How do you manage different budgets at a WDW family reunion?

I would love to know as we're going as a family of 6, me and DH, his parents and my parents. His parents are a lot more well off than we are and we're a bit worried

Well you can certainly let each family choose their own accommodations. We'd probably just go with everyone staying in the least expensive places. It really is a complicated question though. So many opportunities for problems. I think there was a Friends episode about this!

This is why I think a cruise is a great option -- everyone pretty much pays the same and has the same experience.

However, if the theme park is the goal, I like Brad's suggestion of everyone choosing their own accommodations. Then I think I'd pool money (everyone puts in the same amount) and you do dining based on what that buys (maybe a lot of counter service and a couple of great splurge lunches or something).

Pooling money seems like the best possible outcome.

You could also do something where you kind of "mix up" all the funds and help out some of the families who maybe can't pay as much. I know it's not an option for a lot of families, but sometimes one generation has a lot more than another or one sibling is much better off and might be willing to contribute a little extra. That's one of the big advantages of the DDP and the other Disney prepaid options.

If you want to help out certain family members without it being obvious, all the options at Disney World make that really easy.

I agree, Brad. Things are so flexible, one could easily help out family members who don't quite have the resources to do the things everyone else is doing.

I like the idea of siblings helping siblings, but the bottom line is -- everyone knows it's happening. Sometimes that's fine and there's no animosity between the haves and have-nots, but I wonder how many families can really make that work in a vacation setting. I would worry that people would end up feeling indebted and/or owed... Maybe I'm leaking too much info about my OWN family ;-D

Seriously, though, most families AREN'T pixie dust perfect...

That's where the person planning comes in. Take charge, and facilitate these things. Wouldn't be a family meeting where everything is thrown onto the dining room table, but the person 'in charge' going around to individuals (or the separate groups) to make things happen. That's not to say the plan is without pitfalls, certainly there could be some animosity. Just pointing out that it could be a great option. If during the early planning stages you let the 'haves' know if the group is going to do things together, everyone is going to have to work together (financially) to make it happen. While there will still be some challenges, that would work much better than openly asking Uncle Tommy to pay deadbeat Cousin Dave's way into the Magic Kingdom while standing at the entrance.

I think this is definitely best. Sadly it puts even more burden on the organizer.

LOL @ Bali

It does Brad, but sometimes that's the only way to make something like this work (at least work well). When we can afford to help those family members who need it, I'll plan a trip like this and let you guys know how it goes.

Our trip last year with our whole family from different budgets worked out because we all stayed at POP ( and loved it) and we got the dining plan so that everyone was on a level playing field. You want everyone to have fun and not have to worry about who's not having a good time because they are watching their money.

It worked out so well that next year when we go with a lot of friends that are from different budgets we are basically doing the same thing. Staying at POP (and will love it even more) and getting the dining plan for the extrat $10 a day. One thing that really helps out is my TA, I just gave everyone her name and then they can discuss it with her further to make sure everyone is comfortable without having to tell each other.

The dining plan is a great tip. That really does put everyone on a level playing field.

Also like the idea of everyone using the same TA. If the TA is good, you're all set and don't have to worry about a thing. Good points.

This is probably the BEST use for the dining plan I've ever heard. It really does cut down the complications of handing a family trip. Great tip.

Maybe Jan and I are just lucky. We certainly are blessed. All of our kids and grand kids live within 5 minutes of us. We are very together. We all went to Disney together for years,as many as 17 of us. Where we ate was never a problem. Whoever didn't want, or couldn't afford to eat at a certain restaurant just didn't. No one ever thought anything about it. Like I said, I guess we are just lucky.
Joe

Probably had a lot to do with you raised your brood, too Three days, JOE!

We usually always go with a BIG group (last Dec trip there was 9 of us, next Disneyland trip there will be 12 of us) and it always just works out...but that also includes all of us not doing the same thing at the same time..I love mine (and Craigs) family but 5+ days in a park is just too much "togetherness" I need my time away from those people

I have never traveled to Disney as a big group..it scares me for some reason! Dave and I are so stuck in the way that "we do Disney" that I think having others around might bug us! We've had friends who have wanted to go with us from time to time and we always start to plan but then they don't really get into as we do and then it never ends up happening..haha. Oh well, it's probably for the best. At this point going with other people would just seem weird.