Disney Family Movie Nights: How We Make Magic at Home With 8 Kids
- Ashley Herrera
- Nov 17
- 3 min read
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a mom of eight, it’s this: you don’t need a plane ticket to create Disney magic… but you do need popcorn, a cozy blanket, and a movie that every single age group will actually sit through at the same time.
This fall, I had a growing desire to get my family off screens and enjoy more family time. I started something I’ve been putting off — weekly Disney Family Movie Nights. They’re simple, budget-friendly, and something all ten of us actually look forward to. Even my pickiest eaters and my most chaos-loving toddlers can get behind “snacks + snuggles + magic.
And honestly? With our recent Disney trip behind us, these movie nights help us keep the magic now while making memories we don’t have to wait for.
Why We Started Disney Family Movie Nights
Like most big families, evenings can feel… well, chaotic. Between dinner, sports, homework, and the nightly “please just shower and brush your teeth” battle, it can be hard to slow down.
I wanted something:
Simple
Screen-time we could actually ENJOY together
without distraction ( aka: no phones)
And connected to our love for Disney storytelling
Most importantly, I wanted our kids to have a special tradition that reminds them, “We’re family. We get to do fun things together.”
Movie Night Setup (Nothing Fancy, but Super Easy & Cozy)
Here’s what I do to make it feel special without going overboard:
✨ 1. Easy Theme Meals
Nothing Pinterest-perfect. I am a mom of eight, not a Disney pastry chef. But themed meals make the kids feel like they’re at a Disney resort. ( I'm still trying to perfect my beingets 😂)
✨ 2. Blankets & Pillows
We layer blankets and pillows on the floor until it looks like a soft mountain range. Then everyone grabs a spot to enjoy the movie.
✨ 3. Phones away, laughs welcome
We try to stay fully present during these nights. It’s short, it’s sweet, and it fills everyone’s cups.
Our First Two Movie Nights
🎥 Week 1: The Jungle Book
("Look for the bare necessities…" — stuck in my head for days.)
Why We Picked It:
It’s a classic, it’s adventurous, and it keeps both toddlers and teens entertained.
Our Baloo Buffet
“Jungle vines” (Twizzlers)
Mini Burger Sliders
Fruit "Snake" Skewers
Popcorn, always
The Kids’ Favorite Part:
Baloo. Every kid in my house agreed: Baloo is the real MVP of The Jungle Book. Fun fact: My uncle nicknamed me Mogli because I was always climbing everything.
Mom’s Favorite Part:
Hearing the older kids laugh at parts they forgot about and watching the little ones dance to the songs.
Memory Moment:
Our 2-year-old started laughing at the monkeys and King Louie. It was the cutest thing.
🎥 Week 2: Cars
Ka-chow!
Why We Picked It:
Cars are a huge favorite for our family. So this one was a no-brainer. The trickiest part was deciding if we wanted to start with Cars 1 or skip to Cars 3.
Our "Pit Stop" Kitchen
Traffic Light Veggie Cups
Road Dogs ( Hot dogs)
Chili
Popcorn (always popcorn)
The Kids’ Favorite Part:
The racing of course! Now they race each other around the couch on a daily basis!
Mom’s Favorite Part:
The “slowing down matters” message hits harder the older I get. Radiator Springs feels like the reminder every mom of a big family needs. I can so relate to Lightning when he has the tar machine hooked onto him. All he wants to do is get it all done, but when he slows down, he can enjoy the process a bit more.
Memory Moment:
Seeing my kids all together watching the movie, completely present and enjoying their time.
Why These Movie Nights Matter
Life with eight kids is full — wonderfully full — but also busy, complicated, noisy, and overwhelming.
These weekly movie nights give us:
A predictable rhythm
A family bonding moment
A simple chance to laugh together
And a way to enjoy Disney magic even when we’re home
And Mom bonus: they get the family off their screens!
What We’re Watching Next
We’re making our way through a mix of classics, Pixar favorites, princess films, and some overlooked gems. I’ll share each week’s movie, snacks, and magical family moments as we go!
If you try your own Disney Movie Night, tag me — I’d love to see how your family adds their own magic. ✨
And if these movie nights have your crew dreaming of Main Street, fireworks, and Mickey-shaped snacks…I’d love to help you plan your next Disney trip.
Your magical vacation should be joyful, not stressful — even with a big crew like ours.
Until Next Time,
Ashley
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