I don't know what to do....Can anyone help???

[kalliyan1]

We are leaving for DW in 13 days. Originally there were 6 of us because DS who is in college was not able to go. He had some changes in his plans and now wants to go.
My question is, I made all our dining reservations at 180 days out and had them set for a party of 6. Now that there would be 7 at every reservation, what should I do? I looked and nothing that we have is available anymore. I tried to call dining and they said I would have to cancel the reservation I have and try to rebook for 7 people....I'm not going to do that and risk not getting those back
We have enough room in our lodging(2 rooms) and I can buy his tix and pay for his meals oop but are we going to be turned down at all our ressies if we take him?

 

[juliebug1997]

Why not call Disney Dining and see if they can help you? You may have to re-arrange some of your ADRs, but I have found them to be extremely helpful. They also have the ability to look at the whole ADR schedule for the length of your vacation as opposed to only one meal at a time on the website.

Worst case scenario, you do have to cancel some of your ADRs or wait additional time when you arrive so that they can accommodate you at a table for seven as opposed to six.

Have fun!

 

[believinthemagic]

I agree with OP, even though disney told you they couldn't add a person, do not cancel them all! I would think that would make it much harder!

I would leave it at 6. Try to get to your reservations a little early and explain you have a 7th person. You may wait a little longer but I really feel they will work it out. I think it will be easier for the individual restaurants to deal with adding the extra person. The reservation line probably just isn't allowed to do it because it doesn't show availability.

We didn't have this exact situation last year, but we decided to book a vacation with my parents and sisters family last year. But we decided late and they had already made all of their reservations. We couldn't get into all of the same places at exactly the same time, but I made what we could, and the restaurants were very good at making sure we got in with them, and were able to sit together at all meals! Even at the Luau where we weren't able to even get the same category seating as my parents & sister had.

 

[kiki7o5]

This exact situation happened to me and my family. It was three days before our scheduled vacation and my sister who was in college decided to join us. Our reservation went from seven to eight. When we called reservations to discuss our options the CM told us when we get to the podium to tell them there is an extra person. I was very hesitant to do this because I am a planner and do not like surprises or problems. But being as it was a couple days before we really didn't have a choice. If we canceled all ADRs there was next to nothing available. So we took the advice of the CM and when we checked in just told them there was one additional person. Not one restaurant gave us a problem, they were very accommodating. They explained to us that our party was large as it is so they had to sit us at a larger table anyway so pulling up a chair and an extra table setting was no problem. We did only have ADRs for dinner so we did not have to worry about this for every meal. I would not suggest this as a common practice but sometimes you get into a bind!

 

[TDC Nala]

Do have a backup plan available in case a restaurant turns down your extra person. It is quite rare, but if the restaurant is filled to absolute capacity for fire codes, they will not admit an extra person. If this happens, the size of the table is not relevant, only the number of persons the fire code says can be admitted to the restaurant.

 

[Missytara]

This exact situation happened to me and my family. It was three days before our scheduled vacation and my sister who was in college decided to join us. Our reservation went from seven to eight. When we called reservations to discuss our options the CM told us when we get to the podium to tell them there is an extra person. I was very hesitant to do this because I am a planner and do not like surprises or problems. But being as it was a couple days before we really didn't have a choice. If we canceled all ADRs there was next to nothing available. So we took the advice of the CM and when we checked in just told them there was one additional person. Not one restaurant gave us a problem, they were very accommodating. They explained to us that our party was large as it is so they had to sit us at a larger table anyway so pulling up a chair and an extra table setting was no problem. We did only have ADRs for dinner so we did not have to worry about this for every meal. I would not suggest this as a common practice but sometimes you get into a bind!

Your situation is different. Restaurants are based on two-tops. You were already sat at an 8 top, so going from 7 to 8 is no problem.

Going from 6 to 7 means they are going from a 6 top to an 8 top. There might not be room to upgrade the table, especially if the restaurant is already filled to capacity. They cannot exceed the fire codes, as previously mentioned.

I had this issue last year, when I did not realize that I had to include the infant in our party, since I had not traveled with one before. They have to accommodate the high chair. Thank goodness for the disboards, because I was able to change all but one ressie. They were unable to put us at a larger table or accommodate a high chair without blocking the required exit pathway, so we took turns holding him in our lap.

So it does not always seem that cut and dry.

If you book 7, and go down to 6 when you arrive, the host(ess) will be thrilled because it gives them a chance to squeeze in a walk-up on a 2 top, thus increasing their sales. The other way and you do run the risk of a long wait, or beingtold they cannot seat you.

 

[minnie mum]

The other option that you have, while not ideal, is to break your party into 2 groups. Try for a couple of variations: 2 and 5 or 3 and 4- you might have better luck getting 2 smaller tables than 1 large one.

 

[makingplans4WDW]

The other option that you have, while not ideal, is to break your party into 2 groups. Try for a couple of variations: 2 and 5 or 3 and 4- you might have better luck getting 2 smaller tables than 1 large one.

Totally agree with this approach! As long as total restaurant capacity isn't the problem, I would think it would always be easier to be flexible about seating arrangements. Best of luck to you!

 

[kalliyan1]

Thanks for all the advice....I guess we will try and see what happens. I have tried every combination and I'm striking out. I have been able to get a few for 7ppl but the majority of them I can not. Places like Cali Grill, CRT, etc. I can't get a ressie. I will keep trying and see what happens.