With the holiday season in full swing, gift shopping underway (well, almost), and my annual hometown pilgrimage upcoming, I’ve had one thing on my mind: family. It’s the time of year when travel means family travel: how to keep the kids entertained, the parents happy, the siblings living harmoniously, and yourself sane. It can take some serious maneuvering.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member C.Kowalczik

I was 10 years old when I learned the true meaning of Thanksgiving: my parents booked a holiday trip to Disney World. Looking back, it seems crazy to vacation to perhaps the world’s most crowded theme park at one of its most crowded times, but they made it work. My dad disappeared for hours at a time into the TV lounge down the hall from our hotel room, blissfully succumbing to hours of football-viewing on ESPN (something he rarely had a chance to enjoy at home, with a house full of non-sports-oriented girls). My sister spent happy afternoons in the hotel’s kids’ program, watching princess movies and doing art projects with other giddy 4-year-olds. My mom maintained a slower pace in the parks by following my 5-consecutive-ride streak on Space Mountain with seated (or just less violent) attractions. And my parents booked the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue for Thanksgiving dinner (my dad was called on stage to be the Indian Brave—something he still hasn’t quite lived down).

The key to enjoying family time in a frenzied environment? Lots of space and prior planning. While we had meals together and made a few park visits as a group, we also allowed for plenty of time to split up and enjoy the things we each wanted to do. And by planning a few key events ahead of time (like Thanksgiving dinner), we were able to bypass a lot of stress. With everyone’s stress barometers at the tipping point around the holidays, that’s no small feat.

What family holiday travel experiences have taught you a thing or two about having fun, getting along, and remaining thankful for your family after the holidays are over?