Adding a person after ADR's are set

[beachphotog]

I can make ADR's on Monday morning! This is a surprise trip; my parents will be down there for the week, and when they get there... I'll already be there!

My dad knows but not my mom, but she is making all of their ADR's. If she makes them for 2, without knowing I will be there, can I easily be added as a 3rd for some of them, when we show up to check in?

 

[Cafeen]

I can make ADR's on Monday morning! This is a surprise trip; my parents will be down there for the week, and when they get there... I'll already be there!

My dad knows but not my mom, but she is making all of their ADR's. If she makes them for 2, without knowing I will be there, can I easily be added as a 3rd for some of them, when we show up to check in?

It can be tricky. Not sure how it's been lately (I've been out of the loop), but going from 2 to 3 means a potentially larger table. Depending on how busy the restaurant is at the time, the extra can be turned away.

However, it could be possible for you to make your own ADRs for 1 at the same locations and same times (or, as close as you possibly can) to theirs, and then see if you can sit together. Otherwise, I don't see how you can guarantee that you're at the same place at the same time, without letting her know in some manner .

 

[nkereina]

It can be tricky. Not sure how it's been lately (I've been out of the loop), but going from 2 to 3 means a potentially larger table. Depending on how busy the restaurant is at the time, the extra can be turned away.

However, it could be possible for you to make your own ADRs for 1 at the same locations and same times (or, as close as you possibly can) to theirs, and then see if you can sit together. Otherwise, I don't see how you can guarantee that you're at the same place at the same time, without letting her know in some manner .

Agree. Changing from 2 to 3 means you'll be going from a two top table to a 4 top table which affects the other parties around you. Depending on how busy they are, they may not accommodate you. And with the new cancellation policy, I don't know how that would work. As PP said you can try making an ADR for around the same time for yourself and seeing if they can just put you together.

 

[beachphotog]

Agree. Changing from 2 to 3 means you'll be going from a two top table to a 4 top table which affects the other parties around you. Depending on how busy they are, they may not accommodate you. And with the new cancellation policy, I don't know how that would work. As PP said you can try making an ADR for around the same time for yourself and seeing if they can just put you together.

Bah! This isn't supposed to be so complicated!!!

 

[luvmy2babies]

Hate to say it because I love surprises, but you may need to go ahead and spring the surprise on mom unless you and dad can convince her to let one of you make the reservations and even then she is likely to find out he made them for 3.

If not, then the only way I can see you holding the surprise is if you or him call very soon after they are made to modify them. Not sure how you can keep the surprise until you actually get there. I've been through having to change ADRs from 2 to 3 (didn't count my infant until I read on here I should have). I had to try to modify 6 reservations with a month left. Four of them I was able to do on the first try, but we were down to the final week when I got one done and the other I had to wait until we got there. Fortunately that restaurant did not have 2 person tables, so we had a 4 top anyway. I would not wait until you arrived.

 

[purple figment]

Bah! This isn't supposed to be so complicated!!!

Unfortunately I agree that you'll have to make reservations for 1 at or very near the same time as your parents' reservations. If you choose not to make your own res, the restaurants will do their very best to include you, but if they are full, one of you will be turned away.

The suggestion that you or your Dad modify your Mom's reservations will take away the element of surprise because they will have to be done through your Mother's account. So anytime she goes into her res list she'll see the change from 2 to 3 and will either a) guess the surprise or b) think there's now an error and try to change them all back again.

 

[Cafeen]

The suggestion that you or your Dad modify your Mom's reservations will take away the element of surprise because they will have to be done through your Mother's account. So anytime she goes into her res list she'll see the change from 2 to 3 and will either a) guess the surprise or b) think there's now an error and try to change them all back again.

Or she may even get an email that the ADR was updated. (I'm not sure if they do this, which is why I deleted this part from my initial post )

 

[beachphotog]

So I'm going to attempt to make all my res's to closely match theirs, for just one and call Dis to see how easy it would be to combine them when we arrive at the restaurants. Simply because I am determined to keep this a secret! Looking at the overlap of needed ADR's, it may only end up being a few meals.
Thanks for all your help, everyone!

 

[purple figment]

So I'm going to attempt to make all my res's to closely match theirs, for just one and call Dis to see how easy it would be to combine them when we arrive at the restaurants. Simply because I am determined to keep this a secret! Looking at the overlap of needed ADR's, it may only end up being a few meals.
Thanks for all your help, everyone!

You'll have to wait until you get to the restaurants to see about combining the reservations. They will do their very best and it probably isn't going to be a problem. CMs on the phone will not be able to give you any kind of definitive answer.

 

[nkereina]

You'll have to wait until you get to the restaurants to see about combining the reservations. They will do their very best and it probably isn't going to be a problem. CMs on the phone will not be able to give you any kind of definitive answer.

True. It will likely depend on how many no shows and cancellations the restaurants get on the day of. I would guess the restaurant will do what they can for you, even if it means having to wait a little longer.

 

[JaimeA]

In March our family was there and my MIL decided last minute she was going to join us for 3 days, she lives in FL. I had made all of my ADRs 180 days out and could not get any reservations for 6 ( we had for 5). I explained to MIL that there might be an issue but we could hope for the best since we were going from 5 to 6. Chef Mickeys, 1900 Park Fare and Coral Reef didn't bat an eyelash when we explained at the podium. Again though going from 5 to 6 doesnt change the table size but hopefully they will be as accomodating. I think it will all depend on the restaurant set up. If you were to get her reservation numbers somehow and call disney dining maybe they can link you reservation with hers somehow since it is a surprise.

 

[JaimeA]

Actually if you find out the times and restaurants she chooses, you can go ahead and make the same reservations for 3. When you see them in Disney have her cancel all of hers, hopefully it will be before the 24 hour period for any credit card reservations.

Good Luck