Hey there Anne! You've brought a great question to planDisney. I know planning a trip with a large group is no easy task!
Between personal experience and doing a little Disney research, I have found the magical maximum number of tickets allowed on an account at once to be 10. The good news is that tickets can be added to more than one account. I would suggest splitting the tickets between two groups for the convenience of doing things together like scheduling
Disney Genie+ lightning lane selections and if you are trying to get dining reservations together. You can then also have each family put their tickets on their own accounts for the times they want to go off on their own. This will allow them to store a payment method in their account for
mobile ordering quick service meals and snacks.
I do something similar with a family that we frequently go to Disneyland Resort with. I have my family plus their family on my account for the simplicity of making theme park reservations together, as well as things like making sure we get the same Disney Genie+ lightning lane return time. They also have their tickets on their own account so they can scan themselves into the park and make mobile orders easily.
I think the biggest hurdle you may face with your large group is trying to get reservations for dining versus meeting up at quick-service restaurants. This is where being willing to split up into smaller parties will hopefully pay off to find reservations around the same time. If you are successful, I would show up a little early and explain that your reservations are scheduled separately, but you are one large group. There are no guarantees, but they may be able to try to seat you close by each other. I recommend checking out the dining locations in
Downtown Disney as they may be easier to accommodate larger parties.
Anne, I hope these tips help you as you plan your family reunion. How special of a trip is that?! I see you will be in the parks for the tail end of
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, so be sure to check that out and save room for all the delicious bites that will be available! Please come back and visit us again if you have any other questions as you plan!
Carrie