Last July, (July of 2015) my family took a trip to Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Oh, but my wonderfully crazy family doesn't do things small. We took a total of 16 people, ranging in age from 72 years old, to a one-year-old. My grandma, Barbara, was 72 when we left for Disney and my cousin Kenzie was only one. There's many great things about traveling with 16 people, including 10 people over the age of 20, five people under the age of 10 years and one teenager (that would be me, at that time.) Disney may not have been ready for us, but here is 12 reasons why we were ready for it.
1. Family Time.
To me and the rest of my large family, family time is everything. If it's relaxing by the pool, hanging in the parks, or taking silly photos in the parks or Downtown Disney, no matter what we do it's prime family time.
2. Always getting to be a kid.
Sometimes, being surrounded by the people you love, in the happiest of places, with infections smiles and giggles can make those who are old feel young again.
3. Watching the young kids with wonder.
My cousin Jacob, has this habit of putting his finger to his mouth when he is shocked, intrigued or wondering about something. Watching him and his twin sister Natalie, plus my other cousins Leah, Zachary and Kenzie with wonder in their eyes, smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts, made everything worth it.
4. Fun group meals.
16 people requires two full tables, a lot of food, multiple packs of wet-wipes and everyone being prepared to go into "who's child is having a meltdown" mode. But whether the meal was in the hotel food court, the park, or a sit-down character meal or show, it was like a food fight waiting to happen.
5. Getting to wear fun outfits to meals.
Aloha! *insert proper hand gesture here* Our family had two sit down meals. One was at Chef Mickey's buffet at the Contemporary Resort. As pictured above, we went dressed like we would for a regular day at the parks. That night however, we sat through the Spirit of Aloha dinner show at the Polynesian Resort. Let me tell you, that get-up was my favorite yet. 16 people in Hawaiian shirts, plastic hula skirts and lei's around our necks was something to see.
6. Cute candid photos.
Some of the best photos on vacation aren't the ones where you're pushed into position and forced to smile while staring into the blazing sun. Sometimes, all it takes is a cute kid, a boat ride and a big cousin who likes to see smiles.
7. Meeting characters.
Jacob is terrified of anything bigger than him. Except for apparently Mickey's bear, Duffy. All of the kids seem to love meeting characters, but watching a two-year-old child overcome his fear with the encouragement of his cousins is amazing.
9. Spending time apart.
When you travel with 16 people, you tend to get annoyed constantly being near them. The good thing about getting annoyed is it gives you a chance to go cool off and spend a few hours doing whatever you want, like swimming, seeing Animal Kingdom or playing in the water fountain.
10. Traditional photos.
Some people take photos in front of Cinderella's Castle, while others take photos in front of a tree, My mother and I, on the other hand, have a tendency to take a photo on the first bridge we find in Animal Kingdom.
11. Making magical memories.
Spending time with family is the best. My family is super close, so spending time with 15 members of them was one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was a great experience watching my aunt and grandma become kids again, spending quality time with my cousins, or something as simple as watching the kids play. Every memory was magical and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
12. Just being us.
16 people, 16 amazing smiles, hearts, laughs, bundles of love and so much more. For one week, all 16 of us got to be the one happy family we love to be. Taking magical photos featuring Olaf (the family's new mascot thanks to Nat and Jake), hanging by the pool, having your body turned in four different directions while being yelled at by children who barely reach your hips "Paigey!!!! Come this way. NO! Paigey this way," or passing out face-first on the floor because you chased kids around Epcot all day, it was all truly wonderful. I could never thank my family enough for making traveling with 16 people my new favorite thing.
