Confused about a few dining reservation issues

[sidneyc]

First Disney trip coming up in September. I booked two rooms with two separate reservation numbers, but my TA linked the reservations together so we would have rooms close to each other.

As I'm making dining reservations, I want to eat at the same time and at the same place, but we each want our own tables. (so as not to be forced the 18% grat). When I book the reservations it tells me I have conflicting reservations then says "your party may be seated at separate tables". THAT IS WHAT WE WANT!!!! If we are seated as a party of 8 we will be hit with that 18%. I'm trying to do the reservations under each reservation #, but it automatically puts both under my name? Is this going to be a problem being considered a "GROUP" when we arrive to dine?

Also one of our travelers is a 2 year old. I booked a reservation at 1900 Park Fare before I read a previous post. I assumed since the 2 year old is non-paying, I wouldn't make a reservation for him. I did a party of 3 instead of 4. I'm afraid to cancel the reservation and rebook it in case we lose the spot. Will this be a problem? The rest of the reservations I booked as a party of 4.

Finally....Chef Mickey is booked up for dinner our ENTIRE trip except for one night at 9pm. That is not an option for us with a 2 year old. Is there hope something will free up before Sept?

Thanks for all the help!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

As I'm making dining reservations, I want to eat at the same time and at the same place, but we each want our own tables. (so as not to be forced the 18% grat). When I book the reservations it tells me I have conflicting reservations then says "your party may be seated at separate tables". THAT IS WHAT WE WANT!!!! If we are seated as a party of 8 we will be hit with that 18%. I'm trying to do the reservations under each reservation #, but it automatically puts both under my name? Is this going to be a problem being considered a "GROUP" when we arrive to dine?

You will need to make reservations under different names if your main reason is to avoid the 18% tip for groups of six or more.

Unfortunately you will need to cancel one of your reservations and make another under a different name. Have someone else on the trip register for the site and make that reservation.

If you show up with two parties of 4 and ask to sit near each other they will consider you one group and charge you the 18% anyway. If you give any indication that you are one party with split reservations, they will charge you the 18%. The only way to get out of the 18% is to make totally separate reservations and be seated in different sections with different servers. So you cannot ask for your parties to be near each other, nor should you have both reservations under the same name. In addition, there are a few reports that if some CMs at dining notice that you have concurrent reservations, they may take it upon themselves to cancel one or both of them without notice to you.

Also one of our travelers is a 2 year old. I booked a reservation at 1900 Park Fare before I read a previous post. I assumed since the 2 year old is non-paying, I wouldn't make a reservation for him. I did a party of 3 instead of 4. I'm afraid to cancel the reservation and rebook it in case we lose the spot. Will this be a problem? The rest of the reservations I booked as a party of 4.

You should try to rebook. The child counts, so when you show up you will go down as a party of 4, not a party of 3. This may not be a problem, but if the restaurant is full to capacity for fire codes at the time you arrive, you will not be allowed in with the extra person. The age of the person is not relevant. Check for availability first, then if you find it book a new reservation and cancel the old one. You do not have to cancel the first reservation before you book a new one.

Finally....Chef Mickey is booked up for dinner our ENTIRE trip except for one night at 9pm. That is not an option for us with a 2 year old. Is there hope something will free up before Sept?

There is always a chance, as long as you keep checking. Remember you have to count everyone on the reservation, including children.

 

[sidneyc]

Thank you for all this GREAT info. Sounds like I've got a lot of work to do!!!! This dining reservation thing is turning in to a full time job. I've spent way too much time in this reservation system.....I'll be glad when I get this done!