Traveling to Walt Disney World with a large family can be both amazing and horrifying. We have all heard stories of those who struggle to create plans and navigate their way throughout the parks when vacationing with a large amount of people. For the past seven years I have been planning and going on Walt Disney World vacations with my family which includes my parents, an older sister and her husband, a younger sister, and most recently, my wife. As we have gotten older our Disney tastes have changed, which has led to many spirited conversations as to how we should all experience the parks together. While the fun and humorous times far outweigh the bad, there are still arguments that take place. Many who frequent the four Disney parks have probably witnessed other families arguing worse than their own! Based on my own experiences with my family, here are five ways to avoid the big family argument during your next vacation.
1) Take preemptive planning measures before your vacation to minimize the chances for arguments.
Often times the hardest part about experiencing Disney World with a large family is allowing time for everyone to do what they want to do. While this is usually an impossible task, allowing each member of your party to have a say in the planning process is crucial. Try allowing each member of your travel group the chance to pick their own table service restaurant that they want to experience. This requires the use of an advanced dining reservation, but who doesn’t love planning anyways? You can do the same when making your FastPass+ selections, allowing each family member to pick one or two attractions that they have to do while visiting the parks.
2) Plan a “Free Day” in the middle of your vacation
If you’re like me, your family has a hard time separating within the parks. To help with this, we planned a free day during the middle of our vacation for the first time this past October. After a couple days at the parks with a large family, it was refreshing to enjoy a day at the Magic Kingdom with my wife experiencing a guided tour before park hopping to Animal Kingdom. Meanwhile, my sister and her husband experienced Typhoon Lagoon for the very first time, and my parents and youngest sibling relaxed by the pool and enjoyed Disney Springs. That evening we all met up for dinner to discuss the fun things we did that day. Building in a free day can allow for positive separation and members of your family to unwind before getting back together for the rest of your vacation.
3) Hit the parks early if your family likes to sleep in
I have a few members of my family who enjoy sleeping in while on vacation at Walt Disney World, but my wife and I like to hit the parks early to experience the attractions before the wait times get too out of control. If you’re someone who enjoys sleeping in, sleep in! If you’re someone who likes to get up early, get up early for rope drop! Allow your family members to have this flexibility so that when everyone is at the parks at the same time, there is less stress to see and do everything. Beyond that, it allows each member of your large family the chance to experience their vacation the way they want to experience it. This will diffuse those arguments that come about when your family feels like they aren’t getting to do what they want to do.
4) Recognize when you need a break
We have all been suggested to take a mid-day break to regain some energy before the night ahead. Sometimes this is a helpful tip, but doing so as a whole family can be troublesome. When you feel like you need a break, find a way to take one. My parents can no longer go full days at the four parks without resting. However, this doesn’t always mean that they go back to the resort and come back later. Sometimes the best break is a nice indoor attraction or show that can eat up some time and allow you to get off your feet and away from the hot Florida sun. Tired and sweaty people create arguments! Avoid this by understanding when you need to take a step back, whether you leave the parks or not.
5) Embrace the craziness
Part of the fun when traveling with a large family is the inevitable jokes and funny moments that spontaneously come about. It is impossible to have a perfect vacation, sometimes things happen that are out of our control. Whether that be weather, falling ill, crowds, etc. Learn to relax and take in the hilarity that ensues when you are with your family. Some of my fondest Disney memories are the jokes my Dad has played on us, or the one-liners my siblings throw out. Make the most out of the situation by embracing all that comes with going to Walt Disney World with a big family. When you have the choice between laughing or crying, laughter is always the best option.
