Hiya Alison - welcome to
planDisney!
I'm so glad that you stopped by with your question! Dining is such an important part of any
Walt Disney World Resort vacation - in fact, for me, it's what I look forward to the most! Making dining reservations in advance is a Fantasmic way to ensure your crew has a magical experience with full tummies. There are so many delicious options - including many new special offerings for the
Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration!
Vacationing with a larger group can take some extra planning, but many restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort are able to accommodate a party of your size one way or another. In my experience, when planning for larger parties, being more flexible with the location and timing of my dining reservations is very helpful. A couple of my favorites when traveling with a larger group include
Biergarten Restaurant at EPCOT and
Boma - Flavors of Africa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, both of which offer buffet dining perfect for larger groups and varying food preferences. Just a couple of weeks ago I also had a fun dinner for a group of 12 at
The Edison in Disney Springs - I contacted them in advance directly and they were more than happy to accommodate a larger group.
Many dining locations will accept
reservations for a party your size online, but with limited availability for large parties, I usually have better luck calling Disney Dining at 407-WDW-DINE, or 407-939-3463. The Cast Members on the reservation line can help you identify the best options for your group. If you're still not finding the reservation you need, you might want to consider splitting your group into two or three separate reservations at around the same time. When you check in at the restaurant, let the Cast Member know that you'd prefer to sit near each other, and they will do their best to accommodate your request!
I hope this information is helpful as you continue planning - be sure to
let us know if we can help with any other questions as your trip approaches!
Ryan J.