Larger Parties??

[mjpeter]

We are going to be in Disney with a total of 11 people from the end of December through the first week in January. Should we attempt to make our ADR'S with a party of 5 and another of 6, or should we go for the 11? I know some people have talked about certain numbers being easier than others...but 11 people seems like a lot. Thanks!!

Do we even have a prayer around New Year's??

 

[Married_Him_@_Disney]

I think you should get more infomation about Grand Gatherings : )

 

[mjpeter]

I guess I should since I have no idea what that is, lol. Do you have a link? One of the issues is that we are only going to do a few meals together. Most of the time, my family of 5 will be doing meals alone.

 

[Twende]

Grand Gatherings are labeled as "experiences" and not all of them include meals.

You might want to talk to Group dining and I would do it before your 180 arrival day mark. I would ask their opinions of how to do this the best way. You will not be allowed to make ADR's until the 180 mark but at least you will have a plan.

The number is 1 407-939-7707. If you call the regular dining number and tell them you want anything over 8 they will most likely transfer you to group dining any way.

As to what is the best way to do it that is up to you.

We are having a family reunion in December and big meals all together have always been a huge part of our celebrations. We do not expect to stay together all day in the parks, there are going to be 17 of us but there are several dinners that are important to us.

My parents will be celebrating their 69th wedding anniversary while we are there. We do not want to be sitting at many tables all over the restaurant. We want to be together for this one!

I have had a really hard time getting ADR's at the places we want. I even picked the places that I wanted the most and tried to schedule them the most distant from our arrival thinking less people would have booked them but still no luck.

I would say if meals as a group are not important to you then split up and it will be much easier to get ADR's.

 

[Married_Him_@_Disney]

Here's a link to Disney's website for Grand Gatherings:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...s/ggLandingPage?id=GrandGatheringsLandingPage

 

[Sherrkel]

Grand Gatherings (GGs) are for parties of 8 or more staying at a Disney resort. Assuming you are, you can contact Disney , or your travel agent if you booked through one, and ask them to set up a GG # for you.
Disney does have some events (at cost, of course) specifically for larger group.
For purposes of restaurant ADRs, I would recommend setting up the ressie for 11 people together. I don't recall if they asked for our GG # when I booked our ressies for our party of 21, but I do remember they asked for my individual room reservation. Making your ADRs for early lunches or dinners (when a restaurant first opens for either) make it easier to be seated together.

 

[wndrlandcat]

We are going 12/2-12/11 with a group of 11 plus and infant, I just called disney dining and told them our party size and had no problems making any reservations. We do have to spilt up into smaller tables of 4 or so, but after spending all that time together it will be nice for a little smaller groups for a quiet dinner. I did have to call yak & yeti directly.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've gone to Chef Mickey's the last 2 years in March (over spring break both years, with this year being Easter) and we didn't have any trouble with our large party. In 2007 there were 13 of us and this year there were 8 of us and both times we were all seated together . Of course I called right at the 180 day mark, so I don't know if that made it easier or not . But I would say see what they have available for the entire party of 11 together and go from there. If they suggest splitting it with 5/6 at 2 tables, go with that. Disney will do everything they can to seat everybody together; or atleast get the 2 tables next to (or very close to) each other .

 

[Reese]

I just made our ADR's yesterday for our grand gathreing. I had no problem getting the ADR's that we wanted through group dining. They have us sitting at seperate tables but she told us they will do their best to sit us together, they can only guarantee it if we have the first sitting of the meal. They did ask us for our grand gathering number.

 

[Twende]

I am still waiting on my GG#. We are DVC members and were told by GG that I have to get my number through them. I guess as soon as I gave her our Ressie number she knew from it we were DVC members.

It has been days and still no number. I would recommend getting that number at least a week or two before your 180 day mark, especially if you are DVC members. I guess other guests get that number when the call! I really dislike this system for DVC members.

While I am waiting for the number, the GG experience we wanted filled up so now all I can do is hope that a large group cancels out.