On a recent multigenerational trip to Walt Disney World Resort, my three young children spent four unforgettable days with their grandparents. 

Our family rode all the classic rides at Magic Kingdom, journeyed to France at EPCOT via Skyliner for a decadent breakfast, spotted hippos and lions on an open-air safari tour at Animal Kingdom, and roasted s’mores over a toasty campfire at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.

It was an extraordinary vacation, and one that could only happen at a place like Disney, where an incredible variety of lodging, dining, and attractions offer options to keep guests of all ages happy. With the right planning, a multigenerational trip to Walt Disney World can be the perfect family getaway. Here are ten ways to make the most of a Disney trip with extended family. 

Book A Disney Resort 

With more than 25 Disney Resort Hotels on property, choosing a Disney hotel adds to the magic, especially when accommodating larger families and different age groups. 

Disney boasts a wide selection of hotel options. Value resorts tend to be more budget-friendly, though I’ve found great deals for larger families in the Moderate category (such as at the Louisiana Bayou-themed Riverside at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort). Families can book spacious villas with multiple bedrooms and full kitchens in the Deluxe category, especially when booking Disney Vacation Club properties. 

All Disney resorts offer unbeatable benefits for multigenerational families, such as proximity to attractions, free transportation, an array of dining options, family-friendly resort activities, and extra time at the parks. 

Take Disney Transportation

One of my favorite things about visiting Disney is its convenient transportation options. 

There’s no need to drive, especially when staying at a Disney hotel. Transportation options to the theme parks and Disney properties include the Disney Skyliner, Monorail, water taxis, ferries, buses, and even the Lyft-connected Disney Minnie Van Service. 

The transportation options are wonderfully accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers. Two of our favorite hotels for park transportation are Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (with Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios) and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (with water taxi access to the Magic Kingdom). 

Consider Purchasing Lightning Lanes

Instead of waiting in long lines for rides, Lightning Lanes allow Disney visitors to pay to skip ahead to express lanes at the parks. Currently, three options are available: Single Passes (for the most popular rides in each park), Multi Passes (which still require reservations), and Premier Passes, which offer one-time access to all Lightning Lane rides within a park. 

For groups including grandparents and young children, I recommend investing in Lightning Lanes. While pricey, the Premier Passes offer the most flexibility and allow the kind of spontaneity that makes a Disney trip fun. They also significantly improve the experience of splitting up for rides (such as if half the family wants to ride a rollercoaster) by removing lengthy wait times. 

Plan Ahead

With or without Lightning Lanes, there is so much to do at Disney that it can be easy to miss out on experiences if you don’t plan. The My Disney Experience mobile app (and corresponding website) allows access to personalized vacation details and the daily schedule at each park, including shows, dining options, and character experiences. 

Discuss everyone’s priorities ahead of time and make time for experiences the family has on their must-do list. On our trip, Nana’s top pick was the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail at Animal Kingdom; Papa’s was Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios; and the kids’ top choice was Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana at EPCOT, so we made sure to visit these areas of the parks first. This strategy ensured everyone was happy.

Opt For Character Dining 

Character dining is a wonderful option for multigenerational families at Disney theme parks and resorts. The food is delicious (typically buffets, always table service), and the experience of interacting with Disney characters while eating is priceless. Plus, a sit-down meal gives everyone in the family the chance to relax and recharge between activities.

Some of my favorite character dining restaurants at the parks are Tusker House at Animal Kingdom, The Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios, and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at EPCOT. At the resorts, two of my favorites for breakfast are Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. 

Buy A Disney Photo Package

For professional photos of the entire family together, Disney has terrific photography options. 

While photos can be purchased individually, Disney PhotoPass Service’s Memory Maker provides guests with digital versions of all professional photos (and some videos) taken during the trip. With photographers stationed throughout the parks and at some resorts, it’s the perfect chance to get everyone in photos together.

It’s affordable, too; prices start at $75 for a one-day Memory Maker, which includes all photos from a single day at Disney; $185 covers all photos taken within a 30-day period. On our recent trip, we posed for photos at all four parks and ended up with more than 200 professional photos of our multigenerational family. They are photos I’ll cherish forever. 

Enjoy Free Resort Activities

At the resort hotels, there are plenty of free activities that all generations can enjoy, with themed pools, recreational activities, and events such as nightly outdoor movies under the stars. 

Anyone staying at a Walt Disney World Resort can easily travel between locations for activities at other resorts and Disney Springs, which provides a wonderful chance to enjoy quality time together as a family. Guests can also watch a nightly boat parade and the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks display from certain resorts.  

At Fort Wilderness, we crooned to old-time favorites at Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long and had some foot-stomping fun at the beloved old-fashioned dinner show Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. My kids (ages 5, 5, and 8) loved every minute of it.

Rent Strollers And Scooters As Needed

While a visit to Disney typically involves a lot of walking, options are available for family members who may need a break. Rental options from guest services include single and double strollers, wheelchairs and Electric Conveyance Vehicles (ECVs), or mobility scooters. 

Disney has numerous options for guests in wheelchairs and scooters to load into ride vehicles comfortably, including many that allow guests to remain in their wheelchairs or scooters for the ride.

Don’t Try To Do It All

Disney has so much to offer that it’s impossible to do everything during a single trip. 

Early on, as we were planning our multigenerational trip, we decided to stick to rides that everyone in our group would enjoy. While we rode a few of the newer attractions, we focused on the long-running rides and shows. A few of our favorites were It’s a Small World and Peter Pan’s Flight at the Magic Kingdom, Spaceship Earth and The Land at EPCOT, and Festival Of The Lion King and Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom.

Whatever the group’s priorities, ensuring everyone understands the plan can help set expectations. 

Embrace Nostalgia

One of my favorite memories from our trip wasn’t a ride or show; it was walking down Main Street at the Magic Kingdom as a family, and my mother-in-law fondly recalling long-ago Disney visits with my husband and his siblings when they were young. 

I also loved seeing my in-laws sneaking selfies together in front of Cinderella Castle, and all of us gathering on the lawn together to watch the park’s spectacular Happily Ever After fireworks display as an extended family. These memories are precious, and I’d recommend that any multigenerational group take time to experience the simple joys that can make a Disney trip so special.