Complicated Question: Adding 1 person last minute?

[Castillo Mom]

I have a somewhat complicated situation. In order to keep it as simple as possible, I'll try not to go into too much detail.

Basically we are a party of 5 on the Dining Plan. There's a possibility that one other person will join us on the trip but I won't know for sure until June. Our travel dates are 8/21-9/1.

Would it be better to - A. Go ahead and add the 6th person now with the risk that I'll lose the excellent times I currently have and have to rebook all ADRs with the chance that the 6th person won't come on the trip or B. Not add that person on and if they end up going just show up at the restaurant and tell the host/hostess that we have an extra person? Are the tables for 5 the same as for 6 at most dining establishments at WDW? Don't know if it'll help with answering my questions but we have ADRs at Le Cellier, 'Ohana, Crystal Palace, FDP at Mama Melrose, Raglan Road, Narcoossee's, Citricos and Kona Cafe.

I'm very worried that with Free Dining I'll have difficulty adding another person on. What would you do?

 

[bigbabyblues]

I would try to change the ones that I could get the same/similar times, and the rest, maybe hope for the best? I would assume a table for 5 will seat 6, but I could be wrong.

 

[GoodFairies]

I would leave the reservations as they are and inform upon arrival that you have 6 instead of 5, if that ends up being the case. I very, very seriously doubt that you will have a problem at any of the places you listed.

 

[bradk]

i'd side with b3 on this one. change them if you CAN (i.e., do not cancel until you can secure for 6). if not, hope for the best. the argument is strong that 5 to 6 is not as big a deal as say 4 to 5, but you can't be entirely too sure either.

but better to change the ones you can and be safe. either way, it's infinitely easier to lose the 6th person.

 

[cmwade77]

I would think that at most locations they could just change the 5 to a 6 on the computer.

 

[raidermatt]

I'd change them now.

I'm reasonably sure it won't make a difference whether you have 5 or 6. But if that's the case, you won't lose any of your times by calling and changing anyway. They'll just change the number.

But if it does make a difference, better to find out now and get an ADR that will work than to find out out when you arrive and end up having to wait a long time for a table.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I would think that at most locations they could just change the 5 to a 6 on the computer.

Nope. This is not the case. I added one additional person, a 3 yo, and was told that I needed to re-book entirely. I kept trying to tell them that it was a small 3 yo that could have even used a high chair but I needed new times. Ended up with completely different times from what I had originally scheduled.
I'd go with the just add one when you show up.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Let me tell y'all a story 'bout a man named Jed...
Oh, wait, no - wrong story.

A few years ago, my brother had a reservation for five people at Chef Mickey's at somewhere around 6 PM. He called and tried to add a sixth person (me) and was told the earliest they could seat six people was 9:00, so I didn't go

When they checked in, they were seated at a table for... six

Tables seating an odd number of Guests are rarer than tables for even numbers. Chances are you will mostly be seated at tables for six.

 

[minijeanie]

I would no change your ressies.

Last week we added and xtra person to our party of 4...yes you heard right party of 4.

at Le Cellier.,,,they were wonderful there.

I wouldln't worry about it too much.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Thanks for all of your replies. I think I'm going to keep quiet and not call Dining to add the extra person, don't want to rock the ADR boat. My problem is I'm one of those obsessive planners and like to have all my ducks in a row.

 

[kami2199]

I had a similar situation going from 7 to 8 people last year...the dining reservation CM told me that the tables are designed for even numbers so there were no problems at all. That stinks on the Chef Mickey story! If the first one tells you differently, hang up and call back. Better to be safe than sorry!

 

[brooke1]

I also too have the same issue..........

My DS is 13yr and has a friend that wants to go, but does not have the money and also will have to be pulled out of school, so to be on the safe side when i made my ADR"S i made it for three people and even if the child does not get to go i will not change the ADR"S from 3 to 2.

Most of the time myself and my son were seated at a table for 4

Brooke

 

[beattyfamily]

I think its much easier to go from 6 to 5 people than 5 to 6 people. Its easier to decrease rather than increase.

Once you know for sure you can 'try' and fix the ADRs over the phone but if you have problems, then leave them be and go with what you booked and hope for the best.

 

[LeeAnn]

I just had to add a 6th person. There was no problem w/ the ressies. Everything stayed the same. Same time and same confirmation #. The did tell me that I was max out at 6. That I couldn't add anymore.

I don't think you have to worry either way. A party of 5 sit at a table for 6. Makes no difference. if you cahnag it now or later.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I just had to add a 6th person. There was no problem w/ the ressies. Everything stayed the same. Same time and same confirmation #. The did tell me that I was max out at 6. That I couldn't add anymore.

I don't think you have to worry either way. A party of 5 sit at a table for 6. Makes no difference. if you cahnag it now or later.

Thanks!