Consistent luck with hack to book ADRs for 2 people

[erinch]

I m booking ADRs for a 2 week trip at end of October/early November. It will be just my hubby and me, staying offsite at Vistana, so it is booking one day at a time. When booking for 2, the times I wanted at Boma breakfast, Jiko, California grill on Halloween night, even San Angel only had crazy early or crazy late times.

I changed the booking to 4 people, and suddenly all times were open. So I booked the time I wanted, even being able to move California Grill to 7:40 from 10 pm on Halloween night. Then, get this, I was able to modify every reservation for the same time I booked for 4, but move it back to 2 people, and the time I had booked popped up, even if all other times were grayed out. I knew about booking for 4 when 2 weren’t available, but not about being able to modify back to 2.

 

[scrappinginontario]

The reason for this is Disney has very few 2- top tables in its restaurants. They try to fill as many seats as possible so booking for 2 only displays available 2-top tables. Booking for 4 opens a lot more tables. I’ve done the same as you as it’s so hard to get availability for 2 people.

I try for 2 first but if nothing shows up I change to 3, book if it’s available then modify our group back to 2.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I often travel solo and have been doing this for years. Sometimes I need to book for as many as 6 to get available times. Immediately able to modify to 1. Never been an issue.

 

[MadderAdder]

I just had to do this! I booked a three table and then was able to modify to two for the same time afterward.

 

[focusondisney]

We’re a party of 2 & yes, have done it for years.

 

[emmabelle]

I've done it too.

 

[Noodlez]

I just wanted to say thank you for this post! Although I've heard of this in the past I completely forgot when making my ADRs this time. I've now managed to pick up the time I really wanted by booking for 3 and modifying.

 

[tinkerbellmamma]

Thank you so much for posting this.. We are going on our first Adult Only trip next week and I couldn't believe the trouble I was having booking for 2 people and now I know the secret!!

 

[RoseGold]

Interesting. Tried it just now and it worked.

 

[erinch]

The part that was completely new to me was being able to modify to the actual number!

 

[jenkh]

Also just adding on thanks. We managed to get all the ADR's we wanted except our anniversary dinner. I was stalking it like a mad woman - and using this hack got it immediately. THANK YOU

We usually go in a group so I've never been on the hunt for 2 people only ADR's

 

[Treasured]

I'm really disappointed to see this being openly discussed. Mark my words, this is the next loophole Disney will close.

 

[imbelle]

I'm really disappointed to see this being openly discussed. Mark my words, this is the next loophole Disney will close.

It would make more sense if Disney would expend their IT effort towards fixing the need to circumvent an ineffectual system, but yeah, you're probably right.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I'm really disappointed to see this being openly discussed. Mark my words, this is the next loophole Disney will close.

I have absolutely no qualms sharing this information with others since I have never seen it as a “loophole”. It is a peculiarity of the dining reservation functionality which I think can benefit those struggling with finding appropriate times. I’ve been doing it and sharing with others for years.

Disney just rolled out a large upgrade to the dining reservation system and the functionality remains. What does that say?

 

[focusondisney]

I'm really disappointed to see this being openly discussed. Mark my words, this is the next loophole Disney will close.

What exactly is it the loop hole? Why should parties of 2 be excluded from popular restaurants or dining times? For now, this is how small parties have to navigate the system they have set up.

And how would the “loop hole” be closed? How would Disney differentiate between parties of 2 booking for 4 vs a party of 4 where 2 change their minds & decide not to go? Make a NO CHANGES ALLOWED policy? Doubtful, since they went from a 24 hour cancellation to a 2 hour cancellation less than a year ago.

 

[erinch]

In this particular case, the “loophole” to modify back is a courtesy to the restaurant, as there is no penalty if you book 3 or 4 and come with 2. Modifying back lets the restaurant allocate a 2-top If they have it. It doesn’t particularly benefit the diner.

 

[DJFan88]

Hmm yeah , Disney should stop legitimate people from making reservations. ? The purpose of a Tip Board/ Forum is to openly discuss to help others.

 

[focusondisney]

In this particular case, the “loophole” to modify back is a courtesy to the restaurant, as there is no penalty if you book 3 or 4 and come with 2. Modifying back lets the restaurant allocate a 2-top If they have it. It doesn’t particularly benefit the diner.

Exactly, so closing the loophole isn’t something I expect them to do anytime soon.

 

[Riley mrn]

Have never known about this tip/loophole. Thanks for sharing, will use it when I can.

 

[weather_lady]

I was able to do this recently when there were only bookings for 6, when I needed one for 4 people. The system let me make the ADR for 6, and then modify it down to 4. (This was for Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, where many of the "cars" seat 6, so the system's preference for larger parties made sense, even though at the end of the day, the restaurant was booked solid and a party of 2 was seated in the other spot in our "car," so those seats didn't go to waste!)