Hey there, Doug! Thanks for swinging by planDisney with your question. This is a great question and hopefully I can help you manage the logistics for your family more easily.
The way that my family manages this is, we each have our own
Disneyland account, and then everyone can link one another’s tickets in the
Disneyland mobile app. This is handy if the family may be splitting up into smaller groups during the day. For instance, sometimes our daughters like to explore a few attractions together while my husband and I relax, enjoy a beverage and people watch for a while! With a valid email address, you can create a Disneyland account. Each member of the family should download the app, log in using their own account, go to Tickets and Passes, and link everyone’s tickets.
If you anticipate the family will be staying together, you can manage with one Disneyland account. In the app, in Tickets and Passes, just make sure everyone’s ticket is linked. You’ll be able to manage the party together, for Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane selections, dining reservations, and more.
I should mention that for Guests below the age of 18, you cannot associate a credit card to the Disneyland account. But that has worked out for our family as we gave our daughters a Disney Gift Card to use for purchases within the app. Also, once we purchased Genie+ for the family at the beginning of the day, they were able to make their Lightning Lane selections using the app without any further purchases needed.
I hope this is helpful. I wish you and your ‘ohana the adventure of a lifetime!
Kamini