Bringing extra guests to my Fantasmic Dinner Pkg ressie?

[samano]

I've had my ADR for the 3 of us at Hollywood & Vine for months now.....long story short, my brother and nephew decided TODAY they wanted to come with us to WDW even though we are leaving in 10 days!

So now I am trying to add them to our plans. I called today to try to add 2 more to our FDP, booked solid, not happening....the CM I talked to was great, and she suggested that we keep the reservation for 3, and just show up with 5 and ask if they can squeeze in 2 more. She assured me they would try to find us a spot. Any thoughts? Or have you done this successfully/unsuccessfully in the past?

 

[JacksDaddy]

i did it on 6/26 at the cape may cafe and the host didn't even blink when I asked him if we could add 2 to our reservation for 6. You won't have a problem, don't sweat it. Lower your expectations for the buffets, they were really disappointing this trip. They fill you up, but the quality of the food has really declined in my opinion. Try Spoodles!

 

[Lehuaann]

I've had my ADR for the 3 of us at Hollywood & Vine for months now.....long story short, my brother and nephew decided TODAY they wanted to come with us to WDW even though we are leaving in 10 days!

So now I am trying to add them to our plans. I called today to try to add 2 more to our FDP, booked solid, not happening....the CM I talked to was great, and she suggested that we keep the reservation for 3, and just show up with 5 and ask if they can squeeze in 2 more. She assured me they would try to find us a spot. Any thoughts? Or have you done this successfully/unsuccessfully in the past?

I tried the same thing last year, except mine was for BD FDP. My brother/wife decided to join us about a month prior. I called EVERYDAY for openings, nothing. CM also told me to go to the ressie and ask if they can squeeze in. So I went to the BD podium a half hour or so early to see if they could accomodate them to my party. No, not with FDP. They stated that since I held reservations for a specific package where only so many seats/tickets are available, they could not add. They were able to sit at another table however, with no FDP. Keep in mind, this was when Fantasmic was running on a daily schedule too...now they've gone and cut the schedule WAY back.

By the way, I noticed many empty seats around us. I am sure they keep tables open for regular diners, FD, and FDP....so I dont think it was that they didn't have the extra tables to seat them just VERY limited FDP ticket's to go around. Anyways, that was my luck. Perhaps, yours turns out better.

 

[Alesia]

Maybe.

Maybe not.

You might get lucky, but I would definitely plan on it not happening.

 

[Lehuaann]

i did it on 6/26 at the cape may cafe and the host didn't even blink when I asked him if we could add 2 to our reservation for 6. You won't have a problem, don't sweat it. Lower your expectations for the buffets, they were really disappointing this trip. They fill you up, but the quality of the food has really declined in my opinion. Try Spoodles!

Cape May Cafe is not a part of the Fantasmic Dining Package.

 

[Alesia]

i did it on 6/26 at the cape may cafe and the host didn't even blink when I asked him if we could add 2 to our reservation for 6. You won't have a problem, don't sweat it. Lower your expectations for the buffets, they were really disappointing this trip. They fill you up, but the quality of the food has really declined in my opinion. Try Spoodles!

There is a huge difference between Cape May and the H&V Fantasmic! package.

 

[aubriee]

Sept '07 we tried to add one to our table of four at Mama Melrose and were told no, not for the Fantasmic pkg.

 

[Tricia1972]

In my experience they are really picky with the F Dining package.

When you go to check in they have your tickets already printed and attached to a little slip with your name and reservation information on it, so I think it'd be really hard to add at that time.

What I would suggest would be to calling, especially around the 48-24 hour mark before your reservation, and keep checking around then. Because you need to cancel this one or be charged, people will be sure to cancel before that deadline.

Also I'd post an SOS on the July Wanted/Trade/Cancel thread.

 

[samano]

This is kinda what I was afraid of....that they might be able to seat them, but not for the FDP....

Oh well, keep calling I guess....side note - I am the plan, plan, plan type when it comes to everything, and my brother is (how to say this nicely?) the complete opposite! When he called 10 days out to say he wanted to come with us (after declining when I asked in Feb & May), I wanted to scream! If it were just him, I would just tell him see what not planning gets you? Get in line for Fanstasmic buddy! lol.... BUT my nephew is 9 and visiting from California, he's been to Disneyland, but never Disney World and I want him to feel every bit of the magic on his first trip and remember this trip with his aunt and cousins. Anywho, I will be calling and calling and hoping something magical happens!

 

[samano]

Also I'd post an SOS on the July Wanted/Trade/Cancel thread.

I can't find this.....could you please post a link for me???

 

[Tricia1972]

I can't find this.....could you please post a link for me???

Sure, here you go http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2135627

 

[samano]

Sure, here you go http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2135627

Thanks!

 

[Pakey]

I would also check at the guest services kiosk at DHS on that day before you even check in at the restaurant.

 

[Lehuaann]

In my experience they are really picky with the F Dining package.

When you go to check in they have your tickets already printed and attached to a little slip with your name and reservation information on it, so I think it'd be really hard to add at that time.

What I would suggest would be to calling, especially around the 48-24 hour mark before your reservation, and keep checking around then. Because you need to cancel this one or be charged, people will be sure to cancel before that deadline.

Also I'd post an SOS on the July Wanted/Trade/Cancel thread.

Exactly. The FDP's require a CC hold, your tickets are pre-printed in advance, and attached to a slip with your name/ressie#. When I saw that I was like ok, now I understand.

I would also check at the guest services kiosk at DHS on that day before you even check in at the restaurant.

You can try GS's (at the front kiosk on the day of) to see about last minute pkg's cancellations, you never know. However if they remain booked up, there's probably nothing GS's can do. Adding more guest's or giving more tickets would likely be taking someone else's reserved seat.

If people are going to cancel it would be much more likely outside the 48 hr cancellation timeframe. There is a $10 per person fee charged if you cancel your Fantasmic! Dinner Package less than 2 days prior to the date. I highly recommend calling DD within a couple days prior to your ressie or like Tricia said, try the July Wanted/Trade/Cancel thread.