making a reservation for 4 when there are only 3 of us

[ktrask]

I was just checking BOG for dining reservations...wanted to see how hard it might be for us to get a Sunday reservation in December. I tried for 3 people and was told no availability...I tried for 4 people and got a time right when I wanted.

Even though our MYW reservation is for 3 people...when the time comes to make our dining reservations can we make one for 4 and get a table without having to pay extra (if we have to)? I'm just trying to figure out how these reservations work since I'm a total newbee at it.

What exactly happens if you make a reservation for 4 and only 3 people show up?

 

[parkhopping]

This is absolutely fine and a common practice to get more ADR options. A party of 3 would be seated at a 4-top table anyway, so it makes no difference to the restaurant CMs. When you check in for your ressie, just tell them that there will actually be just three of you instead of four. I did this a couple of times when my parents came to visit and encountered no problems

Oh, and if you are concerned about the credit card guarantee - you will only be charged if no one in your party shows up. Even if just one person came for your ADR, this charge would not kick in.

 

[figment_jii]

As the PP said, it's pretty common that groups of three end up making ADRs for four because of the quirks in Disney's dining reservation system. My family is usually three, but we often have to make ADRs for four because ADRs for three (any odd number actually) is harder to come by.

For full pre-pay places, you will have to pay for all four people and then get a refund when you eat there. This is the only one that I try really hard go get a three person ADR.

Finally, let the CM know at check-in that there are now three people instead of four. In most cases you'll be seated at a four top anyway, but a handful of restaurants (Boma and 'Ohana) do have tables for three.

 

[Maisey13]

I was told NO from Disney Dining Rep! I recently saw a cancellation for a restaurant we had reservations for for a time that was more convenient then our current reservation time. I called Disney Dining and asked if I could change my reservation time (8:05 party of 3) to the more convenient time (5:40 party of 4) that I saw online. She asked if I was actually adding a 4th person, I said no but explained the reservation only comes up online when I request 4 people and it doesn't come up if I request for 3 people.(Wouldn't 3 people be seated at a table for 4?) I was told that I could not make a reservation for 4 then show up with 3 people and she could only change my reservation to a party of 3. Clearly I disagreed so I hung up and tried to book the "party of 4" I saw online, but it was gone. So frustrating to be honest and told I couldn't have the reservation when people clearly do it all the time.

 

[parkhopping]

I was told NO from Disney Dining Rep! I recently saw a cancellation for a restaurant we had reservations for for a time that was more convenient then our current reservation time. I called Disney Dining and asked if I could change my reservation time (8:05 party of 3) to the more convenient time (5:40 party of 4) that I saw online. She asked if I was actually adding a 4th person, I said no but explained the reservation only comes up online when I request 4 people and it doesn't come up if I request for 3 people.(Wouldn't 3 people be seated at a table for 4?) I was told that I could not make a reservation for 4 then show up with 3 people and she could only change my reservation to a party of 3. Clearly I disagreed so I hung up and tried to book the "party of 4" I saw online, but it was gone. So frustrating to be honest and told I couldn't have the reservation when people clearly do it all the time.

That is very frustrating Unfortunately the phone CMs give out incorrect information all the time If you're in this situation in the future, I'd just make the reservation change online instead of doing it over the phone. This way you won't feel the need to lie, and you'll get the ressie you want.