adding a guest to a ADR?

[happymom2one]

How easy/hard is it for Disney to add one more person? I have had horrible luck with finding reservations and I have found someone cancelling their reservation. How bad is it for me to get that reservation for 4 when really I need it for 5?

 

[jess1017]

It all depends on where the reservation is and how busy that location is at the time that you show up with an extra person. It's the discretion of the restaurant to take the extra person or only accept the 4 guests that are on the reservation.

Depending on where the reservation is for, you might have better luck booking two separate reservations (1 guest + 4 guests, 3 guests + 2 guests) etc. and asking to sit together if a reservation for 5 is not available. This would also work if you're looking to dine somewhere that you can seat yourself, like BOG. You might want to keep checking for a reservation for 1 guest at the same or close time to your initial reservation, that way the restaurant is already planning on having 5 guests and the only thing that needs to be changed at the time of check in is the seating arrangements.

 

[happymom2one]

It all depends on where the reservation is and how busy that location is at the time that you show up with an extra person. It's the discretion of the restaurant to take the extra person or only accept the 4 guests that are on the reservation.

Depending on where the reservation is for, you might have better luck booking two separate reservations (1 guest + 4 guests, 3 guests + 2 guests) etc. and asking to sit together if a reservation for 5 is not available. This would also work if you're looking to dine somewhere that you can seat yourself, like BOG. You might want to keep checking for a reservation for 1 guest at the same or close time to your initial reservation, that way the restaurant is already planning on having 5 guests and the only thing that needs to be changed at the time of check in is the seating arrangements.

It is sci-fi?

 

[Charmagne]

I heard that usually, ADRs have no problem accepting a group of 4 for a reservation of 5, but not the other way around.

When I had to add two more people to an ADR I made, I simply booked for 4, then cancelled my ADR for 2 afterwards. It was for Jiko, which is an easier ADR to get, so this might be harder to do for Sci Fi. I suggest you keep checking for a table of 5 at Sci Fi, then once that opens up, book that, then cancel your ADR for 4.

 

[Pumbaa_]

the cars sit 2 to a row. going from 4 to 5 is not simple. i would keep trying. i have also had walk up luck at sci fi going when it immediately opens. had some hits and miss though

 

[happymom2one]

Thanks so much for all the information!! I missed the reservation so on to more checking!!

 

[purple figment]

Sci Fi is popular and is often fully booked in advance. Going from 4 to 5 is more difficult because you need a larger table (or in the case of Sci Fi, 3 rows instead of 2 in a car. Try looking for a reservation for 5 or 6. I f you get a res for 6 and only 5 show up, you will not be charged for the "missing" person. It is always easier to show up with fewer than try to add an extra person at the check in desk. You can also look for a reservation for 4 and a second reservation for 2 at the same time and ask to be seated together when you check in, but the second reservation will have to be in a different person's name and account.

Showing up at the restaurant with an extra person would be a last resort. The host/hostess at the podium will do their best, but if it is extremely busy the extra person might not be seated and will have to go elsewhere to eat.

 

[David Daniels]

What about @ BOG? There are three of us. Us grown ups had to book two, individual reservations about 15 mins apart. My daughter (5) is not on either reservation. Thoughts?

 

[Nancyg56]

What about @ BOG? There are three of us. Us grown ups had to book two, individual reservations about 15 mins apart. My daughter (5) is not on either reservation. Thoughts?

You may not be allowed in. Yes, two of you can be seated, and you may not be seated together, but the third is up in the air. It all depends on how busy it is, what the ADR's look like, and the CM who checks you in.

In general, it is not a good idea to book ADR's hoping to squeeze an additional person in. Sometimes you are lucky ( I have had my son join us unexpectedly and we lucked out) but I have read a lot of reports of people being turned away. You will be charged the No Show fee if you do not take your seat, so I think that it is a risk. I woudl keep looking for an ADR for 3 or 4.

 

[Charmagne]

What about @ BOG? There are three of us. Us grown ups had to book two, individual reservations about 15 mins apart. My daughter (5) is not on either reservation. Thoughts?

If it's for lunch, there may be a better chance that you could be seated together because it is quick service, so after you order your food, you can go ahead in the dining room and sit together.

 

[Nancyg56]

If it's for lunch, there may be a better chance that you could be seated together because it is quick service, so after you order your food, you can go ahead in the dining room and sit together.

I missed that it may be lunch. Absolutely, you choose your table in BOG for breakfast and lunch, so no issues there.

 

[David Daniels]

I missed that it may be lunch. Absolutely, you choose your table in BOG for breakfast and lunch, so no issues there.

Thanks.
And yes, it is lunch. Also, I'd be shocked to see a Cast Member say no to a 5 year old... It is for lunch and we check everyday for a 3 person reservation (45 days straight)

 

[Nancyg56]

CM's do not say no to a 5 year old. They say no to a person who does not have an adr if there is no space to add another. While I understand that for you, The issue is adding a child, yo the cm the issue is more involved. I do not pretend to know the formulas involved, there is z clear number of people who can be inside at any given time. If the cm cannot accommodate you, and believe me when I say they love heaven and earth to do so, please do not press. They are only doing their job. Infants, toddlers,never time counts in a Disney restaurant.

 

[David Daniels]

CM's do not say no to a 5 year old. They say no to a person who does not have an adr if there is no space to add another. While I understand that for you, The issue is adding a child, yo the cm the issue is more involved. I do not pretend to know the formulas involved, there is z clear number of people who can be inside at any given time. If the cm cannot accommodate you, and believe me when I say they love heaven and earth to do so, please do not press. They are only doing their job. Infants, toddlers,never time counts in a Disney restaurant.

I'm a little confused based on some of your typos and also surprised that you would assume I would press. Just simply gaining insight as to what I may experience and discover what others have experienced.

Treat others the way you want to be treated is a motto I stand by, not "press" or cause a scene to get my way.

Hoping for a great outcome but we knew the potential when we reserved the way we did.

One thing that may help is MK is slated for a "2" on the crowd calendar. Yes I know that also means nothing, but typically one would have more of an issue on a really crowded day.

Again just looking for insight from others who may have experienced different outcomes at that restaurant.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm a little confused based on some of your typos and also surprised that you would assume I would press. Just simply gaining insight as to what I may experience and discover what others have experienced.

Treat others the way you want to be treated is a motto I stand by, not "press" or cause a scene to get my way.

Hoping for a great outcome but we knew the potential when we reserved the way we did.

One thing that may help is MK is slated for a "2" on the crowd calendar. Yes I know that also means nothing, but typically one would have more of an issue on a really crowded day.

Again just looking for insight from others who may have experienced different outcomes at that restaurant.

First, let me apologize that I had typos. I was on a phone that has decided it spells better than I do. I guess that it does not.

I never assumed that you would press, but because we see so many people pitching a fit in order to gain access to restaurants, and because we see suggestions that guests tell the CM that they gave the correct number but that the CM has the number wrong, many of us just try to give a heads up that the number allowed in is not always as simple as adding one 5 year old. The statement that a CM would not say "No" was an indication that you did not understand that it is not at all about age, and that many times the CM has no choice. I have had the unfortunate experience of watching scenes take place, with children often held as the reason the CM must acquiesce, placing that poor CM in a very difficult position. They now are shouldering the responsibility of a kid eating or not.

The fact that right now the Mk is a 2 is in your favor. The fact that this restaurant is BOG is not, although a CS restaurant may be easier to add one to than if this was dinner at a TS restaurant.

BOG is the most difficult restaurant to secure ADR's , and it has been my experience that it all depends on the situation at the time you arrive. If there is room, no CM will deny you access. If they are booked, they will turn you away. It has become common practice for guests who are not able to book a table for everyone to show up and explain they have an unexpected member, so Disney has not been as understanding as they were.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Thanks.
And yes, it is lunch. Also, I'd be shocked to see a Cast Member say no to a 5 year old... It is for lunch and we check everyday for a 3 person reservation (45 days straight)

You have got be kidding. There will be hundreds of 5 year old children at Disney World at the same time you are there. I imagine that at some point during all of their lives, someone has said no to them. And I am sure that some of those will be told no while at Disney. Why set it up so that a cast member has to say no to your daughter?

What you should do, if you can't find another reservation, is change the name on one of them to your daughter's name. That way if they can only let in 2 people in, the cast member won't be saying no to your dear daughter. But instead will be saying no to you.

 

[David Daniels]

You have got be kidding. There will be hundreds of 5 year old children at Disney World at the same time you are there. I imagine that at some point during all of their lives, someone has said no to them. And I am sure that some of those will be told no while at Disney. Why set it up so that a cast member has to say no to your daughter?

What you should do, if you can't find another reservation, is change the name on one of them to your daughter's name. That way if they can only let in 2 people in, the cast member won't be saying no to your dear daughter. But instead will be saying no to you.

No, I'm not kidding. Why are you taking such offense over that statement? I certainly didn't direct that statement to you. Yes, my daughter hears the word no daily. If you can't add value to the conversation, find somewhere else to be snarky.

Anyway... Let's talk more about the system. The last time I checked, there are no one seat tables at BOG. So, when a single reservation goes in, I doubt they are eating with a random stranger at a two top. The last time we were there (1st week of May) It was just the two of us, there were no reservations to be found at any point that day, (we looked all week) yet, we sat at a 6 top in the west wing, and the room was half empty. Now, this is for lunch (we only go for lunch). My experience has been that it's not busting at the seams, yet there are no ADR's available. That looks like system issue to me. (based on my experience only)

As I stated in the earlier post, I do NOT expect to be treated special, I know what a one person reservation means, I will NOT mistreat a CM, they go above and beyond more than any other service industry in the world. This question was meant to find out what OTHERS EXPERIENCES HAVE BEEN. It was a simple question...

 

[Nancyg56]

No, I'm not kidding. Why are you taking such offense over that statement? I certainly didn't direct that statement to you. Yes, my daughter hears the word no daily. If you can't add value to the conversation, find somewhere else to be snarky.

Anyway... Let's talk more about the system. The last time I checked, there are no one seat tables at BOG. So, when a single reservation goes in, I doubt they are eating with a random stranger at a two top. The last time we were there (1st week of May) It was just the two of us, there were no reservations to be found at any point that day, (we looked all week) yet, we sat at a 6 top in the west wing, and the room was half empty. Now, this is for lunch (we only go for lunch). My experience has been that it's not busting at the seams, yet there are no ADR's available. That looks like system issue to me. (based on my experience only)

As I stated in the earlier post, I do NOT expect to be treated special, I know what a one person reservation means, I will NOT mistreat a CM, they go above and beyond more than any other service industry in the world. This question was meant to find out what OTHERS EXPERIENCES HAVE BEEN. It was a simple question...

Okay, if you want to be snippy, remember you got pretty snarky about my typos. I chose to give it a pass, but you tend to be defensive here.

There tables for One and there are tables for three at BOG I have been told.The people who are taking up a two top are taking space, and in a Disney restaurant it is all about the numbers.

Now about that 5 YO. You brought her into this by suggesting that CM's would never look at a little kid and deny entry. This is why you are getting the responses you are getting.

BOG is never busting at the seams. It is however booked solid,and that is what you are finding.

 

[David Daniels]

Okay, if you want to be snippy, remember you got pretty snarky about my typos. I chose to give it a pass, but you tend to be defensive here.

There tables for One and there are tables for three at BOG I have been told.The people who are taking up a two top are taking space, and in a Disney restaurant it is all about the numbers.

Now about that 5 YO. You brought her into this by suggesting that CM's would never look at a little kid and deny entry. This is why you are getting the responses you are getting.

BOG is never busting at the seams. It is however booked solid,and that is what you are finding.

As it turns out, I was honestly not understanding your typos, not judging you in them (sorry for any confusion).

On the question at hand, do you actually have any experience with my original question? I don't seem to have read any that would offer insight. That is all I'm looking for.

TIA

 

[Nancyg56]

As it turns out, I was honestly not understanding your typos, not judging you in them (sorry for any confusion).

On the question at hand, do you actually have any experience with my original question? I don't seem to have read any that would offer insight. That is all I'm looking for.

TIA

Yes. I am telling you that I have seen people turned away. I am telling you CM's will do all the can to seat additional guests who do not have and ADR or who are not included in the original party, but they are not miracle workers. They may tell you no. It does not matter if 1/2 of bog is empty, if they cannot accommodate additional people, and that may be because the manager has decided not to simply because they have been inundated with "one more kid" they will deny access.

I have watched CM's placed in uncomfortable situations because of people showing up with additional people and then blaming the cm when little Susie is not able to eat. It's not a pretty picture, and that is why you are not getting the answer you want to hear. We cant tell you that the CM will not say No to your child because they can and they do turn away additional guests, and they get berated for this all of the time.

BOG is never full. The staff just cannot accommodate the number of people who could be seated withing that space, but the manager still knows how many seats he will allow at any given time inside.

So.....the answer cannot be any clearer than you can try. You may be lucky. You may not. If you are not, one of you will need to eat elsewhere. Two of you can enter. It is up to you is you all walk away and incur the no show fee. The bottom line is that Disney restaurants are cracking down on the practice of allowing additional guests enter. It backs up the entire process and inconveniences those who may be affected by these added people. WE are reading more that people are turned away, and more of us are witnessing it. BOG is popular, and if you cannot find an ADR for 1 person, there is a reason. Crowd calendar at 2 or not, this restaurant is booked solid. Keep looking, people cancel all the time.