Traveling with 26 people in Sept.

[heathjh]

Hoping for free dining!!! With 26 people, are our wait times going to be horrific trying to get seated? Are we better off doing 1-2 meals together or even splitting into 2-3 groups? I know from the past that dining takes up a bunch of time. I just don't want it to take up even more just because we are such a large group. From reading a previous post, I know we are better off sticking to buffets instead of a menu we have to order from. I would love to hear others experiences.

 

[robndani]

The most we've dined with was 15. I called disney dining and they helped me and suggested we split up the tables into smaller groups. Once you get to the restaurant they can usually put the tables together, or next to each other at least.

I do agree buffets are much easier. I would also think that trying to do every meal together won't work. Pick special restaurants that are on everyone's must-do list and start there.

Have a great time!!!!

 

[foohpah]

I would also suggest that your try booking the earliest time when the restaurants open if you hope to be seated together. With an empty restaurant they can work that better for you. Later on during service it may be really, really difficult to do.

 

[Princess_Jo]

I'm familiar with booking for a group that size. For more popular restaurants, it was difficult to find a reservation for that large of a group so we often had to separate into two reservations booked at similar times (5:00 and 5:05...etc.). It was noted on each reservation we were traveling together.

If you book as close to restaurant opening as possible, and then get there a few minutes early to check in you have a better chance of all being seated together (or at tables near each other). I found restaurants were very accommodating if we got there early. But it is much harder to seat large groups together later in the evening when the restaurant is already full.

To save on timing, buffets are best or meals where food is served family style (highly recommend Ohana for this!). Family style allows you to have a sit down dinner experience without everything taking time to order.