Help with 23 people in a party

[mdurette]

We are all staying off site - tried to call at 94 days direct to Chef Mickey's for a dinner reservation for the one and probably only dinner we will all have together. Well - looks like the 90+10 got a jump start and the night is completely booked.

Some people in our party are not getting park tickets to cover the entire trip- so I need to find a restaurant (preferably charachter) off site that can do this.

Any suggestions?

 

[MouseMomx2]

I think you mean that you'd like a character meal outside the parks, not off site. Off site means not on Disney property and you won't find any character meals there.

As for a character meal at one of the resorts, you may find it hard to find anything. As you said, many reservations have been taken up by the 90+10-eligible guests. My advice would be to keep trying the dining line and to be open minded. Also, make sure you are calling the Group Dining number, not the general dining line. The Group Dining CMs are used to dealing with large parties and should be able to help you find something. I'd try to book something now (character or not) so you'll at least have something booked. Then, if necessary, keep trying to get something better.

Character meals at the resorts include:
Chef Mickey's (Contemporary) - Breakfast and Dinner
'Ohana (Polynesian) - Breakfast
1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian) - Breakfast and Dinner
Cape May Cafe (Beach Club) - Breakfast
Garden Grove (Swan) - Breakfast, Saturday/Sunday only, limited characters

Other places to try, although not character meals are:
Boma(Animal Kingdom Lodge) - Breakfast and Dinner, the lack of characters could be offset by the animals you could see outside before/after your meal.
Whispering Canyon Cafe (Wilderness Lodge) - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner - there are lots of hijinks that go on and the servers really have a good time with guests.

Good luck!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I doubt you will have a problem getting rerssies at:
. . . Garden Grove at Swan
. . . Covington Mill at Hilton (Downtown Disney resort)

 

[mdurette]

Thanks MouseMom:

Yes, you are correct. Not off-site, just not in a park.

I found a couple of places Downtown that can work with us.

I really wanted something charachter for the kids.....will keep trying!

 

[mdurette]

Does the Hilton hotel offer Character.

While on the subject - does any other off-site offer character????

 

[MouseMomx2]

Does the Hilton hotel offer Character.

While on the subject - does any other off-site offer character????

Both the Hilton and the Swan are technically onsite, they are just not Disney owned. I do not know if the Hilton offers characters. Perhaps someone else can provide that info. As far as I know, no other non-Disney-owned onsite property and no offsite properties offer character meals.

BTW, we're going for two weeks around Thanksgiving so our booking window is open. I just plugged Chef Mickey's on December 6th into the reservation system and had my choice of times for dinner. That was for a party of 4, but it shows that there is availablility during that time period. Perhaps the system was showing there was nothing because you are not yet within your booking window.

And remember...things open up all the time. I would bet you'll be able to get Chef Mickey's eventually. Have you considered making several smaller reservations as they come up? You will have to split up, but you'd have to do that with 23 anyway. I am sure that the CMs will do what they can to get you as close as possible. Just an idea.

 

[mdurette]

Thanks again for the responses.

I will keep trying for that ressie with 23 people at Chef Mickeys. I have always got the "impossible" reservations during past stays by being persistant and catching cancellations.

This is the first day that our entire group will all be together and also the only meal that we most likely will be eating together. So, if this doesn't work out....I should be able to find a regular restaurant off site for this one meal.

Wow - I just thought planning for a large group would be easy if I just made sure I made the reservations right away......my next struggle......

Candelight Processional dinner package for 19 people!

 

[n2mm]

Thanks again for the responses.

I will keep trying for that ressie with 23 people at Chef Mickeys. I have always got the "impossible" reservations during past stays by being persistant and catching cancellations.

This is the first day that our entire group will all be together and also the only meal that we most likely will be eating together. So, if this doesn't work out....I should be able to find a regular restaurant off site for this one meal.

Wow - I just thought planning for a large group would be easy if I just made sure I made the reservations right away......my next struggle......

Candelight Processional dinner package for 19 people!

OMG -- I'm worried about getting one with my party of 4. Please post back how you do on this reservation. What night are you planning to do the CP?