Howdy Patty!!
I am beyond excited for you! This sounds amazing. Family. Christmas. Disney. Magical!!!
Regarding your accommodations while you are there: I would suggest that you consider one of the Deluxe Villas. They offer full kitchens and a washer and dryer and they are perfect for larger parties!
The 3-Bedroom Grand Villas can accommodate your entire party or you could split up and stay in multiple Villas.
You will also find family suites at a few of the resort hotels that sleep up to 6.
Due to your party size, you might take a few minutes and look at your resort options on the
Walt Disney World Resort website and then call (407) 939-1936 and ask a Cast Member to assist you with making your reservation.
I know your vacation is more than a year away but Christmas time is a very popular time of year at Walt Disney World. I would encourage you to make your reservations soon!
Regarding the Disney Dining Plan. It's a great option for many families. One of the things I like about it is that you pay for it in advance which can help spread out the cost of your vacation. I would suggest that you take some time now and try to figure out when, where and how often your party will be dining while on vacation. Look at the cost of the Dining Plan and what you receive with each meal. Look at the menu for a few of the restaurants you would like to visit and determine if the Dining Plan is a good value for you.
Regardless of what you decide regarding the Disney Dining Plan, if you plan to enjoy a table service meal, mark your calendar and make your reservations as soon as you are able to based on your check-in date. Typically, this is 180 days out.
What a magical way for you to celebrate the holidays! Thanks for your questions and please let me know if you need any further information. Have a magical day!!