Welcome to planDisney! I'm so glad to be able to answer your question today. A trip with a big group is so much fun, and while there's going to be a bit of planning over the next several months, the payoff is going to be so magical. I'm happy to help you get the ball rolling, so let's jump right in!
The simplest way to plan for a big group like yours is to start by agreeing on the dates and
Disney Resort Hotel you all want. Once you've picked those, have each family book their own vacation package, which is a bundle of a hotel stay and
theme park tickets. This way, everyone can manage their own deposit and balance, which helps keep billing streamlined and lets each family choose the tickets and add-ons, like
Park Hopper or a
Disney Dining Plan, that fit their style and budget.
After everyone is booked, hop into
My Disney Experience and link everyone in your larger party together in Family & Friends. Once you're connected, you'll be able to plan as a team! Think
Lightning Lane selections together, and dining reservations for shared meals. When your dining reservation window opens 60 days before your check-in, you can divvy up the reservations and aim for similar times. For very large parties, it often helps to book several smaller reservations within the same time window and ask the host to seat you near each other when you arrive.
If you'd like rooms close together, or even connecting rooms for some families,
call Disney Resort Hotel Reservations after you've all booked and ask to add a "traveling together" note and any proximity and connecting requests to each reservation. Requests aren't guaranteed, but noting them early gives room assigners the best chance to make it happen.
For smooth sailing, create a quick shared doc with everyone's confirmation numbers, arrival and departure times, and must-do attractions. Then, when it's time to start planning your itinerary, you can coordinate picks that line up for the whole gang.
You're at the beginning of a really exciting planning journey, and we're here to help every step of the way. If you have more questions about choosing a Resort Hotel that's right for your group, picking out restaurants and making dining reservations, or even step-by-step assistance to get everyone linked in My Disney Experience, we're happy to help. Feel free to write back at any time, and we can handle it all together!
Have a magical day!
Jessica