2 extra ppl coming to our Dinner...major problem??

[Gmouse]

We have a 5:10 ressie at 'Ohana for 6 ppl. 2 of which are my kids-12yrs and my 1 yr will be in a highchair. We have 2 more ppl that want to meet us there. Would that be a major problem getting us all in...if we get there earlier maybe and ask if they can squeeze us in?? I've looked and looked for more ressies and nothing is showing up except LATE ressies, not gonna work with a baby. I'm subbed to the canceled ADR thread and no luck there yet either.
I know alot of the tables at 'Ohana's will seat 8, and if they can seat 6 of us-it looks to me like they could seat 8. But we are a little worrried we'll end up there on a night with some strange table/seating arrangement and not be able to fit us all in.
We did ask for them to make note that 1 of us is actually a highchair. Soooo...although a highchair can take as much room as an adult... it's sortof maybe almost like we have 1 more person coming instead of 2....

 

[EverestSherpa]

Could be a close call. I'd hate to say "no, that wouldn't be a problem" when it might be. I have never eaten at O'hana because it's always booked and for that reason I think it might be a slight problem. Then again, this is Disney and specialize in miracles. You can play dumb and say you didn't know the baby was supposed to be counted in the total and therefore you only have the one extra person. squeezing in an extra chair I assume is up to management at Ohana's. For that reason alone, I can't say one way or the other. If it were me I have been craving Ohana for so long that it would be worth it take a chance, but I still suggest doing what you're doing. Waiting for cancelled ADR's and trying to make a new reservation.

 

[aubriee]

It could be a big problem. You'd be going from a six topper to a eight topper for one thing. Then you have the fact that maximum occupancy is based on the fire codes. Everyone, even tiny infants in arms, are considered for the fire codes. Ohana's is always packed full. No way is any restaurant willing to go over the occupancy limits and violate those fire codes. We have seen people turned away both at Ohana and also at Le Cellier who showed up with an extra couple of people. I'd keep trying to get an ADR for the right number of people and if you can't maybe try your luck. It may also depend on what time your reservation is for. You'd probably have better luck if your reservation is for just when they open or if it's very late (after 9:00pm). When we ate there Sept 10th the check in desk had two lines going (one for people with ADRs and one for people without). Both lines were unbelievably long. We had to wait well past our ADR time. They were packed that night.

 

[Nadjalu]

99.99% huge problem. Sorry, but even though the tables can handle larger parties, Disney follows a strict capacity fire code policy. And that is where most the problem lies.
Ohana being the most popular right now is usually booked solid, so there isn't room for extras.

I am not saying don't try, but be fully prepared for the extra people to be turned away. Or at the very least a 2+ hour wait....and you have to wait right there, you can't roam the resort or even come back.
So have back up plans for the other 2 people...maybe Kona??

 

[4under4]

Could you try to get a ressie for 2, then when you arrive explain you have separate ressies, but would love to sit together if possible, or at adjoining tables?

 

[333disneymom]

We had this problem before when a guest let us know the day before that they would join us. I contacted Disney Dining and they explained how because of the restaurant being booked and the fire code, they could not add our friend. So, rather than have our guest tour Disney while we ate, we thought it wouldn't hurt to check at the podium. We explained the situation and the CM easily changed our reservations to fit our guest. I would guess that it depends entirely on how crowded a restaurant was and how easy it would be for the CM to add someone. Not sure if that would work for you with 2 additional guests, but it might be worth a try.

 

[TDC Nala]

Give it a try, but have a plan as to what your party will do if your two extra people are denied admittance or you are assigned a long wait. 'Ohana is trickier than some restaurants because it is booked full most of the time. It may depend on how many no-shows they end up having.

 

[Gmouse]

I didn't think about the fire codes I guess we can try the idea of 2 sep. ressies. And keep trying for one for 8 in the meantime. It's a very popular place-We've been before and it's not a huge restaurant. Seen the reeeeally long lines that can form. I really don't understand why there isn't a fire code for the other 5 gazillion people waiting in the lobby to get in Ohanas! Those folks sitting out there "sippin" away getting tipsy while they wait would be more dificult to get out!
Oh well.....keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[ppony]

Unless you can modify your ressie, I doubt they'd be able to get you all in. BUT, you could all meet in the bar for drinks and chatting and you could get them ressies at Kona cafe. After you meal you could join up again. People for both places all tend to congregate in the same area anyway.

 

[Gmouse]

I know But this meal is the only meal they really wanted to have with us. They are a young newlywed couple and can't afford to eat very expensive every night. It's their favorite place. They will be there for 5 nights, staying with my cousins there too. They'll have to have QS meals the rest of the time. We made the 6 ppl ressie in hopes of squeezing them in. 6 is ALL I could get and have had it for a good while. and I keep checking the canceled ADR threads for Nov 28-Dec 3. But no luck yet. This 180 window is allowing alot of people to make a bunch of ressies that they probably won't show up for. I've seen several ppl canceling ALOT of places all in the same dates. That's so not fair to everyone

 

[ppony]

This 180 window is allowing alot of people to make a bunch of ressies that they probably won't show up for. I've seen several ppl canceling ALOT of places all in the same dates. That's so not fair to everyone

Well, personally I love the 180 window as we plan that far out and it's easier for us. But at least those people are canceling and not just letting them slide.
Good luck.

 

[debidoesdisney]

I kind of have the same problem and wondered if people have had any experience there. I have a ressie on the 29th of Dec (yea, I know, Christmas week ) for 3 people and now need one for 4. I have called and called to no avail and have tried booking 1, other days, nothing. I will say that the person that I last talked to said, "I'm really not supposed to encourage this but I would try to walk up and see if they can't work you in" I am hoping since we have the 1st ressie of the evening (4:30) that it will work IF I don't get something as we get closer to Christmas with cancellations.

We just have to hope for some Disney miracles.

 

[Gmouse]

I kind of have the same problem and wondered if people have had any experience there. I have a ressie on the 29th of Dec (yea, I know, Christmas week ) for 3 people and now need one for 4. I have called and called to no avail and have tried booking 1, other days, nothing. I will say that the person that I last talked to said, "I'm really not supposed to encourage this but I would try to walk up and see if they can't work you in" I am hoping since we have the 1st ressie of the evening (4:30) that it will work IF I don't get something as we get closer to Christmas with cancellations.

We just have to hope for some Disney miracles.

OOOH! you're a brave one going Christmas week! I've always WANTED to go then...just to actually BE IN MK ON Christmas day would be AWESOME, but I can't handle the crowds! I guess if my kids were big enough not to get trampled on thru those crowds, I might would go! Baby girl is in a stroller and the only thing she will see is a bunch of strangers BUTTS We try to swing it when it's HOPEFULLY not so crowded.....and we HOPED to get reservations much more easily. I have NEVER EVER had as much trouble and spent as much time on this computer as I have the last several months.........all for some decent time of day ADRs I've got to hurry up and get the ones I need and get my life back!! My kids have been neglected because of all this!!!!! (not really, but I'm sure you understand!)
I understand the deal with fire codes, but to me if tons and tons of people with NO ADR show up and they can squeeze them in between those that do have ADRs...why can't they squeeze our extra 1 or 2 people that we have been trying for MONTHS AND MONTHS to get in with our ADR!? Right?? I don't get that part. It just needs to be made a reservation ONLY restaurant and leave it at that. The NO ADR folks throw a wrench it, to me. Myabe I'm wrong.....
Good luck on your search!! and I do pray for us some DISNEY MIRACLES!! I like that

 

[gigi1313]

Could you try to get a ressie for 2, then when you arrive explain you have separate ressies, but would love to sit together if possible, or at adjoining tables?

DITTO this advice! we had a similar issue last year, but were a party of five wanting to join up with a party of five... we had separate ressies, most w/in the same 15 min time frame, but one or two hours apart and they were happy to accommodate us... twice we were offered separate tables right next to one another which was fine (kids at one, adults and baby at the other! LOL!)...

i would definitely try to get the party of 2 their own ressie for the same night, any time as that way the # of people dining there that night is accurate.

 

[3pletprincesses]

I second trying to make a reservation for the other 2 people and once your get to the podium explain the situation. It will be easier for them to seat 2 parties together if you are willing to wait vs trying to add 2 seats to your reservation. Ohana often turns people around because they are full.

 

[debidoesdisney]

OOOH! you're a brave one going Christmas week! I've always WANTED to go then...just to actually BE IN MK ON Christmas day would be AWESOME, but I can't handle the crowds! I guess if my kids were big enough not to get trampled on thru those crowds, I might would go! Baby girl is in a stroller and the only thing she will see is a bunch of strangers BUTTS We try to swing it when it's HOPEFULLY not so crowded.....and we HOPED to get reservations much more easily. I have NEVER EVER had as much trouble and spent as much time on this computer as I have the last several months.........all for some decent time of day ADRs I've got to hurry up and get the ones I need and get my life back!! My kids have been neglected because of all this!!!!! (not really, but I'm sure you understand!)
I understand the deal with fire codes, but to me if tons and tons of people with NO ADR show up and they can squeeze them in between those that do have ADRs...why can't they squeeze our extra 1 or 2 people that we have been trying for MONTHS AND MONTHS to get in with our ADR!? Right?? I don't get that part. It just needs to be made a reservation ONLY restaurant and leave it at that. The NO ADR folks throw a wrench it, to me. Myabe I'm wrong.....
Good luck on your search!! and I do pray for us some DISNEY MIRACLES!! I like that

Yes, Christmas is a unique time to go. It has it's pros & cons. You are best to wait a few years (if you choose) before trying to tackle DW at Christmas. We all hate the crowds too, but somehow keep going back and facing them. I guess for us, we have been so many times, there is nothing pressing that we have to see or do so we just hit the new ones right away and do whatever else we can. It is magical at Christmas. With that being said, this reservation thing is an absolute PITA. We have been going since our son was 3 (he is now 24) and up until the last 5 yrs, NEVER had to make early reservations. You just went where you wanted and that was that. I hate having to try and plan ahead like this, because plans DO change. At any rate....Good luck and hopefully a Disney miracle will happen for you . Try not to stress too much. I know it's hard.