How To Plan a Family Reunion at Disney World: 15 Tips for Success

Planning a family reunion at Disney World might seem overwhelming at first. However, with proper guidance, it can be a smooth and stress-free process that results in lifelong memories. This guide draws on insider tips and real experiences from multi-generational Disney trips to help you effortlessly organize an epic, hassle-free event filled with magical togetherness. Follow these 15 tips to create a fun, unforgettable reunion celebrating your loved ones amid Disney magic.

1. Set the Optimal Dates Early

Image © Disney

Planning a family reunion at Disney World requires setting the dates well in advance to allow enough time for budgeting, requesting vacation days, and coordinating schedules. Ideally, start the planning process 12 to 18 months in advance.

Choosing the right dates is crucial for the success of your reunion. It’s best to plan your trip between September and May, as the weather is more pleasant, and crowds may be smaller. If possible, avoid planning during peak holiday weeks, weekends, and school breaks (of course, this is easier if the kids in your group are homeschooled or have an extra-flexible schedule). Remember that weekdays, particularly Tuesday to Thursday, usually see smaller crowds than weekends.

To determine the most suitable travel window for the majority of attendees, discuss potential dates with your group and send out a poll or group email to collect availability. Getting input and flexibility around dates allows the maximum number of people to join and enjoy the reunion while setting expectations around busy periods.

Once you have gathered the responses, review them together and select dates that work for as many schedules as possible. While there is no perfect time for everyone, finding a balance between crowd levels and attendee availability is essential to make the reunion a success.

Related Articles: Best Time to Visit Disney World; Disney Crowd Calendar; Weather at Disney World

2. Create a Realistic Budget

Consider all potential costs when planning your Disney World family reunion and present an initial budget to the group. Break out expected expenses into categories:

• Accommodations: On-site resort rooms, family suites, vacation home rentals
• Park tickets: Multi-day base tickets, hoppers, water parks, Lightning Lane
• Food: Disney Dining Plans, table-service restaurants, character meals, quick-service
• Transportation: Flights, rental cars/vans, taxis/ride shares, shuttle buses
• Activities: Memory Maker, tours, recreation, entertainment
• Souvenirs: Matching shirts, autograph books, toys, customized items
• Incidentals: Parking, stroller/scooter rentals, tips

Here are some budgeting tips for your family reunion:

• Request free quotes on tickets, room rates, and dining plan options.
• Work with a travel planner to set up a Disney payment plan for individual attendees or as a group.
• Inquire about package deals, seasonal promotions like free dining, military or Florida resident discounts, or other ways to provide additional savings and perks for your reunion group.

Related Articles: How Much Does It Cost to Go to Disney World; Disney World Cost Calculator; Cheapest Disney World Resort; Most Expensive Disney World Hotel; Luxury Disney World Vacation; Free Things to Do at Disney World

3. Find Family-Friendly Lodging

Disney Deluxe Villas offer special amenities perfect for family reunions | Image © Disney

Utilize both online resources and the expertise of a Disney Authorized Vacation Planner to explore the wide range of on-site resort options. Consider these factors:

• Room types/sizes (standard, family suites with kitchens or multiple rooms)
• Locations and transportation access
• Amenities like pools, dining, recreation
• Group benefits and discounts (10+ rooms)

Consider various resort categories to accommodate different budgets and family sizes. Top accommodation options for family reunions include:

• Value Resorts: Ideal for larger families seeking economical, themed options. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s All-Star Music Resort have family suites.
• Moderate Resorts: Provide a balance of amenities and pricing, with unique choices like the rustic Cabins at Fort Wilderness that can sleep bigger groups.
• Deluxe Resorts: These resorts are more upscale than the previous two categories and offer a higher level of service and amenities.
• Deluxe Villas: Upscale resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge offer spacious multi-bedroom villas with premier dining and recreation for multi-generational groups. Many include full kitchens and clothes washers/dryers right in the unit, making the logistics of a large group gathering even easier.

For larger families and multi-family reunions, request connecting rooms or adjacent units in the same building to facilitate more accessible group gatherings and provide a sense of closeness. As an added perk, Disney World Resort hotels offer special group rates and discounts for bookings that require ten or more rooms. Contact The Vacationeer to learn more!

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4. Get Expert Planning Assistance

Planning a multi-generational Disney World reunion is complex, with countless details to manage. Alleviate stress by utilizing an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner from a reputable, experienced travel agency like The Vacationeer.

These certified Disney professionals offer complimentary services that transform planning, providing:

• Get personalized recommendations based on the size, ages, and needs of your group
• Insider access to book dining, shows, activities, and secure discounts
• Customized daily itineraries coordinated with your family’s must-do list
• Streamlined Lightning Lane access and transportation logistics
• Perks like Memory Maker for capturing magical shared moments

From coordinating transportation and nannies to reserving dining and fireworks viewing, these specialists handle everything for you! Instead of worrying about logistics, family leaders can focus on having fun and bonding experiences.

When it comes to finding the best Disney travel agencies, we highly recommend The Vacationeer. Their agents have decades of first-hand Disney World experience and outstanding customer reviews. By leveraging their network of resort contacts and transactional convenience, you can relax knowing every trip detail is arranged smoothly.

Related Articles: Planning a Disney World Vacation; Why Book with a Disney Travel Agent; Booking Disney World with Costco or a Travel Agent

5. Get Group Ticket Deals

Using a MagicBand to enter a theme park | Image © Disney

Look into group ticket options and vacation packages offering savings for reunions with 10+ people. Bundled deals include discounts on hotels, multi-day tickets, dining, and more.

For smaller groups, take advantage of multi-day ticket discounts on stays of 3+ days. The more days you purchase, the more you save!

Strive to visit each Disney theme park at least once, or two days at each, if possible. Park Hopper tickets let you visit multiple Disney parks in one day, which is great if you have a variety of interests or limited time.

If you want a diverse experience, plan to visit Universal Orlando Resort in addition to Disney parks. You can also consider adding a Disney water park for more theme park variety.

Discuss park plans as a group ahead of time to ensure everyone gets to experience their must-do attractions and family-friendly entertainment.

Related Articles: Disney World vs Universal Orlando; Best Universal Orlando Rides

6. Schedule Epic Group Activities

Survey family members on their Disney wish lists. Make a master list of must-do rides, shows, characters, restaurants, and experiences. Use this to build customized daily itineraries that work for all ages.

Schedule interactive group activities like:

• Family photos in front of Cinderella Castle
• Character dining experiences to interact with Disney friends
• Finding a local premium golf course for a fun reunion tournament
• Booking Disney fireworks dessert parties for premium viewing
• Rent a boat for quality bonding time, or take the free boat from Disney Springs.
• Reserve a Disney Private VIP Tour solely for your group, or join a pre-planned tour like Keys to the Kingdom at Magic Kingdom or Behind the Seeds at EPCOT.

There are many fun things to do at Disney World, inside and outside the theme parks. Choose activities that will appeal to everyone to make your family reunion enjoyable.

Related Articles: Disney World with Toddlers; Best Disney Rides for Toddlers and Kids; Best Magic Kingdom Rides; Best Epcot Rides; Best Animal Kingdom Rides; Best Hollywood Studios Rides, Grandparents Guide to Disney World

7. Reserve Dining For All Tastes

Make reservations at popular restaurants and character dining experiences 60+ days in advance to ensure availability. Request tables together for large parties. Review menus ahead of time to plan for any food allergies, diets, or picky eaters in the group.

Offer a diverse mix of quick-service stops for on-the-go budget meals, upscale signature dining for the adults, and fun character meals for the kids to please all ages.

Character meals allow the whole family to interact with beloved Disney characters while enjoying a meal. Book favorites like Chef Mickey’s, Tusker House, and Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Quick-service locations allow for convenient, budget-friendly dining around the parks. Use mobile ordering to skip queues at many quick-service spots.

Book signature restaurants like California Grill and Be Our Guest for a memorable upscale dining experience. Or head over to the counties of Epcot’s World Showcase to experience authentic global cuisine.

Related Articles: Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants; Best Epcot Restaurants; Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants; Best Hollywood Studios Restaurants; Best Disney Character Dining

8. Map Out Seamless Transportation

Use Disney’s complimentary transportation via bus, monorail, Skyliner aerial gondolas, or Friendship boats to get around the resort and parks. Study our Disney Transportation Map to get an idea of which transportation you will need depending on the resorts you stay in.

With Disney transportation readily available, and ridesharing options around the resort, you really don’t need rental cars or vans. But it’s something to consider if you plan day trips near Disney World and go off the resort.

When planning an airport transfer, compare rideshare services like Uber/Lyft with shared shuttles and taxis. The cost of rideshares may be lower, even though more vehicles may be required.

The Vacationeer can arrange seamless transportation for airport transfers, daily Disney transport, and excursions outside the parks. They can also help to arrange transportation between Disney World and Universal Orlando if your family reunion takes you there.

Related Articles: Transportation Between Orlando Airport and Disney World; How Much Does an Uber Cost Between the Airport and Disney World

9. Streamline Planning with Disney’s Apps

My Disney Experience app | Elements © Disney

Maximize efficiency and fun by using the My Disney Experience app. This free, user-friendly mobile tool incorporates features that allow you to:

• Make dining, attraction, and activity reservations
• Access park maps and real-time tip boards
• Update plans and reservations on-the-fly
• Communicate via convenient group chat
• Consolidate all trip details under one organizer

Appoint a tech-savvy family leader to coordinate everything within the app. Effortlessly sync everyone’s tickets to facilitate reservations for your whole group.

My Disney Experience optimizes organization and flexibility, ensuring your family reunion features streamlined, magical experiences.

The app is also home to the Lightning Lane functionality, letting you reserve a time slot to get quicker access to popular rides (for a fee).

Related Articles: Disney World Map, Are Lightning Lane Passes Worth It?

10. Request Accessibility Support

If you or any of your family members have accessibility needs, kindly inform your Disney vacation planner ahead of time while booking resort rooms and park experiences.

Disney provides wheelchair, ECV (scooter), and stroller rentals suitable for all ages, along with handicap-accessible rooms for those needing mobility support. Disney resorts offer adaptive amenities like roll-in showers and lowered beds.

The parks themselves facilitate accessible ride boarding, portable ramps, sign language interpreters, and Braille guides based on your family’s requirements.

You can also arrange special dining accommodations for any dietary restrictions or feeding assistance needed. Disney’s experienced staff provides seamless, personalized services through Guest Relations to best meet your family’s accessibility needs.

Planning ahead enables Disney to coordinate accommodations, ensuring your whole family enjoys the magic.

Related Articles: Disney World Customer Service, Best Stroller Rental Companies near Disney World, Strollers at Disney World, Disabilities at Disney World

11. Capture Priceless Memories

A PhotoPass photographer captures a family portrait | Image © Disney

Memory Maker provides unlimited downloads of high-quality photos taken by Disney’s professional PhotoPass photographers across all parks and resorts – making it easy to collect shareable keepsakes from your Disney World family reunion.

Ideal for multi-generational trips, this add-on captures every magical moment from start to finish. Purchase at least three days before your trip to ensure you receive photos from day one (at the best price).

Linking Memory Maker to your My Disney Experience account can help you conveniently access all of your family’s vacation photos in one place. This will allow you to view, share, and download your favorite shots anytime. With everyone’s photos integrated, Memory Maker makes it easy to capture and relive those special reunion memories.

12. Experience Special Events

If there’s interest, plan your Disney World family reunion during a festival like Epcot’s Food & Wine and Flower & Garden festivals, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for added entertainment, characters, activities, and photo ops.

The festivals add unique food, shows, and theming that enhance the experience. Check Disney’s calendar before selecting dates.

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13. Balance Relaxation and Adventure

Finding a balance between Disney fun and relaxation is critical to avoiding burnout. Schedule afternoon breaks for swimming, spa treatments, golf, or naps to recharge.

In the evenings, offer lower-intensity options like Disney Springs shopping/dining, mini golfing, or resort recreation. This allows individuals to pursue their own interests while preventing sensory overload.

Related Articles: Is Disney Springs Free, Best Disney World Pools; Best Golf Courses at Disney World

14. Customize with Personalized Time

While togetherness is important, splitting up lets everyone explore at their own pace. For example, thrill-seekers can ride Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster while others recharge or enjoy child-friendly activities like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

Be sure to maintain connections with daily meetups for meals, shows, and fireworks. In between group events, people can go on age-appropriate rides or do their own thing based on differing needs and speeds. This balanced approach accommodates individual preferences while keeping the group bonded.

15. Show Your Reunion Spirit

Add some extra magic to your family reunion by customizing your outfits. You can go for Disneybounding outfits, matching tees, or coordinated looks to enhance the experience. You can get shirts made for each family member or choose to wear the same shirt as a group.

Personalize with photos, names, and phrases like “The [Your Last Name] Family Reunion 2024” or “Making Magic Together at Disney World.”