9 Ways To Make Sure Your Large Party Has A Magical Time!

Walt Disney World is the perfect place for a family reunion or for a few families in your neighborhood to meet for a magical time. There’s something for all ages, making it the most popular vacation destination in the world with 52 million visitors each year.

But how to coordinate such an endeavor? Follow these simple steps!

Pick A Team Captain – If you’re reading this post, I’m going to assume that you’ll make the perfect team captain. Every large group needs a leader and because you’re the Disney enthusiast it should be you! One person to organize and pull all the plans together is essential for big groups. But this doesn’t mean you have to make all the decisions. In fact, you shouldn’t. You need input from all the players to insure that everyone has a great time. Make sure everyone has access (they’re free) to a Disney Planning DVD. This will give them a general idea of what to expect and what they may want to do. Take suggestions from the group, taking all ages into consideration, and map out your game plan. You’ll be the data collector and main point of contact. Pleasing everyone will be impossible. Just make sure each day has a little something for everyone. After all, you’re at Walt Disney World! The magic will happen, often when you least expect it.

Schedule Time Together – You are planning  a trip to Walt Disney World together, after all. But be honest. Some people are night owls. Some are early birds. Some love thrill rides. Some love shows. Not everyone in your large party is going to like all of the same things. But finding common ground, at least once a day, should be the goal. Each day plan a group sit-down meal or splurge on the dessert party for Magic Kingdom’s Wishes Fireworks or everyone plan to ride Jungle Cruise together. Moments like these are the ones that create the memories. Schedule specific time together each day. And then…

Schedule Time Apart – Large groups have large personalities. And different personalities. Scheduling time apart will keep these personalities in check. And it will do wonders for your patience levels. My son and I are early birds. After an exhausting few days, the other 10 members of our party wanted to sleep. So the next day, my son and I snuck off to Hollywood Studios for Playhouse Disney Live! so he could see Bear in the Big Blue House one more time, his favorite show. It was a quiet, relaxing morning for him and I. The rest of the family met us later for lunch, rested and ready to go. A little time apart can do wonders for everyone!

Train Before The Game – Walt Disney World is about the size of San Francisco. Within the parks, our family averages about 18,000 steps a day. You can meet at a park, hiking trails or a central neighborhood. Or, if you live far away, schedule time to FaceTime or chat on the phone, while you train together. Getting a little walking time in will help you break in those new shoes, help to build the excitement and encourage conversations about the upcoming trip.

Purchase Memory Maker – Memory Maker is a digital photo collection of photos taken around the parks and at select restaurants and attractions. Anyone who is connected to your Friends and Family list can access the photos. One purchase and everyone shares the benefits. Just make sure you schedule time to have a PhotoPass photographer take pictures of the entire group. Members of your party simply use their Magic Band to scan photos from rides and photographers around the parks and restaurants. After you return home you have a digital recording of an amazing group event. You can purchase additional pictures, coffee mugs or Christmas ornaments to commemorate your trip. Especially for a large party, Memory Maker is worth every penny.

Consider A Team Uniform – For as much as my husband resisted, when we finally pulled off a group “uniform” he immediately saw the benefits and now we’ll never go back. It was like the parting of the Red Sea. Everyone knew we were together and navigating the crowds became a piece of cake. And our coordinated outfits made for some great family pictures.

Bring An Extra Reserve of Patience – Knowing ahead of time that deep breaths and a little flexibility will be necessary makes for an easier trip. Preparation is key. You know your party best. The same things that annoy you at family gatherings will annoy you on your trip. A little patience will go a long way to ensuring you have a magical time.

Allow Plenty of Time for Everything – And I do mean absolutely everything. From getting ready in the morning to pre-set meeting times to bathroom breaks, tack on 10-15 minutes to everything you plan. Not everyone is as punctual as you. And then, there’s the occasional late bus or extra long attraction queue that you weren’t anticipating. Build in a few extra minutes throughout the day and you’ll never be scrambling for lost time.

Stay Connected And Share The Game Plan –  Large parties need strong communication. Once you have the itinerary planned, send everyone a copy. You can link your dining and FastPass reservations through your My Disney Experience App. While you’re on vacation, a group text will keep everyone in the loop. The more people know, the more connected they feel, the happier everyone will be.