Change in party size...advice?

[camac517]

I'm sorry if someone has answered a similar question to this in the past. I haven't been able to read too far back in the posts. We made our ADRs over 50 days ago. We initially were going to be a party of 11. Over the last 2 weeks 6 of those people have decided not to go. I don't really feel comfortable keeping ADRs for 11 people when we will actually only have 5 but I have checked every restaurant and nothing good is available for 5 people and I also don't feel comfortable cancelling and trying to rebook. I am afraid I won't get the same times. I have toddlers who can't eat at 8 or 9 pm. Should I just keep it as is? Thoughts or advice?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Call Disney Dining and see if they can adjust your party size.

 

[camac517]

I guess I should have mentioned that DH already talked to a CM and they said we'd have to cancel and rebook. Of course you know how info changes from one CM to another. Maybe we should try again....

 

[mcd2745]

I guess I should have mentioned that DH already talked to a CM and they said we'd have to cancel and rebook. Of course you know how info changes from one CM to another. Maybe we should try again....

That's what I would do. I wouldn't play ADR roulette and try to cancel and rebook. I'm sure a competent CM at Disney Dining (assuming you ever get to one) can modify the ADRs for you.

 

[JimmyV]

Go ahead and flame away, but here is what I would do. First, (and it sounds like you have tried this), I would call WDW-DINE and see if they can adjust the reservation. If they are being logical, they will help you out. Dropping your party to a "5" frees up 6 more seats so they can now accomodate a party of 6, two 3s or a 4 and a 2. There is no reason why they should not do this. If they are so uncooperative as to refuse to do this, then I would keep the reservations the way they are, and simply show up with a smaller number. When you check in and announce that you are a "5", they should seat you at the next available table for a party of your size, and the only fallout will be that a party of 6 (or two 3s, or a 4 and a 2) all get to be seated faster than they ordinarily would have, or perhaps a few walk-ins will now be immediately seated. I see no harm in this, as you would actually be benefitting others instead of harming or inconveniencing others. It is called situational ethics, and in this situation, if they will not help you out, you have no obligation to risk losing your reservations. You will get to dine, and 6 other lucky people will too. And the restaurant will fill all 11 seats, so you are not hurting the restaurant or the staff in any way.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I agree with Jimmy V. If Disney can't make the change for you prior to arrival, I would just show up and explain the situation. I know my sister and her family (4) were supposed to join us a few years ago (3) so we had reservations for 7. They cancelled at the last minute because my nephew got sick. We went anyhow and explained the situation and the restaurant (Le Cellier) was fine with it. Sat us with no problem at all.

 

[camac517]

I never thought of it that way JimmyV! I kept thinking that 6 people would NOT get to eat because of us but what you said makes perfect sense. I will try to call again and have it switched and if they won't do it I will leave the ADRs as is. Thanks for the help!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I never thought of it that way JimmyV! I kept thinking that 6 people would NOT get to eat because of us but what you said makes perfect sense. I will try to call again and have it switched and if they won't do it I will leave the ADRs as is. Thanks for the help!

Just make sure none of your ADRs have a cancellation policy that you may get charged for if your entire party doesn't show up (CRT, Akershus, dinner shows, Cali Grill).

 

[kylieh]

I reduced quite a few ADRs the one day including for booked out places over the phone. CM said it's easy to take people off, never to add.

 

[poohluvrs]

I reduced quite a few ADRs the one day including for booked out places over the phone. CM said it's easy to take people off, never to add.

Yep, that's our situation, we booked our trip for 4 and my OCD got us all the coveted ADRs we wanted, now our good friends (party of 5) are going, would be nice if we could change our ADRs to a party of 9 but don't see that happening I def don't want to lose my ADRs I have now if we can't

Any advice We are staying CL so was thinking maybe they can help, that should really make their day

 

[camac517]

Now 4 people decided that they are going AGAIN. Thank goodness I hadn't changed the ADRs yet. Sheesh.

 

[traylorc]

Go ahead and flame away, but here is what I would do. First, (and it sounds like you have tried this), I would call WDW-DINE and see if they can adjust the reservation. If they are being logical, they will help you out. Dropping your party to a "5" frees up 6 more seats so they can now accomodate a party of 6, two 3s or a 4 and a 2. There is no reason why they should not do this. If they are so uncooperative as to refuse to do this, then I would keep the reservations the way they are, and simply show up with a smaller number. When you check in and announce that you are a "5", they should seat you at the next available table for a party of your size, and the only fallout will be that a party of 6 (or two 3s, or a 4 and a 2) all get to be seated faster than they ordinarily would have, or perhaps a few walk-ins will now be immediately seated. I see no harm in this, as you would actually be benefitting others instead of harming or inconveniencing others. It is called situational ethics, and in this situation, if they will not help you out, you have no obligation to risk losing your reservations. You will get to dine, and 6 other lucky people will too. And the restaurant will fill all 11 seats, so you are not hurting the restaurant or the staff in any way.

I agree wholeheartedly. If Disney does not have the ability to adjust this reservation, then it's not fair for you to have to cancel and re-book and risk losing your reservation.

I would be absolutely shocked if some competent CM could not adjust the size of your party.