Fudging the Numbers

[CT Disney]

A quick question...

I am trying to book an ADR for 2 at Akershus for dinner. On the day I am looking, there is nothing available for a party of 2. However, if I search for a party of 3 a few good times pop up. Would it be totally wrong to book the ADR for 3? Could I then modify the ADR to remove one person?

 

[Figment Mom]

I'm not sure what the "right" thing to do is, but on one of our trips we originally had another person coming with us. They canceled, but I did not adjust the dining reservations. When we showed up we just checked in and were not penalized for having fewer people in our party.

 

[Nancyg56]

Book for three. It will be fine

 

[NYCgrrl]

It'd be fine to me. As you suggested just modify after.

 

[AdamsMum]

Yes you can do it. I couldn't get a reservation for one of the Candlelight Processional packages for 1 person, but it was available for 2. I booked the 2. I just showed up on my own (little white lie here, my friend wasn't feeling well), they did not charge me the cancellation fee for the extra person. However, you could just go back in and modify it. I'd forgotten to do that.

 

[kiramay]

You can’t show up with more than the adr but they never have a problem with less. Just let them know the exact number when you check in at the restaurant.

 

[SL6827]

I wouldn't be surprised if Disney starts to charge a cancellation fee for less than the number of guest booked for in the future at some point. Great way to add to their bottom line.

 

[disneygirlsng]

I wouldn't be surprised if Disney starts to charge a cancellation fee for less than the number of guest booked for in the future at some point. Great way to add to their bottom line.

Yea, that wouldn't be good for my solo trips. There are several restaurants that for whatever reason will not show availability for 1 guest. Change it to 2 and boom, tons of options.

 

[sponica]

I wouldn't be surprised if Disney starts to charge a cancellation fee for less than the number of guest booked for in the future at some point. Great way to add to their bottom line.

They'd have to change their ADR robot programming...for whatever reason it doesn't see that 3 people will sit at a 4 top just fine and whatever other permutations occur.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I wouldn't be surprised if Disney starts to charge a cancellation fee for less than the number of guest booked for in the future at some point. Great way to add to their bottom line.

I doubt that will happen unless it becomes an untenable industry-wide problem.
It does help when guests modify their reservations in advance instead of just walking up to the podium with less people.

 

[SL6827]

I have done this in the past but always adjusted it to the correct number before hand. I know that can't always be done, but I do try to do it when I can.

 

[sullyfam]

I would just book it for 3 if it's available. The problem is when people book a party of 2 but really have 6. You should be fine!

 

[CT Disney]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like it will work if I book for one more than we actually plan on attending.

I have done this in the past but always adjusted it to the correct number before hand. I know that can't always be done, but I do try to do it when I can.

How would you go about adjusting to the correct number before-hand? Will it let me easily modify the reservation on the app to drop the extra person? Or, will it run a search for a whole new reservation for 2 people? Do I need to call?

 

[SL6827]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like it will work if I book for one more than we actually plan on attending.



How would you go about adjusting to the correct number before-hand? Will it let me easily modify the reservation on the app to drop the extra person? Or, will it run a search for a whole new reservation for 2 people? Do I need to call?

You can call, but I think the app is able to, but I am not 100% sure.

 

[BaymaxFan78]

I have friends that book extra just in case somebody wants to tag along for dinner. Other people don't always come and they don't get a charge so I think you'll be fine.

The same thing happens with room reservations. Sometimes staying for two nights is booked but three nights is available. Very wacky system.

 

[gharter]

you won't be charged for a person that doesn't show up as long as somebody shows up for the table and ADR. So if you reserve for 3 and 2 show up, you're good.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

If Disney's IT system wasn't run by idiots this wouldn't happen. And if they start charging me a cancellation because their system has a problem with a "table for one" then that will be the end of Disney dining. It's pretty rare now so I don't think they will miss me but....

 

[Lisa F]

I don't think disney is in the business of seeing cancellation fees as a revenue stream. They would rather have that table filled than get $10 a person for a missed ADR. That is just to prevent people from booking multiple ADRs that they have no intention of using "just in case" or "just if they feel like it" or "as a backup." They are pretty generous at refunding that fee if you have a real reason you couldn't make it be it transportation or not feeling well or getting stuck on a ride or whatever besides "I didn't feel like it."

They can't micromanage to the point of controlling how much a table spends once they sit down. A table for one could have a 3 course meal and a couple of drinks while a table for two can drink water, split an entree and pay the check and leave. They are not going to alienate that table of 1 by charging them $10 because they are not a party of 2.

My guess is that people booking a table larger than they need happens pretty rarely in general if distribution is pretty decent across table sizes... I hear about people booking multiple smaller tables at similar ADR times and hoping they can be seated together WAY more than people booking a bigger table and not having everyone show up.

BTW I didn't know if it would work but I booked a table for 2 for 1900 Park Fare for breakfast at 8:20 - I wanted more like 9 and for kicks checked other party sizes and was able to book 9:05 for 6. I immediately went back and was able to change the party size to 2. So now I have the correct party, time I wanted, all nice and legal. I wasn't going to keep it if I could not modify the party size and would have sucked up and dealt with 8:20.