Booking for 11 people, need help

[MCK588]

I just put together a last minute Grand Gathering for my family. Total of 11 people. Previously I had ADRs for 6 people until I added my SILs family and it became 11 (they decided late in the game to join us).

What are the CMs able to do when looking up ADRs? Can they look at all restaurants that have a table for 11 available on a certain date? Can they look up a certain restaurant and tell me if anything is available for my length of stay?

Is it rude for me to ask for them to keep looking when they find something for 11 but I'm not thrilled with the choice?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Inkmahm]

Good luck. I did a family gathering for 12 last Dec and it was difficult getting space for a group that big. The restaurants are great about pushing tables together for you even though you are told up front that you will likely have to divide into two tables (for you, the one for 5 and one for 6).

Jiko's has a great table that fits 10 easily and 11 or 12 if some are kids I'd guess. At California Grill, they put us in the back along the windows but all 12 were able to sit together. Same for CRT, we were allowed to move the tables so we had one large table for all 12 of us. At Liberty Tree, we sat at two tables but were close to each other.

 

[CandCMommy]

We just got back and had a party of 13. We had ADR's at Cape May Cafe, Trail's End, Whispering Canyon, and Chef Mickey's. I would try for any of these other than CM, it was horrible!

When talking to the CM, just have them start checking the places you want on the days you want them and go from there. It's their job, they have to do it. I'm sure you'll be able to find something it just might be something off the beaten path.

 

[Pakey]

I just made an entire week's worth of reservations for 11 and had no trouble at all. Of course, I don't really care whether or not we eat at the same table but in most instances the CM indicated that it should not be too difficult. I have ressies at Sci Fi (we will be seated in 3 carss), Boma, Coral Reef, Cape May, Crystal Palace, Brown Derby, Marrakesh among others. Also, in the past, Whispering Canyon was able to handle a large group.

 

[DisneyDine]

I just put together a last minute Grand Gathering for my family. Total of 11 people. Previously I had ADRs for 6 people until I added my SILs family and it became 11 (they decided late in the game to join us).

What are the CMs able to do when looking up ADRs? Can they look at all restaurants that have a table for 11 available on a certain date? Can they look up a certain restaurant and tell me if anything is available for my length of stay?

Is it rude for me to ask for them to keep looking when they find something for 11 but I'm not thrilled with the choice?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

First of all just know that if you put together the trip last minute regardless of your party size it will be a little difficult to secure dining at the ideal times and locations that you want. Adding the larger party into the equation makes it harder. A lot of restaurants can't even accommodate the size of your party at one table... officially. When you make your ADR's you will be told in most situations that you have to be seated at more than one table. The CM on the phone will tell you that tables cannot be pushed together & no one, no matter how small they are, can be "squeezed" in. That is the "official" policy. However the CM's at the restaurants will know that you are together & will do everything within their power to get you as close together as possible. As reported here on the DIS in many situations you will find that somehow you are all seated together. Just don't go in expecting it. There is the possibility that you truly will be at separate tables.

As far as "can the CM check to see what restaurants are available for your party size for the length of your stay," no that can't really be done. The current reservations system is a bit limited when it comes to that. We can check each restaurant for you daily and no it's not rude to ask that we check more locations if you are not thrilled with the first option. Any CM who gives you attitude about that is being rude her/himself. Good luck to you!

 

[cheesekate2005]

I just made a weeks worth of ADR's for a group of 18 (about 6 meals together). I called group dining and had no trouble, got everything I wanted for President's week. Group dining is good about keeping you together, the one thing is that your ADR is often for the very beginning of the meal or the end (at like 5 pm or 9 pm for dinner), because that is when they can guarantee tables near one another. The phone # for group dining is 407-939-7707. For many of the meals I booked I made a reservation for 6 at first and then called group dining to see if I could add an extra 12, they were able to modify each one in my case.

Good luck - hope you get everything you want. If you don't - keep trying!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I'll be honest, if it were me, I would try to get what I could but NOT cancel any of my existing ADRs if they can't be made for 11 people. You said she joined in late in the game so it isn't fair that you lose your ADRs or have to settle. Besides, are you really all planning to stay together for the whole trip? It might be nice to split up for some meals and catch up with them later. Maybe it's just me but I wouldn't worry so much about everyone having dinner together on such short notice.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

We done a grand gatherings with 16 people at 180 days out an had no problem. But I wanted to try and change one and it was very hard. So I wish you luck.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

Try this first - keep your ADR's for 6 people but call and see if you can get a 2nd ADR for 5 people at the same time or close to the same time as the 6-people-ADR. See how many of your restaurants can do this. Then everyone is eating at the same restaurant at close to the same time.

Also - when you have 2 ADR's at a restaurant, ask the person making the ADR to "link" the 2 ADR's in the system. This will help get the tables together. AND - try to arrive at the restaurant a little early and explain that you want to eat together. Many times, the host at the restaurant can move some tables and accomodate you.