Adding a +1 to dinner reservation

[Jojo h]

I just found out that my sister will be in Orlando next week for a conference while my family and I are there on our vacation! She lives on the other side of the country so we don't see her often. Of course, I secured my dining reservations for 4 many months ago. I would love if she could join us for dinner one night. The nights she is available are nights when we have reservations at resorts for dinner- Cape May and Sanaa. I can't get a ressie for 5 close to the time I want. Would they turn her away if we showed up as a party of 5 for our reservation as a party of 4? I know that is terrible etiquette. My daughter could sit on her lap so we could still have a 4 top. I guess worst case would be she is turned away and has to just explore the AKL area or Boardwalk area.

 

[megster1123]

If there is not availability for a party of 5 when you arrive, then yes, she will not be able to dine with you. They would not allow a child to sit on someone's lap either. Your best bet, if you can't secure the ADR for 5, is to arrive at the restaurant well before your ADR time and ask if they can accommodate you. Your party will likely have to wait longer for a table to become available or they may just tell you it is not an option. Jumping from a 4-top to a 5-top can pose a lot of logistic problems as they can't just throw a chair on the end of a table for you.

 

[lizard1]

If you can't find a ressie for 5, maybe search for one or two (two because I have heard it is difficult to find a reservation for one) around the same time. Then I would get there early and see if they can seat you together.

 

[crabbygal902]

Yep, going from even to odd is harder than odd to even. I am having the same issue now that my DS is able to join us for our Oct trip.

The hassle is just not worth it to me of trying to add him to the ADR, now or at the host stand. I will give up the ADR and I will find something else that we can all enjoy together. There are so many places we haven't tried yet, and this is a chance to give one of those hidden gems a go or to have some apps in a signature bar/lounge. Maybe we'll find a new favorite.

 

[JerseyMama11]

Keep checking every day up until the night before your reservation for a party of 5. We had this exact situation a few weeks ago where my MIL joined us on vacation at the last minute so we went from a 4 o 5 table. I was able to eventually change the reservations for almost all of our dinners (Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, Narcoosee's). The only one we had a problem with was California Grill - but I was able to get a reservation for 1 person at the exact same reservation time and we were able to combine the tables.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would just keep checking. If you can't get a reservation for 5 where you currently have a reservation, perhaps consider switching to another restaurant that has availability that evening. In the EP resort area, Capt. Grille and Trattoria al Forno are very good. If you aren't on DDP, consider a Swan/Dolphin restaurant. Il Mulino and blue zoo are excellent. Or if you want a buffet, try Garden Grove. If you want to try a Swan/Dolphin restaurant, simply call the restaurant directly. I have also had success getting same day reservations over there.

At AKL, consider Boma. Or even looking into restaurants in other resorts altogether. The Wave at CR is excellent. Kona, Trails' End, GF Cafe and Whispering Canyon would be good as well. I know it puts a kink in your well laid out plans, but at least you know you would all be able to eat together!

 

[Jojo h]

Thanks everybody! Good suggestions!

 

[Kanga&TwoRoos]

Are you searching for a new reservation for 5 or trying to modify your existing reservation? We recently added 2 to our 8am Akershus and 3 to our early dinner at 50s Prime Time. Sometimes you get lucky!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Thanks everybody! Good suggestions!

Cape May should be easy to adjust to 5 people as you get close to your ADR date. They always have lots of cancellations.

 

[Nancyg56]

Yep, going from even to odd is harder than odd to even. I am having the same issue now that my DS is able to join us for our Oct trip.

The hassle is just not worth it to me of trying to add him to the ADR, now or at the host stand. I will give up the ADR and I will find something else that we can all enjoy together. There are so many places we haven't tried yet, and this is a chance to give one of those hidden gems a go or to have some apps in a signature bar/lounge. Maybe we'll find a new favorite.

This is what I would do. Normally I would keep trying to add, knowing one of us might not get added. Under these circumstances i would not do this. There is probably availability at one of the boardwalk restaurants.

 

[jaredjohn4]

We had the same type of problem 2 years ago. I wasn't able to change any reservations from 4 to 5. We just showed up about 15 minutes early and got in every time including BOG for dinner during spring break.

 

[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 could not refuse and keep the family peace"
. . . "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.
.
NOTE3: Sometimes it is a threesome adding a fourth. Unfortunately, there are many eateries that do have 3-top tables - usually against a wall or pillar. They can't add a fourth chair, since that would invade the aisle and be unsafe for SERVERS.
.
NOTE4: The final question is that of how many people are in the eatery. There are Fire Codes which dictate the maximum amount of people. If the capacity is exceeded, there are some big fines possible. And, Disney will not violate the max-capacity of an eatery.

 

[Laura's Dad]

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 could not refuse and keep the family peace"
. . . "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.
.
NOTE3: Sometimes it is a threesome adding a fourth. Unfortunately, there are many eateries that do have 3-top tables - usually against a wall or pillar. They can't add a fourth chair, since that would invade the aisle and be unsafe for SERVERS.
.
NOTE4: The final question is that of how many people are in the eatery. There are Fire Codes which dictate the maximum amount of people. If the capacity is exceeded, there are some big fines possible. And, Disney will not violate the max-capacity of an eatery.

Thanks for the information. We are having the same dilemma trying to increase our O'hana ADR from 3 to 5 as our stepson and his fiancée are trying to join us for our 30th anniversary dinner in a little less than two weeks. We have been trying unsuccessfully to get them added to our ADR and have even reached for a separate table for two with no luck. One thing will will do is to contact our hotel concierge at PO-R upon arrival. We did this at the BC one time on a hard to find ADR and pixie dust was found. We are still cautiously optomistic.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks for the information. We are having the same dilemma trying to increase our O'hana ADR from 3 to 5 as our stepson and his fiancée are trying to join us for our 30th anniversary dinner in a little less than two weeks. We have been trying unsuccessfully to get them added to our ADR and have even reached for a separate table for two with no luck. One thing will will do is to contact our hotel concierge at PO-R upon arrival. We did this at the BC one time on a hard to find ADR and pixie dust was found. We are still cautiously optomistic.

Keep trying. People cancel as they get closer

 

[TheRustyScupper]

One thing will will do is to contact our hotel concierge at PO-R upon arrival.

1) There is ONE concierge at POR that has an Override Code.
2) The code lets the concierge insert any amount of people at any time on any date into any restaurant. *
3) The only exceptions are those eateries that are capacity limited (such as HDDR, Luau, V&A).
4) If you get that concierge, you are "in". By the way, having an Override Code is not advertised, so you have to just get lucky who you ask.
5) we do not advertise, since there would be so many people asking to get into sold-out eateries.
6) This would create a real mess and claims of privilege.

* Overrides are typically given
. . . to guests of WDW General Managers and above
. . . to Disney/ABC vice-presidents and/or guests and above
. . . to Disney/ABC Marketing Dept guests

 

[Laura's Dad]

1) There is ONE concierge at POR that has an Override Code.
2) The code lets the concierge insert any amount of people at any time on any date into any restaurant. *
3) The only exceptions are those eateries that are capacity limited (such as HDDR, Luau, V&A).
4) If you get that concierge, you are "in". By the way, having an Override Code is not advertised, so you have to just get lucky who you ask.
5) we do not advertise, since there would be so many people asking to get into sold-out eateries.
6) This would create a real mess and claims of privilege.

* Overrides are typically given
. . . to guests of WDW General Managers and above
. . . to Disney/ABC vice-presidents and/or guests and above
. . . to Disney/ABC Marketing Dept guests

Thanks for the information. I guess we just got lucky during our Beach Club trip several years ago. I am not looking for any special privilege, just trying all I can think of to add two to my ADR.

 

[mrzrich]

Also check for tables of 6. Sounds counterintuitive, but the Disney System is wacky. You will not be charged a no show fee if 5 show up instead of 6.