We've been there 3 times, always with a party of 8 (4 kids, 4 adults). We once sat in 2 cars, side by side, but other times, in one big car together.
As for the food, I have a new strategy -- lots of "little" off the appetizer menu. I skipped getting one big thing after the first trip (if you don't like it, you're stuck). Food here can be variable (although I will add that I have only ever had good stuff here, personally). Last time I think I got some sort of eclectic salad (good, just can't remember details!), and then these great little crispy egg roll appetizers with a great dipping sauce, and one of their milkshakes as a "dessert". DH had gotten a shrimp pasta, and while it was good, it was a LOT of pasta, and he felt too full to eat it, and insisted they bag it up for him.. YEah right... who wants to haul around shrimp pasta through the park all night?
If you can get your party to agree to a variety of smaller things, and then share, it's lots of fun.
Cindy