has anyone had luck arriving for a reservation w/ more people than originally booked?

[triplejen]

We were originally traveling to WDW as a party of 5. Then 3 more family members decided to come along as well

The only problem is that I'd already made dining reservations for our original party. I was able to change almost everything, but there was one day (the day we're going to MVMCP) where we have a Crystal Palace reservation for 5 that I was not able to change at all.

We really want to keep this reservation, but don't want to leave out any members of our family. I plan to continue trying every day to get a ressie for the full party, but if in the end I'm not able to, I am wondering the following:

If we show up to the restaurant with a party of 8 and a reservation for 5, do you think there's a chance they will be able to seat everyone?

Also, on one other day I was able to make a reservation for 4 at the Sci Fi, but now a 5th family member wants to come along. One of the party is a small child, so I might be able to squeeze 3 in a car row (which would mean no additional rows/moving to a larger car). Do you think we'll be able to do this?

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[miss_nik_nik]

Try checking for a ressie for 3 at the crystal palace around the same time. Then if you arrive together you could request to get tables near each other.

 

[Nadjalu]

I can safely say that at Crystal Palace your chance for the 3 additional will be very slim.

Had a friend just come back and was astounded at the number of people turned away.

I would try and get them a seperate adr for there or another restaurant and then all meet back up after dinner. That would be the best thing.
Eating at CP is a hot ticket on nights for MVMCP. Everyone wants to be as close to the action as possible.

As for Sci-Fi...you may have a better chance, but it will depend on if they are booked solid, if so that person may be turned away.

 

[maxiesmom]

Unfortunately, you may not be allowed to just squeeze someone in at your table. The restaurants all have a set capacity that they have to adhere to. If they are booked full they won't be able to seat your extra person, even if you could squeeze them in with you.

 

[TDC Nala]

There's always a chance. But that depends on if there are tables available with enough space for your group, and whether or not the restaurant is at capacity with the number you originally booked for.

You may have to wait longer for a table that seats 8 to open up. It's entirely likely that they will not just squeeze the extra three people into the table size you booked. You may have a little better luck at Sci Fi if you ask about the extra person when you get there, but if the restaurant is already at capacity you won't be able to get the extra person in at all.

If the restaurant is at capacity for fire codes, the extra people will not be admitted, no matter how you offer to squeeze them in.

Keeping the reservations you have, you won't be going in with any guarantee that all 8 of you will be seated anywhere. The best thing to do is try to change the reservations (you may need to consider changing the times as well), or try to squeeze in a second reservation for 3 around the same time as the reservations you already have.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We're in a similar predicament...we had two people join our original group of six about 2mos after I booked our ressies at 180 days. I was informed that it's highly unlikely you'll be seated for a bigger party, unless it's a matter of 3 people vs 4 people...and even that's a gamble. If you can't rebook the ressies for 8, your next bet is to try getting an additional ressie for 3 around the time of your existing ressie. Something else you might try, if you are a true party of 8 (i.e. all guests are age 3 or older), you might be able to work something out with group bookings. A true group of 8 or larger could also be considered a Grand Gathering, and might be eligible for other assistance. Good luck!

 

[triplejen]

Thanks everyone. I have been trying to get an additional reservation for 3 (or 2, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8 . . .) on the CP night, but there is NOTHING available for any party size for a 4-hour range around my time. I'm so bummed because I really wanted to do this one, but of course wont leave any of he family coming.

I will keep trying, but will be prepared to be unsuccessful, and further prepared to be turned away on the night of the reservation for 5.

I have slightly higher hopes for the sci fi reservation, but will again be prepared for the possibility that we will just be out of luck.

I really am glad that the extra 3 decided to come on the trip - I really am! I just wish I could fix the dining issue it created. Oh well -- no matter what, we'll be in WDW!!