Hi Diane,
Thank you for stopping by planDisney to ask a question! I am always delighted to greet a fellow North Carolinian. Planning for a large group can be as rewarding as it is challenging. Looking at your travel dates, we need to get to planning!
First things first, I suggest checking the
theme park availability calendar.
Disney Park Pass system availability is limited for the dates of your visit. As soon as possible, book a
vacation package. Since your party is so large, you may need to do multiple rooms, so decide how many rooms.
Disney's Riviera Resort has three bedroom Grand Villas that sleep up to 12 adults. If you have an infant with you, it may work. The family suites at
Disney's Art of Animation Resort and
The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort sleep up to six adults. The bungalows at
Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows sleep up to eight adults. You could also try three standard rooms. My recommendation is to search rooms at the
Disney Resorts Collection hotels.
Once you book your rooms, make sure they are linked in
My Disney Experience. When I travel with larger groups, we have different lead people that help with reservations. So, decide who will have the My Disney Experience accounts and then link the vacation packages to those accounts. Once you have those vacation packages linked, make Disney Park Pass system reservations.
Given the size of your party, you also need to make
advanced dining reservations. You may have to split your party into three smaller groups to search for dining reservations. Have a different lead person make each reservation and try to make them within 15 minutes of each other. So, for example, one group could have a dinner reservation for 7:00 p.m., another for 7:05 p.m. and another for 7:15 p.m. When you arrive to the restaurant, ask the Cast Members if they can seat you together. Although not guaranteed, they do try to work some magic.
Diane, time is of the essence, so make those plans! Check the
Special Offers to make sure you are getting the best deal. And, make those park pass reservations!
Magic and memories,
Donyell