Best restaurants/tips for large parties?

[modavi]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had any Disney World recommendations for restaurants that are suitable for larger parties? (9 + individuals, including 4 children). I seem to recall having difficulty finding accomodations for parties larger than 6 last time I went (many years ago). Has anyone had any positive experiences or tips dining as a large group together?

Thanks

 

[Her Dotness]

Split the group into parties of 5 and 4.

Easier for people to talk without being too distant from each other.

Much easier to book all restaurants since more common group sizes not requiring extra work setting up a big table. You may have to wait a bit longer if you want to be seated at tables near each other is all.

Perhaps best, you'll not be charged Disney's 18% auto-gratuity for tables of 6 or more.

 

[holden]

I was able to book for a party of 12 for Olivia's, Chef Mickey's and Homecomin. We split into two parties at Via Napoli, Yak & Yeti.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I have 10 at Cape May and Biergarten. Some restaurants do allow booking larger parties.

 

[MIinNJ]

Pre-covid I booked a table for 9 at Kona Cafe. I have seen availability for parties of 10 at various restaurants recently (I usually book for 7 people but checked for larger groups recently, just out of curiosity).

 

[marikujawa]

I was able to get reservations for a party of 9 at Storybook Dining at Artist's Point, Teppan Edo, Boma, Biergarten, Cape May, Prime Time, and Mama Melrose. Other restaurants that frequently have availability for 9 are Kona, Olivia's, Trattoria al Forno, The Plaza, Hollywood Brown Derby, Skippers Canteen and some of the restaurants at Disney Springs like Frontera Cocina and Homecomin'. What I've noticed is that the number 8 is a cutoff for many restaurants. When I search for 8 instead of 9 many more restaurants show up with availability. We had to do split reservations at Hollywood and Vine and San Angel.

 

[princesscinderella]

Liberty tree at MK is great for large parties it’s quick and delicious for a table service. You don’t have to wait to see what everyone wants to order since they only serve the patriots platter (my kids refer to it as thanksgiving dinner at Disney).

 

[modavi]

Thanks for the awesome suggestions everyone. Sounds like I’ve got some menus to read. Also good to set expectations with the group that we won’t always be dining together at one table which is good to know going in.

 

[JeffPort]

We often travel with a large party of 10 or more and we regularly use the strategy of booking 2 different reservations within 15 minutes of one another (using two separate MyDisneyExperience accounts). When we check in (at the desk / not online), we explain that we have two reservations for our group and ask for seating together or close to one another. In EVERY CASE (dozens of times over the years), the restaurant has accommodated us -- and usually by putting together a couple of tables for one large group, but sometimes by putting us side-by-side at two tables. Occasionally, we've been told we'd have to wait an extra 10-20 minutes to be accommodated, which we've always gladly agreed to accept.

 

[the8ball]

These are great suggestions. The one I really wasn't able to get was Homecomin' (no surprise there really), but when I look for openings/cancellations I'm going to also look to split into multiple reservations close in time and then ask for seating together. That's a really good idea!

 

[B-Ride]

The best tip depends on the service.