Help needed w/# in party

[momof2dizkids]

I can make my ADRs in 30 minutes for my upcoming Christmas trip, and I'm not sure yet if my Dad is coming along. We had invited him (he'd pay his own way), and he's still not sure if he wants to come. (He had just lost his wife on New Years Day). My question is: should I make ADR's for 5 (4 in our family on DDP + 1 that would pay out of pocket) or should I make it for 4 people and call back to add the 5th person at a later time, should he decide to join us. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bob P]

It's usually easier to change from 5 to 4 than from 4 to 5.

 

[momof2dizkids]

Should I mention that one would be paying OOP when I call?

 

[n2mm]

Should I mention that one would be paying OOP when I call?

You can, but they will still list it as ddp. We dine with our non-ddp cm friends often while in WDW and it's never a problem. Yes, tell them 5 and if he doesn't come, just tell the CM at the podium when you check in for your meal. Don't try to change them later, because most of the time, they actually have to cancel your ADR and make a new one and you won't get the times you want.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

I'd make it for 5, I needed to add an extra person to my ADR's one year and had to rearrange most of my plans becuz they could not accomadate the additional person at the time of our original ADRS.

From that experience i've learn to make my adrs for the "may come" person and cancel out that person AS SOON AS I find out they can not come. I feel that if i dont inform DD as soon as i know then i am stopping someone with a family of 5 from being able to eat at that restuarant becuz i am taking up a table for 5 when all i need is a table for 4.

I have never had to cancel and rebook my reservations when i have done this and i usually end up doing this quite a bit since i have children who always plan on bringing a friend that for some reason or another ends up not being able to go or one of my childrent decides not to come after all.

I recommend booking for 5 but share the magic, cancel asap if needed.