Can two families make separate ADRs and request to sit at one table at check in?

[disney88]

With the new credit card needed for reservations, we want to keep our reservations separate just in case one family can't make it and needs to cancel. So...I'm wondering could we make ADRs separately for the same time and then when we check in, ask to be seated at the same table. Will they do that for us? I know sometimes even when you reserve for a large table they say that people might be sitted separately. But I'm wondering if they would even combine to ADRs into one table.

 

[Itinkso]

Yes, they should be able to do that. We had four separate ADRs for GF Cafe and they arranged tables for a party of 32! just arrive a few minutes prior to your ADR and they can get everything situated.

 

[PictureJumpr]

Most restaurants' CMs will try to meet any request made, but they just might not be able to do it, depending on how many larger tables (if any) the restaurant has, and how many ADRs they have for those tables (which would supersede yours).

If you're willing to wait for it, they shouldn't have a big problem.
If you need to eat on schedule, it might or might not work out.

It might be possible to be seated near each other if they can't accomodate you at one table - but this too depends on table inventory and a bit of luck/pixie dust.

WDW ADRs work uniquely from just about any other reservation system out there - you are basically scheduling a place in line, not really an actual table. They have the occupancies optimized, the turnover times calculated, etc, etc to make sure their tables stay filled as much as possible. If a group already using a large table gets finished and leaves, and no one is currently checked in with a large-table (large-party) ADR, then they will probably grant your wish. If two tables get cleared on opposite ends of the dining room, and you and your other group are the next two on the list of checked-in people, then that is where they will place you.

Bottom line, doesn't hurt to ask...

 

[purple figment]

As PictureJumper said, there's no guarantee that restaurants will be able to seat your 2 families together. CMs will try their best, but you could just as easily be seated nearby or far apart. Another thing to consider is the possibility of longer waits for a larger table especially if there are young children who get restless. Also, plans for after the meal that might be impacted.

I know you said you want to keep the res separate just in case one family has to cancel, but the Disney dining FAQs say that there will be no cc penalty charged as long as at least part of the group shows up.

If you don't mind being seated separately you can make 2 reservations, but if being at one table is very important, it's best to make a single res.

Here's a link to the Dining FAQs. The ones related to the cc policy are near the end:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/dining/#/subCategory21

 

[TheRatPack]

We had to make two separate reservations last year at the Plaza for our family (2 adults, 5 kids). When we checked in we told them we had it under 2 reservations but it was for one family. We encountered quite a few rolling eyes.....the waitress must have had a bad day because she was just mumbling under her breath the whole time. She would come out to the podium and say "7?" and then go back in....she said "well if it was 6 I could seat them quicker". Like I could just make one of my kids vanish LOL

We told them we were happy sitting at 2 separate tables, as the original ADRs had been booked. But they told us to wait a bit longer and they did finally manage to squeeze us in at a table for 6 .

Plaza is really a small restaurant though, so I'm guessing our experience was not the norm.

 

[amomma23]

I was just going to ask a similar Q...Decided to move our Tusker House breakfast. Now we have a party of 5 at 8:00 and a party of 4 at 8:10. Being at different tables is fine, but do you think we could all walk up together and at least be near one another?

 

[disney88]

As PictureJumper said, there's no guarantee that restaurants will be able to seat your 2 families together. CMs will try their best, but you could just as easily be seated nearby or far apart. Another thing to consider is the possibility of longer waits for a larger table especially if there are young children who get restless. Also, plans for after the meal that might be impacted.

I know you said you want to keep the res separate just in case one family has to cancel, but the Disney dining FAQs say that there will be no cc penalty charged as long as at least part of the group shows up.

If you don't mind being seated separately you can make 2 reservations, but if being at one table is very important, it's best to make a single res.

Here's a link to the Dining FAQs. The ones related to the cc policy are near the end:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/dining/#/subCategory21

Oh I didn't realize that as long as part of the party shows up there is no penalty. This changes everything. I thought you had the show up with the number of ppl or you paid per person for those that didn't show. We will definitely make ADR together. We hope that no one needs to cancel but in the case something comes up then we don't end up in a jam.

Thanks everyone for the great info.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You can make the separate reservations and ask to be seated together. However, this could very easily be an impossible problem.

Let's say both are families of four. The majority of tables at most restaurants are for parties of four. There are very few tables for eight. The people who have the reservations for eight will get those tables.

And you cannot put two four-tops together, as you will actually lose two of the seats.

And if the restaurant is crowded, they will not hold a four top empty to wait for one next to it to open up so they can seat you together (or even next to each other).

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I was just going to ask a similar Q...Decided to move our Tusker House breakfast. Now we have a party of 5 at 8:00 and a party of 4 at 8:10. Being at different tables is fine, but do you think we could all walk up together and at least be near one another?

1) Unfortunately, Tusker is like other buffets (such as Boma).
2) The seating selection IS NOT done by the podium lady.
3) It is done by a rover, then the podium takes you to the assigned table.
4) And, it can take an act of God for the seater to go against the computer.
5) Process
. . . a lady walks around with a computer
. . . when a table is ready, she assigns the next ADR of that size to the table
. . . the assignment comes up at the podium computer
. . . the podium person calls your name
. . . then, the podium lady seats you per the assigned table

 

[amomma23]

1) Unfortunately, Tusker is like other buffets (such as Boma).
2) The seating selection IS NOT done by the podium lady.
3) It is done by a rover, then the podium takes you to the assigned table.
4) And, it can take an act of God for the seater to go against the computer.
5) Process
. . . a lady walks around with a computer
. . . when a table is ready, she assigns the next ADR of that size to the table
. . . the assignment comes up at the podium computer
. . . the podium person calls your name
. . . then, the podium lady seats you per the assigned table

No biggie. By the end of the week we might not want to sit together anyway.

 

[Cafeen]

With the new credit card needed for reservations, we want to keep our reservations separate just in case one family can't make it and needs to cancel. So...I'm wondering could we make ADRs separately for the same time and then when we check in, ask to be seated at the same table. Will they do that for us? I know sometimes even when you reserve for a large table they say that people might be sitted separately. But I'm wondering if they would even combine to ADRs into one table.

As a note, unless it's one of the prepaid experiences (e.g. CRT, HDDR, etc), you shouldn't be charged for a partial party. According to the published, acknowledged, and (usually) followed policy, so long as your party (in part, or full) shows up for the ADR, you won't be charged.

Of course, with a large chunk missing (e.g. if one of the families has to drop out), you may get the same rolling eyes, but there shouldn't be a charge (check statements regularly!)

It may be easier to at least combine a few, to insure that you're all sitting together, where it may be otherwise questionable (e.g. Tusker House as mentioned).

 

[TDC Nala]

There was some problem earlier in the year with large parties making separate reservations and combining those to make one party. This resulted in one of the reservations accidentally going down as a no-show, and that party was charged. To ensure that won't happen, make reservations for the entire group. As long as someone shows up for the reservation there won't be a charge. You may want to keep them separate for prepaid reservations though.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . could we make ADRs separately for the same time and then when we check in, ask to be seated at the same table . . .

LET ME MAKE AN ADDENDUM ON HOW TO SO THIS:
1) When you get to podium, ask for the two ressies to be combined.
2) The podium lady will make a new ADR ressie.
3) Now, there are two caveats
. . . you might have to wait later than the original ADR
. . . if there are more than six people, YOU WILL PAY AUTOMATIC 18% TIP *

* Since you have now make a larger group, you would be required to pay
the automatic gratuity rate. There have been lots of cases where people
try to get around the 18% by making two ADR's and asking them to be
combined. Unless they are combined, you simply get lucky if you are
seated near each other by the roving Assigner.