Have a last minute extra person- will they allow us to add an extra chair for ADR's?

[msim]

All of our dates and times are sold out. What are the chances if we show up with an extra person at the regular ADR's, not the prepaid ones, that they would allow us to just pull up an extra chair? This extra person is a youth. Leaving Friday- what should we do?

 

[figment95]

Last week we had reservations at Boma for dinner and about one hour before our scheduled time we got a call from some friends who live in Orlando. They wanted to meet us for dinner. I called the main dining number and was told that the restaurant was booked for the night and there was no way they could fit two more. So.... I went to Boma and asked the hosts at the podium. No problem at all.

 

[mickaholic4077]

Pull the old I booked the reservation on my cell phone and the reception wasn't so great routine and you will easily get in with the extra person.

 

[OKWMom]

I had a last minute extra guest for my trip last December. Like you, I called to change my ADRs only to find out I couldn't modifiy my reservation up by one on any of my choices. For three of the restaurants, I was able to add a reservation for one person as a separate reservation, figuring if all else failed, 2 of our party could sit at the smaller table. For the others, I figured I was going to hope for the best.

At all three of the places where I booked an extra reservation for a single person, I checked into the host/hostess podium and explained that we had 2 reservations and the party size for each but would prefer to be seated together. Each time, we were given a single table that seated everyone.

At the other restaurants, I explained at the podium that I had an additional guest and could they please add an extra person to our table. I was prepared if they said no we would eat CS somewhere, but each time, the host/hostess was able to seat all of us.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A lot also depends on whether you are going from an odd to even number, or even to odd.

If going from odd to even there should be no problem at all, as almost every table is designed for an even number of people, so a group of five, for example, would actually be at a table designed for six.

Going up from even to odd could actually be a problem if they do not have any larger tables available and not alrready spoken for. And the restaurants do not add a person at the end of a table because either (a) there is not enough room between tables, or (b) room for the servers to get through.

 

[dqpowell]

I was going to give the exact answer that Cheshire Figment already gave, about odd->even being fine, but even->odd being problematic.

David

 

[cvallee]

I argree also. It's not as simple as some may think just to add one to a table. There may be no room whatsoever. However being very cordial and maybe even calling the restaurant directly, or showing up early and explaining the situation, or telling them that you would be willing to wait for another table to open. These may work but you need to be prepared for a "sorry can't do it".