Family Disney Trip: Half like the parks, Half don't...what to do?

This is probably a no-brainer, but how about mealtimes at resort restaurants versus park restaurants? Or alternatively, what if the whole clan plans a split vacation - part of the time at the beach, and part of the time at Disney, but on property? There is soo much to do and see at Disney, you wouldn't even have to be in the parks to enjoy being on property (for the folks that didn't want to/couldn't. )

What do the Non-Disney folk want to do during the day? Are they totally no Disney, or would a day at Animal Kingdom taking in their headline shows, Flights of Wonder, Nemo and Lion King be an option? If I wasn't going to Disney, I wouldn't want to spend the premium to stay on site.

What are people's expectations? Do people expect to spend large amounts of time together? Good luck with this, it's a big undertaking.

Hmm..I think to accommodate those who don't like the parks the house rental is the way to go. That way they will have easy access to pools and shopping. It is inconvenient for those who love the parks--but--you have instant entertainment for them..you know what I mean? The others may get bored.

Lizzy's idea of half the time at Disney half at the beach is a really good idea too.

I'd say rent the off-property vacation home for the sake of the non-Disney contingent. Either drive to Orlando in two (or more) vehicles or rent two (or more) in Orlando so the non-Disney folks can get out and do things while the Disney fans are at the parks. Then meet up at the rental home for dinner in the evening. And maybe pick one Disney-free day that week when everyone will hang out together. Check the crowd calendars and pick the worst park touring day so skipping a day at the parks won't seem quite so painful.

Admin, just asking, but why do you consider Disney the convenient place to meet since half of the family sounds like they don't want to have anything to do with Disney?

This is where my thoughts went to first as well. Also Downtown Disney for some shopping & entertainment. Perhaps you could plan a couple of big family meals, a smaller spa meet up, shopping excursion, movie night, fireworks viewing from the Contemporary.

Have you considered splitting it up so each group is happy? Let the non-park folks rent a smaller vacation home and let the park lovers stay on property? There are vacation rentals just a few miles away.

Or is that too expensive and/or defeating the purpose of the meet-up?

If it is an option, then arrange for time to get together at the rental home as a group and do things away from the parks. Guess it depends on how large the family group going is, and whether it would make sense to try and balance everyone's needs.

That not being an option, I'd probably try and sway everyone to go with the rental, but keep it close to the parks so those that love the parks can still do them without wasting too much time driving.

My hats off to you all who can stand travel in big groups. Just thinking about a scenario to help out admin gives me kind of a headache! We are totally a small vacation group family..so we can do what we want!