Help planning a surprise at Ohana

[AmongMadPeople]

Not sure if this is the best board for this question, but I think you all would have the best experience to help!

We are planning to surprise someone at an Ohana dinner. We have a reservation for 7 people at 3:30. In my head, I imagine us checking-in early and explaining to the host that we'd like to be seated first. Then we coordinate with the other part of the group (we're only surprising 1 person) to check-in after we're gone. The host knows we're already seated, and brings them to our table. Ta-da, we are there, surprise!

How practical do you think this plan is? My biggest concern is that 3:30 is the beginning of dinner, and I'm not sure how much time we'd have to check-in early and for the other part of the group to delay checking-in until we're seated. Do you think the host would even go along with this idea?

I've thought about doing the reverse for checking-in, but I think them being seated at a 8 top as a party of 4 would be confusing/lessen the surprise.

 

[Cinderella94]

Could you try explaining what you want to happen in a different way? Maybe someone else will understand this and be able to offer their thoughts but I'm not able to envision what you mean.

ETA: Now I'm thinking about it some more. At every Disney TS restaurant experience we've had (and there have been many), they won't seat you until your entire party is there. Sorry. Maybe you can sit at the bar with your backs to the podium so when the other half of your group arrives, they may not see you right away, so you get the surprise moment, and then you'd all be seated at the same time?? Again not sure if I understand what you mean.

 

[carlandellie31]

So the surprise is that you're joining this person for dinner?

 

[Dug720]

Could you try explaining what you want to happen in a different way? Maybe someone else will understand this and be able to offer their thoughts but I'm not able to envision what you mean.

ETA: Now I'm thinking about it some more. At every Disney TS restaurant experience we've had (and there have been many), they won't seat you until your entire party is there. Sorry. Maybe you can sit at the bar with your backs to the podium so when the other half of your group arrives, they may not see you right away, so you get the surprise moment, and then you'd all be seated at the same time?? Again not sure if I understand what you mean.

I've known them to not even check you in until your whole party is there.

 

[Cinderella94]

I've known them to not even check you in until your whole party is there.

That's very true, I hadn't thought about that. You're right.

 

[IrishNYC]

If I'm understanding you correctly, you're surprising someone by being there for dinner? Do you have a reservation that includes them? Or just at the same time? I'm confused by what you're trying to accomplish.

Assuming you're trying to surprise someone by meeting them there, I'd suggest you wait someplace where the other party won't see you, but maybe you can see them, and then show up behind them at the podium.

 

[Cinderella94]

If I'm understanding you correctly, you're surprising someone by being there for dinner? Do you have a reservation that includes them? Or just at the same time? If you have a 7:30 reservation, you can't check in until just before 7:30, so I'm confused by your concern that check-in begins at 3:30, as well as confused by what you're trying to accomplish.

Assuming you're trying to surprise someone by meeting them there, I'd suggest you wait someplace where the other party won't see you, but maybe you can see them, and then show up behind them at the podium.

7 people at 3:30

 

[IrishNYC]

7 people at 3:30

Oops! Fixed that! That's what I get for trying to plan my ADRs while reading here.

 

[DisBuckMan]

I've known them to not even check you in until your whole party is there.

That's always been our experience, as well.

 

[LilyWDW]

That's always been our experience, as well.

Agreed. Especially at busy places like Ohana that are always fully booked.

OP, you are looking for way too much from the restaurant in this case. Sorry. I would 100% suggest a different plan.

 

[wilkeliza]

Go early and speak to the host/ess. They may play along or the may not. If they won't play along then just sit in the chairs and surpise them in the waiting area.

 

[Polydweller]

Go early and speak to the host/ess. They may play along or the may not. If they won't play along then just sit in the chairs and surpise them in the waiting area.

The real problem is the mass of parties having celebrations, special events etc at Disney restaurants is huge. If they started doing things like this regularly they would have to do this all night long using staff time and causing disruption for all diners.

So it's very unlikely, really not at all likely they'll do it so I'd plan a surprise meeting outside the restaurant.

 

[AmongMadPeople]

Thanks everyone for the input. This is exactly what we needed to hear. We'll plan something easier to accomplish before the meal!