Reservation Advice For a Larger Party - Help Please From Some ADR Booking Veterans!

[zebsterama]

Hi everyone,

I need some advice/strategies please, to best book for a larger party of deluxe diners (9 persons).

Here's some info.

1. Background:

Our family of four (DW, DS 17, DD15, and I) are being joined on our next Disney trip with my sister and her family of Disney newbies . My sister's family are a party of 5, all adults (between the ages of 18 and up).
9 persons in total. I will be doing ALL of the dining reservations / fast-passes etc. --- apparently I'm the expert.

2. Accommodation:
We are staying onsite / we are in the final stages of renting points - we are staying at GF.
The booking window to book the DVC rooms opens in a week - so were a good 11 months out (there shouldn't be an issue getting the rooms). The owner of the points is booking 3 studios for our entire family. My family of 4 will be in one studio, my sister's family of 5 will be split into the other two studios.

3. Experience:

We (as in my family of 4) have done many on-site stints at Disney World. I'm familiar with the MyExperience app/site ... I'm familiar with booking for a party of 4 persons with ONE reservation/room.
I will be up at 7 am EST 180 days out ... booking my resi life away for our trip.


Here are my assumptions & questions:

Assumption 1:

We are Deluxe Dining. We want (famous last words ) premium double credit restaurants (like California Grill, BOG, Narcoossee's etc.) at prime times (7:30 - 8:30pm). Piece of cake right???

My thinking/strategy:

I'm assuming that it will be very difficult to get a table of 9 reserved during prime time (even at 180 days out). I am prepared to split up our parties into 2 groups: one group of 4, and one group of 5.

My strategy would be (if I can't get a table of 9) to find overlapping resi times (as close as possible - maybe get lucky with the exacte same time). All 9 of us will show up at the restaurant in tow - and ask nicely if we can either, sit together ... or perhaps sit near each other ... or ... just live with it, and sit where we sit.

Question 1: From your experience how hard will it be to get 9 persons booked at one table (at the restaurants noted above) during peak diner times (i.e. 7 to 8pm)? I'm assuming it's not realistic - what has been your experience in trying?

Question 2: Ideally I like using the MDE app-web-online option to book. I have heard that if I you try to book parties as large as 9 - you will be prompted to call Disney Dining (instead of being able to book via the web)? Is this true / what's been your experience?

Question 3: In the past I have never had to book for more the 4 people at once in MDE (one reservation, one room). I'm assuming that the DVC owner that we are renting from is going to provide us with 3 Reservation numbers for the 3 rooms.

Q3a) Can I link all three reservations (for the 3 rooms) to my MDE, so I can control the dining reservations for all 9 persons? If yes - can you please provide some details/context? Is there a BETTER strategy to manage this? Am I better off linking my sister's family of 5 (who are staying in 2 rooms/2 reservations) only - and managing two separate MDE interactions (i.e. 2 MDE profiles - one for my family and one for my sister's family)?

Q3b) Is there a downside to linking the 3 room reservations together under one umbrella? I believe - but I am not certain - that sometimes systematically MDE doesn't allow you to book 2 dining reservations that overlap in time? For example, I book 4 persons at Cali Grill at 7:30pm, and 5 persons at Cali Grill at 7:40pm: MDE stops me from booking overlapping times. Am I right? ... or ... does this only apply if you're using the same persons/profiles when booking overlapping times? Or do I have it all wrong?


Apologies I know this post is long and painful.

I would be grateful if could get answers to the questions, and perhaps get some advice on my strategy and/or better strategies on managing resi's for a party of 9.
Appreciate it/thanks for your time/info!

 

[Captain.Underpants]

I'm not an ADR veteran but I'll share my input on this as I had a similar story and here is my outcome

We are a family of 6 and and will be traveling with another family of 4 making the total 10! We decided that it would be better to use separate MDE accounts and make our reservations separate. We created a list of restaurants and days we wanted to visit including backups days for those restaurants if not available. Then we chose the most historically difficult ones first. We got all of our reservations at the times (within 5 minutes of each other) we wanted except CRT. My friend was able to get CRT on the first day for lunch and I was able to get a lunch reservation at the end of our trip. We had a backup plan to eat at Crystal Palace the first day and booked that also in hopes that something would open up for CRT that first day. I would suggest if you don't get the reservations you want, getting a subscription to Touring Plans and using their reservation finder. Using that I was able to snag a reservation for dinner at CRT about 3 months later.

If you are the only one waking up early and doing the reservations then this would be my suggestion. Get a hold of 2 computers. Get access to both MDE accounts and go back and forth between the 2 when the time comes. We did this method for our FP's too.

As long as the party or parties you are going with are your friends and family in the MDE app then you can make reservations for them but you will be included in that reservation and responsible for any no shows.

Hope this helps. It was a fun experience for us and looking forward to our upcoming trip. Good Luck!!

 

[zebsterama]

Thank you Captain Underpants

My wife and I can certainly pull off the 2 computer special at 180 day window.

Anyone else have some advice?

Thanks!

 

[verleniahall]

You won’t be able to logged I to the same acct on 2 computers - it will co tiny ally log you out

I would call Disney dining - it’s hard to get large groups like that -and don’t forget that you will have an auto gratuity since u have a group 6+

 

[zebsterama]

You won’t be able to logged I to the same acct on 2 computers - it will co tiny ally log you out

I would call Disney dining - it’s hard to get large groups like that -and don’t forget that you will have an auto gratuity since u have a group 6+

Thanks - I'm think of linking two rooms group of 5 to one account, and group of 4 to another. Manage both on 2 two computers separately.

 

[verleniahall]

Thanks - I'm think of linking two rooms group of 5 to one account, and group of 4 to another. Manage both on 2 two computers separately.

But if they are under the same MDE account - it won't matter - it will still log you out

 

[zebsterama]

But if they are under the same MDE account - it won't matter - it will still log you out

Correct me if I'm wrong. I've got 3 room reservation numbers with the 3 rooms. I'm going to link 2 of the rooms under 1 MDE account (5 persons - my sister's family) and then leave another MDE (one room/my family of 4) under another MDE.

I'm assuming I can do this? Does this make sense?

Thanks

 

[Nancyg56]

I know you can link all rooms, however I have no idea how to do so. I call and it is magically done.

I book for large parties often. My strategy is to plan the most difficult meals further into our vacation and book them forst. I log into my account and begin booking at 6 AM. I have had a few glitches, however on the occassions I cannot get an ADR for our entire party I book two ADR's.

My DD has her own MDE account and it is linked with our reservation. Again, no idea how that happened. The reservation number allows her to book meals also at 180 + 10 so she has the list too.

If I am not successful for any meal in particular I am dialing in at 7 AM sharp. So far the only meal I was not able to book for a party of 9 was BOG dinner, but that one was a dog to book no matter what.

I would make sure all reservations are linked before your dining window opens, and I slo woudl be sure to have more than one MDE account so you can book two ADR's at the same time if you need to separate your party. I did need to call for that with only one account.

Having two accounts is good because you may find that some of you want to split off from the group for dinner, and if you are trying to make multiple ADR's for the same time you cannot. I just make sure that every person in my crew knows my CC is securing that ADR so if I make if for them they better show up.

 

[zebsterama]

I know you can link all rooms, however I have no idea how to do so. I call and it is magically done.

I book for large parties often. My strategy is to plan the most difficult meals further into our vacation and book them forst. I log into my account and begin booking at 6 AM. I have had a few glitches, however on the occassions I cannot get an ADR for our entire party I book two ADR's.

My DD has her own MDE account and it is linked with our reservation. Again, no idea how that happened. The reservation number allows her to book meals also at 180 + 10 so she has the list too.

If I am not successful for any meal in particular I am dialing in at 7 AM sharp. So far the only meal I was not able to book for a party of 9 was BOG dinner, but that one was a dog to book no matter what.

I would make sure all reservations are linked before your dining window opens, and I slo woudl be sure to have more than one MDE account so you can book two ADR's at the same time if you need to separate your party. I did need to call for that with only one account.

Having two accounts is good because you may find that some of you want to split off from the group for dinner, and if you are trying to make multiple ADR's for the same time you cannot. I just make sure that every person in my crew knows my CC is securing that ADR so if I make if for them they better show up.

Thank you Nancy that's great advice!

 

[Nancyg56]

Thank you Nancy that's great advice!

I wish I knew how to link them. My DD did this for me this trip. Last one I needed to call.

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

we are going at Christmas/New years, and are a party of 17, we were able to get everything we wanted booking early, but trying to switch things down the road, is more difficult ! Link all your room ressies together, if you can't get all nine do the 5/4 split, but book the 1st Reservation in the secondary persons name and then go back and book the second Ressie, in the main persons name, use the same phone and e=mail address for all, I did it myself on line and sometimes had to book by 3 tables it worked, as long as I didn't use my name first

 

[cmarsh31]

I'm not sure about your specific restaurants... but in Disney trips, 9 people isn't that large a group! I usually book for 10 but today I was up at 6am booking for 23 of us! We're only doing a couple meals, but I was able to get dinners for 23 at Chef Mickeys & 1900 Park Fare, plus lunch at Whispering Canyon - others were available for dinner as well, I remember seeing Biergarten. On the other hand, only 10 of us are doing the Bon Voyage breakfast, but we had to split up into 4 & 6 to get that one. This is all during President's Week/Princess Weekend, but we are eating late breakfasts or early dinners (because we have to be up at 4am for our race).

 

[zebsterama]

we are going at Christmas/New years, and are a party of 17, we were able to get everything we wanted booking early, but trying to switch things down the road, is more difficult ! Link all your room ressies together, if you can't get all nine do the 5/4 split, but book the 1st Reservation in the secondary persons name and then go back and book the second Ressie, in the main persons name, use the same phone and e=mail address for all, I did it myself on line and sometimes had to book by 3 tables it worked, as long as I didn't use my name first

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a shot!

 

[zebsterama]

I'm not sure about your specific restaurants... but in Disney trips, 9 people isn't that large a group! I usually book for 10 but today I was up at 6am booking for 23 of us! We're only doing a couple meals, but I was able to get dinners for 23 at Chef Mickeys & 1900 Park Fare, plus lunch at Whispering Canyon - others were available for dinner as well, I remember seeing Biergarten. On the other hand, only 10 of us are doing the Bon Voyage breakfast, but we had to split up into 4 & 6 to get that one. This is all during President's Week/Princess Weekend, but we are eating late breakfasts or early dinners (because we have to be up at 4am for our race).

23???? .... now that's BIG!!

This gives me hope - thank you!

 

[cmarsh31]

23???? .... now that's BIG!!

This gives me hope - thank you!

Our best friend's mom's 75th birthday - so 4 families with kids, plus 2 sets of grandparents. We've gone to Disney with BFs immediate family & mom before, so we're tagging along for part of the celebration too! The only ones we had to get creative with were Tony's Festival of Fantasy Parade package & Crystal Palace... but we weren't booking at exactly 180 days either due to some... miscommunication? with part of the group

 

[grinder6]

I agree with all of the above. I would also highly recommend the two computers with two separate Disney accounts. I've recently been in charge of a group of 18 and I was able to get prime times at most of the restaurants we wanted. ( some we needed a third account to get the right number of spots...8 top table and another 8 top table and a 2 top or any combination totaling 18.) Keep in mind different restaurants have max capacity of people per reservation ( even different times of the day or ROL/Fantasmic Packages) ...double book those as best as you can with the multiple accounts so you can get the correct number. ( two 8's etc.) I wish I had the list handy of the max at each restaurants. I know Cali Grill has a couple of 10's with more 8's. Be our Guest is 14 at certain times...again, there is a list somewhere on DIS with that information that will help ALOT. ( I somehow have a 19 BOG dinner.) We are fully prepared to split tables, but having the correct amount of people at the same time will be enough for us. Just for example also...I have a friend in Orlando and with his family, his friends, my family group of 18... all told we have a reservation for 20 and a 18 for Ohana on New Years Eve at 9:20pm. It's possible. Happy Hunting...

 

[zebsterama]

I agree with all of the above. I would also highly recommend the two computers with two separate Disney accounts. I've recently been in charge of a group of 18 and I was able to get prime times at most of the restaurants we wanted. ( some we needed a third account to get the right number of spots...8 top table and another 8 top table and a 2 top or any combination totaling 18.) Keep in mind different restaurants have max capacity of people per reservation ( even different times of the day or ROL/Fantasmic Packages) ...double book those as best as you can with the multiple accounts so you can get the correct number. ( two 8's etc.) I wish I had the list handy of the max at each restaurants. I know Cali Grill has a couple of 10's with more 8's. Be our Guest is 14 at certain times...again, there is a list somewhere on DIS with that information that will help ALOT. ( I somehow have a 19 BOG dinner.) We are fully prepared to split tables, but having the correct amount of people at the same time will be enough for us. Just for example also...I have a friend in Orlando and with his family, his friends, my family group of 18... all told we have a reservation for 20 and a 18 for Ohana on New Years Eve at 9:20pm. It's possible. Happy Hunting...

Excellent advice - we will definitely set up 3 accounts with our 3 resi's - and 3 laptops - thank you!

 

[kstruchen]

I just made my ADRs yesterday- party of 16! For several of the restaurants I had to get two tables of 8, luckily I was able to get them within 5-10 minutes of each other. On the computer, logged into MDE, for the FIRST table of 8, I made another adult in our party the lead for that reservation, and then for the second table of 8, I made myself the lead for that reservation. Worked perfectly. Just make sure all the people you're traveling with are added in your MDE account as friends/travel party. I don't know how this works with reservations made with DVC points as I've never done that. We have 5 rooms reserved, all under my account.

 

[cmarsh31]

I just made my ADRs yesterday- party of 16! For several of the restaurants I had to get two tables of 8, luckily I was able to get them within 5-10 minutes of each other. On the computer, logged into MDE, for the FIRST table of 8, I made another adult in our party the lead for that reservation, and then for the second table of 8, I made myself the lead for that reservation. Worked perfectly. Just make sure all the people you're traveling with are added in your MDE account as friends/travel party. I don't know how this works with reservations made with DVC points as I've never done that. We have 5 rooms reserved, all under my account.

Works fine - my reservation is DVC and the other 5 rooms we're traveling with aren't!

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

I just made my ADRs yesterday- party of 16! For several of the restaurants I had to get two tables of 8, luckily I was able to get them within 5-10 minutes of each other. On the computer, logged into MDE, for the FIRST table of 8, I made another adult in our party the lead for that reservation, and then for the second table of 8, I made myself the lead for that reservation. Worked perfectly. Just make sure all the people you're traveling with are added in your MDE account as friends/travel party. I don't know how this works with reservations made with DVC points as I've never done that. We have 5 rooms reserved, all under my account.

this is exactly how I did it!! It worked!!