Hey there, Gary!
I'm absolutely delighted to welcome you back to planDisney! It's always such a joy to see returning Guests, and we truly appreciate you coming back to us and trusting planDisney as a go-to resource while planning your Disney vacations.
It sounds like you're planning a summer visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth with a large group. My family often travels as a multi-generational group, and when we do, our party is 12, so I completely understand the logistics you're navigating. The good news is that planning can absolutely be manageable, even with a big group. In fact, those trips often turn into some of my family's most memorable and favorite vacations.
I love that you're planning to book an
Advance Dining Reservation at
Chef Mickey's! It's one of Disney's most iconic dining experiences and such a fun way to meet Mickey and his pals. While it's sometimes possible to find a single reservation for a party of 12, we've often had better success by booking two smaller reservations for the same time. When you check in, you can let the Cast Member know that your parties are together and kindly ask if you may be seated with or near one another. While it can't be guaranteed, in my experience, Cast Members do their absolute best to accommodate these requests whenever possible.
Keep in mind that if you're
staying at a Disney Resort, you can begin making dining reservations 60 days before your arrival date for your entire stay (up to 10 days) starting around 6:00 AM Eastern Time. If you're staying off property, reservations open 60 days in advance of each individual day.
This summer is shaping up to be an absolute blast at Disney World! The
Disney Parks Blog recently shared an article highlighting all the exciting offerings Guests can look forward to, and there's so much to be excited about. It's hard to pick a favorite, but I'm especially looking forward to experiencing the reimagined
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.
Gary, I hope this has been helpful as you continue planning your trip. If any other questions come up, you're always welcome here at planDisney! We love making the magic happen!
Happy Planning,
Kami