Hi Judy,
Thank you so much for visiting the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question. Heading to Walt Disney World with friends can be so much fun! I love that you and your friends are staying at the same resort but not in the same room. This will allow you to easily do many activities together, but for each group to have their own space when they want it as well.
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside is a lovely resort. I love the stately southern feeling there.
My family often travels to Walt Disney World and experiences meals with other traveling groups. Making
dining reservations for this is as simple as if you were making dining reservations just for your party! Simply make the reservation for the number of guests in both of your parties combined. You can do this online from the site I linked or by calling Disney Dining at 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).
If you make your reservations online, you will be able to identify each guest in the party. If you have linked as friends on
My Disney Experience with your traveling partners, you will be able to choose and identify your friends on the reservation. If you have not linked with them as friends on My Disney Experience, do not worry. You can simply leave them as "Guest 2," "Guest 3," and so on on the reservation, as long as you have the correct number of guests.
I hope that this information is helpful for you, Judy! Please do let us know if you have any further questions as you plan your magical vacation.