Hiya Robert - welcome to
planDisney!
Thanks for stopping by with your question for our team of panelists. We love to help Guests just like you plan your very own, very magical, Walt Disney World Resort vacations!
Dining is a huge part of any
Walt Disney World Resort vacation, and while there are many opportunities to have great experiences on the fly, making Advance Dining Reservations is a great way to ensure you'll be able to dine at any must-eat locations!
Robert, I'm not sure what message you may be hEARing, but there is not currently a limit on the number of Guests that can be included on all dining reservations. That being said, there are some locations that do have a maximum number of Guests per reservation. This is usually due to the unique physical setup of the restaurant. For example, if tables are fixed and can't be combined, that may limit the number of Guests that can be accommodated on a single reservation.
A party of eight Guests is on the larger side, so if you aren't able to find the reservations you desire when checking for your full party, you might consider searching for and making two separate reservations, each for four Guests, at around the same time. Sometimes, if you check in with the Cast Members at the host stand far in advance, they may be able to seat your two reservations nearby or even right next to one another - problem solved! Just keep in mind that if you do go this route, there is no guarantee that your two tables of four will be seated near one another. It's something that is feasible sometimes, and other times it's just not possible.
I also find that I sometimes have better luck finding reservations for larger parties by
calling and speaking to a Cast Member on the phone. They don't have access to different reservations but are usually more skilled at searching a wide range of options that may be able to fit your needs.
Also keep in mind that advance reservations aren't always necessary, and for some locations, aren't accepted at all. For example, one of my favorite places to grab a bite at
EPCOT is
Spice Road Table in the Morocco Pavilion. This location operates on a
walk-up waitlist, and I love dining outside overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon!
I hope this information is helpful, Robert -
swing by with more questions any time!Ryan