Large group dining is outrageously complicated

[Disney_Alli]

I had an AMAZING experience booking through the Swan/Dolphin dining team for my rehearsal dinner at WDW. They were quick to help and amazingly accommodating. We ended up going with the Garden Grove for dinner and were able to drop of timelines and things to be put out on the table the day before. They showed us the restaurant and asked where we wanted to sit so that they could set up tables where we wanted them (we decided on under the tree). I had similar frustrating experiences after multiple calls with Big River Grille (who assured me they do work with large groups, offered me menus and pricing, but never followed through with having the correct manager contact me). Just another option if you're still not thrilled with the Olivia's option. The number to call and speak with their manager is right on the Swolphin website too which is nice!

 

[bumbershoot]

Have the couple run across the disboards’ own lurkyloo? She has a blog and gets really specific with how-tos. She also literally wrote the book on weddings at Disney.

You might have them check out this page: https://disneytravelbabble.com/how-to/private-party/



But I don’t think Olivia’s is all that large, so I’m not sure you have to worry about being far apart.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

This is quite an ask. I'm not surprised you're having trouble getting enthusiastic service here.

I mean, besides the obvious technical difficulties of finding a block of seating for 20 people amid any existing ADRs, this sort of dining is just not something most restaurants enjoy. It puts a burden on their kitchen to handle such a chunk of their occupancy all at once and all of the things that would mitigate that burden (establishing a limited menu, pre-ordering drinks, and such) are things they would prefer Disney Meeting & Events handle. Also, it seems you're poking around World Showcase, where the level of ownership and responsibility is a little further removed from WDW proper.

Really, the best solution would be to book a catered private dinner at one of the resort hotels.

I haven’t even tried calling any word showcase restaurants. The bride and groom prefer it be outside of a park.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Have the couple run across the disboards’ own lurkyloo? She has a blog and gets really specific with how-tos. She also literally wrote the book on weddings at Disney.

You might have them check out this page: https://disneytravelbabble.com/how-to/private-party/



But I don’t think Olivia’s is all that large, so I’m not sure you have to worry about being far apart.

Thanks. The wedding part they have down. It’s just trying to coordinate meals with everyone coming in town. The rehearsal is the only one they insist on booking sit-down, thinking of just throwing caution to the wind for the rest.

 

[Aelin1977]

Have you considered the restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin. You can google the restaurants and see if they have a website. I just did this for Shula's Steakhouse and they offer private dining options. https://www.shulas.com/shulas-steak-house/walt-disney-world/#1492470662191-e8aa492f-d13e

 

[MomOTwins]

Thanks. The wedding part they have down. It’s just trying to coordinate meals with everyone coming in town. The rehearsal is the only one they insist on booking sit-down, thinking of just throwing caution to the wind for the rest.

A rehearsal dinner OUTSIDE of disney is typically a catered event, not a regular reservation. As a former waitress, it is just very difficult for restaurants to handle a party that large, for a host of reasons: you need dedicated waitstaff, the kitchen has to time it all at once with a wide menu with lots of different cook times, the tables have to be rearranged which takes up a lot of space which makes it hard to fit in other parties. So when restaurants do host events like this, they do it as a catered affair with dedicated waitstaff and a set menu, in a private room away from other guests. At disney, this is even harder because they typically to operate at 100% capacity. As others have said, you should really be going through Disney catering for this rather than trying to book at a standard restaurant.

If the bride is being picky, tell her she can do the legwork

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

A rehearsal dinner OUTSIDE of disney is typically a catered event, not a regular reservation. As a former waitress, it is just very difficult for restaurants to handle a party that large, for a host of reasons: you need dedicated waitstaff, the kitchen has to time it all at once with a wide menu with lots of different cook times, the tables have to be rearranged which takes up a lot of space which makes it hard to fit in other parties. So when restaurants do host events like this, they do it as a catered affair with dedicated waitstaff and a set menu, in a private room away from other guests. At disney, this is even harder because they typically to operate at 100% capacity. As others have said, you should really be going through Disney catering for this rather than trying to book at a standard restaurant.

If the bride is being picky, tell her she can do the legwork

My dad owns a restaurant, I’m not a stranger to that side of it. I guess I missed where anyone even recommended Disney catering. Is that the same thing as the private event dining in the parks etc?

 

[NYCgrrl]

My dad owns a restaurant, I’m not a stranger to that side of it. I guess I missed where anyone even recommended Disney catering. Is that the same thing as the private event dining in the parks etc?

So Olivia's is the final choice? Guessing it's close to where many of the guests are staying so if so it would be easy for them to get around.
Are the guests going to get a limited selection of entrees to help ensure that the dishes come out in a timely fashion and the kitchen and waitstaff can function at a good pace? I think the private event park dining is probably part of WDW's catering department; would make sense.

 

[jimim]

I have done groups of 11 many times. Most signature places only have 1 or 2 tables to fit 12. Narcoossee’s has 1 I know. And how that place is setup it’s hard to make larger tables if the 1 is being used. What I usually do is make it for 2 adr’s at the same time and then a call the restaurants direct if I know a manager from over the years they can usually make it happen if I don’t they usually note it on thier side that’s we want to be together and it works out fine. One trip I was down with my family and the places I didn’t sort out uet for next trip I went to the resultant and spoke to someone in person. Flying fish and I’ll Mulino. They rebooked my 2 adr’s to one. I swear they hold back adr’s on the system.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I have done groups of 11 many times. Most signature places only have 1 or 2 tables to fit 12. Narcoossee’s has 1 I know. And how that place is setup it’s hard to make larger tables if the 1 is being used. What I usually do is make it for 2 adr’s at the same time and then a call the restaurants direct if I know a manager from over the years they can usually make it happen if I don’t they usually note it on thier side that’s we want to be together and it works out fine. One trip I was down with my family and the places I didn’t sort out uet for next trip I went to the resultant and spoke to someone in person. Flying fish and I’ll Mulino. They rebooked my 2 adr’s to one. I swear they hold back adr’s on the system.

If a restaurant has the physical space it's easy to reconfigure 2 or 4 tops into larger tables by abutting them. Seen that done at Flying Fish in two different setups: one in the room off the main dining room and the other within the main room. I suspect it's easy to do at Citricos as well.
Boathouse has a private dining room but I've no idea how many it seats; think Morimoto Asia would be simple to setup for a large party as well.
As far as DS restaurants are concerned it's been confirmed that Disney guests only get a portion of the reservations. Remember those places are outside the bubble and accommodate locals as well. As well you can make reservations for most of the restaurants at www.opentable.com as well and that site frequently has availability when Disney's site doesn't.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

I totally understand a rehearsal dinner to get everyone together. But this complexity is the exact reason I recommended no big group meals at Disney since there are 23 of us!

 

[jimim]

If a restaurant has the physical space it's easy to reconfigure 2 or 4 tops into larger tables by abutting them. Seen that done at Flying Fish in two different setups: one in the room off the main dining room and the other within the main room. I suspect it's easy to do at Citricos as well.
Boathouse has a private dining room but I've no idea how many it seats; think Morimoto Asia would be simple to setup for a large party as well.
As far as DS restaurants are concerned it's been confirmed that Disney guests only get a portion of the reservations. Remember those places are outside the bubble and accommodate locals as well. As well you can make reservations for most of the restaurants at www.opentable.com as well and that site frequently has availability when Disney's site doesn't.

And I that’s probably why when I call or email it’s so easy. I know Narcoossee’s though is hard at times. I have used open table for morimoto. That works well.