Hi there, Steven!
Thanks for stopping by planDisney with a terrific
Walt Disney World Resort vacation planning question.
Oh boy... it sounds like you're gearing up for a grand gathering at The Most Magical Place on Earth! Now, before your
booking window opens, let's make sure you're prepared to book dining experiences for the many Mouseketeers in your club.
Steven, I have lots of recent experience with this topic, as I've taken (and am actively planning) several trips with large parties. The best thing about Walt Disney World Resort vacations is spending it with the people you love, so the more, the merrier! Before your booking window arrives, I recommend creating a list of "must-do" dining experiences amongst your group. Then, focus on booking several dining reservations that appeal to the majority when your 60-day booking window opens. I've enjoyed fantastic meals with large groups at
Garden Grill Restaurant, 'Ohana, and
Tiffins Restaurant, to name a few!
When booking
dining experiences for parties of eight or more Guests, I typically have the best success by "dividing and conquering." I like to delegate reservation-making responsibilities to at least one other member of my travel party. (This individual must also have a
My Disney Experience account set up.) Then, beginning at 6:00 a.m. Eastern 60 days before our scheduled Resort hotel arrival, we'll both log on and attempt to make
dining reservations for our group. For example, for a group of 16 Guests, we'd each try to make a reservation for a group of eight within the same time period. Then, when we arrive at the restaurant, we request to be seated together or nearby. If possible, the restaurant will do what they can to accommodate your large party!
Steven, if your group isn't able to enjoy a coordinated Table-Service meal together,
Hakuna Matata. (It means "no worries!") You'll likely be able to enjoy Quick-Service restaurants together, or you could utilize the My Disney Experience mobile app to
order food and beverages and eat together in a common gathering location. Alternatively, you could consider booking an experience together, like a
dessert party or a nighttime
fireworks cruise! After all, together is the best place to be.
I hope you've found this advice helpful, Steven. If you have any additional or follow-up questions, feel free to revisit us at
planDisney or
reach out to me directly anytime! We're here to help connect your group with magical moments together during your Walt Disney World Resort vacation.
See ya real soon,
Lauren