Reservations made, few surprises.

[mlayman7]

Today was our 180 day mark and we able to get most of the reservations we were hoping for, especially since we are a party of 9.
The biggest shock was not being able to get a reservation for grand floridian cafe. We were hoping to do that on arrival day before we spent some time at MK and since we are staying at VGF.
I was also surprised that 4 days into our trip, we couldn't find any times for sci fi dine in. We ended up finding a good time for 50s prime time cafe for lunch instead.
Last two things that, it is not so much that I was surprised but that thought I'd share my experience with booking a large group. First is that most restaurants in disney springs you have to call the place directly to get a reservation for any group over 8. Tried online and it said to call the disney dining number. I did that, waited for about 45 minutes only for them to give me the direct number to Raglan Road. Second, on day 8 of our trip we wanted to meet some friends at the Hoop-dee-doo revue, so a party of 11. Figured we'd have no trouble getting something in category 1 since it was so far into our trip, day 188. Only thing available was category 2, so we did that anyways. I'm thinking though that large parties may not be able to get category 1 seating, not sure if anyone else has had any experience with that.

 

[gharter]

Haven't tried to book for a party that size, but it makes sense that it would be much more difficult.
Sounds like you did really well.

 

[Disney Princess]

Sounds like you did well. I'm a little surprised by GFC. I wouldn't have thought you'd have a problem there at all.

I'm guessing Sci-fi was your party size. I think the cars only hold 8??? I wonder if you split 4/5 if you'd have luck. Still, Prime Time will be great too!

I'm guessing HDDR was just booked enough to limit you based on party size. We booked a group of 16 in Category 1 for Thanksgiving without issue. So they can accommodate, but apparently they didn' have the space available.

 

[tinkerbella16]

Second, on day 8 of our trip we wanted to meet some friends at the Hoop-dee-doo revue, so a party of 11. Figured we'd have no trouble getting something in category 1 since it was so far into our trip, day 188. Only thing available was category 2, so we did that anyways. I'm thinking though that large parties may not be able to get category 1 seating, not sure if anyone else has had any experience with that.

We had no problem booking a party of 8 in category 1. When we went a couple of years ago there was a bridal party there for their rehearsal dinner and it was over 20 people in category 1, so I am not sure about the party size not being able to book a certain category. They might have just been booked for that category.

 

[ashmac8]

Today was our 180 day mark and we able to get most of the reservations we were hoping for, especially since we are a party of 9.
The biggest shock was not being able to get a reservation for grand floridian cafe. We were hoping to do that on arrival day before we spent some time at MK and since we are staying at VGF.
I was also surprised that 4 days into our trip, we couldn't find any times for sci fi dine in. We ended up finding a good time for 50s prime time cafe for lunch instead.
Last two things that, it is not so much that I was surprised but that thought I'd share my experience with booking a large group. First is that most restaurants in disney springs you have to call the place directly to get a reservation for any group over 8. Tried online and it said to call the disney dining number. I did that, waited for about 45 minutes only for them to give me the direct number to Raglan Road. Second, on day 8 of our trip we wanted to meet some friends at the Hoop-dee-doo revue, so a party of 11. Figured we'd have no trouble getting something in category 1 since it was so far into our trip, day 188. Only thing available was category 2, so we did that anyways. I'm thinking though that large parties may not be able to get category 1 seating, not sure if anyone else has had any experience with that.

For the GF cafe we had a large party (also 9) last year in the fall and i booked us as a 6 and a 3 and they let us sit together. of course its not guaranteed but we really wanted to visit the resort to see the christmas decorations so we were willing to take the risk.

 

[mlayman7]

For the GF cafe we had a large party (also 9) last year in the fall and i booked us as a 6 and a 3 and they let us sit together. of course its not guaranteed but we really wanted to visit the resort to see the christmas decorations so we were willing to take the risk.

I may have to try doing that. I figured this would be the easiest reservation to get.

 

[holden]

We have a party of 12 traveling to WDW soon. I had to divide us into two parties of 6 for most restaurants. When I did that I got everything we wanted, including GFC.

 

[JARNJ3]

I have a party of 15 this year - and 21 for two ADRs. I always separate them out - and when the cast members see my name three times (for the three reservations) - we are always seated either together or next to each other.

Nine shouldn't be that hard to do!

 

[famgel]

Monday was also our ADR date but the night before I looked at prior weeks availability. I saw a pattern on Non-Xmas party nights, there's only two, Monday and Wednesday! So I'm thinking non-party people want a break from a full day and night from MK and chose Monerail resort dining! I was lucky and went after a late character breakfast, on Wednesday, at 1900 Park Fare and got it! Also had issues with party of 8 but for the life of me it wouldn't let me do two party's of 4 with times 10-15 mins of each other, so just went after my backup restaurants! I played with ressies in afternoon yesterday and was able to tweak times closer to what I wanted originally! Overall I'm happy with ressies, son did HDD, category 1 for me since he has a 10% discount with AP and he did HEA Before Party that Wednesday also! Was trying to keep HEA dessert party a surprise, but it shows up on my ressie page on MDE! So changed my PW and cut & paste list and text that to rest of family! So happy that's done!!!! Good luck to all!

 

[Hisgirl]

We stay at GF almost every time and have never had an issue getting a ressie, practically whenever we want. Call disney dining and let them work it out for you. I have no doubt you just need to split up your numbers.

 

[auntfrannie]

Some restaurants won't let you book large parties online but it doesn't tell you that. I think it says that nothing is available. Maybe you should try calling the Disney phone #. I know when I tried to book Citrico's for 9 people I had to get the # for Citrico's and call them directly.