Changing Reservation Head Count

[jtg2]

So back at the end of June we decided "last minute" to go to Disney World Nov 14-21. It took me the better part of July and a lot of obsessive searching to find a very happy place for our ADRs for 4 (2 adults, 2 infants: age 2 and 0.5): Coral Reef, Chefs de France, Saana, Garden Grill, Hoopdedoo, Ohana.

At the end of July our in-laws decided they were going to come along. I'm quiet happy about this! Except.... all my ADRs are for 4. And most of the only "interesting" offerings I can find are at extremes that won't suit my little 'uns: 3 pm lunches and 8pm dinners.

I need advice on how panicked to be about this! Will available ADR loosen up between now and November?

 

[My1promise]

I think so, I wouldn't worry about it to much and I say this because if you check the website for like the next few days there are a ton of hard to get ressies and not only that the when it gets closer to the time to have everything paid in full unfortunately some people cancel their trip and a lot of openings come up around that 45 day period too. So I wouldn't get to stressed about it.

 

[suzzzze]

Maybe you could try to get an ADR for 2 people around the same time as the ones you have now. You could always ask to be seated near each other when you check in.

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, people's plan do change, so keep looking for ADRs for the right party size at the times you want. The usual advice is to look a lot around the 45-day mark (when package payments are due) and then close to the time of the trip. I would look several times per day if you can.

The other advice (as mentioned by a PP) is to try a book a table for 2 at the same time and then ask if they can be combined at the podium or at least seated nearby. Disney will do their best to accommodate you, but this is not always going to work. You might get luck, but you might also end up across the restaurant from each other.

You do have some pretty popular venues (e.g., Coral Reef, Garden Grill, HDDR, and 'Ohana), which might be harder to find a table for 6. I would keep looking right up until the day before your reservation. At that point, then you'll have to decide whether 4 of you want to go or if you want to cancel the ADR (just remember, you have to cancel the day before to avoid the no-show penalty).

 

[jtg2]

Thank you, everyone, for your advice and assurances. I'll keep my hopes up and my blood pressure down

 

[purple figment]

At least you have experience with obsessive searching for your current reservations so you know what that was like. You can keep checking online for a table for 6 or as PPs have suggested for a table for 2 at the same time. At least that will ensure everyone will be seated. Hoop De Doo could be problematic because table assignments are made according to order they are booked so if you find a res for 2 a CM who posts here and has done seating assignments for HDD has said the 2 parties will not be seated together. You can also subscribe to the November cancellation thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3278305