Disney World is such a special experience that it’s a holiday that grandparents often want to be part of. At All Ears this is something we’ve certainly noticed. And while it’s a holiday which really delivers on fun, it is also pretty full on! You’ll be walking many miles each day, and the days can be long, and hot. We do understand that this won’t automatically be an issue for older guests, but we’ve found that the combination of small children, crowds, high humidity, long days and lots of walking can prove problematic for anyone at times, particularly those that have left the daily juggling act that comes with having a young family behind!
It’s not just grandparents that may join you on your Disney holiday, there may also be more than one family; those fab grandparents may be taking the families of both their children for example, which may mean cousins of all ages, and parents who all want to do things in their own way.
Our work with lots of multi-generational families has given us insight which can help make your holiday more enjoyable for everyone, and ensure everyone leaves feeling rested and happy! Have a look at our top tips below, to see how we can help make your dream holiday run more smoothly:
1. You came together, but you don’t have to stay together! Obviously there are lots of times the family will want to be in the same place at the same time; Granny might want to see the faces of all the grandchildren as they walk down Main Street for the first time and see Cinderella’s castle, Grandad might be wanting to snap some photos of the children with Mickey and Minnie. But there are also plenty of occasions where a bit of space can make everything run more smoothly. Late night watching the parade yesterday? Your toddler may still be up at the crack of dawn and raring to hit the parks, but Granny and Grandad might prefer a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, before meeting for the afternoon. Your 2 and 4 year olds might be desperate to ride Dumbo, but the teenage cousins might prefer Space Mountain. And you can all meet later for the parade!
2. Slow down! We know there’s so much to see and do in Disney, but you’ll probably all have a more enjoyable time if you slow down, and build breaks into your day. This may mean splitting your days, arriving early when crowds are low, heading back to your hotel for lunchtime, and coming back to the parks for early evening. This approach means you avoid the hottest and busiest part of the day, and get chance to have a good rest every day, which will appeal to everyone, young and old alike. Toddlers and smaller children can rest and compensate for those late night, older guests can recharge and have some quiet time, and mum and dad can have 5 minutes peace! Restless teens can always go down to the pool! Slowing down may also simply mean having more drink breaks, sitting and watching the world go by for a few minutes, or even having ten minutes wandering through the air-conditioned shops rather than rushing from attraction to attraction. Don’t overlook the many shows that are on offer in all the parks too. They’re great fun for all ages, are high capacity attractions which generally means shorter wait times, and give everyone a change to recharge. Try Monsters Inc Laugh Floor in the Magic Kingdom, Muppet Vision in Hollywood Studios, or Finding Nemo – The Musical in Animal Kingdom.
3. Listen! Seems obvious, but the biggest thing larger groups can do to ensure everyone has a great holiday is to ensure everyone’s voice is heard. It’s so easy when you want to get the most out of your magical holiday to get a little carried away with scheduling and planning, but keep in mind that your idea of the perfect trip might not be the same as your mum and dad’s, or you niece or nephew’s. If you’re rushing from Soarin’ to Mission:Space, and grandad says he’ll sit this one out, don’t try to persuade him to change his mind, let him go grab a drink in the shade for 5 minutes. If some of the children don’t want to try the biggest slides at Typhoon Lagoon, that’s fine, let them play in Ketchakidee Creek and head over to Summit Plummet with your fellow thrillseekers!
4. Plan! Planning ahead is even more daunting with a big group, but it’s also even more important for a smooth-running holiday. Some family members might not want to have their time planned in advance, but having a plan before you go will save lots of time and friction each day trying to accommodate everyone’s needs. Plans aren’t set in stone, anyone can change their minds at any time, and no one has to participate in everything. But it’s a lot easier to have a FastPass+ or restaurant reservation that you decide you don’t need, than to watch your family go off on a ride that you wish you could go on too! All Ears can take everyone’s needs into consideration, and devise a schedule that appeals to all, with options to opt in, or out, as you please.
With a bit of planning, and a little understanding, a family Disney World holiday promises memories to last a lifetime!
