Dear Hazel,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I am delighted to receive your question and hope I can offer some helpful information.
My brother and I always book separate reservations for our own families, which combined make a party of 11! As you can imagine it is not as easy to find a table as one large group at certain locations.
We always try to let the restaurant know in advance by calling (407) 939-3463. We explain our plan and usually, the Cast Member assisting us on the phone says they will add a note to our reservation and my brother's. Once we get to our dining location, we let the Cast Member greeting us at the door know that a family member is on the way and that we would all like to sit together, although they can tell by reading the note we left on the phone. We provide our confirmation number and/or last name and their last name, and that's all.
Cast Members will always do their very best to try and accommodate guests' requests but it will always depend on availability at that particular moment, so keep in mind that while this kind of request is usually accommodated for, it is not guaranteed. Also, be aware that depending on your party size, it might take a little longer to find a table that fits you all.
One last thing to keep in mind is that for parties of 6 people or more,
a gratuity of 18% is automatically applied to your bill.
Hazel, I hope your family and your friend's make wonderful memories together!
Happy Disney Dining!
~Desiree