Can Make ADR for Three People, But Not Two. What Gives?

[SeaAndEase]

Trying to make a dinner ADR for September for two people at a particular resort restaurant. There is no availability for two guests, but if I change to three guests, available dining times appear.

Can someone explain what game this is?

Thanks!

 

[CarolynFH]

It’s a well known glitch of the ADR booking system, although usually it likes to demand rounding up to an even number! Just go ahead and book for three. There’s no penalty if you show up with only two.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Not a glitch. They have more availability for bigger parties. The don’t want to give a table for 3-4 to a party of 1-2 if they don’t have to. Bright side is you can arrive with fewer people and there is no penalty. I check in on the app (when it isn’t glitching ) and it lets you adjust the party size. When the app glitches and I have to check in and drop the party size in person I’ve never had a CM give me an issue.

 

[Jennasis]

Just book the party of 3.

 

[sponica]

It's probably a restaurant that has dedicated 3 tops. The booking robot will look at a 3 top and go nope, 2 people can't sit there.
Much like it won't fit 3 people at a 4 top.

 

[glocon]

I just made a reservation for 5 at Yak & Yeti because it wouldn’t let me make one for 2,3 or 4.

Weird.

I’ll try and modify on MDE, but will probably have to call to downsize.

 

[carlyannek]

I just made a reservation for 5 at Yak & Yeti because it wouldn’t let me make one for 2,3 or 4.

Weird.

I’ll try and modify on MDE, but will probably have to call to downsize.

Modifying on MDE will just go back to the general search option. How big is your party? In my experience, when you check in online for your reservation it asks you to confirm your party size and you can adjust by one person without a penalty.

 

[maltdizzy]

When you change from 2 to 3, it changes which table inventory the system looks at. All the restaurants have a LOT more 4-tops than 2-tops.

I’ll try and modify on MDE, but will probably have to call to downsize.

You don't have deal with changing the reservation. Just let them know the party size when you check in. There is no penalty for arriving with less people.

 

[glocon]

Modifying on MDE will just go back to the general search option. How big is your party? In my experience, when you check in online for your reservation it asks you to confirm your party size and you can adjust by one person without a penalty.

I actually went in and changed it to 2 just minutes after making the reservation for 5 and it let me!
I was shocked!
Glad I don’t have to call.
Maybe reservations were released right when I booked.
Glad I tried that- a great trick learned here on these boards!

 

[varyth]

I've noticed that once you book for a larger-than-needed party, you should be able to immediately modify it down to a smaller party size. The modify will keep your original reservation time as an option, even if your party size has changed.

 

[WDW Traveler]

This happened to me when I was making ADR's for my daughter and her boyfriend for September. They wanted Cali Grill and of course they wanted a time "close to" fireworks time. Exactly on her 60-day mark I was only able to get 5:15pm and 9:45pm, nothing in between those times. Then a couple days later, I tried 3 people for sh*!s and giggles. Low and behold, an 8:00pm reservation popped up! So, I snagged it for them knowing they wouldn't get penalized showing up with 2 and not 3.

Their system is very weird.

 

[focusondisney]

I've noticed that once you book for a larger-than-needed party, you should be able to immediately modify it down to a smaller party size. The modify will keep your original reservation time as an option, even if your party size has changed.

FYI, doesn’t always happen that you can modify down. It’s never worked for me.

 

[varyth]

FYI, doesn’t always happen that you can modify down. It’s never worked for me.

Sorry to hear that! I haven't had any trouble doing this in the MDE app, but only for those reservations that are not prepaid (e.g. not for CRT, dessert parties, etc).

 

[Debbie Jean]

Sorry to hear that! I haven't had any trouble doing this in the MDE app, but only for those reservations that are not prepaid (e.g. not for CRT, dessert parties, etc).

Been doing it for years, too…. and I’m old! Lol

I travel frequently as a solo… book for whatever number shows availability. In fact, some restaurants never show openings for 1, like Garden Grill or O’hana. I’ve never had an issue immediately modifying to 1…. system is more than happy to do it.

Don’t you love Disney tech?

 

[carlyannek]

Sure enough, I just tried booking an ADR for Ohana dinner on Aug 31st for 2. "We're sorry there's nothing available..." I put in 3, and there was a 7:55 pm. I grabbed it. Instantly went to the reservation and clicked modify, changed to 2, and lo and behold there was now a 7:55 pm available for 2 people!

 

[kwdw]

Have to say, I've been reading these threads for years, but honestly never had a problem with a party of 1 vs. 2 until this morning. Three different places had nothing for a party of 1, but did for a party of 2. Makes me angry as I am frequently a party of 1. Sure, I can modify, but its disrespectful.

 

[gottalovepluto]

FYI, doesn’t always happen that you can modify down. It’s never worked for me.

Yeah. It used to, then it didn’t, sounds like it’s kinda sorta back? I have always been able to knock it down on check-in so it’s not that important.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Have to say, I've been reading these threads for years, but honestly never had a problem with a party of 1 vs. 2 until this morning. Three different places had nothing for a party of 1, but did for a party of 2. Makes me angry as I am frequently a party of 1. Sure, I can modify, but it’s disrespectful.

I’ve rarely ever been able to make decently timed ADRs for 1 over the years, you’ve been lucky.

As for them being disrespectful? Nah, they’re just trying to maximize revenue, I get it. I’m annoyed I have to work around it but it’s just a business call.

 

[Lesverts]

The ones I can't modify when I go to the host stand and say it is just for 1 it has never been an issue. That being said I don't ever do any 'family style' because of the high potential food waste and don't ever make a reservation for more then 2. Usually the greeter/host/front attendant is pretty good. Only time I have ever been annoyed is when I got seated at Skippers in an area in the main part of the dining room and then a different host came over and told me I had to move and go shoved into a back corner. It didn't make me feel great.

 

[gottalovepluto]

The ones I can't modify when I go to the host stand and say it is just for 1 it has never been an issue. That being said I don't ever do any 'family style' because of the high potential food waste and don't ever make a reservation for more then 2. Usually the greeter/host/front attendant is pretty good. Only time I have ever been annoyed is when I got seated at Skippers in an area in the main part of the dining room and then a different host came over and told me I had to move and go shoved into a back corner. It didn't make me feel great.

I do LTT, I probably waste less food than a family. They don’t bring you the normal family style feast when you’re solo, they bring you a plate with a little bit of everything and then bring more of anything you want refilled.