Couldn't book entire party...

[AA25]

I got up bright and early to get my choice of reservations. I got into the Cali Grill at 7:05 and Via Napoli at 7:35 for 8 people, but I have a party of 11. I am the only person in the group with a Disney account, so I cannot book them an additional reservation for 3.

What do you suggest?
Thanks in advance.

 

[HollywoodTowerHotel]

I believe that if you are making reservations for 10 or more, you have to call rather than making ADRs online. There is a number at the top of your MDE page for your plans that states as such.

Copied and pasted below:

Are you making plans for 2 or more reservations—or making plans for a group of 10 or more Guests?
We recommend that you use our complimentary service to set up My Disney Experience if you’re making plans for 2 or more reservations, or if you’re making plans for a group of 10 or more Guests. For assistance, call (407) 939-7771 from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time.

 

[AA25]

I called and they couldn't make one large reservations, we had to make 2 separate reservations (of 8 and 3) with no guarantee that we can all sit together. I am kind of pissed. I am going to get to the Cali Grill on a Sat night with my party and there is no way they are going to be able to accommodate us.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Most restaurants cannot easily accommodate 11. Why are you surprised by this?

 

[Mom2m&k]

We have traveled a few times with a party of 12 and there were a few different restaurants that did not have a table for that many and we were sat at different tables. I do wish that they indicated somewhere which restaurants this would happen at as it did leave for last minute scrambling trying to figure out who would sit where. I hope you have a fantastic trip!

 

[Hopefully]

I don't understand why you are. "Pissed". This is not unique to Disney. Big groups can be difficult to seat. It is what it is
Good Luck

 

[Hibiscus]

They have no tables larger than 8. What do you want them to do? Rearrange the restaurant just for you?

 

[Accident]

I got up bright and early to get my choice of reservations. I got into the Cali Grill at 7:05 and Via Napoli at 7:35 for 8 people, but I have a party of 11. I am the only person in the group with a Disney account, so I cannot book them an additional reservation for 3.

What do you suggest?

Disney recently started a group that helps out these situations for large groups and complicated visits. Try calling (407) 939-7771 and tell them you need help booking things for a large group.

You may have overlooked this on the MDE site, but if you click on MDE->your name, it'll bring you to a screen that shows where you are int he planning process with a little note below that says "Are you making plans for 2 or more reservations—or making plans for a group of 10 or more Guests?". This is where that number came from. They only started this a few months ago so I can't say if it'll help or not but worth a try.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

no guarantee that we can all sit together. I am kind of pissed.

1) Why?
2) With eleven people, there is not a table big enough for all to be part of a conversation.
3) PERSONAL OPINION:
. . . when sitting at large tables, guests are simply not close enough to hear the others
. . . especially in such noisy places as Cali Grill
. . . if not able to join in on conversations, what would be the sense of everyone together?
. . . why should an eatery completely rearrange the seating just for a large party of guests?
4) Two or three tables should; be just fine.

 

[Polydweller]

Large groups are a problem for all restaurants to accommodate. First, for 11 as an example you have to put 3 4 top tables together. So, you have to have 3 tables in the same area come available at essentially the same time.

Then comes the second problem, you can't put 3 tables together that then block the aisles. They have to be open both for serving but more importantly for exit in an emergency. That means the restaurant has to be configurable for a group that size.

In CL's case they are going to have both problems because it's very popular and therefor filled and it's basically a narrow space with limited egress as it is.

 

[AA25]

I'm annoyed bc I had no idea this would happen and I had no backup plan. I've done a ton of reading and research and never thought to look this up bc I've never had this problem before. I never said anyone had to rearrange their restraunt for me.

Our large group had chosen these specific restaurants. Also- there was no need for me to rush on my computer at 6am on a Sunday bc I needed to speak to a person at 7 anyway (not that it mattered bc my infant was up anyway...)

I guess last time we coincidentally chose restaurants that could accommodate large parties- I didn't realize this was going to be an issue this time.

I'm allowed to be miffed.

 

[Oswin]

Call the dining phone number and make reservations for any group of 10 or more. They will be able to help you! When we travel with my extended family, we are a group of between 20-30. We have had good luck calling and getting reservations, but it could be because it was a Magical Gathering family reunion and not just a large group traveling together. The thing to keep in mind is that at 95% of locations, your party will be broken up into multiple tables. Most of the dining rooms on property just don't have the space or capacity to safely seat large parties all in a row at one table. There are several that do, and dining should be able to help you select these locations. But we have been able to get seated at places like Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace all in one row at the long booths that are multiple tables. I know off the top of my head, you will have issues sitting all together at California Grill. Via Napoli has some longer stretch of tables that may be able to pushed together, but I would not count on it. You will still have an AMAZING time even if you have to split up. Good luck getting into the places you are hoping for!

 

[Oswin]

I'm annoyed bc I had no idea this would happen and I had no backup plan. I've done a ton of reading and research and never thought to look this up bc I've never had this problem before. I never said anyone had to rearrange their restraunt for me.

Our large group had chosen these specific restaurants. Also- there was no need for me to rush on my computer at 6am on a Sunday bc I needed to speak to a person at 7 anyway (not that it mattered bc my infant was up anyway...)

I guess last time we coincidentally chose restaurants that could accommodate large parties- I didn't realize this was going to be an issue this time.

I'm allowed to be miffed.

You definitely are allowed to be. It really stinks to plan things for a while and then realize that what you've planned isn't the reality of your situation. We've had it happen to us several times, and I understand how you're feeling. You could also call back and try to split the group more evenly, if that's what they're having you do. Into maybe a party of 5 and 6 so that you're at 2 6-top tables instead of a single 8 top and then a 4 top table. This could increase the chances of your tables being seated closely together at check in, so you can move around between the two tables in a way where socializing isn't an issue and you can still feel like you're seated together without actually all being at the same table.

 

[AA25]

Call the dining phone number and make reservations for any group of 10 or more. They will be able to help you! When we travel with my extended family, we are a group of between 20-30. We have had good luck calling and getting reservations, but it could be because it was a Magical Gathering family reunion and not just a large group traveling together. The thing to keep in mind is that at 95% of locations, your party will be broken up into multiple tables. Most of the dining rooms on property just don't have the space or capacity to safely seat large parties all in a row at one table. There are several that do, and dining should be able to help you select these locations. But we have been able to get seated at places like Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace all in one row at the long booths that are multiple tables. I know off the top of my head, you will have issues sitting all together at California Grill. Via Napoli has some longer stretch of tables that may be able to pushed together, but I would not count on it. You will still have an AMAZING time even if you have to split up. Good luck getting into the places you are hoping for!

So funny you mentioned chef mickeys and crystal palace- we ate at both of those places last time and had no problem getting seated with such a large party

 

[AA25]

You definitely are allowed to be. It really stinks to plan things for a while and then realize that what you've planned isn't the reality of your situation. We've had it happen to us several times, and I understand how you're feeling. You could also call back and try to split the group more evenly, if that's what they're having you do. Into maybe a party of 5 and 6 so that you're at 2 6-top tables instead of a single 8 top and then a 4 top table. This could increase the chances of your tables being seated closely together at check in, so you can move around between the two tables in a way where socializing isn't an issue and you can still feel like you're seated together without actually all being at the same table.

It's not really a problem- I was just surprised. We have time and will work it out. After 4 days together on a cruise, a little separation may be nice

 

[Oswin]

So funny you mentioned chef mickeys and crystal palace- we ate at both of those places last time and had no problem getting seated with such a large party

They are some of our favorite places to eat when we go with such a big group! The food isn't the most amazing but we can sit close together, which is important to us when we go.