Gone are the days when you
were a trolley or bus ride away from every relative and every friend you had
in the world. Now, not only spread across the state, your family and
friends are across the country or on a different continent. Make the time to
celebrate family and friends before it is too late.
Reunion vacations may seem like a lot of
work to plan, but being able to all gather at one time in one place is well
worth the effort! Magical Journeys can take some of the
stress of planning away from you. Our agents are used to dealing with the
issues that arise with these circumstances. While you deal with the little
idiosyncrasies of your families and friends, we will deal with the rest. We
have sailed almost every major cruise-line and have stayed at almost every
Disney resort, so our guidance is based on a "been there done that" aspect
rather than pure conjecture.Here are a few
guidelines to help!
Be ready to Compromise.
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This isn’t your once-in-a-lifetime
trip. It’s a celebration of family, of friends.
Keep your expectations low. Tell yourself that "this is going to be a
good vacation" instead of "this is going to be the best trip of our
lives." That way if things do not go well, there is no big let-down, and
if they do and it is the best trip ever - and it may very well be -
then it's a bonus. |
Designate
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Pick one member of the family
to be the organizer-in-chief. Pick another with
computer skills to set up a website or message board. Pick another to
plan the little things to amuse the kids while the adults talk, either
during planning sessions or on the trip. |
Plan early, up to a year in advance.
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Best pricing and
location choices can book up quickly. Booking early also spreads out the
time for all members of the family to stash away the extra cash needed.
By paying or saving a set amount each month, family members wont feel as
stressed to have a large payment at one time. |
Be clear on a Budget that works
for all family members.
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Not every family member will have
the same type of financial income. Senior Citizens are often on a fixed
income, young families may not have the disposable income their parents
now enjoy. When planning a family trip, don't forget to consider these
people. Picking mid-priced resort accommodations is usually a safe
choice. Cruises automatically fit well for this type of travel. With
their many different categories of accommodations on the ship, there is
surely one to fit every budget. You do not want to have family over
extend themselves for the chance to spend time together, or worse be
embarrassed and have to cancel due to finances. |
Set trip dates and do not
change them.
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With planning a year in advance. most
family members will be able to submit for vacation time at work, or
arrange their calendar accordingly. Once the dates are set, do not
change them unless every person in the family is required to be
at Cousin Myrtle's wedding. If only some are invited to Myrtle's
shin-dig, keep the dates and send Myrtle and her betrothed a nice vase
with your decline. |
Limit options
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Sometimes less is better! Remember
when your kids were two years old? You gave them two choices or else you
were there all day while they decided. Same rule applies here. After you
set your budget, find two, but not more than three, options to submit
for family vote. Make sure you select choices that will appeal to all
age groups. You really do not want a bunch of teens miserable for the
week because the only entertainment is Canasta or shuffle board with the
blue haired ladies. |
Majority
Rules.
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Yes, for once this family is a
democracy and not a dictatorship. If you get the "well, if I can't have
it my way I am not going" tell them they will be missed. 10:1 they will
change their minds later when your all talking excitedly at the Holiday
dinner table. If Grandma or wealthy Uncle Joe is footing the bill-then
they decide! Say "Thank you" and be quiet. |
Set deadlines for a week or two
before they really are.
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Count on there being
stragglers. (you know who they are in your family). If the deposit date
is July1-tell everyone it is due June 20th. Then when they are late on
June 21st you wont be going nuts, but calmly calling, telling
them "Your late!" |
Do not plan "together time" for
every minute of every day.
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Though you are traveling
together, it is OK to plan some time apart from each other, so all
members of the group can relax and pursue personal interests.
On a cruise, set dinner time as a time for all to get together to share
their days events. On Land, plan two or three meal events during the
week and do informal meet ups at night near the pool. While the kids
swim and get to know each other, the adults can reminisce about the
Christmas Uncle Fred dropped the turkey, or walking uphill both ways to
school through the snow. |
Your only as strong as your
weakest link.
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When sightseeing together or
participating in activities on a ship or on land, try for variety so all
members of the group are entertained: Combine an outing to the beach
with shopping, for instance. Keep in mind the varying degrees of stamina
of your group and plan rest periods for the children and older
grandparents. When sightseeing, alternate a boat, bus or other ride with
walking stints, or break up your touring with an ice cream or cool
drink.
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