am thinking we should have a rough plan in place.
We arrive at 11 am on Sat, and fly out around 6 thge following Sat.

We definitely want to do:
Disney
Epcot
Universl or MGM
possibly do some flea marketing
Spend a day driving out to the coast
and possibly do a water park.

Suggestions on order of events? Tips on where to buy tickets?

any help is appreciated

Hi

We did Disney as a group/crowd once and had an absolute ball!!

We stayed in Kissimmee and rented some condos (five 2 and 3 bedroom units) and agreed upon a park time each day. When we got inside the park we met again - decided who wanted to head where and split up into about 3 groups - met at lunch and then again back at the condos. We were fortunate in that we had the walkie talkie phones and were able to keep in touch with each other. That was especially helpful when we sorta lost our little 5-year old. But he was back with us in about 15 minutes.

We did the same at Universal studios and then everyone opted for whatever they chose for the remaining days but each evening we continued to meet and decide on dinner and then head off in about 3 groups.

Would we do it again? YES - it was a lot of fun to watch each person's enjoyment.

here is a great place to start
www.disboards.com

you will get plenty of info there.

You really cannot "plan" every minute, espically with all those people. I think you are trying to get too much in, espically if you are going to WDW for the first time. Also you did not say if you are staying on site at WDW, which also makes a big difference.

Universal is 2 days at most, and I recommend you stay on site at one of their hotels, if you can. When you stay at a universal hotel, you get to go FOTL (front of the line) on all rides. It will save you a ton of time. Universal is much smaller that WDW, but they have more thrill rides, and is not as spread out.

I think you will just have enough time to do the 2 parks, and there are a few water parks in WDW. I would set aside certain days for WDW, some for universal, then plan your park days. The Magic Kingdom will be busier on the weekends.

Also visit the disney website and the universal orlando website for more info. Time goes fast in theme parks, espically when you have a big crowd. If you are doing 4 days in WDW and 2 days at Universal on-site hotels, you will be able to see most of what the theme parks have to offer. REmember too, that it will be very hot and the pace is a bit slower in the heat.

Having been to WDW over 50 times and universal over 15 times, the best plan is to everyday get an early start, take an afternoon break by going to your hotel room and go to the pool rest and cool off then go back to the parks later in the afternoon when the sun is not so high in the sky. You may not want to do this, thinking you are on a "roll" but it is the best advice I can give, besides drinking lots of bottled water!

For WDW: You may want to plan to meet at Dinner. Take a look at the restaurants at the parks you are planning to visit and make priority seating reservations for each night at dinner. Keep in mind, though that at the sit down restaurants, Disney will charge an 18% gratuity on groups larger than 8 (I believe).

Now, when you mention Disney, I am assuming you mean the Magic Kingdom (MK). This park may be busy on the weekends and on Mondays. However, if you do go on those days, go early.

But no matter what days you do the parks remember to leave to go back to your hotel for a dip in the pool and a nice afternoon nap. (You didn't mention if you are staying off-site. You will feel refreshed for the evening.) After your nap/pool dip, meet the group for dinner, and head off to experience more of the parks together or separate. Keep in mind, too, that the hottest part of the day is between 3 pm and 5. We are now experiencing afternoon/early evening showers too, so bring a poncho (wal-mart-more economical) or buy one at the parks (<$10 ea) when you need one.

I would recommend one of disney waterparks (remember to bring pool shoes as the sidewalks become very hot in the summer.)

If you are driving out to the coast, I would recommend going to the Kennedy Space Center. There you may spend a few hours to a whole day depending upon your tour preferences.

Epcot: Our favorite park, well, you should make reservations for dinner here as well. Definately stay around for Illuminations in the evening. The 10 to 13 crowd (if they like "thrill" type rides--remember this is Disney not Universal) they would probably like Test Track and Mission Space. World Showcase: Walk into the shops etc and experience each country by speaking with the cast members. Some countries have rides, some have films, some have both & all have shops & eateries/restaurants! Quite a few people just walk around the lagoon and miss the essence of Epcot.

MGM: Another favorite of ours. The 10 to 13 crowd will probably like Rock N Roller Coaster & Tower of Terror.

Animal Kingdom: You didn't mention this one but, there are interesting rides/attractions here too. A safari ride, a walk through aviary, a water ride, a roller coaster (small), shows-animal and human interest, and of course, the tree of life with the nearby attraction-Its a Bugs Life.

Universal: Recommend staying in one of the hotels here. Univerisal has quite a few rollercoaster (big thrill) type rides.

Flea Markets: Not really a fan of these, but the Mount Dora area has a big one (antiques etc.) and the town is quaint. There is also one in Kissimmee.

Hope this helps!

Debbie ==>

Give some thought to a day at Kennedy Space Center. It's under an hour away on the coast. Daytona and all the NASCAR mystic is an hour north from there, and another hour back to Orlando. Great to go driving on the beach at Daytona...ultrafine sand that's like velvet concrete.