10 Tips on How To Do Disney With Your Extended Family

Visiting the Disney parks can be a magical experience for the whole family, however, if you're traveling with a large group, it can easily become stressful and overwhelming. Oftentimes you will see large families with multiple generations traveling to the Disney parks which can create long-lasting memories. However, nowadays it feels like there are so many things to consider when planning a Disney trip, and it can be even more confusing when you have a large group. It's imperative to have a plan ahead of time before your trip falls off the rails, especially when different people want to run in different directions!

If you're planning on visiting a Disney park, whether it's Walt Disney World or the Disneyland Resort, you definitely need to plan ahead if you're bringing a lot of people with you. Although sometimes it can be fun to “wing it,” it can be harder with a large group, especially if multiple people have their heart set on a specific activity, attraction, or snack to try.

We often help large travel groups plan their Disney vacations and have compiled our top 10 tips on how to do Disney with your extended family.

1. Designate One or Two People to Book Lightning Lanes, Virtual Queues, And Other Reservations

With large groups, booking Lightning Lanes, virtual queue reservations, and other reservations including dining and special experiences can be difficult. Therefore, I always recommend designating one or two people to take on the extra responsibility of booking these reservations for the larger group. This person should be familiar with the Disney website and mobile app which is what they will use to make these reservations.

When one or two people are responsible for making all the reservations, there's a clear central point of communication. This reduces the chance of duplicate bookings, missed opportunities, or conflicting reservations. It's much easier to ensure that everyone in the group is on the same page. Disney makes it really easy for one person to make reservations, including Lightning Lanes, for a large group, and therefore this is always my number one tip for how to do Disney with your extended family.

READ MORE – Advance Lightning Lane Booking: What to Reserve First at Disney World

2. Make Sure Everyone's Disney Accounts are Linked

In order for the designated family member to make reservations for the whole group, everyone's Disney accounts must be linked under the Friends and Family section of the Disney website/mobile app. At a minimum, everyone in the family's accounts should be linked to the designated person who will be responsible for making the reservations. If one person wants to make a reservation for the whole group, they must be linked to each person's Disney account to do so.

To send a Friends and Family member request, log into your Disney account, choose “My Profile,” navigate to “Friends & Family List,” and at the bottom of the list, select “Add a Guest.” Next you will be able to search for the individual either through connected reservations, by manually entering their name and age, or by scanning a unique code they can provide to be automatically linked. If you do not use the code, the person receiving the request must accept the request through their own Disney account. Once, they've accepted, you can share and/or manage Disney reservations with each other.

Before you book a Lightning Lane or virtual queue reservation, you will be able to select everyone in your group that is linked in the Friends & Family List and is also eligible for a reservation. Therefore, all individuals must be linked as and have a valid park ticket. Although this process is fairly simple, it can get a bit overwhelming especially for larger groups, which is why I always ensure everyone is linked for coveted Lightning Lane and virtual queue reservations.

3. Prioritize Dining Reservations

When you have a larger group, it's going to be more difficult to find places to eat, let alone seating! Therefore, it's super important to make your desired reservations 60 days in advance. Additionally, I would recommend having a few restaurant options to choose from just in case your number one choice isn't available. Similarly to Lightning Lane reservations, it's important to have an overall idea of the restaurants your group wants to experience depending on which park you are visiting.

READ MORE – Top Five Tips for Getting Disneyland Dining Reservations

4. Take Advantage of Mobile Ordering

If your large group prefers a quick bite to eat instead of a sit down restaurant, you absolutely should take advantage of mobile ordering service at most quick service restaurants and snack kiosks. Mobile ordering at Disney has transformed the dining experience, offering guests a more convenient way to enjoy their favorite meals and snacks throughout the parks. Through the My Disney Experience or Disneyland app, visitors can browse menus, customize their orders, and select a pickup time, all from their phone. Once the order is placed, guests can head to the designated restaurant at their chosen time and notify the app when they arrive. This streamlined process reduces wait times and ensures a more efficient dining experience, especially for larger groups.

Another advantage of mobile ordering at Disney is the flexibility it offers. Guests can explore different menu items at their own pace, adjust their orders to accommodate dietary preferences, and avoid the stress of rushing to find a meal during peak dining hours. Especially during busy seasons, this helps your large group order food seamlessly, and also cuts down on wait times when you have to order a lot of meals for everyone in your family.

5. Booking Multiple Hotel Rooms

Booking multiple hotel rooms at Disney is a great option for larger groups or families seeking more space and flexibility during their stay. At both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, guests can reserve more than one room under the same reservation, allowing for better coordination across group members. Connecting or adjacent rooms can often be requested, providing convenience while still offering privacy. Some resorts even feature family suites or villa-style accommodations that come with multiple bedrooms and full kitchens, making them ideal for extended stays. Disney World has many resorts that offer suites that can sleep five guests or more.

The process of booking multiple rooms can be done easily through Disney's official website, the mobile app, or by contacting Disney's reservation center directly. When booking, it’s important to communicate any special requests, like connecting rooms or specific locations within the resort, to ensure your group's needs are met. Whether you're booking for a small or large group, Disney's flexible accommodations and helpful services make it easier to ensure everyone has a magical stay.

6. Research Discounts and Deals

If you are booking a Disney vacation for a large group, you are likely wanting to find the best deals possible. Therefore, I always recommend trying to find the best deals out there, whether it's through Disney directly or verified travel agents. Our favorite Disney-approved reseller, Get Away Today does an amazing job at providing the cheapest Disney packages while still making sure your Disney vacation is everything you dream of. They also provide free concierge services to help with all reservations and finding the best deals!

Additionally, there are some great cheap Disneyland Hotels off property that will help lower the cost of your Disneyland trip. Disney World also has many great value resorts which are cheaper than the other onsite Disney World hotels! As someone who spends a lot of their own money at the Disney parks, I always try to find the best deals to save money and make the most out of each Disney trip.

Another way to save money inside the parks is to bring your own snacks and drinks. Although we love trying all of the amazing snacks at the theme parks, there are certain snacks you can bring to make your trip more affordable and convenient. This is especially helpful when traveling with a large group!

7. Purchase Memory Maker

If you're planning a Disney trip with a large group, more than likely you'll want to capture all of your memories throughout your day in the parks. Therefore, I recommend purchasing the Memory Maker before your trip, which provides access to unlimited downloads of any photos taken inside the parks, including ride photos. Whoever has Memory Maker linked to their account will also be able to see photos taken of other guests in their group during the trip, meaning only one person has to purchase Memory Maker.

Memory Maker is included in the price of Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Disney World and Disneyland, however if you are not using the Lightning Lane service, I highly recommend purchasing Memory Maker. If Memory Maker is not in your budget, you can still ask Photo Pass cast members to take your photo on your personal smartphone, even when meeting characters. Although you won't be able to have access to ride photos or “Magic Shots,” you can still have some photos to remember your Disney vacation.

8. Schedule Breaks

Scheduling breaks at Disney is essential, especially for large groups, as it helps ensure everyone stays comfortable and enjoys the experience without feeling overwhelmed. Disney parks can be intense, with long days of walking, waiting in lines, and exposure to the sun, so regular breaks are key to avoiding exhaustion. In larger groups, people often have different energy levels, from young children to adults and seniors, making it important to plan downtime where everyone can recharge. Breaks provide a chance to rest, rehydrate, and cool off, whether it's in a shaded area, a quick-service restaurant, or back at the hotel for a mid-day break. These pauses can help prevent burnout, ensuring that everyone stays in good spirits throughout the day.

Another benefit of scheduling breaks is that it gives group members the opportunity to regroup and reconnect. In a large party, it's common for different individuals to have varying interests, such as wanting to explore different attractions or experiences. By building in breaks, you can create designated meeting points and times to bring everyone together. These moments allow for a chance to review the day's schedule, adjust plans if needed, and accommodate those who may want more rest or prefer to explore at a slower pace. Having these planned pauses ensures a smoother, more enjoyable Disney experience for everyone, maintaining the balance between excitement and relaxation.

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9. Take Advantage of Free Transportation

If you have a large group, chances are you can't fit everyone into the same car to and from the Disney parks. This can be especially frustrating for trips to Disney World, where their theme parks, hotels, and restaurants span over a 27,000 acre property. Therefore, I recommend that larger groups take advantage of the free transportation provided to all Disney World guests. Transportation includes the use of the Monorail, Skyliner, boats, and buses to transport guests between their resorts and the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs.

By using the free transportation, you can save tons of money on an Uber or rideshare taxi as well as the cost of parking. With frequent service throughout the day, Disney's transportation system helps large groups move efficiently between destinations while reducing the stress of parking and traffic.

10. Stay Flexible

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