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Post by capeokw56 on Aug 5, 2023 20:03:08 GMT -5
I'm starting to look at ADRs for our October trip with DKids and DGSs for a total of 9 of us. I'm two weeks out yet but decided to try a couple of test runs beforehand. First I looked at ADRs for 6 people (just the adults) and got 71 restaurants available. I then changed it to 9 people (including the 3 DGSs) and it dropped to 15 restaurants available and that included dessert parties. That's a bit discouraging at best. Does anyone know of any workarounds to increase our choices? Can I do two separate reservations... one for 5 people and one for 4 people? Any other thoughts/ideas will be greatly appreciated. TIA
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Post by BWV Dreamin on Aug 5, 2023 20:30:44 GMT -5
I’m not sure which restaurants you’re looking at, but Open Table books many of the Disney Springs restaurants. I love booking with Open Table. You don’t have to prepay and there are no cancellation fees.
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Post by ncstatetigger on Aug 6, 2023 2:52:23 GMT -5
Our November trip for DH, myself, DKids and DGrands total 13. Add my DBro and wife, their DS, wife and 3 DGrands there are 7 more!! Another DBro and wife (no kids or Grands) and our grand total is 22.
I’ve been playing with groups of 7 and 8.
Really disappointed that Trails End has closed. It was a family favorite and I had hoped I could get us all in there split into smaller groups. I see us breaking into smaller groups for meals and park time.
Together time mostly at resort and pools.
For 9 I would try for a table for 4 and a table for 5 if the group could be split that way. Check in little early and request you be seated close to each other.
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Post by nickys on Aug 6, 2023 8:12:24 GMT -5
I would split it into two groups that make sense for your family - that might be 5 & 4 or 6 &3……
However you do have to be slightly canny when booking. You won’t be allowed to make two reservations within an hour of each other in your name from one account.
There used to be two ways round it. The first way used to work, but I don’t know if it still does.
1. If you are the only person who has their own account, you need to make two reservations each with a different lead name, and each one just has the one name and “plus x guests”. And you must book the first with someone other than you as the lead name. Book the second one with your name. Once you’ve booked one in your name you can’t then book the second even with someone else’s name. The other downside is that the one you book in someone else’s name can only be modified by Disney dining.
And like I said, this may not work - in which case you will need to get the Dining line to help.
2. An easier way is to have someone else book one of them, again just using their name “plus x guests”. If you prefer to do all the booking ask them if they would be willing to let you use their account to book.
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Post by nrspepe on Aug 6, 2023 11:01:03 GMT -5
We always have luck at La Hacienda and Via Napoli with large parties…often 10-12. I would call the concierge's desk at wherever you are staying and ask for their help. Most restaurants have the ability to seat a large party. But, do not offer the option online.
Agree with Open Table advice.
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Post by capeokw56 on Aug 7, 2023 4:54:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips and advice, I appreciate it. I've never had to make ADRs for this many people before and it took me by surprise.
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Post by tomandrobin on Aug 7, 2023 5:42:13 GMT -5
We constantly deal with booking ADRS for large dining groups (6+ people). Booking is difficult, not enough tables that can seat large groups at many of the restaurants. Non-Disney restaurants are easier then Disney owned. Buffets tend to be easier too. A lot of times we will book two tables of four and when we check-in, explain that we are a large group and would like to either sit together or next to each other. They usually do a good job to accommodate us at check-in.
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Post by fuzzylogic on Aug 7, 2023 8:28:23 GMT -5
It's not so much about increasing your choices... Most Disney tables only go up to 8. Even using Open Table you'll run into the same thing. Think of places with family style tables like Biergarten and Teppan Edo. These will accommodate 9 no problem. Almost everywhere in MK, AK, HS you'll have to split into smaller groups. When you check in, tell the host you're one group and they'll seat you close - even together. The usual "is your whole party here" applies... they won't want you to check in till everyone is present, which means all 9 of you wait together for that big table or group of tables. There is more waiting with larger parties.
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Post by helenabear on Aug 7, 2023 8:36:45 GMT -5
It's not so much about increasing your choices... Most Disney tables only go up to 8. Even using Open Table you'll run into the same thing. Think of places with family style tables like Biergarten and Teppan Edo. These will accommodate 9 no problem. Almost everywhere in MK, AK, HS you'll have to split into smaller groups. When you check in, tell the host you're one group and they'll seat you close - even together. The usual "is your whole party here" applies... they won't want you to check in till everyone is present, which means all 9 of you wait together for that big table or group of tables. There is more waiting with larger parties. This! And there are a few places where 6 is the limit (Plaza is one). We've had good luck getting them to combine with 7-9 guests. Often they've been rather fast recently too which surprises me |
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Post by lovindisney on Aug 7, 2023 9:34:07 GMT -5
I would make reservations
for parties of 4, 4 and 2 if trying online. You can always contact the restaurant closer to your time to request seating together or close to each other. Calling the dining number may be easier to seat all parties together. Good luck!
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Post by LauraLea on Aug 7, 2023 10:21:27 GMT -5
I would make reservations for parties of 4, 4 and 2 if trying online. You can always contact the restaurant closer to your time to request seating together or close to each other. Calling the dining number may be easier to seat all parties together. Good luck! A reservation for 2 is very hard to get. Never fails, ask for 2 and no or a few times are offered. But put in 4 and I usually have my pick of times. Easy to modify, but frustrating to have to do it this way. Laura |
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Post by capeokw56 on Aug 10, 2023 8:43:57 GMT -5
So... any idea what would happen if I made a reservation for 6 and then showed up with the 3 little ones ages 5, 2, and 1 1/2 too?
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Post by Brian5581 on Aug 10, 2023 15:13:36 GMT -5
So... any idea what would happen if I made a reservation for 6 and then showed up with the 3 little ones ages 5, 2, and 1 1/2 too? As usual, they'll try their best to accommodate you. If unable to do so, simply choose your favorites amongst the children... |
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Post by capeokw56 on Aug 11, 2023 4:59:44 GMT -5
So... any idea what would happen if I made a reservation for 6 and then showed up with the 3 little ones ages 5, 2, and 1 1/2 too? As usual, they'll try their best to accommodate you. If unable to do so, simply choose your favorites amongst the children... What a great response! Thanks! |
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Post by PirateLinda on Aug 11, 2023 6:41:21 GMT -5
I had trouble making our reservations this last trip. We had 9. 8 adults and a baby. I could only get a reservation for 8 at Via Napoli. When I called Disney dining, they said (couldn’t guarantee) that we should be okay. When we checked in, I told them 9 and they seated us at 10 top table.
Disney Dining also said they have the ability to link the reservations together so the restaurant knows to seat you close. For example, they could make 2 reservations under my name and flag them so they don’t get cancelled and we get to sit together.
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