10 Tips for Visiting Disney World with a Large Group

I was recently lucky enough to visit Walt Disney World with two different sides of my family on the same trip. It was my first Disney vacation with a large group in quite a few years, and I learned some valuable lessons. First, few experiences can top sharing in the magic of Disney with the ones you love. We laughed. We cried. We had a wonderful time. But the next most important thing I learned was that planning a trip for a large group of family and friends can be a logistical nightmare. So I am here to present you with some tips to keep your mind, wallet, and relationships intact as you plan and experience your next Walt Disney World vacation.

#1 Communicate beforehand

First and foremost before any official planning takes place, groups should discuss their expectations for the vacation. While you don’t all need to be on the same page as far as likes, dislikes, goals, and budget, you should use this to guide the planning. Will it be a quick weekend trip or a two-week long extravaganza? An expensive retreat or budget friendly vacation? What are the must do’s, and what are the deal breakers? Remember that it’s okay if you’re not all on the same page as long as you can find some common ground. For example, if everyone can agree on a weekend, but a few people want to stay for a full week, then those people can just tack on extra days before or after the rest of the trip.

#2 Set up My Disney Experience ASAP

Getting everyone set up and connected on Disney’s planning hub as soon as possible will help you avoid aggravation as your vacation approaches. No one wants to cope with the stress of trying to secure a coveted FastPass+ reservation when the window for reserving them finally opens and someone isn’t linked properly. Then, when all the accounts are linked, everyone can see all the reservations in one spot.

#3 Purchase rooms and tickets early

Once again, the sooner you can book resorts and tickets, the better off you’ll be when the time comes to plan the more detailed aspects of the trip like dining and FastPass+ reservations. Finding lodging early in the process is especially important on a group trip because the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to find accommodations for a large group as resort availability dwindles. Depending on budgets and preferences, you may all decide to stay at the same resort or maybe not. Disney World lists rooms that can accommodate five or more guests here. You could also consider multiple rooms at the same resort or even renting a house off-site.

#4 Take advantage of discounts

Disney offers group discounts, but you should check for other ways to save as well. If you’re staying on site, purchasing Memory Maker, dining at select restaurants, or even planning some shopping, an Annual Pass for at least one person might be your best option. With up to 45% off on resorts (for up to three rooms), free PhotoPass downloads, up to 20% off restaurants, and up to 15% off on merchandise, the Annual Pass could provide savings beyond the cost of the pass. Plus, Annual Passholders have access to Tables in Wonderland, which for a purchase price of $150 gets you (and up to nine guests) a 20% discount on food and beverages at select restaurants. However, be aware that an Annual Pass or Tables in Wonderland could backfire for savings purposes if, like me, you end up visiting more often to take advantage of the fact that you now have an Annual Pass and restaurant discounts. Consider this fair warning.

#5 Plan restaurants carefully

Knowing whether there are any can’t-miss restaurants in advance will help immensely when it’s time to make advanced dining reservations at the 180 day mark (plus length of stay for up to ten days for on-site guests). I recommend looking at menus beforehand to make sure that not only is there variety in the type of food offered but also a variety of price points. One or two big group meals per day is probably more than enough as people may want to do their own thing for a bit too. If you can’t find a reservation available for the whole group and you don’t mind splitting up between two or more tables, try looking for split reservations (e.g. 6 and 6 for a group of 12). And if you’re worried about splitting the bill among smaller groups, consider using an app like Venmo, which allows you to easily pay someone back if they covered the whole bill.

#6 Plan downtime, together time, and split time

Just because you’re vacationing together doesn’t mean you need to stick together at all times. You also don’t need to spend every waking minute tackling the parks. For the sake of the group’s sanity, figure out some times when you’ll all plan to be together, times when you’ll do your own thing, and times when you can just relax.

#7 Make FastPass+ reservations

Based on earlier discussions with your group, you should know what any must-do attractions are. Make FastPass+ reservations for these as soon as you can (60 days beforehand for the length of your trip for on-site guests or 30 days beforehand for all others). Try to reserve times when you think everyone will be at the parks together, like morning slots for early risers or later slots for night owls. If plans change and you can’t or don’t use them, then it’s not a big deal, but at least you have them ready to go.

#8 Get everyone on the same page

Make sure everyone in the group knows the basics. What’s the strategy for the day? What meals and FastPass+ reservations are planned? Does everyone have phone numbers for others in the group? Where does everyone meet if the party splits at some point? Get these questions answered first thing, so that everyone knows the plan.

#9 Be mindful of other guests

I bet most of our readers don’t need this one, but I’m going to include it anyway as a reminder. It’s easy to get wrapped up in your own world when you’re surrounded by family and friends, which makes it more difficult to notice that you might be doing something to bother other guests. Try to avoid actions like strolling ten-people-wide across the walkway, stopping in the way while the group decides on next steps, or cutting in line to meet the rest of your group.

#10 Have Fun!

With so many people traveling together, conflicts are bound to arise. Sometimes hunger, stress, and fatigue get the best of us even on the vacation of our dreams. That’s when you pack your patience, stay flexible, and make the best of whatever situation you’re dealt. Don’t worry about the little things, and take some time to really soak in that Disney atmosphere because it’ll be over before you know it.

Those are my top ten tips for vacationing to Walt Disney World with a large group! Do you often go with large groups or just immediate family? Is there anything you have found makes the planning and vacation process run more smoothly when traveling with a bunch of other people? Let me know in the comments below.