Doubling Party Size and Grand Gatherings

[poohluvrs]

Our friends are now joining us on our trip, and I would like to somehow get ADRs that can accomodate all of us, I am feeling the pressure of being the only one "in the DIS know". Has anyone had luck w/ WDW dining or IPO as far as increasing party size on current ADRs? If its not possible I don't want anyone in there messing w/ my ADRs. Is it better to have our friends make their own ADRs to match ours and see if we can be seated together when we show up (we're not the types to make a scene if we can't) Also, my friend said the CM mentioned Grand Gatherings to her when she was booking, any info on that as to what it is and whether you would recommend it? Thanks

 

[TDC Nala]

You'll only be able to increase party size "officially" if there is availability for your new party size at the restaurant, and you'd have to book new reservations and cancel your old ones. Being a Grand Gathering won't get you any advantages for that. You could try just showing up with the extra people, but it sounds like it may be a good number of extra people and some or all of the additional group may not be admitted.

You can also try having the friends book for the same approximate time.

A "Grand Gathering" is something Disney does for a group of more than 8 people staying at Disney resorts. You can have your group "linked" so that your rooms can be near each other if you are at the same resort, and you are eligible for special Grand Gathering meal events that can be booked ONLY by Grand Gathering groups. It won't help you get regular restaurant reservations.

 

[poohluvrs]

You'll only be able to increase party size "officially" if there is availability for your new party size at the restaurant, and you'd have to book new reservations and cancel your old ones. Being a Grand Gathering won't get you any advantages for that. You could try just showing up with the extra people, but it sounds like it may be a good number of extra people and some or all of the additional group may not be admitted.

You can also try having the friends book for the same approximate time.

A "Grand Gathering" is something Disney does for a group of more than 8 people staying at Disney resorts. You can have your group "linked" so that your rooms can be near each other if you are at the same resort, and you are eligible for special Grand Gathering meal events that can be booked ONLY by Grand Gathering groups. It won't help you get regular restaurant reservations.

Thanks for the fast info! I just checked online and can increase a couple to our party size of 9 but most not so much. I dont want to risk losing ours if for some reason they back out either. Maybe having them book seperately is the way to go...thanks for listening

 

[HoltDisney07]

We had the same problem. Friends decided to join us so we went from a party of 5 to a party of 10. I couldn't get any reservations to accommodate our party of 10, so I tried to make two reservations for parties of 5 pretty close to the same time. I am hoping we can get seated together or close to one another, but I am not holding my breath. We will see. Good luck!

 

[poohluvrs]

We had the same problem. Friends decided to join us so we went from a party of 5 to a party of 10. I couldn't get any reservations to accommodate our party of 10, so I tried to make two reservations for parties of 5 pretty close to the same time. I am hoping we can get seated together or close to one another, but I am not holding my breath. We will see. Good luck!

We did the same, I noticed the one or two I could get for all of us noted "you may not all be seated together" or something to that affect when I booked it online...so Im figuring its a crap shoot and we will have fun anyway! Good luck to you as well!

 

[momtoejanda]

look into the grand gathering experiences as well. We love Tonys Good Morning Breakfast in MK. lots of fun.... Also the Safari Celebration was nice too. let me know if you want more info about our experiences...

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

We are a group of 16 and some places there was availability for all of us at the same time. Other places we have two reservations at times that are close together.

We also booked the International Dinner and Illuminations Dessert Reception for our Epcot night. It is a Magical Gathering and costs 2 table service credits. Must be a minimum of 8 adults in your group.

Also, when booking the two reservations that are close to another use your friend's name to book the second time. Disney will cancel reservations that are really close together. This morning when I finally got the ADR for 6 of us for 'Ohana the computer wouldn't even book it in my name because it was close to the time I already had. I called dining and booked the reservation in my SIL's name. Thank Goodness only 12 of us wanted to eat at 'Ohana, it was hard to get those reservations.

I was told that we should arrive early and tell the CM our situation. There is no guarantee that we will all be seated together but they will try to seat us together.

This is what we have for our ADR's
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare
8 at 7:05pm
8 at 7:40pm

International Dinner and Illuminations Dessert Reception
All 16 of us at 7:00pm

Lunch 50's Prime Time Cafe
16 of us at 11:15am

Lunch at Crystal Palace
16 of us at 12:45pm

Dinner at 'Ohana
6 of us at 8:25
6 of us at 8:45