unhappy concern

[DISNEYFAN2828]

Hi all! A a frequent traveler to WDW and currently planning a family vacation. I came across my FIRST moment of unhappy times. I went to make some ressies for our week long stay, and I had a limited number of times that we as a group of 19 could be seated for dinner AND breakfast. Is this the usual? Disney is the greatest place to bring large groups...especially families!! Am I being unresonable with being a little on edge? I almost want to voice my concern to them. I know that I will get the answer from you, before I give them a call.

HELP!!

 

[shellybaxter]

19 is a lot of people to seat together. For the restaurants to accomplish that task they will have to push tables together (most places several tables). I would assume that they told you your party could eat early or late; that's what they told me for a couple of places when we were a party of 11. That's because that is the only time they will have enough empty tables at one time to push together for your party. Disney is a great place to go with a large group. We had a great time. I just planned the rest of my day around when we were able to get our ADRs. I don't think Disney is being unreasonable by not reserving a group of 20 during their busiest times.

 

[Allison]

It sounds very usual to me. That is a lot of people to try and get seated all at once. Heck, parties of 3 and 4 have trouble getting ADR's with the popularity of the dining plan. I'm not at all surprised.

 

[powellrj]

I'm not surprised that a large group of 19 is limited in the times they can be served. Anymore small groups of 2 and 4 aren't getting the ADRs they want so I'm not surprised that large of a group would have problems.

 

[DISNEYFAN2828]

Thanks....I knew I would get "grounded" from here. You guys are great!!

 

[bicker]

With a larger group (we're considering a group of 14 in 2009), I would look into what specific arrangements can be made, a la private parties. Maybe a couple of meals, reserved specifically in advance like a wedding rehersal dinner.

 

[luv2nascar]

Hope it works out for you. Its a lot of planning for 19 people.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Yes, I agree with everyone else, 19 is a large number. I am also curious, when is your trip? Because with the 180 days out ADR policy and the Disney Dining Plan, making dining reservations in general is getting more challenging.

 

[disnut8]

Most of the time, Disney will break down larger parties into smaller groups and that helps to make the reservations that way. For example, my party of twelve at LeCellier was three parties of four each but linked in the system so all the tables were next to each other and we had the option of having them pushed together. At Cape May, we had one seating for six and one seating for four. Our party for that one was actually 11 people but I was told there were only two tables set up for six people and those were not near each other. Our seating worked great because one side of the two tables was one long bench. We left the tables where they were so the people on the bench could get in and out for the buffet easier. Offer up that you are willing to break up the party for the reservations as long as they were linked together in the system.

Another option is to check on lunch seatings. They are usually easier to get. If you get a late lunch around 3:30 or so, it would almost be the typical dinner time for some people. For dinners, a late seating would be easier to get as well.

Also look at the non typical options. Getting a seating at LeCellier for a party of that size is going to be tough. But getting one at the Yacht Club Galley which is just outside Epcot at the Yacht Club via the International Gateway will be much, much easier.

 

[Figment2]

As someone who makes a lot of reservations for large groups, I've found you will be seated either very early or very late. At most places you will be seated at several tables (which actually works better at the buffets).

Cyn

 

[tjhtygeverve]

19 people is a ridiculous amount of people to ask to be seated together.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I'm sorry, but 19 people is not a rediculous amount for a party to be seated together and definitely not uncommon. Remember, Disney is a place for families. However, it can difficult to manage at certain times of the year and at popular restaurants. Hope it all works out.

 

[snowy76]

Have you looked into contacting Grand Gatherings about doing some special meals (like the Illuminations dessert reception)? You might be able to arrange some neat experiences that way.

19 people is not impossible - but the main thing is to be flexible as far as your needs, and know that WDW has to be a bit more rigid about theirs.

 

[bicker]

I'm sorry, but 19 people is not a rediculous amount for a party to be seated together and definitely not uncommon. Remember, Disney is a place for families. However, it can difficult to manage at certain times of the year and at popular restaurants. Hope it all works out.

While I agree that wanting to have big gathering isn't ridiculous, WDW isn't primarily oriented towards serving super-large families; rather WDW is primarily oriented towards serving only small, medium and just-normal-large families. Once you get about four people in the family, it starts getting more difficult -- with hotel rooms for families of five being substantially more expensive, and rooms for families of seven or more requiring rental of villas, suites, or separate rooms. Most tables at WDW restaurants are for couples or for four diners, with only a minority available for larger groups.

Larger groups are always a "hmmmm... let's see what we can do" situation, unless special arrangements are made in advance (a la Grand Gatherings). Larger groups are, unfortunately, something that the system cannot always easily accommodate. What's great is that even if there are these impediments, FWIR, larger families can have just as great of a time at WDW as smaller families and couples. There may be more logistical problems to overcome, but generally the logistics don't necessary get in the way of enjoying yourselves, unless you let them!

 

[KevinYee]

I'd request five ADRs for a group of four (well, one is a group of three), all for the same time of day. I wouldn't even try to seat all 19 together. If you're willing to break up into groups of four, you'll fit very nicely into Disney's list of available tables.... unless you're talking short notice here. Then nothing will work.

 

[SamanthaL]

I have to agree with the OP. I am at the 180 day mark today. I had to call the group dining line to get our party of 23 ressies for dinner before the Christmas Party. This is the only meal we will all be together. I tried to get Crystal Palace for dinner at 5:30. I was told I had to take the first seating for dinner which is 3pm! HUH? Large groups are forced to take the first seating for the meal you are interested in. We wanted dinner and since dinner starts at 3pm that day at CP we would have to settle.

That is just way too early for dinner so I asked about Chef Mickey's for 5:30. Nope. Dinner starts at 5pm there. That is the only time I was offered at CM. We took it because it was close enough.

I think if I am that organized to be calling 180 days out and they have 23 seats at the time I request then I should get it just like everyone else. We won't all be at the same table but in the same area which is all we really want. Not sure what the big deal is. Why should I have to eat dinner at 3pm just because we are a group of 23? Big deal. She didn't even know if there were openings at 5:30. You are not allowed to be booked. Sucks if you ask me.

Thank goodness we aren't eating as a large group any other day. We would be eating breakfast at 5am for Pete's sake!

 

[waltskids]

We are planning a family trip in June to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary and we needed to make ADR's for 24 people. We spoke to someone in group dining and they were able to help us with our two ADR's: Chef Mickey's for breakfast at 11:10AM and Ohana's at 5:00 PM for dinner. We also called about 180 days out so that may have helped but even calling that early, we could not get a later seating for Ohana which is ok since our son will be 7 months old at the time. They did note that 24 people will not be able to sit together but they will put tables next to each other

 

[eliza61]

The best way I have found to organize large groups is through grand gatherings or as another poster said ask for the group dining service They handle things seperately. 19 people is just too large a group for Disney Dining to try and handle.

 

[DebbieB]

I have to agree with the OP. I am at the 180 day mark today. I had to call the group dining line to get our party of 23 ressies for dinner before the Christmas Party. This is the only meal we will all be together. I tried to get Crystal Palace for dinner at 5:30. I was told I had to take the first seating for dinner which is 3pm! HUH? Large groups are forced to take the first seating for the meal you are interested in. We wanted dinner and since dinner starts at 3pm that day at CP we would have to settle.

That is just way too early for dinner so I asked about Chef Mickey's for 5:30. Nope. Dinner starts at 5pm there. That is the only time I was offered at CM. We took it because it was close enough.

I think if I am that organized to be calling 180 days out and they have 23 seats at the time I request then I should get it just like everyone else. We won't all be at the same table but in the same area which is all we really want. Not sure what the big deal is. Why should I have to eat dinner at 3pm just because we are a group of 23? Big deal. She didn't even know if there were openings at 5:30. You are not allowed to be booked. Sucks if you ask me.

Thank goodness we aren't eating as a large group any other day. We would be eating breakfast at 5am for Pete's sake!

At the first seating time, it would be easy for them to setup a large table for 23. 2 1/2 hours in, the empty tables are probably scattered around the restaurant, it would be difficult for them to get a group of tables together unless they hold them empty for a long period.

 

[AlwaysEeyore]

Oh man! You have all made me very nervous. I am calling tomorrow for WCC for Thanksgivng for 26 adults, 4 kids & 2 infants. I also need Chef Mickeys for 17 people.