Hi there, Katherine, and welcome to planDisney! I'm so glad you've found us here with this great question about your upcoming Walt Disney World Resort vacation! My Panelist pals and I are here and always thrilled to help our fellow Guests.
Katherine, it sounds like you're hoping to plan a vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth during the summer of 2025. At planDisney, we are all experts in planning vacations to Disney destinations, but we are not able to book travel directly for Guests. We have lots of friends who are Travel Agents, though, and we fully support Guests who use their services. Happily, I have lots of experience traveling with my large family, and I'd love to share some insights with you!
When traveling with a large party, it's best to think ahead. Please book your
Disney Resorts Collection hotel as soon as you're able, and ask for rooms that are near each other if possible. Staying near your family will make things easier as you move throughout your day. Did you know that the
Deluxe Villa Resorts offer 1-, 2-, and 3-Bedroom Villas with full kitchens, a washer and dryer, and large sitting areas where your family can relax and spend time together?
You can begin booking
Advance Dining Reservations 60 days before your check-in date. With a large party, it can be difficult to find one table to seat everybody. I recommend partnering with another member of your group to make reservations in tandem. Splitting up into two or three separate, smaller parties will give you more flexibility. When you arrive at a restaurant, you're welcome to politely request a large table or tables that are close together. Cast Members will do all they can to accommodate you, and sometimes they're able to make it work! If not, at least your party is still on the same schedule as far as meals are concerned.
When moving throughout the
Disney Theme Parks, I recommend designating one member of your party as the "engine" and another as the "caboose." The engine leads the way, while the caboose keeps a running count of everyone in front, ensuring your 'ohana stays together.
If you don't plan on keeping your party together throughout the day, I recommend finding a time for everyone to meet up for a photo in front of a favorite landmark, like
Cinderella Castle. A Disney
PhotoPass Photographer will gladly snap some photos of your family that might just become treasured keepsakes! Make sure one person in your group has purchased Memory Maker so that you can enjoy downloads of all of the amazing snapshots.
Katherine, I hope these tips are helpful to you as you plan your exciting vacation! Please stop back by planDisney with any other questions you have as you count down to your arrival!
See you real soon!
Jennifer