ADR system: how does it calculate capacity? (Help!)

Kim3

Earning My Ears
Joined
Oct 7, 2009
Messages
47
Hi all,

So, I am less than a week out from my trip and my family keeps asking me to change the number in our party on ADRs.

My issue is that for 3 ADRS I need to change our table size from 6 to 7 people due to a change in plans.

***Right now, when I try to book a new 7 person party without canceling my existing reservation, I get messages that their is no availability.*** I assume the system is counting my old reservation towards capacity, so....

So, how does the system work? If I cancel my 6 person reservation and then try to book a 7 person reservation a moment later, am I risking being SOL?

Thanks,
Kim
 
Hi all,

So, I am less than a week out from my trip and my family keeps asking me to change the number in our party on ADRs.

My issue is that for 3 ADRS I need to change our table size from 6 to 7 people due to a change in plans.

***Right now, when I try to book a new 7 person party without canceling my existing reservation, I get messages that their is no availability.*** I assume the system is counting my old reservation towards capacity, so....

So, how does the system work? If I cancel my 6 person reservation and then try to book a 7 person reservation a moment later, am I risking being SOL?

Thanks,
Kim


Yes, you risk being SOL.

At this time of year, I would not cancel the ADR for 6 people. Chances of you getting a table for 7 would be slim. I would just show up at the restaurant with your group of 7, and hope to be able to all be seated. Let the extra person know ahead of time, that he/she may not be able to join you.

And who knows, as often as your party has been changing their minds, maybe by the time you arrive in WDW, this 7th person will have backed out.

Have a great trip! My family's trip during Christmas week 2007 was our favorite trip ever!
 
I'd imagine this could be a situation where they may suggest/offer to seat you, but at more than one table. I don't know for sure if they'd give you this option, but it could happen and you may want to be prepared for it, and maybe ask your party if they'd be ok with that. You don't want to get to the podium, have the CM ask you that and have to track down Bob, Mary, Rick, Joann, Ashley and Jacob to see if they're ok with it while a line is forming behind you! :lmao:
 
Thank you Daisy and Lock!

I had a feeling that the risk of losing a spot would be too great. Especially seeing that it's peak season at WDW.

This is typical of they way my extended family plans their vacations too. Lots of requests for last minute changes.

They are convinced that changing the reservation should not be a problem and if for some slight reason it is a problem, that showing up at the podium and telling the CM that they need a extra seat at the table should solve the issue without out any additional wait. They expect that the CM will just be able to squeeze 7 people on to a 6 person table.

Well, I'm just going to decide that this is not my problem and enjoy my vacation! It's been over a decade since I was at the Parks for the holidays!
 

They are convinced that changing the reservation should not be a problem and if for some slight reason it is a problem, that showing up at the podium and telling the CM that they need a extra seat at the table should solve the issue without out any additional wait. They expect that the CM will just be able to squeeze 7 people on to a 6 person table.
I don't think you'll have a problem. FWIW, I would probably err on the high side next time and book for more people. It's easier to show up with 1-2 fewer people than with 1-2 more people.
 
I wouldn't cancel your current ADRs and try to rebook with the extra person. Just call Disney dining and see if they can add one more to your current reservations. I had a similar issue a few months back when my brother decided to fly down and join us for a few days. They were able to add 1 person to most of the ADRs I had (including dinner at 'Ohana) - the only exception was Coral Reef. For Coral Reef I had to change from an early dinner (our ressie was for the very start of "dinner" time) to one of the the latest "lunch" times - about 45 minutes earlier.
 
Try booking a new reservation for eight, rather than seven - you may find availability. The system is funny that way, sometimes.
 
If the restaurant is at capacity when you arrive with a reservation for six, they will not allow the 7th person to be seated. Depending on the popularity of the restaurant you may want to prepare your group for this. There IS also the possibility that you will have to wait longer for a larger table to open up.

I did go up to Brown Derby this weekend when they were not taking any walkups and they allowed my reserved party of 2 to become a party of 4. So if the restaurant is not at full capacity there should be some hope. I would just not expect there to be no wait or for the restaurant to just cram an extra person into the seating capacity for a table for six.
 
Thanks all!'

Disney Dining was able to add to one of the reservations. I'll have to keep calling back to see if anything opens up for the other two reservations.
 
Good luck with it. That's your best bet, *imagine this in Dory's voice* just keep calling, just keep calling, what do we do? we call, call....:goodvibes
 





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