First Large Group Family Trip, so many ???

[Saint]

HI all you Disney pros! Taking both our adult children spouses and grandchildren to WDW for a week in October for our 40th Anniversary. We are staying at Copper Creek.
We go to WDW often as a couple, are DVC members and have annual passes, but have never done it with multiple families with the current systems in place, ie Genie +.
I am stuck on the specifics of it all!

What I need now is direction on how to get everyone into the system correctly.

1. We have a son, his wife and 2 children, one is an infant. Also a daughter, spouse and 2 children. Have 4 day tickets for the 4 adults and 3 children. These are etickets from undercover tourist.
Do all parents need to have Disney accounts? DIL does not currently have one but we can set up if need be. How do we link each families' tickets to one of the parent's account? (So they are all set up if/when they go as a family in the future too).

2. Once they are linked and you can see them on their My Disney Experience app, how do I link them all with mine so that I can make Genie + and possibly meal reservations?

3. I know I can get room keys when we get to the resort for all the adults. Is it possible to get theme park tickets on a plastic card as well? Hubby and I use Magic bands but the others won't be.
Or is it easier to use on phone? And then the parent can have the children's tickets also on the phone? Can each parent have both children's tickets on their own phones?

This is confusing enough with how often things change, but this group thing has my brain tangled! LOL

 

[CarolynFH]

I recommend that each family create their own MDE account. One adult creates the account, then enters their family members into their Friends and Family list. Then you connect your MDE F&F list to the adult who “owns” each family’s account by using the Add a Guest function in MDE. Finally, you add the members of their families through them by using the Connect Through a Connected Guest (may not be the exact name of the function).

Once you have everyone listed in your F&F list, if you are buying the tickets you will link each ticket to the appropriate individual either via MDE and the Disney website, if you buy tickets online from Disney, or by manually entering the ticket numbers in your MDE account, if you buy tickets elsewhere.

When booking LLs, you will select the riders via your F&F list. So once you have your F&F list set up, you’re good!

Yes, the tickets can be linked to the room keys. At the desk, ask for a Key to the World card for each person. The KTTW card will do everything your MB does except link long-distance ride photos to your account.

I personally don’t recommend using the phone for more than one or two people, because the time it takes to pull up a ticket, have that specific person scan their finger, then pull up another ticket, have that person scan finger, etc., for a group can take quite some time and IMHO is inconsiderate of guests in line behind you in line. Remember that the tickets will have to be scanned at LL entrances as well as at the park entrance!

PS if you have any trouble setting up your F&F list, call the IT folks at (407) 939-4357. They are very helpful, even straightened my MDE out when I inadvertently duplicated myself!

Have fun!

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Honestly given how much the trip is going to cost you, I’d probably spring for MBs for everyone (even just plain ones) as opposed to trying to deal with keys, tickets, etc. Especially for kids, there is something very comforting about knowing that if (heaven forbid) they get separated Disney has a very easy way to know who they are and how to get in touch with you.

We have done it both ways (MB in Florida, tickets in CA) and having MBs is way better.

 

[CarolynFH]

@Saint, if you’re considering MBs for everyone, the less expensive, older MB2 are difficult to find. If you end up buying the newer MB+ for everyone, they’ll work just fine for the kids without being charged. They only need to be charged in order to link long distance ride photos and for functions like playing games or activating special effects during fireworks, etc. Just wanted to mention that in case you were concerned about charging a host of MB+ every night!

 

[Saint]

Thanks! That might just be simpler! I think at least some of the adults have a magic band from several years ago. We could bring them and if they don't work anymore, either use cards or buy them there.

 

[Saint]

@CarolynFH Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for! Step by step directions! Thank you for taking the time to write all of this out for me!
We have been going to WDW since 1997 (35 + trips) and the way things have progressed over the years, I am convinced there is an actual position in the company that has a job description something like " Make a Disney Vacation as complicated as possible".

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks! That might just be simpler! I think at least some of the adults have a magic band from several years ago. We could bring them and if they don't work anymore, either use cards or buy them there.

MB, no matter how old, should always work for tap functions like opening resort room doors, entering parks and LL, and charging to the room, anywhere you tap Mickey to Mickey. At some point after a few years, they will stop working as far as linking ride photos that don't have tap points. However, if you (and the other guests who have MDE accounts) will set their MDE to use Bluetooth on their phones, photos should link to their accounts via Bluetooth.

 

[Saint]

Thank you!!