Bonjour, Heather!
Ma chère Mademoiselle, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you to planDisney! Thank you so much for being our Guest with your question. And now, we invite you to relax, let us pull up a chair as we proudly present....the answer to your question.
Heather, you can certainly make an
Advance Dining Reservation for a party of 7. Just note that you can make dining reservations beginning 60 days from your Resort check-in date if you are a Disney Resort Hotel Guest for the entirety of your stay. If you are staying off-property, you can make dining reservations 60 days before the date you will be dining.
You do not have to list the Guests who will be joining you for the meal, as the reservation can be held under your name. Simply put in the party size, the date you are looking for, and the approximate time you are hoping to dine, and the My Disney Experience app will show you what is available.
Once you find the dining option you prefer, you can select it and book it. A credit card will be required to secure the reservation. Please note the
cancellation policy for the dining reservation to avoid being charged for a last-minute cancellation. Most restaurants do not allow modifications or cancellations within two hours of your reservation and may charge a $10 per person fee (subject to change) for any changes or cancellations within two hours of your reservation or for no-shows.
You don't have to connect your friends via the My Disney Experience account to reserve dining. But if you want the reservation to appear in their itinerary, you would have to connect them via the
Family & Friends feature and select who is joining you. That is the only way the Guests joining you will see the reservation in their itinerary. But if that is not necessary, you can just hold the reservation under your name. Be sure you are present and your complete party is with you when you check in for your dining reservation.
Here's a tip, Heather. If you don't see what you would like at first for either a dining location or time, keep checking back. Disney dining availability changes regularly, even on the same day. There have been many occasions where our family secured a last-minute reservation at some of the most popular restaurants at Walt Disney World. You can also always try adding your name to a walk-up list, but given your party size, I would strongly recommend making an Advance Dining Reservation. Once you have your reservation, just tie your napkin 'round your neck, Cherie, and Disney provides the rest.
One more Disney dining tip for you, Heather! Lumiere is right - the Grey Stuff Cupcake IS delicious. You can find it at
Gaston's Tavern, along with the famous giant Warm Cinnamon Roll - it's roughly the size of a barge.
I hope this helps you, Heather! If you have any further questions, be our guest again, and we will be so happy to help you.
Magically Yours,
Keri