Party of 9

[Disneydad2]

Hi Everyone,

I am going to Disney World with a group of 9 altogether. We will have a 1 year old with us but I am worried about getting a reservation for a party that large. Should I try to book a party of 8 and see if they will add the 9th when we arrive or book a party of 4 and a party of 5 and see if they can push the tables together?

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Chi84]

Depending on the time of year and the restaurant, they could possibly accommodate an extra person but it's not a guarantee, especially at the more popular restaurants. Some allow you to add additional guests when you check in on MDE and others do not.

In my opinion, the safer thing would be to book for 4 and 5 and then check in at the podium early (we were told at least 15 minutes) to explain the situation and ask. We did this at Hollywood and Vine last April and they had no issue seating us together.

We were also a party of 9 and I found that, at least at that time, many WDW restaurants cut off online availability at 8 guests. When I searched for 9, we saw availability at Biergarten, Boma, Storybook Dining, Cape May and Teppan Edo and a few others. But when I changed the search to 8, a ton of additional choices came up.

We did try calling the WDW dining number to see if they could combine our reservations, but I wouldn't advise it. They play a message while you wait telling you that if you can't do something online they won't be able to do it on the phone. When someone eventually answered the phone, the advice was to go to the podium 15 minutes early and ask to combine the reservations. As I said earlier, we had no problem doing this.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Should I try to book a party of 8 and see if they will add the 9th when we arrive

Do not do this.

or book a party of 4 and a party of 5 and see if they can push the tables together?

Book whatever you can get, as long as it's 9. 7 and 2, 6 and 3, 5 and 4, wherever there's availability.

As @Chi84 said, check in early and you'll be accommodated most places.

EDIT: I'm a party of 11 and this is what we were able to get.

Rainforest Cafe for 7 (4 skipping)
Boma for 9 (2 skipping)
Steakhouse 71 for 7 and 4
Via Napoli for 6 and 5
Oga's Cantina for 8 and 3
Ohana for 7 and 4
Liberty Tree for 7 and 4
Space 220 for 7 and 2 (2 skipping)
Mama Melrose for 6 and 5
Kona for 4, 4, and 3

 

[RememberWhen]

Agree with splitting the party. The CM will do what they can for you as long as you arrive early, are willing to wait a bit, and are polite and kind.

 

[MaryJaneP]

It was a while ago, but for family reunions, we have made large party reservations (party larger than 15) but have rarely (only once, California Grille) been at one table. We have been able to arrange adjacent tables at Whispering Canyon, Che Mickey's, and Crystal Palace or otherwise ( frequently) skipped eating together. We usually did some joint activities in the morning and then split up for the majority of the day, only to rejoin for the end-of-night activity (fireworks, etc). This gave everyone a chance to do some things together and some things without being shackled by the large group.

To answer the OP question, we made reservations for the correct amount (not n-1 and hope to squeeze in someone). Again, this was a while ago, years pre-pandemic. Not exactly sure how this same situation would be handled in the present but have to agree that using the correct number seems to at least give the establishment the chance to properly calculate seating and staffing demand.

 

[PUSH]

I was in a group of 10 back in June. None of the restaurants we were looking at allowed groups larger than 8, but we made reservations for The Boathouse and Via Napoli. We split our groups into 5 and 5. A The Boathouse, they said they weren't going to be able to sit us next to each other when we arrived. But when we were seated, the tables were right next to each other. At Via Napoli, they combined us to a group of 10, and we were all at one large table.

So like others have said, split your group into two parties, then arrive early and ask if you can be put together. They'll do their best to accommodate you, but just know it's not a guarantee. It all depends on what tables are taken and what they have for reservations when you arrive.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

We are sometimes a party of 10 at WDW. I usually split us into two smaller ADR groups if I can't get what I need for 10. No guarantees they can seat you all together, but we've had decent luck with being seated together and near/next to each other. I've done 5/5, 4/6, and even 2/8. I would not book for 8 and hope they can add the infant. We've tried adding 1 at check-in before (different situation- last minute guest) and have been turned away.

 

[Disneydad2]

Thank you all for your help!

 

[Raidermatt]

As others have said, best to book some combination of 9, even if the reservations are not for the same exact time, and then ask if you can be seated together when you arrive. We visit with parties between 7 and 12 and have never been turned down when we arrived.

That said, if you do find yourself with 1 extra person for some reason, don't be afraid to ask if they can accommodate you. We have occasionally done this (not by design) and again, have never been denied.