Hello Tracy!
Welcome to planDisney! I have a lot of experience booking
dining reservations for large parties! I feel like even on my last solo trip I ended up sitting with over 10 people at a meal sometimes!
To make that happen you need a little teamwork and diligence. You can try to see if they can accommodate 9 people at
Whispering Canyon Cafe on the day you like but you may find it doesn't work out too well. Typically, once the headcount goes over 6 the availability disappears. I suggest you enlist a member of the party who has their own
MyDisney account to join you to help you book two separate dining reservations. Make sure that you both aim to get the same time or something no more than 15 minutes apart. One of you book a party of 6 and the other a party of 3. Or you can do a party of 4 and 5. Just split the groups up till you find the combination that works for the times you want. The next part is very important. Arrive early for your reservation! Speak to the Cast Member at the front of the restaurant and let them know that you have two reservations you hope to be combined when seated. Give
at least 20 minutes for Cast Members to figure out how to do this so whichever reservation is the earliest be all together at the restaurant at least 20 minutes before that time. Remember to be kind and patient. I have been assisted almost all of the time but sometimes we have had to sit separately but right next to each other. One time due to how busy the restaurant was we were separated quite a bit but since you are visiting in early February it shouldn't be too bad. It's a fairly large restaurant and it can handle large parties pretty well.
I hope you have fun and don't forget to ask for extra ketchup! (Trust me, you will love it.)
Happy Planning!
-Nimmy