The Happiest Place on Earth - Extended Family Style!

Edition #3:  Planning your Days at the Theme Parks!!

​This blog is the third and final edition in a series to help you plan your extended family vacation – Disney style!!!  

Hmmmmm…where should we eat tonight?  
​

​​One of my favorite planning activities is deciding which amazing restaurants we get to try!!  However, when traveling to Walt Disney World with a large group, there is so much to consider and be aware of when making your dining reservations.  While some restaurants have limited options for booking large groups, many are able to accommodate and fit everyone together!

​Here are some great ways to help ensure you get a reservation together
 in one of your favorite restaurants: 

​1)   Be ready to book your restaurant choices the first day that your dining window opens.  This date is:  180 days from your check in date @ 7:00am EST.  Many signature dining experiences and character meals book quickly; if you were thinking of dining at “Cinderella’s Royal Table”, or visiting the Beast at, “Be Our Guest”, you will want to be online first thing in the morning.

I highly recommend talking to everyone who is traveling and putting together a “wish list” of restaurants.  In our group, I asked everyone to pick their favorite place to eat, or favorite food.  Then, I tried to book a restaurant that accommodated everyones top picks throughout the stay!

My choice was "Chef de France" in EPCOT to celebrate Brad and my 17th anniversary AND my grandmother's AND my niece's birthday!   Best meal ever!!!!!

Chef de France

​EARS OF EXPERIENCE TIP:  If you book through me, I can help you with dining suggestions AND even reserve your meals for you, so you don’t have to get up early in the morning!

​2)   Consider eating during non - peak meal times.  Often times, we will grab a snack in the morning as our breakfast (either at the resort, or in the parks).  When we arrive at the parks, we try to do as many rides as possible in the morning and then sit down for lunch at a Quick Service restaurant around 11:00am.  There have been so many times that we’ve been one of the only families in the restaurant – we’ve had our pick of lunch tables and get everyone close together!! 

​For dinner, we’ve found that eating earlier has also allowed us to find reservations for the entire dining party.  On our last trip – we found a 4:35pm reservation for the coveted “Be Our Guest” restaurant – for all 12 people!!  By the time the later evening hours arrive, everyone was ready for a favorite snack (Dole Whip or Mickey Bar – your pick!) and no one was too full to indulge!

​c)  Another consideration, if there is not availability for your entire group, is to break your reservation,into smaller groups.  When you arrive for your meal, you can make a request at the podium to be seated near each other.   However, be aware that at some restaurants, even if you are able to find a reservation all together, you might be split up into multiple tables due to space in the restaurant.  

This is a good tip for Quick Service meals, too!  Here we are at The Columbia Harbor House in The Magic Kingdom -- Clarks and Marcottes at one table -- Avolios and more Marcottes at a nearby table!

​IMPORTANT PAYMENT NOTES:  All groups that are 6 or more will automatically have an 18% gratuity added.  Additionally, if you plan to dine at a restaurant that requires prepayment (like Cinderella’s Royal Table) don’t forget that you will have to prepay for everyone unless you are on the Dining Plan.
​

Lets ride some rides!!
​

​Now that your dining plans are taken care of, your next big park planning decision is which attractions to reserve a Fast Pass for.  Walt Disney World’s Fast Pass + system allows each guest staying on property to pre select- FOR FREE - three Fast Passes each day of their visit (based on the number of park tickets linked to the reservation).  Your Fast Pass + window opens 60 days from your check in date @ 7:00 am EST and on site guests can select Fast Passes for the entire visit, again based on the number of theme park tickets purchased.  Fast Passes can be used for theme park attractions, theatrical performances and even evening shows and Meet and Greets! 

​When traveling with a large group, here are a few tips to help the process go smoothly: 

​a)  Have a family “talk” (either speaker phone, text, or email!).  Take some time to talk with everyone, before your window opens, to allow everyone to have a say in what attractions are important to them.   This will give you a great idea of who wants to ride the same attractions AND talk about the possibility of splitting up -- maybe one family goes to that Space Mountain line while others spend time with the princesses at Fairytale Hall!

  ​
EARS OF EXPERIENCE TIP:  In booking thorough Ears of Experience, we will provide you with a list of all the attractions that allow Fast Passes (along with height requirements), as well as our suggestions for which rides are the best use of your Fast Passes!!!  I'll be able to help you through the entire Fast Pass process!!!
​

​b) I highly recommend taking advantage of “Rider Switch”.  This is an option that Walt Disney World offers that allows parents of multiple children who are not able to ride all the attractions together.  You might have a little one who does not meet the height requirement, or may be nervous about a ride – no problem!! 

​Adult #1 can ride Space Mountain with the older child while adult #2 stays back with the younger child.  When the ride is done, the adults “switch” children and adult #2 can now ride – bringing the older child on again!  

​
​That’s everything!!  Room booked … My Disney Experience accounts linked…dining reserved and Fast Passes selected – whoo hoo!!!  The last piece of the puzzle is to sit back and let the excitement begin because… EVERYONE'S going to Walt Disney World!!! 

Let me know if you have other tips and tricks to help other families that are traveling together have a magical experience!!!