Changing number of people on dining reservation

[BobearQSI]

I'm making dining reservations, hopefully one of which can be converted to Fantasmic when that becomes available, but the issue is there are people in our party who aren't sure they will be able to make this trip with us. I've made plenty of reservations before, but never had this situation.

If I make the reservation for more people, will I be able to call and reduce the number of people on the reservation? Is there any chance that there will not be an available reservation for the lesser number of people, and they won't be able to do it? Or will we be guaranteed to take 1 or 2 people off the reservation and keep the same time?

There are 4 for sures, and 2 questionables. It won't be until the week before the trip that we know who's going and who is not.

So it looks like my options are:
1) Make all reservations for 6 people, then if necessary call Disney the week before and change the reservation to 4 or 5.
2) Make multiple reservations for 6 people, 5 people, and 4 people, for each and every one, then cancel the ones we won't be using one week out. I'd rather not do this.
3) Make reservations for 6, then just show up and pay the cancellation fees for 1 or 2 people on any that Disney can't change.

 

[Winnowill]

You won't have to pay cancellation fees if some people are no-shows. As long as the reservation is used by at least one person, you'll be fine. If you were trying to increase the number of people, that would be a problem, but fewer is not. However, calling and changing the number of people would be a good thing to do if you can, just to open up (potentially) more availability.

 

[ashley0139]

Make reservations for 6 people. If you know ahead of time, call to reduce them if possible. If not, check in and tell them you are just 4 or 5. They won't charge you the cancellation fee for that.

 

[traveln4fun]

As long as 1 person shows for your reservation, you are fine.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Make them for six. If you know ahead of time & feel like calling Disney dining they can adjust the number down. If you don't want to go to that effort just tell the hostess the others won't be able to make it. No penalties!

 

[BobearQSI]

Thanks for the helpful responses! I've been making reservations for 6.