Welcome to planDisney, Jeff!
I'm so glad you're planning to visit Walt Disney World Resort with your family. My understanding of family and togetherness was defined on Main Street, U.S.A., and that happily ever after journey now includes my husband, children, and in-laws.
When planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation with others, it's important for everyone to connect as
Family and Friends in My Disney Experience. Anyone over the age of 13 can have their own My Disney Experience account. Children under the age of 13 must have their My Disney Experience account profiles managed under an adult's account. The decision to have or not have a My Disney Experience account depends on the individual. My in-laws have their own accounts because they enjoy seeing what time our dinner reservation is, checking attraction wait times, viewing Disney PhotoPass photos, etc. My parents prefer not to be on their phones during their park days, so I manage their account profiles.
To add someone to your Family and Friends list, click "Add a Guest" at the bottom of your
Family and Friends list in My Disney Experience. Next select "I'll enter their name and age." For family members that have their own My Disney Experience accounts, select "Invite this Guest to Connect" from the question that pops up after you enter their age. Then enter the email address associated with their My Disney Experience account and they will receive an email invitation to connect. Once they click "Accept" in their email, you will be connected as Family and Friends.
You can also connect with family using the
My Disney Experience mobile app. Click the three small lines at the bottom right of the homepage, scroll down to "My Profile," and click the "Family and Friends List" tab. Click "Add a Guest" and follow the same steps as above except the wording is "Share Planning with this Guest" before entering their email address.
Once everyone in your family's connected as Family and Friends, Jeff, you can view and make plans for each other. Specifically, you can make
theme park reservations for each other, purchase
Disney Genie+ service and Invidivual Lightning Lanes for each other, book Genie+ Lighting Lanes for each other, and view each other's
Disney PhotoPass photos (just check your filters and permission settings).
I hope this is helpful information, Jeff. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any follow-up questions. You're part of the planDisney 'Ohana now!
Choose magic,
Jennifer