Odd number of Guests

[bdpa]

Please help! We are multi families (5 adults & 2 little ones under 2 - 2-1/2 years old & 1 year old). We can not seem to find reservations
for the restaurants we want for 7 people. We can find for 6. Which with a 1 year old - we could hold him on our lap if need be. Would
you go ahead and make the reservation or keep looking for one that can actually seat 7? FYI - we have even looked into splitting us up-
no luck there. I just want to know if they will be upset if we show up with a reservation for 6 and have 7. Thank you for your input!

 

[HopperFan]

Please help! We are multi families (5 adults & 2 little ones under 2 - 2-1/2 years old & 1 year old). We can not seem to find reservations
for the restaurants we want for 7 people. We can find for 6.

Look for 8, but know you might get split to two tables if they have no 8 seats.

Which with a 1 year old - we could hold him on our lap if need be.

You are required to put them in the party numbers regardless of where they sit.

Would
you go ahead and make the reservation or keep looking for one that can actually seat 7? FYI - we have even looked into splitting us up-
no luck there. I just want to know if they will be upset if we show up with a reservation for 6 and have 7. Thank you for your input!

You would be assigned a table for 6 with ADR. If you show up with 7 they might not seat you at all, seat only 6 OR they will make you wait much longer for a table that can handle 7, or wait for two tables and split you up.


I personally would never book for less than I am bringing.

 

[StarCruzer]

Please help! We are multi families (5 adults & 2 little ones under 2 - 2-1/2 years old & 1 year old). We can not seem to find reservations
for the restaurants we want for 7 people. We can find for 6. Which with a 1 year old - we could hold him on our lap if need be. Would
you go ahead and make the reservation or keep looking for one that can actually seat 7? FYI - we have even looked into splitting us up-
no luck there. I just want to know if they will be upset if we show up with a reservation for 6 and have 7. Thank you for your input!

Not sure how well this would work but you could try booking a reservation for 6, or two reservations within the same half hour (4+3) and then actually call the reservations phone line at (407) 939-3463 to explain your situation and ask if they can help.

I had issues where I booked a fireworks package for one (2019) and I had to spend 2+ hours being shuttled between four different cast members in order to finally get someone to override the system's requirement for a minimum of 2 people per table. But they were able to do it.

I think if you're able to get a CM on the phone who works in the actual restaurant (hopefully a manager of some sort) they can put notes on your reservation for the staff.

 

[sponica]

I would try looking for 8, the booking robot doesn't see that 3 people can sit at the second 4 top.

 

[purple figment]

When you try and make a reservation it will ask you "How many people (including infants) are in your party?" so you are expected to include the 1 year old. The res system doesn't like odd numbers so try booking for 8 or two tables that add up to 8. You will not be penalized for arriving with 7.

On the other hand, if you book for less than the total number of guests there's a possibility that one person won't be seated or you'll have to wait longer for a table which might not be the best if your littles get restless.

 

[msmayor]

What restaurant(s) are you having trouble with? There are some that work really well for larger parties, and others that do not.

Two situations I had on our trip last month...our family group totaled 6 (5 adults, 1 toddler) and we had three dining reservations set up for the trip. Our first was at Le Cellier, and while we were on our way to the restaurant we learned a good friend was at the park and hoped to join us. I got on the phone with Disney Dining while riding the monorail and was able to change our reservation from 6 to 7 (they have tables for 8) without issue.

We wanted to dine at Topolino's for breakfast but had no luck getting a reservation for 6. We opted to get two reservations for 3, and the reservations were 5 minutes apart. I arrived at the restaurant early to request that we hoped we could get two tables near each other since we were really one party - logically told 'we'll try, but cannot guarantee'. Pixie dust happened and we ended up at a table for 6, all together.

Bottom line, two separate reservations are not the end of the world. Reach out to Disney Dining day-of or arrive at the restaurant early and make the request to at least be next to each other, or better yet...at the same table. You might get lucky.

Other strategy is to focus on restaurants that have as a standard tables for 8.

 

[BigHouseFootball]

Literally just ran into this problem with O’Hana breakfast. Looking for a table for 4 (the 4th bring my 10 month old) and it was showing a ton of availability for a party of 3 OR a party of 5 but nothing for a party of 4. So I booked it for 5 then went to modify and it let me switch it to 4 maybe try that? No guarantees.

Otherwise I would make the reservation for what you can then call the dinning number and talk to an actual human.

Good luck!

 

[sponica]

Literally just ran into this problem with O’Hana breakfast. Looking for a table for 4 (the 4th bring my 10 month old) and it was showing a ton of availability for a party of 3 OR a party of 5 but nothing for a party of 4. So I booked it for 5 then went to modify and it let me switch it to 4 maybe try that? No guarantees.

Otherwise I would make the reservation for what you can then call the dinning number and talk to an actual human.

Good luck!

You don't even need to modify it down, unless it's prepaid, the ghost hitchhikers don't cost extra.

 

[katyjeka]

I'm not sure when your going but I made a lot of reservations for our September trip and most of them were for 7. I checked again this morning and changed a couple and still had no issue. I'd keep trying.

 

[bdpa]

What restaurant(s) are you having trouble with? There are some that work really well for larger parties, and others that do not.

Two situations I had on our trip last month...our family group totaled 6 (5 adults, 1 toddler) and we had three dining reservations set up for the trip. Our first was at Le Cellier, and while we were on our way to the restaurant we learned a good friend was at the park and hoped to join us. I got on the phone with Disney Dining while riding the monorail and was able to change our reservation from 6 to 7 (they have tables for 8) without issue.

We wanted to dine at Topolino's for breakfast but had no luck getting a reservation for 6. We opted to get two reservations for 3, and the reservations were 5 minutes apart. I arrived at the restaurant early to request that we hoped we could get two tables near each other since we were really one party - logically told 'we'll try, but cannot guarantee'. Pixie dust happened and we ended up at a table for 6, all together.

Bottom line, two separate reservations are not the end of the world. Reach out to Disney Dining day-of or arrive at the restaurant early and make the request to at least be next to each other, or better yet...at the same table. You might get lucky.

Other strategy is to focus on restaurants that have as a standard tables for 8.

 

[bdpa]

What restaurant(s) are you having trouble with? There are some that work really well for larger parties, and others that do not.

Two situations I had on our trip last month...our family group totaled 6 (5 adults, 1 toddler) and we had three dining reservations set up for the trip. Our first was at Le Cellier, and while we were on our way to the restaurant we learned a good friend was at the park and hoped to join us. I got on the phone with Disney Dining while riding the monorail and was able to change our reservation from 6 to 7 (they have tables for 8) without issue.

We wanted to dine at Topolino's for breakfast but had no luck getting a reservation for 6. We opted to get two reservations for 3, and the reservations were 5 minutes apart. I arrived at the restaurant early to request that we hoped we could get two tables near each other since we were really one party - logically told 'we'll try, but cannot guarantee'. Pixie dust happened and we ended up at a table for 6, all together.

Bottom line, two separate reservations are not the end of the world. Reach out to Disney Dining day-of or arrive at the restaurant early and make the request to at least be next to each other, or better yet...at the same table. You might get lucky.

Other strategy is to focus on restaurants that have as a standard tables for 8.

Msmayor, we are trying for Yak & Yeti. I'm beginning to think they don't have tables bigger than 6. We are going to do a walk-up and see how it goes. Thank you!

 

[Mouse Tracker]

General question, Can the resort front desk help with dining reservations?

 

[bdpa]

General question, Can the resort front desk help with dining reservations?

I would think only if you were staying in Moderate or Deluxe. Which we are not. We have GrandKids with us!

 

[LilyWDW]

There is nothing in Hopper's post that comes off like that.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Yes you’ll get lectured on here for doing this (showing up with an extra person) but in practice it’s usually fine and you’re accommodated. Also try Open table for reservations, they’re not Disney owned so they’ll be there and maybe you’ll have better luck. Also if you say it’s your bday month when you travel (gasp! Lol) and join the Lawreys club you’ll get a $20 credit to use when dining at a Lawreys restaurant which Yak and yeti is one of. I think it costs $20 to join but you get it credited back on the card plus the birthday money. Just an idea. Have fun!

 

[bdpa]

Ummm what?

There is nothing in Hopper's post that comes off like that.

Then I apologize - I must have misread it. I have my suggestions and thank you everyone for your input.

 

[bdpa]

Yes you’ll get lectured on here for doing this (showing up with an extra person) but in practice it’s usually fine and you’re accommodated. Also try Open table for reservations, they’re not Disney owned so they’ll be there and maybe you’ll have better luck. Also if you say it’s your bday month when you travel (gasp! Lol) and join the Lawreys club you’ll get a $20 credit to use when dining at a Lawreys restaurant which Yak and yeti is one of. I think it costs $20 to join but you get it credited back on the card plus the birthday money. Just an idea. Have fun!

Thank you for your help! This was what I was looking for! Just light-hearted information. I do already have a card so we will just walk up and see how it goes!!

 

[focusondisney]

I think if you're able to get a CM on the phone who works in the actual restaurant (hopefully a manager of some sort) they can put notes on your reservation for the staff.

Theres no way to call Disney restaurants, you won’t be able to talk to a manager unless you go to the restaurant. This circumstance comes up regularly. Managers would be on the phone just dealing with these calls if there were.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I can’t speak for Yak and Yeti as I have never been there. But, a few weeks ago we went to Chef Mickey’s for dinner with 7 people. We had a reservation for 4 and one for 3 at the same time. We politely asked if we could be seated in the same section of the restaurant for picture taking purposes. They said that was not a problem and actually sat us at the same table instead which was a 6 top with a chair at the end.
A couple days later we went to Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner. The reservation was for 8, but we had 9 people. (I was not originally supposed to be there.) Since I was the add on, I was fully prepared to eat elsewhere, but the host said it was not an issue. We were seated at a large round table.
The point is, it’s best to go in with what you need. But it never hurts to politely ask as long as you are prepared for a no answer.

 

[gottalovepluto]

General question, Can the resort front desk help with dining reservations?

No, they only have access to what you see on the app