ADRs with a baby

[samacita]

Our party will be 2 adults, 2 kids, and 1 infant. Baby will be too young for a high chair so will be held during the meal.

Can we make reservations for 4? Or do we have to do 5? I've read it both ways on various DIS threads. Anyone know the official word on this?

 

[gawrsh2008]

Every "body" counts. There is a "0" available on the drop down menu when making ADRs.

 

[purple figment]

You need to include everyone no matter how young because of fire and safety code regulations. There is a very slim chance that the restaurant may be at capacity or running so far behind schedule that they will not allow extra people and then you would have to decide which one of you would not be dining there.

 

[maxiesmom]

Every person has to be accounted for, no matter how small they are.

Apparently people under-counting their party size has become something of a problem. A CM who posts here fairly frequently has stated they they have been told to seat the "extra" person if they can, but to not sweat it if they can't.

 

[samacita]

I understand accounting for the baby in terms of room capacity, but do we really need to reserve a chair for him? It would move us to a 6-top table, which seems pretty ridiculous since only 4 chairs will be used.

 

[purple figment]

I understand accounting for the baby in terms of room capacity, but do we really need to reserve a chair for him? It would move us to a 6-top table, which seems pretty ridiculous since only 4 chairs will be used.

Whether you make the reservation online or on the phone you need to make it for 5 people. You will not be asked how many chairs you need. Once you get to the restaurant you can tell the CM at the podium that you will be holding the baby the entire time. It will then be up to the CM to decide if you'll be seated at a 4-5-6 top.

 

[TDC Nala]

Always include every person. Even if the baby is going to be held. If you made the reservation for 4, you'd be changed to a party of 5 when you arrive with the baby. You are not reserving a chair when you make a restaurant reservation, you are notifying the restaurant as to how many living human beings there are in your party. If you ask when you arrive they can put you at a smaller table, but you will still be re-listed as a party of five.

 

[samacita]

Whether you make the reservation online or on the phone you need to make it for 5 people. You will not be asked how many chairs you need. Once you get to the restaurant you can tell the CM at the podium that you will be holding the baby the entire time. It will then be up to the CM to decide if you'll be seated at a 4-5-6 top.

I've read on other threads that the online system can't handle odd numbers. Can anyone speak to this? Should I put in 6 when searching for ADRs online???

 

[purple figment]

We're a party of 3 and I've responded on a number of those threads. We try for 3 and if nothing comes up, then we'll input 4. Quite often we've had better luck with an even number.

 

[maxiesmom]

I've read on other threads that the online system can't handle odd numbers. Can anyone speak to this? Should I put in 6 when searching for ADRs online???

You can give it a shot. It may open something up.