How to Do Disney World When You Have a Big Family
If you follow me on Instagram, you know that we love Disney. Even as our family has grown from two kids to six, we’ve visited Disney World just as much. We love going because seeing the twinkle in their eyes when they see their favorite Disney characters or go on their favorite ride just makes it all worth it.
Now, I would be lying if I said that every trip is pure magic. The kids (myself included) have had their fair share of Disney Meltdowns.
But for the most part, we actually manage to avoid them. We know all the ins and outs, all the tips and tricks to make each Disney Trip as magical as the first visit, even with a zillion kids.
How to Do Disney When You Have a LOT of Kids
#1 Plan Out Meals
If you want to save money, eat before you go! Eat a hearty breakfast, and pack tons of lunches and snacks!
If my kids are having a meltdown, 90% of the time, it’s because they’re hungry, and 10% of the time it’s because they’re sleepy. Packing tons of food will prevent kid meltdowns, and adult ones too.
I typically eat breakfast before we go, pack the kids’ lunches (things we KNOW they’ll eat), my husband and I will buy a meal (sometimes we share it), and then we eat dinner when we get home! We rarely spend over $25 at Disney!
If you don’t mind spending some $$$: Make dining reservations! This will save you so much time. Most Disney restaurants are packed all the time, and you can rarely just walk up and be seated. You’ll avoid long waits with tired kids, and secure your spot for a guaranteed on-time meal!
#2 — Make Sure Your Stroller is Disney-Approved
Disney changed their stroller policy to stop large and oversized strollers (including wagons) from getting into their parks. Strollers that are over 31″ in width and 52″ in length are now prohibited.
Almost all of Joovy’s strollers are Disney-approved! Having a stroller for Disney is an absolute must. It’s a spot for you to store all of your goodies, give the kids a break from walking (look at Joovy’s sit and stand strollers for this!), and also contain the kids — if you have a runner like me. If you don’t want to bring a stroller, you can always rent one at the park!
#3 — Plan for Some DownTime
I understand being at Disney World is exciting, but plan for some downtime, whether that’s watching a parade, or going on some slower rides. A couple of my go-to slower rides are the People Mover and Carousel of Progress — both at the Magic Kingdom. My kiddos almost always fall asleep on those rides!
#3 — Avoid the Busiest Times If You Can
Because I live in Florida and visit the parks pretty frequently, I see when it’s super packed (like at max capacity) and when it’s slow. Here is a helpful site that shares when it’s insanely busy, and when it’s slow.
But I can tell you right now, summertime — when kids are out of school — it’s almost always packed, with a slowdown just after Labor Day.
#4 — Get Fastpasses For All of Your Favorite Rides
Fastpasses are passes that let you skip the line. However, you can only make three Fastpasses per day, and for only one park. If you’re an annual pass holder though, they can be made 30 days in advance, and if you’re staying at a Disney World Resort, up to 60 days in advance.
If you forget to make Fastpasses, you can make them at the park, so don’t sweat them!
Going to Disney with a large family might seem intimidating at first, but these tips make it so much easier. No matter what, your family will have a great time; after all, it’s Disney World!
