If you are planning a multi-generational family trip, there’s nowhere better in the world to reunite than Walt Disney World. It offers endless entertainment opportunities for children and adults of all ages, as well as fantastic accommodation and dining options. However, a large group trip to Walt Disney World requires some planning to make it a successful and enjoyable trip for all. Today I’m going to share with you my top tips to make your next Disney World family reunion a magical one.
Designate one family member as the main point of contact
In most families, there’s always someone who loves organizing days out and vacations. They are going to be the best bet for taking on the role of organizer for your big family trip. While all the pressure and decision-making shouldn’t be left to one person, it’s much easier to have one person working with your travel agent, looking after your reservations and your bookings. This will save double-bookings and squabbles over the itinerary, and it’s best if they are in charge of your family’s My Disney Experience app and login details. Come together every month or so by video call or in-person to keep up-to-date on any changes to the vacation plans.
Use a Travel Agent
Why handle all the stress and pressure of planning such a big trip by yourself if you don’t have to! The easiest way to offload this stress is to delegate some of this responsibility to a reliable travel agent. By using Alaska to Mickey Vacations, we can handle many of the tasks required for planning a Disney vacation. We’ve visited Disney for countless years, so know the best resorts to stay at and the top restaurants to choose for large groups. With the addition of the requirement of park reservations recently, we’re here to help with any questions or concerns you may have regarding this.
Set your Budget
Discussing money and budgets can be uncomfortable, but it’s best to get this conversation out of the way far in advance of the vacation itself. Everyone travels in a different style, so try to find a compromise as far as resort choices and budgets are concerned. The great thing about Walt Disney World is that there are so many choices for accommodation on-site and in the surrounding area. You’ll easily be able to find the perfect hotel or resort for each family’s budget and accommodation preferences.
Accommodation options for large groups
Once you’ve decided on your budget, it’s time to consider your accommodation options. This is one of the most important parts of planning your family reunion at Disney World. If you are looking to share accommodation with multiple family members, I’d recommend choosing one of the Deluxe Resorts or Deluxe Villa Resorts. These resorts offer more spacious accommodations and have units which feature one, two and three-bedroom options. They are ideal if grandparents are hoping to spend more time with their grandchildren.
For a more budget-friendly option, look at Art of Animation’s family suites, which can comfortably fit up to six people. Another unique option is to stay at Fort Wilderness, where you can enjoy their rustic cabins. You’ll appreciate the extra space to run around as well as the fun recreation options this resort provides. For the ultimate family reunion, consider booking a Treehouse Villa at Saratoga Springs Resort, which sleeps up to nine people.
Dining Reservations
Regardless of how big your travel party is, I’d always recommend booking your Disney dining reservations on the day they open up for booking. This is especially true for large groups, which can be harder to book into some of the most popular restaurants. Make sure you’ve all agreed on a rough itinerary beforehand, so you can try your best to secure all your top restaurant choices. Remember that for large parties, a tip of 18% will automatically be added to your bill.
For large groups, buffets are a great option, as you’ll find something for even the pickiest of eaters and everyone can eat when they are ready. For a great value for money option, I’d recommend Trail’s End at Fort Wilderness Resort, which serves breakfast and dinner daily. You can’t visit Disney without a character meal, especially if you are traveling with younger children, so for the best character interactions, I’d recommend Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom or Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort.
Factor in some relaxation time
Group trips can be overwhelming for everyone involved, so it’s important to factor in some downtime to your vacation. Whether that’s time apart as a separate family unit, or an afternoon together at the pool, a few hours away from the parks will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. There’s so much more to Disney than just the theme parks, so enjoy an adult evening at Disney Springs shopping, dining and drinking, or hop around the resorts to enjoy the bars and recreation facilities on offer.
Walt Disney World is the perfect location for a family reunion, and with some advance planning, you’ll create memories that last a lifetime.
If you need any help planning your next trip, please don’t hesitate to contact me as I’d love to help you in any way I can! I hope your next family trip offers you a magical time together and moments that you’ll cherish forever as a family.
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
How about some other posts you might find interesting…
- 5 Ways to Start your Disney Day in Style
- A Guide to Disney World Resort Categories
- Disney World Skyliner Tips and Tricks
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