Hi Erin,
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. I am glad to know that you have purchased a
Disney Dining Plan! We love the flexibility and value of the Disney Dining Plans.
If you make your reservation as a party of six or more and are seated together at a Table-Service restaurant, you would automatically be charged an 18% gratuity. If you make your reservations separately and are seated separately, you would not be considered a party of six or more and would not automatically be charged the 18% gratuity.
When my family traveled with my mom's older sister's family, there were seven of us on two different dining plans. We made our reservations together, sat together and were automatically charged the gratuity. We faced the same dilemma that you are facing. In the end, we thought it was worth it to just make our reservations together so that we could enjoy our meals together. There is nothing quite like hearing everyone share stories over dinner!
There were one or two times when we purposefully split the group for meals. My cousin, for example, took her daughter and my daughters to
Cinderella's Royal Table while my mom, her sister and me at lunch elsewhere. The girls had a magical experience at Cinderella's Royal Table while we saved a little money by not sending the entire group.
Once I realized that we would need to pay the 18% gratuity, I estimated the gratuities and just budgeted for them. In the end, we had such great service, we were happy to pay it.
I am sending extra pixie dust your way hoping that you create special memories on your upcoming visit!
-Donyell