Hey there Natalie and welcome to planDisney!
Friends, family, and friends that are like family sound like a perfect travel party when visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. Y'all are going to have the best time ever and I'm so happy to be helping y'all do it!
When booking
Lightning Lanes with
Disney Genie+ Service, a single person can make plans for up to 12 Guests at a time. So if you're within those parameters and want to do something together first, I'd suggest one mama be the person making the Lightning Lane Selection. If you're looking to all spread out, you can indeed be linked in your
Family & Friends List and all book separate experiences. You will simply need to select the names of the Guests who are trying to all experience the same attraction at the time you're booking. I'd probably take my time and come up with a strategy beforehand. Separate the parties into specific groups and let the moms be like Team Captains. Each one will cover certain attractions for their team. My family is divided into thrill-seekers and chill-seekers. I'll be booking Lightning Lanes for those in my family who are a little more adventurous and my cousin will be in charge of the more tame side. We'll probably really watch the wait times like hawks in our
My Disney Experience apps and make a beeline for whichever attractions we see with low waits in between.
Dining is a totally separate thing to think about. One of the pluses of the advent of Disney Genie+ Service is that now
Advanced Dining Reservations are the only things I have to worry about 60 days out. You only have to specify the number of Guests dining when booking your meals. I'd once again discuss must-do restaurants with your team captains and have everyone assigned certain ones. The morning your 60-day window opens, everyone should be up with their coffee focused on booking their predetermined restaurants for the group. This way y'all are setting yourselves up for the most chances for success, especially with a large party.
Natalie, I hope I've given you some solid strategies for your special vacation. Keep an eye on
Disney Parks Blog for news on when those vacation packages will be available for 2023.
Happy planning!
Taylor