Hi Roger,
Welcome to planDisney!
I hear you! When we started planning our trips to the Walt Disney World® Resort years ago, I actually used a travel agency because I wanted to be sure I did not miss something. The travel agency had planning guides that I used. I hesitate to recommend one here because there are so many good ones out there. If you do not want to go through a travel agency, you could also just order a 2025 Walt Disney World Guide Book online to be delivered.
Even with a guide book, there is still a lot to consider. So, let me offer another suggestion. Think about your planning in four basic categories - travel to and from Disney, lodging, park tickets, and food. My family usually has to fly, so I start searching flights at least six months in advance. Even after I purchase the flights, I keep an eye on prices. On several occasions, prices have gone down and I rebooked the airfare when possible to get the difference refunded as a flight credit. Then I consider our transportation to and from the airport. On some occasions, we use a ride share service like Lyft or Uber. On other trips, we book MEARS Transportation.
With lodging, I always suggest
Disney Resorts Collection hotels. Take some time to consider the type of resort hotel you would prefer. My family, for example, prefers resort hotels with multiple transportation options to the theme parks and we love deluxe resort hotels that are within walking distance to a theme park. Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are both within walking distance to Magic Kingdom and have access to
Walt Disney World® Monorail Transportation,
Water Transportation, and
Bus Service. We love being able to walk back to the resort hotel after watching the Happily Ever After fireworks!
As you consider
theme park tickets, I always suggest having a minimum of 4-Day Standard park tickets so that you can have at least one full day in each park. You could consider tickets with the
Park Hopper® Option which would allow you to visit more than one park per day, but given that you will have three generations of family members on this trip, if you want to keep everyone together, doing one park per day will be plenty. There is also some fantastic news for Disney Resorts Collection hotel guests traveling in 2025 - you will receive a
water park benefit on the first day of your stay!
Now, let's talk about food! With the size of your group, I strongly recommend
advanced dining reservations. Depending on the size of your group, it may be difficult to find availability. If you have eight guests, for example, I suggest making two reservations for parties of four. Try booking those reservations within 15 minutes of one another. Although we cannot promise, cast members will try their best to seat your party together. Know the date that your
advanced reservation booking window opens - currently, that is 60 days prior to arrival.
Roger, I know it can feel like a lot. But once you get started it will come together!
Magic and memories,
Donyell