Dining reservation for larger groups

[MICKEYFIL]

I have a group of 9 travelling in August (two families), so lots of time to plan and stress. The 9 includes a toddler who will likely be in a chair by then. When I look at making reservations on a test case it seems that there are errors when I look for a group of 9. Should I just go for a group of 8 or would it be better to do two reservations for a group of 4 and 5 and then try to get them to amalgamate into one table? By using the smaller groups I can find more availability.

 

[Federalist45]

Certain places, e.g. Trader Sam’s, will not offer a reservation larger than 4. I don’t know the entire list. I’d plan to get multiple reservations.

FYI, this will require multiple accounts, because Disney won’t let you hold overlapping reservations in one account.

 

[Steven G]

I was able to get reservations for a party of 8 for a trip during december of 2021 for about 3 restaurants, as long as you got there exactly when it opens. There are very few of those (for 8 people) available.

so it's possible, but you have to be willing to be up at that point and be quick. Otherwise you can get the pager service from a couple different dining sites that let you know when they are available if you miss it.

Or you can try and do the split reservation, but please note, depending on the restaurant, they may or may not be willing to seat you together.

 

[Federalist45]

I was able to get reservations for a party of 8 for a trip during december of 2021 for about 3 restaurants, as long as you got there exactly when it opens. There are very few of those (for 8 people) available.

so it's possible, but you have to be willing to be up at that point and be quick. Otherwise you can get the pager service from a couple different dining sites that let you know when they are available if you miss it.

Or you can try and do the split reservation, but please note, depending on the restaurant, they may or may not be willing to seat you together.

Which restaurants?

I do seem to remember that Lamplight takes a large group.

 

[Steven G]

I looked back at my emails, and it was:

Lamplight Lounge
Blue Bayou (it took some doing and some luck)
Oga's

I could have gotten River Belle, and Cafe Orleans as well, if I remember.

 

[MICKEYFIL]

Which restaurants?

I do seem to remember that Lamplight takes a large group.

That is the one I am most interested in. The last time we went in 2019, the same group got the Office room downstairs and was hoping to get it again with the larger group. Didn't even need a reservation for that restaurant back then.

 

[slamommie]

We just booked Oga's and Lamplight Lounge for 8 and 6 guests (2 accounts), so it's doable. Can you tell me about Lamplight's Office Room? How many people does that hold? Do we need to specifically request, and if so, when?

 

[MICKEYFIL]

We just booked Oga's and Lamplight Lounge for 8 and 6 guests (2 accounts), so it's doable. Can you tell me about Lamplight's Office Room? How many people does that hold? Do we need to specifically request, and if so, when?

I can only speak to my experience so I am not saying this will definitely work. Our group was only 8 but I had heard they preferred to have between 9 to 13 as the capacity is 13. When we arrived early in the day I asked if the Office was available and I remember them initially saying no. We told them it wasn't the end of the world, just something nice for our group. While we waited to be seated another individual came up to us and asked if we were the group that was looking for the Office and we said yes. That is about the extent of it. Guess we got lucky. I don't know if a couple of $20s would have made the process quicker but I doubt it. The room is good and the view of the roller coaster is wonderful but also note that there are some downsides as you are completely isolated and for some people who would prefer the feel of the crowd in a restaurant, this would not be the best option.