Help w/ Grand Gathering ADR's

[milmore104]

I know we've all gone through this before. I went through it last year planning a trip for my family and my cousin's family. She didn't think it was important to make ADR's but I made them anyway knowing we needed to. Of course she found out right away I was right. She even said Thanks. After she heard at several rest. people we're being turned away if they didn't have an ADR.
Anyway my need for advice is I stupidly decided we needed a Grand Gathering. My brother and his family have never been as well as my parents. I thought what a better time than FD. Not to mention that our kids will be turning 9 and will no longer get the child rate. So I booked our ressies on Monday for everyone. Some of us upgraded to the DXDDP some didn't. I have made up a nice folder for everyone w/ all the rest. and menus. When I gave everyone their folder they looked at me like I was nuts. I told them to look it over and let me know what they were interested in so I could plan out the days and meals. Now I know we will not being eating together all the time. But they don't want to make any ADR's thinking I'm over planning and crazy. My brothers soon to be wife went to WDW 8 years ago says Disney leaves tables open for walk ins. So do I stop insisting they pick places so I can make ADR's or do I let them "live and learn"? I need some advice.
I don't want them to have a bad vacation seeing this will most likely be the only time they go to WDW. And I don't want them upset w/ me because we have ADR's and they don't. Please help w/ my fustration.

 

[TRICKY_TINK]

Make your adr's and let them learn. Obviously you'll want to make a large party adr once or twice to get everyone together but I wouldn't even give them a choice of places. I like Ohana's for dinner and the Grand gathering Breakfast at MK- those two places do well with large parties. I traveled in 07' with 22 people and this year were up to 25. I make everyones adr's and don't even ask them where or what they want. If it were me I would let them learn the hard way though for being unappreciative. It will suck for them but I bet next time you won't get the crazy lady look.

 

[pixie dust 112]

You offered to help, they said no thanks. Make the ADRs you want and the ADRs for when everyone will eat together and let them forage for themselves for their other meals. They can always get counter service.

 

[brendaziz]

I would say, make ONE good ADR for everyone together. Probably a grand gathering special one like the Tony's bfast at MK or the Tusker House dinner Safari.
Just book one for everyone and then everyone know "Hey- I know everyone wants to be more flexible w/ their dining. No biggie- but I went ahead and booked this one experience b/c you can ONLY get it if you book in advance and for large groups. If no one is interested in it- we can always cancel. "

then book the rest of what YOU wnat and dont worry about anyone else. They're gonna be stuck eating at 2nd rate places b/c that's all they could get a seat at.......

 

[milmore104]

I would say, make ONE good ADR for everyone together. Probably a grand gathering special one like the Tony's bfast at MK or the Tusker House dinner Safari.
Just book one for everyone and then everyone know "Hey- I know everyone wants to be more flexible w/ their dining. No biggie- but I went ahead and booked this one experience b/c you can ONLY get it if you book in advance and for large groups. If no one is interested in it- we can always cancel. "

then book the rest of what YOU wnat and dont worry about anyone else. They're gonna be stuck eating at 2nd rate places b/c that's all they could get a seat at.......

I do feel this way. However than the guilt in me takes over. I know how it is. Plus I don't want to ruin a vacation for my neices that they won't be taking again. I'm hoping I can talk them into listening before our booking day comes.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Could you approach it - " The larger the party the harder it is to get a ADR? " Just like at home probably.

I'd give it one for shot at explaining why ADRs are needed and NO - there are no walk up tables held anymore. 8 years - things have changed. Have I been able to walk up to a TS at lunch time and gotten in - yes, but rarely. Dinner at the more popular are almost impossible even when trying to change an ADR from later to earlier. If you still can't get through to them, I would make one or two and let them decide what they are going to do for the rest. Are they thinking they would want more CS type meals? Maybe that's why it's not as important to them.

You could also always include your nieces in some of your ADRs so if at the last minute they want to join you, you can accomodate them.

 

[moparop]

I had a grand gathering last year and my brother was the same as some of the people in your party. I knew there were a few places he wanted to eat at (and we were under the 180 day mark)so I called and guess what... they were full. After that my brother listened a little bit more.

Also, I did as the PP suggested. I told them that because we were a large group we needed to set up our group meals as early as possible. My parents picked up the tab so having the group meals were important. Of our 6 nights there, we did 4 meals as a large group.