Increasing party size @ BOG??

[KristiKelly]

I have a reservation for 4 @ BOG in April, our son might come increasing party size to 5 - would they be able to accommodate if I let them know ahead of time? Has anyone done this? Thanks!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

THE QUESTION OF AN EXTRA PERSON or EXTRA PEOPLE (the "411"):
1) Disney is getting wise to the "but, they decided to join us" or "I miscounted".
2) People can't always get the ADR they want.
3) So, they under-count to get a table.
4) Then, they show up with "unexpected" additional people.
5) In a team meeting, CM's have been told to warn guests against this.
6) If there is room, WDW will not turn away revenue.
7) But, if busy, they will turn away the additions.
8) Go ahead and arrive with the extras, if you like.
9) Just be prepared to have someone stand around while you eat.
10) I have heard explanations such as . . .
. . . "but, Aunt Suzy decided to join us and we need an extra seat"
. . . "but, two friends from off-site decided to join us and we need two extra seats"
. . . "but, brother-in-law decided to join us and we need an extra seat"
. . . "but, the entire Boy Scout Troop decided to join us and we need 14 extra sets"
. . . "but, my baby is so small that I didn't count her in the number of eaters"
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NOTE1: It is far easier going from an odd-number to an even number, such as from 7-people to 8-people, adding a person to an even number of diners, such as going from 6-people to 7-people. Adding odd person can mean adding a table, and this might not be possible. Going from an odd-to-even might only mean adding a chair or using an empty seat. So, if going from even-to-odd, you might not get the extra person a seat. It is always better to get another ADR with the proper people-count.
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NOTE2: Frequently a party-of-two will try to add a third person at the podium. This can be risky, because many eateries do have tables-for-two. If the guest was slated for one of these, there simply might not be a table available to seat the third person - even if an infant. The extra chair location might extend into an aisle and block access for other guests or Servers.
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NOTE3: Sometimes it is a threesome adding a fourth. Unfortunately, there are many eateries that do have 3-top tables - usually against a wall or pillar. They can't add a fourth chair, since that would invade the aisle and be unsafe for SERVERS.
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NOTE4: The final question is that of how many people are in the eatery. There are Fire Codes which dictate the maximum amount of people. If the capacity is exceeded, there are some big fines possible. And, Disney will not violate the max-capacity of an eatery.

 

[wilkeliza]

I have a reservation for 4 @ BOG in April, our son might come increasing party size to 5 - would they be able to accommodate if I let them know ahead of time? Has anyone done this? Thanks!

It really depends. Out of the maybe 4 times since BOG opened that we asked to add someone 1 time I was told absolutely not. The others they treated it like a massive inconvenience but allowed it. The ones we were allowed were odd to even numbers. Even to odd is much harder as it changes the table size completely.

 

[KristiKelly]

Thanks! Our son is in college so it depends on his schedule next semester and whether or not he can miss a day. Our reservation is for 8:10 pm, we had a late dinner over Easter break last year and it was not packed, I'll just have to wait & see...

 

[Govols1997]

Last week we had an early lunch at 10:50. My mom's friend decided to go last minute. We were prepared to be turned away, but it was no big deal. We went from 4 to 5.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

If I were you, I would add him now and then just call and cancel the one person if he can't do it. It's a lot easier to take someone off than put someone on : ) As far as adding people, last year I went to Disney on my birthday with a very large party (about 27 people) on my birthday. Both sides of the family wanted to have a birthday meal with me, so I split them up into two parties and did one BoG bfast and one lunch. As the planning went on, people kept flip flopping and saying they weren't coming then changing their minds. I called Disney probably 3 or 4 different times and added about 2 people each time and had no trouble because I called so far out in advance. But the day we went, I heard a party in front of us get turned down because they wanted to add just one extra person. I think it's all about how much notice you give, and I'd say its easier to take someone away last minute than add someone.