Cyndal BenulloPlanning a Disney World vacation can be overwhelming for one family. Add three or four families into the mix, and it can turn into complete chaos! A multi-generational trip is an excellent idea — it just requires a little extra strategy. With the right plan in place, this vacation can become a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with memories your whole family will cherish forever.
In this guide, we’re walking you through everything you need to know to plan a stress-free, multi-generational Disney World trip that works for all ages, from pre-planning and choosing the right resort to dining options and activities beyond the parks.
Planning Basics for a Multi-Generational Disney World Trip
A successful Disney vacation starts long before you walk down Main Street, U.S.A. The more people involved, the more opinions there are. While some decisions can wait until closer to your arrival, others must be made well in advance.
Hold a Family Meeting
Whether in person or virtually, depending on locations, hold a family meeting to discuss everyone’s needs, wants, and interests for your trip. It’s important to get all opinions and set a goal for your family vacation. Is the goal to do as much as possible? To relax? Maybe a little of both?
Some topics to discuss include:
- Budget
- Must-do’s
- Trip style
- Where to stay
- Length of trip
- When to visit
Consider Using a Disney Travel Advisor
Did you know Disney travel agents are free to use? Of course, it’s possible to do all the research and plan the entire trip on your own. However, it can get complicated when booking and coordinating multiple resort rooms, large dining parties, specialty services, any enchanting extras, park tickets, and more.
Certified Disney vacation planners do this every day and know the best locations, time frames, dining options, and activities for multi-generational trips. They are experts and can help you navigate the entire planning process. You can be involved as much (or as little) as you’d like! Think of it as a little fairy godmother on your shoulder.
If you’re looking to book your trip now, you can request a free quote from our partners, Mouse Fan Travel.
Best Disney World Resorts for Multi-Generational Families
Choosing the right hotel is a key decision for a successful multi-generational Disney World trip. You’ll first have to decide if you want to stay onsite or at a nearby off-property hotel. For the ease and convenience, we always recommend staying at one of the Disney World resorts. While all Disney resorts are great, it’s also important to consider the room accommodations available, the resort’s location to the parks, transportation options, and onsite amenities & activities.
Room Accommodations
Walt Disney World offers resorts for all travel styles, budgets, and family sizes. So, you’ll want to take that into consideration when deciding where your family should tuck in at night.
Standard hotel rooms, with two queen beds or a bed and a pull-out sofa, are the most common at Disney World. But, they’re not the only ones. Additional options include deluxe villas, family suites, and connecting rooms.
Disney resorts are categorized into three basic tiers: Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, and Deluxe Resorts. Deluxe resorts are the most expensive, but they offer multi-bedroom suites. However, nearly all resorts offer a selection of connected rooms at more affordable rates. So, you’ll want to price out the difference between booking multiple rooms versus splitting the higher cost of a family suite or villa depending on your party size.
Transportation and Location
The Walt Disney World Resort is larger than the city of San Francisco. Does that mean you’ll be walking nearly 50 miles every day? Well, no. However, there is plenty of walking involved. That’s why the location and available transportation options at your Disney resort matter more than you might think.
First, decide your trip priorities. Do you have young children who will want to spend most of their time at Magic Kingdom? Then, consider a Magic Kingdom resort area hotel that offers monorail or boat access to the park in addition to the standard bus service. Planning on spending multiple days at EPCOT and Hollywood Studios? Then, you may want to consider an EPCOT-area hotel with Disney Skyliner access.
For young children and grandparents alike, it’s important to be able to pop back to the room for a midday break!
Resort Amenities and Activities
I always recommend factoring at least one resort day into your Disney itinerary. Disney resorts aren’t just your standard hotels; they offer so much more! But, not all Disney resorts are created equal.
Are pool days with slides or kids’ aquatic areas important? What about having table-service dining options at your resort? Anyone fancy a spa on your resort property? These are all things to consider when choosing where to stay. This is especially important if grandparents (or anyone else in your travel party) won’t be heading to the parks every day.
Once again, along with a higher price tag, you can expect to find the most resort amenities and table-service dining at Deluxe Resorts.
My Top Resort Picks for a Multi-Generational Disney Trip:
- Disney’s Polynesian Resort
- Disney’s Beach & Yacht Club Resorts
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Smart Park Strategies for All Ages
Having a game plan and employing smart park strategies are important for any Disney World trip, but when you add different age groups, their likes and dislikes, and their physical capabilities into the mix, they become crucial!
These are just a few of the most important tips to avoid meltdowns.
Build in Mid-Day Breaks
Plan to leave the parks during the hottest and busiest part of the day. Mid-day breaks allow for a multitude of perks:
- Pool time
- Kids (or grandparents) nap time
- A break from overstimulation
- Possibly better dining options
Bring Water Bottles and Snacks into the Parks
When water bottles cost upwards of $3.50 each, the bill can add up quickly! Not only is the added cost a factor, but don’t underestimate the Florida heat. Children and older adults are more likely to become dehydrated sooner. It’s important to have water at the ready! There are also water refill stations throughout the parks, so you never have to worry about running out.
Additionally, snacks are great distractions when waiting in line for attractions or waiting until mealtime.
Capture the Memories with Memory Maker
With what may be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, purchasing a Memory Maker photo package is worth considering. Who knows when everyone will be together again! Plus, I’m mainly talking to you, moms, we always tend to be taking the picture, but never IN the picture.
Disney’s PhotoPass service is available throughout the parks in various locations. If you purchase the Memory Maker package, you can stop at any photographer to have your photo taken. You can also:
- Download all ride photos
- Capture professional-quality family photos
- Be in the pictures instead of behind the camera
This add-on package typically costs around $200, with a slight discount if purchased in advance. The price can be well justified as a lifetime family keepsake.
Disney Activities and Rides Everyone Can Enjoy
You don’t need to enjoy thrill rides to have an amazing time at Disney World. Some of the best memories are made on rides or at parades and shows that everyone can enjoy!
Accessible Rides with No Height Requirements
Across all four theme parks, there are rides and attractions that are slow moving, family-friendly, and handicap accessible. In fact, there are even several options that have no height requirements. Some examples in each park include:
- The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh
- It’s a small world
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Jungle Cruise
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover
- The Seas with Nemo and Friends
- Journey of Water
- Frozen Ever After
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Hollywood Studios Family Rides:
- Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Toy Story Mania
- Beauty and The Beast Live On Stage
- For The First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-a-Long
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
- Zootopia: Better Zoogether!
- Kilimanjaro Safari
- Navi River Journey
- Festival of the Lion King
- Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond
Accessibility Options
Disney World is highly accommodating for accessibility needs, with multiple options available for guests.
Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS) Pass and Ride Accommodations
If you qualify for DAS, you do not wait in the regular standby line for attractions. Instead, you receive a return time similar to the current wait, allowing you to wait elsewhere in the park and then return to the attraction and bypass the standby line.
To qualify for DAS, there must be a condition that prevents waiting in a traditional queue. Disney typically includes certain developmental disabilities, such as autism or similar, but does not limit their eligibility. Disney’s Accessibility Services Team determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis through a live virtual chat that must be held prior to your trip. Additionally, the DAS pass must be approved prior to arrival.
Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters
Disney parks are fully wheelchair- and Electronic Conveyance Vehicles (ECVs/scooters)-friendly. Not only as a mode of transportation, but also as a ride accommodation!
Many, though not all, rides, including “it’s a small world” or Pirates of the Caribbean, will have boats designed for wheelchair or EVC needs. If those who need a wheelchair or scooter can walk, cast members will allow guests to remain in their wheelchair or scooter throughout the queue, then transfer at the loading dock from the wheelchair or EVC to the ride vehicle. Then, they’ll have it waiting at the offload for you!
All four theme parks, plus Disney Springs, have a site dedicated to wheelchair and mobility scooter rentals. Additionally, guests may bring their own or rent from a third-party company.
Dining Tips for Large Family Groups
Dining can be one of the trickiest parts of a multi-generational Disney trip—but also one of the most memorable!
Dining as a large group can be challenging for a few reasons. For starters, with so many people in one group, can you really get everyone to agree on a cuisine? I know my family wouldn’t! Second, Disney dining fills up quickly, so when you are looking for parties of 10+, 15+, or even 20+, availability and space in the specific restaurant can be limited.
Here are a few tips for dining at Disney World with large groups:
- Book as early as possible (availability opens 60 days prior to your check-in day)
- Consider buffet or family style dining, which typically offer more variety to please everyone
- Character meals are a fun way to have the family together for entertainment
- Be open to the idea of splitting into smaller groups
- Have multiple people checking availability on different accounts
- Consider quick-service dining for some meals, as no reservations are required and many offer great food selection
Final Thoughts: Multi-Generational Trips Are Magical
A multi-generational Disney World trip takes some in-depth planning, flexibility, and a focus on togetherness – but the payoff is worth it! With the right resort, smart park strategies, and an educated dining approach, Disney World can truly be magical for every generation. Don’t let the daunting planning process deter you from enjoying a vacation you’ll remember for a lifetime at “the most magical place on earth”!
Comments
Have you traveled to Walt Disney World with the extended family? What are some of your must-do’s for a multi-generational Disney World trip? Let us know in the comments when you’re planning your next family visit!
