Adding an Extra Person to Reservations... I'm Freaking Out!

[mjaclyn]

Help!! DH and I are leaving next week for a 10 day trip to WDW with friends and my sister decided to come at the very last minute. I am a planner, so we have all of our dining reservations already made. As it is right now, we have a party of 8, but with my sister that makes 9. I'm freaking out because that makes it an odd number... not something that can be easily squeezed in. I have checked all of our reservations and there is NOT ONE reservation available for a party of 9 that I have booked for 8!! Here are the locations I currently have reservations for a party of 8:

Hoop De Doo Revue
50's Prime Time Cafe
Akershus Princess Breakfast
San Angel Inn
Le Cellier (lunch)

I really don't know what to do. The other four people coming with us are friends that have only been to Disney once and are SO excited about this trip. There is no way I can cancel these reservations now, especially since this is free dining time and I have no idea what we would even be able to replace it with. Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I just keep trying to book for 9? Should I bring my sister along and just hope they can squeeze her in? We have four children with us ages 2, 3 and two 5 year olds. Would the restaurants let us have the 2 year old on our lap? I need advice!

 

[jcchicago]

Don't worry! It'll be fine. Just look at it as though your sister was on the reservation all along and that the two year old is the last minute add-on. A much less worrisome prospect, right? The restaurant staff can just squeeze in a booster seat or have her on someone's lap if it's a really tight setup. Seriously, keep your reservations as they stand and just look forward to your trip. Every time I have been to a Disney restaurant the staff has been nothing but helpful. Have fun and don't stress out... it will be great.

 

[smitch425]

Don't worry! It'll be fine. Just look at it as though your sister was on the reservation all along and that the two year old is the last minute add-on. A much less worrisome prospect, right? The restaurant staff can just squeeze in a booster seat or have her on someone's lap if it's a really tight setup. Seriously, keep your reservations as they stand and just look forward to your trip. Every time I have been to a Disney restaurant the staff has been nothing but helpful. Have fun and don't stress out... it will be great.

That will not work if the restaurant is full to capacity. Even a newborn counts in the occupancy for fire codes. Extra people are often turned away.

OP, you can try to add your sister upon arrival and they may or may not let her in. She will need to have a backup plan. Do not stress. She should not expect you to be able to rearrange everything so last minute. Good luck!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Disney is getting wise to the "but, they decided to join us".
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 any arrive with the extras, if you like.
9) Just be prepared to have someone stand around while you eat.

NOTE: Twice I picked up shifts as a host or seater at a character meal.
On both days, I turned away people who showed up as extra people. To
me, it was just rude to try to squeeze in extras. Oh well, several folks
ended up eating elsewhere, while the original ADR people sat and ate.

 

[ShortStuff]

Three years ago, we were at WDW for an extended vacation. We were there because my son in law was on R&R from Iraq. We had no idea what so ever which day he would be there for sure.

We were in WDW for a total of 21 days, with our numbers rising and shrinking, depending upon who was there and who was not. (I was there 12, daughter and grandmunchkins 21, son in law 15, ex husband and his wife 9). Needless to say, with flight changes, late arrivals, early arrivals, extended stays, our plans often changed. This was over Easter, so it was very crowded.

Kudos to Disney and the amazing CM's who helped keep us fed. Whenever possible, they found us that extra seat. If they couldn't, I would usually bow out. It was seldom however. Everyone was very understanding, knowing why we had to change plans, as the US Army has its own time table.

Anyway, I say go for it and that it never hurts to ask. September is not a busy time. In fact we will be there in 9 days also!! Have a magical trip!

 

[juliebug1997]

You could try to see if you can get ADRs for 10. However, just as some of the PPs have said, show up and ask. The worst you can be told is no.

 

[smiths02]

Could you make an ADR for one in your sister's name for each of those places around the same time as your other ADR (and same category for HDDR)? Then just asked to be seated together...this way the CMs wouldn't view you as pulling something off and the fire codes wouldn't be an issue

 

[mickeynut1]

I would keep trying between now and the time you leave to change your current ADRs as you never know when/if someone might cancel. If you don't have any luck, you could try as others have suggested and just show up and see if they can accommodate you, but I would have a back up plan just in case as you might be turned away. The problem with "squeezing someone in" at your current table is you are booked at a table for 8 and it's usually not possible to add another person. If you were booked for 9 and now needed space for 10, chances of adding that person would be much better as you would most likely be booked at a table that accommodated 10. Good luck.

 

[Hopefully]

As everyone has said, keep trying several times a day on line.
Although others have said it will be fine, I disagree. Although Sept is a relatively low time in the parks, free dining makes the restaurants busy, often full. If there were seats available, you would be able to make that ADR.
I would have your sister go to the restaurants with you but I would be sure that your sister understands that she may not be able to eat with you. I would not cancel anything at this point, as that is totally unfair to the 8 who have planned for this trip.
Good Luck, this is a tough situation for you. Enjoy your trip

 

[TDC Nala]

Extra people are often turned away.

I wouldn't say "often." It's rare for a restaurant to be absolutely full to capacity for fire codes. But sometimes it does and has happened. What is more usual is that you will have to wait longer because you're changing table size. As noted, when discussing fire codes it makes absolutely no difference that one guest is a small child who can sit on a lap. When you arrive at the restaurant, they will register you as a party of nine, not eight.

 

[JimmyV]

I wouldn't say "often." It's rare for a restaurant to be absolutely full to capacity for fire codes.

This is true. Fire codes can provide a convenient reason to deny entrance, as that is far less likely to cause an argument betweent he host and the customer. But in reality, true fire code capacity is hardly ever reached. Even though every table is occupied, that does not mean that every seat is occupied. Every time there is a party of 5 at a table for 6, or a party of 3 at a table for 4, or a solo diner occupying a table for two, fire code space is freed up. You will rarely have a time when every table for 6 has 6 people, and every table for 4 has 4 people, etc. Also, fire code space accounts for bar business. How many times have you been to a restaurant that does not take reservations, is "filled" to capacity, and hands out buzzers to waiting customers, only to have those customers cram into the bar? (Think Cheesecake Factory). Even with every table occupied and every square inch of bar space filled, these places still aren't getting cited for fire code violations. The only restaurants at WDW that I can think of that even come close to this level of restaurant+bar capacity are California Grill and 50's Prime Time. Very few other restaurants have the bar business that gets added on to the tables. Filled tables alone will rarely bump a restaurant up to fire code capacity. Not saying that it is impossible. But it isn't as likely as many here seem to think. Take away the bar business and you take away a lot of the threat of overcrowding.

All that said, squeezing a ninth person into a table for 8 is certainly possible, but far from a sure thing. Some tables for 8 are really more suited for 6, and gettiing the seventh and eighth people in there is already a tight fit. Other times, it can be done. But it will be discretionary, so plan on a few disappointments.

 

[maxiesmom]

All that said, squeezing a ninth person into a table for 8 is certainly possible, but far from a sure thing. Some tables for 8 are really more suited for 6, and gettiing the seventh and eighth people in there is already a tight fit. Other times, it can be done. But it will be discretionary, so plan on a few disappointments.

I would think it almost impossible to add people to tables at WDW, they are so tightly packed to begin with.

OP--Keep checking every day for an ADR that fits your new party size. If you can't change them, show up early and explain your problem to the CM. They may be able to work some magic and seat everyone. But you do have to be prepared to be told no.

Honestly, as you sis added herself to the vacation at the last minute, I think she should understand that she may not get to eat with everyone else all of the time. While not ideal, she should be able to have a counter service meal or two solo, if it comes down to it. Good luck!

 

[20yBWDW]

Did you just search for reservations for 9 online while holding your reservation for 8? Or did you call the phone line and ask to add one to your existing reservations?

A friend of mine did the former, which meant he was trying to find an extra 9 seats in an already booked restaurant. He finally called and asked what to do, and they were able to find room for one more for every reservation.

 

[simonmunro]

Have you tried searching for a 5 and then also a 4 at a similar time? Much easier than locating a 9! Then you have the added benefit of dividing people up based on whose getting along better that day. Its best to call and ask the cm to help you accomplish this when its for so many but you could try it online.

Be sure to have the 8 reservations CANCELLED when they find your 5 and 4

 

[#1eeyoregirl]

We went through this on our last trip. About 2-3 weeks before the trip another person decided they wanted to go. I called to see if I could get her added on to any of the ADRs and only one was able to (Chef Mickey's). We kept all of our ADRs as planned and she decided to see if she could just walk up and be added to our group - 2 turned her away but I can't remember which ones they were (I am thinking Crystal Palace and CRT) as my oldest DD backed out of some meals and she was able to take her place.

I would do as the others suggested and keep your original plans and just let her know ahead of time that she may not be able to join you guys at all of your meals.

 

[Disneyqueendenmark]

I'm in the same situation - almost!
I made an ADR at Be our guest for a party of two. My grandma then decided to join us, and so did my cousin. I'm happy that they'll come with us but I really don't want to cancel my ressie at BOG!... And there is no way I am leaving my 11 year old cousin and my 81 year old grandmother outside, while my mom and I eat!

Right now there is no way to change the party size! I'm searching several times a day and hoping that someone will cancel... I'm even checking all of my travel dates from 12/30-1/6 but nothing comes up!!!

My question: The BOG needs the CC to hold the ressie and will charge a fee if you are not showing up. IfI come in early and ask polite if we can wait longer and then get a table for 4 instead of 2, and they say no - then I will be charged $10/person if I leave, right???

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[maxiesmom]

My question: The BOG needs the CC to hold the ressie and will charge a fee if you are not showing up. IfI come in early and ask polite if we can wait longer and then get a table for 4 instead of 2, and they say no - then I will be charged $10/person if I leave, right???

I would think so. You are in effect cancelling right as they are ready to seat the 2 of you.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

I'm in the same situation - almost!
I made an ADR at Be our guest for a party of two. My grandma then decided to join us, and so did my cousin. I'm happy that they'll come with us but I really don't want to cancel my ressie at BOG!... And there is no way I am leaving my 11 year old cousin and my 81 year old grandmother outside, while my mom and I eat!

Right now there is no way to change the party size! I'm searching several times a day and hoping that someone will cancel... I'm even checking all of my travel dates from 12/30-1/6 but nothing comes up!!!

My question: The BOG needs the CC to hold the ressie and will charge a fee if you are not showing up. IfI come in early and ask polite if we can wait longer and then get a table for 4 instead of 2, and they say no - then I will be charged $10/person if I leave, right???

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I wouldn't leave them outside but I'd have them eat elsewhere. No way will I be missing BOG because other people couldn't tell me their plans soon enough.

 

[TyRy]

I'm in somewhat the same situation. We have a group of 11 of us going in Oct. All along the past 18 months of planning two of the people said not to worry about ADR's (they own DVC like us and have been there multiple times) as they probably won't be going to the restaurants anyway.

As of last Sunday, they looked at the schedule again and figured where they would like to join us...I looked at them like they had two heads! I switched a couple of reservations that I'm 99% sure they will join us for, but as for the rest, oh well. Will we show up with extras and ask - yep. If they can't accomodate - oh well. The original group will have the meal as planned and the extra two will be on their own.

Hopefully the CM's understand some people do just want to add in at the last second and not everyone is trying to scam by having less people on their reservations.

 

[gtpoohbear]

We've never had a problem adding people when we check in (my family is also planning-challenged and shows up at the last minute quite often), but it's not something you can count on working out every time.

However, I wouldn't stress about it. Your sister is the one who didn't plan ahead, so just warn her that there is a possibility that she won't be able to eat with you every time, and have a back-up plan (nearby CS?) that she can go to by herself instead. I definitely wouldn't feel pressured to miss my ADR and go with her if she is turned away.