VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.5) updated 2 February 2025

[GGGT]

"May the odds be ever in your favor" - oops, wrong franchise....

"May the Force be with you".


I've got either 9 or 10 to reserve for. Just looking at things today I've concluded that I'll have to split for most reservations. It will make for an interesting booking session!

It's frustrating at best. We always show up at the restaurant and ask if we can sit with our other party. Sometimes they can accommodate and other times, no. It has led to us doing less reserved dining and more quick service or pool side, especially at the parks.

Also, I'm sure you know this, but always make sure you do your first group in another's name as the lead and then you as the second group. (Otherwise it will show that you already have a reservation at that time)

Best of luck!

 

[bluecastle]

Good luck to all who are making ADRs!
Kat: When I made mine in 2022, Topolino Breakfast was gone immediately. But I had a back-up plan and Chef Mickey’s was much easier to get. As it turned out, my DD was late meeting us there and the CM in charge of the characters made sure that our granddaughter had time with each one. it was amazing! We missed all the chaos and still had wonderful character interactions, plus those yummy cheesy potatoes.
I would be ready a few minutes before 6 am. I’m sure you know to do the most difficult ones to get first and as far out as you can. Plus there’s always the chance that you can get them on MDE closer to your date when people cancel their trips. (30 days)

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It's frustrating at best. We always show up at the restaurant and ask if we can sit with our other party. Sometimes they can accommodate and other times, no. It has led to us doing less reserved dining and more quick service or pool side, especially at the parks.

Also, I'm sure you know this, but always make sure you do your first group in another's name as the lead and then you as the second group. (Otherwise it will show that you already have a reservation at that time)

Best of luck!

Excellent reminder about the names. I hadn't thought about it but would have figured it out after trying the 2nd table. You saved me at least one mistake during the booking. lol Thanks!

Good luck to all who are making ADRs!
Kat: When I made mine in 2022, Topolino Breakfast was gone immediately. But I had a back-up plan and Chef Mickey’s was much easier to get. As it turned out, my DD was late meeting us there and the CM in charge of the characters made sure that our granddaughter had time with each one. it was amazing! We missed all the chaos and still had wonderful character interactions, plus those yummy cheesy potatoes.
I would be ready a few minutes before 6 am. I’m sure you know to do the most difficult ones to get first and as far out as you can. Plus there’s always the chance that you can get them on MDE closer to your date when people cancel their trips. (30 days)

Thanks! Yes, I've really had very decent luck with just going with getting last minute cancellations. Jan/Feb - even last Oct/Nov I was able to get all kinds of reservations while we were there that you aren't supposed to be able to and change times at will. It's been the big benefit of no dining plans I think. In April I switched to Storybook dining for that same evening while waiting to take off on my flight. It was for 4 though. I'm expecting less luck with such a large group but we're pretty good with quick service too. Just gotta find those Princesses! Space 220 is my own wish.

 

[Granny]

Thanks everyone for the great tips about dining reservations. Am I reading correctly that Disney won’t always accept a reservation for 8 and might put us on two tables? Our group of 8 includes a 3 year old and a 1 year old. I guess they still take up the same space as an older child or adult so that won’t help much.

We don’t make many dining reservations but do want to enjoy a few “whole group” meals. I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks everyone for the great tips about dining reservations. Am I reading correctly that Disney won’t always accept a reservation for 8 and might put us on two tables? Our group of 8 includes a 3 year old and a 1 year old. I guess they still take up the same space as an older child or adult so that won’t help much.

We don’t make many dining reservations but do want to enjoy a few “whole group” meals. I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

I believe some locations are limited on the number of large groups they can or maybe will accommodate at one table. Still, 8 should be better than the 9-10 I'm doing.

 

[GGGT]

Thanks everyone for the great tips about dining reservations. Am I reading correctly that Disney won’t always accept a reservation for 8 and might put us on two tables? Our group of 8 includes a 3 year old and a 1 year old. I guess they still take up the same space as an older child or adult so that won’t help much.

We don’t make many dining reservations but do want to enjoy a few “whole group” meals. I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

If they accept a reservation for 8, they will sit you together. There are only a handful of restaurants that accept reservations for 10-12, that's why we often have to split up. Also, it depends on the restaurant/CM, some will allow you to squeeze in an infant/toddler, but most stick to your assumption that they take up the same space.

Good luck!

 

[GGGT]

I believe some locations are limited on the number of large groups they can or maybe will accommodate at one table. Still, 8 should be better than the 9-10 I'm doing.

Right. There are a few that take 10-12 at WDW, but "few" being the key word. (Boma, Art Smith, Boatwrights, Cape May, Kona, Hoop Dee Doo, Oliva's, Turf Club, come to mind) But that size group often leads to inopportune dining times.

 

[Granny]

So I went on the site today and made our various dining reservations. No problems getting a group of 8 to be accepted at the restaurants we reserved.

And Oga's had lots of availability so we were able to get the day and time of day that we wanted, no problem.

Thanks again to each of you for the insight and information regarding this. Now we can move on to the much more leisurely park reservations.

 

[jimmytammy]

So I went on the site today and made our various dining reservations. No problems getting a group of 8 to be accepted at the restaurants we reserved.

And Oga's had lots of availability so we were able to get the day and time of day that we wanted, no problem.

Thanks again to each of you for the insight and information regarding this. Now we can move on to the much more leisurely park reservations.

Glad it all went smooth for you Granny

 

[MsChristy12]

Hi Granny!
6am eastern.
My window opens tomorrow too. I've generally been a non-6am (ie, non-3am person here on the west coast. ) but with a big group I may have to give on that one and set my alarm.

I'm on west coast too and I had to do 3am 3 days in a row last trip!! We had a split stay at a non-Disney resort...that struggle bus was on full speed those 3 days! Ooof...

 

[MsChristy12]

Well...we are now officially BLT owners too! I just realized how crazy I sound when I said this in other threads "We bought BLT solely for the convenience to MK and monorail resort crawl"... Only Disney people (specifically DVC peeps) will ever understand!

 

[GGGT]

Well...we are now officially BLT owners too! I just realized how crazy I sound when I said this in other threads "We bought BLT solely for the convenience to MK and monorail resort crawl"... Only Disney people (specifically DVC peeps) will ever understand!

Good for you ! BLT is also one of our "too many" Home Resorts.

 

[jimmytammy]

Well...we are now officially BLT owners too! I just realized how crazy I sound when I said this in other threads "We bought BLT solely for the convenience to MK and monorail resort crawl"... Only Disney people (specifically DVC peeps) will ever understand!

Congratulations!! We love BLT, for the same reasons you mentioned and then some. I so wish the boats between VWL and BLT were running again

 

[MsChristy12]

Congratulations!! We love BLT, for the same reasons you mentioned and then some. I so wish the boats between VWL and BLT were running again

It would be nice if they resume that service!

 

[Granny]

Well...we are now officially BLT owners too! I just realized how crazy I sound when I said this in other threads "We bought BLT solely for the convenience to MK and monorail resort crawl"... Only Disney people (specifically DVC peeps) will ever understand!

Congratulations! We really like BLT as well, and enjoy the Bay Lake view rooms more than the MK view. It's hard to beat the convenience of that resort!

 

[jimmytammy]

Congratulations! We really like BLT as well, and enjoy the Bay Lake view rooms more than the MK view. It's hard to beat the convenience of that resort!

The LV rooms afford a look towards home if located properly. I love that view, plus its not as warm in the AM facing WL and CR so it allows more pleasurable moments sipping coffee in the AM since the sun comes up on the other side.

 

[Suzabella]

Well...DH has wanted to sell our DVC points for a year and I've held him off. I couldn't argue with him any longer. We really aren't happy with the direction Disney is headed.

We're listing all our contracts this week.

I hope I can still stop by once and a while. I'd really miss the Groupies.

We'll still make trips to Orlando - we also have 2 Marriott TS. We'll just be traveling differently.

It's been a good 20 year run and we've made priceless memories but it's the end of an era for us.

 

[TCRAIG]

Well...DH has wanted to sell our DVC points for a year and I've held him off. I couldn't argue with him any longer. We really aren't happy with the direction Disney is headed.

We're listing all our contracts this week.

I hope I can still stop by once and a while. I'd really miss the Groupies.

We'll still make trips to Orlando - we also have 2 Marriott TS. We'll just be traveling differently.

It's been a good 20 year run and we've made priceless memories but it's the end of an era for us.

So sorry to hear you’re selling but if it’s what you want - then I say good luck and hope you get a good price..

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Well...DH has wanted to sell our DVC points for a year and I've held him off. I couldn't argue with him any longer. We really aren't happy with the direction Disney is headed.

We're listing all our contracts this week.

I hope I can still stop by once and a while. I'd really miss the Groupies.

We'll still make trips to Orlando - we also have 2 Marriott TS. We'll just be traveling differently.

It's been a good 20 year run and we've made priceless memories but it's the end of an era for us.

Just remember not all of us groupies are DVC members so please make sure you stick around. We used to own at VWL but had to sell years ago.

 

[DisMal]

Well...DH has wanted to sell our DVC points for a year and I've held him off. I couldn't argue with him any longer. We really aren't happy with the direction Disney is headed.

We're listing all our contracts this week.

I hope I can still stop by once and a while. I'd really miss the Groupies.

We'll still make trips to Orlando - we also have 2 Marriott TS. We'll just be traveling differently.

It's been a good 20 year run and we've made priceless memories but it's the end of an era for us.

We only have a 50 point contract right now and plan to hold on to it for visiting every few years. We have gone from multiple trips per year to not even getting excited about one. We are older and things are just not the same. We have a trip coming up next week and hopefully we will feel some of the magic of long ago.