Park passes for 22

[Jaylie]

We are doing a big family trip to WDW this summer from July 1 to 5, when we will then go on a 4-night Disney Cruise. We total 22, with the 12 grandkids ranging from 4 to 18. I want to buy all the park passes (4-day park hoppers), but I'm not sure how to do that so each person can link their pass to the magic bands. I'm getting a little panicky trying to organize this so if anyone has any advice, I'd appreciate it. Since it's the 4th of July, I'm sure it'll be crowded. Most of the family has been to WDW before but a few haven't, and we want it to be a fun experience and not totally overwhelming! Another concern I have is that we are staying at Wilderness Lodge (Boulder Ridge Villas), and I understand Roaring Forks won't be open. I'm not sure how we are going to manage eating. Sorry this is so long!!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

As long as you have everyone in your friends and family list, you can manage all of their fast passes. The problem with large groups spanning wide age ranges is the difference in the things that people will want to do. We have done it, but it can be a hot mess unless everyone relaxes and is willing to let everyone else do whatever they need to do to have fun. It all breaks down when someone tries to get everyone to do everything together all day long.

Have fun!

 

[KalamityJane]

I'm organizing for our group of 10-12 right now and you have my sympathies! I have all the ticket numbers and linked them all to my MDE. I'm doing all the Fastpasses as well. With as big of a group as you have, I would do 2 sets of FPs, the 1st ones for the wild rides, (maybe link all the adult bands to wild rides) and the second group to the tamer ones (for instance, get 7DMT and Frozen Ever After on theirs). You can trade bands back and forth, but this makes it a little easier to remember which FPs go to which group. It's also much harder to get FPs for bigger groups, so doing 2 groups should make it easier to get the hard to get FPs. Definitely be online at 7am EST at your 60 day mark for the best shot. I would also try to get 3 FPs one right after the other (so 9am 10am 11am or close to that) as you can get more FPs after you use your first 3. I would maybe do 1 dinner a day where everyone will be at and let them do their thing. That way they have FPs if needed. Also, let the people with younger kids know about Child rider swap. It's incredibly useful!

 

[DisneyOma]

We are doing a big family trip to WDW this summer from July 1 to 5, when we will then go on a 4-night Disney Cruise. We total 22, with the 12 grandkids ranging from 4 to 18. I want to buy all the park passes (4-day park hoppers), but I'm not sure how to do that so each person can link their pass to the magic bands. I'm getting a little panicky trying to organize this so if anyone has any advice, I'd appreciate it. Since it's the 4th of July, I'm sure it'll be crowded. Most of the family has been to WDW before but a few haven't, and we want it to be a fun experience and not totally overwhelming! Another concern I have is that we are staying at Wilderness Lodge (Boulder Ridge Villas), and I understand Roaring Forks won't be open. I'm not sure how we are going to manage eating. Sorry this is so long!!

Are you getting feedback from everyone? Are they all on board with being together, doing the same attractions every day? Do they all like the same type of dining?

Before you go insane, make sure they all want to travel together, eat together for those 4 days. They've got 4 days of cruise to hang together as well - it might work out better if you plan times for all to meet up and let them paln around the rest. I'm thinking the 4 year old is going to need down time, etc.

 

[Jaylie]

Everyone is onboard with the trip, and we will definitely be splitting up each day! We all know the trip will be the most fun if we aren't all hanging out together all through the days. My biggest question, though, is can I order all the passes online? I've ordered that way for a small group, but I don't know about such a big group. Do the passes get linked to a specific person? I'm not sure if I'm explaining it clearly!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Everyone is onboard with the trip, and we will definitely be splitting up each day! We all know the trip will be the most fun if we aren't all hanging out together all through the days. My biggest question, though, is can I order all the passes online? I've ordered that way for a small group, but I don't know about such a big group. Do the passes get linked to a specific person? I'm not sure if I'm explaining it clearly!

Yes, you can order them from anywhere on-line and link them to any account in MDE for which you have control in your friends and family list. I do this for all of our extended family because they have no idea how to do so. When you link a ticket, you choose the person with whom you wish it to link. Make sure the accounts are set up in MDE and you can see them in your friends and family and it is really easy.

 

[Marthasor]

Yes, you can order all the passes online. If everyone is linked through Friends and Family, you will then be able to link each ticket to each person. You could also look at third-party sellers (like Undercover Tourist) to see if you can get a discount on the tickets. They would then send you an e-mail with your ticket numbers which you would then link in your MDE account and then assign tickets to family members.