My BIG problem is that I am planning a trip during free dining for a group of 15 people. I'm excited about the trip, but so worried about not being able to please anyone. The ages span from newborn to 65. I know the families that have young ones will much prefer restaurants where loud is ok and the menus include very kid friendly choices. I need a choice for each park as we will have 4 day park hoppers and the other 3 days can be at resorts. I am not opposed to using two of our TS credits for a signature experience, I just have no experience in these. Thanks for any help!!!
I was in a similar situation when I was planning our family vacation two years ago the week of Christmas. We are a family of 16 and at the time ranged in ages from 3 to 64! I asked the adults what their 1st choice restaurants would be and then went from there. I couldn't get everything that everybody wanted but I chose an alternate restaurant that was as close as possible to their 1st choice. I did a couple of character meals for the kids and a couple of nice sit-down "quiet" meals for the adults and in the end I think everyone was somewhat pleased. My suggestion is to tell your family ahead of time that you will do your best in making the ADR's to work for your group and then hope for the best! I stressed about our ADR's up until the time we sat down to get our food and I ended up being worried for nothing. We all had a great time and enjoyed being together in the happiest place on Earth! Happy planning!
CruiseboundnKentucky, just spent months planning our Christmas trip for 20, ages 3 to 90. Whew!! I'm not an expert, but I'll say this: there is NO way to please everyone. After many, many emails and phone calls back and forth, we settled on having a few group meals together (Fantasmic dinner package, Candelight Processional, 2 Character meals, 'Ohana; some smaller group meals around the same time to allow for different tastes i.e, 6 to Chefs de France, 6 to Le Celier, and 8 to Biergarten on New Year's eve; and then the rest were "you're on your own, choose your restaurant and I'll try and make your ADR for you or you can make your own..." It worked out really well. Good Luck! Aunt Bee
I think Aunt Bee's plan is a good idea. Book several ADRS for all and then help others make their own plans. Everyone will not want to spend all their time with everyone else, all the time. Families will want a little of their own family time (besides, if everyone is together all the time when can you talk about the rest?) Don't stress too much. Just do what you can and make sure you and your immediate family are your #1 priority.
I am wondering... do you all even want to eat every meal together anyway? Maybe that's a good time to have people choose what they want! We have had large groups at both O'Hana and Boma and everyone could find something they liked and loved the actual restaurants... in the parks it's just so much easier to do quick service and not take away time from what you are actually there for - the rides!
