Adding a person to dining reservations

[maggie blossom]

We are going mid Feb and are all booked for our dining. A friend decided to join. We have reservations for 6 and now will be 7.
I don't want to lose our reservations. Should I call and try to add her by phone? Do you think if we just show up as 7 they will accommodate us?
We don't have any really hard to get restaurants like BOG. We have Cape May, Liberty Tree Tavern, stuff like that
Thanks in advance!!!

 

[kmb584]

I would call and see if they can add the extra person to your reservation. We've shown up a couple of times with an extra person and have always been accommodated, but those ADRs were for 5 people meaning we would have been seated at a 6-top table to begin with. It's harder to add a person when the physical size of the table needs to be increased.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would call but the first words out of my mouth would be ."please to not change any of my reservations while I am asking questions and not until I have new ones booked". Sometimes CMs do not listen well or there are misunderstandings so be very careful.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

It is very difficult to add a person and come up with an odd number of people. Almost all tables are designed for an even number of people.

Going, for example, from a 5 to a 6 is generally not a problem as you would have received a 6-top anyway. However going from a 6 to a 7 is much harder as you will now need a table for 8, and they are not as common as a 6.

 

[dsnymomof4]

The same thing happened to us a few years back - we were 6 over Easter and DSis decided to join us. I had no luck adding her to any of our ADRs, so she figured she would just get CS while we ate our TS and meet up afterwards. So, on the first night - which was Easter - she did not come with us to our ADR at 1900 PF - and they sat us at a table with an EXTRA CHAIR! They actually removed it for us when we sat down. I explained to the CM that we could have used that and she said that if she had come, they would have accommodated her. So, from that point on, she came with us to our meals and they always had room - we may have had to wait a few minutes longer than we would have, but they always found a table for all of us. Good luck!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

MY STOCK RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION OF AN EXTRA PERSON:

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 a 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.

 

[maxiesmom]

Call and add the extra guest if possible. If not, keep checking. Showing up with an extra should always be your last resort. There is a chance they will be turned away.

You need to decide now what you will do if you hear your extra guest cannot be seated. Will they be fine finding food on their own? If you are uncomfortable with that choice, be advised if you all walk away you will be charged the $10 per person no show fee.

Add your additional person ahead of time if you can!

 

[maggie blossom]

So just to be clear I am not trying to "trick" anyone to score any reservations. This really is a case of someone deciding to join us.
So I will call ahead and try to add. Do you suggest I call individual restaurants or call dining reservation line? What about if we offer to split up for the meal into parties of 3 and 4? would that make it easier?
thanks folks

 

[maxiesmom]

So just to be clear I am not trying to "trick" anyone to score any reservations. This really is a case of someone deciding to join us.
So I will call ahead and try to add. Do you suggest I call individual restaurants or call dining reservation line? What about if we offer to split up for the meal into parties of 3 and 4? would that make it easier?
thanks folks

Call the dining line, or look on-line. And you and look for a table for one or two and then request to be seated together. Just keep checking until you can't check anymore. Good Luck!

 

[Dug720]

Definitely call. But ask them to check for reservations for the number you need at or around the time of your pre-existing ones since you'd be going up a table size. You might have to alter the time a bit, but it could be possible if you're slightly flexible on the exact time. (Yes, I speak from experience going from 1 to 3 when a couple of friends suggested dinner together post-marathon. I had to change my time slightly - I think it was within 15-20 minutes - but it was doable.)