Hello, Friend, and welcome to planDisney! The only thing more magical than visiting the Disneyland Resort is sharing the experience with family and friends. I've recently visited with groups as large as nine and picked up some helpful tips – let’s make sure you're all set for your trip.
For larger parties, it helps to have one or two people manage the day's general schedule – think showtimes, dining reservations, and top attractions. Having someone to keep the group on track can be helpful. That person can also add each Guest's theme park ticket to their
Disneyland mobile app so it's easy to scan into the park, manage Lightning Lane passes (if you decide to purchase them), and more.
Before your visit,
browse the Disneyland website to get an idea of the top attractions and entertainment your group wants to experience. You can filter by thrill level, age, and more. There have been times when my family split into groups to experience different attractions, and it was totally fine, because we regrouped and continued the day together after. Just make sure there is an adult with the little ones.
If your four-year-old isn't tall enough or willing to ride certain attractions, you can look into using
Rider Switch. Here's how it generally works: the entire party would approach a Cast Member at the entrance of a participating attraction and request the service. They'd then be split into two groups. Group 1 would wait in the queue and ride while Group 2 waits outside the queue. After Group 1 returns, Group 2 (two people maximum) would enter the attraction through a shorter queue.
Everyone moves at their own pace, so be sure to schedule multiple breaks to rest and snack. Some attractions, like the Disneyland Railroad, provide an opportunity to relax, as do a number of shows throughout the day. I really love
Mickey's PhilharMagic in California Adventure. Imagine how fun it would be for your whole group to visit
Animation Academy and follow step-by-step instructions to draw a Disney Character – my four-year-old loves it!
One of my top tips for larger groups is to
make advance reservations for sit-down restaurants – it may be hard to find walk-up reservations for a large party at some locations. For casual dining spots,
mobile order in advance on the Disneyland app – ordering early will give you more options when selecting your pickup time. Mealtimes will go much smoother and faster.
Dining packages are another great option for meals because they come with premium viewing for select shows like Fantasmic! or World of Color.
Don’t forget to take advantage of the
Disney PhotoPass Service! There are several locations throughout the park where everyone in your group can pose for a photo with an interesting background. Professional photographers are there to capture the perfect photos. I can't think of a better way to commemorate the family trip.
My Friend, I hope this has sprinkled a little pixie dust onto your plans. If you have any other questions, please reach out. We're always happy to help here at planDisney!
Your pal,
Kriss