Changing party size-what will happen?

[holcomb-mania]

The family traveling with us had to cancel. But I've made several PS for a group of 8, often requiring two tables according to the CM.

If I call and reduce the party to 4, will they have to schedule a new PS? And if so, do I run the risk of losing my current PS time? In other words, could I be told that there are no more tables (for 4) at that particular time? This would apply only to situations where we were PSed for ONE table, I guess. I'm not sure if this is even a problem. Just thinking ahead.

Thanks.

 

[lwestwise]

I don't think it will be a problem, but I would call and ask if I made ps today for a party of 8 and the others cancelled, would it be a problem to reduce the size by 4 and would I stand the chance of losing my ps.

 

[Pammy_from_WI]

I can tell you first hand that this might be a problem. I just had this same issue last week and when I called to fix the table party size I had to make all new PSs.

What they did is first check if the place had a table for that size, then they made the new ressie if it was ok with me, then they deleted the old one.

I had pretty good luck, but some of the times change by 10 of 15 minutes. I did have to switch one out though. It was LTT and I just made it for a half hour earlier at CP, so it wasn't a big deal.

If I were you I'd call them ASAP! I would think that if you have two tables reserved it shouldn't be a problem, but where you have one table, it could be, at least that was my experience.

Good Luck!!
Pam

 

[Disneyolic]

Hmm...I wonder what happens if you show up at the restaurant and suppose only 6 out of 8 really want to dine. I would hope they would seat you at the next available table for 6. Anyone know?

 

[CK1]

It depends on your party size and what percent don't show. If your party is 8, and you cut back by 50% to leave 4, obviously they will want you in a table for 4, so it will need a new PS. On the other hand, if you are a party of 8 and 1 or 2 drop out -- you will probably still be at a table for 8, because a table for 6 may not even exist (they get "8" by sticking 2 folks on either end, often...) If you are a party of 4 and lose 1 member -- you will still need a table that seats 4. But lose 2 people -- and you're at a tiny table for 2. You get the idea.

Basically, ask yourself if your reduction in party technically puts you in a different "table category", then make changes as needed.

 

[Topper]

Originally posted by CK1
It depends on your party size and what percent don't show. If your party is 8, and you cut back by 50% to leave 4, obviously they will want you in a table for 4, so it will need a new PS. On the other hand, if you are a party of 8 and 1 or 2 drop out -- you will probably still be at a table for 8, because a table for 6 may not even exist (they get "8" by sticking 2 folks on either end, often...) If you are a party of 4 and lose 1 member -- you will still need a table that seats 4. But lose 2 people -- and you're at a tiny table for 2. You get the idea.

Basically, ask yourself if your reduction in party technically puts you in a different "table category", then make changes as needed.

Exactly! I have a PS for Saturday August 23rd at the California Grill. The PS was originally for 3 people. I called last Sunday to change it to 4 people. It was no problem as a party of 3 would be sat at a 4 top table. And this is the big night at CG for the fireworks, and now I hear they are doing special fireworks at the MK this evening! I love it when things just fall into place so easily

 

[MaryJ]

Last summer I made a PS at Artist Point for 8. The night before a friend drove up from Melbourne to spend the day with us. When DH called to try to change the PS to 9, we were told it couldn't be done, so we split up with 4 of us going to Artist Point and 5 going to Le Cellier. When we arrived at Artist Point the place was half empty! We told the hostess what we had been told, and she said "I wish you would have called us directly. We would have had plenty of space."

Sometimes when it comes to PS's, I don't think the right hand knows what the left hand is doing!

 

[Richyams]

On my last trip we were meeting family who had a close in-law pass away the day before the trip. My wife and kid were only going to be there for one night and I was going to stay for another few days. My brother was also meeting another group of friends. We had a PS for 8 at 1900 PF, I showed up alone, no problem. We also had a PS for 8 at Ohanas, I showed up alone, no problem.

 

[Debby7]

Our PS's for our last trip were all for 5. My oldest had to leave halfway through our trip. We just would show up and say that we had PS for 5, but only 4 were coming. NO problem.

 

[CK1]

I don't think it's ever too big an issue to reduce your party size (there's usually some poor soul waiting in the wings to get a seat, if it's crowded, and if it's not -- no big matter anyway). I think the only issue comes when you try to add a number of folks that would then exceed seating capability.

That's an interesting note about calling the restaurant directly for seating availability. We had to switch ressies for WC once b/c family of 4 joined our already big party of 8. We ended up at Garden Grille. My dh loved it, but I think my SIL/BIL were disappointed b/c it was their last night and they had really wanted to try WC. Based on how readily my dh and I were able to get a table at WC the next night (with no prior PS), it makes me wonder if they would have been able to accommodate us (perhaps at 2 tables for 6) after all!

 

[holcomb-mania]

Thanks for the responses, guys.

 

[Scarlett & Rhett]

I think just as long as you call within a certain time limit (not sure if it is 24 or 48 hours), you should not have a problem changing your party size to a smaller number.

 

[disnaholic]

I spoke to a CM last week because we may not have as many people come to dinner that we have Ps's for. The CM told me it was no problem at all to downsize after the PS was made. She said it is so much easier to downsize a group for a PS than it is to add people to a PS.