Off-Site Guest for Dinner??

[kristenrice]

My friend and I are staying at AKV for 5 nights in October. I booked a dinner at Jiko for my birthday for a party of 2. It recently dawned on us that we have a former co-worker who lives in the area and may wish to join us for a meal, specifically this dinner, since it is for my birthday. I went online and saw that I can modify it to a party of 3 with a small (5 minute) change in the time.

A couple of questions...

1) Should I change it to a party of 3 now, to make sure we have it? If she cannot make it, will we be OK as a party of 2? (i.e. no "no-show' charge)

2) Does she need to create an MDE account so that I can add her specifically? Or is it fine to just have it showing a party of 3?

 

[DisBuckMan]

Yes, go ahead and make the reservation for 3. It's ok to show up with less people than your reservation is for. They may or may not accommodate you if you show up with more people than your reservation is for.

You do not have to add her name onto the resort. Just into the head count is fine.

 

[mdelano4]

Ditto PP's advice.

 

[FSU Girl]

The only time you would need to add someone's name specifically is if it is a prepaid meal, but I think this can be bypassed if done on the phone instead of online. Since this restaurant doesn't charge in advance you are fine not having her name listed.

 

[kristenrice]

On a slightly related note, if her name is not specifically listed on the reservation, will she encounter an issue at the resort when she comes to park? I thought I read that they are cracking down on security and not allowing people past the gate without a dining or resort reservation.

 

[FSU Girl]

On a slightly related note, if her name is not specifically listed on the reservation, will she encounter an issue at the resort when she comes to park? I thought I read that they are cracking down on security and not allowing people past the gate without a dining or resort reservation.

I think that's more for the Magic Kingdom and Epcot resorts where people are trying to avoid paying to go to the parks and the lots are small as is for the hotel guests. I don't think many do that with Animal Kingdom Lodge?

 

[marjorieeeee]

Parking was not an issue at all when my Florida friends met me at Port Orleans for dinner. Your friend would be able to say your name is on the reservation. Come to think of it, the reservations only have the main contact person listed anyway. The others in the dining party are just so it will show up in their MDE. Usually I leave all the other people blank. But I had to choose names for the whole party for prepaid CRT. I assumed just so they could mark adult or child.

So, make sure your friend knows whose name is the primary contact on the reservation.

 

[bucky1023]

I don't think she will have an issue, but just to be safe you could always give her the confirmation # just so she has it if asked and she'll have your name as well