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Large group reservations

montyz81

montyz81

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I have a group of nine people. The “My Disney Experience” app opens at 6:00 for advance reservations and the phone line for advanced reservations opens at 7:00. Is it better to call to get what I want for character meals and focus on other table service reservations through the app? I’ve never been on a trip with more than four people. Reserving for a large group is new to me and I want to make sure I get all the restaurants I want. The key ones are Chef Mickeys, Ohana, and Hoop Dee Doo. We are also trying to get Space 220. Any advice for advanced large group reservations would be greatly appreciated. I know there is a lot of reading on this but things have changed so much in the last few years, I’m not sure what is still accurate and what isn’t. Thanks for any advice.
 
LeighM

LeighM

Well-Known Member
I've never done it myself but know others who have. I think 9 people is more doable but it really depends on the restaurant. 'Ohana is hard to get during a weeklong trip for just 2 people and for that you usually have to try for a day at the end of your trip. And because Space 220 is still new it's very popular and hard to get a reservation for. I would try to do what you can online at 6am (I found the website to be better than the app but others have had the opposite experience) and then try calling at 7am when the lines open.
 
DryerLintFan

DryerLintFan

Well-Known Member
montyz81 said:
I have a group of nine people. The “My Disney Experience” app opens at 6:00 for advance reservations and the phone line for advanced reservations opens at 7:00. Is it better to call to get what I want for character meals and focus on other table service reservations through the app? I’ve never been on a trip with more than four people. Reserving for a large group is new to me and I want to make sure I get all the restaurants I want. The key ones are Chef Mickeys, Ohana, and Hoop Dee Doo. We are also trying to get Space 220. Any advice for advanced large group reservations would be greatly appreciated. I know there is a lot of reading on this but things have changed so much in the last few years, I’m not sure what is still accurate and what isn’t. Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...

LeighM said:
I've never done it myself but know others who have. I think 9 people is more doable but it really depends on the restaurant. 'Ohana is hard to get during a weeklong trip for just 2 people and for that you usually have to try for a day at the end of your trip. And because Space 220 is still new it's very popular and hard to get a reservation for. I would try to do what you can online at 6am (I found the website to be better than the app but others have had the opposite experience) and then try calling at 7am when the lines open.
Click to expand...

Echoing this. You’ve picked a couple that are harder to get and sometimes are fully booked before your window even opens. Try at 6 online and then call. While you’re on hold, keep trying.

If you can’t get them, try the touringplans reservation finder.
 
RememberWhen

RememberWhen

Well-Known Member

Disney World Dining Reservation Finder

Disney World Dining Reservation Finder - TouringPlans.com
touringplans.com touringplans.com

How long is your trip? You’re on-site, right?

We have done lots of big trips. You may need to spilt your group (but try for the larger group first). I’d do 5 and 4, but you can also do 3 groups of 3.
Hoop Dee Doo should be able to do a group of 9 with no problem.

I’d do everything you can at 6am on your adr date. Have the sites queued up on the web. I almost always do the website vs the app, but it can’t hurt to have that ready too. Know what time you’re hoping for and be prepared to compromise.
1) Space 220 for your furthest day out (day 5 or 6 or later). You can do the lounge as well and get the full menu or just drinks and small things. Honestly we liked the view from up here. They have tables, not just bar seating.
2) ‘Ohana (are you doing breakfast or dinner?)
3) Hoop Dee Doo
4) Chef Mickey

I put Chef Mickey last because there are other Mickey and Friends character meals possible if you can’t get that one (Tusker House, Garden Grill and Cape May are favorites in our family), but if this is most important bump it up the list.
 
Chi84

Chi84

Premium Member
montyz81 said:
What is the touring plan reservation finder?
Click to expand...
I highly recommend going to the site linked in the previous post to check it out. It's a free service, but you need to set up an account. It's a great site, and they do sell subscriptions at a reasonable rate. After the free reservation service found us a couple of coveted reservations, I decided to subscribe to support the site.
 
B

buckeyegator

Well-Known Member
i have used touringplans also.set up a free account, then pick the restaraunt, the day, the n umber of people and time.give cellphone for a text message, and email address, and check often, in some cases daily for a found reservation,good luck
 
montyz81

montyz81

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
RememberWhen said:

Disney World Dining Reservation Finder

Disney World Dining Reservation Finder - TouringPlans.com
touringplans.com touringplans.com

How long is your trip? You’re on-site, right?

We have done lots of big trips. You may need to spilt your group (but try for the larger group first). I’d do 5 and 4, but you can also do 3 groups of 3.
Hoop Dee Doo should be able to do a group of 9 with no problem.

I’d do everything you can at 6am on your adr date. Have the sites queued up on the web. I almost always do the website vs the app, but it can’t hurt to have that ready too. Know what time you’re hoping for and be prepared to compromise.
1) Space 220 for your furthest day out (day 5 or 6 or later). You can do the lounge as well and get the full menu or just drinks and small things. Honestly we liked the view from up here. They have tables, not just bar seating.
2) ‘Ohana (are you doing breakfast or dinner?)
3) Hoop Dee Doo
4) Chef Mickey

I put Chef Mickey last because there are other Mickey and Friends character meals possible if you can’t get that one (Tusker House, Garden Grill and Cape May are favorites in our family), but if this is most important bump it up the list.
Click to expand...
Eight days and seven nights. We are at a 3-bedroom villa at OKW. We have a first-timer (Seven-year-old) in the group, and we haven't done Chef Mickeys in about 13 or so years. The order of importance is 1)CM, 2)Space, 3)Ohana 4)HDDR.
 
montyz81

montyz81

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
buckeyegator said:
i have used touringplans also.set up a free account, then pick the restaraunt, the day, the n umber of people and time.give cellphone for a text message, and email address, and check often, in some cases daily for a found reservation,good luck
Click to expand...
Touringplans.com no longer appears to be free. It is $17/year
 
DryerLintFan

DryerLintFan

Well-Known Member
montyz81 said:
Touringplans.com no longer appears to be free. It is $17/year
Click to expand...
It is super worth it, for our family. Not just the reservation finder but also the crowd levels and there touring plans themselves and it gives me a chance to add eating and parade and Have realistic expectations when i get there
 
RememberWhen

RememberWhen

Well-Known Member
montyz81 said:
Eight days and seven nights. We are at a 3-bedroom villa at OKW. We have a first-timer (Seven-year-old) in the group, and we haven't done Chef Mickeys in about 13 or so years. The order of importance is 1)CM, 2)Space, 3)Ohana 4)HDDR.
Click to expand...
I’d still do space 220 first, later in your trip. I think you’ll be okay for HDD. I checked just now and there’s availability for 9 at 60 days out. I feel like CM has more availability than ‘Ohana, but can’t guarantee that, so if you have strong priorities go with that. If the 7 year old likes princesses Akershus was pretty good.
Good luck and let us know how you make out!
 
montyz81

montyz81

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
RememberWhen said:
I’d still do space 220 first, later in your trip. I think you’ll be okay for HDD. I checked just now and there’s availability for 9 at 60 days out. I feel like CM has more availability than ‘Ohana, but can’t guarantee that, so if you have strong priorities go with that. If the 7 year old likes princesses Akershus was pretty good.
Good luck and let us know how you make out!
Click to expand...
The 7 year old is a boy
 
RememberWhen

RememberWhen

Well-Known Member
montyz81 said:
The 7 year old is a boy
Click to expand...
Boys can like princesses.

I checked this morning for 60 day availability, but not until 7. Some things definitely go right away. And lots of things will already booked. But I was able to find:
Reservations for 5 and 4 for ‘Ohana at 11:30
Reservations for 5 and 4 for Chef Mickey at 11:05
Still availability for 9 at Hoop dee Doo for 59 days out.

The 7year old might like the drive in restaurant at DHS. My kiddos enjoyed that last summer (they were 10 and 5). DS10’s favorite was Oga’s, but he loves Star Wars. DD5 liked the character meals. We did Tusker House and Be Our Guest dinner and Hollywood and Vine.

Hope you all have a great trip!
 

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