Planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort with grandparents, parents and kids isn’t just about rides and reservations, it’s about navigating the chaos, the compromises and the unforgettable moments that turn a family vacation into a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
Highlights:
- Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel can simplify transportation and reduce stress.
- Practical strategies for balancing thrill rides, kid-friendly attractions and slower-paced experiences so everyone feels included.
- When it makes sense to split into smaller groups and how to regroup without frustration.
My husband and I loved taking our kids to Walt Disney World Resort. Now that our children have children of their own, we decided it was time to share Walt Disney’s magic once again with a family trip that brought grandparents, parents and my three grandchildren (Blake, Asher and Aaron) together.
All three branches of our family spent one full day in each park, visiting Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT, revisiting favorite attractions and experiencing the wonder anew through young eyes. Here’s what we learned about planning a
Editor’s Note: The writer was hosted.
1. Plan the Rides and Parades In Advance
Gauge your grandkids’ interests and ages – do they love roller coasters? A little shy around the characters? Look at each park’s website. Choose the rides you want to go on and the shows and parades you want to see BEFORE YOU GO.
Need a little help getting started? Here are the rides recommended by my grandkids for each Disney World park.
Grandkids Ride Recommendations by Park
Magic Kingdom
- Mad Tea Party – spin around in giant teacups
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – roller coaster through diamond mine
- The Barnstormer – junior coaster in a homemade airplane
- Haunted Mansion® – spooky fun
Animal Kingdom
- It’s Tough to be a Bug® 3D film – creepy, crawlers to the max
- Avatar Flight of Passage – thrilling 3D ride
- Kali River Rapids – water rapids raft
Hollywood Studios
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – immersive adventure
- A “Frozen” Sing-a-long Celebration – sing “Let It Go” at the top of your lungs
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – coaster through cartoon universe
- Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular – movie magic at its best
EPCOT
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- The Seas with Nemo
- Frozen Ever After
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2. Stay On Property to Easily Navigate Between the Parks
With more than 30 on-property resorts, it’s easy to find a hotel that fits your budget and makes it easy to get to the parks and back to your resort, via the complimentary Skyliner, Monorail or buses.
We chose two suites for three nights at The Art of Animation Resort. Family-friendly suites hold up to six guests each and have a refrigerator and microwave for convenience. Plus, the boys loved climbing on the cars just outside and dining in the Landscape of Flavors restaurant.
3. Download My Disney Experience App
The My Disney Experience App offers planning tips from making dining reservations to buying Lightning Passes, checking ride times and character meets and more. Download the My Disney Experience app before you go.
4. Get the Lightning Pass
The Lighting Pass will shorten your wait times, especially for the more popular rides, and let you experience more of the magic.
Upon entering the Magic Kingdom, we used the Lightning Pass to secure our place on my go-to ride, “It’s a small world®,” in Fantasyland. I watched my grandkids’ faces light up with big smiles as they sang along. Aaron said, “I can’t get that song out of my head now.”
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5. Break Into Smaller Groups
My children and two of the grands love coasters. While visiting the Animal Kingdom, we broke up into those who wanted to ride and those who wanted to visit a different attraction.
Coaster lovers headed to Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain for a wild ride through the Himalayas, while I took Aaron to DINOLAND U.S.A. to dig for fossils in the Boneyard. We reconvened for lunch at the Flame Tree Barbecue, perfect for our big group.
6. Choose the Disney Meal Plan
Choose the Disney Meal Plan to save money and get a world of dining options. Plus you’ll never guess who you might meet there!
Dining at the Crystal Palace Buffet makes a good choice for families because there’s something for everyone. The kids ate chicken tenders, while the adults devoured country-fried chicken and roast beef. We all indulged in soft serve with cookies for dessert.
7. See the Spectacular Shows
Take a break and see the spectacular shows. You’ll get out of the sun and have a chance to sit down.
Even at night, the shows glow! The nightly fireworks show, “Happily Ever After,” was the perfect end to a perfect day.
8. Rent a Ride
Rent a stroller for the kids, consider a scooter for yourself. In addition to walking, there’s a lot of standing.
9. Plan on One Full Day in Each Park, Maybe More
And the corollary: Never try to go to more than 1 park per day.
If your budget can afford it, stay as long as you can. There is so much to see, you’ll always find something new to explore and enjoy.
10. Have a great time and remember, you’re at the most magical place on earth!
After our whirlwind tour of the parks, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the laughter, cherished moments and joy of experiencing it all together. Visiting WDW with my grandchildren let us share the fun, magic and memories that will stay with us forever.
Mult-Gen Disney World Trip FAQ
Simplify your Disney World vacation when possible by staying on property. You’ll find larger rooms and easier transportation options for your extended family.
One day, one park and mix thrill rides with slower-paced attractions. And don’t forget to schedule rest periods.
Download the My Disney Experience app in advance of your trip. It’s an essential tool for making dining reservations, using Lightning Lane passes and more.
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