Harder to add people or to consolidate times?

[Kazi7]

A few days until I make ADRs for a party of 8. I check frequently to gauge availability and 8 seems to be much harder than 4 or 6 people. If I’m unable to get what I’d like for 8, what would be better: 1) make an ADR for 6, keep looking, and if necessary ask politely to add 2 when we arrive to the restaurant or 2) split the group now and make 2 ADRs which could be several min or even an hour apart?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Do not do #1. It's inappropriate and not fair to put the cast members in that situation.

I would do #2 but only if it's a few minutes apart, not an hour or more. If you get a 6:00 and a 6:15 for the correct number of people in total, check in for both at 5:45 and explain the situation.

 

[Her Dotness]

:::: points upward::::

What he said...Definitely.

 

[HashberryOTG]

4 tops are common. Many restaurants have a couple of slightly bigger tables, such as 6. 8 is much more rare and more often means 2 tables. Making a res for 6 and asking for 2 more may result in no table at all depending on timing and actual availability. I agree with the above poster. Aim for 2 groups of 4 close together, check in a little early and explain to the CM. They will always do their best to keep you together.

 

[Kazi7]

Thanks. If I can’t get 8 right away, I guess I’ll bail and look for two 4 tops with times as close as possible.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks. If I can’t get 8 right away, I guess I’ll bail and look for two 4 tops with times as close as possible.

BTW this thread might be helpful. There are others you can search for, giving tips for booking split parties.

 

[Doingitagain]

Definitely #2. We have a party of 9 and we are 2 for 2 in our reservations so far getting one larger table or two next to each other. I also signed up for dining alerts to keep checking for larger party sizes.

 

[lizard1]

Definitely #2. That being said, I have a trip coming up that I made ressies for parties of 6, 7, and 8 for (depending on who was with us that day) and I didn't have trouble at the very beginning (when it was 60+). Now, of course I cannot find anything for a party that large (thank you SO much to the person who coordinated a cancel with me!), but unless it is a highly desireable reservation, and you're trying to make it for the first day of your trip, I wouldn't expect too many issues.

I didn't have issues with: BOG, SciFi, 50's Prime Time, La Hacienda, Space 220 (I have a 6 and a 2 there, but my travel party changed from what it was originally), Rainforest Cafe (AK). Just make sure you have what you want, because you won't be able to make changes to the times for very long past your initial reservation time.