Group Dining Tips

[MiknMinMouse]

Hi All,

This year will be the first year I'm going with a really large group, there will be about 14 of us. When I tried to make PS I ended up being a month early so I couldn't make them but the cast member let me know I had to call group reservations. Does anyone have any tips on large groups? I also wanted to arrange something special at Chef Mickey because we're going with a group of close families who all LOVE Disney and it's our first Disney vacation together. Any suggestions will be appreciated. I make the call on Oct. 26

 

[wedindis'00]

Have you checked out the new GRAND GATHERINGS!

It is especially designed for groups.
As I understand it they can help you with all sort of details!

 

[wdwrich]

It has been our experience that with large groups buffets work best. During a family reunion trip to WDW with with 19 people, we found that in traditional table-service restaurants, they try to serve everyone's entree at the same time. This makes for some excessive wait times for the meals while they prepare them all. At buffets you don't have this problem because the food is ready to serve all the time. Just my 2 cents.

 

[tink2]

We have been to WDW with a group of 11 twice and have 14 this year. We eat buffets too- character meals. We haven't had any problems. We've tried Crystal Palace, Garden Grill, Hollywood and Vine, and CRT. The only problem with getting CRT this year is that when we all faithfully called on THE morning, they kept transferring everyone to group dining. I said NO- Don't, and the CM was able to make a res. for 12. Of course, once everyone else who was trying was transferred, nothing was available. We ended up getting two seperate PS on the same morning- got lucky and they are only 25 minutes apart! Good luck and have fun!

 

[MiknMinMouse]

So group dining isn't a good idea????

 

[Lyncruiser1]

My suggestion -- Remember that Disney adds the gratuity onto the bill for parties of 8 or more. I kept forgetting this so ended up tipping on the entire bill -- including on the 18% gratuity already included! Made a nice tip for the waitstaff -- but a little heavy on the pocketbook for me!

 

[Nickymouse]

Group dining is for parties of 21 or more people. In the past, I have arranged for many PS's for large groups of less than 21 and I have never had a problem arranging is with the CM on the phone. Maybe they have changed the rules as to how many people are considered "group dining", but if I were you, I would call back and get another CM to help you.

 

[tink2]

Nickymouse- I agree. I've found that different CMs are able, or will do, different things. The CM I got had no problem helping me, but my other family members were all transferred. This was no problem to call back for all PS except CRT- which I got anyway. I agree, if one CM isn't willing or capable of helping, hang up and call back. You may talk to 10 different CMs and get 10 different answers! LOL

 

[donac]

Don't forget that when you get in a bind to go to Fort Wilderness and go to Trail's End. It is a great buffet and we were there last year on a Sat night. We had a party of 10 and we were seated in 15 minutes and that was because we wanted a special waitress. Great for lunch and they are supposed to have a great breakfast but I have never done that.

 

[MiknMinMouse]

I did check out Grand Gatherings and that seems to be geared more for the whole experience. We're vacation club members and one part of the group is actually staying at their time share offsite so all of our rooms are set.

I'm going to call group dining next week and just talk with them about what I need to do that way when PS time comes on Sunday, I'll be ready.