I was reading this speech (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031008/85442_1.html) by Jay Rasulo and among many other things, he described this trend of "multi-household and intergenerational travel" that they first saw in their cruise line. Essentially, he noted that more poeple are traveling together in groups. Some of this is Family Reunions, but there's apparently more than just extended families vacationing together.

I had to think for a moment that this sort of rang true with my own life. That lately when contemplating vacations, we often thought about traveling with friends, or meeting up with friends at some exotic destination. Then I thought of all the times we visit the park - it seems I rarely visit the park without at least a couple of other padders.

Perhaps this is a consequence of the internet and online communities such as this one. Ultimately it's nice to see people in real life and enjoy such things as Disneyland together with a group. Certainly Goth Day, Gay Day, and any number of such gatherings of "like minded" individuals seems to bare this out.

Disney is addressing this trend with a program called Magical Gatherings by finding ways to accomodate such groups (i.e. getting blocks of rooms next to each other, dinning facilities to fit larger parties, etc.). Do you think they might be on to something here?

Well, for argument's sake, here's our last few Disney trips:

October 2003 (leaving Friday): WDW, us and my mother and stepfather
February 2003: WDW, us and my in-laws
November 2002: WDW, us and my father and stepmother
May 2001: DLR, just the three of us
May 2000: WDW, us and my in-laws
October 1999: WDW, the three of us and 20 of our closest friends :p
August 1997: WDW, the two of us (note change in numbers and time gap) and two of our friends

We love traveling with others and sharing the Disney magic. (Have I mentioned that we LOVE the Disney Vacation Club?) :D