Last minute addition of one person to reservation?

[Kim&Chris]

OK, a small vent first: For many months, we've been asking a family member if he would like to go to Disney with the rest of us. The answer has always been "no". So, with that, I went ahead and made a week's worth of b'fast, lunch, and dinner reservations for eight people. Some were tough to get.

So, guess what? He decided TODAY that he's going.

I was lucky, in that I was able to re-book some of the reservations, but others, no luck.

Here's my question: If we (party of nine, now) show up at one of the restaurants, and our reservation was for a party of eight, will they let us in? Or, will they say "sorry Charlie"?

Grrrrr.

 

[hannahryan]

We had this happen our last trip. We had no problem getting in though with the one extra. They didn't even comment...maybe they are use to this.

 

[Kim&Chris]

We had this happen our last trip. We had no problem getting in though with the one extra. They didn't even comment...maybe they are use to this.

That's very good news....thank you!

 

[danceintherain]

It really depends on the timing and the restaurant. Some places, like CRT, this wouldn't be a possibility. Others won't have a problem. Keep in mind since you're going from an even number to an odd number it becomes less likely simply because most tables accommodate even numbers. If you were going from 9 to 10 it would be less of an issue, because they likely would be seating you at a table for 10 in the first place. The reason it wouldn't come up in the reservation system is because you already have the ADR for 9. Have you tried making a separate ADR for a similar time for 1 person? Be aware that they might suggest separating your party, or you may end up with a longer wait. You could even try ADRs for all the different combinations.

I suppose they might not have qualms bout pulling up a chair, but again that depends on the restaurant. For instance, the tables at Le Celier are so close together as it is, that putting a chair on the end of one of the tables would be difficult to manage.

Just be aware that they might not be able to accommodate you, and be prepared to kick the late planner to the curb!

 

[Epaima]

We have done this before numerous times during 4th of July week and Christmas week. We actually had ours changed a day or two in advance by using the front desk of our resort (Pop) for the Christmas time ones. It was no problem for us, so I'm thinking that you should be fine.

 

[squirrel]

There is the possibility that they will say they can't add another person.

We went during Free Dining. Most of our ADR's had a table for 7, some for 6. We had 8 people going at the last minute. I tried to change as many ADR's as I could and the rest we just hoped that they would accomidate us. I booked a back up for 'Ohana and had a table for 2 or 3 (can't remember) at Kona Cafe in case they said they couldn't add the extra people at 'Ohana. No way was I loosing that ADR! We didn't need the table at Kona as 'Ohana didn't even blink when I said there were 8 of us.

 

[FireDancer]

It never hurts to ask but it isn't a guarantee. It will depend mostly on what you are going from and to. For example going from 3 to 4 is not a problem because the 3 would almost always be at a table that seats 4 anyway but going from 2 to 3 or 4 to 5 could be an issue.

I suspect that they don't have any 9 seat tables and any table you sit at (or multiple tables they push together to accommodate the large party) will have room for at least 10.