Fellow Diser Restaurant Groupies....Help! Please!!!!

[lynninpa]

We have 17 in our family. 5 kids. 3 son-in-laws. 1 daughter-in-law. 6 grandkids. DH & I. 17 in all. If my numbers don't add up, i apologize if i forgot someone. Yet time is ticking away!
Here's the deal....
My DH and I have dreamt of taking everyone to Disney. My husband is just as big of a Disney fanatic as I am...maybe even more so!
Tonight, to my surprise, he was on the phone for over an hour with Disney....planning a Grand Gathering for all of us!
The thing is ( and I am not complaining...well, not really...ok, maybe sort of...) that he is planning the whole trip himself (he was all smiles tonight talking to the CM about Grand Gathering Firework Cruises and Grand gathering Sunset Safaris)
Yet here I am...countless hours on the DisBoards, allears, disney.com-you name it. Yet I am to bite my tongue when it comes to planning a Grand Gathering for 17 people?! AGHHHHHHHHH! It's killin' me, folks!
My DH (reluctantly!) suggested that I choose the restauants we all eat at together-we decided that with so many people with kids of all ages that we would just plan 3 sit down places for all of us to dine at together for dinner....
PLEASE HELP ME PICK 3 PLACES FOR DINNER FOR ALL OF US! 1 CREDIT AND SIGNATURE PLACES SUGGESTIONS ARE ALL WELCOME...
MY BIGGEST THING IS....
SOMETHING THAT THE CM TOLD MY DH TONIGHT REALLY GOT ME STRESSED...WE ARE ALREADY INSIDE OF OUR 180 DAY MARK! Help!

 

[TexasTodds]

I haven't been to disney in a while, so I'm trying to use what could be faulty memory, and some recent research. I don't know if you are into characters at all, but that is always a very fun part of visiting WDW. Maybe I would also suggest one at each park, or most of the parks

MK -- LTT for dinner
AK -- Tusker House for breakfast (I know you mentioned dinner, but mayber you could do this later, like 10-11:00 or so)
(haven't been here, but from the pictures, it seems large and could easily accomodate a group)
EPCOT -- Biergarten in Germany??
DHS -- ??

Resort Restaurant -- ?? I'm not familiar enough with one to suggest anything

I know you said that DH was looking into the Grand Gatherings activities, I also think that they may have a character meal at Crystal palace.

Hope this is somewhat helpful!

 

[Eeyore2003]

I would consider--
Ohana's
Biergarten
Chef Mickey (if you can get in)

 

[SorcererDonald16]

Wow, 17 people... I'd need a vacation after that vacation, I think. How old are the 6 grandchildren? If they're not really young, I'd suggest California Grill around fireworks time. If they are really young, chances are they'd be ready to fall asleep by fireworks time, not eat. My other suggestions would be:

Chef Mickey's
Crystal Palace
Hollywood Brown Derby
Chefs de France
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Either Ohana's or the Polynesian Luaa show

I've never eaten at CM's for dinner, but loved the breakfast. Will try CP this upcoming trip. Chefs de France is a place I love and there's a fairly wide menu selection. I like HBD a lot as well. Whispering Canyon Cafe you might enjoy; either all you can eat skillet style or menu selections, with usually some shenanigans going on in the restaurant (although not all servers get into the act though). I've never been to Ohana's or the Luaa, but I would guess they would be a lot of fun for a large group. Or Hoop-de-Doo Review, but my guess would be reservations for that are likely gone or close to it.

Best of luck to y'all! Have a great trip!

 

[henrylovespooh]

O'Hana would be great for a big group.
Also, Crystal Palace in MK
Biergarten in Epcot

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

17, with three generations of family. Wow - what a fantastic plan! I'd recommend 'Ohanas. Of course, you'll need to make sure that everyone is decked out in their finest "tiki wear" for those precious photo ops!

 

[Booyakasha]

Sounds like fun you should have a great time but now I see why you DH is doing most of the planning.

B.

 

[lynninpa]

Sounds like fun you should have a great time but now I see why you DH is doing most of the planning.

B.