Crystal Palace-Party Size

[Orlando313]

Hi, I have some family coming in from out of town and they commented to me on this but I had never experienced it because I no longer eat at the restaurants on property. Can anyone give advice?

They made a ressie at Crystal Palace for 5 adults and 1 child because it's the only one they could get. The problem is they have 6 adults and one child. They said they're just going to show up and tell them they have one extra person and to add an extra chair.

Now I'm not close to this particular side of my family so feel free to discuss openly. This is like their second trip and the last one was in the 80's. Personally, I told them they were dingbats because I don't like the idea but if anyone has anything to add I would appreciate it. What I'm trying to find out is if anyone has ever done this, or seen it done. Are they going to refuse them the reservation? If so I really want to warn them of this. Thanks!

 

[moepanz]

Was just down in WDW on Tuesday for one night. My mom and cousin had a ressie for 2. My mom thought it would be no big deal to tell them she was adding on more person at the door. Well they only had a table for 2. The way the table was situatied (sp?) you could not add on a chair (I would be in the aisle) Not a big deal I wanted to go off on my own any way. I had a hot dog next door at Caseys and had a blast.

 

[Orlando313]

Thanks for that.

Anyone else have feedback?

Maybe it might be different for a bigger party? My thinking is bigger table, more room to stick a chair at? I don't know, I've never been there with a party of more than 4 so I don't know how that works.

 

[justKim]

We love going to Crystal Palace. Our experience has been that the tables are very close together. We've had freestanding tables and those one side bench/other side chair types and I don't see how we could have pulled up a chair in either case. But we've never been at a 6-top table, so YMMV. If they get one of the round tables, it might be possible.

 

[cmaee]

We are a family of 5 and were seated at a round table that could seat 6 on our last trip. The table was not large enough to add another person to it. We have 3 kids (all young) and if all of our seats were taken, there is no way that you could have added another seat - let alone 6 adults and 1 child at a table built for 6.

I would venture that they would not let them add another person to the reservation by just adding another chair. I really wanted to do Liberty Tree Tavern, but they only had a table for 4 - I tried to convince them that our youngest would be in a high chair, so she could just sit on the end of the table - but they would not budge. I am sure it was a fire code violation or something.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

In most cases they cannot just "add a chair" because the number of chairs and how the tables are situated have to do with fire code and the ability of the servers, characters, and handlers to get around.

However, they can still walk up to the podium and ask to adjust their ADR on the spot. Most of the time the CM host will accommodate. But, as cited above, not always. At busy times it may just be impossible.

 

[disnut8]

Right now, they have a party of six (5 adults and one child - the child counts as a person even if in a highchair or going to be held the entire time). Their table will be configured for six people. They want to add one more person bringing their total up to seven.

Their table will have to be situated where an extra chair can be "pulled up". That doesn't happen most of the time at Disney World. And I would be particularly concerned since this is Crystal Palace with lots of characters walking around and people getting up and down from the buffet. Chairs cannot be in the aisle obstructing the flow of traffic.

I'm not saying it's going to be impossible but I would warn your family that there is a good chance they will be told "no". And if that happens, they have to accept it and move on. No arguing with the Cast Member about it.

 

[Orlando313]

Well I got a call from my family and three of them have decided they can't come due to a medical emergency with my cousin. They invited me along to fill one of the spots and so I accepted even though I've sworn off Disney dining. I'll make an exception, and heck maybe I'll change my mind. But at least the ressie has already been made.

Anyway, now my question is this: will they seat us with the party size being less than what they reserved for, or should we find a single stranger off the street to sit with us?

I know...I have a weird family. Please don't remind me.

 

[cmaee]

I don't see why they wouldn't seat you with less than your reserved number. Now if it were a restaurant where a deposit was required (CRT, Ashkerhaus) then it might be different.