Hello Julia!
I often travel to Walt Disney World with extended family and with groups of friends and having a meal together is one of my favorite ways to connect. They say vacationing with groups of friends or family is magic...multiplied! And I believe it. The key is booking your dining reservations early as reservations are sometimes hard to find to accommodate large parties last-minute. You can book your dining reservations up to 180 days in advance.
One person will make the dining reservation, it can be the same person for all the reservations or a different person for each one. There just needs to be one primary person on the reservation. You can book dining reservations by calling (407) WDW-DINE or by booking
online. Book for the total number of people in your party including infants. Depending on the total number in your party, you may be split up at different tables depending on the restaurant, but they do try to accommodate you as best they can. If your party includes 6 or more people, then 18% gratuity will automatically be added to your bill, but you can all use your dining plans separately and be billed separately. Just be sure to inform your server.
If you have any other questions or need suggestions on where to dine, please come back and see us real soon at the Disney Parks Moms Panel. I have no shame in my Disney Dining game and sometimes throw in an elastic-waisted pair of shorts or pants in my suitcase, because of all the delicious food and snacks at the Walt Disney World Resort! Have a magical vacation!
Tania