Hi Gina,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I am delighted to answer this dining plan question! How exciting to have an upcoming vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort with such a large and (I am sure) fabulous group!
To be sure you are not automatically charged a gratuity, I suggest that you make separate dining reservations. When you do so, you may not be able to dine at exactly the same time. You also may not be seated near each other in the restaurant.
When I have traveled with a larger group in the past, we debated on whether or not we would make separate dining reservations. In the end, we have always decided to dine together. Life is short and we so rarely travel with extended family, the time together seemed more important to us than the tip quandary.
We have always experienced exceptional service during our dining experiences so I have been completely comfortable tipping 18%. Having said that, I empathize with your dilemma. If you do decide to make separate dining reservations, be sure you make your
dining reservations early so that you can try to get similar dining times for each group.
I am so glad you have a
dining plan. I also like to remind guests that your meals are calculated per night of stay. If you are staying six nights on the
Disney Dining Plan, each guest 3-years old and over on the dining plan will receive 12 meals (6 quick-service, 6 table-service) and 12 snacks total plus one resort refillable mug. Be sure to check the number of meal credits required at each restaurant.
Gina, I am sending pixie dust your way trusting that you will make the best plan!
Magic, memories and Minnie Mouse hugs,
Donyell