Hey there, hi there, ho there, Christopher!
Welcome to planDisney! I'm thrilled to be the one helping you out today! I'm wishing your little one a very merry
unbirthday in preparation for your visit to The Happiest Place On Earth in the new year. Make sure to grab a celebration button at City Hall on
Main Street, U.S.A. Wearing them is like having a magic wand – every cast member who spots them will sprinkle some extra pixie dust and good wishes your way!
Normally, my pal
Panelist Amanda D is the go-to for rounding up large casts of characters together for
dining reservations. I learn a ton from her answers! Amanda's secret is splitting her group into at least two reservations. Now, with your party of 8, you'll need a minimum of two reservations. That means you'll need another adult with the
Disneyland Mobile App to help you since only one dining reservation can be made by one person simultaneously.
So here's the plan, Christopher: You and your trusty Mouseketeer should aim to book reservation times as close to each other as possible. Try to sync up and hit that reservation button exactly 60 days in advance – that's your golden ticket!
Pro tip: Keep the reservation times within a 30-minute window. On the big day, show up at least 15 minutes before the earliest reservation time, chat up the super-friendly Cast Members, and see if they can seat your whole group together (you'll likely have two tables for your entire group).
So, before that magical 60-day reservation window opens in a few days, you'll need to recruit someone from your group to help you make reservations. Make sure you each have your own
Disney account and be ready to get online at
6:00 AM EST—it's an early one, I know! Cross your fingers that the reservations open right on time (sometimes they play hard to get, so keep checking back if you don't see anything at first), and boom, you're all set.
Oh, and Christopher, speaking as someone who grew up just around the riverbend from the Disneyland Resort, let me tell you, January weather can be all over the place – from sunny and warm to sunny and chilly with a breeze. Deciding on indoor or outdoor dining might be a day-of call. Pack some layers for the temperature swings throughout the day.
Wishing you a fantastic time creating winter memories with your family, Christopher. If you're cooking up more adventures or need
more tips, please
swing by again soon!
You've got a friend in me,
Danielle