Hiya Matthew,
Welcome to planDisney! We are so excited that you are here and planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World Resort. I’m sure you will all have a fantastic time making memories all together.
In my family, nothing brings us closer together like a great meal, so this question makes me smile. While most locations will require you to split your party into smaller groups to make a reservation. I’ve done a little digging and consulted some Cast Members as well to find some great places for you and your group of 17 to dine together at the resort hotels. If you are looking for a place that is fun for Mouseketeers of all ages and delicious at the same time, I have to recommend
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. It is one of my favorites and great for large groups. The food is so good (the cornbread is in my top five), and you and your family will love dancing and singing together. If you want something a little less high energy, then I also love
‘Ohana at the Polynesian Resort and
Boma - Flavors of Africa at Animal Kingdom Lodge. If your family is made up of a little more adventurous eaters, then definitely add Boma to your must-try list. We loved the buffet options because they offered flavors we don’t eat often, and everything was terrific. ‘Ohana is an iconic choice, of course. Not just because of its location, but also because of the bread pudding at dinner and the character dining for breakfast (hello Stitch). You really can’t go wrong with either of those choices. I’ve also heard that
Whispering Canyon Café at the Wilderness Lodge is an excellent choice for large groups (and it is pretty tasty).
I hope this helps you get a jumpstart on planning, Matthew. Once you decide where you want to dine, be sure to take advantage of your advanced dining reservation window so you can get your must-dos reserved (you can also reach out to a Cast Member for assistance). Before I let you go, one little tip for large groups. Get one
Memory Maker! With one Memory Maker, you can download all the photos for up to 25 Guests linked through the Family and Friends list. This is such a great way to capture all the pictures from your trip with a single purchase. If you need anything else, please come back and see us.
Happy Planning,
Ashley F.