How Would This Be Handled?

[Texian@WDW]

We will be at WDW at the same time two other families who are friends of ours. One family I know has NOT made any ARs (our trip is first week of Oct.). I'm wondering if we would be able to tack them on to our AR after we get there making the total 7 instead of 4.

It really amazes me that people don't know to make ARs - and they've been to WDW before! I feel like these boards are my secret inside info

 

[NCombs]

Boy, you might have some problems there. You are changing the table size significantly. I don't see going, for example, from a group of 3 to a group of 4 as a problem because you would probably be seated at a table with room for 4 anyway. But to try and go from 4 to 7 is going to be harder because of the limited ability to handle groups this size at the last minute.

Know that I'm just making an assumption here and maybe in October it won't be so bad but be prepared that it could cause some problems.

Maybe someone with more experience with this can help out.

Good luck.

 

[webray]

That would be like making a brand new request right at the door. I would expect waits, and they could be significant.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I agree with Webray. I think they would consider you a walk-in without an ADR for seven. What you might try to do is see about new reservations for seven, or trying to get a three at the same time and then request being seated together or at adjoining tables.

 

[Terk-1]

I'd talk to the other family first and let them know where & when you have made reservations for you & your family during your trip. Then I would see which one's they would like to join you at and give them the option of calling Disney Dining to make a reservation for that same time for their party size or if they are interested in joining you, you could call dining and see if you can increase the size of your party. This way they can make the decision as to whether or not they want to dine there. I know you will all be there together, but they may want to dine a few places different from where you have chosen or they may just want to play things by ear.

Also, what about the other family? Have they made reservations yet? Are they included in your reservations or did they make their own?

 

[Texian@WDW]

Also, what about the other family? Have they made reservations yet? Are they included in your reservations or did they make their own?

The other family seems more aware because they were going to try to make CRT ARs.

My biggest concern with the other family is that I would hate that they feel left out or missing some Disney Magic. They are a family of 3 (wife husband and one daughter) and the daughter and one of my DDs are friends, and I know my DD will want the friend to join us. We only found out they were going to be there at the same time (our fall break) last night.

We will be meeting up with the other family at least once for a Kitchen Sink experience.

 

[cobbler]

Yeah that is going to be rough. One reason is the free dining going on and I am sure a ton of ADR's have been made. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they said that they could seat your family but not the other one and turned them away because of unavailibility.

 

[PoohHappens]

we are a party of 8 for that same week and we have been already having some difficulty for ressies and I started at the 90 day mark. I have had to book two tables at 3 so far. I have wanted to change times on a couple and have not been able to either. Maybe they are saving some for walk ins though. Good luck.

 

[princess aurora]

Some suggestions:
1. If you already know the family will be joining you then why not call and make your ADR for 7 now instead of 4.
2. These are NOT reservations. What an ADR allows you to do is have the next available seating for your party size. So technically yes you could "just show up" but you may have to wait longer before being seated.
3. Make 2 ADRs to seat a table of 4 and one of 3. We did this at a few places (2 tables of 4 to seat beside/close to one another) but when we went up to the podium to sign in we actually were able to be seated as one group (see #2 above).

It's much easier to accomodate people at the actual restaurant then through "Dining". We've shown up "early" for ADR's and been running "late" for some as well and have ALWAYS been seated.

...and don't start flaming me, "well if everyone did this...blah, blah, blah" I'm just telling ya like it is!

 

[Luv2Roam]

"well if everyone did this...blah, blah, blah"

A party of seven does make it more difficult. It could go in about any direction. That's a big chance. Some restaurants are not that well equipped for 7 anyway. I once made a PS for a party of 6 at CA Grille. Even then with PS' in JANUARY, we were separated clear across the room, and split with a table for 2 and a table for 4. (The whole dinner was pretty lousy service. But that's a different topic.)

I would make what ADR's for 7 that you can now. Don't cancel yours until you know you can get one for 7.
Or you just might have to let them sweat it out themselves. Give them a warning. Let them know what may (and most likely) will happen. They could be eating CS instead. But that would be their decision to gamble.