Planning a Disney World Group Trip? Here’s What You Need to Know!
As the founder of a travel agency, I’ve planned countless family vacations, but taking seven 8th-grade basketball players to Disney World for February vacation was a whole new experience! It was an adventure full of fun, surprises, and lessons learned. If you’re planning a Disney World group trip, here’s everything you need to know—including must-visit attractions, top Disney travel tips, and some great food stops!
Here’s a preview of what’s on the horizon:
The Best New Attractions at Disney World (2025)
1.TRON Lightcycle / Run – Magic Kingdom
If you love thrill rides, TRON Lightcycle / Run in Tomorrowland is a must! It’s fast, futuristic, and a total adrenaline rush. The boys loved it, and our wait time was under an hour—pro tip: by the time you reach the lockers (which are free), you’re just 10 minutes away from the ride!
2.Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – EPCOT
This reverse-launch coaster was one of our absolute favorites! The music, visuals, and storyline were next-level, and we all wanted to ride it again. Heads up: it’s still only available via Virtual Queue, so be ready to book your spot the second it opens (I had the boys ready with the second countdown to help at exactly 1 PM, lol!).
3.Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana – EPCOT
A relaxing, interactive walk-through experience perfect for a break on a hot day.
Our Favorites From Each Park
Epcot:
Guardians of the Galaxy, hands down. Get serious about the virtual que! I’d also like to give a shout out to Soarin and we did the single rider line for Ratatioulle- really cute.
Hollywood Studios:
Personally, I am a huge Star Wars fan, and they did a great job creating that space. My vote was for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance where we used the single rider lane and were all able to get in the same “ship” together. The boys also loved the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and enjoyed the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and Fantasmic (note: you will get wet in the closer rows, and its a perfect time to get food on your way to the show, arrive early and be able to eat and rest after a long day at the park).
Magic Kingdom:
TRON!! What can I say, it is really fun. They also really liked Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (this is a water flume ride, you will get wet, and a virtual que!), Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Space Mountain. As you can see, they were definitely looking for the more adventurous rides, but they did everything and enjoyed the wet day we had at the Magic Kingdom.
Animal Kingdom:
I am biased, but this is my favorite of all the parks! The animals, the rides, the shows, I love it all. Probably why I splurged on the Lightning Lane Premier passes for this one, so we could sail through and they would be just as happy with the day as I was,lol. The boy’s favorite ride was Mt Everest, which I love, but my favorite Avatar: Flight of Passage. And of course you must do the safari (earlier in the day is best with the animals), and I always make sure to go to the Lion King Show!
How to Plan the Perfect Disney Group Trip
1.Pay for Preferred Parking
If you’re not staying on property, premium parking is worth it for quicker park access. At Magic Kingdom, you still need to take the monorail or ferry, but it’s nice having the van close at the end of the day!
2.Pack Smart
Each of the boys carried a string backpack with a refillable water bottle (there are places around the park to get more water), snacks, sandwiches and a sweatshirt or rain jacket- depending on the forecast. This saved money, time in food lines, and prevented me from carrying everyone’s stuff. Security Tip: Eyeglass cases got flagged at security two days in a row—keep them outside your bag while going through!
3.Use Lightning Lane & Genie+
Disney’s Lightning Lane Passes let you skip long lines. With a big group, this was a game-changer! Pro Tip:
– Everyone needs to be connected on your My Disney Experience App
– You can only book one top-tier ride and two mid-tier rides per day.
– We upgraded to Lightning Lane Premier at Animal Kingdom, which let us ride everything once—we finished by 4 PM, having done all attractions, including the shows!
4. Schedule a Rest Day
Disney is exhausting, even for 14 year old boys. We took a day off after two park days, and they were so happy to just play basketball and swim.
5.Download My Disney Experience App
The My Disney Experience app is essential for checking wait times, mobile ordering food, and booking Lightning Lanes. We ordered food while waiting in line, so it was ready when we arrived—huge time saver!
6.Book Dining Reservations Early
Popular restaurants like Be Our Guest and Cinderella’s Royal Table book up 60 days in advance—set a reminder and reserve ASAP! We did not go this time, but the Hoop De Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness is a great dinner show.
What Didn’t Live Up to the Hype
1. Crowds & Wait Times
Even with planning, Disney is packed—especially during school breaks. We kept busy in long lines by doing mini workouts and playing “Heads Up” and “Would You Rather” to pass the time. We also used this time to have snacks, hydrate, and eat lunch.
2. Disney Prices
Disney is expensive, and prices have gone up. We splurged on lightning lane experiences, but I highly recommend setting a budget ahead of time.
What I Wished I Had Done
This was the perfect opportunity to get the boys to wear those matching shirts and while we were standing in line for the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train, I realized they could each have been a dwarf, and that would have made me a princess! Next time I am ordering group tshirts!
The Best Disney Food Experiences (this time)
Disney dining is as magical as the rides! Here are our favorite foodie finds:
EPCOT – Small Bites from Around the World
EPCOT’s World Showcase is a dream for food lovers! We tried sushi in Japan, crème brûlée in France, and more—each dish was an adventure in itself!
Animal Kingdom – 8 Spoon Café’s Mac & Cheese
The boys were obsessed with the mac and cheese from 8 Spoon Café—rich, creamy, and topped with a zesty kick. They ordered some with pork and some with beef. It’s a must-try for comfort food lovers!
Final Thoughts: Is Disney Worth It?
Absolutely! Disney World group travel requires planning, but it’s 100% worth it. Whether you’re visiting for thrill rides, delicious food, or magical shows, there’s something for everyone.
Pro Tip: Plan ahead, but don’t stress—just let the magic happen!
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