Everything was perfect and now a huge dining problem...

[minniesmom55]

We are so excited to be going home 8/24 - 9/3! I planned this months ago, got boardwalk view at BWV in a 2 bedroom (my parents and my husband and 3 children are coming.) I knew that free dining was coming so I made all of our reservations way ahead of time because we are doing the dining plan, it works very well for us.

Well, then we decided to bring our nanny with us because she is like a member of the family and we knew it would help give us extra hands because 2 of our 3 children are infant twins. Then my sister said she would come, which is great also because we have been trying to get her to come along for the past few trips. Our party of 7 just became a party of 9.

This was all great until I tried to change our dining reservations today. Of course, everything is booked now because of free dining, and we aren't able to add anyone to the reservations. I thought maybe it would still be ok because technically the twins could sit on laps and not take up a chair, but the CM I spoke to said it is about liability to Disney and how many people are in the restaurant, not about chairs. So now, I don't know what to do. I don't want to leave anyone out at meals, plus we all have to be on the dining plan and if someone doesn't go to meals with us they won't be able to make use of the credits so its not worth it financially. I hate to give up the dining plan because it really does save a lot of money, and dining is something we have come to love about Disney.

We were so excited, and now...I just don't know what to do

 

[mickeymae]

We had to add an extra person to our head count one year and all we had to do was ask the person at the counter and they usually could accomidate us. I think as long as you let the person at the podium know that ther are extras in your party you should be good. Good luck!

 

[JimMIA]

You have your ADR's -- just show up. They'll accommodate you. Worst case scenario, you may wait a few extra minutes.

On one of our ADR's last year, the restaurant wouldn't take ADR's for more than 10. So we just showed up with 12 and played dumb (which we do EXCEPTIONALLY well!) They just said, "No problem."

Don't sweat the small stuff, and have a spectacular trip!

 

[JimMIA]

Don't forget, though, that you need to add the two additional people to your room reservation and DDP.

You can't do that on checkin -- it has to be done at least 48 (or 72?) hours prior to checkin. You're still fine with occupancy, so it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[daisyduck123]

I know you love your nanny, but now that your sister is coming, do you still need her? It sounds like there are plenty of adults to help out now. If I were in your position, I would probably not bring her.

But then again, what do I know? I've never had infant twins!!

 

[DVCLiz]

I agree - keep what you have now and just show up. With a party of nine and two infants, they will figure it out at the restaurant.

How many people do you have on the reservation now? And how many were you planning to pay for for the Dining Plan? The babies won't count in the room or the Dining Plan, will they? Just make sure you have everyone listed including the babies and you should be fine. But do add those extra adults to your reservation, because Jim is right that you can't add them when you get there.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Actually, I think the ADRs might be the least of your worries. Six adults and three kids make for a very crowded villa. Have you figured out where everyone is going to sleep? You'l have a lockoff two bedroom at BWV, you know.

And I'll be the naysayer for your reservations. Depending on where you are dining, you could have problems adding the two extra adults to the group.

 

[DOUGLAS ADDEO]

we have on a few occasions had more people actually come to dining reservations than were originally reserved for and they always accomodated although you still run a risk of them not being able to accomodate your larger party. It is importatnt to let them know how many people will be in room reservation though.

 

[starbox]

Actually, I think the ADRs might be the least of your worries. Six adults and three kids make for a very crowded villa. Have you figured out where everyone is going to sleep?

ITA it will be SO crowded it will likely stop being fun - you own DVC and will have the luxury of taking family & friends on many, many future trips. I'd keep this trip just about your parents and your kids (free dining crowds at restaurants give you a great excuse to back out). Take the nanny and sister on different trips later.

We were in a 2-bedroom with six (four adults, two kids). I would not have wanted to stretch it to add any more adults. While there may have technically been floor space or half of a fold-out for them, they would not have had a comfortable place to sleep or any personal space or privacy. I find happy, well-rested, relaxed family members make for better trips!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Plus at the BWV, you will only have two real beds - one king bed and one queen bed. And two sleeper sofas - one queen and one double.

 

[Mtnman44]

I had the same problem with both my butler and chauffer last year. We ended up bringing them an inflateable mattress and we snuck bags of food back from the restaurant for them. Problem solved.

 

[minniesmom55]

I'm feeling much better based on your responses so thank you - I'm going to take your advice and just show up and if it works, great, and if not, I guess we'll figure something out. Hopefully most of the restaurants can accomodate us.

I have added our 2 extras to the reservation and to the dining plan with no problem, so we are all set there.

And yes, I know it might sound crazy to be bringing so many people, but we actually have figured out a way for everyone to have beds, and my sister is only staying 4 nights. We are going into this vacation knowing that it may be a little slower than our usual Disney vacations because of the babies, and everyone in our group has a pretty laid-back attitude so I'm just going to keep a positive attitude and hope for the best. In our minds, a slower paced Disney vacation is better than no Disney vacation.

Thanks again to those who responded with advice!

 

[thepops]

Just remember that even though your sister is staying only 4 nights, you need to do the dining plan for her for the entire stay. (so some extra costs ... and food .. there)

 

[dis-happy]

Personally, I'd play dumb when you get to the podium, saying you didn't know the infants needed to be included on your reservation since they'll be sitting on your lap. This actually happened to me last Nov. when we brought our 2 month old baby and were on the DDP. (I didn't play dumb, I WAS dumb, not realizing he needed to included in the count total--- and in the end it was never a problem). Hope you have a fun trip!