Favorite TS for a large group?

[firegurl]

Although we are in the VERY early stages of planning, I am the lead on planning a multi-family trip for late next year. The group is quite varied with mostly first-timers so there are not really any preferences. We are trying to plan at least 1 big meal together, mid-week for the group. What are your favorite TS for larger groups? At this point we are looking at a minimum of 11 but possibly as many as 21. I know that we will have to sit at multiple tables and possibly have staggered reservations but I am looking at options.

 

[WishesQueen]

In 2015 I was in charge of planning for 17 for 8 nights and I have to say Ohana's, Via Napoli, Grand Floridian Cafe, The Wave & Yachtsman Steakhouse did a great job at accommodating and serving us. Sci Fi, Be Our Guest & Mama Melrose struggled and so did we. We sat together in Ohana's, The Wave and Via Napoli. GF Cafe and Yachtsman we were two large tables. I did need someone else in our party's username and log in when our ADR day and time came. So much easier with two windows open that early in the morning.

Good luck, have fun planning, it was definitely one of the best trips we ever took to WDW.

 

[firegurl]

In 2015 I was in charge of planning for 17 for 8 nights and I have to say Ohana's, Via Napoli, Grand Floridian Cafe, The Wave & Yachtsman Steakhouse did a great job at accommodating and serving us. Sci Fi, Be Our Guest & Mama Melrose struggled and so did we. We sat together in Ohana's, The Wave and Via Napoli. GF Cafe and Yachtsman we were two large tables. I did need someone else in our party's username and log in when our ADR day and time came. So much easier with two windows open that early in the morning.

Good luck, have fun planning, it was definitely one of the best trips we ever took to WDW.

Thank you. I was leaning toward Ohana because my family really loved it there and I thought it was widely spaced enough that we would have a better chance of sitting together. We just got back from a trip with 18 families to the Outer Banks so I figured I can handle planning for 3-6 families.

 

[Heelish]

Ohana

 

[_19disnA]

Haven't eaten at enough Disney restaurants to have an opinion, but do suggest you let each family do their own planning. That large of a group will be virtually impossible to have everyone want to do the same parks/rides each day. Good idea to have one group meal where everyone can catch up. Also might depend on which Disney hotel you are staying at (or maybe everyone is someplace different)? The adults from each family should meet and discuss general plans and interests to avoid hard feelings later on, especially for those new to Disney.

Might also call the Disney reservation line to see if they offer any specials/discounts/prvt dining rooms at any of their restaurants for a large group.

 

[firegurl]

Haven't eaten at enough Disney restaurants to have an opinion, but do suggest you let each family do their own planning. That large of a group will be virtually impossible to have everyone want to do the same parks/rides each day. Good idea to have one group meal where everyone can catch up. Also might depend on which Disney hotel you are staying at (or maybe everyone is someplace different)? The adults from each family should meet and discuss general plans and interests to avoid hard feelings later on, especially for those new to Disney.

Might also call the Disney reservation line to see if they offer any specials/discounts/prvt dining rooms at any of their restaurants for a large group.

We are only planning 3 meals together, our first Breakfast, last Breakfast and 1 mid-week. Although this is the first Disney trip as a group, we have group vacationing down to a science. While I don't expect it to be perfect, we have all vacationed together many times before.

 

[WishesQueen]

We are only planning 3 meals together, our first Breakfast, last Breakfast and 1 mid-week. Although this is the first Disney trip as a group, we have group vacationing down to a science. While I don't expect it to be perfect, we have all vacationed together many times before.

We ate dinner together every night, everyone kind of did their own thing but we wound up with each other almost all the time. Each day everyone meet at the pool in the afternoon and catch up if we actually did separate. Your going to have such a great time!!

 

[Nancyg56]

We are only planning 3 meals together, our first Breakfast, last Breakfast and 1 mid-week. Although this is the first Disney trip as a group, we have group vacationing down to a science. While I don't expect it to be perfect, we have all vacationed together many times before.

We plan for extended family too, and find that if one person makes the outline and plans the meals, no matter how many or few, it goes more smoothly than everyone planning their trips and then trying to mesh the plans together.

I think 'Ohana would be a good choice. It is family style so your group wil not be up and down all through the meal. You will probably need to have help booking it though due to the size of your party. Pick the day and time frame and both of you get online at 6AM at 180 days out and you will be fine.

For breakfast I would suggest a character meal in a park. WHat a fun way to kick off a day! We like Crystal Palace in the MK, and while it is not a favorite of mine, you may like Tusker House in DAK. For Epcot, I think Garden Grill woudl be a blast. That one is my favorite, and features CHip and Dale, with the food brought to you family style, like 'Ohana.


Another idea for a large group is Biergarten in Epcot. I bet that one would be fun for all of you.

I also know that Chef Mickey does not get much love here on the boards, however we generally take first timers there for an arrival dinner. There is something magical about pulling into the Contemporary on the monorail and heading to meat Chef Mickey and the gang. It is buffet, so it is what it is, but I like it.

 

[Harambe]

I'd say Biergarten would be good too! They have those large tables that you typically have to share with other people, but you guys could easily fit at one, or two if you end up with the bigger number. Buffet, so no worries about being served all at once, which can be hard at a regular sit-down meal.

Big beer steins for big people, and the Germany mom-pa band for the little ones! I like the food, but the desserts are my favorite!!!!

 

[Mich123]

Another vote for 'Ohana. We've done that with grandma and grandpa and three families, lots of fun.

We also like Biergarten and they seem to always be working with a big group when we're there.

An off the beaten path choice that worked well for our large group was Boatwright's. Disney Food Blog has been giving this restaurant some praise lately, so it might be worth checking out. Also, it might be easier to get a reservation as it's at a resort.

One restaurant that was difficult for our large group was California Grill. We had to wait about an hour for a table and the kids were pretty restless, despite the fireworks as entertainment. We all love the restaurant, but it just didn't work as well. It was our first family Disney trip and no one had been to the restaurant before.

 

[ebenmax]

Another vote...’Ohana!

 

[firegurl]

We plan for extended family too, and find that if one person makes the outline and plans the meals, no matter how many or few, it goes more smoothly than everyone planning their trips and then trying to mesh the plans together.

I think 'Ohana would be a good choice. It is family style so your group wil not be up and down all through the meal. You will probably need to have help booking it though due to the size of your party. Pick the day and time frame and both of you get online at 6AM at 180 days out and you will be fine.

For breakfast I would suggest a character meal in a park. WHat a fun way to kick off a day! We like Crystal Palace in the MK, and while it is not a favorite of mine, you may like Tusker House in DAK. For Epcot, I think Garden Grill woudl be a blast. That one is my favorite, and features CHip and Dale, with the food brought to you family style, like 'Ohana.


Another idea for a large group is Biergarten in Epcot. I bet that one would be fun for all of you.

I also know that Chef Mickey does not get much love here on the boards, however we generally take first timers there for an arrival dinner. There is something magical about pulling into the Contemporary on the monorail and heading to meat Chef Mickey and the gang. It is buffet, so it is what it is, but I like it.

This is pretty much exactly what we are doing, I am handling the outline with the shared meals and other things taking place that day. We will also end up planning some park time together as that is the point of the trip but it seems unrealistic to me to have all families do the same thing everyday. My family always goes to Chef Mickey's for our very first breakfast on our first full day there, we also make our last breakfast there Crystal Palace. Those meals were easy because the rest of the group wants to join in our tradition. I like to think that after so many vacation together, we are going into this with realistic expectations., we may not be able to sit at a table together but we can be close by, things like that. I do think they would love Biergarten and that is definitely on my families list for the trip.

 

[nco91590]

We made a gigantic reservation at Toledo at Coronado Springs....I think it was for 22ppl. We called and it was no issue at all.

 

[Nancyg56]

This is pretty much exactly what we are doing, I am handling the outline with the shared meals and other things taking place that day. We will also end up planning some park time together as that is the point of the trip but it seems unrealistic to me to have all families do the same thing everyday. My family always goes to Chef Mickey's for our very first breakfast on our first full day there, we also make our last breakfast there Crystal Palace. Those meals were easy because the rest of the group wants to join in our tradition. I like to think that after so many vacation together, we are going into this with realistic expectations., we may not be able to sit at a table together but we can be close by, things like that. I do think they would love Biergarten and that is definitely on my families list for the trip.

We only plan the park we are starting in unless the meal is in another park that night, and the meal each day together. That's it. If anyone wants FP together I book them, but other than that its loose for everyone.