Be Our Guest Conundrum

[camdensmom]

I didn't read all of the replies, but my experience has been that if you need to change table size (as you would from a 4-5) then it will be a problem. There is some flexibility at some restaurants, but based on the size and popularity of BOG there is a good chance you'll find yourself in a situation where you are out of luck (and quite possibly the 10.00 pp holding fee). If you were adding a 4th person to a party of 3 I wouldn't be as concerned because you would still be at the same table.

I've found that prior to requiring a deposit, Disney had a lot more flexibility b/c no shows were common. Now people are keeping their ressies. Perhaps you could call closer to the trip and there will be cancellations.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

A word of advice, keep looking for a reservation for 5 & 6. Often you can't find a reservation for 5 but will find one for the same time for 6. All tables are in multiples of 2 (2, 4, 6, 8 ect) and Disney want to try and keep each restaurant at capacity. It's no trouble if you turn up for only 5 for a reservation for 6. You'll be seated at the same table and won't be charged a "no show" fee as long as one person turns up

 

[CandleontheWater]

They will not allow you to keep the infant in your lap (or under the table). A seat will be required (even if it is a high chair) and that requires a table with a higher capacity than four. They will not add a seat at the end of a table as it will either interfere with the table next to it or will partially block an aisle.

You you would have to wait standby for a six-top (no such thing as a five) or higher, as if you did not have a reservation.

CF- I completely respect your information, but I've had a different experience. When we went to Disney when my DS#1 was 4 months old he was too little to sit up in a high chair. I held him on my lap for every sit down meal, and we did at least one every day. I would still keep looking for a reservation for 5, but either way, you will be able to hold your baby during the meal if they are too little to eat or sit in a high chair.

 

[jsw1114]

I watched a family go to the podium at CRT last year and ask to change their reservation from 2 to 4 wasn't a problem. Do not give up your reservation. Hope for the best

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

A word of advice, keep looking for a reservation for 5 & 6. Often you can't find a reservation for 5 but will find one for the same time for 6. All tables are in multiples of 2 (2, 4, 6, 8 ect) and Disney want to try and keep each restaurant at capacity. It's no trouble if you turn up for only 5 for a reservation for 6. You'll be seated at the same table and won't be charged a "no show" fee as long as one person turns up

Thanks for that bit of info, Disney Princess. I wasn't aware that you wouldn't be charged a no show fee if someone didn't show up. There's a chance 1 of our daughters might join us for a couple "hard to get" meals while we're at WDW. On that off chance, I'll probably just reserve for 6 (instead of the usual 5), just in case. It would still be the same size table we'd need...

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Thanks for that bit of info, Disney Princess. I wasn't aware that you wouldn't be charged a no show fee if someone didn't show up. There's a chance 1 of our daughters might join us for a couple "hard to get" meals while we're at WDW. On that off chance, I'll probably just reserve for 6 (instead of the usual 5), just in case. It would still be the same size table we'd need...

As long as one person turns up for the reservation, you'll be fine. Disney knows that numbers change due to unexpected things coming up, illness ect. You'll be fine as regardless of whether you had 5 or 6 people, you'll still be seated at a table for 6

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

That's good to know. Thanks!

 

[HulaMinnie]

I was able to get a reservation for 6 (I tried for 5 but nothing showed up, for those of you wondering about the even vs. odd numbered parties)! Thanks for all of the advice

 

[gilesmt]

I fined it very strange so many think Disney cares about capacity and fire codes. I like a pp have been in some very dangerous and scary situations at Disney. In feb 2008 it started to rain one night, we had ressies for the luau at poly, called and they said it was on. So we left POR to mk and it continued to pour out. When we got ther the monorail was back down to mk, and CM where telling people to take the boats. We got in line but had to wait for the third boat, we where soaked it was pouring so hard. They packed so many people into the boat they where literally like sardines in a can. No one could move or breathe. Half way across the lake literally you could see the boat was so over stuffed that water was coming in because we where to weighted down and the boat kept stealing, people started to panic. We got to other side and unloaded, the boat did not go back for more or even go to GF, I think it went for repairs, we all thought we would drown that night from sinking. After all that the show was canceled, but because of that boat ride, Disney gave us a free taxi back to POR.

And so many are saying that they can't go against fire codes, I think it is more dangerous to fill a boat to sinking level than to fill a restaurant one or two infants over.

 

[maxiesmom]

I fined it very strange so many think Disney cares about capacity and fire codes. I like a pp have been in some very dangerous and scary situations at Disney. In feb 2008 it started to rain one night, we had ressies for the luau at poly, called and they said it was on. So we left POR to mk and it continued to pour out. When we got ther the monorail was back down to mk, and CM where telling people to take the boats. We got in line but had to wait for the third boat, we where soaked it was pouring so hard. They packed so many people into the boat they where literally like sardines in a can. No one could move or breathe. Half way across the lake literally you could see the boat was so over stuffed that water was coming in because we where to weighted down and the boat kept stealing, people started to panic. We got to other side and unloaded, the boat did not go back for more or even go to GF, I think it went for repairs, we all thought we would drown that night from sinking. After all that the show was canceled, but because of that boat ride, Disney gave us a free taxi back to POR.

And so many are saying that they can't go against fire codes, I think it is more dangerous to fill a boat to sinking level than to fill a restaurant one or two infants over.

I think you are confusing number capacity with weight capacity. There is a big difference.

And Disney does care, because if something goes wrong and they are found to be at fault, they will be sued until the cows come home.

Look at it this way: If they didn't care, that boat would have gone back for more people.

 

[poohbear13]

why not call them to see if they can adjust your party size?

 

[Disney_Princess83]

why not call them to see if they can adjust your party size?

Bookings cannot be adjusted. The current booking has to be cancelled and it will be treated as a new booking. There have been many stories of the original booking being cancelled, the new booking wasn't confirmed and they arrive at the restaurant without a reservation.

 

[Eliza'sMom]

We did this once for an pre-opening ADR at CP. We booked the ADR for two when baby actually made three. The woman at the podium was obviously irritated and kind of nasty about it, but they gave us a table anyway and we didn't have to wait any longer than is typical. Another time I made an ADR for two at CRT because that was all that was available. I was going to take my daughter while my husband rode rides. When we checked in, the very nice CM at the podium asked if my husband wouldn't like to join us. I'd keep looking, but if nothing else pops up, I'd just go and explain you made a mistake. I imagine it happens often.

 

[daisylee]

We had breakfast scheduled for 1900 Park Fare in Dec. 2010. I made the reservations for 6, but at the last minute dh's parents decided to come with us for a few days of our trip. Unable to change the reservation, I made additional reservations at another restaurant at the Grand Floridian for my IL's. When we arrived the morning of the ADR, we decided to ask again if the could squeeze us all in together, and they were more than happy to accommodate us. We cancelled the second ADR, and all enjoyed the Characters together.

I just made our ADR's for our trip the last week of Sept, and made them for 8 in the event we have grandparents decide to come again, it'll be a whole lot easier to reduce our party size.

 

[maxiesmom]

We did this once for an pre-opening ADR at CP. We booked the ADR for two when baby actually made three. The woman at the podium was obviously irritated and kind of nasty about it, but they gave us a table anyway and we didn't have to wait any longer than is typical. Another time I made an ADR for two at CRT because that was all that was available. I was going to take my daughter while my husband rode rides. When we checked in, the very nice CM at the podium asked if my husband wouldn't like to join us. I'd keep looking, but if nothing else pops up, I'd just go and explain you made a mistake. I imagine it happens often.

The fact that it happens often explains the irritation, don't you think?

The bad thing with just going is there is no way to know for sure if the restaurant will be able to accommodate you or not, until you are there, ready to eat. It would stink to be turned away or told the extra guests would have to find somewhere else to eat. And if you all decide not to eat at whatever restaurant, and they need a credit card when you make the ADR, you would be charged the $10 per person no show fee.

It is best to give the correct number when making an ADR. Disney will try to seat extra guests, but they by no means have to seat them.

 

[cymbaldiva]

why not call them to see if they can adjust your party size?

The op checked back in a few posts ago to advise she'd gotten a reservation for 6.

 

[Eliza'sMom]

The fact that it happens often explains the irritation, don't you think?

The bad thing with just going is there is no way to know for sure if the restaurant will be able to accommodate you or not, until you are there, ready to eat. It would stink to be turned away or told the extra guests would have to find somewhere else to eat. And if you all decide not to eat at whatever restaurant, and they need a credit card when you make the ADR, you would be charged the $10 per person no show fee.

It is best to give the correct number when making an ADR. Disney will try to seat extra guests, but they by no means have to seat them.

Obviously it's best to make your ADRs for the correct number of people. But people are human. They make mistakes. They don't all read the Disboards. They don't realize they have to count an infant who won't be eating or who they don't have to pay for in their reservations, which is why i assume it happens often. Personally, when I make dinner reservations at home, I usually say "Three plus a high chair," not four, and people don't realize things are different at Disney. It's just a mistake. I wouldn't expect to be treated with rudeness when I make an honest mistake, no.

OP, I'm glad you were able to get a larger reservation. I'm sure that's a relief! One less thing to worry about.

 

[Dis703]

They will not allow you to keep the infant in your lap (or under the table). A seat will be required (even if it is a high chair) and that requires a table with a higher capacity than four. They will not add a seat at the end of a table as it will either interfere with the table next to it or will partially block an aisle.

You you would have to wait standby for a six-top (no such thing as a five) or higher, as if you did not have a reservation.

Are you sure about this because my 2 year old sat on my lap plenty when we went to Disney last. They also more than once had his highchair at the end of the table instead of taking chairs away.

 

[BarbO]

There's an easy way to find out...go to the Disney website..at the bottom it says Contact Us...on contact page there is a place to email. Just send them a General Question email.....don't include your specific reservation number, but tell them what restaurant and what your concern is......they get back to you very fast....usually same day. If they say the baby is ok...then print the email and take it with you.
I have had to change reservations at the last minute to add people who unexpectedly decided to join us and it was never a problem, but to avoid any problems I would just email them.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I was able to get a reservation for 6 (I tried for 5 but nothing showed up, for those of you wondering about the even vs. odd numbered parties)! Thanks for all of the advice

Congratulations!!!