Large group and the DDP plan - I forsee some problems

[Dori's Twin]

I'm traveling with extended family in January. We are a total of 16 people.

I've read some horror stories but I'm trying to stay positive. I think I should face reality and at least prepare myself for the worst.

Has anyone used the DDP successfuly with a large group?

We have ADR's for our length of stay, and I thought it was a plus that we all opted to use the DDP.
The problem is that we can't possibly all sit together. I have mutiple tables reserved and we'll be split up in who knows what way.

I'm beginning to think this is going to be chaotic. It's not too late for me to back out of the DDP.

How will we divide the adult beverage bill?
Any tips are appreciated.

DT

 

[NDAMomX2]

We had 11 in our group during the summer. The DDP worked out great! Our group either paid exactly for what they bought for beverages or split the bill evenly by dividing by the number of adults that drank the beverages. I would not worry! Disney deals with large groups often and they manage it. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[bicker]

I don't think the Dining Plan will make much difference, either way, with regard to your large group: Even without the Dining Plan it will be more to handle than if you were a small group, and by the same amount -- or perhaps to a lesser extent -- as compared to if you didn't have the Dining Plan. (Figure it is far easier to count entrees than add up the menu price for each entree, eh?)

Disney is pretty-good about handling large groups, as others have indicated. I wouldn't worry about it much.

 

[puddleduck]

We just got back yesterday with a group of 14. We were never separated across the restaurant. When we checked in they would always tell us that there was no guarantee that our tables would be together, but they always were. At Le Cellier, we were at 2 long tables that went along a wall, so we were technically together. At Crystal Palace, we were seated at 3 tables that were right next to each other. At Kona we were at 2 tables that were placed together at the back of the restaurant. At Sci-Fi we sat at 2 cars that were side by side. Everything worked out fine. Our longest wait to be seated was 10 minutes and that was when we checked in early.

 

[JimMIA]

If anyone in your party is either a Florida resident OR and AP holder, you might consider getting ONE DDE card. The DDE card gives you a 20% discount on both food and beverage...including alcoholic beverages. It's the only card that can be used to discount adult beverages.

One card can be used for up to ten people at a time and there are isolated reports of more being allowed. The only stipulation is that all of those people have to be on the same bill, but you'd be doing a seperate bill for the non-DDP items anyway.

Any time you order non-DDP items, be aware that they are going to automatically add 18% gratuity just like the DDP has. Don't double-tip.

As to your original question, I don't think you will have any more difficulty with 16 people because of the DDP. You'll have 16 people, and that complicates things sometimes...but I don't think the DDP will make any difference.

 

[Dori's Twin]

Thanks for the encouraging words.

I am still having trouble picturing how this will play out.

A worse case scenario would be that we arrive at our ressie and our tables are not near each other. Do we just give each person in the party their kingdom key? This way the table server will charge the right rooms.

I didn't realize that the credits were on each persons kingdom key but now I know that. So, splitting up the group shouldn't be a problem.

I can see me getting into my Cruella mode and telling my kids they can't have more than one beverage to avoid the hassle of figuring out who pays OOP for the extra beverages.

Also, can someone explain how the servers handle the application of credit use when the group dining aren't all on the same room reservation?
One night we are dining at California Grill with just the parents. Two couples are on one room reservation and two couples on another. How does the server handle the bill in this situation? I can't figure out how this works.

Thanks again,
DT

 

[kellyg403]

We went with a party of 11 in Sept on the DDP. 3 different rooms. At all the TS's we just let them know we would have 3 separate checks and who was on those checks. We were never separated at different tables even though when making ADR's they did say separate tables.

I honestly can't remember if any of the places we went to even charged for soda or tea refills. I really don't think so, because I don't remember paying OOP except at Boartwrights when DH ordered an alcholic beverage. So I think that any of the refills for drinks are free. And knowing my children, I am sure that they had refills.

It actually is alot easier than it sounds when you get there. The servers by now are very well versed in what you can/can not get, different checks etc. We did not have a single problem in any of the TS restaurants. As a matter of fact I think at 1900 we all had the same check and we just gave them the 3 different cards. The cards say how many adult/children on them and the server deducted 1 for each person on the cards. (Not sure if that makes sense but not sure how to completely explain!)

Have a great time. We loved the DDP and will always use it with our groups. Just make it so much easier when everyone has the ability to not be worried about where we are eating and how much it will cost. We tend to always have some who are more budget conscience than others.

Kelly

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I don't think you'll have a problem. While we didn't have a group quite as large as yours, we did have some complicated bills; two different DDP rooms and OOP at the same table.

Just explain to your server how you're going to pay and who is grouped with who up front. Then, remind them again when you ask for the check.

Regarding your comment about drinks: unless you're ordering something from the bar or a specialty drink like a milkshake or smoothie, refills are free at TS restaurants. If your kids are drinking soda, they can have as many refills as they want without it being an extra charge.

 

[Dori's Twin]

I think I must have some incorrect information.

How are the credits dispersed between room keys?

Each person in the party will have a kingdom card which is the park pass, room key, and dining plan - correct?

Does one key hold all the credits or does each key have individual credits attached?

Or because of the two room reservation will I have two keys with the dining credits attached?

Sorry,I'm still having trouble.

Good news about the sodas/teas.

DT

 

[bicker]

All the credits are available from any of the room keys associated with the reservation. With two reservations, the credits will be divided in two, and the credits for one reservation will be available from any of the room keys associated with that reservation, while the credist for the other reservation will be available from any of the room keys associated with that other reservation.

 

[kellyg403]

As Bicker said, all the room keys associated with the individual reservation will have ALL the credits to use. Meaning, your party can break up and still have the ability to use the credits associated with that room.

Its great for the teens that do go off by themselves. They can use their card to get a snack or a drink and you don't have to worry about the money issue.

Kelly

 

[2angelsinheaven]

It's done by room. We ate at The Coral Reef last week with DDP and we had two seperate checks which was wonderful. We were also given a ticket each for the non DDP drinks we had. It worked out great.

 

[patsal]

Just another word of encouragement--we were told ahead of time that we might be seated separately but were also always seated together. It all worked out well.

 

[pixiesnake]

Just adding my experience - hopefully to help you relax.

We were there this last September with a group of 14 staying in 6 different rooms and everything worked out fine and it was very simple.

The credits are allocated per room depending on how many people are listed on that room. When I made ADRs we were told they could not guarantee all of us being seated together. They told me how they were reserving it ( 2 tables of 7; 2 tables of 4 and 1 table of 6, etc.), but when we actually got to the restaraunt it was much better. Usually they sat us all together and a couple of nights we were at 2 tables "next door" to each other. One of the first things the server asked is if we were on DDP and then who was together with who.(or is it whom?) When it came time to pay, they would take one key per room and charge the appropriate credits to it. They always double checked with us about how many credits were being taken off that key. Then they gave us a separate bill for any extra drinks, etc that we ordered and we paid individually for those. You can work out whatever arrangement you want with your group on how to handle extras. Since there are free refills on sodas, you will only have to worry about adult beverages or some specialty drinks. I have to admit I was a little worried how it would all work since it was first time with us for the DDP, plus having the large group. I was very impressed with all the CMs we dealt with. They were very helpful in letting us know what was and was not included and very patient with our large group. I hope this helps put your mind at ease