8 Travel Planning Tips for Large Families at Walt Disney World® Resort

Large families know more people means more laughs, more surprises and more adventures to be had together. But planning travel for a large group, like families of five or more, comes with its own set of challenges. Never fear—with easy transportation to and from the Parks, options to choose meals ahead of time, ways to commemorate your vacation and more, Walt Disney World® Resort makes it simple to plan your next best Parks trip.

Tip 1: Book a Comfortable, Convenient Stay

No matter the size of the group, a family at Walt Disney World® Resort has plenty of options, from connecting rooms to spacious family suites. Or, consider booking a villa with amenities like kitchens for cooking meals, multiple rooms and in-room laundry. Whether it’s your immediate family or a multi-generational affair, you’ll find a stay to fit every group. Some popular Walt Disney World® Resort accommodations for large families include: one- and two-bedroom villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa; the exotic Savanna views in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village; and the rustic Americana charm found in the Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

Ready for a complete list of resorts with plenty of room to accommodate big families? Here’s our rundown:

Disney’s Beach Club Villas:

Groups of up to eight can enjoy the casual elegance of the two-bedroom villas at this New England-style resort.

Disney’s Old Key West Resort:

Experience the magic of the Florida Keys with Deluxe Villas that feel just like home for families of up to 13, with a kitchen, dining areas, and a washer and dryer that make packing light a snap.

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge:

Inspired by turn-of-the-century National Park lodges, these accommodations can handle groups of up to nine and offer a kitchen, dining areas, and a washer and dryer for your family’s laundry needs.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa:

Charming and stately, the treehouse villas at this resort boast private balconies and charcoal grills overlooking shimmering Lake Buena Vista.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge:

Delight in views of wildlife and experience your own African safari adventure at this hotel that offers lodging for up to nine, including Club Level suites that sleep up to eight and offer access to Kilimanjaro Club where snacks, coffee and movies are available throughout the day.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort:

Ultra-modern and luxurious, this hotel’s rooms and suites with Club-Level Service can sleep up to ten, with Monorail service that breezes right through its main tower.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:

Just one Monorail stop away from Magic Kingdom® Park, this opulent Victorian-style hotel evokes Palm Beach’s golden era with elegant accommodations for up to eight, Club Level suites that sleep up to nine, and indulgent amenities like an onsite, full-service spa.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort:

With themed family suites that sleep up to six, you’ll find yourself “drawn” to this hotel that allows everyone to spread out, relax and immerse themselves in the magic of Disney and Pixar movies.

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort:

Immerse yourself in a harmonious atmosphere for music lovers of all ages and types—from country to calypso—and enjoy the comforts of its spacious family suites that sleep up to six. It’s a win-win!

Tip 2: Find a Piece of Home On Vacation

For families who want to return to the magic year after year, a Disney Vacation Club® Membership gives you the ability to travel in style and comfort. One bedroom Villas and larger provide homelike amenities like a full kitchen and washer and dryer! Enjoy any of the Disney Vacation Club resorts – from AULANI, Disney Vacation Club Villas in Ko Olina, Hawaii to Disney’s Riviera Resort in Florida – or choose from thousands of other options around the world. Cardmembers, find out how you can get special vacation financing on the purchase of a real estate interest, including a Member Add On, in a Disney Vacation Club® Resort that is charged to your Disney® Visa® Credit Card.¹ To learn more about Membership, visit DisneyVacationClub.com.

Tip 3: Enjoy Complimentary Transportation

When you stay at Disney Resort hotels, you can take advantage of complimentary transportation options like the monorail, motorcoach, water taxi or Disney Skyliner aerial gondolas. All of them depart for the Parks regularly throughout the day, which means coming and going (or heading back to rest and relax) is an easy option.

Resort Monorail:

Get whisked to stops at Magic Kingdom® Park, EPCOT®, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Transportation & Ticket Center.

Disney Skyliner:

Glide across the sky on aerial gondolas from Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® and EPCOT®.

Buses:

With air-conditioned buses to all four theme parks, both water parks and Disney Springs®, you’ll be cruising in comfort while taking in the sights!

Water Taxi:

Travel by boat to and from Magic Kingdom® Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, EPCOT® and throughout Walt Disney World® Resort.

Bonus Tip:

Interested in using the Lyft app at the Parks? You can request the Disney Minnie Van™ service through the Lyft app for an additional cost, and your polka-dot ride will have you cruising in style as a Cast Member drives you through the resorts and to the Parks.

Tip 4: Pick the Right Dining Experience for Your Crew

When you stay at a Walt Disney World® Resort, you can make advance dining reservations for the entire length of your stay (for up to 10 nights), up to 60 days in advance of your arrival. Not only does this streamline your vacation planning, it also makes it easier to hit all of your favorite Disney dining locales! (Valid hotel reservation required.) Even with all this prep, plans are bound to shift—you can always order on-the-go with the My Disney Experience app.*

Check out our Cardmember Dining Guide for a list of select locations that offer Cardmembers 10% off most meals, most days when you use your Disney Visa Card—including family-friendly spots with plenty of delicious options, like Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom® Park and Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.²³

Bonus Tip:

Keeping the whole family hydrated is a breeze when you bring your own reusable water bottles. Here’s where you can find bottle filling stations around the Parks.

Tip 5: Get Your Group Cheese On at Exclusive Character Experiences

Cardmembers, if you’re looking for the perfect opportunity to get the entire group in one unforgettable photo, look no further than these private experiences. Your Disney Visa Card acts as a pass to special Disney and Star Wars Character Experiences just for Cardmembers—making it a bit easier to assemble your crew for a truly iconic encounter! Find these Character Experience locations next to Journey Into Imagination with Figment at EPCOT® and Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.²⁴

Tip 6: Share Memory Maker with the Whole Group

Some other fun PhotoPass opportunities outside the private Cardmember locations include getting snapshots at the X-Wing at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge®, Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom® Park and the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park.

And since everyone wants to check out the photos right away, there’s a fun and easy way to share them as a group. Let Disney PhotoPass collect all your photos in one easy digital interface that everyone in the family can connect to and look at together. Vote on your favorites as a team and you can purchase and download them at your convenience. (And share them with everyone online, of course!)

Tip 7: Plan Ahead with Advance Booking

Start the whole family dreaming about your magical getaway well in advance. Think about timing your trip during a less-crowded part of the year, such as January, February, August, September or early November.

Once you’ve got your dates set, it’s time to book your resort lodging, which opens up at least a year in advance of your scheduled arrival. From there, start thinking about the incredible meals you’d all like to share. Dining reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance, and if you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can make them as early as 60 days in advance for the entire length of your stay (up to 10 nights). Planning well ahead makes it possible to make your family’s Disney wishes a reality!

Tip 8: Take Advantage of Special Vacation Financing

Planning in advance is always a must, especially with a big family. When you purchase select Disney vacation packages online with your Disney Visa Card, you get special vacation financing, which not only helps you budget ahead, but also earns you Disney Rewards Dollars that can be redeemed toward things like dining, shopping, theme park tickets and more!⁵⁶

Want more ideas on ways to get the whole family involved, excited and entertained? Check out our Top Ways to Play Beyond the Parks at Walt Disney World® Resort for inspiration. Happy planning!