Add a guest at Kona?

[GBBTomorrow]

Listeners to a certain podcast may be familiar with the phrase "pulling a Len," meaning to add people to a reservation when you arrive at the podium. Does anybody have experience on whether this will work at Kona Cafe? Do you think it's possible to take a reservation from four people to five at the time of the meal?
Thanks for your opinions!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Depends on the day, the time and the CM. I would recommend trying to update the ADR, or being prepared for one member of your party to be going over to Captain Cook's.

 

[Alesia]

Listeners to a certain podcast may be familiar with the phrase "pulling a Len," meaning to add people to a reservation when you arrive at the podium. Does anybody have experience on whether this will work at Kona Cafe? Do you think it's possible to take a reservation from four people to five at the time of the meal?
Thanks for your opinions!

It's possible, but it's very likely that they won't be able to accommodate the extra person.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree possible but not likely. Have a Plan B

 

[GreatLakes]

It depends on the CM, the day, and what the original and new number are. Adding a 4th to a 3 person reservation should be easy since either way you'll be at a 4 top or larger. Adding a 5th to a 4 person reservation may be harder since it pushes you to a larger table.

 

[supersnoop]

pulling a Len

Don't google that. Because it most certainly doesn't mean what the OP said it means.

 

[figment_jii]

I agree that it's possible, but it doesn't mean that it's going to be likely. It's usually easier to go from an odd number to an even number, but even that can have problems. For example, in most cases going from a 3 to a 4 is pretty easy, but there are a handful of restaurants (e.g., 'Ohana and Boma) that have tables for three, so in those cases, increases the party size would be problematic. In general, I do think the CMs will do what they can to accommodate you, but they may not be able to (in which case the extra person would have to find a different place to dine) or it may mean a significantly longer wait (because you are either treated as a walk-up or they just don't have a table for the right size available). I strongly second the recommendation to try and find a reservation for the right party size or at least find another reservation for the extra person so that they will get to eat even if they aren't seated with you.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

Don't google that. Because it most certainly doesn't mean what the OP said it means.

Holy cow! I had no idea!!!! That's like last week when I learned what "Netflix and chill" means. I am so out of touch! Thanks for the heads up.

 

[MichelleB]

Since I have no idea what Netflix and chill mean, I'm not going to ask or check. I think I'll just stay out of touch!!!!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

THE QUESTION OF AN EXTRA PERSON or EXTRA PEOPLE (the "411"):
1) Disney is getting wise to the "but, they decided to join us" or "I miscounted".
2) People can't always get the ADR they want.
3) So, they under-count to get a table.
4) Then, they show up with "unexpected" additional people.
5) In a team meeting, CM's have been told to warn guests against this.
6) If there is room, WDW will not turn away revenue.
7) But, if busy, they will turn away the additions.
8) Go ahead and arrive with the extras, if you like.
9) Just be prepared to have someone stand around while you eat.
10) I have heard explanations such as . . .
. . . "but, Aunt Suzy decided to join us and we need an extra seat"
. . . "but, two friends from off-site decided to join us and we need two extra seats"
. . . "but, brother-in-law decided to join us and we need an extra seat"
. . . "but, the entire Boy Scout Troop decided to join us and we need 14 extra sets"
. . . "but, my baby is so small that I didn't count her in the number of eaters"
.
NOTE1: It is far easier going from an odd-number to an even number, such as from 7-people to 8-people, adding a person to an even number of diners, such as going from 6-people to 7-people. Adding odd person can mean adding a table, and this might not be possible. Going from an odd-to-even might only mean adding a chair or using an empty seat. So, if going from even-to-odd, you might not get the extra person a seat. It is always better to get another ADR with the proper people-count.
.
NOTE2: Frequently a party-of-two will try to add a third person at the podium. This can be risky, because many eateries do have tables-for-two. If the guest was slated for one of these, there simply might not be a table available to seat the third person - even if an infant. The extra chair location might extend into an aisle and block access for other guests or Servers.