Question about group dining

[okienick]

Hey everyone! I'm a Disney veteran but have the task of planning a large group family trip. It will be anywhere from 13-18 people, mix of adults and kids. I've never done ressies for more than 7 so I don't know how it will work. I know it depends on the restaurant as to how they will seat you, either together or next to each other. I've read elsewhere gratuity will automatically be added.

My questions:
How much is the gratuity %?
Can I book online for parties of up to 18?
If I book online will the website tell me if we will be seated at separate tables?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jezebel73]

I believe if gratuity is added, it will be 18%.
You might be able to book online (not sure either way!), but I would recommend calling and using a human for your ressies. They may have a better idea of how seating will be - especially if they HAVE to split your party in order to fit it all in. And if you still don't feel sure of how it will be, you can always call and ask to speak to the restaurants directly for more information after that, like if they split your party, to keep the tables nearby, that sort of thing.

 

[BlackMagicWoman]

I travel in a group of 12-14. I would advise against booking online. I've had limited success and I have found the CMs to be more helpful on the phone when you have to do two reservations. You will likely be seated at different tables some places but they usually try to make it close in proximity. The gratuity is 18%.

If you go online, it will say no availability frequently but you can reserve if you split your party in two and make reservations in different names.

 

[purple figment]

Hey everyone! I'm a Disney veteran but have the task of planning a large group family trip. It will be anywhere from 13-18 people, mix of adults and kids. I've never done ressies for more than 7 so I don't know how it will work. I know it depends on the restaurant as to how they will seat you, either together or next to each other. I've read elsewhere gratuity will automatically be added.

My questions:
1. How much is the gratuity %?
2. Can I book online for parties of up to 18?
3. If I book online will the website tell me if we will be seated at separate tables?

Thanks in advance!

1. Automatic gratuity of 18% will be applied to all parties of 6 or more.

2. It''s better to call because only a few restaurants have a table large enough for 18.

3. Whether you are booking online or calling in, the ultimate decision on how many tables you'll be seated at will be made when you check in at the restaurant. You'll have a better chance of being seated together (one table or adjacent tables) if your reservation is for the start of breakfast, lunch or dinner seating time rather than later when you have to hope that enough adjacent tables open up at the same time.

 

[kaybird]

The places we had the most luck with calling were Chrystal Palace and Biergarten. We had 18. They were fabulous, went out of their way to accommodate our group, and everyone had a great time! At CP, they cleared the little side sun room just for our group, and at Biergarten we were all seated in two tables right next to each other.

 

[shell8558]

We had a group of 14 and we were seated togather at Crystal Palace for breakfast . We also ate at Ohana but were put at two tables next to each other , worked out great. At Coral Reef we had two reservations of 7 each with a note to be placed togather - we were also placed at two tables near each other.

 

[butterfly71076]

We had a group of 15 at Crystal Palace, I booked online without a problem. They put us at 3 half table, half booths, all in a row. It was perfect!