ADR for 5, but only 3 may go...?

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I'm in the process of planning a trip in August. I'll be on-site with DD and DS, but my ex-husband and his wife may join us some days (they live in FL and are considering a couple of day trips). I'm a compulsive planner and will make ADR's for every TS meal on our dining plan, whereas my ex is much more spontaneous and will chafe at being locked into meals. I figure the best way to accommodate all of us is to make all the ADR's for five people and invite the others to join the three of us as they wish. It shouldn't cause a problem if it turns out that only three show up, right? Thoughts?

 

[NejTheLion]

Well, a table for 5 will be different from a table for 3. Of course, with the PS system, it's not about specific reservations anyways - more the order of arrival or whatever. I would recommend mentioning this when you make your ADRs. Maybe it can be noted down.

 

[kcashner]

I'll take the opposite approach--I wouldn't mention it when you make the ADRs. I'd make them all for 5. Then, if only 3 are going you have 2 options. You can call WDW dining as soon as you know and change the ADR or you can wait till you get to the podium and tell them that your number has decreased. This won't cause a problem and shouldn't keep someone else from being able to eat at that restaurant.

If you try to tell them when you book, they are likely to tell you that you'll need to decide NOW so that they can make the ADR.

An ADR isn't really a "start time." It guarantees you a place in the line (in order of arrival) for the next available appropriate sized table.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I'd make it for five. If it turns out you'll need three, call and see if there is an opening for three (without mentioning your table.) If you can get three, then cancel the five and make the three. If you can't get three, at least you'll still have a table. That's what I'd do, anyway.

 

[majortom]

I'll take the opposite approach--I wouldn't mention it when you make the ADRs. I'd make them all for 5.

....

An ADR isn't really a "start time." It guarantees you a place in the line (in order of arrival) for the next available appropriate sized table.

I agree here. One thing though if one books anywhere that requires a $20 guarantee, official policy is to charge for one no show (since one goes down one table size) and then try to accommodate with an appropriate table. They may not actually do this, but it is their policy.

My experience with Disney's Priority Seating program is that it just gives one the right to get in line. Which means that one shows up whenever (earlier, at or later than one's seating time) and gets the next available table based on when one arrives, not based on when one was supposed to arrive.

/carmi

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

One thing though if one books anywhere that requires a $20 guarantee, official policy is to charge for one no show (since one goes down one table size) and then try to accommodate with an appropriate table. They may not actually do this, but it is their policy.

That would throw a monkey wrench into the works, wouldn't it? Luckily, I'm not going to any restaurants that require the guarantee. Good point, though.

It seems best to make the ADR's for 5 and then just call ahead once I know the numbers will be different. Thanks, everyone!

 

[cdntourguide]

When I have booked for 5 people in the past, we always got a table that was build for 4, but with an extra chair. ( We then attempted to move to a larger table, which was not always available).
When I booked a table for only three, we always got a table for 4.
So IMO whether you book for five people or for three people, you are going to get the same table that fits four anyway.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We made all our reservations for the fall for 5 people but at times all 5 may not come; we just don't know yet. If only 3 of us want to dine there, we'll just change it at the podium.

We've had to do this for unforseen circumstances in the past without a problem and since they don't set aside a particular table for you, it's not a big deal. You just get the next table for 3 instead of 5 and a larger party gets seated sooner then they would have.