How do you plan ADRs if your group size might change??

[Bibbidi]

My parents just decided that they want to hopefully join us next May for our Disney vacation. The problem is that my dad has cancer and may not be well enough to travel by the time May rolls around. How should I plan for our ADRs (I realize I have a little time before my 180 day window opens up). Is it OK to book everything for a party of 6 (4 adults, 2 kids) and then just downgrade the ressies to 4 if we find out later that my parents can't join us? I know it wouldn't be wise to do it the other way around with ressies for 4 only and then trying to add 2 more at a later date.

Any thoughts??

 

[zurgswife]

I book for the larger number then show up with less if it happens. Easier to accomodate less then try to add.

 

[LadyOmega]

I agree - as I was planning our Oct. trip, I had everything set up exactly the way we wanted it. Got every restaurant we wanted, at exactly the times we wanted. Then we added a 5th person. Don't get me wrong, I was glad to do it, but it was murder trying to find things that will work, even this far in advance, because you have to totally cancel ressies and rebook to go from 4 to 5 (this would the same deal in your case). I am just now being able to get things back to what we really want through cancellations and such, but I know there are some things we probably won't get back, like Le Cellier, and LTT at a decent time on MNNSHP night.
So I would agree, it would be better to go ahead and make ressies for 6, then just show up with 4 if it comes down to that.

 

[Wendy1953]

Make the ressie for the larger number, if you find out they won't be joining you, have the courtesy of calling and reducing the number...someone else could be able to dine at the same time if you cancel. Let's say you're a party of 10, 2 people back out...that leaves 8....if they were holding 3 tables for your party, one table would now be available for a party of two. We always book for the larger amount, and then reduce the ressies when we know of the no shows.

 

[Bibbidi]

Thanks. Then I will just plan accordingly for 6 and show up with 4 if that's what happens. I just wasn't sure if I originally book for 6 and then know ahead of time that it will only be 4 if I should call back and have them change our party size. If I did that would I need to book an entirely new ADR?

 

[RivaLJ]

I had to reduce the number of people for my ADRs from 5 to 2. I called WDW and for some ADRs kept the same confirmation #, while others were changed.
I still have my ADR for 5 at Le Cellier, because there wasn't any availability for 2 people.

 

[Ms.Mouse]

We went with a party of 9 but when I made reservations for meals, I wasn't sure they wanted to come to all the meals with us. When I called for ADR's, they said it's better to book for the whole party because it's not a hassle to subtract from the table but sure is a problem to add to another table if you all don't fit at one.

 

[The Sweetness]

I would make the res for the pos. larger party. They may not be able to upsize your party at the last min

 

[Bibbidi]

Thanks everyone. I will plan for a larger party and if I know in advance we won't all be going to the meals I have scheduled, I'll call back to downsize to free up the space for other guests.