group dining info

[justhat]

Does anyone know how many people you need to have to use group dining to make a PS? For our May trip, we'll have 9-12 adults, 1 child, and 3 under 3s for a few meals. I'm thinking this is enough to use group dining, but do we have to, or can I just call the regular number if I want to? Anyone have experience with which way is better to go? Also, when does group dining open up their schedules, is it 90 days out as well? My only real concern is that we would like to do Cindy's breakfast. I know that we'll most likely have to sit at separate tables and that's fine, but is this going to be easier to get calling the regular number, group dining, or should I have concierge handle that one. This might be the only meal we eat as a group so the rest of them shouldn't be a problem, nor would they be as popular so I'm not too concerned about getting a PS. Thanks for any help.

 

[inky dinky doo]

We had 13 people in December, and I always called the regular number. They took my info each time and then transferred me to group dining. I asked, one time, if they'd like me to call group dining, directly, and they said, no. The regular line was fine.

As for Cindy's . . . we got that without even trying. We just sort of "lucked into it" one morning. The CM who answered the phone just assumed that's what I wanted, and before I knew it, I had four tables in our name.

Good luck! You're going to have a wonderful time!

Pat

264 days and counting . . . again!

 

[kadaten]

The rule for *most* restaurants is 12 people or less and you call the regular line; 13 people or more and you have to call group dining...either by using their direct line (which escapes me right now) or by calling the regular line and being transferred. I say *most* because there are a few exceptions, but I never found any of them.

When you call in, they'll tell you if you'll be together or at separate tables. Group dining will often limit the hours available to you for PS if you want to be seated together. For instance, we had 20 people in December. If we wanted to eat dinner together, we had to eat in the first 20 minutes or last 20 minutes of the reservation hours to be guaranteed together (which at one restaurant was a choice of times between 4:00 and 4:20 or between 9:00 and 9:20!). We did this 2 nights, but found the dinner hours too early and late for our group, so we used 2 PS for our group for the rest of the meals...10 people on each PS ...and asked to be put together when we got to the restaurant. Know that they do not have to do this, and may not even try if they're busy, but we got lucky and were seated together every time!

HTH
Katie

 

[MulanMom]

I recently called to make a PS for 10 people at Flying Fish. I wasn't transfered to group dining. I was told I had to speak directly with the restaurant and was transferred. Likewise, any changes to the PS have to be made through the restaurant!

 

[tink2]

We had 15 people when trying to get Cindy's this last year. Here is our experience. First morning, all 6 people calling asked for party of 15 or as many as possible. 5/6 were transferred to group dining and by the time that happened, it was sold out. The cast member that I had tried it herself. She got me 12 people in. She told me the best shot is to have everyone ask for 12- over 12 would be transferred by most CMs. That is what we did the morning we preferred to have the ressie. We ended up with two reservations for 12- we just called back and reduced one to 3. We got lucky by getting two for 12- but it worked. THis is what I suggest- if not you will be transferred to group dining and stand no chance. My mother even said 'NO!" when they said they were transferring her, but she did anyway. Just have a plan if you don't get everyone in- who will go and who won't.
Good luck!