Need ADR Advice- Not sure if Party of 4 or 5

[WDW Princess 71]

We are a family of 5 going to Disney during Spring Break, a very busy time when dining reservations are a must. Problem this year is, one member of our party isn't sure if she is coming or not, and probably won't know until the last few weeks before we go. So I'm in a dilemma, do I make the reservations for a party of 4 or a party of 5? Is it better to make them for 4 and then show up at the restaurant with 5 people and hope we can get accomodated, or better to make it for 5 and show up with only 4 people? Which one would cause the least problems? I'm worried because 4 vs. 5 is a difference in the physical table size...it wouldn't be a big deal going from 3 to 4, for example, but 4 to 5 is a totally different table size. Has anyone had experience with this? I was even thinking of booking 2 sets of reservations, one for 4 people and one for 5, but I've heard that is frowned upon and I would hate to take a reservation time from someone else who wants it. I would really appreciate advice from anyone who's been in this situation before, and let me know what you did. Thanks in advance!

 

[Belle1962]

Make them for 5. If you show up with an extra they will probably have you "slotted" for a 4 top and that person will be out of luck. I've shown up with less than the number of my ADR and never had a problem.

 

[maj42169]

They only way for you to be safe is to have a reservation for 5. If the other person isn't able to make it, you could try to call and change the ADRs to 4 but with such short notice, I don't think you will have any luck. I would just show up and tell them that one person had to cancel.

The previous poster is correct in saying that and ADR of 4 would only put you at a 4-top which can not accomidate 5, where the ADR for 5 would still work if it were for one less.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Thank you both for your replies. It sounds like making it for 5 is the way to go then- I just wanted to make sure that they wouldn't refuse to seat us until our entire party had arrived. If anyone has had that experience, please let me know. If anyone else has had good experiences showing up with less people than the ADR is for, let me know that too...the more I hear the more confident I'll be and I can relax about this!

 

[WDW Princess 71]

bump

 

[jodywgirl]

make them for 5 and when you know for sure that it is 4 you can change it.

 

[Lynn5700]

Make it for 5 just to be safe. I have made ADRS for our whole party and last minute they decide they are not hungry or whatever. when I tell the restaurants at checkin I apologize and they say no problem.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

make them for 5.