Meals for larger groups

[rentayenta]

Hi. There will be 9-11 of us traveling early December and I am wondering about the best places that could accommodate our size party for meals. We are open to any type of food. Looking for park, DTD, and resort options, all meals. We'll have 2 days at Disneyland and two in DCA, not sure if we'll be hopping. Being split into two tables wouldn't be terrible but it's not optimum.

The only place I can think of off hand that wouldn't be a great fit is Carnation Cafe for a party our size.

Our friends haven't been to the parks in about 7 years. We go at least once a year but rarely do a PS for more than just DH and myself.

 

[darcie2000]

We met up with family last time we went and ended up with a party of 12. We ate at Big thunder ranch, Flo's Diner and Plaza Inn quite comfortably.

 

[rentayenta]

We met up with family last time we went and ended up with a party of 12. We ate at Big thunder ranch, Flo's Diner and Plaza Inn quite comfortably.

I hadn't thought of Big Thunder Ranch, do I need a PS?


Love the Plaza Inn. We'll eat there for sure.

 

[Malcon10t]

Pizza Port, Boardwalk, Pacific Wharf...

Big Thunder - Recommend reservations.

Goofy's, Ariels, Surf's Up, Carthay, Steakhouse, Storytellers, Rainforest, ESPN, Carthay can all handle the party size.

We travel as a party of this size normally, so I find most places can handle it.

 

[rentayenta]

Pizza Port, Boardwalk, Pacific Wharf...

Big Thunder - Recommend reservations.

Goofy's, Ariels, Surf's Up, Carthay, Steakhouse, Storytellers, Rainforest, ESPN, Carthay can all handle the party size.

We travel as a party of this size normally, so I find most places can handle it.

You do? That's good to know. I am reading that Steakhouse 55 has a good breakfast, ever been? We haven't done Carthay yet either outside of 1901. Need to check it out. Now that my grand resort plans have taken a major turn, we may need to dine out every meal.

Rainforest is a good idea too. Their menu is huge. I don't think they take PS though, do they?

Malcon.

 

[Girimama33]

There were 15 of us in October. We ate dinner at Tortilla Joes in DTD. They had a nice, large private table that seated all of us on their second floor. It was the only table up there. We had a great time.

 

[GenGen22]

We went in December and were a party of 11 and ate at Rancho del Zocalo. The tables are outside but they have those heating lamps so its not bad at all. We all got to sit at one very long table. Best part is, it was walk up so no reservations required We had a reservation at Naples in DTD but due to park max capacity we opted to go here & not go outside the park & get locked out. So I assume Naples can also accomodate your party.

 

[crystal1313]

We've eaten at Carnation with a party of 8. I'm sure if you make a reservation there it won't be an issue (I think we lucked out and walked up when they weren't busy). ESPN was great as well. So was Naples. We had an outdoor table and could see the fireworks. Have a great trip!

 

[Cheshirecatty]

I hadn't thought of Big Thunder Ranch, do I need a PS?


Love the Plaza Inn. We'll eat there for sure.

We love Plaza Inn as well, and eat there every trip.

For early December I wouldn't think you would absolutely have to have a PS for Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, but if you decide that you really do want to eat there, I'd just go ahead and make one---that way you are covered(especially with a large group), and won't have to wonder/worry about it.(There are random times where it does fill up!)

We love BTRBBQ----Yum!

 

[Nonsuch]

...There will be 9-11 of us traveling...

..We haven't done Carthay yet...

The Premier Room at Carthay Circle is optimal for a the size of your group
A private dining room for parties of 8 to 12.

 

[swooshbear]

On a recent trip, we had a group of 16 and we did the WOC dining at Ariel's Grotto with no problems. I've noticed that the outdoor section of Pizza Port, right next to Captain EO/Space Mountain usually has plenty of space available.

 

[Misskitty3]

Rancho always has tons of space too.

 

[ShaunaM]

...13 @
Carnation cafe
Cafe Orleans
Big thunder

 

[rentayenta]

There were 15 of us in October. We ate dinner at Tortilla Joes in DTD. They had a nice, large private table that seated all of us on their second floor. It was the only table up there. We had a great time.

I like private, thank you.

We went in December and were a party of 11 and ate at Rancho del Zocalo. The tables are outside but they have those heating lamps so its not bad at all. We all got to sit at one very long table. Best part is, it was walk up so no reservations required We had a reservation at Naples in DTD but due to park max capacity we opted to go here & not go outside the park & get locked out. So I assume Naples can also accomodate your party.

Rancho is a great idea! Everyone can always find something to eat and the portions are big. No PS is good as well.

We've eaten at Carnation with a party of 8. I'm sure if you make a reservation there it won't be an issue (I think we lucked out and walked up when they weren't busy). ESPN was great as well. So was Naples. We had an outdoor table and could see the fireworks. Have a great trip!

I love Carnation, maybe I'll give it a shot. Naples is a good too. Everyone likes pizza.

We love Plaza Inn as well, and eat there every trip.

For early December I wouldn't think you would absolutely have to have a PS for Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, but if you decide that you really do want to eat there, I'd just go ahead and make one---that way you are covered(especially with a large group), and won't have to wonder/worry about it.(There are random times where it does fill up!)

We love BTRBBQ----Yum!

Its not a trip to Disneyland with the Plaza Inn's fried chicken!

I think Big Thunder is a good idea. It's outside too which I like.

The Premier Room at Carthay Circle is optimal for a the size of your group
A private dining room for parties of 8 to 12.

Wow, what a gorgeous table. I am definitely going to look into this. Maybe it'll be our one nice meal.

On a recent trip, we had a group of 16 and we did the WOC dining at Ariel's Grotto with no problems. I've noticed that the outdoor section of Pizza Port, right next to Captain EO/Space Mountain usually has plenty of space available.

We use to love Pizza Port and a whole pizza feeds many and doesn't kill the budget but our last Pizza Port experience consisted of them having to recook our pizza twice as it was grossly underdone. I know every restaurant has their bad days but we wasted a good hour of park time. Before that, we'd never had any issues.

Rancho always has tons of space too.

Rancho it is.

...13 @
Carnation cafe
Cafe Orleans
Big thunder

Cafe Orleans, hadn't thought of that. need to check out the menu. That's the one with the Monte Cristo.

 

[momof4fans]

I like private, thank you.





Rancho is a great idea! Everyone can always find something to eat and the portions are big. No PS is good as well.



I love Carnation, maybe I'll give it a shot. Naples is a good too. Everyone likes pizza.





Its not a trip to Disneyland with the Plaza Inn's fried chicken!

I think Big Thunder is a good idea. It's outside too which I like.




Wow, what a gorgeous table. I am definitely going to look into this. Maybe it'll be our one nice meal.




We use to love Pizza Port and a whole pizza feeds many and doesn't kill the budget but our last Pizza Port experience consisted of them having to recook our pizza twice as it was grossly underdone. I know every restaurant has their bad days but we wasted a good hour of park time. Before that, we'd never had any issues.






Rancho it is.




Cafe Orleans, hadn't thought of that. need to check out the menu. That's the one with the Monte Cristo.

We had a party of 11 and ate at Cafe Orleans during a December trip. I made reservations in advance and still had to wait for an hour for an inside table. I normally like eating outside but it was chilly that trip. In August we had a party of 10. I had a reservation then too. We ate outside and didn't have to wait long for our table. There is very little seating inside, but quite a bit outside.

 

[jdb in AZ]

We had a party of 11 and ate at Cafe Orleans during a December trip. I made reservations in advance and still had to wait for an hour for an inside table. I normally like eating outside but it was chilly that trip. In August we had a party of 10. I had a reservation then too. We ate outside and didn't have to wait long for our table. There is very little seating inside, but quite a bit outside.

We love Café Orleans. Their Monte Cristo sandwiches are much cheaper than Blue Bayou. We ate outside in January and had hot chocolate to warm us up. Best hot chocolate I've ever had. Love the garlic French fries too.

 

[rentayenta]

We had a party of 11 and ate at Cafe Orleans during a December trip. I made reservations in advance and still had to wait for an hour for an inside table. I normally like eating outside but it was chilly that trip. In August we had a party of 10. I had a reservation then too. We ate outside and didn't have to wait long for our table. There is very little seating inside, but quite a bit outside.

Really? An hour? Yikes.

We love Café Orleans. Their Monte Cristo sandwiches are much cheaper than Blue Bayou. We ate outside in January and had hot chocolate to warm us up. Best hot chocolate I've ever had. Love the garlic French fries too.

Yum, love garlic fries. Not into the Monte Cristo but others in our group will enjoy it I'm sure.

 

[mummabear]

Don't forget that at ts restaurants you will pay a little extra for groups 8 or larger.

 

[momof4fans]

Really? An hour? Yikes.






Yum, love garlic fries. Not into the Monte Cristo but others in our group will enjoy it I'm sure.

Yep, an hour with a reservation because we wanted to be inside. It was very windy during that trip (Dec 2011) and we were all tired of being outside. Our reservations were at 5:30. We debated going someplace else but figured with our large group it was going to be difficult regardless. So we just waited. I learned a lot that trip. Mostly that I will only go in summer We mostly ate outside during our Aug. 2013 trip and it was very pleasant. As long as I have shade, I'm good outside! As long as it's not windy!

 

[Malcon10t]

Don't forget that at ts restaurants you will pay a little extra for groups 8 or larger.

Most restaurants (not just Disney) do add a minimum gratuity of 18% for groups of 8 or larger. I don't call it "paying extra". I generally tip 20% for good service anyway, and I have rarely had poor service at Disneyland resort restaurants. If I was to have poor service, I would ask to speak to the manager, regardless of the gratuity issues.