Disney Dining FYI

[AmericanItGirl]

This is probably not an issue that comes up on a regular basis for many of us, but it's worth knowing in case you ever are in that situation.

Finally had a chance to make a PS for my huge family group at Cafe Orleans, only to discover that it's against Disney Dining (or at least Disneyland Dining) policy to make reservations at their restaurants for groups larger than 10 people. Luckily, the CM I talked to didn't just brush me off (I explained why the number was over 20, that my aunt was getting married and the extended family was spending a day at DL and wanted to have a sit down lunch together), which at a normal restaurant is probably would have happened. She kindly took my information to pass on to the restaurant (so they could figure out how they wanted to handle the reservation) and told me that if I didn't hear anything by Thursday to call Disney Dining back. Here's to hoping that it'll all work out for me and my group.

So, keep in mind when planning that family reunion, that Disney Dining can only take PSs for groups of 10 or less.

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

Thanks for the helpful info.

I was just going to start planning my mom's 60th birthday and she wants to have a two day Disney celebration. I definitely was thinking of doing a PS for BB, but we may have 12 people. Thanks for the heads-up, I may look into a hotel restaurant instead.

 

[bumbershoot]

When the ladies trip people were arranging dining, they had to have a few people from the group to call and make PS arrangements for a smaller group. Then when we got there we told them we were all together, and they did a great job of putting us as close as possible.

We all were able to sit in one big spot (4 big tables, I think?) for Storytellers, but it required a special intervention, LOL, by the manager, and took some time to get permission.

 

[pycees312]

This is probably not an issue that comes up on a regular basis for many of us, but it's worth knowing in case you ever are in that situation.

Finally had a chance to make a PS for my huge family group at Cafe Orleans, only to discover that it's against Disney Dining (or at least Disneyland Dining) policy to make reservations at their restaurants for groups larger than 10 people. Luckily, the CM I talked to didn't just brush me off (I explained why the number was over 20, that my aunt was getting married and the extended family was spending a day at DL and wanted to have a sit down lunch together), which at a normal restaurant is probably would have happened. She kindly took my information to pass on to the restaurant (so they could figure out how they wanted to handle the reservation) and told me that if I didn't hear anything by Thursday to call Disney Dining back. Here's to hoping that it'll all work out for me and my group.

So, keep in mind when planning that family reunion, that Disney Dining can only take PSs for groups of 10 or less.

cafe orleans is not a big place. Hopefully everything works out for your group

 

[AmericanItGirl]

There's going to be at most 23 of us, which is BIG. I've never been inside of Cafe Orleans, but judging by photos I've seen, I think they can accommodate us (it isn't necessary for us to all be sitting at the same table, just near each other would be nice, as opposed to sitting across the room from one another). I asked the CM if I shouldn't just break it up into 2 groups of 10 and a group of 3 all for the same time, but she said that I should wait and see what would be easiest for the restaurant (I'm sure that I'm not the first person who's ever had a large group eat at a restaurant at DLR). So I'll wait and see if they email me (I opted for email because it's easier for me). If there's nothing by Thursday afternoon, then I may just go and do the PS the DIS Diva way.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

23 of you will take up a third or so of the outside seating...not sure if they even seat quite that many inside? If they do your group would require almost all of it. So I can see where they'd have an issue taking such a largre group. Please let us know how it works out.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I also have a feeling that they don't want to have one person call in for a group over 10 because if something happened and that group didn't show up, that would be a lot people that could have used that time for PSs. Good luck!

 

[AmericanItGirl]

Update:
So i got an email last night from a Ms. Fuller, who is (according to the title following her name) is a guest service manager at Cafe Orleans (fun fact: she's also a certified sommelier), asking for my number so we can discuss the availability over the phone. Looks like there's hope for my group yet!

 

[Krissy Marissy]

How exciting! Keep us updated

 

[AmericanItGirl]

Success!!!

We have a ressie for 11:30 am (when they open so that we don't have to wait for any tables to be freed up while other tables sit empty for a while). Because of the party size, there is an automatic gratuity, and they know that the number now isn't set in stone (I explained that I couldn't just call up one of my aunts to confirm because she lives in England, so the phone bill would be astronomical). Disney is awesome. They impress me every time with the level of customer service and desire to make every trip magical. A major thank you goes out to Susan Fuller!