Large family Disney World trips can create the most amazing lasting memories. Spending time together exploring the parks and enjoying memorable meals might be among some of your family’s happiest times together. There is just so much to do at Walt Disney World Resort and with a big group, you may have to do some additional planning. Large family Disney World trips might be a bit more work but you’ll always remember filling a boat on it’s a small world or taking over a small section at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. It’s common to take a big Disney family trip when the kids are young but there really is something for all ages at Disney. You haven’t missed your chance if the kids are grown up. Disney World is a lovely place for everyone to come together and focus on having fun.
You’ll, of course, want to make memories touring the parks with the group. You might also want to discuss with everyone up front that it’s also ok to break off into smaller groups based on everyone’s wants and needs. Meeting back up for meals, parades or fireworks is always a great tip for large groups. It can be tricky to coordinate what everyone wants to do and stopping for restroom breaks and such. If you know you’re all going to be together for big things that have specific times, you always have a touch point for getting the whole group back together throughout the day. Let’s go over some more you should know and ways to make sure your large family Disney World trip is a magical success.
Helpful Tips for Large Family Disney World Trips
Large Family Disney World Vacation Packages
Should the entire large family vacation be booked together? Should smaller groups book separately? Let’s chat about booking large family Disney World vacation packages. Disney is not particularly good with planning for groups. The regular website is set up to cater to small families or couples. The tools on the Disney World website allow you to select up to 9 adults and 6 children. If you do though, the site will tell you you have exceeded the maximum room capacity of 12 people. Parties larger than 12 people are encouraged to call Disney Resort Hotel Reservations at (407) 939-1936 or to book multiple rooms online.
If the process seems overwhelming, contacting an authorized Disney vacation planner may be your best bet. They can be very knowledgable and may have personalized recommendations based on their experiences.
Disney Large Family Accommodations
Most hotel rooms, in the travel industry in general, are made to sleep four. Disney World hotels do have quite a few rooms that sleep 5 or more. For example, you’ll find many DVC resorts that sleep five guests. What Disney does do well is adjoining rooms. It’s possible to get rooms next to each other that have a shared door upon request.
Disney Vacation Club rooms are among the best for large family Disney World trips. Smaller villas sleep 4 or 5 but DVC 3 bedroom villas can sleep up to 12 guests. There are also two bedroom villas that sleep up to 8 guests. These numbers can vary based on the resort and room type but DVC provides options. If you love Disney and can see yourself vacationing there every year, the Disney timeshare can provide an excellent value.
Disney World Large Group Dining
Food is a big deal on any Disney trip. There are so many options, every cuisine you can imagine and over the top sweets and treats. Getting the dining reservations you want can take some planning. Many restaurants fill up 60 days in advance and don’t take walk ups. If you’re staying at an official Disney resort, you’re able to book dining for your whole trip 60 days in advance of your first day. You’ll need that few day head start to get what you want.
Dining with a big group makes it a little trickier but it is possible. When searching in the My Disney Experience app or online for reservations, it’s possible to book for up to 20 guests, though the results may be slim for that many people if anything comes back at all. After a quick search for lunch for 11 guests I was shown some options for Rix Sports Bar & Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and The Diamond Horseshoe at Magic Kingdom. Options will always be based on availability at different restaurants.
The best tip for easy large family Disney World trip dining is to consider quick service restaurants and beat the lunch rush. Quick service restaurants have large, open seating areas that can accommodate your whole group. If you go outside of the lunch or dinner rush, like right when the meal starts, it’s more likely you’ll be able to claim tables together. You may also want to consider casual food outings like Epcot festivals. Food booths throughout World Showcase means spending the day with lots of food options so every palate is pleased and can eat at their leisure.
If a special sit down meal sounds right for your group, consider Disney Springs restaurants, too. The restaurants in the parks are often the busiest and have the most restrictions. Resort restaurants are a bit more relaxed and are usually easier to get reservations for, aside from some very popular spots. Disney Springs, however, has a long list of restaurants to choose from. Many of which may be better equipped to serve large families. There isn’t an easy way to directly contact restaurants in the parks and resorts. Most Disney Springs restaurants are third party and have phone numbers you can call or email contact information on their websites.
Disney Family Vacation Shirts
We’ve all seen the matching family shirts in photos. Many families or groups choose to wear matching shirts at Disney. It’s cute but can also be practical for keeping everyone together. If you’re all in the same color, it’s easy to spot! Ready to wear Disney family vacation shirts 2023 style? This entire post is filled with recommendations for matching shirts, where to shop and inspiration for looks.
Capture Your Moment Photo Session and Disney PhotoPass
Have you ever wanted to have a Disney PhotoPass photographer follow you around the park for a private Magic Kingdom photo session? Disney now offers something along those lines with a Capture Your Moment photo session. Book one of these in advance and you’ll get 20 minutes with a Disney PhotoPass photographer. If you want more time, you can add another personalized photo session. Two back to back will provide a 40 minute session with at least two different photo spots at Magic Kingdom. It’s good to know that Capture Your Moment is available at all four parks actually.
Note that this experience is for smaller large groups. You can have up to 8 guests per session. The cost is listed at $99 plus tax on the Disney World website but it also states prices vary by date. This sweet little package doesn’t include entry. Everyone in your group will also need a ticket to the park for the day. What’s really nice, though, is that if you purchase the Memory Maker package, or if someone has that benefit on their annual pass, all of the images are free to download. For those less tech savvy or wanting a physical souvenir to take home, there’s another option. It’s possible to head to a designated store in each park, for example the Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom, and purchase prints from your session or trip. Send Grandma home with a family photo to frame.
I love the thought of getting mom, grandpa or that one photographer friend in the group out from behind the lens and into the photos. Sometimes we end up with a lot of vacation photos that don’t include the whole group because someone is always taking the photo. Even if you don’t plan to do a Capture Your Moment session, the regular Disney PhotoPass photographers around the park can help you capture your large family memories. Tap your Magic Band that’s attached to your Disney account, or use the card provided by photographers, and all of your photos throughout your trip will be available to view in the My Disney Experience app or online.
Consider Offerings Outside of Regular Theme Park Days
The theme parks are surely the highlight of a Disney World trip but there is a lot more to see and do. Taking a pool day at your resort can be a more relaxed way to spend time together out of the hustle and bustle of the parks. There are also boat rentals for up to ten guests at many resorts. Consider a private fireworks cruise with a driver as another outing for your family. Mini golf and dessert parties are also a way to have more low key time together. Disney Springs is a bit more relaxed than the parks as well with so many fun shopping and dining options. You’ll find something special for everyone in the family there whether it’s delicious or a delightful souvenir to take home.
DVC Resale Experts Can Help
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