Large Party Reservations

[jessinabox]

We'll be heading to WDW toward the end of next year with my whole family (my parents and my siblings and their kids) There will be 7 adults and 9 young kids.
I noticed reservations can only be made online for parties of 14 or less. I'm planning on making a call to group dining 180+10 for a majority of reservations as we mainly plan on eating together. My question is, does anyone think it might be feasible to make a reservation for 14 online and show up with 16 considering the youngest in our party are twin 3 year olds (and could totally be squeezed in wherever ). This would allow me to stalk reservations I may decide on later or couldn't get in the 1st place. Any opinions or experiences would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[m3retired]

All humans need to be counted in your reservations. 3 year old boys aren't lap babies, and can't just be squeezed in--they need a seat of some sort, which takes up space.

 

[purple figment]

does anyone think it might be feasible to make a reservation for 14 online and show up with 16 considering the youngest in our party are twin 3 year olds (and could totally be squeezed in wherever ).

No. You need to include everyone in your reservations because of fire and safety code regulations.

Including everyone is important because if a restaurant is at capacity and they are not allowing extra people, you would have to decide which 2 in your group would have to go somewhere else. Another scenario - we were at a restaurant in DW that was running far behind schedule so they were turning away extra guests and latecomers.

 

[jessinabox]

OK, awesome. I'll be sure to count everyone. I sure am disappointed not being able to book online, though. Does anyone else think it's weird they allow you to put in a party size of up to 49, if they'll only allow you to make one for 14?

 

[lizard1]

Another option could be for you to split your party in two and book 2 separate reservations. However, that option may necessitate you calling for a reservation as well because it may not allow you to book reservations with overlapping times on one account (though if you had 2 accounts it could work that way). Also, it wouldn't guarantee that everyone would be able to sit together.

 

[jessinabox]

Another option could be for you to split your party in two and book 2 separate reservations. However, that option may necessitate you calling for a reservation as well because it may not allow you to book reservations with overlapping times on one account (though if you had 2 accounts it could work that way). Also, it wouldn't guarantee that everyone would be able to sit together.

Thanks, Lizard. That actually is a great option. My mom has her own account and we're not as concerned about sitting at the same table especially at character buffet meals and such. Great suggestion.

 

[Mikie]

I'm traveling with 12 and found the phone call easy and very pleasant. I think it may have even been faster if the amount of time it takes me to play around with times and search restaurants on my iPad is any indication of how long each booking would have taken online.

This time I got all my first choices (although not all first choice times) but in the past when I didn't get a particular restaurant, the CM gave me recommendations for other restaurants quickly and we had great dining experiences.

the CM did tell me to always book the highest # you think will go, even infants (they still need a chair or high chair). She said actual tables aren't assigned until you arrive, so there is no benefit/reason to try booking 2 smaller groups vs 1 large. AND FINALLY, if any of your party doesn't want to eat at that restaurant/time when the day rolls around as long as at least 1 in your party shows up you don't lose your $10/person guarantee charge.