Arriving with an extra person

[WendiDarling]

So we are a party of 8 that became a party of 9. I know it will probably vary by location, but any problem with walking up and seeing if they can squeeze the extra person in? Any recent experiences with this? Since everything is so capacity controlled now...just not sure.

If we cannot, then the extra person is willing to go have counter service while we eat. Totally understand.

FWIW, we have tables of 8 at WCC, Beaches & Cream, Rainforest, T-Rex, and Prime Time. We have 2 tables of 4 at Chef Mickey and Plaza. The only place we were actually able to modify to 9 was Olivias (and it's table of 4, table of 5.) I'm most worried about B&C and Plaza since they are pretty tiny.

Thanks for any advice or recent experience!

 

[Dug720]

I would not count on it in non-COVID times, much less now. I'd try searching for 5 and 4 close together and just shift around who is sitting with whom. If that's not possible, I'd figure out something else - or politely tell the 9th person that things were planned for 8 and accommodating a 9th isn't possible.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Are they seating parties that large?

 

[WendiDarling]

Are they seating parties that large?

Yes, we have parties of 8 at all those places.

 

[WendiDarling]

I would not count on it in non-COVID times, much less now. I'd try searching for 5 and 4 close together and just shift around who is sitting with whom. If that's not possible, I'd figure out something else - or politely tell the 9th person that things were planned for 8 and accommodating a 9th isn't possible.

Yes, I have been trying. We leave a week from today. It never hurts to ask I guess. Like I mentioned, the 9th understands it may not work. Thanks for replying.

 

[Aimeedyan]

This exact scenario was brought up recently with some good information shared - here's the thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/showing-up-at-a-restaurant-with-an-extra-person.3817069/

 

[disneygirlsng]

When you check in on the app it has been asking if you want to add an extra person. So if that continues it could be possible, but not a guarantee.

 

[Dug720]

When you check in on the app it has been asking if you want to add an extra person. So if that continues it could be possible, but not a guarantee.

It has been reported to be asking the number of people.

Have there been reports of anyone actually being able to add someone? I'd think that would mess up capacities and lead to people coming back and whining about "there was not enough physical distancing in Restaurant X".

 

[Aimeedyan]

It has been reported to be asking the number of people.

Have there been reports of anyone actually being able to add someone? I'd think that would mess up capacities and lead to people coming back and whining about "there was not enough physical distancing in Restaurant X".

Yes - when you check in, it tells you that you can add 1 more person. The app lets you add up to that amount of people (your reservation + 1 additional).

It's been that way for months and doesn't seem to be affecting anything - perhaps it's not taken advantage of very often. It also cuts down on the amount of people wanting to approach the host stand instead of using the app, which they prefer.

 

[WendiDarling]

Yes - when you check in, it tells you that you can add 1 more person. The app lets you add up to that amount of people (your reservation + 1 additional).

It's been that way for months and doesn't seem to be affecting anything - perhaps it's not taken advantage of very often. It also cuts down on the amount of people wanting to approach the host stand instead of using the app, which they prefer.

That is so amazing and seems like it will be perfect for our situation. Here's hoping they don't discontinue it over the busy holiday week. Or with larger parties. Either way will be ok but thank you for the info!!

 

[Pumbaa_]

Has anyone booked an adr w 9 people? Seems i recall 6 or 8 being the max? Or I could be totally making that up

 

[WendiDarling]

Has anyone booked an adr w 9 people? Seems i recall 6 or 8 being the max? Or I could be totally making that up

We have lots of 8's but only a few restaurants show for 9. Even at 60 days out. This is a good point. Might not give us the option.

 

[Dug720]

That is so amazing and seems like it will be perfect for our situation. Here's hoping they don't discontinue it over the busy holiday week. Or with larger parties. Either way will be ok but thank you for the info!!

My concern would be that you're moving to a larger table in your case - you'd go from a 4-top to a 6-top. Obviously anything is possible, but I'm wondering if the success stories are cases of going from 3 to 4 or 5 to 6 where it's just sitting the person at the extra seat at the table.

Always worth trying.

 

[disneygirlsng]

My concern would be that you're moving to a larger table in your case - you'd go from a 4-top to a 6-top. Obviously anything is possible, but I'm wondering if the success stories are cases of going from 3 to 4 or 5 to 6 where it's just sitting the person at the extra seat at the table.

Always worth trying.

That pops up no matter what number you originally have.

 

[Disneytam]

We had a party of 6 last week and every reservation asked if we wanted to add a person. We couldn't get reservations for a party of 6 at Topolinos but did get one for 4 and one for 2 15 minutes apart and asked to be seated together when we checked in and it wasn't a problem at all.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Everyone should remember one person's experience at a certain restaurant at a certain time on a certain day might be a totally different experience for another person on another day at another restaurant. This is probably especially true during the busy upcoming holiday season. Just saying if it doesn't work out don't be rude to CM- especially now with numbers on the rise! Not saying anyone would be rude but just a reminder.

 

[WendiDarling]

We had a party of 6 last week and every reservation asked if we wanted to add a person. We couldn't get reservations for a party of 6 at Topolinos but did get one for 4 and one for 2 15 minutes apart and asked to be seated together when we checked in and it wasn't a problem at all.

So in a situation like this ,Did you do mobile check in or just do it in person? We're hoping we can do this on a few reservations, if it's possible. Thanks for reporting about your experience with adding the extra person with a larger party. I hope that's our experience as well.

 

[Disneytam]

So in a situation like this ,Did you do mobile check in or just do it in person? We're hoping we can do this on a few reservations, if it's possible. Thanks for reporting about your experience with adding the extra person with a larger party. I hope that's our experience as well.

We just did it in person at the podium when we checked in.

 

[gharter]

wonder if this will continue when restaurants get back to full capacity? Or if they offer it now as they can do this easily as the restaurants have excess capacity.

 

[WendiDarling]

Just a quick update on our experience, when we’ve had tables of four we’ve always had the option to add one more person. Last night we had a table of eight at prime time and there was NOT an option to add one more person. The CM at the restaurant was very kind and worked with us to split our party so we could get four and five, but eight seems to be the maximum for anyone in a similar situation