Does 6 vs. 5 really make an ADR difference?

[mrsjoannh13]

When searching for some of the harder to get ADR's I've been looking for 5 - the actual number in our party. I saw someone suggest I look for tables of 6. I just figured that a party of 5 would be getting a 6 top anyway so I've not tried this.

In anyone's experience, have you ever gotten an ADR time availability when searching for 6 vs. 5 people? Just curious if this might have worked or if it's just a waste of time.

Thanks!

 

[twocat]

It's not a waste of time. In my case, a party of 1, nothing was available at BOG but I entered 2 for my party and had my choice of times. I think there are some restaurants where the situation is worse than others.

 

[purple figment]

Try looking for a reservation for 5 first and if that doesn't work, try looking for 6 since at most restaurants you will be seated at a 6 top table. The reservation system has a quirk where it wants to fill every seat at the table so when you input 5 it won't find a table for your group size. Add 1 and with 6 you are now filling every seat.

Don't try looking for a table for 4 because everyone, no matter how young, eating or not, needs to be included in the reservation because of fire code regulations.

Once at the restaurant let the castmembers at the podium know that there are only 5 of you. As long as at least one person shows up for the reservation you will not be charged the no show fee for the "missing" person.

As a party of 3 we have had luck looking for reservations for 4.

 

[Aurora0427]

We found this last trip that booking for 3 after the 180 plus ten was more difficult than booking for 5 or 6. I just figured you had a lot of full four tops booked, but maybe it's the weird number.

 

[DisneySOS]

Thanks OP for this question. We are a party of 5 & will be looking to book some hard to get ADR's and this may help!

 

[mousehappync]

It's the odd number. I often book meals for three on our trips, but rarely can find ARD's unless I search for 4. I call Disney the week before we leave and have them modify the reservations for me.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I sort of had this happen with 'Ohana one year. I needed an ADR for a party of 4 for 7pm, but couldn't find a thing. I tried searching party of 6 and wouldn't you know it, there was a 7:20pm slot. I booked it and then called to have it reduced to a party of 4. So, this was going even to even...but still the larger party was open, but not the smaller. Odd how the ADR system 'works.'

 

[tinkerbella16]

Last year we had several adrs where we were a party of 3 and no times would show at certain restaurants... but 4 worked with no problem. I remember us having to book Via Napoli for 4 even though we were 3, and also Garden Grill we had the same thing happen.