Tips for a Fantastic Big Family Disney Trip

Our family believes in big extended family vacations. For decades, we would all travel to Lake Powell a few hours away and spend a week together. Sometimes thirty people and four generations together on one houseboat. We learned that memories together can last a lifetime, laughter is needed in life, and an extra case of diet coke makes everyone happier.

Disney is a perfect vacation for different ages. Our biggest group was years ago and included grandparents, four separate siblings and their families with young babies, children and teenagers. We had a great time, and over the years we have found some helpful tips for planning a big family Disney vacation.

 

 

Tips for a Big Family Vacation

 

1. There is only one captain– Designate one person to ultimately be in charge, and thank that person on a daily basis. They will be in charge of reservations, general plans, etc. They can coordinate travel for families to make sure everyone knows when and how each group is getting to Disney.
2. Put on your patient hat (a sombrero sized one if you have it!)– With a larger group, will have to wait for people as they go to the bathroom, or grab a snack, or when they ride an attraction that maybe you don’t like (can you believe not everyone LOVES the teacups?). Gathering, getting places, and leaving will all take longer than you think, so put that patient hat on and plan a few extra minutes for everything.
3. Do you have your exit buddy? You are here to bond, so switch up who rides with who on rides. This makes great memories for small children to ride with grandparents, aunts and uncles. Let children pick who they ride with next in line so everyone knows the plan before you get to the front of the line.
4. Everyone needs space. Yes, you are here to spend time together, but everyday split up for a couple of hours so that everyone can do what THEY want to do. Just make sure you have a designated time and place to meet up after.
5. What’s your sign? We have a family hand signal that we use CONSTANTLY at the parks. It’s beyond helpful in crowds to find your group when you NEED that churro before the fireworks and now can’t find anyone. Be specific when picking a meeting place. “In front of the Castle” is not going to work!-
6. Meals are great meeting times– Meals are a perfect time to sit, cool off, regroup, and plan. If you are eating at a quick service, make sure you order early since you are a big group! Waiting in a queue is a perfect time for everyone to put in their order on the app. We try to schedule any sit down meals for a late lunch or early dinner. We sit in an air conditioned place in the heat of the day, when attraction wait times are at their peak. Don’t forget to bring snacks to share, more snacks that you think! Everyone’s patience level is significantly higher when they aren’t hungry.
7. Parents need a break too– We plan one night a trip where grandparents take small children back to the hotel, while their parents can plan a date night. We take kids to the pool, order a pizza, and put kids to bed.
8. Shirts or no shirts? There are two groups of families, those who wear matching shirts and those who wouldn’t be caught dead in matching shirts lol. Make sure everyone is on board before you put that large order in on Etsy!

Save money with a big family by ordering groceries

Generational needs:

Scooter rental– Lots of choices in Anaheim and Orlando. Most will deliver to your hotel and pick it up at the end. Buena Vista Scooter is one I hear good things about from DVC groups for Florida. And this Scooter rental is the highest rated in Anaheim and is right next to the parks. Prices vary but will be significantly lower than in the parks.

Baby care centers– Each Park has a baby care center. They have supplies for babies and toddlers, quiet places to nurse or highchairs to feed a baby, a microwave, sink and bottle warmers, and changing tables.

Stroller rentals– If you aren’t able to take your own stroller, there are numerous companies, just like for scooters. They will deliver your stroller to the resort and pick it up at the end. And again, they will be less expensive and better strollers than the Disney park choice!

Don’t forget Rain gear!  Here are our rain choices to survive rain.

Vacations are built in times for core memories. I still remember when my extended family went to Hoop De Do Review. The cast member singled out my brother and throughout the show flirted with him. Or when I took this picture with my mom at Epcot, who now is 85 years old. Or when we rode Everest during the craziest rain storm and the rain pelted us, but we rode it five times in a row, laughing and screaming each time. Go make those memories for your family!