Can I show up with 5ppl for a 4 person ADR?

[mfulk]

We just got a CRT adr that someone canceled (thanks to the may cancellation thread!) but it was for 4 people. We have 2 adults and three kids 6, 4 and 2. Since I've read on here many times that people with 5 get seated at a 4 person table I didn't think it would be an issue to call and ask them to change our adr for 4ppl to 5ppl, especially since our youngest can go in a high chair. The really rude CM on the phone said that's not possible. We have a 9:30pm ADR that I was hoping to cancel for this one at 5:50pm but I'm not sure what to do.

Has anyone ever tried showing up with 5 for a 4 person ADR (one being a 2yo or younger)? If so, what was the result?

***UPDATE***
I just got a call back from CRT and the person I spoke with said it was no problem to just tell them when we check in that we need to add a 5th. She said people forget all the time to book for infants (I clarified that our youngest is 2 and she said that she is still considered an infant since she's under 3) and that it wouldn't be a problem to add her when we check in. I said are you sure that we won't get there and they'll turn us away and she said no that we will be seated with no problems. Hope she's right!

BACK FROM OUR TRIP UPDATE
Just thought I'd give a post trip update. We had no problem at all adding our 5th person at check in at CRT. They were even taking walk-ups of two parties of 6 and one party of 4 when I was checking in which surprised me since of course CRT appeared to be completely booked on the online ADR system. We also had a 4person res at Ohana at 7pm and when we arrived at 5 they seated us within 5 minutes with no problems. With both ADRs we were fine making adjustments if they couldn't seat us all but wanted to share that it is possible that they can make changes.

 

[TDC Nala]

You can show up, but you may not be allowed in on a four person reservation with five people, regardless of their age. It's rare, but if the restaurant is completely full when you arrive they won't allow extra people in. If they can, they'll accommodate your larger party, although it's also possible that you may have to wait longer because you are changing table size from 4 to 5 (a high chair counts as a space at the table). When you check in, you'll go down as a party of 5, not 4.

 

[Nadjalu]

I agree with Nala, you are running a huge risk.

Since CRT is prepay if you show up and they won't seat you, you will still be charged. Even though you wouldn't technically be a no show, that is how it is handled.
If 1 adult sits out with the little one, that person will still be charged.

Personally I wouldn't even try...not at this place anyway. It is too expensive to take a chance and lose that money for "canceling".

 

[catne]

in all the Disney restaurants I've been to, don't think I've ever seen a party of 5 seated at a table for 4! The tables are typically so close together in all the Disney restaurants--even the signature places--there's no way to wedge another chair (or high chair) on the end. And the actual table-tops are so small, 4 place settings at a 4-top take up about 90% of the available table space. Our experience has always been for odd-number parties they move you up to the next bigger tables...so parties of 3 get seated at 4-tops, and parties of 5 get seated at 6-tops. I think you'll need some extreme quantities of pixie dust to get 5 into a table for 4...and the chance of a 6 top coming open in a prepaid restaurant, well that would require the real Fairy Godmother to show up

I have eaten at CRT when they were taking walk-ups...but also when ever table was booked solid and they were turning people away. So maybe...but what a disappointment if it doesn't work out. And they will still charge you for the 4 meals.

 

[ccgirl]

As I recommend to everyone, you need to make a reservation for all of the people in your party (including infants/children). The restaurants need to adhere to fire/capacity codes. If you could not find a reservation for 5 that means there was not one available. They will not just let you squeeze one more in if they are already at capacity, as is often the case with CRT. I would keep trying for an earlier time for that party of 5.

 

[momtoejanda]

We are a family of 5 and always do the DxDDP (meaning we do a lot of TS). we are always seated at a table for 6.

I would try something like that at Crystal Palace or even Chef Mickey but not at CRT. Because the other 2 arent as compact and if they cant seat you, you are not charged. CRT you have to decide, if they wont seat 5 of you, will one of you leave? (obviously not one of the kids) or will you pay and not eat?

If this reservation is a few days into your vacation, I would go up to the podium on day one and ask them in person to switch it. If they can you will still be in the cancellation window.

 

[mfulk]

I have no idea how to quote multiple posts. I have heard from a number of people and read on several dining reviews on these boards about families of 5 being seated at a table for 4 and that it was very cramped.

What is the cancellation window? We're on the DxDP and I personally have no need to eat at the castle (I really don't want to use 2TS for what I have read in most reviews is not great food but DH thinks the kids will really enjoy it) so if we go there and they said no just 4 I would be fine letting DH take our 3 kids and me just waiting outside for them. Or maybe I'll change the reservation to just him and the kids instead of 2 adults and 2 kids like it is now and if they can add me great and if not no big deal. Or maybe I'll keep the 9:30pm but it's just so late.

I called Disney back this afternoon and got a much nicer CM. I explained the situation and she said it was possible that if we showed up with 5 we could be seated but that it would be better to contact CRT directly because they can see things that she couldn't and would be able to tell me whether or not there was room for 5 instead of 4. She gave me their direct # and I left a msg and am waiting to hear back. I'll call again later if I don't hear back from them.

 

[Disneyx6]

We had a reservation for CRT for lunch with 2 adults and 3 kids. We wanted to add another adult to our reservation but weren't able to. It was suggested to us to show up with our whole party and check in a few minutes early and see what happens. I went up to the greeter and told them that we were now 3 adults/3 children and she changed our seating right then and we all enjoyed a wonderful lunch! I realize that it is a risk, but it worked out fine for us. Good luck

 

[mfulk]

We had a reservation for CRT for lunch with 2 adults and 3 kids. We wanted to add another adult to our reservation but weren't able to. It was suggested to us to show up with our whole party and check in a few minutes early and see what happens. I went up to the greeter and told them that we were now 3 adults/3 children and she changed our seating right then and we all enjoyed a wonderful lunch! I realize that it is a risk, but it worked out fine for us. Good luck

Thanks for posting, that's what I was wondering if anyone had tried it and it had worked out or not. I think I'm leaning towards giving it a try. I have to see what DH thinks about him eating with the 3 kids though if they say only 4. He rarely takes them anywhere by himself so he might not to eat dinner alone with them.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We had a reservation for CRT for lunch with 2 adults and 3 kids. We wanted to add another adult to our reservation but weren't able to. It was suggested to us to show up with our whole party and check in a few minutes early and see what happens. I went up to the greeter and told them that we were now 3 adults/3 children and she changed our seating right then and we all enjoyed a wonderful lunch! I realize that it is a risk, but it worked out fine for us. Good luck

The difference between you and OP is that there aren't typically tables that just seat 5, most seat 4 or 6 so adding the 6th person didn't change your table type.

 

[3pletprincesses]

as a party of 5, we have never been seated at a place for 4. We are seated at place for 6. That being said, walking up as 5 with a reservation of 4 is risky especially if you are going in a busy time of the year. Depending on when you go in May, it might be an option. Keep trying and check, you might find something better. Out of curiosity, when in May are you going?

 

[mfulk]

I just got a call back from CRT and the person I spoke with said it was no problem to just tell them when we check in that we need to add a 5th. She said people forget all the time to book for infants (I clarified that our youngest is 2 and she said that she is still considered an infant since she's under 3) and that it wouldn't be a problem to add her when we check in. I said are you sure that we won't get there and they'll turn us away and she said no that we will be seated with no problems. Hope she's right!

 

[mfulk]

as a party of 5, we have never been seated at a place for 4. We are seated at place for 6. That being said, walking up as 5 with a reservation of 4 is risky especially if you are going in a busy time of the year. Depending on when you go in May, it might be an option. Keep trying and check, you might find something better. Out of curiosity, when in May are you going?

We're going May 1-11.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you are willing to take the risk of having one adult sit out while the other takes the kids, you'll be OK keeping the reservation for 4. It is probably not much of a risk because it isn't that often that restaurants fill to their fire code capacities, but it is still a risk, because the restaurant will put you down as a party of 5, not 4, when you arrive. If they are at fire code capacity they can't legally let an extra person in, no matter what you were just told.

 

[Nadjalu]

I just got a call back from CRT and the person I spoke with said it was no problem to just tell them when we check in that we need to add a 5th. She said people forget all the time to book for infants (I clarified that our youngest is 2 and she said that she is still considered an infant since she's under 3) and that it wouldn't be a problem to add her when we check in. I said are you sure that we won't get there and they'll turn us away and she said no that we will be seated with no problems. Hope she's right!

Just a warning, many times the CMs that you call (even at the restaurants themselves) are wrong. We see/hear it all the time on the boards here.
So please keep that in mind. Just because someone on the phone tells you it will be ok...weeks or months in advance does not mean it will be ok the day you arrive. I hope so, but would hate to not warn you and then you get stuck paying for a meal you are turned away from.

 

[maxiesmom]

Just a warning, many times the CMs that you call (even at the restaurants themselves) are wrong. We see/hear it all the time on the boards here.
So please keep that in mind. Just because someone on the phone tells you it will be ok...weeks or months in advance does not mean it will be ok the day you arrive. I hope so, but would hate to not warn you and then you get stuck paying for a meal you are turned away from.

THIS!!!!!!!!!

There is absolutely no way a CM on the phone now can know now if you will be seated or not months out. Especially when you are going to need a larger sized table than the one you are booked for. It is not as simple as adding another chair to a table, the tables are small and tightly packed.

I would keep calling and try to change your ADR to the correct party size. If that doesn't work, show up to your ADR early, and kiss the feet of the CMs there. Just kidding about kissing their feet, but ask very nicely, and be undestanding if the answer you get is sorry, but no. Good luck!

 

[mfulk]

Update in OP.

 

[TDluvsDaisy]

I'm glad it worked out for you!

 

[Colleen27]

Thanks for the update... It came at just the right time for me, because after getting all my perfect ADRs for our next trip some family circumstances changed a bit and my mom will be traveling with us after all. I was able to rebook everything from 5 to 6 except Ohana and Le Cellier. Since I have opening-time ressies at both I've decided we're just going to take a chance on trying to add her at the podium if nothing shows up between now and then to rebook the ADR, and if it doesn't work out we'll just go elsewhere.

 

[TheRatPack]

Glad it worked out for you When our youngest was 2 we did the same thing. We couldn't get a ressie for 7, but got one for 6. They didn't even bat an eye when we checked in with 6 and our 'infant'. He didn't take up a seat (highchair) and he ate off my plate (although it's a family style buffet so they still brought him his own plate LOL). He even got the same toys my other children got.