Getting a rez "day of"

[mlbrv]

Hi-
I made all my dining reservations for my family of 4 at the 180 day mark.
Since then my parents have decided to join us.
I cannot seem to find a rez for 6 people at any of the same restaurants I already have reservations at.

What has your experience been with making reservations "on the fly"...will I be able to get ressies at the more "popular" places (chef mickeys. CRT, Crystal Palace, Ohana) while I'm there?

Has anyone shown up at a restaurant with more people than their rez was for and been able to be seated?

Thanks!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

i dont know if they will accomidate 2 more ppl.... try closer to your trip. or try for tables of 2

 

[mlbrv]

the table for 2 is a good idea, but that brings up another question.
can i make a rez for 6 when i only have a hotel rez for 4? (my parents are staying off site)

 

[figment_jii]

What has your experience been with making reservations "on the fly"...will I be able to get ressies at the more "popular" places (chef mickeys. CRT, Crystal Palace, Ohana) while I'm there?

I've had some luck finding reservations on short notice. I think with the credit card guarantee, folks are being better about cancelling reservations. So I would check often to see if things come up.

Has anyone shown up at a restaurant with more people than their rez was for and been able to be seated?Thanks!

Not me personally (I haven't tried), but I have read that some people have been able to do this. The CMs will do what they can to accommodate you, but if the restaurant is full (to fire code capacity) they will not be able to accommodate extra guests. Also, you may have to wait longer for a table and/or you may be considered a "walk-up" at that point. There is no way to know in advance how easily or quickly that can accommodate extra individuals.

the table for 2 is a good idea, but that brings up another question. can i make a rez for 6 when i only have a hotel rez for 4? (my parents are staying off site)

The ADR size and the number of guests on the resort reservation do not have to match. You can make a reservation for 6, even if there are only 4 of you staying onsite. (Caveat: I don't know how it works with CRT which requires pre-payment. I don't know if you can apply dining credits for the four of you that are staying onsite and then pay with credit card for the other two at the time of booking.)

Regarding having a reservation for 2...again the CMs will do what they can to accommodate you (e.g., combine the reservations or seat you next to each other), but there is a chance that they will not be able to, so be prepared to be seated apart from each other.

 

[amwildwood]

While I haven't tried it myself, I think you'll be ok just showing up with two extra. I also listen to a podcast that Len Testa is on (author of unofficial guide), and his advice is to just show up with extra. You could try calling and adjusting the reservation, but he said he's never had a problem with accommodating a couple of extra people.

Also, I never think of ADRs are a real reservation like a fine dining establishment where the actual table is being held for me. It's more of an idea of a short wait list for a table. It's everywhere from being seated in a few minutes to waiting 30 min for a table with an ADR.

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