Combining two separate ADRs for a group of 9.

[Moushe]

My daughter's birthday trip is coming up in a couple of weeks. (11/15-11/19). The plan was to have several character meals, most importantly one on her actual birthday - 11/18 at Garden Grill. Sadly things got hectic and I missed the ADR date. By the time I tried to make reservations (a week later) everything was booked.

We are a party of 9 (6 adults, 2 kids, and a 9month old baby). Last week I was able to get a 2:00pm Garden Grill ADR for 5 people. Then on Monday my sister was able to get another one for 4 people at 2:25pm.

I called to see if the two ADRs could be combined but I was told there was no availability at the time and my best bet is to keep checking on MDE because tables open up all the time as people tweak their plans. The other suggestion was to get to the restaurant for the 2pm ADR and let them know we are willing to wait if we can all sit at 2:25pm

Has anyone done this before? Would it help if we got there around 1:45? Any advice or past experience is welcomed.

Thanks!

 

[holden]

Keep checking, especially the day before your reservation. People absolutely change plans and something might open up. I don't think a party of 9 can sit together at GG, so you'll probably be split up anyway (I could be wrong about that).

If you can't get a new reservation time for one of the parties then I'd recommend telling them upon arrival that you'd like to eat at the same time. Worst they can say is "no."

 

[tobikaye]

Some things I would suggest:

1. Continue trying to find or move the two separate reservations closer
2. Try searching for 10 people instead of 9 people, it can make a difference some times to do even over odd
3. Try touring plan's free ADR finder: https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/reservation-finder - You will have to set up at least a basic account: https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/join/basic
4. On the day of your reservation, if you cannot get all 9 of you on the reservation, some should go to the restaurant a few hours earlier and let them know that you are two separate parties and ask if they can seat you together or near each other

 

[stinkpickle]

Yeah, just get there early and ask. We've done the same thing multiple times.