Tips For The ‘Group’ Trip -Keep It Civil And Simple

Group trips to Walt Disney World can run the gamut from Agony to Ecstasy. Generally, immediate family (parents and kids) are the easiest to deal with and work out very well because they are simple – parents are in charge. When you travel with other types of groups such as friends and family, multi generational families, or just a group of friends things can become way more complex. Here are some reasons why:

• Every group has a dominant personality (DP) who may or may not be familiar with Walt Disney World but wants to have his/her input turn into outcome (fancy way of saying they want their own way for the entire group).
• Most groups also have a Disney Dominant Personality (DDP) who knows a lot about the ins and outs of Walt Disney World but may or may not be the group’s DP. Since you are reading this you are likely the group’s DDP and are likely to be deeply involved with planning the trip.
• People are individuals and like to do different things while on vacation whether or not they are familiar with the destination.
• Different members of the group may have different stamina or mobility abilities.

I believe that the DDP bears a significant portion of responsibility to keep it both civil and simple. You probably know who the DP of the group is and it is important that you have a lot of communication with this person to gain his/her support for your planning. If you are both the DP and the DDP that would seem to simplify things but it  actually makes things a bit more complex because you have to relinquish the DP portion of your personality to the DDP – you need to allow for everybody’s interests. Here are some quick ways to make the trip more successful regardless of the DP and DDP relationships:

• Ask everyone in the group for input, ask them what they want to do. You will probably be surprised at just how much all these individuals have in common. That will simplify planning.
• Maintain open and regular communication about the trip with everyone in the group but especially the DP. Make sure the DP is aware of everyone’s  interests. His/hers just might be the same.
• If members of the group want to do their own exploring, let them. I learned from experience that this works best and keeps people happier. Plan to meet up once a day for a nice meal and to discuss the adventures they had that day.
• Allow everyone to tour according to their stamina/mobility abilities – let them decide when they want to take a break, honor that request and plan to meet up later. Everyone in the group needs to know that it’s o.k. to take a break.

These are just a few things you can do to keep the trip civil and simple and be just as good friends at the end of the trip as you were at the beginning. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!

Ken

Photo By Disney

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