Planning a Disney trip with the whole family -- grandparents, parents, kids, and even tiny travelers -- might seem daunting at first. Conveniently, Disney has perfected the art of creating experiences that everyone can enjoy together! From gentle attractions to family-style dining, and shows that tug at your heartstrings, a Disney vacation is truly made for every generation. Whether you’re exploring a Disney park, sailing with Disney Cruise Line, or relaxing at a Disney resort, here are some of the best ways to ensure your entire family feels the magic.
Ride the Rides Right
Disney parks offer a wide spectrum of attractions, from serene boat rides to thrilling coasters and everything in between. But what if the Mad Hatter's spin isn't your cup of tea, or Expedition Everest goes a little too far? With a little planning, you can make sure that everyone in your group, from thrill-seekers to those who prefer a gentler pace, gets to enjoy the magic their way.
Use Rider Switch
For families where some members want to ride the “big thrills” like Space Mountain while others prefer to sit it out, Rider Switch is your best friend! Guests who choose to wait, like grandparents, or kids who don't meet the height requirement, can enjoy a break (or grab a snack!) with some of their traveling party, while the rest goes on the ride. After the first group is done, they swap with the folks who haven't ridden yet, who can then board without waiting in the standard queue. Just ask a Cast Member at the attraction entrance!
Enjoy the Queue Together
Sometimes, the fun is in the journey, not the destination! For family members who don't want to actually ride an attraction, the immersive theming often makes Disney queues an experience in themselves. Rise of the Resistance, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Avatar: Flight of Passage are good examples of attractions where getting there is genuinely half the fun! Cast Members in the boarding area will direct non-riders to the exit, where they can meet their party after the ride is complete. Even if you intend to ride but change your mind when you get to the front of the line, or you just have a kid who needs a bathroom break, you can take advantage of the pre-ride exit anywhere.
Take it Easy
Just because an attraction isn't fast doesn't mean it's boring. Some of the slow-moving rides are Disney classics, certified bangers, or both! For storytelling, stunning environments, and a chance to sit back and relax, check out some of these gentle, can't-miss attractions, including (but definitely not limited to!):
- "its a small world"
- Jungle Cruise
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Peter Pan's Flight
- Living with the Land
- Journey into Imagination
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Na'vi River Journey
- Storyland Canal Boats
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Also note that Disney provides sensory descriptions for their attractions, including details like unexpected motion, darkness, loud noises, or flashing lights, to help everyone in your party decide if a ride is right for them! For example, here's a recent breakdown of the Sensory Experience at Walt Disney World and Sensory Experience at Disneyland. If you have any questions, you can always ask a Cast Member for details!
It's Showtime!
There’s no business like Disney show business, and whether it’s a breathtaking fireworks display, a Broadway-quality stage performance, or a chance to dance along with your favorite characters, Disney delivers unforgettable entertainment for all ages. Shows and performances are a fantastic way to bring everyone together, especially for families with varied interests and energy levels. These experiences offer a perfect way to soak in the magic, especially when you know where to sit and how to enjoy it stress-free.
Bring It In
Disney's indoor shows are a must-do on a hot California or Florida day! With options like Philharmagic, a classic animated Mickey Mouse experience in 3D, or Festival of the Lion King, an acrobatic musical live performance, there are several shows in each park that offer theater-style seating, air conditioning, and half an hour to rest your feet.
Pro Tip: These cool, dark shows are also incredibly handy ways to get overhyped kids to slow down and maybe even (gasp!!) close their eyes for a few minutes!
Catch a Broadway Show at Sea
Each ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet has her own lineup of Broadway-caliber shows, with adaptations of Tangled, Frozen, Hercules, Beauty and the Beast, and more -- and now with the maiden voyage of Disney Treasure, even Moana joins the fun! Cruising as a family already creates endless opportunities for fun, but these theater experiences are tailor-made for kids: the shows are high-energy, short enough to hold attention, and there's absolutely no worries if someone gets fussy or you need to duck out of the theatre early.
Reserve Your Spot
It's totally feasible to snag a great spot for watching a nighttime spectacular, and we're happy to recommend the best viewing locations! However, if your party needs some extra space, a guaranteed place to sit down, or you just don't want to camp out on the sidewalk, consider your reserved seating options. A dessert or dining package offers both a delicious food experience, plus reserved premium space for an evening show. For example, a Fantasmic! dining package at Disney's Hollywood Studios includes dinner at a participating restaurant, plus reserved seating in the show's arena. Similarly, a dessert package for the Happily Ever After fireworks includes an indulgent buffet of desserts and drinks, plus access to a spacious private lawn in front of Cinderella Castle, where your entire family can relax and enjoy the show without the crowd crunch.
Family-Friendly Dining
It can be hard to agree on what to have for dinner when it's just two people, and can feel even more complicated when you have a whole family to contend with. Luckily, dining with your family doesn't have to be stressful at Disney! Across the parks and cruise ships, there are thoughtful options designed to keep everyone happy, relaxed, and well-fed.
Family Style
Restaurants that serve family-style meals take the guesswork out of dining. No need to juggle menus, overthink orders, or hunt for reading glasses -- everyone shares dishes like they're gathered around the table at home. With more than enough food to share, and a lot of different dishes for the table, family-style menus give everyone plenty of choices without the stress. Dishes like Liberty Tree Tavern’s comforting pot roast or Impossible meatloaf, ‘Ohana’s famous terikayi noodles or bread pudding, and Sebastian’s Bistro’s Caribbean specialties offer a wide range of flavors. For added magic, some family-style restaurants even include a show (like the incredible Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue) or character dining (like meeting Chip and Dale at the Garden Grill).
Rotate Your Restaurants
A signature feature of the Disney Cruise Line, "rotational dining" means your family will be scheduled to eat at a rotating lineup of the ship's main restaurants each night. There's no stressful decision-making; you just go with the flow and experience a new, beautifully-themed dining experience each night, and your serving team rotates with you to ensure seamless, personalized service. Your servers often help keep the younger cruisers entertained, from games and magic tricks, to ensuring their meals come out first to keep pre-dinner meltdowns to a minimum!
Menus for Everybody
Disney’s dining options are designed to include everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, and those with dietary restrictions. No matter where you're dining, from snack kiosks to counter service lunch spots, to sit-down dinner reservations, Disney menus are designed to ensure everyone can order with confidence that a meal will fit both their culinary and dietary needs. Restaurants all provide allergen-friendly menus, and the kitchen staff is absolutely available for a personal discussion as questions arise. Chefs can even walk guests around the stations at a buffet to point out which dishes contain allergens, from gluten to nuts to shellfish to anything in between. From a culinary standpoint, Disney restaurants also offer something for everyone. Kid-friendly options like chicken tenders, pizza, or basic pastas are almost universally available, and menus are always packed with a range of dishes from the familiar and accessible to the more adventurous. Signature restaurants, Michelin stars, international cuisine, curated wine lists, and thoughtfully-created cocktails are all great options to satisfy even the grown-ups looking for a touch of celebration of their own!
Downtime is Still Disney Time
Some of the most magical moments at Disney aren’t in the spotlight -- they’re found in the laughter at a resort pool or a sleepy snuggle on the way back from the park. Staying close to your resort or taking a break during the day gives families time to recharge and enjoy special moments of fun without the pressure of a packed itinerary.
Enjoy Your Resort
It can feel tempting to try to stuff in as many park activities as you can fit -- why else would you travel to Disney anyway? The answer can be found every morning; the resort where you're staying can be just as much of a destination as the theme parks themselves! Taking a break to enjoy a day at your resort is a wonderful way to let everyone rest and recharge in their own way. Kids can enjoy the splash pads and elaborate swimming pools and slides, while parents can enjoy a quiet moment with a refreshing drink or a good book, and activities like movie nights under the stars, scavenger hunts, and casual evening campfires making s'mores are the low-key magic you won't forget.
Remember Your Routines
Families often have regular routines that keep everyone running smoothly. While vacations are a time to loosen the rules -- like an extra dessert or staying up for fireworks -- some routines, like naptime, are worth keeping. Skipping regular naps that keep kids on an even keel, even with Mickey Mouse nearby, is a recipe for overtired younger travelers (and cranky adults). Trust us: you’ll thank yourself later! Luckily, many resorts make mid-day breaks simple, especially those on the monorail or Skyliner routes. Even if a return to your resort isn’t practical, Disney parks offer plenty of calm spots where kids can rest in their stroller while you recharge.
Park Day Slowdown
Finally -- don’t underestimate the power of a park bench! Even when you're in a theme park, it doesn't have to be go-go-go every moment. Take time to relax, people-watch, and just soak in the atmosphere. Hang out for a while and watch the monkeys playing in their treehouse in Disney's Animal Kingdom, grab a seat in Galaxy's Edge and feel the Star Wars story unfolding around you, or take a breather and watch a stage show, parade, or performance. Hustling from one attraction to the next can lead to burnout—taking time to slow down can make your trip even more special.
Ready to Go?
Dreaming of your family Disney vacation but you don't know where to start? Let Second Star Adventure Co. take the stress out of planning and help you create a magical, multi-generational getaway tailored just for you. Book a consultation with us today, and we’ll craft an itinerary full of delight, comfort, and unforgettable memories for every age!
