Orlando is one of the top family reunion destinations in the world, and for good reason. The weather is beautiful, the people are friendly, and there is no shortage of fun regardless of your family’s age or interests. But before you embark on an unforgettable adventure, consider these four quick tips for planning an Orlando family reunion.

Article originally written on Aug 29, 2014. Updated on Sep 19, 2019.

1. Stay connected.

The thing about plans is that they change. It’s essential to keep everyone in the loop when they inevitably do. If you’re planning a family reunion, we recommend creating a Facebook group or event to serve as the central hub of communication for everyone involved. Here, the person tasked with planning the reunion can send updates and information necessary to keep everyone up to speed. Plus, it’s a fun way to post family photos and share stories that excite everyone about reuniting!

2. Plan, Recruit, and Delegate

Create a committee to plan at least three possible dates and locations. Then, send out a post on Facebook for family members to decide which place. After that is fixed, you must create a backup plan in case that place, for instance, has a hurricane blowing through it. After that, ask for people to volunteer to manage different aspects of the reunion, such as:

• finances
• food
• reservations
• lodging
• entertainment

Tips for Planning an Orlando Family Reunion

3. Give yourself plenty of time.

Are you hoping to hold a family reunion next year? Get started now! Big family reunions can require a relatively decent amount of planning, sometimes a year or more. People must request time off from work, set extra money aside, and ensure everything at home is in order before leaving on a trip. Save yourself and your family the headache of rushing to put everything together, and allow plenty of time to plan in peace.

Check out our vacation rentals for large groups.

4. Choose the suitable accommodations.

Family reunions usually mean large groups of people; if you’re considering staying in an Orlando hotel, that can mean equally significant accommodation expenses. The most affordable solution for Orlando family reunions is often a vacation rental home, or for extra-large groups, several vacation homes located near one another.

Orlando-area vacation homes routinely save guests from 40-60% on accommodation expenses, and offer amenities like private pools, separate suites, fully-equipped kitchens and full-size washers and dryers. All this means you get more for your money, and you and your family can relax with all the comforts of home.

5. Don’t try to force a single schedule on everyone.

Remember that family reunions bring together different parts of the family in all different stages of life. Everyone has different expectations for vacation, meaning some may want to hit the Orlando parks at the crack of dawn with the kids while others prefer to take it easy, wake up at noon, and head to the attractions later.

Rather than trying to force everyone into the same routine, assign certain activities to certain days. Agree to visit Disney on Monday, Universal on Tuesday, and Gatorland on Wednesday, for example, and then meet up for dinner at a pre-determined spot. This way, everyone can explore Orlando leisurely and enjoy family time together.