Hard to get Sci Fi for an odd number party?

[VAfamily1998]

We've been to Sci Fi many times, but always as an even numbered party (4, 6, etc.)

In less than 2 weeks we will be going to Disney as a party of 3 (me and two of my sons) and they just informed me yesterday that they'd rather have dinner at Sci Fi than the other place we were planning.

So I want Sci Fi reservations around 4 or 4:30 and when I put in for party of 3, there is no availability. I put in party of 4--and there is a 4:25 ADR available! So I went ahead and took it...and tried to "change reservation" to party of 3...and it won't let me, says "no availability."

Since I've been there several times, I know the seating makes it so they would have full capacity with even number parties...so is that why it's not letting me reserve for a party of 3?

If we show up with just our party of 3--is "the worst that could happen" that we'd get charged the $10 no show fee for our 4th guest? I'd actually be ok with that--I'd just consider it kind of a "service fee" for being able to get the exact ADR I want...but I'm a little worried that if we show up with just 3 instead of 4, they might turn us away completely! Do you think that would happen?

 

[melanielll]

The will absolutely seat you with 3 people and a reservation for 4.

They historically don't charge you for that. You could change it over the phone - but the onhold time would make me not want to to do that. You could change it at guest services once you get to there - but those lines can be crushing.

I would keep it at 4. If they say something about it - claim that the 4th person is sick. They won't charge for that.

 

[mdelano4]

No worries, you will be fine. Keep the reservation for 4 and show with three.

 

[thepicklebee]

Absolutely keep the reservation for 4.

This is one of my pet peeves about Disney ADR's truthfully. My husband and I dining at a table service meal as a party of two, with alcohol, can have a check that is much higher than a table of 4 with two small children - yet I feel like in the dining reservation system, they have "priority" because of the number of 4 top tables, etc. I have often tried other reservation numbers to see about getting the ADR's we needed - and have never been charged as long as some of our party showed up.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Thank you all! My kids will be happy I was able to get Sci Fi!

 

[GillianP1301]

This was my experience as well when we were a party of 3, I could only ever get 4 at Sci-Fi. Interestingly with a party of 2 now, there are some restaurants where tables of 3 are coming up when 2 don't (not Sci-Fi, but some others). It definitely pays to play around with party size if you are having trouble getting ADRs.

And we had no issue with our 3 being seated for a 4 ADR.

 

[DebbieB]

I've done parties of 3 or 5 and one person sat alone. I didn't make the reservations so not sure id they had to "fudge" it.

 

[FSU Girl]

Just so you know the configuration of the car tables could have two people in one row and one person sitting in a different row alone. Have you been to the restaurant before? It's an awkward set up for larger parties.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Just so you know the configuration of the car tables could have two people in one row and one person sitting in a different row alone. Have you been to the restaurant before? It's an awkward set up for larger parties.

Thanks! Yes we've been there before as an even number party. I think with the loud movie clips playing and dark atmosphere it's not really conducive to conversation any way.

 

[Tink]

I was trying for a party of 9 for my Feb. trip. I couldn't believe there was no availabilty, it wasn't during Presisent's week. I called and the CM explained there is a glitch with some odd numbered parties, you can't make the reservations. She had to book us as a 4 and a 5 with two different reservations. Same with Beaches and Cream. It must be the way the tables are set.

 

[Auntie_Maim]

I just booked an ADR for 3 at Sci-Fi, though it's all the way in October.

 

[Hopefully]

I was trying for a party of 9 for my Feb. trip. I couldn't believe there was no availabilty, it wasn't during Presisent's week. I called and the CM explained there is a glitch with some odd numbered parties, you can't make the reservations. She had to book us as a 4 and a 5 with two different reservations. Same with Beaches and Cream. It must be the way the tables are set.

Beaches & Cream is extremely small. I think there are only 3 or 4 booths and 7 or 8 tables. There would not be any room for a table for 9
We are hoping to book Sci Fi for 3 in 2 weeks

 

[IrishNYC]

I had no problem booking 3 for Sci-Fi for September. I've also read that Ohana is tough to get for odd numbers, but I had no problem booking, and switching around my time several times with 3. The only place I had to book 4 instead of 3 was Akershus.

 

[SarahDMac]

If we have 5, with the youngest being only 2 when we go, would we need to request seating for 5? Or 4, then ask for a high chair on arrival? I don't want to split our family up

 

[ErinsMommy]

If we have 5, with the youngest being only 2 when we go, would we need to request seating for 5? Or 4, then ask for a high chair on arrival? I don't want to split our family up

All ADRs have to be number of guests going - irregardless of age. So yes, you need to request an ADR for 5

 

[Simba's Girl]

I've done parties of 3 or 5 and one person sat alone. I didn't make the reservations so not sure id they had to "fudge" it.

And this is exactly why I will never eat at this restaurant. Families (parties) of 5, which isn't that unusual of a number, should be sat together. Unreasonable for them to do otherwise, it's not like it's a party of 9 or 11.

 

[Hopefully]

And this is exactly why I will never eat at this restaurant. Families (parties) of 5, which isn't that unusual of a number, should be sat together. Unreasonable for them to do otherwise, it's not like it's a party of 9 or 11.

Have you seen the pictures of the interior or are you simply reacting?
It is not " unreasonable " for 1 person in a party of 5 to be seated on a separate "seat in the cars". These rows only fit 2 in each seat. BUT if you don't like that seating there are "picnic tables" at the back you can request.

 

[IrishNYC]

And this is exactly why I will never eat at this restaurant. Families (parties) of 5, which isn't that unusual of a number, should be sat together. Unreasonable for them to do otherwise, it's not like it's a party of 9 or 11.

Even a party of 3 will be split up into 2+1 at Sci-Fi. It's just the way the seating works there.

 

[Simba's Girl]

Have you seen the pictures of the interior or are you simply reacting?
It is not " unreasonable " for 1 person in a party of 5 to be seated on a separate "seat in the cars". These rows only fit 2 in each seat. BUT if you don't like that seating there are "picnic tables" at the back you can request.

Your patronization is killing me. I'd answer if it weren't for that.

 

[Simba's Girl]

Even a party of 3 will be split up into 2+1 at Sci-Fi. It's just the way the seating works there.

Unfortunately