ADRs for a party of 11?

[JimS4210]

We're heading down in November so I'm getting antsy to make our reservations for DDP. There will be eleven of us altogether so it's impossible to make reservations that everyone will be happy with. Of course, I'm being told that "Whatever you decide is fine with us!" but inevitably someone won't be happy at San Angel Inn ("Yuk...Mexican!"), Coral Reef ("Didn't I tell you I don't eat Seafood? Sorry!"), etc.

I'm wondering how strict Disney is about ADRs with regard to the actual number of people in the party versus what the reservation says. If the reservation calls for 11 and only 7 or 8 or 9 show up, is that going to create a problem?

I'm trying to eliminate this by asking everyone to pick somewhere they'd like to eat and to try to be adults when it comes to another person's choice, but that's not always going to happen, right? "Dinner at 50's Prime Time @ 5:30 in MGM? Nah, we want to head over to Epcot tonight!"

Anybody that's gone down with a large group, how have you handled this?


Thanks,
Jim

 

[jekclk]

Well I have went down with a group of 10 non pickey eaters. We tried to meet up for are dinners only. I tried to pick restraunts with variety. We all enjoyed are meal-but we are not pickey. I have pork, peanut and shellfish allergies so I had to watch out for those but had no problem finding options. That trip we done Garden Grill, Boma(90% of us didnt cared for the spicey foods there but found something to eat) Hollywood and Vine buffet for fantasmic, Cinderella's Royal Table. On are upcoming trip we are a party of 11 sometimes 15. We picked Whispering Canyon, Nine Dragons, Kona , Mama Melrose, Libery Tree Tavern and LeCellier. We called early to get prime times. But I have read that the restraunts have no problem with you showing up with less-but more of a problem if you show up with more. You could go to allearsnet.com and print out some of the menus from the places you are thinkin of reserving at and show your group. So then you may have some opinions before you book.Good luck!
Cristy

 

[JimS4210]

Thanks for the reply...I like the idea of printing out some of the menus so there won't be any (or fewer) surprises. Off to AllEars to do some printing!

Jim

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Hi Jim.. you do know we have all the menus here on the Dis as well....just not sure you knew that.. and feel free to check that out at: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm
They are divided by parks, water parks, resorts and downtown Disney.. have fun looking.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I hear you about planning for the family that says whatever you pick is just fine. It never is. They say that now, but you just wait (said completely tongue in cheek)

I am planning a family trip for 9 for my parents 45th anniversary. My parents arze easy. We go every January and I know what they like and what they don't. They are not into the fancy places and prefer simpler food, and lots of it (that's Dad )

My brothers are pretty easy too. Just one is a problem, never know if he will take it in his head to show up or not. I have let him know that is fine,. I just have to know 48 hrs ahead for the Storybook lunch for his daughter since that was guaranteed with a credit card.

We booked one meal a day. Not everyone is doing each meal. There are 2 grandchildren going. I booked one lunch for each grandchild, parent(s) and the grandparents. It is the first trip for one of the girls and we can't wait to share our favorite place with the little one.

I am creating a booklet for each family complete with Itinerary, room assignments (sharing villas), flight information, meal plans, menus for each place SAB info and anything that I think will help them to plan a fun time.

Sorry this is so long. We did this same trip 5 years ago and it was a disaster. Brother #1 was a But his DD niece#1 had an absolutely fantastic time and still talks about that trip. She was oblivious to the turmoil, thank goodness.

Good luck planning, share the menus, have a planning trip meeting and go over everything, then let it go. If they show, great, of not, enjoy the company of who comes. Just let folks know about any credit card guarantees you may have.

let us know how the trip goes!

 

[drewsmom]

We went two years ago on the free dining with 11 of us from 9 months to 61. We spent tons of time before we went researching, setting up ADRs, revising ADRs, etc. We discovered once we got there, the need to be very flexible and realize the best laid plans. . .

There were a couple of nights we had ADRs that we had to just let them go due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time, tired kids, etc. We had planned to go to Ohana's the night of my birthday which was on Labor Day. We found ourselves still at MGM after it was really too late to make our ADR over there and everyone was really too tired to make a run for it. MGM had started to get pretty empty and we just took a chance on a walk-in at Prime Time 50's. We were almost the only one's there! They said they could seat us in just a few minutes. We spent about 15 minutes in the bar/lounge area, which we had all to ourselves. The adults enjoyed adult beverages and the kids got ligh-up drinks. Despite what others have said on these boards about that restaurant, we had a great meal that everyone loved, especially the incredible huge desserts(on the DDP)! It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable nights of our trip and everyone has such fond memories of that place we hope to go back on our trip this September.

We also gave up some of our ADRs for TS toward the end of the trip since we quickly learned that although TS meals can be good, they are often LONG! Often 2 1/2 to 3 hours at a time. We ended up doing alot more CS just for that reason. We were able to sit together most every meal except we ended up having to split into two groups at CP. We all went to Marrakesh, LeCellier (a favorite) and the Castle for lunch, which we all loved as well.

So, I think if you are willing to be flexible it will all work out. Hope you have a great trip!