Hi, Jane!
Not to worry! I remember feeling overwhelmed when planning my first couple of family trips to Walt Disney World. You can do this; we can help!
First, decide on a budget. What will make you comfortable? There are so many options, you can easily plan a visit that stays within your comfort zone yet accommodates your entire party in a resort that's just right for you. Start by playing with WDW's "
Price Your Vacation" feature that's right on their homepage. Enter dates and details for either your entire party or just one family, as an example. (Will you want to stay in one room with multiple bedrooms? Would you rather have two separate spaces? WDW can offer you both.)
Next, see what additional features are offered. For example, if you think you'd like to stay longer and not visit water parks, don't opt for the Water Park Fun & More Option. (It's March...it could be pool weather, but on your first visit, you may want to focus on the four main theme parks.) Instead, stay an extra night. Regarding Dining Plans, decide if your group will want to sit down about once a day to enjoy a relaxing, delicious meal at a Table Service Restaurant. If so, add on the
Disney Dining Plan.
Once you see what your options are, you can better determine what will make your entire party happy. The next step is to book your Advanced Dining Reservations. Favorites include Chef Mickey's, The Crystal Palace and Cinderella's Royal Table. Guests can book these ADRs 180 days in advance, so you can even book some dining reservations now, making changes if you need to do so at a future date.
It's a lot to think of, Jane, but you can do it! We can help you, too! Just send questions as you go through each step of your planning; we'll be glad to help!